More Than A Number

The FQA (short for Fastener Quality Act) was created to help standardize the regulation of fasteners like nuts and bolts.  As the safety of cars, airplanes, bridges, and much more depend on just how reliable these little bits of metal actually are, this was a very important step for the industry, particularly after a government investigation found that the quality of millions of fasteners just wasn’t up to par.

Initially, the deadline set for the implementation of the FQA was May of 1997.  However, a month before that deadline, it was determined that there just wasn’t a way for it to be met.  A Federal notice extended that deadline to July of 1998, providing an additional fourteen months for a sufficient number of laboratories to receive accreditation for maintaining the standards of fasteners from imperial bolts to metric dowel pins.  

The extension was not the only addition to the act that was established by the Federal notice.  In addition, there was a new provision that provided manufacturers of fastener the ability to use statistical process control and quality assurance systems.  Any hex head cap screw or other fastener that was manufactured prior to the deadline and still in their inventory they would be allowed to sell as noncompliant.  Lastly, manufacturers who operated QAS/SPC fastener production lines would be able to provide notice of provisional FQA compliance.

If you need Zinsco circuit breakers or other hard-to-find electrical parts, we recommend RELECTRIC.com.