QA/QC  › Concrete & RCC  › Formwork Inspection Checklist
Checklist · QC-CON-CHK-004
Formwork Inspection Checklist
30 checkpoints across 6 sections. After formwork installation and before concrete placement. Perform final comprehensive inspection within 24–48 hours of scheduled pour to ensure formwork meets all dimensional, structural, and safety requirements. Use as final gate before releasing concrete trucks.
30 Checkpoints
6 Sections
Once per element after formwork setup, typically 1–2 days before scheduled concrete placement. Repeat if formwork is modified or if >1 week elapses between setup and placement.
QC Engineer, Formwork Contractor Supervisor

Checklist Preview

S.No.CheckpointIS RequirementStatus
A. FORMWORK MATERIAL & CONDITION (IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5)
A1Formwork material type documented — steel, plywood, timber, or modular system
Acceptance: Material type recorded (e.g., 'MS steel shuttering', 'BWP plywood 12mm', 'timber frame with joists'); batch/lot number noted if modular system; material data sheet available; approval certificate from supplier present
IS 14687:2017 — Formwork material must be suitable for load and reuse conditions
A2Material condition assessed — no cracking, corrosion, or structural damage
Acceptance: Steel: no rust (light oxidation acceptable), no cracks/tears, edges not bent/sharp, load-bearing welds inspected for cracks, surface prepared and release agent applied; Plywood: no delamination, splinters, or missing pieces, surfaces intact, oiling applied
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.1 — Formwork material must be free from defects affecting strength
A3Plywood thickness verified — minimum 12mm for typical spans
Acceptance: Measure plywood thickness at 5 locations with caliper: minimum 12mm required (for moderate spans), 15mm for spans >1.5m, 18mm for cantilevers; thickness uniform ±0.5mm
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.2 — Plywood thickness depends on span and load (typically 12–18mm)
A4Release agent (oiling/coating) applied uniformly — prevents concrete bond
Acceptance: Oil applied to all internal surfaces (walls, soffits, edges) at time of installation, uniform coverage (no dry patches, no pooled oil), non-staining release agent if visible surface, reapplied if ≥3 days since application
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.3 — Release agent required to facilitate formwork removal
A5Formwork reuse history noted — number of previous uses, condition impact assessed
Acceptance: For reused formwork: number of previous pours documented (typically 5–10 uses acceptable for plywood, 50+ for steel), visual inspection for deformation/cracks, dimensions verified unchanged from first use
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.1 — Reused formwork must be inspected for fatigue/damage
B. ALIGNMENT & DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY (IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1)
B1Plan dimensions checked — length, width, height against structural drawing
Acceptance: Internal dimensions measured at 3 locations (top, mid, bottom if tall element) with steel tape/ruler: length ±5mm, width ±5mm, height ±5mm; all readings recorded on inspection sheet; cross-checked against latest drawing
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Formwork dimensions shall match design with tolerance ±5mm
B2Verticality checked for columns/walls — plumb within ±3mm per 3m height
Acceptance: Use spirit level or plumb bob: top-to-bottom deviation ≤3mm per 3m (for 6m height: ≤6mm total), measure at 2+ points along each face (column faces, wall faces), record maximum deviation
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Vertical elements must be plumb to specification
B3Level checked for horizontal elements (slabs, beams) — ±5mm per 3m span
Acceptance: Use laser level or dumpy level: maximum deviation ≤5mm across span (for 4m span: ≤5mm acceptable), measure at 4 corners and mid-span, slopes intentional per drawing marked and verified, record actual levels
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Horizontal surfaces must be level to specification
B4Diagonal measurements checked for squareness — opposite diagonals equal ±10mm
Acceptance: For rectangular elements: measure diagonal corner-to-corner, both diagonals should be equal ±10mm; for plan areas >100m²: measure at mid-points as well; record both diagonals
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Plan geometry ensures proper concrete geometry
B5Formwork edges — measured at start & end of each straight run
Acceptance: Long straight edges (>3m) checked with string line: deviation ≤5mm over span, measured at 1m intervals; curved edges per drawing tolerance; record any edge irregularities
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Edge straightness affects concrete profile
C. JOINTS & SEALING (IS 14687:2017 Cl. 7)
C1All formwork joints sealed — visual inspection for gaps >1mm
Acceptance: All joints between plywood sheets, timber members, or steel panels sealed with mortar or caulk, no visible gaps >1mm, sealant applied before concrete placement, water test: pour water on joint; no seepage acceptable
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 7.1 — Joints must be sealed to prevent concrete/grout loss
C2Joint sealant material checked — mortar type / caulk type noted
Acceptance: Mortar joints: 1:3 (cement:sand) or similar (non-adhesive), applied firmly, cured >24 hrs before pour; caulk: flexible type (not epoxy), applied in continuous bead, surface recessed slightly (not flush)
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 7.1 — Sealant must prevent fluid loss and not bond to concrete
C3Construction joint preparation — surface roughened and dowel bars placed if specified
Acceptance: Old surface (if existing) roughened (remove laitance using wire brush/chipping), dowel bar spacing and embedment verified per drawing (typically 16mm bars @ 300mm c/c), embedment depth correct (e.g., 300mm in old concrete, 300mm available for new)
IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.4 — Construction joints prepared to ensure bond with next pour
C4Joint line straight and level — checked with string/laser before pouring
Acceptance: Joint line marks visible on formwork, level with soffit/floor surface (no step), straight along direction (use string line), prepared edge clean and ready to receive concrete
IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.4 — Construction joint geometry affects concrete distribution
Showing 14 of 30 checkpoints ·
A. FORMWORK MATERIAL & CONDITION (IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5)
A1Formwork material type documented — steel, plywood, timber, or modular system
IS 14687:2017 — Formwork material must be suitable for load and reuse conditions (IS 14687:2017; IS 456:2000)
Material type recorded (e.g., 'MS steel shuttering', 'BWP plywood 12mm', 'timber frame with joists'); batch/lot number noted if modular system; material data sheet available; approval certificate from supplier present
A2Material condition assessed — no cracking, corrosion, or structural damage
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.1 — Formwork material must be free from defects affecting strength (IS 14687:2017)
Steel: no rust (light oxidation acceptable), no cracks/tears, edges not bent/sharp, load-bearing welds inspected for cracks, surface prepared and release agent applied; Plywood: no delamination, splinters, or missing pieces, surfaces intact, oiling applied
A3Plywood thickness verified — minimum 12mm for typical spans
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.2 — Plywood thickness depends on span and load (typically 12–18mm) (IS 14687:2017)
Measure plywood thickness at 5 locations with caliper: minimum 12mm required (for moderate spans), 15mm for spans >1.5m, 18mm for cantilevers; thickness uniform ±0.5mm
A4Release agent (oiling/coating) applied uniformly — prevents concrete bond
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.3 — Release agent required to facilitate formwork removal (IS 14687:2017; IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.1)
Oil applied to all internal surfaces (walls, soffits, edges) at time of installation, uniform coverage (no dry patches, no pooled oil), non-staining release agent if visible surface, reapplied if ≥3 days since application
A5Formwork reuse history noted — number of previous uses, condition impact assessed
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 5.1 — Reused formwork must be inspected for fatigue/damage (IS 14687:2017)
For reused formwork: number of previous pours documented (typically 5–10 uses acceptable for plywood, 50+ for steel), visual inspection for deformation/cracks, dimensions verified unchanged from first use
B. ALIGNMENT & DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY (IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1)
B1Plan dimensions checked — length, width, height against structural drawing
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Formwork dimensions shall match design with tolerance ±5mm (IS 14687:2017; IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.2)
Internal dimensions measured at 3 locations (top, mid, bottom if tall element) with steel tape/ruler: length ±5mm, width ±5mm, height ±5mm; all readings recorded on inspection sheet; cross-checked against latest drawing
B2Verticality checked for columns/walls — plumb within ±3mm per 3m height
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Vertical elements must be plumb to specification (IS 14687:2017; IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.2)
Use spirit level or plumb bob: top-to-bottom deviation ≤3mm per 3m (for 6m height: ≤6mm total), measure at 2+ points along each face (column faces, wall faces), record maximum deviation
B3Level checked for horizontal elements (slabs, beams) — ±5mm per 3m span
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Horizontal surfaces must be level to specification (IS 14687:2017; IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.2)
Use laser level or dumpy level: maximum deviation ≤5mm across span (for 4m span: ≤5mm acceptable), measure at 4 corners and mid-span, slopes intentional per drawing marked and verified, record actual levels
B4Diagonal measurements checked for squareness — opposite diagonals equal ±10mm
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Plan geometry ensures proper concrete geometry (IS 14687:2017)
For rectangular elements: measure diagonal corner-to-corner, both diagonals should be equal ±10mm; for plan areas >100m²: measure at mid-points as well; record both diagonals
B5Formwork edges — measured at start & end of each straight run
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 6.1 — Edge straightness affects concrete profile (IS 14687:2017)
Long straight edges (>3m) checked with string line: deviation ≤5mm over span, measured at 1m intervals; curved edges per drawing tolerance; record any edge irregularities
C. JOINTS & SEALING (IS 14687:2017 Cl. 7)
C1All formwork joints sealed — visual inspection for gaps >1mm
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 7.1 — Joints must be sealed to prevent concrete/grout loss (IS 14687:2017; IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.1)
All joints between plywood sheets, timber members, or steel panels sealed with mortar or caulk, no visible gaps >1mm, sealant applied before concrete placement, water test: pour water on joint; no seepage acceptable
C2Joint sealant material checked — mortar type / caulk type noted
IS 14687:2017 Cl. 7.1 — Sealant must prevent fluid loss and not bond to concrete (IS 14687:2017)
Mortar joints: 1:3 (cement:sand) or similar (non-adhesive), applied firmly, cured >24 hrs before pour; caulk: flexible type (not epoxy), applied in continuous bead, surface recessed slightly (not flush)
C3Construction joint preparation — surface roughened and dowel bars placed if specified
IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.4 — Construction joints prepared to ensure bond with next pour (IS 456:2000; IS 14687:2017)
Old surface (if existing) roughened (remove laitance using wire brush/chipping), dowel bar spacing and embedment verified per drawing (typically 16mm bars @ 300mm c/c), embedment depth correct (e.g., 300mm in old concrete, 300mm available for new)
C4Joint line straight and level — checked with string/laser before pouring
IS 456:2000 Cl. 11.4 — Construction joint geometry affects concrete distribution (IS 456:2000; IS 14687:2017)
Joint line marks visible on formwork, level with soffit/floor surface (no step), straight along direction (use string line), prepared edge clean and ready to receive concrete
Showing 14 of 30 ·
Inspection Sign-Off
APPROVED FOR CONCRETING
HOLD — CORRECTIONS REQUIRED
REJECTED
Overall Verdict
Name / Sign / Date
Number of NC Items
Name / Sign / Date
Corrective Action Plan
Name / Sign / Date
QC Engineer Signature
Name / Sign / Date
QC Engineer Name (Print)
Name / Sign / Date
Inspection Date & Time
Name / Sign / Date
Site Engineer / Contractor Signature
Name / Sign / Date
Design Consultant Approval (if required)
Name / Sign / Date