Prepare for a Plumbing Rough-In Inspection

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one complete plumbing rough-in inspection-readiness package covering fixture locations, DWV and water-distribution routing, support and protection, required tests, access, and coordination for one defined permitted project, verified against approved documents and closed with a recorded official inspection result.

B. Verification Component Schedule

Component	Quantity	Reference Source	Verification Content	Evidence
Fixture Locations	1 per fixture	Approved fixture schedule	Room layout, wall thickness, cabinet dimension, finish-surface reference	Measurement record, photograph
DWV Routing	1 system	Approved plumbing plan	Slope, fittings, directional changes, branch connections, vent terminations	Photograph, deficiency sheet
Water Distribution	1 system	Approved plumbing plan	Routing, valves, manifolds, hammer control, backflow, thermal expansion, equipment connections	Photograph, deficiency sheet
Gas Piping	If applicable	Approved plumbing plan, licensed-trade scope	Valves, sediment traps, supports, bonding coordination, test condition	Licensed-trade record
Pipe Support and Protection	Per run	Approved details, governing requirements	Hanger type, spacing, isolation, sleeves, nail plates, firestopping	Photograph, measurement record
Cleanouts and Access	Per fixture group	Approved plumbing plan	Location, orientation, size, clearance after finishes	Photograph, deficiency sheet
Water Heater	1, if applicable	Manufacturer instructions, approved plan	Pan, drain, relief discharge, venting, combustion, seismic, electrical, access	Photograph, manufacturer document
Required Tests	Per test type	Authoritative requirement, approved plan	Method, pressure or head, duration, gauge, responsible qualified party	Test documentation form

C. Resource Takeoff

• Document set: approved plumbing plans, specifications, fixture schedule, permit, and revision log confirmed current.
• Verification tools: tape measure, flashlight, camera, deficiency-tracking sheet, and test documentation forms.
• Trade coordination: confirmed licensed plumbing contractor or authorized installer available for test performance and inspection attendance.
• Access allowance: cleared, lit, and safely accessible fixture, cleanout, and pipe-run locations throughout the project area.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Fixture location accuracy	Every rough-in dimension matches the approved fixture schedule within the tolerance stated in the approved documents
DWV and water-distribution conformance	Routing, fittings, slope, and terminations match approved plans with no undocumented field deviation
Support and protection	Every support, sleeve, nail plate, and protection point matches the governing requirement and approved detail
Cleanout and access preservation	Every required cleanout and service access remains unobstructed and reachable after finish installation
Test completion	Every required test is performed by the qualified party, documented, and stable at the time of inspection
Concealment hold	No insulation, drywall, or finish material conceals rough-in work before the required approval is documented

E. Preparation — Confirm Permit, Documents, and Prior Approvals

1. Confirm the plumbing permit, licensed contractor or authorized installer, approved plans, specifications, fixture schedule, and revisions. Record the permit number and current revision on the Project and Permit Record above.
2. Identify whether separate underground, rough, gas, water, sewer, backflow, or final inspections are required. Confirm the exact inspection type for this stage from the Chapter 1 binder.
3. Confirm prior underground or slab plumbing approvals before concealment or concrete. Do not proceed with rough-in verification if a required prior approval is missing.

F. Verify Fixtures, DWV, and Water Distribution

1. Verify fixture locations, room layouts, wall thicknesses, cabinet dimensions, and finished-surface references from approved documents. Measure and record each rough-in dimension against the approved fixture schedule.
2. Verify water, drainage, waste, vent, gas, recirculation, specialty, and appliance rough-in locations from approved documents. Confirm each location against the approved plumbing plan.
3. Verify pipe material, size, joining system, listing, compatibility, and use without redesigning the system. Compare the installed material against the approved specification; do not substitute or approve a substitution yourself.
4. Verify drainage and vent routing, slope, fittings, directional changes, branch connections, and vent terminations as shown and required. Confirm slope direction and fitting type at every directional change.
5. Verify water distribution routing, valves, manifolds, hammer control, backflow, thermal expansion, and equipment connections as documented. Confirm every valve and specialty device location against the approved plan.
6. Verify gas piping, valves, sediment traps, supports, bonding coordination, test conditions, and appliance branches only through approved licensed work. Confirm this scope was performed and will be tested by the licensed trade.

G. Verify Support, Access, and Water-Heater Conditions

1. Verify pipe support, hanger type, spacing, isolation, expansion allowance, and protection from damage. Measure hanger spacing against the governing requirement at three representative runs.
2. Verify holes, notches, bored members, sleeves, nail plates, fire blocking, and structural coordination. Confirm every penetration through a structural member is protected as required.
3. Verify cleanouts are provided, oriented, sized, accessible, and not blocked by cabinets or finishes. Confirm each cleanout location against the approved plan and the planned finish layout.
4. Verify fixture, trap, valve, equipment, and service access will remain available after finish installation. Confirm planned cabinet, tile, or trim work does not block a required access point.
5. Verify water-heater location, pan, drain, relief discharge, venting, combustion, seismic, electrical, and access requirements from approved documents. Confirm each item against the manufacturer instructions and approved plan.
6. Verify tub, shower, receptor, pan, liner, drain, waterproofing, and flood-test inspection sequence where applicable. Confirm the flood test, if required, is scheduled at the correct stage.
7. Verify firestopping, draft stopping, penetration protection, and rated-assembly conditions remain visible at the correct stage. Confirm none of these items is concealed before this inspection.
8. Verify exterior penetrations, roof penetrations, sleeves, and flashing coordination. Confirm coordination with the Chapter 8 envelope inspection where penetrations overlap.

H. Confirm Tests, Coordinate Trades, and Complete Preinspection

1. Confirm required water, air, vacuum, drainage, gas, pan, or other test method, pressure or head, duration, gauge, and responsible party from authoritative requirements. Record each required test on the test documentation form.
2. Do not create or supervise a regulated test beyond the learner's qualification or the licensed trade's responsibility. Confirm the qualified party performing each test before it begins.
3. Verify test equipment is suitable, calibrated where required, safely installed, and not overpressurizing components. Confirm with the licensed trade that equipment meets these conditions.
4. Protect the building and occupants from water, gas, air-pressure, freezing, and test-release hazards. Confirm barriers, signage, or occupant notice are in place during active testing.
5. Collect plumbing calculations, fixture data, backflow documents, gas sizing, manufacturer instructions, and test records where required. File each document with the readiness package.
6. Photograph concealed piping, supports, protection plates, cleanouts, and tests. Photograph each item by location before any concealment occurs.
7. Coordinate framing, electrical, HVAC, cabinets, roofing, and envelope conflicts before inspection. Resolve any conflict through the required RFI or revision process rather than a field improvisation.
8. Remove debris and provide lighting, safe access, ladders, and visible pipe identification. Confirm the work area is safe and navigable before the trade preinspection.
9. Complete a fixture-by-fixture and system-by-system preinspection with the responsible licensed trade. Walk every fixture group and system with the trade present.
10. Create and correct the rough-in deficiency list. Assign each deficiency to a responsible party and confirm correction before scheduling.

I. Schedule, Attend, and Record the Inspection

1. Confirm all required tests are active and stable for the scheduled inspection. Verify test gauges hold the required pressure or level immediately before the inspection window.
2. Schedule the correct inspection type and record confirmation. Use the Chapter 1 binder's inspection-request procedure and record the confirmation number.
3. Attend with approved plans, permit, test documentation, and responsible trade representative. Confirm all required parties and documents are present before the inspector arrives.
4. Record approval, partial approval, test acceptance, corrections, and areas that must remain open. Record the result exactly as given by the inspector.
5. Do not insulate, cover, connect, or conceal plumbing before required approval. Hold all concealment work until the official approval is documented.
6. File the checklist, photographs, test records, inspection result, and correction status. Archive the completed package in the project compliance record.