Drilling into embedded utilities or post-tension risk
Verify before making a permanent change: drilling into embedded utilities or post-tension risk.
High-risk starter answer - stop before cutting, drilling, coring, sleeving, enlarging, patching, or relocating any opening. Structural members and decks are a hard stop until the foreman/GC verifies the approved structural path.
Ask when the cut affects structure, roof, rated wall, damper/access, grease/industrial duct, equipment, or another trade.
Watch out
Do not cut because the duct does not fit. Do not drill, core, notch, torch, or cut structural members without written/approved direction.
Check
Confirm the exact location from approved drawings and field marks.
Check what is above, below, behind, or inside the cut.
Verify whether the wall/deck/roof/shaft/beam is structural, rated, waterproofed, post-tensioned, or shared with other trades.
Look for structural notes, embeds, inserts, PT warnings, beams, rebar/PT concerns, and GC/safety approval.
Steps
Confirm what you are cutting/drilling/fabricating.
Check latest drawing/shop detail.
Look for hidden utilities, structure, rated assemblies, roof membrane, or equipment parts.
Focus on the actual issue: drilling into embedded utilities or post-tension risk.
Photograph or mark the condition if someone else needs to approve it.
Say this to your foreman
In Cutting, Holes, Penetrations & Field Fabrication, I'm looking at: Drilling into embedded utilities or post-tension risk. What should I verify before I cut, drill, seal, cover, move, or install?