What does this fluid-applied air barrier punch checklist cover?

8 items across 4 sections, covering termination repair, penetration callbacks, test findings and exposure, closeout. 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 applicator on a repair callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing barrier punch items before the wall is fully closed.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

During closeout, after following trades have worked the exposed edges and after any wetting or blower-door testing has flagged leakage.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

3 of the 8 items call for photo evidence, 3 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 fluid-applied air barrier punch inspection?

A lifted termination re-taped over dust so it lets go again, closed as repaired without cleaning the substrate first. A late penetration sealed on the outside face only, leaving the membrane broken behind it where no one will look again.

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

Fluid-applied air barrier

Fluid-applied air barrier punch checklist

Fluid-applied air barrier 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 the applicable building/energy code, manufacturer's published instructions. 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.

Termination repair

Lifted or damaged terminations repaired
Lifted edges and tears cleaned to sound substrate and re-detailed with the specified material, re-inspected for bond after repair.
No photo
Barrier walked for patches, lifts and open laps before cladding
Patches in the original system or a listed compatible product, lapped onto sound membrane by the maker's overlap; lifted edges and open laps redone before cladding returns.

Penetration callbacks

Unsealed late penetrations closed to the barrier
Each late penetration confirmed sealed back into the field membrane, not just at the outer face, continuity restored and photographed.
No photo

Test findings and exposure

Air leakage test findings each traced to a repair
Each leakage location in the testing agency's report matched to a barrier repair or a note to the responsible trade, with the re-test result recorded.
No photo
Gaps at trim and soffits checked for exposed membrane
Walk the trim, soffit and coping gaps for membrane left open to sunlight beyond the manufacturer's limit, unless the product is rated for open-joint exposure; flag it for cover.

Closeout

No remaining barrier items before signoff
Punch items per elevation closed with photos, test results addressed, barrier continuity re-confirmed before the assembly is released.
Repairs added to the elevation record
Each punch repair marked by location on the elevation drawings with the date and product used, so the concealed record matches the wall.
No photo
Repairs cured before cladding goes back over them
Patched areas left for the cure time the manufacturer lists before cladding, trim or insulation is reinstalled over them.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

A lifted termination re-taped over dust so it lets go again, closed as repaired without cleaning the substrate first.
A late penetration sealed on the outside face only, leaving the membrane broken behind it where no one will look again.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this fluid-applied air barrier punch checklist cover?: 8 items across 4 sections, covering termination repair, penetration callbacks, test findings and exposure, closeout. 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 applicator on a repair callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing barrier punch items before the wall is fully closed.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: During closeout, after following trades have worked the exposed edges and after any wetting or blower-door testing has flagged leakage.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 3 of the 8 items call for photo evidence, 3 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 fluid-applied air barrier punch inspection?: A lifted termination re-taped over dust so it lets go again, closed as repaired without cleaning the substrate first. A late penetration sealed on the outside face only, leaving the membrane broken behind it where no one will look again.
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

Fluid-applied air barrier Rough-inFluid-applied air barrier rough-in inspection checklistSheathing sound and dry, fasteners set, and joints and transitions treated before the field coat goes on15 items14 photos Fluid-applied air barrier Pre-coverFluid-applied air barrier pre-cover inspection checklistContinuity, thickness and transition tie-ins verified as a hold point before cladding conceals the barrier14 items12 photos Fluid-applied air barrier FinalFluid-applied air barrier final inspection checklistThe completed barrier as it performs behind the wall assembly, with penetrations added later tied back in13 items7 photos

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 3 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.