Poultry equipment FAT, SAT and commissioning acceptance
A practical way to agree what 'accepted' means before purchase — at the factory, on site and at handover — so poultry farm and hatchery equipment can be checked against evidence rather than impressions.
Last updated: 2026-08-27
Factory acceptance testing (FAT) checks equipment against the contract before dispatch; site acceptance testing (SAT) checks the installed system under site conditions before handover. Both work only if the criteria, evidence and responsible people are written into the RFQ and contract.
Define critical functions, test method, pass criteria, documents, training and spare parts for each system. Use the checklist builder below to draft them; contractual wording should be reviewed by your own legal adviser.
- FAT
- Factory acceptance test: verification at the manufacturer before shipping.
- SAT
- Site acceptance test: verification of the installed system on your site.
- Punch list
- A list of open defects or tasks agreed at handover, each with an owner and closing evidence.
- Owner page
- For the installation and commissioning process itself, see the installation guide.
For the installation and commissioning process itself, the installation guide is the main page. →
Poultry Equipment Acceptance Checklist Builder
Choose a system, mark the status of each item, then copy or print the checklist for your RFQ or site meeting.
Accepted items: 0/16
Planning checklist only. It is not legal advice or a certification; adapt it with your engineer and adviser.
What is the difference between FAT and SAT?
They answer different questions and need different evidence.
| FAT | SAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Manufacturer's facility | Your site, after installation |
| Purpose | Conformity with contract and drawings before dispatch | Correct function under real utilities and climate |
| Typical checks | Dimensions, materials, wiring, control logic, test runs | Integration, alarms, safety devices, performance at site conditions |
| Evidence | Test protocol, photos or video, signed report, packing list | Commissioning records, measurements, training log, signed acceptance |
| Who attends | Buyer or appointed inspector, manufacturer | Buyer, installer, operator staff |
Which evidence fields should each test record?
A test without recorded evidence is difficult to rely on later. Agree a template before the test.
- System and serial or batch identification.
- Function tested, method and pass criterion written beforehand.
- Measured result, date, location and responsible person.
- Deviations, agreed corrective action and closing evidence.
- Signatures of buyer and supplier representatives.
What is a sensible commissioning sequence?
Commission from utilities upwards so each system is tested on a stable base.
- Power, earthing, water and standby generation verified.
- Individual components run (motors, fans, pumps, heaters).
- Control system, sensors and alarm notifications tested.
- Integrated systems run together (ventilation with heating and cooling, feeding with weighing).
- Failure scenarios: power loss, sensor failure, alarm escalation.
- Operator training and handover documents.
Which acceptance terms should be considered at procurement?
These are procurement considerations, not legal advice. Have contract wording reviewed by your adviser.
- Which payment milestones depend on FAT, SAT or handover?
- Is a retention or holdback considered until the punch list is closed?
- Who pays for repeated tests after a failed FAT or SAT?
- When does the warranty period start: dispatch, SAT or handover?
- Which critical spare parts and response arrangements are included?
- Which documents (manuals, wiring diagrams, conformity declarations) are delivered, and in which language?
How do I verify training and after-sales support?
Record who was trained on which system, and test the escalation route for a fault before the first flock: who answers, how parts arrive, and which remote access is agreed.
How to set up acceptance before you buy
- 1
List critical functions per system
Ventilation, heating, cooling, feeding, drinking, egg collection, incubation, alarms.
- 2
Write test methods and pass criteria
State how each function is tested and what result counts as a pass.
- 3
Put acceptance into the RFQ
Ask every supplier to accept the same FAT, SAT and document requirements.
- 4
Run FAT and record evidence
Attend or appoint an inspector and sign the protocol before dispatch.
- 5
Run SAT under site conditions
Test integration and failure scenarios once utilities and building are complete.
- 6
Close the punch list and hand over
Agree owners and dates for open items, confirm training and spares, then sign handover.
Decision tools for the next step
All calculator outputs are indicative planning estimates, not guaranteed production, cost or performance results. Final figures are confirmed by suppliers, engineers and your own due diligence.
Financing: what HatchMatch does and does not do
HatchMatch is not a lender. With the buyer's consent, a defined project may be introduced to independent financing providers, who alone decide eligibility and terms. Nothing on this page is a financing offer.
HatchMatch Group is not a lender, bank, financial institution, credit provider, investment advisor, or regulated financial services provider. Financing requests submitted through this platform may, subject to user consent, be shared with independent third-party financing providers for evaluation purposes. Any financing approval, terms, pricing, underwriting, due diligence, eligibility criteria, provider requirements and contractual arrangements are determined solely by the financing provider. Financing is not guaranteed and remains subject to eligibility, compliance checks, and lender approval.
What this page does not decide
- It is not legal advice; contract terms need review by your own adviser.
- It does not certify conformity or replace inspection by qualified people.
- It does not judge any specific supplier or product.
Frequently asked questions
Add acceptance criteria to your supplier brief
Every brief is reviewed by a person; we aim to reply within two business days. Manufacturers decide independently whether to respond, and response times vary.