Pre-shipment acceptance
Water Bottling Line Factory Acceptance Test Checklist
Turn factory acceptance testing into an agreed evidence plan for the supplied machines, materials, operating conditions, records and unresolved items.
FAT Should Test the Contracted Scope
A machine demonstration is not automatically a factory acceptance test. FAT should use agreed samples, procedures, measurements, responsibilities and documented treatment of deviations.
- Approved bottles, caps, labels and packs
- Machine and interface scope
- Test conditions and measurement method
- Records, deviations and open-item closure
Prepare FAT Before Manufacturing Ends
The buyer and supplier should agree what can be tested at the supplier factory, what remains for site acceptance and which evidence supports shipment.
Scope and readiness
Confirm which machines, options, guards, controls and documents are available for test.
Materials and utilities
Assign approved samples, product substitute where agreed and factory utility conditions.
Performance checks
Define run basis, output measurement, quality checks, alarms and changeover tests.
Closeout
Record observations, deviations, owners, evidence and deadlines before shipment approval.
Factory Acceptance Test Plan
Adapt this checklist to the contracted machine and local quality requirements.
| Decision | What to define | Evidence to request |
|---|---|---|
| Document review | Confirm drawings, manuals, lists and test procedure. | Controlled document register. |
| Visual and safety review | Check supplied scope, access, guarding and labels. | Signed inspection record and photos. |
| Functional testing | Run operating modes, alarms, interlocks and recovery. | Test log and alarm record. |
| Performance basis | Measure output and agreed quality under stated conditions. | Data sheet and sample records. |
| Open-item control | Assign correction, evidence and closure timing. | Signed punch list with owners. |
What the Buyer Should Bring to FAT
Preparation prevents a short factory visit from becoming an unstructured demonstration.
Approved materials
Provide or approve bottles, caps, labels, film, trays and any test product basis.
Contract scope
Bring the signed technical agreement, equipment list, exclusions and acceptance clauses.
Measurement plan
Assign instruments, sampling, witnesses, records and decision authority.
Closeout method
Agree how remote evidence, retesting and shipment release will be handled.
Turn the Checklist Into a Shipment Evidence Register
Use the checklist to collect evidence against the agreed scope, not to count how many boxes have been ticked. Give each test a requirement reference, method, available condition, result and evidence location.
Use met, not met and not demonstrated as distinct outcomes. If a downstream module or approved pack material is absent, record the resulting limitation and the site or repeat test needed. Keep the performance calculation in its own protocol so document review and functional observations do not become substitutes for measured output.
For every remaining item, name the correction owner, evidence needed, requested closure date and the agreed decision authority. Keep the project parties’ shipment-release decision separate from an informal statement that the factory visit went well.
| Check | Evidence to retain | When the condition is unavailable |
|---|---|---|
| Supplied scope | Equipment IDs, options and document references | Record missing items against the agreed scope. |
| Functions and recovery | Approved test case and observation log | State the untested case and required follow-up. |
| Performance | Material references, raw counts, time basis and quality results | Record not demonstrated; define the remaining trial. |
| Closeout | Disposition, owner, correction evidence and retest | Keep unresolved status visible until closure is supported. |
FAQ
What is FAT for a water bottling line?
FAT is a factory acceptance test performed before shipment against an agreed scope, procedure, samples, conditions and evidence plan.
Which materials are needed for FAT?
Depending on scope, use approved bottles, caps, labels, film, trays and an agreed product or test-water basis.
How long should the line run during FAT?
The duration and operating conditions should be agreed in the contract for the actual equipment and acceptance objective.
What happens when FAT finds a problem?
Record the deviation, required correction, responsible party, evidence, deadline and whether retesting is needed.
Is FAT the same as SAT?
No. SAT occurs at the buyer site after installation and utility connection; each test needs its own boundary and criteria.
Request a FAT Scope Review
Share what you know now. The goal is to prepare a useful plant brief before a machine quotation is built.