ITP Checklist for Concrete Pre-Pour: Free Template & Guide

A concrete pre-pour inspection is one of the highest-stakes quality checkpoints in construction. Once the pour begins, any defects in the reinforcement, formwork, or embedments are either buried or extremely expensive to rectify. A well-structured ITP — followed properly — is what prevents that outcome.

This guide covers what a pre-pour ITP needs to include, the hold points that should appear on it, and the AS 3600 requirements that inform acceptance criteria.

Why pre-pour inspection matters

Concrete is irreversible. Unlike structural steel, which can be unbolted and repositioned, a poured slab or column encases everything beneath it. A missed inspection at this stage can mean:

• Insufficient cover leading to early corrosion and spalling
• Incorrect bar sizes, spacing, or laps — structural deficiencies that may not manifest for years
• Unsupported or mis-located embedments causing penetration and fitout problems
• Contamination of the pour face affecting bond and durability

The purpose of the pre-pour ITP is to create a verified record that these conditions were checked and met specification before pouring commenced.

The core inspection areas

A complete pre-pour ITP covers six primary areas:

1. Formwork

Formwork must be structurally adequate, dimensionally correct, and properly prepared before a pour.

Key checks:

• Overall dimensions match drawings (width, length, depth)
• Level and alignment within tolerance
• Joints sealed to prevent grout loss
• Formwork faces clean and treated with release agent
• Temporary supports and propping adequate and not damaged
• No debris, standing water, or ice within the form

Acceptance criteria: Dimensions within ±10mm of specified dimensions (refer to AS 3600 Section 18 and project specification).

2. Reinforcement placement

This is typically a hold point — the most critical inspection on any concrete ITP.

Key checks:

• Bar sizes match drawings (visually check diameter against reinforcement schedule)
• Spacing between bars within tolerance
• Lap lengths adequate (per AS 3600 Table 13.2.2)
• Starter bars and continuity bars correctly located
• Chairs and spacers in place at specified intervals
• All tie wire tails turned inward
• No loose or displaced bars

Acceptance criteria: Per AS 3600 Clause 18.2.5 — bar spacing within ±10mm, bar position within ±10mm.

3. Concrete cover

Cover is the distance from the outer face of the reinforcement to the nearest concrete surface. It's the primary defence against corrosion and fire, and it's checked directly from AS 3600 Table 4.10.3.

Key checks:

• Chair height matches specified cover for the relevant exposure classification
• Chairs are placed at adequate intervals to prevent bar sag between supports
• Top steel cover (for slabs) verified with depth gauge or ruler
• No bars in contact with or touching the form face

Acceptance criteria: Cover within tolerance band specified in AS 3600 Clause 18.2.5 — typically ±10mm for cover ≥ 35mm.

4. Embedments and penetrations

Embedments (conduits, boxouts, anchor bolts, sleeves) must be fixed in position before pouring. Movement during the pour is a common defect.

Key checks:

• All penetrations as per coordinated services drawings
• Penetrations adequately supported and braced
• Anchor bolt templates or location frames installed and checked against structural drawings
• Boxouts dimensioned correctly and secured
• No unauthorised penetrations

Witness point — services coordinator or head contractor superintendent is typically required to witness or be notified.

5. Pre-pour cleanliness

The inside of the form must be clean immediately before pouring begins.

Key checks:

• No sawdust, concrete debris, tie wire, plastic, or standing water inside the form
• No soil contamination at the form base
• For slab-on-ground: granular base compacted and at correct level

Acceptance criteria: Form interior clean and free of foreign materials.

6. Concrete mix and delivery

Concrete delivery is typically a witness point at minimum — some contracts require a hold point.

Key checks:

• Delivery docket checked against mix design (grade, aggregate size, slump, admixtures)
• Design mix grade matches structural drawings (e.g. 32 MPa for elevated slab)
• Slump within specified range
• Age of concrete at delivery (typically ≤ 90 minutes from batching)
• Concrete temperature within spec (if relevant to season or placement conditions)

Acceptance criteria: Per AS 1379 and project specification.

Free pre-pour ITP template (checklist summary)

Here's a condensed checklist you can use as the basis for your ITP:

Using AI to generate your ITP

Rather than building this from scratch every time, HoldPoint QA lets you describe your pour scope and generate a complete ITP automatically — with section headers, hold points, witness points, pass/fail fields, and sign-off roles pre-populated. The generated template is fully editable before you import it into your project.

For concrete work specifically, the AI understands the AS 3600 framework and will include the right inspection items for your exposure classification, slab type, and structural element.