Handover is the last cheap moment to find out whether the structure on site is the structure on the drawings. After sign-off, every correction becomes a claim, a shutdown or a maintenance problem.
A good structural handover review is built from the project specification and the approved drawings, not from a generic list, and it ends with every open item assigned to a named person.
Inspect against the approved design
Walk the plant with the current approved issue in hand. Typical items include member identification, alignment, connection completion, fixing or torque records where the specification asks for them, foundation levels and visible damage to protective coating. Record each observation with its location, evidence and status so it can be traced and closed.
Site changes need particular attention. A modification that physically fits can still change load transfer or durability, so it should be reviewed and documented by the responsible engineer, not accepted because it looks fine.
- Confirm the approved drawing revision and the inspection scope.
- Record location, photograph and status for each observation.
- Escalate unapproved or unclear modifications before sign-off.
Leave a record the owner can use
The handover file should tell the owner what was built, what was inspected and what is still open. Index records by drawing, work package or location. Separate completed checks from outstanding actions, and give each outstanding item an owner and a due date.
- Approved drawings, inspection records and closed observations.
- Agreed changes with their approvals.
- Corrosion-protection and maintenance information required by the contract.
- A list of open items and who owns them.