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Structural steel inspection checklist

Steel is inspected on connections. Bolts and welds are the whole story, and both get covered by decking, fireproofing and finishes on a schedule that leaves almost no window for a second look.

Items
12
Photos required
27
Built for
General contractors

Who runs it

Erector's quality lead with the GC; a special inspector for bolting and welding where required.

When in the schedule

At delivery, at anchorage, during erection, and at each connection before it is covered or coated.

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

Delivery and anchorage

  • Members match the shop drawings and are undamaged

    Piece marks legible, no bent flanges or damaged coatings from transit.

    2 photos

  • Anchor bolt location, projection and thread condition verified

    Survey the layout before erection; photograph a tape at the critical spacing.

    3 photos

  • Base plates set, grouted and shimmed as detailed

    Full grout bearing, no voids, leveling nuts backed off where required.

    2 photos
02

Erection

  • Columns plumb and frame within erection tolerance

    Survey readings recorded per column line, not eyeballed.

    2 photos

  • Temporary bracing installed and left until permanently stable

    Bracing photographed in place; removal only after the diaphragm is complete.

    2 photos

  • Members at the correct elevation and orientation

    Check beam elevations against the plan before decking goes down.

    2 photos
03

Bolting

  • Bolt type, grade and length correct for each connection

    Photograph the connection with the bolt heads and washers visible.

    3 photos

  • Faying surfaces prepared for the connection type

    Slip-critical surfaces free of paint, oil and mill scale where required.

    2 photos

  • Pretensioning performed and verified by the specified method

    Match-marked bolts or indicators photographed after tensioning.

    3 photos
04

Welding and coatings

  • Welder qualification and procedure on file for the work performed

    Qualification current for the position and process being used.

    1 photo

  • Weld size, length and appearance inspected

    Gauge readings on critical welds; no undercut, porosity or missed returns.

    3 photos

  • Touch-up and coatings applied after connection sign-off

    Damaged coating repaired; nothing coated before the connection is accepted.

    2 photos

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

  • Anchor bolt layout verified after the columns arrived rather than before the pour.
  • Bolt pretensioning recorded on a summary sheet with no photo of a marked connection.
  • Fireproofing applied over a connection that was never signed off.

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

Start freeTry the gate first

Submission state

Mandatory items answered12 of 12
Photos attached24 of 27
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.

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