FAT vs SAT Decision Guide for Aquaculture Equipment Procurement

1. What FAT and SAT actually mean

FAT is a structured test at the supplier's factory before shipment. It proves that the equipment meets the contractual specification, runs through its design operating envelope, and produces the promised outputs. SAT is a structured test at your site after installation and commissioning. It proves that the same equipment works in your building, with your utilities, your water, your staff and your product.

• FAT = 'Did the supplier build what we ordered?'
• SAT = 'Does it work in our real-world conditions?'
• Both are contract gates, not friendly demonstrations
• Both need signed protocols, witnessed tests and non-conformance procedures

2. When to require FAT

Require FAT whenever finding a defect after shipment is expensive, slow or technically risky. For aquaculture projects, that almost always means custom-fabricated skids, overseas suppliers, long-lead mechanical packages and anything with a control system that must be proven before it leaves the factory.

• Custom RAS process skids (biofilters, drum filters, oxygen cones, UV/ozone units)
• Equipment over ~USD 100K where sea freight and customs add weeks to any rework
• Control panels, PLCs and SCADA systems that need IO checks before site power-up
• Processing lines where changeover, yield and throughput must be demonstrated
• Any item where the supplier's reference plant is not identical to your scope

3. When to require SAT

SAT is mandatory for any equipment whose performance depends on site conditions the supplier cannot replicate in its factory. Even a perfect FAT does not guarantee the same machine will hit specification once it is bolted to your floor and connected to your water and power.

• Equipment tied to civil works, foundations and utility interfaces
• Systems using site water chemistry, salinity, temperature or pressure
• Installations where local voltage, frequency or ambient conditions differ from the factory test bed
• Any scope with biological ramp-up (biofilters, RAS loops, nursery systems)
• Integrated lines where multiple vendor packages must operate together

4. The decision matrix

Most major aquaculture packages need both. The question is what percentage of the acceptance risk sits in the factory versus on site. Use this matrix to set the right weight in the contract.

• Overseas custom skid with complex controls → FAT heavy + SAT light
• Locally built tank or pipe rack with simple duty → SAT only
• Processing line with imported machines + local civil → FAT on machines, SAT on full line
• RAS biofilter with site-specific water → FAT for mechanical integrity, SAT for biological performance
• Emergency spare pump from known brand → Receipt inspection only

5. What to ask suppliers about FAT

A weak FAT protocol is worse than no FAT because it creates a false sense of security. Ask these questions before the contract is signed, when the supplier still wants the deal.

• What is the exact test protocol and which acceptance criteria are pass/fail?
• Who pays for FAT — is it included in the contract price or a separate line?
• Can the Owner or Owner's Engineer witness the FAT without extra charge?
• What instrumentation will be used, and is it calibrated and traceable?
• What happens if a non-conformance is found — rework, replacement or credit?
• Which utilities, water and feed will the supplier use to simulate real duty?
• Will you receive a signed FAT report, video evidence and as-built test logs?

6. What to ask suppliers about SAT

SAT is where most warranty disputes begin. Make sure the contract defines the test conditions, the success criteria and the consequences of failure before the equipment leaves the factory.

• What is the SAT protocol, duration and operating envelope?
• Who provides water, power, staff, feed and biological material for the test?
• What are the guaranteed KPIs — throughput, energy, yield, availability, water quality?
• How many consecutive days of stable operation are required to pass?
• What is the punch-list process and how long does the supplier have to close items?
• Does SAT trigger the start of the warranty and performance-guarantee period?
• What documentation is delivered at SAT sign-off (O&M manuals, training records, spare-parts list)?

7. Structure payments around acceptance, not delivery

The strongest procurement lever is the payment schedule. Hold a meaningful retention until SAT is passed, not just until the truck arrives. A typical schedule for a major skid is 30% order, 30% readiness/FAT, 30% delivery/erection, 10% SAT. Never release the final tranche before documented acceptance.

8. Common mistakes

These errors recur on aquaculture projects of every size. Most are cheap to avoid at contract stage and expensive to fix on site.

• Accepting a 'visual inspection' instead of a witnessed FAT
• Skipping SAT because the equipment 'passed FAT'
• Not defining pass/fail criteria in writing
• Releasing final payment before SAT sign-off
• Letting the supplier write the protocol without Owner review
• Ignoring local utility conditions in the SAT envelope

Size it before you tender

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