What does this cold-formed metal framing punch checklist cover?

8 items across 3 sections, covering damage and repair, cavity and edge cleanup, signoff. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The framing foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing framing punch before the board crew starts.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

During framing closeout, after other trades have run their sleeves and boxes through the walls and may have cut or dented studs.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

5 of the 8 items call for photo evidence, 5 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a cold-formed metal framing punch inspection?

Studs notched or crushed by a plumber or electrician forcing a pipe through, left un-repaired behind the board. A missed screw line at a stiffener or connection found only when the wall flexes under the board crew.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Cold-formed metal framing

Cold-formed metal framing punch checklist

Cold-formed metal framing punch is where small misses become callbacks after the crew has demobilized. This checklist walks the finished work the way the owner and the next trade will see it, with the photo that closes each item instead of a note that reopens it. Work is commonly verified against AISI cold-formed steel standards, the applicable building code. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Damage and repair

Studs cut, notched or crushed by other trades repaired
Damaged studs located, reinforced or replaced per the engineer's repair detail, photographed before board covers them.
No photo
Missed or loose fasteners driven
Connections re-checked for skipped or backed-out screws, any missing fasteners added to the required pattern.
No photo
Stud seating checked along every lift and cart path
Walls beside lift, cart and material routes walked for studs knocked out of the bottom track or racked; displaced studs reseated and screwed back to the pattern.
Exposed wall ends and corners checked for bent flanges
Stud and track flanges at wall ends, corners and openings sighted for dents or bends that would kick the board out; bent pieces straightened or replaced.

Cavity and edge cleanup

Screws, cut-offs and scrap cleared from cavities and track
Bottom track and stud cavities empty of loose screws, stud off-cuts and wire ties that would hold water, rattle or tear insulation facing.
Track tails and stud ends trimmed at wall ends and openings
No track or stud end left running past the wall end, opening or corner where it would hit the board or trim; sharp tails cut back flush.

Signoff

Area released clean to the board crew
All framing punch closed with photos on the wall or zone before it's handed to the next trade.
AHJ framing correction items closed out for the area
Every correction the building inspector wrote on the framing inspection shown as corrected and re-inspected where required, with the result logged before board.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Studs notched or crushed by a plumber or electrician forcing a pipe through, left un-repaired behind the board.
A missed screw line at a stiffener or connection found only when the wall flexes under the board crew.

Verified against

AISI cold-formed steel standards

Common questions

6 answers

What does this cold-formed metal framing punch checklist cover?: 8 items across 3 sections, covering damage and repair, cavity and edge cleanup, signoff. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The framing foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing framing punch before the board crew starts.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: During framing closeout, after other trades have run their sleeves and boxes through the walls and may have cut or dented studs.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 5 of the 8 items call for photo evidence, 5 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a cold-formed metal framing punch inspection?: Studs notched or crushed by a plumber or electrician forcing a pipe through, left un-repaired behind the board. A missed screw line at a stiffener or connection found only when the wall flexes under the board crew.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

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Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 5 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.