Automation FAT Checklist for Food Manufacturing Projects
Key checks to complete before automated equipment leaves the supplier, reducing commissioning surprises and production disruption on site.
Why this matters in food manufacturing Factory Acceptance Testing should prove that the equipment is substantially ready before it reaches site. It is not a supplier demonstration. The objective is to expose functional, safety, hygiene, controls and maintainability issues while the machine is still surrounded by the people and facilities that built it. A weak FAT transfers unfinished engineering into the installation window. That increases commissioning pressure, production disruption and the temptation to accept temporary fixes. 1. Verify scope and documentation Check the approved specification against the as-built machine. Confirm drawings, electrical schematics, pneumatic diagrams, software backups, manuals, spares lists, certificates, component schedules and change records are available and reflect what is fitted. Record every deviation with an owner and agreed closure point. Verbal promises should not become the project punch list. 2. Prove functional sequences Run all operating modes: start-up, normal production, stop, pause, starved, blocked, changeover, cleaning mode and recovery after power or air loss. Test alarms, permissives, interlocks, recipe changes and abnormal sequences. Where product cannot be used at FAT, agree representative loads or simulation and identify…
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