Steel structure inspection checklist: free template (Excel and PDF)
Deskely Completions team Singapore
Structural steel is inspected at the fabricator and again after erection: materials and welds, then alignment, bolted connections, coating and the gratings, handrails and ladders people will use.
This page gives you a free steel structure inspection checklist in Excel and PDF covering fabrication and erection, and explains what each group checks.
- Check material traceability first: certificates against heat numbers.
- Erection tolerances come from the specification, for example EN 1090-2 or AISC 303.
- Check bolted connections for grade, length and the tightening method used.
- Touch up coating damaged during erection before close-out.
What the checklist covers
| Group | Typical checks |
|---|---|
| Materials | Mill certificates against grade and heat numbers, members marked. |
| Fabrication | Dimensions and holes to the shop drawings, welds inspected, edges prepared. |
| Erection | Plumbness and levels within tolerance, base plates and grout, anchor bolts, bracing. |
| Bolted connections | Bolt grade, size and length, washers and nuts, tightening method and marking. |
| Coating and fire protection | Surface preparation and dry film thickness, touch-up, passive fire protection. |
| Access and safety | Gratings fixed, handrails, toe plates and ladders, temporary works removed. |
The template
Mark each check Accepted, Rejected or N/A; rejected checks go on the punch list. Weld inspection detail goes on the welding inspection report.
Structures on a capital project
Steel goes up early, and findings left open hold up the piping, cable tray and equipment installed on it later.
In Deskely, inspections and punch items are held against the tag and area, so open structural findings are visible to the trades that follow.
The Deskely products for this
Frequently asked questions
What is checked in a steel structure inspection?
Material certificates and marking, fabrication dimensions and welds, erection alignment and levels, bolted connections, coating, fire protection, and access items such as gratings and handrails.
Which standards set steel erection tolerances?
Commonly EN 1090-2 in Europe and AISC 303 in the US, as named in the project specification.
How are bolted connections checked?
Bolt grade, size and length against the drawings, washers and nuts, and the tightening method: snug tight, or preloaded by torque, turn-of-nut or direct tension indicators.
Is the template free?
Yes. Download the Excel or PDF version and adapt it to your specification.
- In production since 2014
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- On MODEC FPSO projects since 2016