What is a First Article Inspection?

First Article Inspection (FAI) is a quality control process that verifies that a product meets its design requirements from the first production run. First article inspections can reduce costly production delays by ensuring the manufacturing process produces output that meets design requirements. An FAI is required by the 9102 standards developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and published through the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

First Article Inspection Process

First article inspections assure product conformance at the start of series production and after design changes. Generally, here are the steps taken by quality inspectors when performing first article inspections:

Step 1: Prepare the engineering design and specification requirements

Quality managers should regularly coordinate with design engineers and fabrication managers to ascertain that the as-built technical drawings (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and process schemes) are followed. Before the first article inspection, prepare the instruments calibration certificates and refer to the equipment and materials data sheets to deliver high-quality machines with performance that clients can trust.

Step 2: Determine the part or assembly to inspect

The “first article” to be inspected is neither the prototype model nor the first product from a production run. Quality inspectors should randomly select a representative item from the first production run and document part number accountability which includes the part number, part name, and manufacturing process reference.

Step 3: Conduct raw materials, special processes, and functional testing

Quality inspectors measure and verify design characteristics through product-specific tests with required design tooling. For product accountability, each material and process used to manufacture the product is listed and certificates of conformance for special processes are added. Functional test procedures should also be cited with corresponding acceptance reports as supporting documents.

Step 4: Evaluate characteristics of accountability and compatibility

Inspection results can ascertain the necessity of a delta FAI or a full re-accomplishment of the first article inspection. In the case of non-conforming characteristics, design revisions should be implemented. Quality inspectors should review the manufacturing process and non-conformance documentation to improve the performance of a delta FAI.

Step 5: Report the first article inspection with proper documentation

Upon the completion of the first article inspection, quality inspectors validate the FAI report with their signatures, indicating that all characteristics are accounted for; meet drawing requirements; or are properly documented for disposition.

What is an FAI Report?

An FAI report, or FAIR, is a document completed by quality inspectors that usually includes part number accountability, product accountability, and characteristic accountability. Generally, electronic signatures are acceptable in an FAI, as long as their usage and control are clearly defined in the organization’s quality management system ( QMS ).

What to Include in a First Article Inspection Checklist

A FAI report should contain the steps or processes that could help verify the integrity of the product made. A First Article Inspection Checklist checklist and FAI report ideally includes the following:

• Drawing and specification review – product is at par with the specified design

• Dimensional inspection – product has the correct dimensions (length, width, diameter, etc.)

• Material/process assessment – product has the correct parts and materials

• Functional test – product works as intended in the design

• Packaging – product meets packaging requirements

• Safety – product is safe to consume/use

How to Write a First Article Inspection Reports

This is what your how to create FAI reports with SafetyCulture as a first article inspection app:

1. Streamine inspection process – Easily convert an existing first article inspection template to digital format. This ensures that the same best practices are being followed across all branches of your operation so FAI standards are maintained.

2. Automate generating and sharing FAI reports – After completing the inspection, immediately generate a report. Set automatic sharing so they are regularly sent to relevant stakeholders.

3. Assign corrective actions – The SafetyCulture FAI app enables teams to assign corrective actions to appropriate personnel. Through the web dashboard, managers can check which actions have been assigned, are in progress, or have been completed.

4. Make sense of your data – With all of your inspection data flowing back to SafetyCulture’s powerful analytics tool, you can immediately gain actionable insights from the web app. Have the ability to filter data by inspection, department, personnel, and site so you can pinpoint the root of the issue instead of trying to fix the symptoms.