Verify available functions before shipment
A factory acceptance test is useful when the protocol, materials, operating basis and disposition rules are agreed before participants arrive at the manufacturing site.
Direct answer
A factory acceptance test should confirm equipment identity and scope, inspect workmanship and available documents, verify safety and functional behavior that can be tested before shipment, and run the agreed reference bottle, closure, label and pack under defined conditions. The protocol should name prerequisites, test sequence, measurements, sample plan, records, pass criteria and treatment of deviations. FAT does not replace site acceptance because final utilities, installation and complete-line operation may only be available at the destination factory.
System focus 01
Build the protocol from the signed specification and approved exceptions. It should identify the equipment and software revision, reference format, test products or substitutes, utilities, sequence, duration, measurement methods and required records. Separate mandatory acceptance checks from demonstrations or observations. Advance approval gives both parties time to resolve impractical criteria and prepare meaningful evidence.
System focus 02
The supplier should complete internal inspection and functional trials before the formal event. Required bottles, preforms, closures, labels, film or cases must be representative, sufficient and compatible with the approved basis. Calibrated measuring equipment, safe access, utilities, operators, data sheets and available manuals should be ready. Missing prerequisites should trigger a documented decision to defer, limit or reclassify affected checks.
System focus 03
FAT normally begins with equipment identity, included components, workmanship, access, guarding and documented interfaces. Functional checks can then examine sequences, manual and automatic modes, sensors, alarms, interlocks, recipe or format selection, reject handling and controlled recovery. The test depth should reflect the supplied scope and what can be reproduced safely at the factory, without implying site-dependent conditions have been proven.
System focus 04
Where the assembled scope and factory services permit, the production run should use the agreed format and materials. Record start conditions, operating periods, planned pauses, unplanned stops, rejects, output counts, product or package observations and adjustments. If water substitutes, shortened conveyors or temporary services are used, the protocol should state the limitation and reserve relevant verification for the site test.
System focus 05
Every result should be recorded as accepted, accepted with an agreed action, pending evidence or not accepted under the contract process. Classify open items by effect on safe shipment, installation and later verification. Assign owner, action, evidence and due date. FAT sign-off should describe what was tested and its limitations; it should not erase unresolved items or waive site-dependent obligations unless explicitly agreed.
FAT readiness gate
Do not treat attendance as readiness; confirm the basis, setup, evidence and disposition process first.
Everyone tests the same requirement set.
Equipment and materials support the planned checks.
Results can be traced and reviewed later.
Open points have a defined route to closure.
Specific legal, safety and contractual requirements may require additional checks or independent inspection for the destination project.
Technical reading
Confirm the standards, guidance and legal requirements that apply to the project location and product before final design.
The current IEC standard provides requirements and checklists for FAT, FIT, SAT and SIT of automation systems; project teams should adapt the test plan to the applicable process, equipment and contract.
Buyer questions
Use these answers as a project-planning starting point. Final equipment and performance remain subject to the confirmed brief.
Not usually. FAT verifies the supplied equipment under available factory conditions. Installation, final utilities, retained-equipment interfaces and integrated operation are commonly verified during site acceptance.
The order should assign supply, quantities, delivery timing and material approval. Representative buyer materials are preferable when available; substitutes and their limitations must be recorded.
Only when the signed protocol defines the scope, prerequisites, duration, conditions and measurements and the factory setup can reproduce them. A universal run duration should not be assumed.
Record the requirement, observed result, classification, correction owner, due date and required evidence or retest. Shipment disposition should follow the contractual process and the effect of the open item.
Capacities, process routes, layouts, utilities and equipment shown on this site are decision frameworks and reference examples. They are not a final specification, performance guarantee or offer. Confirmed scope and performance are defined in the signed technical and commercial agreement.
Allot Tech project desk
Share the source water, bottle, target output, pack format, factory status and destination. We will use them as the basis for a project-specific configuration discussion.