Build Stem Wall Forms

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: one completed two-sided stem-wall form assembly at the approved thickness, height, plumb, and alignment, with corners, pilasters, openings, keyways, sleeves, and blockouts formed to the approved detail, fully braced and tied, cleanouts installed and inspected, and a signed Stem-Wall Form Inspection Record authorizing reinforcement installation to begin.

B. Assessed Verification Schedule

Item	Reference Used	Standard	Purpose
Wall thickness	Specified tie length, spreader, or gauge	Match the approved wall-thickness dimension within the plan's stated tolerance	Confirm correct concrete section
Form height / top elevation	Verified benchmark	Match the approved top-of-wall elevation	Confirm correct wall height and sill-plate bearing surface
Line and plumb	Chalk line, string line, and level	Match the approved wall line within the plan's stated tolerance; both faces plumb	Confirm straight, vertical concrete surfaces
Corners, openings, steps	Approved foundation and structural details	Match the approved detail for location, dimension, and geometry	Confirm structural and architectural conformance
Tie spacing, bracing	Approved form design	Match the specified spacing and bracing schedule	Confirm the form resists placement pressure without movement

C. Document and Material Takeoff

• Controlling documents: approved wall dimensions, height, thickness, steps, pilasters, openings, form-tie system, concrete placement plan, reinforcement details, and pressure limitations, assembled before any form assembly begins.
• Form materials: form panels, studs, walers, strongbacks, ties, spreaders, braces, chamfer strip, blockouts, fasteners, and release agent selected to match the approved form design.
• Footing preparation: footing surfaces cleaned of laitance, debris, and standing water, with keys, dowels, and construction joints prepared before form assembly begins.
• Escalation contact: a named engineer or designer identified before assembly begins, for use if a dimensional or design conflict is found during layout or verification.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Wall thickness	Within the tolerance stated on the approved plan, verified with the specified spreader, tie length, or gauge at top, mid-height, and bottom of each section
Form height and top elevation	Matches the approved top-of-wall elevation verified from the protected benchmark at each corner and at intervals along the run
Line and plumb	Both form faces plumb within the plan's stated tolerance; wall line matches the chalk or string line within the same tolerance
Corners, openings, steps, pilasters	Match the approved foundation and structural details for location and dimension
Tie spacing and bracing	Matches the spacing and bracing schedule specified in the approved form design; every waler, strongback, and brace seated and fastened
Cleanliness	Forms free of debris, wood scraps, and standing water before reinforcement installation

E. Preparation — Document Review and Footing Confirmation

1. Review the approved wall dimensions, height, thickness, steps, pilasters, openings, form-tie system, concrete placement plan, reinforcement details, and pressure limitations. Confirm the document set is complete before proceeding to Step 2.
2. Confirm that footings have reached the required condition and that footing surfaces, keys, dowels, and construction joints are prepared. Obtain written confirmation before disturbing the footing surface.
3. Clean footing surfaces and remove laitance, debris, standing water, and unauthorized projections. Record the footing condition before form layout begins.

F. Establishing References

1. Establish wall faces, centerlines, corners, openings, steps, and top elevations from the verified controls. Snap chalk lines on the footing for both wall faces before selecting materials.
2. Select form panels, studs, walers, strongbacks, ties, spreaders, braces, chamfers, blockouts, fasteners, and release agent according to the form design. Confirm every selected component matches the approved form design.
3. Inspect form materials and proprietary components for damage, contamination, and compatibility. Set aside any damaged or incompatible component before assembly.

G. Component Preparation and First Face Assembly

1. Cut, label, and stage form components in installation order. Organize components by wall run and location before assembly begins.
2. Assemble the first form face and position it to the approved wall line. Set the face directly on the chalk line established in Step 4.
3. Plumb, align, stake, and temporarily brace the first form face. Check plumb with the level at each corner before final staking.

H. Second Face, Corners, and Openings

1. Install the opposing form face using approved ties and spreaders to establish wall thickness. Verify thickness with the specified gauge before securing each tie.
2. Install corners, intersections, steps, pilasters, blockouts, keyways, sleeves, and opening forms. Match each installation to the approved foundation and structural detail.
3. Install walers, strongbacks, kickers, braces, and anchorage required by the form design. Install every component listed in the approved bracing schedule.

I. Tightening, Release Agent, and Cleanouts

1. Tighten ties and supports in a controlled sequence to avoid pulling the forms out of line. Follow the tightening sequence specified by the form design or tie manufacturer.
2. Apply form-release agent only to approved contact surfaces and keep it off reinforcement and construction joints. Confirm no release agent has contacted the footing key, dowels, or construction joint.
3. Install cleanout openings where required for debris removal and inspection. Locate cleanouts at the base of the form where specified by the form design.

J. Verification

1. Verify wall thickness, form height, top elevation, line, plumb, corners, openings, and step dimensions. Check thickness at top, mid-height, and bottom of every section.
2. Check tie spacing, brace attachment, fastener seating, form joints, and resistance to movement. Confirm every tie and brace matches the approved spacing schedule.
3. Confirm safe access, working platforms, guardrails, ladders, and placement routes where required. Verify access is adequate for the planned placement method before concluding the inspection.

K. Cleanup and Release

1. Remove debris through the cleanouts and close them using the approved method. Confirm the form interior is free of debris before closing each cleanout.
2. Mark concrete-placement lifts, top elevation, embedded-item locations, and monitoring points. Mark these references on the outside of the form for use during placement.
3. Correct all dimensional or stability deficiencies. Re-verify any corrected item before proceeding to Step 22.
4. Complete the stem-wall form inspection before reinforcement and concrete placement. Sign and date the release section of the Stem-Wall Form Inspection Record.