Final inspection

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Final inspection is performed at the contractor's manufacturing plant after submission of product to the Government inspector. If it takes place anywhere, the costs are borne by the government. The inspection must be carried out in such a way as not to delay work. When final inspection is to be carried out only after delivery at some place other than the manufacturing plant, the insertion of special clauses dealing with a performance test to be made and the time when final payment will be desirable [1].

Quality - important element of final inspection

Final control is not as important as other quality control points. The most important is the quality that must be designed and built into the product or service[2]. "Quality must begin with management and must be translated by engineers and others into plans, specifications, tests, and production". They are responsible for the material, component, processing methods and control method. In a traditional production process, components, suppliers supply raw materials and subassemblies to the receiving control area, where they are checked. This took somebody time to sort out the good. Inspection, checks several parts after processing, while the production process continues. It is likely that wrong parts were made and connected with the good parts. Final inspection must separate good parts from those to be treated. The rest is scrapped. It is a costly process. Contributes to low quality products [3].

Final inspection rules

This does not mean that no final control is needed. There is always a need to check that defective products have not been accidentally sent to customers. Final inspection is carried out using the sampling technique. When final inspection information is channelled properly, it may even be useful for quality improvement [4]. The final inspection should also take into account the rules of the classification and statutory requirements [5].

Final inspection[6]:

  • is planned when the contractor decides that all items on the final punch list have been completed,
  • verifies that the contractor has completed all identified tasks satisfactorily and corrected all shortcomings on the final punch,
  • there should be only one final control per project.

If the owner wrongly delayed or prevented the contractor from carrying out the final inspection, the contractor may be entitled to extend the deadline and recover additional costs or breach the contract compensation [7].

Examples of Final inspection

  • Visual: The inspector checks the product for any imperfections, such as scratches, dents, warping, etc.
  • Structural: The inspector will verify that all components are securely attached and functioning properly.
  • Electrical: The inspector will check that all wiring is properly attached and connected and that all electrical components are functioning correctly.
  • Operating: The inspector will examine the product’s ability to perform its intended functions, such as start up, shut down, and other operations as required.
  • Safety: The inspector will check that the product is safe to use, such as inspecting for sharp edges, checking for exposed wiring, and verifying the product does not exceed any safety guidelines.
  • Documentation: The inspector will verify all documentation is up to date and accurate. This includes all product manuals, warranties, and other documents.

Advantages of Final inspection

Final inspection provides a comprehensive review of products before they are delivered to customers, ensuring that all requirements and specifications are met. This offers a number of advantages, including:

  • Enhanced Quality - Final inspection checks for defects and errors in the product, ensuring that it meets the required quality standards and that the customer receives the product they expect.
  • Reduced Rejection Rates - Final inspection reduces the risks of products being rejected by the customer and can help to eliminate costly rework and product recalls.
  • Increased Customer Satisfaction - Final inspection helps to ensure that the product is up to the customer's standards and can help to improve customer relationships.
  • Improved Processes - Final inspection can be used to identify process issues that could lead to defects, helping to improve processes and reduce the risk of product defects.

Limitations of Final inspection

Final inspection is an important step in the process of ensuring that products are up to quality standards. However, there are certain limitations to this process that must be kept in mind when conducting final inspection. These limitations include:

  • It may not be possible to detect all the defects and faults in the product. It is possible that some defects may be hidden from view and may not be detected during the inspection.
  • The inspector may not be able to access all the parts of the product, as some areas may be inaccessible or dangerous to inspect.
  • The inspector may not have the necessary technical knowledge to detect any faults or defects in the product.
  • The inspector may be biased and may not conduct an impartial inspection.
  • The inspection may not be able to detect any faults or defects that have not been specified in the contract or agreement.
  • It is possible that the inspector may not be able to make an accurate judgment on the quality of the product, due to lack of experience or knowledge.

Other approaches related to Final inspection

Introduction: In addition to Final Inspection at the contractor's manufacturing plant, there are several other approaches to inspection that can be utilized.

  • Pre-final Inspection: Pre-final inspection is carried out prior to the final inspection and is meant to ensure that all requirements of the contract have been met. This type of inspection is done at the contractor's manufacturing plant and the costs are borne by the government.
  • On-site Inspection: On-site inspection is done at the delivery site and is performed to verify that the delivered product meets the specifications of the contract. The costs of this type of inspection are typically borne by the government.
  • Acceptance Tests: Acceptance tests are carried out after delivery and are intended to ensure that the delivered product meets the requirements of the contract. The costs of this type of inspection are typically borne by the government.
  • Routine Inspection: Routine inspection is done periodically to check the quality of the product. This type of inspection is typically done at the contractor's manufacturing plant and the costs are borne by the government.

Summary: In addition to Final Inspection at the contractor's manufacturing plant, other approaches to inspection that can be utilized include Pre-final Inspection, On-site Inspection, Acceptance Tests, and Routine Inspection. The costs of these types of inspections are typically borne by the government.


Final inspectionrecommended articles
General specificationHACCP systemCE markingBatch numberCertificate of qualityCertificate of acceptanceProduction orderDelivery noteNegative confirmation

References

Footnotes

  1. Board M., 1951, p.4
  2. Saskhin M., 1993, p.61
  3. Krak S.F., Gill A.
  4. Saskhin M., 1993, p.61
  5. Biasotto P., Rouhan A., 2004, p.9
  6. Wiley J., 2013, p.394
  7. Kelleher T.J., Mastin J.M., Robey R.G., p.410

Author: Weronika Nowak