FIDIC

Factory & site acceptance tests: Where engineering meets proof

Before any transformer hums, turbine spins, or control system switches to “ON,” one decisive moment determines whether design has truly become reality — the acceptance test. For infrastructure built under FIDIC, EPC, or lender-financed frameworks, Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) are the formal checkpoints where engineering, quality, and finance intersect. They are not mere technical rituals; they are contractual milestones that certify readiness, release payments, and validate warranties. In essence, FAT and SAT are the final exams of the engineering process — and failure is…