Install Reinforcing Steel for Footings

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: a complete footing-reinforcement assembly installed in the Project 02 forms, matching the approved reinforcement schedule bar-for-bar, supported at the required elevation, tied at every required intersection, maintaining specified cover throughout, and recorded on a completed Footing Reinforcement Inspection Record with a formal release signature authorizing concrete placement.

B. Assessed Reinforcement Schedule

Item	Reference Used	Standard	Purpose
Bar size, grade, and mark	Approved reinforcement schedule	Match the schedule exactly; no substitution	Confirm correct bar identification
Bar spacing	Approved reinforcement schedule	Match the specified spacing within the schedule's stated tolerance	Confirm designed load distribution
Clear cover	Approved reinforcement schedule and adopted code	Meet or exceed the specified minimum cover at every location	Protect reinforcement from corrosion and maintain design capacity
Laps, hooks, splices, dowels	Approved reinforcement schedule	Match specified lap length, hook dimension, splice type, and dowel projection	Confirm continuity of designed reinforcement
Chairs and supports	Approved reinforcement schedule	Installed at the required spacing and type to hold the specified elevation	Confirm reinforcement position during concrete placement

C. Document and Material Takeoff

• Controlling documents: approved reinforcement plan, bar marks, sizes, grades, quantities, spacing, laps, hooks, dowels, cover, supports, and inspection hold points, assembled before any bar is cut or placed.
• Reinforcing steel: bars matching the bar marks on the approved schedule, inspected on receipt for correct identification, rust scale, oil, mud, paint, damage, and unauthorized bending.
• Supports: chairs, bolsters, or blocks matching the type and spacing specified on the approved schedule.
• Ties and splices: tie wire, mechanical couplers, or splice hardware matching the type specified on the approved schedule.
• Escalation contact: a named engineer, inspector, or designer identified before installation begins, for use if a schedule conflict or field-cutting question arises.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Bar identification	Every installed bar matches its bar mark on the approved reinforcement schedule; any unidentified or substituted bar is a stop-work condition
Bar spacing	Within the tolerance stated on the approved reinforcement schedule; if no tolerance is stated, treat any measured difference as a conflict requiring escalation
Clear cover	Meets or exceeds the specified minimum cover from soil, forms, penetrations, and adjacent bars at every measured location
Laps, hooks, splices, dowels	Match the length, dimension, type, and projection specified on the approved reinforcement schedule
Support condition	Chairs, bolsters, or blocks installed at the required spacing, holding reinforcement at the specified elevation without displacement
Tie condition	Every required intersection tied with the specified tie type without pulling bars out of designed position
Cleanliness	Forms free of loose tie wire, cutoffs, mud, standing water, and debris before concrete placement

E. Preparation — Document Review and Material Inspection

1. Review the approved reinforcement plan, bar marks, sizes, grades, quantities, spacing, laps, hooks, dowels, cover, supports, and inspection hold points. Confirm the document set is complete before proceeding to Step 2.
2. Confirm that footing forms and bearing surfaces remain clean, stable, and within tolerance. Obtain written confirmation from the Project 02 form inspection before placing any reinforcing steel.
3. Receive and inspect reinforcing steel for correct identification, excessive rust scale, oil, mud, paint, damage, and unauthorized bending. Reject and document any bar that fails inspection.

F. Cutting and Bending

1. Establish a controlled cutting and bending area away from form edges and pedestrian routes. Confirm the area is clear of trip and puncture hazards before starting equipment.
2. Prepare a bar list organized by footing run, location, length, shape, and installation sequence. Use the bar list to confirm every cut bar has a designated installation location.
3. Measure and mark each bar using the approved reference method. Mark cut lines clearly before engaging the cutting tool.
4. Cut bars with the specified equipment while controlling sparks, sharp ends, and stored energy. Secure the bar before every cut.
5. Bend only bars and locations permitted by the approved schedule using the required bending method. Do not bend a bar mark the schedule shows as straight.
6. Label prepared bars so each piece can be matched to the reinforcement plan. Mark each bar with its bar mark and installation location before moving it to the footing.

G. Support and Placement

1. Place approved chairs, bolsters, blocks, or other supports at the required spacing. Verify spacing against the approved schedule before placing bars on the supports.
2. Install longitudinal bars in the required position and orientation. Confirm each bar's position against the bar list before tying.
3. Install transverse bars, cross bars, dowels, corner bars, step bars, and intersection reinforcement. Match each installed bar to its designated location on the reinforcement plan.
4. Maintain specified clear cover from soil, forms, penetrations, and adjacent bars. Measure cover at each location before tying it in place.

H. Tying, Splicing, and Coordination

1. Tie intersections using the specified tie type and frequency without pulling bars out of position. Verify bar position immediately after each tie is completed.
2. Install required laps, hooks, mechanical splices, or couplers exactly as shown in the controlling documents. Measure lap length and hook dimension against the schedule before final tying.
3. Support vertical dowels so they remain plumb, aligned, and stable during concrete placement. Brace or tie dowels to prevent movement during the Project 04 pour.
4. Coordinate reinforcement around sleeves, blockouts, pipes, and embedded items without field-cutting bars unless authorized. Contact the engineer or designer before cutting any bar to clear an unanticipated obstruction.

I. Inspection and Correction

1. Walk the reinforcement path and identify bars that could shift under workers, hose movement, or concrete flow. Note every bar requiring an additional support or tie point.
2. Add approved supports or tie points where needed to maintain the designed position. Re-verify position after each added support.
3. Measure bar spacing, cover, lap locations, dowel projection, and clearances. Record every measurement on the Footing Reinforcement Inspection Record.
4. Remove loose tie wire, cutoffs, mud, standing water, and debris from the forms. Confirm the forms are clean before final inspection.
5. Correct all deficiencies and complete the reinforcement inspection before concrete placement. Sign and date the release section of the Footing Reinforcement Inspection Record.