What is a site acceptance test or SAT?
A site acceptance test (SAT) checks installed machinery at the buyer's premises against agreed acceptance criteria, using the site's supplies, materials and connected equipment. It records whether the delivered installation performs as agreed. Buyers sourcing machinery from China can discuss this scope with Cambridge China Bridge.
Site testing, factory testing and commissioning
A factory acceptance test checks the machine at the supplier's factory before dispatch. A SAT checks it after installation at your premises. A factory pass cannot show whether transport, installation, your materials or connections to other equipment will affect performance.
Commissioning is the work of setting up, adjusting and bringing equipment into operation. SAT is the agreed test used to decide acceptance. Commissioning may include trial runs, but a successful demonstration is not enough without defined pass criteria and recorded results. Use our installation and commissioning guide to agree the support arrangements.
Agree the test before ordering
Write an acceptance protocol into the purchase documents. Identify the machine, configuration, specification revision, test materials, operating settings, measurement methods and pass limits. Agree the run duration and how stoppages, scrap, adjustments and repeat attempts will be treated. Define output quality as well as production rate, so a fast run producing unusable parts cannot count as a pass.
Name the buyer's witness, supplier representative and person authorised to accept the machine. Allocate responsibility for site readiness, test materials and measuring equipment. Agree what happens if the supplier cannot attend. For the wider purchase brief, see our machinery sourcing guide.
Test the installed configuration
Begin with a readiness record covering installation, utilities, tooling, software settings and connections to surrounding equipment. Compare these with the factory test record and record any changes. Use representative buyer materials and assess the agreed operating conditions, including changeovers or restart behaviour where relevant.
Keep performance acceptance and safety inspection as separate decisions. HSE says equipment whose safety depends on installation must be inspected after installation and before use. Plan that inspection before operating the machine for the performance trial; do not treat a supplier's production demonstration as the inspection record.
Build an acceptance evidence pack
Keep the approved protocol, machine identity, site and test date, participants, material identification, settings, measuring equipment and actual results against each pass limit. Attach raw readings, sample references and relevant photographs or video. Record interruptions and adjustments, including unsuccessful attempts, so the final report explains how the result was obtained.
Add separate installation, commissioning, training and safety inspection records, with the manuals and drawings handed over. HSE says inspection results should be recorded and kept at least until the next inspection of that equipment. Agree a retention arrangement for the wider acceptance pack that supports servicing and later fault investigation.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
Record failures and control sign-off
Give each failed test or outstanding item a description, supporting evidence, responsible person, agreed corrective action and retest condition. Distinguish failed, untested and passed items. If accepting with outstanding work, identify exactly what remains open and the agreed restrictions; avoid signing a general acceptance statement while essential tests are unfinished.
Agree in advance how acceptance, payment and warranty commencement relate to each other. Record the acceptance decision, authorised signatures and any reservations. Keep delivery receipt separate from performance acceptance. Our guide to checks before paying the balance covers the earlier shipment decision.
Frequently asked questions
What does SAT mean when buying machinery?
SAT means site acceptance test: testing the installed machine at the buyer's premises against agreed criteria, with recorded results and an acceptance decision.
Is SAT the same as commissioning?
No. Commissioning sets up and adjusts the machine for operation. SAT tests whether the installed configuration meets the agreed acceptance criteria.
Do I need SAT if the factory test passed?
Agree site testing where performance depends on installation, local supplies, buyer materials or connected equipment. A factory test cannot demonstrate those site conditions.
What should a SAT report include?
Machine identity, approved protocol, site conditions, materials, settings, actual results, witnesses, failures, corrective actions, retest evidence and the signed acceptance decision.