A factory acceptance test (FAT) verifies that manufacturing equipment meets agreed requirements at the supplier's facility before shipment. Use objective pass/fail criteria and record evidence for each test.
What to include in your FAT checklist
- Scope: approved specifications, equipment configuration, responsible witnesses, and acceptance thresholds.
- Safety: guarding, emergency stops, interlocks, alarms, and safe fault recovery.
- Mechanical and electrical: assemblies, utilities, controls, and documentation.
- Functional testing: operating modes, sequence validation, changeovers, and abnormal conditions.
- Performance: cycle time, throughput, accuracy, and repeatability under defined conditions.
- Open issues: record deviations, severity, owner, disposition, and closure evidence.
- Release: signoff, outstanding risks, shipment conditions, and SAT prerequisites.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of a FAT?
To identify equipment issues before shipment, when the supplier can usually address them more efficiently.
Who should attend a factory acceptance test?
Typically the supplier's technical team and buyer representatives from manufacturing engineering, quality, controls, maintenance, or operations, depending on scope.
Is FAT the same as SAT?
No. FAT verifies equipment at the supplier before shipment. SAT verifies installation and performance at the destination site. See our manufacturing equipment commissioning guide for post-delivery readiness steps.
How do you manage a failed FAT item?
Document the failed criterion, supporting evidence, corrective action owner, target date, and retest requirement. Do not treat unresolved critical safety or acceptance issues as closed.
Get the free FAT checklist
Request the free manufacturing equipment FAT checklist through the email signup page. For teams managing FAT, SAT, action items, and production readiness across the entire launch, explore the $89 ELS Professional system.