Checklists by trade
4 lists · 17 items · 29 photosCold-formed metal framing inspection checklists
Cold-formed metal framing inspection checklists for the rough-in, pre-cover, final and punch walks: 4 free lists, 17 items and 29 photo requirements, each item naming what to look for and the photo that proves it. Work is commonly verified against AISI cold-formed steel standards; the edition in force is the AHJ's call on each project.
The cold-formed metal framing walks, in build order
Cold-formed metal framing Rough-in· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing rough-in inspection checklistLayout, track anchorage, stud gauge and bridging verified before board or sheathing goes up6 items11 photosCold-formed metal framing Pre-cover· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing pre-cover inspection checklistScrew type and pattern, welds and finish backing checked before cladding or board closes the wall4 items7 photosCold-formed metal framing Final· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing final inspection checklistCompleted framing checked plumb and aligned with openings and connections complete4 items7 photosCold-formed metal framing Punch· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing punch checklistCloseout walk for missed screws, damaged studs and alignment before board is released3 items4 photos
Where each walk sits in the schedule
- Cold-formed metal framing rough-in inspection checklistrough-in
- After walls are stood and before any face is closed in, while a wrong-gauge stud or missed bridging row can still be pulled and fixed. Run by: The framing foreman walking each wall line ahead of the board crew, or the GC's superintendent releasing walls before rock or sheathing.
- Cold-formed metal framing pre-cover inspection checklistpre-cover
- After framing and blocking are complete and before sheathing, cladding or board covers the studs, since a missed screw line or missing backing is invisible once the face is on. Run by: The framing foreman with the GC's superintendent, walking connections just before the wall face is closed.
- Cold-formed metal framing final inspection checklistfinal
- After framing is complete on an area and before board, cladding or ceiling grid starts, so alignment problems don't get built into the finishes. Run by: The GC's superintendent with the framing foreman, walking finished walls before the next trade takes over.
- Cold-formed metal framing punch checklistpunch
- During framing closeout, after other trades have run their sleeves and boxes through the walls and may have cut or dented studs. Run by: The framing foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing framing punch before the board crew starts.
What most often sends cold-formed metal framing work back
- Studs one gauge lighter than the design substituted from stock on hand and framed in without anyone reading the bundle tags.
- Bridging or bridging clips skipped in the middle of a tall wall because the run got ahead of the tool.
- Track shot to the slab with the wrong fastener spacing, or anchors landing in the joint instead of the concrete.
- Screws driven with the wrong head or length so they strip or stand proud, discovered only when the board won't sit flat.
- Blocking for grab bars, cabinets, TVs or handrails left out because the finish layout wasn't in the framer's hands.
- Field welds on structural connections left unpainted and rusting, or burned thin on light-gauge material.
- A wall plumb at the ends but bowed in the middle, so the finished face waves once board is hung.
- Corner and intersection connections left loose where two crews met and each assumed the other tied them.
Verified against
Families only, never clause numbers. Adoption varies by jurisdiction; confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
Common questions
- Which cold-formed metal framing inspections do these checklists cover?
- Cold-formed metal framing rough-in inspection checklist (rough-in): After walls are stood and before any face is closed in, while a wrong-gauge stud or missed bridging row can still be pulled and fixed. Cold-formed metal framing pre-cover inspection checklist (pre-cover): After framing and blocking are complete and before sheathing, cladding or board covers the studs, since a missed screw line or missing backing is invisible once the face is on. Cold-formed metal framing final inspection checklist (final): After framing is complete on an area and before board, cladding or ceiling grid starts, so alignment problems don't get built into the finishes. Cold-formed metal framing punch checklist (punch): During framing closeout, after other trades have run their sleeves and boxes through the walls and may have cut or dented studs.
- Who runs a cold-formed metal framing inspection?
- The framing foreman walking each wall line ahead of the board crew, or the GC's superintendent releasing walls before rock or sheathing. The framing foreman with the GC's superintendent, walking connections just before the wall face is closed. The GC's superintendent with the framing foreman, walking finished walls before the next trade takes over. The framing foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent clearing framing punch before the board crew starts.
- What most often sends cold-formed metal framing work back?
- Studs one gauge lighter than the design substituted from stock on hand and framed in without anyone reading the bundle tags. Bridging or bridging clips skipped in the middle of a tall wall because the run got ahead of the tool. Track shot to the slab with the wrong fastener spacing, or anchors landing in the joint instead of the concrete. Screws driven with the wrong head or length so they strip or stand proud, discovered only when the board won't sit flat.
- Which standards is cold-formed metal framing work verified against?
- AISI cold-formed steel standards, published by the American Iron and Steel Institute. Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Can I run these checklists in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace and load any of the 4 lists (17 items in total). The Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached, and approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.