What does the 12-month body-protected area test involve?

A visit of an hour or so per room, with the room out of use while the RCDs are tripped. The tester starts with a look: every outlet, RCD, isolator and the sign checked for damage, the right colours, working indicators and no more than 12 points on an RCD. Then the labels: each outlet names its RCD, each RCD names its circuit breaker and switchboard, and the cleaners’ outlet is marked for cleaning only.

Then the instruments. Earth continuity is measured on every outlet and on fixed equipment in the area, polarity is checked, and every 10 mA RCD is tripped with a tester that can do the AS/NZS 3003 tests: trip current and trip time within limits, both poles opening, the test button and indicator working. Where an isolated supply with a line isolation monitor is fitted, which is rare outside hospitals, that is tested too.

Anything that fails is fixed before the room is used again. When the room passes, a new test label goes on the sign with the date and the tester’s details, the report goes to you, and the classification record is updated. The standard’s own routine checklist is Appendix E; the list above is our plain-English version of it.