Verify Foundation Readiness and Lay Out Framing Lines

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one completed framing-readiness verification and reference-line layout covering the full foundation or floor-platform perimeter, all plan-specified interior bearing lines and beam or girder lines, and a signed framing-readiness record with an attached discrepancy log.

B. Required Documentation Schedule

Document	Source	Confirmation Required
Approved foundation plan	Design professional / plan set	Current revision on site
Framing plan and structural details	Design professional / plan set	Current revision on site
Anchor and hold-down schedule	Design professional / manufacturer	Matches installed hardware type and spacing
Survey or benchmark information	Surveyor / site documents	Datum and benchmark identified
Inspection approvals	Authority having jurisdiction	Concrete strength, curing, waterproofing, backfill, and sill-plate inspections confirmed complete
Change documentation	Design professional / general contractor	All approved field changes incorporated

C. Layout Materials and Consumables

• Marking materials: chalk line and chalk, marking crayon or lumber pencil, sufficient for the full perimeter and all interior lines.
• Layout stakes or flags: sufficient quantity to mark the primary reference corner and each additional control point identified in Step 16 of the procedure below.
• Fasteners and hardware: none installed in this project; existing anchors, hold-downs, and embedded connectors are inspected only.
• Documentation: one framing-readiness record and discrepancy log per foundation or platform.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Overall length and width	Within the tolerance stated on the approved plan; if no project-specific tolerance is stated, obtain the applicable tolerance from the design professional before proceeding
Diagonal comparison	The two diagonals of each rectangular layout section differ by no more than the tolerance stated on the approved plan or design professional's direction
Sill-plate and anchor layout	Matches the approved anchor schedule for type, spacing, and embedment as visually confirmed; any discrepancy is logged and referred, not corrected in the field
Reference-line labeling	Every wall line, bearing line, beam line, and control point is legibly labeled and matches the plan designation
Documentation completeness	Every required field dimension, defect, hardware observation, and discrepancy is recorded on the framing-readiness record before it is signed

E. Document Review and Site Walk (Steps 1–4)

1. Obtain the current approved foundation plan, framing plan, structural details, anchor schedule, survey information, inspection approvals, and change documentation. Confirm the revision date of each document against the project's document-control log before using it.
2. Confirm that required concrete strength, curing, waterproofing, backfill, and sill-plate inspections are complete before framing loads are applied. Record the inspection date, inspector, and approval reference for each on the framing-readiness record.
3. Walk the foundation perimeter and identify cracks, spalls, missing anchor hardware, damaged sill plates, standing water, debris, out-of-level bearing surfaces, and unsafe access. Photograph and log each condition found, with its location referenced to the plan.
4. Stop work and obtain direction for foundation movement, structural cracking, misplaced anchors, missing bearing, excessive dimensional error, or unapproved repair work. Log the condition, the date reported, and the party contacted; do not proceed with layout in the affected area until direction is received.

F. Dimensional and Hardware Verification (Steps 5–10)

1. Confirm the building orientation and identify the controlling corner, baseline, benchmark, and plan dimensions. Mark the controlling corner location on the plan copy used for field reference.
2. Measure the overall foundation or platform length and width from consistent reference faces. Use the same face — for example, the outside face of the foundation wall — for every length and width measurement, and record the reference face used.
3. Measure both diagonals and compare them with the approved tolerance. Record both diagonal measurements and their difference on the framing-readiness record.
4. Verify step locations, beam pockets, pier locations, bearing ledges, openings, and other framing interfaces. Confirm each against its plan-specified location and elevation.
5. Inspect sill sealer, sill plates, anchor bolts, washers, nuts, hold-downs, straps, and embedded connectors already installed. Confirm type, spacing, embedment, and condition against the anchor schedule.
6. Verify sill-plate location, projection, straightness, joints, treatment requirements, and bearing contact. Confirm the sill plate is the treatment category required by the anchor schedule and bears fully on the foundation.

G. Establishing and Marking Reference Lines (Steps 11–16)

1. Establish the primary framing baseline from the approved reference corner. Strike the baseline with the chalk line along the controlling exterior wall face identified in Step 5.
2. Mark exterior wall lines, interior bearing lines, beam lines, and other required framing references. Label each line with its plan designation as it is struck.
3. Transfer reference lines across corners and intersecting foundation sections. Use the framing square or plumb bob to carry each line accurately through every corner it passes.
4. Verify perpendicular lines using diagonals or the approved layout method. Re-check the diagonal comparison from Step 7 at each rectangular section formed by the marked lines.
5. Check that framing lines agree with anchor, hold-down, beam-pocket, and utility-penetration locations. Confirm no marked wall or bearing line conflicts with an inspected hardware location from Step 9.
6. Mark and label reference corners, wall faces, centerlines, floor elevations, and control points that must remain visible. Use a permanent, weather-resistant marking method and protect each control point from later staging or trade work.

H. Discrepancy Resolution and Readiness Documentation (Steps 17–20)

1. Record all field dimensions and compare them with the approved plans. Enter every measurement from Sections F and G on the framing-readiness record.
2. Prepare a discrepancy list identifying each variance, its location, required decision, and responsible authority. Include every condition logged in Steps 3, 4, 9, and 15 that has not already been resolved.
3. Correct authorized layout errors and obtain approved revisions for design conflicts. Re-strike and re-verify any line corrected under this step before proceeding.
4. Complete and sign the framing-readiness record before material is staged or cut. Confirm every required entry from Sections E through H is complete before signing.