Lintel Inspection Guide
Your inspector needs to identify the lintel at each opening and compare its type, reinforcement, support and connections with the approved structural plans.
Show Us Each Lintel and Where It Is.
Start with the opening so the inspector knows which lintel is being shown. Then get close enough to show the lintel type, reinforcement, bearing and required structural connections.
Your project may use precast lintels, reinforced masonry lintels, steel lintels or other engineered lintel systems. Different openings on the same project may require different lintels. Follow the approved structural plans for the specific lintel at each location.
Whenever bearing, lap length, reinforcement spacing, lintel size or another dimension needs to be verified, include a clear photo with the measuring tape visible.
Show us every lintel location.
Start with wide views of the openings so the inspector can identify where each lintel is installed.
Make sure we can see:
- Window openings
- Door openings
- Garage-door openings
- Large or special openings
- Enough surrounding wall to identify each location
If two openings use different lintels, show them separately.
Show us what type of lintel was installed.
Get close enough for the inspector to identify the lintel system used at each applicable opening.
This may include:
- Precast lintels
- Reinforced masonry lintels
- Steel lintels
- Other engineered lintel systems
For precast or manufactured lintels, photograph any visible manufacturer markings, identification, labels or product information.
Show us the reinforcement, where applicable.
If the lintel has reinforcing steel that will be concealed by concrete, grout or masonry, show it before it is covered.
Make sure we can see:
- Reinforcing bars
- Horizontal reinforcement
- Stirrups or ties, where applicable
- Laps or splices
- Connections into adjacent reinforcement
If a lap, spacing or other dimension needs to be verified, include a clear measuring-tape photo.
Show us the bearing and support at both ends.
Show how the lintel is supported on each side of the opening.
Make sure we can see:
- Left-side bearing or support
- Right-side bearing or support
- Adjacent masonry, framing or structural support
- Any different condition at either end
If bearing length or another support dimension needs to be verified, place a measuring tape next to it and take a clear photo.
Show us how the lintel connects to the structure.
Where required by the structural plans, show how the lintel ties into the surrounding reinforced masonry or structural system.
This may include:
- Adjacent reinforced fill cells
- Bond beams
- Vertical reinforcing steel
- Steel connections
- Anchors, bolts, welds or other connectors
- Other structural details shown on the approved plans
Show enough surrounding structure so the inspector can see what the lintel is connecting to.
Show us any special lintel dimensions or details.
If a lintel has a special size, reinforcement pattern, connection or other requirement, show that condition separately.
Use a measuring tape in the photo whenever a dimension, spacing, lap or bearing condition needs to be verified.
This may include:
- Lintel depth or size
- Bearing length
- Reinforcement spacing
- Lap lengths
- Steel connection spacing
- Other dimensions shown on the structural plans
Show us anything different or unusual.
If a lintel or opening is different from the typical condition, make sure your inspector can see it clearly.
- Different lintel types
- Large or unusual openings
- Field modifications
- Special steel connections
- Different reinforcement conditions
- Anything else your inspector should see
Do not assume the lintel used at one opening is correct for another opening. Follow the approved structural plans for each location.
Before You Submit
Take 30 seconds and make sure your inspector can identify each lintel and compare it with the correct structural detail.
- Did you show every lintel location included in the inspection?
- Can we identify the lintel type at each opening?
- Did you show manufacturer markings on precast or manufactured lintels, where available?
- Did you show the reinforcement before it is covered, where applicable?
- Can we see the bearing or support at both ends?
- Did you show connections into fill cells, bond beams or other structural elements where required?
- Did you separately show lintels with different structural requirements?
- Where dimensions need to be verified, did you include measuring-tape photos?
- Is everything still visible before concrete, grout or finishes conceal it?
That's It.
Submit your photos, videos and measurement photos through Permit Rockstar. Your inspector will compare each lintel installation with the approved structural plans for that specific opening.
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