Standards & FAQ
What the rules ask of you, in plain English.
The Australian standards behind electrical and fire compliance, how often each site needs testing, and straight answers to the questions we hear most.
The core standard for testing and tagging plug-in electrical equipment already in use, plus RCD verification.
Tighter three-monthly intervals, colour-coded tags and RCD requirements for site supply and generators.
Six-monthly inspection of extinguishers, blankets and hose reels, with periodic pressure testing.
Six-monthly inspection and an annual 90-minute discharge test on every emergency and exit fitting.
Current, correctly oriented evacuation diagrams displayed on site and reviewed at least every five years.
How often you need testing
Intervals are set by the site and how hard the gear works, not the appliance itself.
| Type of site | Appliances | Safety switches | Tag colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction and demolition | 3 months | Monthly (portable) | Quarterly rotation |
| Workshops and factories | 6-12 months | 6 months | Rotated by us |
| Warehouses and depots | 6-12 months | 6 months | Rotated by us |
| Petrol stations | 6-12 months | 6 months | Rotated by us |
| Hire equipment | 3 months | 3 months | Rotated by us |
| NDIS and aged care | 12 months | 6-12 months | Flexible |
Questions we get asked
Is test and tag a legal requirement in Victoria?
Victorian OHS duties require you to make sure electrical equipment is safe to use. Testing and tagging to AS/NZS 3760 is the accepted way of showing you've done that, and on construction and demolition sites AS/NZS 3012 makes three-monthly testing mandatory.
How often does my equipment need testing?
It comes down to the site, not the appliance. Building sites are every 3 months, workshops, warehouses, factories and petrol stations every 6 to 12 months, and lower-risk sites every 12 to 60 months depending on whether the gear gets moved around. We'll confirm your intervals in writing before we start.
Who is allowed to do test and tag work?
A competent person, meaning someone trained in AS/NZS 3760 test methods with calibrated instruments and insurance. You don't need a full electrical licence for in-service testing of portable equipment. Our fire protection work is done by registered technicians.
Do you test generator RCDs?
Yes. We test meter box safety switches and generator-fed RCDs, which matters on construction sites and anywhere running temporary or portable supply. Measured trip times are recorded per device.
What do the tag colours mean?
On construction and demolition sites tags rotate through a four-colour quarterly cycle so anyone can see at a glance whether an item is current. Everywhere else the colour is flexible, but we still rotate it so your crew can spot an out-of-date item without squinting at the fine print.
How often do fire extinguishers need testing?
Every six months under AS 1851, plus a five-yearly pressure test or replacement depending on the type. Fire blankets and hose reels are on the same six-monthly cycle, so we do the lot in one pass.
Do I need an evacuation diagram?
Most sites do. AS 3745 asks for diagrams that are current, correctly oriented to where they hang, and displayed where occupants can see them, reviewed every five years or whenever the layout changes. We draw, print, frame and install them.
What does a proper report include?
Asset ID, description, location, the tests done, measured results, pass or fail, the technician, the test date and the next due date. Ours is emailed free after every visit and kept on file, so getting evidence for an audit or an insurer takes one email.