Kerbing & Edging
QA inspection checklist

Installation

1. 1.

   Kerb type and size match specification
   What to look forKerb type per design — HB1, HB2, BN, EF, SP, dropper, transition. Material concrete (BS EN 1340) or natural stone (BS EN 1343). Dimensions and finish match. CE/UKCA marked. No mixed batches.
   Acceptable whenPer BS EN 1340 / SHW Clause 1101: kerb type and dimensions per design; CE/UKCA per Construction Products Regulation. Bull-nose / chamfer per type. Class T (top wear) and Class B (chemical) per location.
   StandardBS EN 1340:2003 — Concrete kerbs. BS EN 1343:2012 — Natural stone kerbs. SHW Clause 1101.
   Common defectsWrong type (BN where HB1 specified) — visual or upstand wrongMixed batches — colour variationDamaged kerbs installed — chips, edge breaksNo CE/UKCA markingTop class T inadequate for high-wear location
2. 2.

   Bed and backing concrete to specification
   What to look forConcrete bed (typically 100-150 mm thick) under kerb, with backing haunch up rear face (≥ 100 mm height). Concrete C20/25 or as design. Bedding fully fills under kerb — no voids.
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 1102 / BS 7533-6: kerb bed C20/25 or higher, ≥ 100 mm thick; backing haunch ≥ 100 mm height up rear. Continuous bedding — no gaps.
   StandardSHW Clause 1102. BS 7533-6:1999. BS 8500 (concrete spec).
   Common defectsNo backing haunch — kerb tilts under trafficBed concrete < C20/25 — kerb sinksVoids under kerb — kerb bouncingMortar bed used (insufficient strength)Haunch breaks during backfill operations
3. 3.

   Kerb line alignment correct — straight and smooth curves
   What to look forKerb line straight when sighted along run. Smooth radii at curves with no kinks at joint. Alignment matches kerb radius schedule. Radii match design (typical adjusted at junctions to preserve drainage).
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 1101: alignment ±3 mm in 3 m run on straights; smooth tangent at curves. Radius kerbs (special radius units) used for tight bends. Visual sighting test acceptable.
   StandardSHW Clause 1101. BS 7533-6:1999.
   Common defectsWavy kerb line — installer not stringingKink at radius / straight transitionWrong radius unit at curve — visible kinkTangent point not alignedKerb steps at joints (above tolerance)
4. 4.

   Joints consistent

   Record: Joint width (mm)
   What to look forJoint width consistent — typically 3-5 mm. Pointed with mortar / sand. Top of joint flush. No wide gaps, no overlapping kerbs.
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 1101 / BS EN 1340: joint width 3-5 mm typical. Pointed with mortar 1:3 cement:sand or proprietary jointing compound. Joint flush ±2 mm.
   StandardSHW Clause 1101. BS 7533-6:1999.
   Common defectsJoints > 10 mm — looks rough, weeds emergeJoints not pointed — water entry behind kerbTop of joint stepped — trip hazard for stepping overWide tapered joint at curve — not pre-cut radiusMortar smeared on kerb face
5. 5.

   Upstand height correct

   Record: Upstand (mm)
   What to look forUpstand from carriageway to top of kerb measured at multiple points. Typical 100-125 mm for HB-type. Consistent along run; no settlement causing low spots. Dropped kerbs at crossings with correct upstand (≤ 6 mm).
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 1101 / DMRB CD 526: kerb upstand 100-125 mm typical; ±6 mm. Dropped kerb upstand ≤ 6 mm at crossings (Approved Document M).
   StandardSHW Clause 1101. DMRB CD 526. Approved Document M.
   Common defectsUpstand inadequate — vehicles mount kerbUpstand inconsistent — looks wavyDropped kerb > 6 mm — wheelchair failSettlement after construction — kerb lowNo record of upstands
6. 6.

   Haunching complete and correct profile
   What to look forBacking haunch concrete behind kerb covers full height to design (typically 100 mm), tapering away. Continuous along run. Top of haunch level or sloped to drain. No gaps, no over-spill onto carriageway.
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 1102: haunch up rear of kerb to ≥ 100 mm height, tapering 1:1 (45°). Concrete C20/25. Continuous, no gaps.
   StandardSHW Clause 1102. BS 7533-6:1999.
   Common defectsHaunch height < 100 mm — kerb tiltsHaunch discontinuous — kerb movesHaunch on top of carriageway base — disrupts surfacingConcrete spilled onto carriageway side — visible messHaunch made with mortar (no strength)
7. 7.

   Transition kerbs at dropped crossings correct
   What to look forTransition kerbs (e.g. DBR-LH, DBR-RH for half-batter) gradually reduce upstand from full to dropped. Two transition kerbs typical at each end. Smooth profile in plan and section. Tactile paving behind dropped section.
   Acceptable whenPer Approved Document M / DfT Guidance: transitions gradual, no abrupt step; full kerb 100-125 mm to flush dropped at crossing. Tactile paving 800 mm deep at full crossing width.
   StandardApproved Document M. DfT Guidance on Tactile Paving. BS 8300-1.
   Common defectsStep at transition — wheelchair / pram bumpOnly one transition kerb — abruptNo tactile paving — non-compliantTactile paving wrong colour for crossing typeDrop kerb upstand > 6 mm
8. 8.

   Radius kerbs at junctions smooth and aligned
   What to look forRadius units (curved kerbs) used at junctions matching the design radius. Joints follow the radius — not faceted with straight kerbs. Tangent points smooth into adjacent straight runs. Internal and external radii treated separately.
   Acceptable whenPer SHW Clause 1101 / kerb manufacturer: special radius kerbs used for radii ≤ 10 m typically; standard kerbs may follow gentle curves > 12 m. Tangent point smooth — no kink.
   StandardSHW Clause 1101. BS EN 1340.
   Common defectsStraight kerbs faceted around tight curve — visible anglesWrong radius unit — too tight or too looseTangent kinkInternal vs external radius confusionJoint pattern different from straights

Run this inspection on a phone

The same 8 checks, with the guidance a tap away, photos against each fail, measurements recorded, an NCR raised automatically and a branded PDF at the end. Signed on site. 14 days free.