How to Fail Your Municipality's Residential Foundation Inspection

Key Inspection Points Before Pouring Concrete

Note: Some items may not apply to your area. As a builder or skilled tradesperson, it’s your responsibility to be familiar with all local codes related to your trade.

Structural Requirements

1. Foundation Footers Depth [Size R403.1], [Per Plans]
   Ensure the foundation footers are dug to the correct depth as specified by your municipality's building criteria.
   Footing correct as per plan and/or Code [IRC 403].
2. Fill [R506.2.1]
3. Base [R506.2.2]
4.  Slab thickness
   Per approved plans and/or minimum of 3 1/2" [IRC 506.1].
5. 6-Mil Polyethylene Vapor Retarder
   Install a 6-mil (0.006-inch) [IRC 506.2.3] polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped at least 6 inches. This should be placed between the base course or sub-grade and the concrete floor slab to retard vapor transmission. Or, use open earth standards of 3 inches and 1.5 inches. Tape any tears or holes.
6. Concrete Protection for Steel Reinforcement
   Provide the necessary concrete cover for steel reinforcement to protect against corrosion:
   1. Concrete cast against and permanently exposed to earth – minimum 3” cover.
   2. Concrete exposed to earth or weather – minimum 1-1/2” cover for No. 5 bar and smaller.
7. Rebar Installation
   Properly install rebar with a focus on footers, column bends, and overlaps according to design plans.
8. Steel Reinforcing [as per plans]
9. Forms and Formwork
   Ensure that forms are substantial and sufficiently tight to prevent leakage of mortar. Formwork must be close enough to grade to prevent a “blow-out” during concrete placement.
10. Spread Footings and Beams
    Verify that spread footings and beams are dug to the approved design depth and width.
11. Rebar Bridges and Stands, Reinforcement Support [R506.2.4]
    Install rebar bridges and stands as required by the approved design plans to ensure structural integrity.
    Rebar in place, tied and chaired [IRC 506.2.4]
12. Rebar Mats Under Columns
    Install rebar mats under columns with column up-bends to the length specified in design plans.
13. Foundation Plates or Sills
    Foundation plates or sills must be bolted or anchored to the foundation.
    AS106.13.3 Sill plate fasteners. Sill plates shall be fastened with not less than 5/8-inch-diameter (15.9 mm) steel anchor bolts with 3-inch by 3-inch by 3/16-inch (76.2 mm by 76.2 mm by 4.8 mm) steel washers, with not less than 7-inch (177.8 mm) embedment in a concrete or masonry foundation, or shall be an approved equivalent, with the spacing shown in Table AS106.13(1). Anchor bolts or other fasteners into framed floors shall be of an approved engineered design.
14. Hold-downs (WFCM 3.2.4.1)
    Lateral, Shear, and Uplift Connections (WFCM 3.2.1 and 3.2.2)
    Wall Assembly to Foundation (WFCM 3.2.1.7 and 3.2.2.3)
15. CMU Block Cells
    Ensure CMU block cells are grout-filled or completed as per design plans for columns.
16. Foundation Plans Details
    Foundation details as drawn in approved plans must be identified and completed as drawn.

Electrical Requirements

1. Grounding Electrodes (aka Ufer Ground)
   Ensure grounding electrodes (foundation and ground rod) are properly installed and landed at the main disconnect panel.
   Concrete-encased electrode [IRC 3608.1.2]
2. Electrical Ground Clamp
   The electrical ground clamp must be encased in concrete with no less than 2 inches of concrete on all sides.
3. Electrical Ground Electrode Suspension
   Suspend the electrical ground electrode to allow for 2 inches of concrete cover on all sides.
4. Ground Box Installation
   Install a ground box for the foundation ground wire connection to ensure a secure and accessible grounding point.

Plumbing Requirements

1. Protect pipe from the corrosive nature of concrete.
   Metallic piping must be protected from external corrosion in locations where the piping is in direct contact with materials known to be corrosive.
2. Plumbing Rough-In
   Plumbing rough-in inspection needs to be completed before foundation inspection is scheduled.
3. Water distribution lines and DWV Lines
   Pressure testing.
4. Water Pipe Sleeves
   Water pipe sleeves need to be 2 times the size of the water pipe.
   Pipe sleeves where applicable [IRC 2603.3]

Site Preparation and Compliance

1. Termite Certificate of Treatment
   Obtain a Termite Certificate of Treatment from a licensed applicator. Treatment should include soil treatment and/or field-applied wood treatment to prevent termite damage.
2. Site Clearance
   Clear the site of tree limbs, leaves, collapsed dirt, mud, or water that may have fallen into or filled the footers.
3. Soil Compaction
   Ensure the soil is compacted according to design requirements, and provide soil compaction test results. A nuclear densometer compaction test may be required to establish the percentage of compaction.
   Footings 12 inches into natural ground or compaction test [IRC 403.1.4]
4. Surveyor Property Line Markers
   Verify that surveyor property line markers are in place before proceeding with the construction.
5. FEMA Elevation Certificate
   If your site is in a flood zone, ensure you have a FEMA Elevation Certificate to confirm compliance with elevation requirements.
6. Separation and Protection of Post-Tension Cables and PVC Drain Lines
   Provide adequate separation and protection for post-tension cables and PVC drain lines as required.
7. Cement Truck Washout Box and Construction Site Dumpster
   Set up a cement truck washout box and provide a construction site dumpster to manage waste materials responsibly.
8. Portable Toilet 
   Toilet must be provided as part of site preparation.
9. Land Grade
   Grade all exterior away from foundation minimum 6" for 1st 10'.
10. Job Box
    Approved plans in job box.
11. Permit Box
    Permits displayed and visible from street.

Engineering and Design Compliance

1. Engineered Drawings, Foundation Drawing [R106.2]
   Follow engineered drawings for foundation components, steel, and rebar placement throughout the foundation.
2. Clearance Around Plumbing and Fixed Objects
   Provide the necessary clearance around plumbing piping and other fixed objects as directed by the design plans to avoid structural interference.
3. Protection of Foundation Elements
   Ensure that all foundation elements, including post-tension cables, PVC lines, and rebar, are protected according to design specifications.

Final Thoughts:

These are some of the most common inspection points that can lead to a failed inspection before pouring concrete. By paying careful attention to these details and ensuring compliance with all local building codes, you can help avoid costly delays and ensure that your project moves forward smoothly. You are also making a safe foundation for a residential home that soon will have a family occupying the spaces you create.