Playbook
Pre-Cover Walk Checklist
Use before ceiling, insulation, drywall, or finished work hides duct problems.
What this covers
You are doing a ceiling-close, insulation, hard-lid, or pre-cover walk and need to catch hidden-work problems before they disappear.
How to use this playbook
- Walk the run like someone else will inspect it after it is hidden.
- Confirm duct size, route, elevation, support, seal, and access.
- Check dampers, access doors, labels, cleanouts, VAV/service panels, TAB access, and equipment clearance.
- Look for flex kinks, crushed spiral, unsealed joints, unsupported sections, and wrong materials.
- Document issues by room/grid/system with wide and close photos.
- Ask who owns each fix before cover continues.
Check
- Wide room/grid
- Close defect
- Measurement if clearance/access issue
- Drawing/detail if mismatch
Warnings
- Do not cover a known problem because it was another crew's work.
- Do not leave damper/access/TAB items hidden.
- Do not assume inspection will catch it later.
Stop and ask
- Ask when any item affects access, seal, support, rating, TAB, inspection, or owner service.