How to Fail Your Municipality's Residential Slab Pre-Pour Inspection.

Why it fails: Reasons Your Residential Home Building Inspection Might Fail by Local Municipal Government Inspectors

1. Job address not posted in a visible location.
   Code Reference: R319 The address of the job site must be visibly posted.

2. Permit and approved plans not on site and accessible.
   Code Reference: Local Municipal Ordinances and Code Building permits, and approved plans must be readily accessible for inspection.

3. Improvement Location Permit (ILP) not verified for building height, setbacks, restrictions, and use/occupancy.
   Code Reference: Zoning Ordinance Requires verification of building height, setbacks, restrictions, and occupancy use per zoning laws.

4. Location on lot not verified, improper setbacks, or Fire Rated Assembly not provided when needed.
   Code Reference: R302.1, R302.2, R302.3 Zoning Ordinance Specifies fire-rated construction and setback requirements based on distance to property lines.

5. Erosion control measures not in place.
   Code Reference: (No code) General requirement to prevent erosion during construction.

6. Condition of existing city infrastructure not documented.
   Code Reference: (No Code) - Requires documentation of the condition of existing infrastructure at the time of permit issuance.

Footings and Foundations

7. Depth from finish grade to bottom of the footer less than required for Frost protection.
   Code Reference: R403.1.4.1 Table R301.2(1) - Specifies minimum depth for footings below frost line.

8. Exterior footings not placed at least 12 inches below undisturbed ground.
   Code Reference: R403.1.4.2 - Requires footings to be placed below the undisturbed ground.

9. Presence of standing water, vegetation, dirt crumbles, or debris in the footing.
   Code Reference: R403.1, R504, IBC 1805.4.2.4 - Footings must be free of water, vegetation, and debris.

10. Concrete placed on frozen ground or not protected from freezing for 5 days.
    Code Reference: Table R403.1, Commentary Vol. 1 IBC 1805.4.2.6 - Prohibits placing concrete on frozen ground and requires protection from freezing.

11. Footings less than 6 inches thick.
    Code Reference: R403.1.1 - Specifies minimum footing thickness.

12. Footings do not project beyond the face of the foundation wall by at least 2 inches.
    Code Reference: R403.1.1 - Requires footings to project a minimum distance beyond the foundation wall.

13. Incorrect footing width for the building structure.
    Code Reference: Table R403.1 - Specifies minimum footing widths based on building type and conditions.

14. Improper re-bar installation and support.
    Code Reference: R602.10.6 - Details requirements for re-bar placement and support.

15. Footer is not continuous.
    Code Reference: R602.10.6, R404.1.5.1 - Requires continuous footers for structural integrity.

16. Footing is not level or properly stepped.
    Code Reference: R403.1.5 - Footings must be level or properly stepped if on a slope.

17. Footings for masonry chimneys not meeting minimum thickness or extension requirements.
    Code Reference: R1001.2 - Specifies minimum requirements for chimney footings.

18. Incorrect placement or grade of steel reinforcement.
    Code Reference: R403.1.3.5.3 ACI 318 20.6.1.1 – 20.6.1.4 - Details specifications for steel reinforcement placement and grades.

19. Reinforcement steel not spliced per approved plans.
    Code Reference: R403.1.3.5.4 - Specifies requirements for splicing reinforcement steel.

Electrical and Slab Work

20. NEC 250.52a3 Ufer ground required.

Plumbing and Slab Work

21. Plumbing pipe not properly backfilled and protected.
    Code Reference: N/A - General requirement for plumbing pipe installation.

22. Slab depth does not match plans.
    Code Reference: N/A - Slab depth must conform to approved plans.

23. Slab reinforcement not per plan.
    Code Reference: N/A - Slab reinforcement must match approved plans.

24. Anchorage and hold downs not in place or secure.
    Code Reference: R403.1.6 - Specifies requirements for anchorage and holddowns.

25. Termite treatment not done as per code.
    Code Reference: R318 - Requires termite treatment according to code specifications.

26. Clearance from top of slab to grade less than 6 inches.
    Code Reference: N/A - Specifies minimum clearance requirements.

27. Clearance from grade to bottom of exterior mono-slab less than 12 inches.
    Code Reference: N/A - Specifies minimum clearance requirements for mono-slabs.

28. Interior thickened slab footers not located as per plan.
    Code Reference: N/A - Must conform to approved plans for interior footers.

29. Garage vehicle protection bollard not prepped.
    Code Reference: N/A - Specifies requirements for vehicle protection bollards in garages.

30. Post tension tendon count and placement not per plan.
    Code Reference: N/A - Must conform to approved plans for post-tensioning.

31. Sheathing overcut at ends, less than 3-inch clearance from copper and ABS to tendons.
    Code Reference: N/A - Must maintain specified clearance from tendons.

32. Post-tension special inspection not completed.
    Code Reference: N/A - Requires special inspection for post-tensioned slabs.

Additional Checks

33. Footing not as per plan or [IRC 403].
    Code Reference: IRC 403 - Must conform to approved footing plans and specifications.

34. Pipe sleeves not provided where applicable.
    Code Reference: LSPC 611 - Requires pipe sleeves where applicable.

35. Re-bar not in place, tied, or chaired.
    Code Reference: IRC 506.2.4 - Specifies requirements for re-bar placement, tying, and support.

36. Outer re-bar bends not continuous around corners or less than 25-inch overlap.
    Code Reference: SSTD 303.3.1 - Details requirements for continuous re-bar bends and overlaps.

37. Vapor barrier less than 6 mil.
    Code Reference: IRC 506.2.3 - Specifies minimum thickness for vapor barriers.

38. Slab thickness less than 3 1/2 inches.
    Code Reference: IRC 506.1 - Specifies minimum slab thickness.

39. Soil not properly compacted or inadequate soil preparation.
    Code Reference: IRC R401.2 – Requires proper soil preparation and compaction to ensure load-bearing capacity and prevent future settling or shifting of the foundation.

40. Inadequate grading or slope not established around foundation.
    Code Reference: IRC R401.3 – Specifies that the ground around the foundation must be sloped away from the building to ensure proper drainage and prevent water accumulation.

41. Incomplete or improperly installed vapor barrier.
    Code Reference: IRC R506.2.3 – Requires a minimum 6-mil vapor barrier under concrete slabs to prevent moisture penetration, which is critical for preserving the slab integrity.

42. No expansion joints or improperly placed expansion joints.
    Code Reference: ACI 360R-10 – American Concrete Institute’s guide for slab construction details requirements for expansion and contraction joints to control cracking in concrete slabs.

43. Incorrect slab elevation relative to the flood zone or grade plane.
    Code Reference: Local Floodplain Ordinances and IRC R322 (if in flood-prone areas) – Specifies minimum slab elevation requirements to mitigate flood risk, especially in areas prone to flooding.

44. Anchor bolts missing or improperly spaced.
    Code Reference: IRC R403.1.6 – Requires anchor bolts or straps for securing the structure to the foundation, specifying their placement, size, and spacing (typically within 12 inches of the ends of sill plates and no more than 6 feet apart).

45. Improper insulation of slab edge in energy-efficient builds.
    Code Reference: IRC R403.3 – For energy conservation in climates where this is required, slab edge insulation must meet minimum R-value requirements to prevent thermal loss.

46. Plumbing, electrical, or HVAC components encased in the slab not properly sleeved or protected.
    Code Reference: IRC P2603.3 – Requires sleeving or protection for pipes and conduits embedded in concrete to prevent corrosion or damage.

47. Failure to accommodate differential settlement due to soil conditions.
    Code Reference: IRC R403.1.8 – Requires foundation design to account for expansive, compressible, or shifting soils to prevent future structural issues.