Footway & Paving
QA inspection checklist

Sub-Base & Preparation

1. 1.

   Formation level and falls correct
   What to look forFormation level surveyed against design. Crossfall to drain water away from buildings towards channel / road. No standing water on formation. Surface trimmed evenly.
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 1101 / BS 7533-3: formation level ±15 mm of design; crossfall typically 1:40 to 1:80; surface clean and stable.
   StandardSHW Series 1100. BS 7533-3:2005 — Code of practice for laying precast concrete paving blocks.
   Common defectsFormation high — paving raised above kerbCrossfall reversed — water ponds against buildingStanding water — formation softensSurface uneven — paving thickness varies
2. 2.

   Sub-base material and depth to specification

   Record: Depth (mm)
   What to look forSub-base material per design (Type 1 typical). Depth verified at trial pits. Compaction by passes per Table 6/4. Surface trimmed to design profile.
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 803 / BS 7533-3: typical footway sub-base 100-150 mm Type 1; ±10 mm. PI zero. CE/UKCA per BS EN 13242.
   StandardSHW Clause 803. BS 7533-3:2005. BS EN 13242.
   Common defectsDepth less than spec — paving rocks under footType 2 used where Type 1 specifiedFines too high — pumping, wet cement-bedSurface profile off — paving must compensateNo depth records
3. 3.

   Compaction adequate
   What to look forSub-base compacted by plate / roller per Table 6/4. No springiness. No movement under loaded barrow. Edges hand-rammed.
   Acceptable whenPer SHW / BS 7533-3: compaction per Table 6/4 — typically 6-8 passes vibrating plate per 100 mm Type 1. End-product 95% MDD where end-product spec used.
   StandardSHW Series 800. BS 7533-3:2005.
   Common defectsSpringy under foot — compaction inadequateEdge loose — paving sinks at perimeterNo witness of compaction routinePlant too light for materialCompaction record absent
4. 4.

   Edge restraints / formwork in position
   What to look forEdge restraint in place before paving — kerb, edging, channel, or building face. Bedded on concrete with backing haunch. Top level matches paving level. Edge restraint mandatory to prevent paving spread.
   Acceptable whenPer BS 7533-3 / BS 7533-7: edge restraint installed and cured before paving. Backing haunch 100 mm minimum height; concrete C20/25.
   StandardBS 7533-3:2005. BS 7533-7:2010 (permeable). BS EN 1340 (kerbs).
   Common defectsNo edge restraint — paving creeps outwardBacking haunch missing — kerb rollsEdge restraint not cured — moves under pavingTop level wrong — paving stepsRestraint not installed at all four sides

Surface / Paving

1. 5.

   Paving type and colour match specification
   What to look forPaving block / slab / setts match approved sample — material, dimension, finish, colour. CE/UKCA marked. No mixed batches creating colour variation. Source declared.
   Acceptable whenPer BS EN 1338 (concrete blocks) / 1339 (slabs) / 1342 (setts) / 1341 (natural stone): material per design. Wear class W4, slip USRV ≥ 35 wet (BS 7976), abrasion class. Visual match approved sample.
   StandardBS EN 1338 / 1339 / 1342 / 1341. BS 7976-2 (slip USRV).
   Common defectsWrong colour — patchy after installSlip class < 35 — DDA / H&S failAbrasion class wrong for trafficMixed batches not blendedNo certification
2. 6.

   Laying pattern correct
   What to look forLaying pattern (stretcher bond, herringbone 45°/90°, basket weave) per design. Each course aligned. Cut units at perimeter same colour as field. Pattern not varied across area.
   Acceptable whenPer BS 7533-3 / approved drawings: pattern as design — 90° herringbone strongest under traffic. Bond pattern offset ≥ ¼ block. Cuts ≥ ¼ block size to maintain interlock.
   StandardBS 7533-3:2005. Project specification.
   Common defectsPattern incorrect — visual faultCuts too small (< ¼) — interlock weakPattern shifts mid-area — visible stepStretcher bond used where herringbone specified for trafficDropped pattern around obstruction
3. 7.

   Joints consistent and filled

   Record: Joint width (mm)
   What to look forJoint width consistent across area — typically 2-5 mm for blocks. Filled with kiln-dried jointing sand vibrated into joints. Top of joint just below paving surface. No empty joints.
   Acceptable whenPer BS 7533-3: joint width 2-5 mm for blocks; 8-10 mm for slabs; 10 mm+ for setts. Sand to BS EN 13139 — kiln-dried, free of fines / clay. Vibration plate with rubber pad.
   StandardBS 7533-3:2005. BS EN 13139:2002 (aggregates for mortar).
   Common defectsJoints empty — pavement loose, blocks rockWet sand used — clogs vibrator, not in jointJoints over-filled — sits proud, swept awayWide joints in narrow-format paving — pattern weakNo vibration — sand only at top
4. 8.

   Levels correct — no ponding or trip hazards

   Record: Deviation (mm)
   What to look forSurface checked with 3 m straightedge. No rocking. Steps between paving units ≤ 5 mm. No ponding > 24 hours after rain. Birdbaths and high spots absent.
   Acceptable whenPer BS 7533-3 / Approved Document M: surface tolerance ±6 mm in 3 m. Step between adjacent units ≤ 4 mm to avoid trip. No ponding > 4 mm depth.
   StandardBS 7533-3:2005. Approved Document M.
   Common defectsStep > 5 mm at unit edges — trip hazardBirdbaths from poor screeded bedSurface rocks with foot — bedding inadequatePonding > 30 mins after rainNo regularity record
5. 9.

   Crossfall correct for drainage

   Record: Crossfall (1 in ?)
   What to look forCrossfall measured with digital level perpendicular to footway. Drains to channel / kerb / drainage strip. No back-fall to building. Maximum gradient on accessible routes per AD M.
   Acceptable whenPer BS 7533-3 / Approved Document M: crossfall typical 1:40-1:60 (1.7-2.5%). Maximum 1:50 on access routes per AD M. Drains away from building.
   StandardBS 7533-3:2005. Approved Document M (Access).
   Common defectsBack-fall — water ponds at building thresholdCrossfall flat — no drainageSteeper than 1:40 — drainage too fast / accessibility issueReverse falls in some sectionsNo record of crossfall
6. 10.

   Cut edges clean and tight to boundaries
   What to look forCut units fit boundaries (kerb, channel, building face, access cover frames) tightly with consistent gap. Cuts straight, no chips. Joint between cut and field continuous. Mortar fillets to building / cover frame as detailed.
   Acceptable whenPer BS 7533-3: cut to template, gap ≤ 5 mm to boundary; joint pattern continuous. Cut blocks ≥ ¼ size. Mortar fillet 25 mm at frames if specified.
   StandardBS 7533-3:2005.
   Common defectsGaps > 10 mm to building — visible joint, water entryCuts ragged — disc-cut chipped edgesCut < ¼ size — splits laterNo fillet around cover frame — water entryCuts not aligned with adjacent course

Accessibility

1. 11.

   Tactile paving installed at correct locations
   What to look forBlister paving (red) at controlled crossings, buff at uncontrolled. Corduroy paving at top of stairs / steep ramps, lozenge at platform edges (rail). Position 800 mm deep, full width of crossing/step. Colour contrast against surrounding.
   Acceptable whenPer Approved Document M / BS 8300-1 / DfT "Guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces": blister 400 mm minimum offset behind kerb edge; 800 mm depth typical. Colour contrast Light Reflectance Value ≥ 30 LRV difference.
   StandardApproved Document M. BS 8300-1:2018. DfT Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces (1998, updated).
   Common defectsWrong colour (red where buff specified) — confusing for visually impairedDepth < 800 mm — guidance not followedTactile inset by > 400 mm — pedestrian foot misses itInsufficient LRV contrastNo tactile at controlled crossing
2. 12.

   Dropped kerbs at all crossing points
   What to look forDropped kerbs flush (or ≤ 6 mm step) with carriageway at every crossing point. Transition kerbs from full-height. Crossing width per design (typically ≥ 1.5 m). Drop kerb edge bevelled, not vertical step.
   Acceptable whenPer Approved Document M / BS 8300-1: drop kerb maximum upstand 6 mm; crossing minimum width 1.5 m; transition kerbs from full-height to dropped. Tactile blister 800 mm deep behind dropped kerb.
   StandardApproved Document M. BS 8300-1:2018. DfT Guidance.
   Common defectsDropped kerb upstand > 6 mm — wheelchair / pram cannot mountNo transition kerbs — sharp step at edgeCrossing width < 1.5 mTactile paving missing or wrong positionDropped kerb only on one side of crossing
3. 13.

   Gradient compliant with Part M / BS 8300

   Record: Gradient (1 in ?)
   What to look forFootway gradient measured along length. No section steeper than design. Long ramps have rest landings at intervals. Cross-fall and longitudinal gradient combine within accessibility limits.
   Acceptable whenPer Approved Document M / BS 8300-1: ramp gradient ≤ 1:12 (short ≤ 2 m); ≤ 1:15 (medium ≤ 5 m); ≤ 1:20 (long ≤ 10 m). Rest landing every 10 m on 1:20. Footway typically ≤ 1:20 with ≤ 1:12 short sections.
   StandardApproved Document M. BS 8300-1:2018.
   Common defectsSection steeper than 1:12 — accessibility failLong ramp without rest landingCombined cross + long fall too steepNo gradient recordStep in surface where ramp expected
4. 14.

   Handrails where required
   What to look forHandrails on ramps > 1:20 / 2 m rise, on flights of steps, and at level changes per BS 8300-1. Both sides on ramps over 1.8 m wide. Height 900-1000 mm. Continuous through length with extensions at top and bottom. Diameter and grip per accessibility standard.
   Acceptable whenPer Approved Document M / BS 8300-1: handrail at 900-1000 mm height; both sides for ramps > 1.8 m wide; second handrail at 600 mm where children expected. Diameter 40-50 mm circular cross-section. 300 mm horizontal extension at top / bottom.
   StandardApproved Document M. BS 8300-1:2018. BS 8300-2:2018 (interior).
   Common defectsNo handrail on ramp > 2 m riseSingle handrail on wide rampWrong heightNo extensions at top / bottom — grip ends at last stepDiameter wrong — cannot grip

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