---
title: "Step 9: Protection Board and Pre-Topping Final Inspection"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/d23572d1-f89a-4ea0-9764-9de50e94cc30
stack: https://stacklist.com/c/business/stack/2d67154e-83fe-4367-99db-e7e4088ce2f9
summary: "Step 9 involves installing a protection board over the drainage mat as the final inspection opportunity before concrete topping is applied to the roof assembly. This checklist ensures the membrane, drainage mat, protection board, and drain systems are properly installed and inspected before permanent coverage."
tags: "protection-board, roof-inspection, waterproofing, drainage-mat, pre-topping, checklist, construction"
key_entities: "protection board (concept), drainage mat (concept), flood test (concept), membrane (concept), pre-topping final inspection (concept), FM-specified (concept)"
classification: "checklist"
content_hash: "sha256:b844afeb957a9fbbb21e915b09c55bacd70452f3d791b2d1a8998ea9a40ff4eb"
acp_version: "0.2"
token_counts_approximate: 504
visibility: public
agent_accessible: true
status: "final"
---

# Step 9: Protection Board and Pre-Topping Final Inspection

Step 9: Protection Board and Pre-Topping Final
Inspection 
Overview 
Once the drainage mat is in place and the flood test is passed (Step 10), a protection board is installed
over the drainage mat before any concrete topping, mortar bed, or paver pedestal system is placed. This
is the last chance to inspect the assembly. Once the topping goes down, the membrane is permanently
inaccessible. 
Protection Board Requirements 
Product: use the FM-specified protection board (typically 1/2 in. rigid insulation or high-density
protection board, per project spec) 
Coverage: full, continuous. No gaps larger than 1/4 in. 
Joints: stagger from drainage mat joints 
Do not place protection board over a drainage mat that has not been fully secured and inspected 
Pre-Topping Final Inspection Checklist 
This inspection must be completed and signed off by the PM or GC before any topping work begins. 
Membrane: 
[ ] Flood test passed and documented (see Step 10) 
[ ] All repairs from flood test completed and re-tested 
[ ] No visible damage to membrane from drainage mat installation 
Drainage Mat: 
[ ] Full coverage, dimpled side down 
[ ] All laps minimum 2 in. 
[ ] Drain and scupper areas correctly terminated 
Protection Board: 
[ ] Full coverage with no gaps 
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[ ] Joints staggered from mat joints 
[ ] No board damage 
Drains and Scuppers: 
[ ] Drain strainer in place 
[ ] Scupper throat clear 
[ ] All clamping rings at final torque 
Sign-Off to Proceed to Topping: 
PM/GC name: ______________ 
Signature: ______________ 
Date: ______________ 
Notes: ______________ 
Important 
Once topping is poured or pavers are set, any subsequent leak investigation requires destructive
investigation. The cost of a five-minute final inspection here is a fraction of the cost of tearing up a
finished deck. 
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