What factory inspection and documentation practices should be required before aluminum facade components are shipped to site?

Before shipping aluminum façade components, factory inspection and documentation practices must create a complete, auditable package that assures clients in the Middle East and Central Asia the product meets spec. A rigorous pre-shipment inspection covers dimensional verification, finish quality, fastening kits, thermal breaks and packaging integrity. Dimensional checks are performed against shop drawings — critical dimensions, hole patterns and assembly interfaces must be within tolerance and recorded. Coating documentation should include batch numbers, cure profiles, gloss and color measurements, and adhesion test results tied to panel serial numbers. Include mill test reports and alloy certificates for all aluminum and fastener materials. Packaging must protect edges, prevent abrasion and stabilize humidity-sensitive components during transit; document crating methods, desiccant use and lifting points. Provide installation labels and an itemized packing list that corresponds to crate numbers and on-site coordinates. Include non-conformance reports where deviations were accepted, and document corrective actions and waivers. Supply a complete factory acceptance test (FAT) report and a certificate of conformity; where practical, offer witnessed FATs for major unitized systems. For GCC and Central Asian projects, ensure export paperwork, customs documentation and any required certificates of origin are attached. Ensure export crates and documentation account for inland transit to Central Asian markets like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and attach clear labeling for customs and on-site sequencing. This level of factory inspection and documentation minimizes disputes at site, expedites installation, and supports warranty and lifecycle claims for owners and specifiers.