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.
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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 |
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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). Make sure footing is deeper under basement walkouts |
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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 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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If using a single footing drain outside the footing, provide weep holes (minimum 2-inch diameter at 4 feet to 8 feet on center) |
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Provide a capillary break between footing and foundation wall |
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Confirm wall engineering and accessories:
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Wall sized to resist height of fill and seismic loads |
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Anchor bolt requirements for sill plate (minimum code) |
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Anchors for joist ends (typically 6-foot spacing) |
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Beam pocket elevations, dimensions, details |
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Top of wall elevations and changes in wall height |
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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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Determine form-release agents acceptable to WPM (waterproof membrane) manufacturer |
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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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Provide cast-in-place anchors for joist ends |
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Establish beam pocket elevations, dimensions, details |
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Determine top of wall elevations and changes in wall height |
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Determine brick shelf widths and elevations |
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Specify mortar mixes and strengths |
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Size walls to resist height of fill, seismic loads, loads transmitted through soil from adjacent foundations |
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Grout top courses of block to receive anchor bolts |
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Grout bottom course(s) up to the level of the top of basement slab |
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Provide a grout course at each brick ledge |
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Indicate special details for proprietary masonry systems |
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Ensure that the surface quality is suitable to WPM |
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Prepare exterior surface for application of dampproofing or WPM (special preparation consisting of cement parging, priming) |
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For crack control, use bond beam or horizontal joint reinforcing |
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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 |
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Establish minimum concrete strength or curing prior to backfilling |
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Use high early strength concrete if necessary |
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Install temporary wall support during backfilling |
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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 |
General considerations. Footing drains (1) draw down the ground water level; (2) prevent ponds of rainwater and snow melt in the backfill. The underslab drainage layer (1) conveys rising groundwater laterally to collecting drain lines; (2) acts as a distribution and temporary storage pad for water that drains through the backfill and would otherwise form ponds at the bottom.
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Use gravel pad and footing weep holes if a single, exterior footing drain is used. |
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Position high end of footing drains below underside of floor slab (Note: outside footing placement is preferred for drainage; inside placement is less susceptible to failure) |
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Ensure footing drain is pitched |
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Lay footing drain on compacted bedding (minimum 4 inches thick) |
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Set unperforated leaders to drain to outfall (hand backfill first 8 inches to avoid damaging pipe). If daylighting is not possible, drain to a sealed sump. |
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Ensure that transitions are smooth between pipes of different slopes |
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Separate surface, roof, and foundation drain systems |
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Call out gravel or crushed stone envelope around drainpipe and wrap with a synthetic filter fabric |
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Locate clean-outs for flushing the system |
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Install porous backfill or wall-mounted drainage product |
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Provide minimum 4-inch-thick gravel or stone layer under slab |
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If large flow of water is anticipated, use curtain (French) drain to intercept |
General considerations. Waterproofing is usually recommended for all below-grade living and work spaces. Dampproofing provides a capillary break and serves as a vapor retarder. Waterproof membranes (WPM) dampproof, but dampproofing does not waterproof.
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Either dampproof or waterproof walls |
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Place a polyethylene vapor retarder under floor slabs |
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Place a continuous WPM (waterproofing membrane) under slab for basements below groundwater (special detailing and reinforcement required for support) |
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Install control and expansion joints according to recommendations of WPM manufacturer |
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Provide protection board for WPM |
General considerations. Exterior insulation maintains the wall close to indoor temperature. This will tend to maintain a drier foundation wall, and keeps rubber and asphalt-based moistureproofing warm and pliable. Difficulty of air sealing at the rim joist generally favors exterior insulation.
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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 polyethylene slip sheet between soil and wall (nondrainage) insulation |
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Place a fire-protective cover over combustible insulations if exposed on the interior |
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Install infiltration sealing gasket and through-wall termite shield under sill plate |
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Seal air leakage penetrations through rim joists |
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Install an air barrier outside rim joist |
General considerations. Strategy: (1) Isolate wood members from soil by an air space or impermeable barrier; (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 barriers unless installed correctly.
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Pressure-treat wood posts, sill plates, rim joists, wood members in contact with foundation piers, walls, floors, etc. |
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Pressure-treat all outdoor weather-exposed wood members |
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Install dampproof membrane under sill plate and beams in pockets (flashing or sill seal gasket) |
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Leave minimum 1/2-inch air space around beams in beam pockets |
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Expose sill plates and rim joists for inspection |
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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 for drainage and termite inspection (or provide proper flashing) |
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Pitch porches, decks, patios for drainage (minimum 1/4 in/ft) |
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Treat soil with termiticide, especially with insulated foundations |
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Reinforce slab-on-grade |
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Remove all grade stakes, spreader sticks, and wood embedded in concrete during pour |
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Do not disturb treated soil prior to pouring concrete slab |
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Reinforce cast-in-place concrete walls (with No. 5 bars) along the top and bottom to resist settlement cracking |
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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Provide separate outdoor intakes for combustion devices |
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Install air barrier wrap around the envelope |
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Seal around flues, chases, vent stacks, attic stairs |
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Reinforce cast-in-place concrete walls (with No. 5 bars) along the top and bottom to resist settlement cracking |
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For crack control in masonry walls, use bond beam or horizontal joint reinforcing |
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Seal top of hollow masonry walls with solid block, bond beam, or cap block |
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Parge exterior face of masonry walls |
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Install continuous moistureproofing on the outside of masonry walls |
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Reinforce slab-on-grade |
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Remove all grade stakes, spreader sticks, and wood embedded in concrete during pour |
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Form perimeter wall/floor joint trough for 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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Install sump pit with airtight cover |
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Vent sump pit to outside |
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Do not use floor drains, unless mechanical trap valves are used |
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Lay minimum 4-inch-thick layer of coarse, clean gravel under slab |
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Cast 4-inch-diameter PVC tubing standpipes (capped) into slab |
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Complete plans and specifications |
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Complete 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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Acquire building permits |
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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 and electrical |
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After insulation installation before drywall and backfilling in case of exterior insulation. |
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Final |