Mechanical Rough Inspection Guide
Show the mechanical work included in your project before walls, ceilings or other finishes cover the ductwork, piping, supports and connections.
Show Us the Mechanical Work Before It Gets Covered.
Start with wide views so the inspector understands the system layout, then move closer to equipment, ductwork, supports, piping and connections.
Not every mechanical project includes ductwork, refrigerant lines, condensate piping, exhaust systems or the same equipment. Show the mechanical work that is actually included in your permitted scope.
Do not cover ductwork, piping, supports, connections or other mechanical work included in the inspection until the required inspection is complete.
Use a measuring tape for spacing, clearances, distances and other dimensions. Use a level when slope or pitch needs to be verified. Make sure the measuring tool and installation are both clearly visible.
Show us the entire mechanical rough-in.
Start with a slow walkthrough of all areas included in the inspection.
Show whichever applies:
- Mechanical equipment locations
- Ductwork
- Supply and return paths
- Refrigerant piping
- Condensate piping
- Exhaust or ventilation systems
- Enough context to identify each area
Show us the ductwork.
Show the duct system before ceilings or walls conceal it.
Make sure we can see:
- Main duct runs
- Branch ducts
- Supply duct locations
- Return duct locations
- Transitions and fittings
- Connections between duct sections
- Different duct types or materials, where applicable
Show us the duct supports and hangers.
Show how the ductwork is supported throughout representative areas.
Make sure we can see:
- Hangers and supports
- Representative support patterns
- Support at larger or heavier duct sections
- Any different support conditions
If support spacing needs to be verified, place a measuring tape between supports and take a clear photo.
Show us the mechanical equipment and connections.
Show the equipment included at this stage and how it connects to the mechanical system.
This may include:
- Air handlers
- Furnaces
- Indoor units
- Mechanical equipment platforms or supports
- Supply and return connections
- Equipment clearances, where applicable
- Manufacturer labels or identification, where visible
If a clearance or other dimension needs to be verified, include a measuring-tape photo.
Show us the refrigerant piping.
Show the refrigerant lines before they are concealed.
Make sure we can see:
- Line routing
- Supports
- Insulation, where applicable
- Changes in direction
- Connections at equipment, where visible
- Penetrations through walls, floors or framing
Show us the condensate piping.
Show the condensate drain routing and visible connections before the piping is concealed.
Make sure we can see:
- Drain routing
- Connections to the equipment
- Traps, where applicable
- Supports
- Termination or route toward termination, where visible
- Overflow or secondary drainage provisions, where applicable
If condensate slope or pitch needs to be verified, place a level on the piping and take a clear photo or video showing the level and pipe together.
Show us the exhaust and ventilation systems.
Show the rough installation for the exhaust or ventilation systems included in your project.
This may include:
- Bathroom exhaust ducts
- Dryer exhaust ducts
- Kitchen exhaust ducts
- Fresh-air or ventilation ducts
- Other mechanical exhaust systems
- Routing and connections
Show us penetrations and anything different or unusual.
Show where the mechanical system passes through framing, floors, ceilings or walls, and show any condition that is different from the typical installation.
This may include:
- Duct penetrations
- Refrigerant-line penetrations
- Condensate-line penetrations
- Unusual duct transitions
- Special equipment connections
- Different materials or systems
- Field modifications
- Anything else your inspector should see before it gets covered
Show the full area first so the inspector knows where it is, then take close-up photos of the condition.
Before You Submit
Only check the items that apply to your permitted mechanical scope.
- Can we see the overall mechanical rough-in?
- If ductwork applies, did you show the duct layout and connections?
- If ductwork applies, did you show representative supports and hangers?
- If equipment is installed at this stage, did you show the equipment and connections?
- If refrigerant piping applies, did you show the lines and supports?
- If condensate piping applies, did you show the drain routing and connections?
- If slope or pitch needs to be verified, did you include a clear level photo or video?
- Where spacing, clearance or dimensions need to be verified, did you include measuring-tape photos?
- If exhaust or ventilation applies, did you show the applicable ductwork?
- Did you show penetrations and any unusual mechanical conditions?
- Is all applicable rough mechanical work still exposed and easy to see?
That's It.
Submit the photos, videos and measurement evidence for the mechanical systems that apply to your project through Permit Rockstar. Your inspector will compare the rough installation with the approved plans and applicable project requirements.
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