Factory Acceptance Test
Bottling Line Factory Acceptance Test Checklist
A practical FAT checklist for bottled water and beverage lines before shipment and final payment decisions.
A factory acceptance test, usually called a FAT, is the point where buyer and supplier check the agreed equipment before shipment. For a bottling line, the test should be based on the signed scope, approved bottle and cap formats, agreed test materials, and a written acceptance checklist. A short demonstration video alone is not a complete FAT.
Freeze the acceptance basis first
- Approved machine and line scope, layout, electrical standard, and control language.
- Test bottle, cap, label, product or test liquid, film, carton, and coding material.
- Target output and the exact bottle format used for the capacity claim.
- Agreed test duration, acceptable stoppages, quality checks, and safety checks.
- Responsibility for travel, remote witnessing, samples, corrections, and retesting.
FAT test record
| Area | What to observe | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Machine identity | Nameplates, model, serial number, principal components, voltage | Wide and close photos |
| Dry run | Conveyors, sensors, guards, emergency stops, alarms, manual controls | Video and alarm list |
| Wet/product run | Rinsing, filling level, capping, leakage, bottle handling, rejects | Timed run and sample checks |
| Line output | Count good bottles over an agreed interval and record stoppages | Counter reading and time log |
| Downstream equipment | Label position, coding, pack integrity, conveyor accumulation | Finished pack photos |
| Changeover | Parts, tools, recipe changes, adjustment points, restart quality | Changeover time and issue notes |
| Documents | Manuals, drawings, parts list, software backup, certificates promised in contract | Document register |
Use a punch list, not vague promises
Each open issue should have a description, photo or video reference, responsible party, target completion date, and verification method. Separate shipment-blocking issues from minor cosmetic or documentation items. The buyer should align payment and shipment decisions with the contract rather than relying on informal chat messages.
Remote FAT considerations
If the buyer cannot attend, request a continuous live view for critical tests, a visible clock or time reference, close views of counters and samples, and an indexed file set after testing. Remote witnessing improves visibility but may not replace an independent inspection or technical specialist when the project risk requires one.
Prepare a pre-FAT document pack
Before anyone travels or joins a remote session, request the latest machine list, layout, electrical and pneumatic drawings, operating manual draft, recommended spare-parts list, format list, and proposed test protocol. Review the files early enough that missing materials or unclear acceptance points can be corrected before the test day.
Record good output, not only machine speed
A counter can show gross cycles while finished product quality tells a different story. Record the quantity of acceptable bottles or packs, rejected units, manual interventions, planned pauses, unplanned stops, and the reason for each stop. Check fill level or volume, cap application, leakage, label placement, code legibility, and pack integrity using an agreed sample plan.
Close the FAT properly
The final record should identify what passed, what failed, what was not tested, and what remains conditional on site installation. Keep the signed or acknowledged test record, raw videos, sample results, document register, and punch list together. Site acceptance may still be needed after installation because utilities, product conditions, and integrated performance can differ from the supplier workshop.