Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) serve different purposes. Treating them as one generic startup checklist makes it easier for important issues to fall through the cracks.
What is a FAT?
The FAT occurs before shipment at the equipment supplier's facility. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the machine was built to the agreed scope and can meet the key functional and performance requirements under agreed test conditions.
What should be checked during FAT?
Typical areas include machine configuration, guards and safety devices, controls and recipes, alarms, product handling, package quality, inspection systems, coding, changeover, utilities, documentation, training, and a sustained production run.
What is a SAT?
The SAT occurs after installation at the manufacturing site. It confirms that the installed system works with the real facility utilities, actual upstream and downstream equipment, plant controls, and normal operating environment.
Why FAT success does not eliminate SAT
Installation introduces variables that do not exist at the supplier's facility: rigging, electrical work, air quality, line integration, network communication, production materials, operator interaction, and real plant conditions.
Use measurable acceptance criteria
“Machine runs well” is not a useful acceptance standard. Define rate, run duration, quality expectations, allowable rejects, changeover expectations, safety checks, and documentation requirements before the test begins.
The Packaging FAT & SAT Acceptance Pack provides editable checklists for both stages.