Your retail outlet can spring all kinds of new maintenance challenges throughout a year. But there is one item that will always feature on your To-Do list. And that is of course statutory testing.

For any retailer with locations in the UK and Europe, it is mandated that the premises are safe for customers to visit and staff to work. The tests are either specifically required to meet set standards, or are accepted to show evidence the retailer is meeting a duty of care.

The range of tests is quite broad. You will already be aware of the need to undertake electrical and gas safety tests, But there are a number of other parts of the business that might need to be regularly inspected too, such as:

• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
• Emergency Light Testing
• Fire Alarm
• Sprinkler systems
• Water testing (Legionella L8)
• Fixtures / fittings
• Fire risk assessment
• Evacuation plans
• Fire extinguishers
• Shelving and racking
• Asbestos surveys

What you need to test, and how often, can vary depending on the location of the property. In some cases the tests are the responsibility of the landlord of the premises. So, if you are the tenant, they are not your responsibility.

For a retailer with multiple locations, ensuring safety tests are undertaken at the right time across all locations can be time consuming. Add into the mix locations across Europe, and the task become significantly more complex. Certifications can lapse accidentally, resulting in one or more locations being closed. The issue can be serious enough for a retailer to be fined and have locations closed down. Which can be seriously damaging to the business and its brand.

Taking Testing Off Your To-Do list

The alternative to trying to manage your statutory testing schedule is to hand it to Store Maintenance. Doing this carries a lot of benefits. First, Store Maintenance has a huge network of trades across the UK and Europe, many of whom can undertake the testing. This ensures the testing calendar is handled by professionals who will have the safety of everyone in your locations as their priority.

Store Maintenance also collates the certification entails and keeps you updated on progress. This can be easily reported on, helping you to build a picture of any patterns that may need further investigation. But just as importantly, sourcing your testing across your estate saves you an immense amount of time which can be spent on other pressing matters. And you can do with the confidence that your locations are being cared for correctly.

So if statutory testing is on your To-Do list and you prefer to get time back for other tasks, contact us to find out how we can help keeping your properties safe easier and more convenient.