This checklist serves as a chapter summary, helps review the completeness of construction drawings and specifications, and provides general guidance on project management. The checklist could be used many ways. For example, use one set of blanks during design and the second set during construction inspection. Note that not all measures are necessary under all conditions. Use different symbols to distinguish items that have been satisfied (+) from those that have been checked but do not apply (x). Leave unfinished items unchecked.
OVERALL SLAB CONSTRUCTION
General considerations. Slab floors require advance planning for plumbing and electrical service. They generally minimize moisture and radon hazard but make detection of termite intrusions especially difficult. Expansive soils require special measures.
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Elevate slab above existing grade |
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Provide minimum 4-inch-thick aggregate drainage layer under slab |
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Locate plumbing to be cast in slab |
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Locate electrical service to be cast in slab |
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Locate gas service to be cast in slab |
SITEWORK
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Locate building at the highest point if the site is wet |
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Define “finish subgrade” (grading contractor), “base grade” (construction contractor), “rough grade” level before topsoil is respread, “finish grade” (landscape contractor) |
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Establish elevations of finish grades, drainage swales, catch basins, foundation drain outfalls, bulkheads, curbs, driveways, property corners, changes in boundaries |
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Establish grading tolerances |
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Provide intercepting drains upgrade of foundation if needed |
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Locate dry wells and recharge pits below foundation level |
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Establish precautions for stabilizing excavation |
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Establish limits of excavation and determine trees, roots, buried cables, pipes, sewers, etc., to be protected from damage |
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Confirm elevation of water table |
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Determine type and dimensions of drainage systems |
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Discharge roof drainage away from foundation |
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Remove stumps and grubbing debris from site |
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Provide frost heave protection for winter construction |
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Call for test hole (full depth hole in proposed foundation location) |
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Locate stakes and benchmarks |
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Strip and stock pile topsoil |
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Define spoil site |
FOOTINGS
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Unless using a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) design, position bottom of footing at least 6 inches below frost depth around perimeter (frost wall at garage, slabs supporting roofs, other elements attached to structure). |
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Confirm adequacy of footing sizes |
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Do not fill the overexcavated footing trench |
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Install longitudinal reinforcing |
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Reinforce footing at spans over utility trenches |
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Do not bear footings partially on rock (sand fill) |
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Do not pour footings on frozen ground |
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Indicate minimum concrete compressive strength after 28 days |
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Call out elevations of top of footings and dimension elevation changes in plan |
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Use keyway or steel dowels to anchor foundation walls |
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Dimension stepped footings according to local codes and good practice (conform to masonry dimensions if applicable) |
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Provide a capillary break between footing and stemwall |
STRUCTURAL
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Avoid ledge-supported slabs unless structurally reinforced |
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Place isolation joints at frost wall, columns, footings, fireplace foundations, mechanical equipment pads, steps, sidewalks, garage and carport slabs, drains |
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Check that partition load does not exceed 500 pounds per linear foot on unreinforced slab |
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Call out depressed bottom of slab where top is depressed |
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Reinforce slab at depressions greater than 1-1/2 inch |
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Use wire chairs or precast pedestals to support welded wire mesh reinforcing |
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Compact fill under slab |
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Determine general concrete specifications:
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Minimum compressive strength after 28 days |
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Maximum water/cement ratio. Note: add no water at site |
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Allowable slump |
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Acceptable and unacceptable admixtures |
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Dampening of subgrade prior to pour |
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Determine form-release agents acceptable to WPM (waterproof membrane) manufacturer if used |
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Establish curing requirements (special hot, cold, dry conditions) |
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Establish surface finish requirements and preparation for WPM (plug all form tie holes) |
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For shrinkage control: use horizontal reinforcing at top of wall and/or control joints |
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Design width of wall to resist height of fill, seismic loads, and loads transmitted through soil from adjacent foundations |
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Use two-way reinforcing (horizontal and vertical) for strength, watertightness, termite and radon resistance |
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Establish anchor bolt depth and spacing requirements, and install accordingly |
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Determine brick shelf widths and elevations |
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Determine minimum compressive strength after 28 days |
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Determine maximum water/cement ratio. (Note: add no water at site) |
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Determine allowable slump |
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Determine acceptable and unacceptable admixtures |
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Establish curing requirements (special hot, cold, dry conditions) |
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Determine surface finish |
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Provide shrinkage control: WWF (welded wire fabric) reinforcement or control joints |
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Provide isolation joints at wall perimeter and column pads |
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Provide vapor retarder under slab |
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Compact fill under slab |
BACKFILLING AND COMPACTION
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Establish condition of fill material (if site material stays in clump after soaking and squeezing in hand, do not use as backfill) |
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Determine proper compaction |
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Cap backfill with an impermeable cover |
MOISTUREPROOFING
General considerations. Since slab on grade foundations do not contain below-grade living space, the key consideration is isolating the interior of the building from ground moisture. This can be accommodated with a variety of membranes, liquid applied materials, and gaskets. In all cases, provide a continuous vapor retarder directly under the slab.
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Isolate the slab from the ground with appropriate waterproofing membranes or other materials |
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Place a polyethylene vapor retarder under floor slabs |
For more information visit Water Managed Foundations within the Building America Solution Center.
THERMAL AND MOISTURE CONTROLS
General considerations. Heat loss rate is greatest at the exposed slab edge or frost wall above grade, and at the floor perimeter. Continuity of insulation is difficult except for exterior placement. Horizontal exterior insulation reduces frost penetration depth.
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Verify that wall insulation R-value and depth meet local codes at a minimum |
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If used, specify exterior insulation product suitable for in-ground use |
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Install protective coating for exterior insulation |
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Install infiltration sealing gasket and through-wall termite shield under sill plate |
For more information visit Minimum Thermal Bridging within the Building America Solution Center.
DECAY AND TERMITE CONTROL MEASURES
General considerations. Strategy: (1) Isolate wood members from soil by an air space or impermeable retarder; (2) expose critical areas for inspection. Pressure-treated lumber is less susceptible to attack, but is no substitute for proper detailing. Termite shields are not reliable retarders unless installed correctly.
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Reinforce slab |
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Remove all grade stakes, spreader sticks, wood embedded in concrete during pour |
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Do not disturb treated soil prior to concreting |
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Avoid ducts beneath floor slab top surface |
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Specify pressure-treated wall sole plates and sleepers |
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Pressure-treat sill plates, rim joists, wood members in contact with foundation walls and floors |
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Pressure-treat all outdoor weather-exposed wood members |
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Install dampproof membrane and through-wall termite shield under sill plate (flashing or sill seal gasket) |
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Elevate sill plate minimum 8 inches above exterior grade |
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Elevate wood posts and framing supporting porches, stairs, decks, etc., above grade (6-inch minimum) on concrete piers |
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Elevate wood siding, door sills, other finish wood members at least 6 inches above grade (rain splash protection) |
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Separate raised porches and decks from the building by 2-inch horizontal clearance or provide proper flashing (for drainage and termite inspection) |
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Pitch solid surface porches, decks, patios for drainage (minimum 1/4 in/ft) |
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Detail slab porch and patios to prevent termite access to superstructure (structural slab over inspectable crawl space) |
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Treat soil with termiticide, especially with insulated slab |
RADON CONTROL MEASURES
General considerations. The potential for radon hazard is present in all buildings. Check state and local health agencies for need of protection. Strategies include: (1) passively or actively depressurizing soil and crawl space air pressure relative to the indoors; (2) soil gas retarding membranes; (3) provisions to activate passive soil depressurization systems. Since radon is a gas, its rate of entry through the foundation depends on suction due to stack effect, HVAC system imbalances, exhaust devices, and air leakage especially at high points in the building envelope
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Reinforce slab |
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Remove all grade stakes, spreader sticks, wood embedded in concrete during pour |
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Form perimeter wall joint with trough, fill with pour-in sealant |
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Place vapor retarder under slab |
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Caulk joints around pipes and conduits |
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Place minimum 4-inch-thick layer of coarse, clean gravel under the slab |
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Separate outdoor intakes for combustion devices |
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Install air retarder wrap around building envelope |
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Seal around flues, chases, vent stacks, attic stairs |
PLANS, CONTRACTS, AND BUILDING PERMITS
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Plans and specs |
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Bid package |
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Establish contractual arrangements (describe principals, describe the work by referencing the blueprints and specs, state the start/completion dates, price, payment schedule, handling of change orders, handling of disputes, excavation allowance, and procedure for firing) Use signoff on work statements, work ready, and work finished quality assurance procedures. |
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Building permits |
SITE INSPECTIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION
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After excavation and before concrete is poured for the footings |
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After the footings have been poured before foundation wall construction |
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After foundation construction and dampproofing before rough framing |
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After rough framing |
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After rough plumbing |
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After rough electrical |
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After insulation installation before drywall and backfilling in case of exterior insulation |
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Final |
