Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Services
As a leading provider of quality assurance solutions, Global Wits Consultancy Services offers Factory Acceptance Test services worldwide.
What Is a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) ?
Starting up new, commonly industrial equipment, even with the assembly and start-up manuals to hand, can be challenging. A Factory Acceptance Test, or FAT, is a test performed by the manufacturer of a system or piece of equipment to ensure that it meets the requirements the customer specified and avoid the possibility that some critical components may fail. The test is typically conducted at the factory before shipment of the product.
A way to eliminate possible failures is to simulate operating and try failure modes that verify the system or component meets all functional and performance requirements. This includes verifying that the system or component works as intended, meets buyer-supplier contractual requirements, and meets all applicable safety and quality standards. A FAT also helps to identify, before shipment, any potential problems that could occur during operation of the system or equipment. And at the same time, it also will provide insights into good practices for a proper installation.
During a Factory Acceptance Test, inspectors conduct various tests on the system or equipment. These tests may include functional testing, performance testing, safety testing, and quality assurance testing. The specific tests conducted will depend on the customer’s requirements. Defining FAT criteria and planning and setting up the testing environment early in the project help to ensure success.
After all tests have been completed, analysts generate a report that documents the results of the Factory Acceptance Test service. The customer then reviews this report to ensure that they are satisfied with the results. If there are any issues with the system or equipment, they can be addressed before shipment and delivery instead of being discovered by the client. This eliminates on-site surprises and aligns with the rule of thumb that a defect discovered by a customer is ten times as costly as a defect discovered in-house. An effective FAT helps a client meet tight production timelines, respond to competitive pressures, and give buyers the performance they expect.