- Ensure that the spacers and chairs are positioned as per BS 7973: 2001, Parts 1 and 2.
- Particularly ensure correct cover at kickers is maintained. This will avoid potentially insurmountable problems with future lifts.
- Always double check the kicker, before, during and after pouring! This is particularly important where features are present.
- The specified cover must be achieved to all bars nearest to the surface of the concrete prior to pouring the concrete.
- All ties on cementitious spacers should be tight, loose ties are not acceptable.
- Tying wire should go through the hole in the centre of the cementitious spacer.
- The ends of ties should be checked to ensure they don’t encroach into the cover area.
- Use stainless steel wire on exposed faces if specified.
- Ensure lapped bars are tied at both ends to prevent one end becoming free and moving into the cover zone.
- Check lap lengths as work progresses.
- Where tape-ups have been given to the fixers on wall working, check correctness.
- Cracked, broken or deformed spacers and chairs are not acceptable. Note: if you are having to force in rebar’s using a crowbar, there is something wrong.
- Sufficient chairs must be used to ensure no movement of top reinforcement during concreting. See BS 7973: 2001, Parts 1 and 2.
- Ensure that reinforcement is tied in accordance with BS 7973: 2001, Part 2, section 5. (See BS 7973: 2001, Part 2, Figure 3.)
- Ensure that rebar is adequately supported where it cantilevers.
- Ensure that graded bars are placed correctly—very easy to get confused.
- Ensure that when placing bolt clusters, the correct cover is maintained to the rebar—it may be awkward but the cover must be maintained.
