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Wall and corner protectionWall and corner protection rough-in inspection checklist
Wall and corner protection 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 manufacturer's published instructions, the applicable building code. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
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.
Drawings and layout
Approved shop drawings on site for each protection type
Current approved shop drawings on site showing each corner guard, crash rail, wall panel and door protector with its location and mounting height.
No photoMounting heights measured from the finished floor line
Rail and guard-top heights taken from the finished floor, allowing for the floor finish and base thickness, not from the bare slab.
No photoRail runs laid out clear of doors, cabinets and hardware
Crash rail and handrail runs stop short of door frames, recessed cabinets and door hardware swing per the drawings, with end returns located before backing goes in.
No photo
Backing layout
Backing located against mounting heights
Blocking or backing plate present at every rail, guard and panel run, centered on the actual mounting heights from the approved layout.
Continuous backing at rails and corners
Backing continuous behind handrails and crash rails and at outside corners, no gaps at splices or where runs cross studs.
Fastener points marked on the backing
Bracket and retainer fastener points marked on the backing at the spacing the manufacturer lists, so fasteners land in solid material after board.
Outside corners framed plumb and square for corner guards
Corner studs plumb and square at every guarded corner, so the guard's retainer or legs will sit tight to both faces without rocking.
Load and coordination
Backing rated for the impact and pull loads
Backing type and fastening able to carry the guard and rail loads per the manufacturer's requirement, not relying on board alone.
Backing coordinated with devices and finishes
Backing clears switches, outlets and other in-wall work, and its depth suits the finish thickness so anchors reach solid material.
Backing on fire-rated walls follows the rated-wall detail
Where the drawings show a rated wall, backing is the material and attachment the rated-wall detail shows, placed without cutting or breaking the rated assembly.
No photoBacking flush with the stud face so board lies flat
Blocking or plate set flush with the stud face, not proud or twisted, so board lies flat and rails and panels sit tight to the wall without rocking.
Board crew briefed on guarded corners and panel walls
Drywall foreman walked through which corners get guards and which walls take adhesive-set panels, so corner bead and finish level suit the manufacturer's instructions.
No photo
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Blocking set to a generic height instead of the actual rail and guard mounting heights, so the fastener line lands off the wood once the finish is on.
- Corner guards and crash rails expected to catch impact loads but backed with nothing more than the drywall, because no one confirmed backing at those runs.
- Backing shown on the shop drawing but never verified in the field, discovered missing only when the guard won't hold a pull.
Common questions
6 answers
- What does this wall and corner protection rough-in checklist cover?
- 12 items across 3 sections, covering drawings and layout, backing layout, load and coordination. 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 wall protection installer coordinating with the framer, or the GC's superintendent releasing walls for board once backing is set.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- While the wall is still open, after framing and before drywall or wall finish closes it, when backing can still be added or moved.
- Why do these items ask for a photo?
- 7 of the 12 items call for photo evidence, 9 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 wall and corner protection rough-in inspection?
- Blocking set to a generic height instead of the actual rail and guard mounting heights, so the fastener line lands off the wood once the finish is on. Corner guards and crash rails expected to catch impact loads but backed with nothing more than the drywall, because no one confirmed backing at those runs. Backing shown on the shop drawing but never verified in the field, discovered missing only when the guard won't hold a pull.
- 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
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 9 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.
See all 508 checklists · 6741 items and 5984 photo requirements in total.