Factory Acceptance Tests

Scheduled Test

A Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) is a scheduled test, taking place at the fabrication plant in which all purchased equipment will be demonstrated as specified in the purchase order.

Besides witnessing the equipment trials several other benefits are gained.

  • The FAT becomes an ideal occasion to review the bill of materials and to discuss spare parts required for start-up and use during the first year of operation.
  • A complete documentation review gives confidence in maintenance procedures.
  • An installation scope meeting in order to review the critical parameters and tolerances regarding equipment set-up.

Below is the basic list of parameters considered by SVENDBORG WAVE ApS when validating equipment prior to shipment.

Representatives from several disciplines can be required to ensure that the proper eyes are placed in all areas.

Engineering

  • Utility requirement lines identified on equipment per general arrangement drawings.
  • Start-up requirements for utilities mapped
  • Start-up calendar and milestones identified
  • Start-up resources and responsibilities committed
  • Critical equipment placement procedures and tolerances reviewed
  • Coordination of sub-contractor support defined
  • Electrical and mechanical tagging of the equipment as per specifications
  • Measure critical tolerances of equipment.

Operations

  • Equipment operates as specified
  • Human Machine Interface is functional
  • Operator procedures reviewed as per manuals
  • Override system reviewed
  • Machine safety parameters tested
  • Training schedule review
  • Weight load capacity tests of all equipment witnessed.

Maintenance

  • Lubrication points are easily accessible
  • Preventative maintenance points reviewed as per documentation
  • Special tools required for maintenance identified
  • Bill of materials reviewed for spare parts
  • Major wear items identified and change procedures reviewed
  • Any special maintenance procedures are demonstrated
  • Critical installation tolerances reviewed on documentation
  • Instrument calibration procedures reviewed.

Construction

  • General arrangement drawings and dimensions reviewed per layout
  • Proper materials used on frames, drive train, and controls
  • All sharp edges removed from equipment
  • Proper finish or coating is provided as per specifications
  • Start-up review for in plant equipment placement
  • Rigging and shipping procedures reviewed.

Due to diligence effort in assuring that the FAT checklist is complete, time and money will be significantly reduced once the equipment arrives for installation and start-up.

With an optimal FAT prior to shipment days and sometimes weeks can be saved on site. Delay also increases the amount of hours invoiced by all vendors involved.

Most cost excesses occur when the equipment has arrived at the plant and unnecessary time and materials are spent in order to modify problems that could have been solved prior to shipment.

The Factory Acceptance Test witnessed by SVENDBORG WAVE ApS includes a check of completeness, proof of functionality, and a verification of all important documents, such as

manuals, instructions, plans, drawings, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).

All tests necessary are discussed with the costumer in advance. The tests will be performed in the presence of the customer and the results will be summarized in a detailed FAT report.