FLOOR AND CEILING FRAMING INSPECTION CHECKLIST
1. Inspect allowable spans and materials (R502.1,-R502.3, R802.1, R802.2, R802.4)
A. Locate the grade stamp on the joist to determine grade, species and moisture
content.
B. Measure and determine size, clear span and spacing of the joists.
C. Compare findings with the design specifications/drawings. Note any
discrepancies.
D. Based on tables R502.3.1(1) or R502.3.1(2) determine the allowable span for the
required live and dead load and verify that the actual joist is equal to or greater
than the specified joist.
E. Locate the grade stamp on the girder to determine grade, species and moisture
content.
F. Measure and determine size, clear span and spacing of girders.
G. Compare findings with the design specifications/drawings. Note any
discrepancies.
H. Based on tables R502.5(1) or R502.5(2) determine the allowable span for the
required live and dead load and verify that the actual girder is equal to or greater
than the specified girder.
2. Inspect Joists, Beams, and Girder Bearing (R502.6, R802.6)
A. Determine if the length of the bearing point is at least 1 ½ in. if the supporting
element is wood or metal.
B. Determine if the length of the bearing point is at least 3 in. if the supporting
element is masonry.
C. Determine if the joist is nailed to an adjacent stud and supported by a 1 x 4 let-in
ribbon strip (in balloon framing only).
D. Determine if there is at least a 3-in. overlap or the opposing joists are tied together
in an approved manner when butt joined, whenever joists are framed from
opposite sides over a beam or girder.
E. Determine if the joists are supported by an approved and properly installed joists
hanger or ledger strips at least 2 in. by 2 in., where joists are framed into the side
of a wood beam or girder.
FLOOR AND CEILING FRAMING INSPECTION LIST
CONTINUED
3. Inspect Floor Framing Construction [R407, R502.9, R802.3, Tab. R602.3(1)]
A. Determine if the joists are toe nailed to the sills or girders with at least 3-8d nails.
B. Determine if the sole plates are face nailed to the joists or blocking with a 16d nail
every 16 inches on center.
C. Determine if ceiling joists are toe nailed to the plate with 3-8d nails.
D. If ceiling joists are used to resist rafter thrust, then determine if they face nailed
together with 3-10d nails at laps over partitions (minimum lap 3 in.).
E. Determine if the ceiling joists are face nailed to the parallel rafters with 3-10d
nails (or per Table R802.5.1(9) if applicable).
F. If posts are used to support beams and girders, then determine if positive
connections are installed.
______ G. Columns more than 48 in. in height shall be restrained to prevent lateral
displacement at the bottom end.
______ H. If columns are not enclosed by a continuous foundation, they shall be
restrained at the bottom end.
4. Inspect Floor and Ceiling Headers (R502.4, R502.10, R802.9)
A. Determine if the joists parallel to bearing walls above are doubled or an
equivalent beam is used as a minimum. See fig. R502.2.
B. Verify that full depth solid blocking is installed no more than 4 ft. on center if
joists have been separated to accommodate piping/vents.
C. Determine if the header span is 4 ft. or less. If so, than the header may be a single
member the same size as the floor joist.
D. Determine if the header span is greater than 4 ft.. If so, then the header is to be at
least doubled.
E. Determine if the approved joist hangers are used to connect the header and
trimmer joists for header joists spans greater than 6 ft..
F. Determine if the trimmer joists at the opening are single members. If so, then the
single header must be within 3 ft. of the trimmer joist bearing.
G. Determine if the trimmer joists are doubled when the header is more than 3 ft.
from the trimmer joist bearing.
H. Determine if the ceiling header span is 4 ft. or less. If so, then the header may be a
single member the same size as the ceiling joist.
FLOOR AND CEILING FRAMING INSPECTION LIST
CONTINUED
I. Determine if the ceiling header span is greater than 4 ft.. If so, then the header and
trimmer joists must be doubled, if the header exceeds 6 ft., then the header to
trimmer connection must have approved joist hangers.
J. Determine if the tail joists exceed 12 ft.. If so, then the tail joists at header must
have approved framing anchors or be on a 2 in. X 2 in. ledger.
5. Inspect Joist and Lateral Support and Bridging (R502.7, R502.7.1, R802.8, R802.8.1)
A. Determine if the ends of the joists not over an intermediate support are laterally
supported by full-depth, 2 in. thick solid blocking, a header, band or rim joist, or
to adjoining stud.
B. Determine that joists exceeding 2 X 12 are supported laterally by solid blocking,
diagonal bridging or 1 in. by 3 in. strip nailed to bottom of joists. Determine that
the lateral support is at intervals not exceeding 8 ft.
