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Special inspection

Structural masonry special inspection checklist

Grout hides the reinforcement, and finishes hide the grout. The independent inspector confirms the materials and the steel, witnesses the sampling, and records grout placement before the wall closes it in.

Items
6
Photos required
11

Who runs it

A third-party or owner's-rep special inspector for masonry, with the mason and the testing lab.

When in the schedule

At material delivery, during laying and reinforcement placement, and at each grout lift and sampling.

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.

01

Materials and proportions

  • Units, mortar and grout materials match the approved submittals

    Unit type, mortar type and grout consistent with the specification.

    1 photo
  • Mortar and grout proportioning verified

    Batching or proportions observed against the specified mix.

    1 photo
02

Reinforcement and grouting

  • Reinforcement size, position and lap verified before grouting

    Bar placement, spacing and cell alignment checked while cells are still open.

    3 photos
  • Cleanouts, consolidation and grout lift height observed

    Cleanouts present at the base of tall lifts; consolidation and lift height controlled.

    2 photos
  • Grout placement witnessed at each lift

    Grout reaches the specified cells fully; no voids left where it matters.

    2 photos
03

Sampling and testing

  • Mortar, grout or prism specimens taken and witnessed

    Specimens made at the specified frequency and cured for testing.

    2 photos

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

  • Reinforcement position and cell alignment approved after cells were already grouted.
  • Mortar and grout proportions accepted without witnessing a sample or batch.
  • Grout lifts exceeded the height the cleanouts and consolidation could support.

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

Submission state

Mandatory items answered6 of 6
Photos attached8 of 11
Submit locked, 3 photos missing

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 structural masonry checklist cover?
6 items across 3 sections, covering materials and proportions, reinforcement and grouting, sampling and testing. 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?
A third-party or owner's-rep special inspector for masonry, with the mason and the testing lab.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?
At material delivery, during laying and reinforcement placement, and at each grout lift and sampling.
Why does every item ask for a photo?
11 of the 6 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 structural masonry inspection?
Reinforcement position and cell alignment approved after cells were already grouted. Mortar and grout proportions accepted without witnessing a sample or batch. Grout lifts exceeded the height the cleanouts and consolidation could support.
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.