Playbook
Before You Drill
Use this before drilling deck, concrete, steel, roof curbs, wall framing, duct, or equipment panels.
What this covers
You are about to drill for hangers, anchors, penetrations, access, controls, or support hardware.
How to use this playbook
- Confirm the drill point, approved anchor/hardware, depth, and what could be hidden behind the surface.
- Check the approved hanger/support/seismic detail.
- Verify anchor type, drill bit size, embedment/depth, edge distance, and spacing from approved information.
- Confirm you are not drilling into post-tension cable, electrical, sprinkler, plumbing, roof membrane, rated wall, or equipment guts.
- Mark the point clearly and check alignment with the duct run/support.
- Collect a photo of the location and the exact reason for the hole.
- Ask before drilling if the location is near structure, roof, rated assemblies, seismic braces, equipment, or hidden utilities.
Check
- Layout mark
- Support detail/shop drawing if available
- Nearby obstruction
- Anchor/hardware being used
Warnings
- Do not drill concrete/deck blind.
- Do not swap anchors because the correct one is not nearby.
- Do not drill into a roof or rated assembly without approved direction.
- Do not guess anchor size, embedment, or support load.
Stop and ask
- Ask when the drill point is near steel, edge of slab, embeds, roof membrane, seismic bracing, fire-rated assemblies, or when the anchor is not shown/approved.