Free checklist
Firestopping rough-in inspection checklist
Firestopping rough-in is the last time the work is fully visible. Once the cover inspection passes and the walls, ceilings and slabs close, every defect left behind becomes a demolition bill. This checklist walks the rough-in in the order the work goes in, with the photo each item needs before it gets buried. Work is commonly verified against the applicable building code, listed system documentation — confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
- Items
- 7
- Photos required
- 10
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The firestopping installer or specialty foreman logging each penetration, often sampled by the GC's superintendent or a third-party inspector.
When in the schedule
Rolling, as each trade's penetrations are complete in an area — and always before ceiling close or wall cover hides the seal.
The checklist
Every item, and the photo that proves it
The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Copy the list as-is, or load it into RTI and let the gate enforce it.
Penetration seals
- 2 photos
Annular space within the listed system's range
Gap between penetrant and assembly measured against the system listing, not just filled.
- 2 photos
Backing material and fill depth per the listing
Mineral wool or backer installed to the specified depth, sealant at the listed thickness, full perimeter contact.
- 1 photo
Correct system for the assembly and penetrant
The system number on the label matches the wall or floor type and the pipe, cable or duct going through it.
Joint systems
- 2 photos
Head-of-wall and perimeter joints filled continuous
Joint material continuous with no skips, compression fit or spray thickness per the joint system listing.
- 1 photo
Joint movement capability preserved
No rigid material bridging a rated movement joint, spray or sealant tooled to allow movement.
Identification
- 1 photo
Every seal labeled with system and installer
Label adjacent to the penetration with system number, date and installer ID, legible after adjacent finishes.
- 1 photo
Seal locations logged to a floor or zone map
Each penetration tied to its room, shaft or zone so the closeout package can be assembled without a re-survey.
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Sealant smeared over the annulus without the backing or depth the listed system calls for.
- A penetration sealed with a system listed for a different assembly or penetrant type.
- Seals installed but never labeled, so nobody can prove which system was used after cover.
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 10 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident record behind every line.
Submission state
The gate is enforced on the server, so it holds even if the phone is offline when the walk happens.
Common questions
- What does this firestopping rough-in checklist cover?
- 7 items across 3 sections — penetration seals, joint systems, identification. 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 firestopping installer or specialty foreman logging each penetration, often sampled by the GC's superintendent or a third-party inspector.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- Rolling, as each trade's penetrations are complete in an area — and always before ceiling close or wall cover hides the seal.
- Why does every item ask for a photo?
- 10 of the 7 items call for photo evidence. 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 firestopping rough-in inspection?
- Sealant smeared over the annulus without the backing or depth the listed system calls for. A penetration sealed with a system listed for a different assembly or penetrant type. Seals installed but never labeled, so nobody can prove which system was used after cover.
- 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.