The Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) represents a cornerstone in industrial equipment quality control, assuring that equipment aligns with design criteria and industry standards. However, the reality remains that some factories might misinterpret test reports or manipulate testing procedures.
Given these concerns, many importers now use third party inspection agencies to witness these pivotal acceptance tests. In this guide, we cover the key elements of third party FAT witnessing.
What is the Witness of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT Witness)?
Factory Acceptance Tests stand as a systematic, documented validation process. The primary purpose is to check whether the newly fabricated equipment aligns with design specifications and performs optimally. Traditionally these tests are executed on the manufacturer’s premises and conducted by the manufacturer’s in-house team.
However, given the risks of fraudulent or misleading test reports, increasingly more businesses use third party inspectors to monitor these tests and validate manufacturer test reports.
Why Use Third-party FAT Witnessing?
Often, the very factories you collaborate with might be geographically distant, making it expensive and challenging to visit. Therefore, many buyers find third party agencies a cost-effective method to witness the testing.
Key benefits of FAT Witness include:
1. Impartiality and Objectivity
Being external, these third parties possess no motives, which gives you an unbiased evaluation.
2. Expertise
Third-party inspections might detect issues potentially overlooked by the manufacturer.
3. Compliance Adherence
These experts verify that the FAT meets global and client-driven standards.
Factory Acceptance Test Witness Checklist by Third Party Inspection
It’s crucial to understand that the tests an industrial equipment or material undergo vary depending on the item. For illustrative purposes, we’ve selected a FAT Witness test for generators to demonstrate the process.
Control Function Test
This involves evaluating the generator’s control system and associated components to ensure they match design specifications. Our inspector is present during the factory’s assessment of control functions, including power-on, shutdown, and emergency stop operations. The inspector then reviews the results to determine whether they are deemed acceptable.
Dummy Load Test
The dummy load test evaluates the generator’s ability to handle operational loads without being connected to the primary system or main grid. Our inspection confirmed that the generator met the esteemed G2 standard in this particular test.
Earthing Protection Test
The earthing protection test will verify that the generator’s earthing system is functioning correctly and will safely divert fault currents to the earth, ensuring no electrocution or fire danger. In this scenario, the inspector noted the resistance between the ground contact and the metal component met standard requirements.
Noise Level Measurement
This critical test gauges a generator’s noise output. The inspector noted that the indoor ambient noise was detected within a meter of the diesel generator. However, since the client did not predefine noise parameters, the inspector could not confirm the test results.
Concluding the FAT Witness Procedure
Upon test completion, all participating individuals, from test executors to our inspectors, will affix their signatures to certify their presence. The client will also receive a comprehensive FAT Witness report, which includes photographs, inspector observations, and critical data files.
Conclusion: Insider’s Guide to Witnessing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT Witness)
The primary purpose of the FAT Witness Test is to ensure that the factory conducts the factory acceptance test accurately and conform to standards. It’s important to understand the specific tests will differ depending on the product.
HQTS covers 40+ countries globally and can attend factory acceptance tests for all major industrial product categories. If you need a FAT witness test or have any queries regarding these tests, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
