Foundation Embedded Items Installation Checklist

Definition: Foundation Embedded Items Installation Checklist guides site engineers installing sleeves, anchors, and earthing in foundations, confirming positions and fixity while excluding reinforcement checks.

Covers sleeves, anchor bolts, and earthing in concrete foundations.
Prevents misalignment, rework, programme delays, and expensive core drilling.
Survey-led methods, rigid templates, fixity controls, measurable acceptance tolerances.
Interactive, commentable, export, QR code authenticated records and sign-offs.

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Checklist

Foundation Embedded Items Installation Checklist enables precise placement of sleeves, anchor bolts, and earthing components in concrete foundations. This practical guide supports site engineers and inspectors managing cast-in items, embedded sleeves and inserts, base plates and anchors, and earthing/grounding conductors. The scope focuses on positions, levels, alignment, fixity, protection, and evidence capture before and during the pour. It explicitly excludes reinforcement bar checks, detailing, or inspection; coordinate those separately per approved project specifications and authority requirements. By following survey-led methods, rigid templates, and bracing strategies, you’ll avoid costly rework, misaligned bolts, blocked services, and non-compliant earthing. Acceptance cues include dimensional tolerances, calibrated readings, continuity measurements, photos with scales, and signed hold-point releases. The outcome is predictable fit-up of steelwork and services, traceable continuity of earthing, and clean sleeves ready for services, all backed by authenticated records. Start in interactive mode to tick items, add comments, and export as PDF/Excel with a secure QR code.

Ensure accurate sleeves, anchors, and earthing installation within defined tolerances using survey control, rigid templates, and independent bracing. Reduce misalignment, blocked openings, and rework by verifying positions, levels, and fixity before the pour and documenting everything with photos, reports, and calibrated readings.
De-risk programme and downstream trades by validating bolt projections, plumbness, sleeve gradients, and clearances. Acceptance cues include total station deviations, inclinometer readings, torque logs where specified, and continuity tests. Evidence-based sign-offs support smooth steel erection and services routing upon formwork strike.
Interactive online checklist with tick, comment, and export features secured by QR code. Capture photos, readings, and approvals in one place, then share authenticated PDFs/Excels across teams for traceable QA from set-out to pour readiness.
Maintain tight scope control: embedded items only, excluding reinforcement checks or bar inspections. Coordinate any reinforcement interfaces through shop drawings and RFIs, but verify embedded items’ fixity, protection against concrete ingress, and survey as-builts per approved project specifications and authority requirements.

Pre-Installation Controls

1. Review latest approved foundation GA, sleeve/anchor/earthing schedules, and IFC revisions; upload document numbers, approval stamps, and RFI status as control evidence.
2. Calibrate and verify total station, laser level, and torque wrench; attach current calibration certificates, serial numbers, and photos of labels.
3. Confirm materials meet specifications: sleeve sizes, anchor grades, templates, earthing tape/clamps; record batch numbers, delivery dockets, and supplier QA documents.
4. Conduct a pre-start briefing covering scope (no rebar checks), hazards, pour sequence, and hold-points; capture attendance signatures and briefing minutes.

Setting Out and Survey

5. Set out sleeve and anchor coordinates with a total station from verified control; export stake-out report showing point IDs and deviations ≤ ±5 mm.
6. Mark centerlines and offsets on formwork with indelible paint; photograph markings with a folding rule for scale and point tags visible.
7. Verify top-of-concrete level benchmarks using laser and staff; record target FFL tolerance ±5 mm and confirm pour lift plan with supervisor sign-off.
8. Run a clash check overlay for sleeves/anchors against openings and penetrations; attach annotated screenshot confirming ≥ 50 mm clearance all around each sleeve.

Sleeves Installation

9. Install sleeves at surveyed coordinates using rigid jigs or formwork supports; confirm plan within ±10 mm and elevation within ±5 mm, with photo evidence.
10. Maintain sleeve internal diameter free of debris; cap both ends and photograph a gauge plug matching nominal size fully passing through.
11. Set required falls for service sleeves with a digital inclinometer; record gradient per drawings (e.g., 1–2%) within ±0.2% tolerance and photo the reading.
12. Brace sleeves independently to formwork to prevent flotation and displacement; document fixity method and short video of a shake-test before pour.

Anchor Bolts and Base Plates

13. Assemble anchors on a rigid template/base plate; check bolt circle and diagonals with steel tape within ±2 mm, and upload measurement photos.
14. Position template to surveyed coordinates; verify bolt projection above finished concrete within ±3 mm and plumbness ≤ 2 mm per 300 mm with a level.
15. Lock bolts using double nuts or tack-welded template as specified; fit thread protection caps and confirm run-on length ≥ full nut height.
16. Verify embedment depth and anti-rotation features per approved details; record measured depths and obtain inspector sign-off with timestamped photos.

Earthing and Bonding

17. Install earthing tape/rod to layout, maintaining ≥ 50 mm concrete cover and ≥ 100 mm from sleeves; photograph routes and label terminations.
18. Form joints by exothermic weld or approved clamps; record lot numbers, visual quality photos, and apply corrosion protection coating per specification.
19. Measure electrical continuity between designated points with a calibrated multimeter; record resistance ≤ 1.0 Ω or per spec, including instrument ID.

Fixity, Protection, and Pour Readiness

20. Seal sleeves and protect threads with taped caps/foam to prevent ingress; photograph seals immediately before pour and after initial set.
21. Perform pre-pour survey recheck of all anchors and sleeves; upload as-built CSV, photos of witness marks, and obtain hold-point release.
22. Monitor during first concrete lift; verify no displacement with a quick total station check and log any adjustment within 5 minutes.

Scope, Benefits, and Boundaries

This checklist focuses on embedded items in foundations: sleeves for services, anchor bolts and base plates, and earthing conductors. It helps site engineers achieve precise positions, levels, alignment, and fixity so downstream trades connect seamlessly. You will use survey control, rigid templates, independent bracing, and protective measures to avoid blocked penetrations, misaligned steelwork, and non-compliant earthing. The checklist excludes reinforcement checks, bar detailing, or rebar inspections; coordinate those separately per approved project specifications and authority requirements. Acceptance evidence includes photos with scales, stake-out and as-built CSVs, inclinometer readings, continuity measurements, and hold-point releases. When followed diligently, the result is predictable bolt fit-up, clear sleeves ready for services, durable protected threads, and traceable records from preparation to pour readiness. The structured flow mirrors real site stages to reduce risk and save time while enhancing accountability across teams.

Embedded items only; reinforcement checks are excluded from scope.
Use survey control and templates for accurate set-out.
Independently brace to prevent movement during pour.
Capture calibrated readings and photo evidence.
Hold-point releases before any concrete placement.

Methods, Tolerances, and Acceptance Cues

Apply survey-led setting out using a calibrated total station, marking clear centerlines and offsets on formwork. For sleeves, target plan position within ±10 mm and elevation within ±5 mm, protecting internal diameters and maintaining any required gradients within ±0.2%. For anchors, verify bolt circle and spacing within ±2 mm, projection above finished concrete within ±3 mm, and plumbness ≤ 2 mm per 300 mm. Assemble using rigid templates and secure with double nuts or approved tack welds, then cap threads. For earthing, maintain adequate separation from sleeves and confirm continuity with a calibrated multimeter to a specified threshold. Acceptance is evidenced by stake-out and as-built reports, inclinometer screenshots, continuity readings, and timestamped photos showing scales and witness marks. A simple pre-pour recheck often prevents major rework; for example, a 4 mm bolt circle shift was detected and corrected before concrete placement, averting baseplate slotting and schedule impacts.

Sleeves: ±10 mm plan, ±5 mm elevation.
Anchors: ±2 mm spacing, ±3 mm projection.
Plumbness within 2 mm per 300 mm height.
Gradients within ±0.2% for sloped sleeves.
Continuity at or below specified threshold.

Fixity, Pour Readiness, and Evidence Capture

Prevent movement during the pour with independent bracing to formwork, rigid anchor templates, protective caps, and sealed sleeves. Mark witness lines on templates and formwork to detect shifts. Right before concrete placement, complete a hold-point inspection, re-verify positions with a quick total station sweep, and ensure capped threads and sealed sleeves are intact. During the first lift, spot-check anchors and critical sleeves for displacement. For earthing, verify protected joints, applied corrosion coatings, and continuity readings are recorded. Capture evidence consistently: photos with scales, CSV exports from instruments, calibration certificates, batch numbers, and sign-offs. Store everything in a single source so supervisors and auditors can instantly trace decisions and approvals. This disciplined approach secures dimensional control, avoids expensive core drilling or baseplate modifications, and yields clean, verifiable records.

Brace independently; avoid movement during pour.
Mark witness lines to detect any shift.
Seal sleeves and protect bolt threads.
Complete hold-point checks pre-pour.
Centralize photos, readings, and sign-offs.

How to Use This Checklist Effectively

Preparation: gather approved drawings/schedules, calibrated total station/laser, templates, sleeves, anchors, earthing tape/clamps, caps/foam, and PPE. Confirm access, lighting, and weather window. Align hold-points and pour sequence with supervision, and preload document numbers, batch data, and instrument IDs into the checklist.
Using the Interactive Checklist: start interactive mode, tick items as completed, attach photos with scales, upload CSVs from instruments, and log readings. Use comments to resolve clashes or RFIs in real time. When complete, export to PDF/Excel and share the QR-authenticated record with stakeholders.
Sign-Off: capture inspector and supervisor digital signatures, record dates and pour section IDs, and archive the package. Distribute the signed report to design, steelwork, and MEP teams. Store QR-verified records in your document control system for audits and handover.

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Lila Gonzalez Lila Gonzalez

Feb 18, 2026

FAQ

Question: What tolerances should I apply to sleeves and anchor bolts in foundations?

Use survey-led tolerances appropriate to risk and specification. Common targets are: sleeves within ±10 mm in plan and ±5 mm in elevation; anchors within ±2 mm for spacing/bolt circle, ±3 mm projection above finished concrete, and plumbness ≤ 2 mm per 300 mm. Always confirm final tolerances per approved project specifications.

Question: What evidence should I capture to prove positions and fixity before pouring?

Record stake-out and as-built CSVs from the total station, calibrated inclinometer and multimeter readings, photos with scales and witness marks, batch numbers for materials, calibration certificates, and signed hold-point releases. Protect threads and sleeves, then photograph caps and seals immediately before the pour to confirm integrity.

Question: How do I handle earthing installation within the foundation pour?

Install earthing tape/rods to the approved layout, maintain required separation from sleeves, and protect all joints with approved coatings. Label terminations, measure continuity with a calibrated meter, and record readings against point IDs. Do not conflate this with reinforcement checks; coordinate any reinforcement interfaces via drawings and RFIs.

Question: What if my set-out shows a clash between a sleeve and anchor group?

Raise a comment and RFI promptly with redlined overlays. Propose minor relocations within permissible tolerances or adjust sleeve diameter/route if allowed. Obtain written approval per project procedures before making changes, then re-survey and document updated coordinates, photos, and sign-offs before the pour proceeds.