InspectWrk

Seismic Retrofit Inspection Checklist

Use this seismic retrofit inspection checklist to run checks on project and inspection details, existing structural conditions, retrofit drawings and construction documents, shear walls, bracing and frames, diaphragms and collectors, and anchors and connections, capturing photo evidence per finding and tracking each fix through to closure.

11 sections54 questions16 to 30 minutesFree

Seismic Retrofit InspectionTower B · Nonstructural Seismic Measures0 of 3 checked
  • Check equipment and tank anchorage is installed as detailed.Workers on scaffolding guide a steel beam lifted by a crane while others watch at duskPhoto Added
  • Record the severity of the finding.Workers on scaffolding guide a steel beam lifted by a crane while others watch at duskPhoto Added
  • Record the status of each finding.Workers on scaffolding guide a steel beam lifted by a crane while others watch at duskPhoto Added
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What’s in this checklist.

11 sections · 54 questions · 16 to 30 minutes · Free

    1. Record the building, address and retrofit project reference.

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    2. Record the retrofit scope, for example wall anchorage, new shear walls, bracing, frames or foundation work.

      Enter text

    3. Record the construction stage of this inspection.

    4. Record the inspector, the engineer of record and the contractor on site.

      Enter text

    5. Record the drawing set, specification and revision used for this inspection.

      Enter text

    6. Confirm open findings from previous inspections have been reviewed before starting.

    1. Confirm the existing structure matches the conditions assumed in the retrofit design, such as member sizes, wall construction and floor framing.

    2. Record any existing cracks, corrosion, rot, spalling or deterioration found in elements the retrofit connects to.

    3. Identify earlier alterations or openings not shown on the retrofit drawings.

    4. Confirm existing elements that need repair before retrofit work proceeds are identified and reported to the engineer.

    5. Photograph each existing condition that differs from the drawings.

    1. Confirm the approved retrofit drawings and details are available on site.

    2. Confirm the current revision is being used and superseded drawings are withdrawn.

    3. Check that the required special inspections, structural observations and tests are identified in the documents.

    4. Confirm any field change or deviation has a documented approval from the engineer of record.

    1. Check new or strengthened shear walls match the specified sheathing, thickness, reinforcement and nailing or fastening pattern.

    2. Check braces, moment-frame members and steel sections match the specified sizes, grades and locations.

    3. Confirm concrete or masonry strengthening, such as jacketing or new infill, follows the approved details.

    4. Check wood structural elements, including cripple walls and blocking, are installed as detailed.

    5. Record any member that is missing, undersized or installed in the wrong location.

    1. Check diaphragm strengthening, such as added sheathing or nailing, matches the approved details.

    2. Confirm collectors and drag struts are continuous along their full length as shown on the drawings.

    3. Check splices and connections along collector lines are complete.

    4. Record any interruption in the diaphragm or collector, such as an opening or cut member.

    1. Confirm anchor type, diameter, embedment and spacing match the approved drawings.

    2. Check anchors into existing concrete or masonry are installed to the manufacturer's instructions, including hole cleaning where required.

    3. Confirm anchors are tested where the approved documents or code require it, and record the results.

    4. Check hold-downs, connection plates, bolts and fasteners are the specified type, size and quantity.

    5. Check wall-to-floor and wall-to-roof anchorage is installed at every location shown.

    6. Confirm welded or bolted connections are complete and ready for any required inspection before cover-up.

    1. Check new footings, grade beams or foundation connections match the approved details.

    2. Check the interface between new and existing foundation elements, including dowels and bearing.

    3. Record the condition of existing foundations exposed during the work.

    4. Confirm the load path is continuous from the roof and floors, through walls and frames, to the foundation as designed.

    1. Confirm materials delivered match the approved documents and submittals, such as steel grade, anchor product and concrete or grout.

    2. Check that welding, bolting and fastening records are available where applicable.

    3. Check concrete, grout or masonry repair work is complete and cured before loading where the documents require it.

    4. Confirm temporary shoring or bracing is in place where required and removed only when approved.

    5. Record any damage caused to existing elements during installation.

    1. Confirm which nonstructural components are within the retrofit scope, such as equipment, piping, ceilings or partitions.

    2. Check equipment and tank anchorage is installed as detailed.

    3. Check bracing for piping, ducts and suspended ceilings is installed where shown.

    4. Mark this section not applicable where the retrofit scope covers structural work only.

    1. Confirm every test required by the documents is completed and the results are available.

    2. Confirm special inspection and structural observation reports are received for this stage.

    3. Check material certificates and approved submittals are on file.

    4. Confirm deficiencies from earlier inspections or tests are closed before the next stage.

    1. Record each finding with its location, drawing reference and a photo.

    2. Record the severity of the finding.

    3. Assign the required correction, the responsible party and a target date for each finding.

    4. Record the status of each finding.

    5. Confirm the completed retrofit work matches the approved documents or approved changes.

    6. Record outstanding items and confirm the engineer of record has reviewed the work where required.

    7. Collect the closeout documents, including as-built changes, test records and inspection reports.

How the Seismic Retrofit Inspection checklist works.

Three steps, about 16 to 30 minutes.

  1. Work through each section

    Section by section, one check at a time.

  2. Log every finding

    Tap Fail, add a photo, assign who fixes it.

  3. Sign off and share

    The report is ready the moment you finish.

Same checklist, two ways to run it.

Paper for a one-off check. The app when every finding needs fixing.

Printed PDF

  • Pen on paper
  • Photos in your camera roll
  • Report typed up later

InspectWrk appRecommended

  • Photos on every finding
  • Owner and due date per finding
  • Report ready at sign-off
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What is a seismic retrofit inspection checklist?

Quick answer

A seismic retrofit inspection checklist is used to check that retrofit work on an existing building is built the way the approved retrofit drawings show. It covers existing conditions, new walls and bracing, diaphragms, anchors and connections, the load path to the foundation, and the testing and special inspection records. Acceptance criteria come from the project documents and the adopted code, not from the checklist.

A seismic retrofit inspection checklist gives the inspector, engineer or contractor one record of whether retrofit work matches the approved design. The work is usually hidden soon after it is installed, so the checklist follows the job by stage: confirm the existing structure matches the design assumptions, check each new wall, brace and frame, verify anchors and connections before they are covered, and confirm the load path reaches the foundation. Every finding is tied to a location and a drawing reference.

Seismic strengthening of an existing building depends on details that are easy to get wrong in the field: an anchor at the wrong embedment, a missing hold-down, a collector cut for a new duct. The checklist does not set design values, anchor capacities or test frequencies. Those come from the approved retrofit documents, the existing building code adopted by the jurisdiction and the project's special inspection and testing requirements.

Why do retrofit defects surface only after the finishes go on?

The hold-downs were installed on a Friday and the drywall went up on Monday. Nobody photographed the anchors, so when the engineer asks whether the embedment matched the detail, the only answer is to open the wall.

Retrofit work hides quickly, and a single missing connection can break the load path the whole design depends on. Inspecting each element against its drawing, with a dated photo, is what proves the work before it disappears.

Before and After InspectWrk

Before InspectWrk

  • Anchor and connection checks are marked up on paper drawings that stay in the site trailer.
  • Existing conditions that differ from the design are mentioned verbally and never reach the engineer.
  • Test results and special inspection reports are chased by email at closeout.

After InspectWrk

  • Inspectors check each anchor, connection and element in the app with a photo and drawing reference, even offline.
  • Differences from the design are recorded with a photo and sent to the engineer the same day.
  • Test records, inspection reports and open findings sit in one file before the work is covered.

Why is a seismic retrofit inspection checklist important?

Retrofit work is only as strong as its weakest connection. A structured inspection helps you:

  • Catch problems before cover-up: anchors, hold-downs and connections are checked while they can still be seen and corrected.
  • Confirm the design assumptions: existing conditions that differ from the drawings go to the engineer before work continues.
  • Keep the load path continuous: collectors, anchorage and foundation connections are checked as one system, not piece by piece.
  • Close out with records: test results, special inspection reports and engineer review are collected before the job is signed off.

What should be included in a seismic retrofit inspection checklist?

A complete retrofit inspection record covers the work from existing conditions to closeout:

Before and during installation

  • Retrofit scope, construction stage and the drawing revision in use
  • Existing conditions compared with the design assumptions
  • Shear walls, bracing, frames and concrete or masonry strengthening
  • Diaphragm strengthening and collector continuity

Anchors, connections and load path

  • Anchor type, diameter, embedment and spacing against the drawings
  • Anchor testing into existing concrete or masonry where required
  • Hold-downs, plates, bolts and wall-to-floor and wall-to-roof anchorage
  • New and existing foundation connections and the continuous load path

Records and verification

  • Test results, special inspection and structural observation reports
  • Material certificates and approved submittals
  • Findings with location, drawing reference, photo and owner
  • Final verification, engineer review and closeout documents

How do teams use a seismic retrofit inspection checklist?

Run the checklist at each inspection stage of the retrofit:

  1. Record the project, the retrofit scope, the stage and the drawing revision you are inspecting against.
  2. Compare existing conditions with the design assumptions and report any difference to the engineer.
  3. Check each retrofit element, anchor and connection against its detail before it is covered.
  4. Confirm required tests and special inspections are complete and their records are on file.
  5. Record findings with a photo and drawing reference, assign each one, and verify the correction before closeout.

See how this checklist fits into Construction inspection software.

This checklist runs as a mobile inspection app that works fully offline on site, with AI-powered defect detection on every photo. To see it on your own workflows, talk to our team.

AI-Powered Features for Your Field Workflows

Submit an inspection and AI writes the PDF report and Excel sheet for you. No admin, no waiting.

01 / 05Photo to formVISION AI

Take a Photo. AI Fills the Form.

Your inspector takes a photo of any asset or defect. AI reads it and fills the inspection form automatically.

No typing. No manual entry.

02 / 05Voice to textVOICE AI

Speak. AI Writes It Down.

Inspectors speak their observations in any language. AI transcribes and fills the form in real time.

Completely hands-free in the field.

03 / 05Auto reportsREPORT AI

AI Writes the Report. PDF and Excel, Instantly.

The moment an inspection is submitted, AI summarises the findings and builds a branded PDF report and an Excel sheet for you.

No manual reporting. No copy-paste.

04 / 05IntegrationsINTEGRATIONS

Connect Your Existing Tools.

InspectWrk integrates with the tools your team already uses, including Zoho, Microsoft 365, and SAP.

No double entry.

05 / 05Live dashboardLIVE DATA

Live Dashboard. Every Site. Always On.

Your operations team sees completion rates, open issues, and compliance scores across all sites in real time.

No chasing updates.

One Platform. Mobile-First. AI-Powered.

  • Collaborate

    Collaborate with your team anytime, anywhere

    See which checklists your team has in progress across every site, jump into the same inspection with one tap, and keep field, supervisor, and back-office views in sync without sending screenshots on WhatsApp.

    • Organise inspection data by site, team, and date
    • Assign checks to the inspector or vendor responsible
    • Track completion across every location in one view
    • Keep field and back-office in sync in real time
    • Comment on findings without leaving the inspection
  • Custom Reports

    Custom reports that guide your decision making

    Every team reports differently. Build the report your operations, quality, or compliance leads actually want to read, share it as a branded PDF, and schedule delivery to the stakeholders who need it.

    • Branded PDF and CSV export from any completed inspection
    • Schedule weekly or monthly delivery to managers and clients
    • Share to email, Drive, Teams, or Slack in one click
    • Filter findings by site, severity, or corrective-action status
  • Powerful Analytics

    Analyse your inspection data with confidence

    See completion, pass rate, and recurring findings across every checklist and every site, without pulling spreadsheets together at the end of the month.

    Powerful dashboard
    Combine multiple reports into one dashboard so you can monitor status, bottlenecks, and completion trends at a glance.
    Always in sync
    Changes sync across devices so inspectors, supervisors, and back-office teams always see the latest responses and attachments.
    Embedded analytics
    Explore checklist data with charts and breakdowns that stay tied to the underlying inspections, without exporting to spreadsheets.

Seismic Retrofit Inspectionquestions

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It covers the retrofit work and the existing structure it connects to. That includes checking existing conditions against the design assumptions, new or strengthened shear walls, bracing and frames, diaphragms and collectors, anchors and connections, foundations and the load path, construction materials, any nonstructural seismic items in scope, and the testing and special inspection records. The last section records findings with a location, drawing reference, photo and owner, and confirms the completed work matches the approved documents, or approved changes, before closeout.

No. Seismic retrofit requirements depend on the building type, the jurisdiction, the adopted code and the retrofit design, so no single set of values applies to every project. The checklist asks the inspector to verify each item against the approved retrofit drawings and project requirements instead. Anchor sizes, embedment, test loads and inspection frequencies come from those documents and from the existing building code the jurisdiction has adopted, which in many places is based on the IEBC. Where the documents are unclear, the question goes to the engineer of record.

A seismic evaluation assesses an existing building to find its seismic deficiencies and decide whether a retrofit is needed. A post-earthquake inspection assesses damage after an event. This checklist comes later than an evaluation and has a different purpose: it inspects retrofit work that has already been designed and approved, to confirm it is built as drawn. It is also sometimes called an earthquake retrofit inspection, and it is used at each stage of construction and again at completion, not after a quake.

It depends on the project and the jurisdiction. The contractor's own quality team usually checks the work first. Where the code or the approved documents require it, special inspectors check specific items such as anchors, welding or concrete, and the engineer of record carries out structural observation of the overall system. The building official may inspect at set stages. This checklist gives each of them a consistent record, so findings from one inspection are visible and closed out before the next stage begins.

Inspectors complete the checklist on a phone or tablet at each stage, even in basements and crawl spaces without signal. Each anchor, connection or element gets a photo, a location and a drawing reference, so the record shows exactly what was installed before it was covered. Findings become corrective actions with an owner and a due date, and managers see open items across every building in one dashboard. At closeout the full inspection history exports as a single report for the engineer and the owner.

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