IFC Document Review: The Complete Checklist

Why does an IFC review have to happen before mobilization?

Issued for Construction documents are the set the contractor is authorized to build from. The Construction Industry Institute's cost-of-change work still holds: a $500 design fix becomes about $5,000 in construction and $50,000 after occupancy. See CII research on rework and change cost.

In 2026, a second IFC trap is the code edition on the title block. Many sets still list IBC 2021 on the code summary while the permit jurisdiction has already adopted IBC 2024. That is a document-status check, not a full code study. Confirm the adopted edition before you walk the rest of the list.

What should an architectural IFC review check?

Architectural sheets are the base of the set. Errors here cascade into structure and MEP, so this list comes first.

• Drawing consistency: Floor plans, elevations, sections, and details describe the same building. Dimensions match across views, room numbers stay consistent, and door and window schedules match plan callouts.
• Code summary vs. title block: Occupancy, construction type, and the adopted IBC edition match the permit jurisdiction. Egress widths are dimensioned. Fire-rated assemblies are detailed. Accessibility is shown at public areas.
• Door and hardware schedules: Every door on the plans appears in the schedule with the correct fire rating, hardware set, frame type, and operation. Hardware sets match the specification.
• Finish schedules: Room finish tags match the finish schedule. Transitions are detailed. Moisture-sensitive finishes have the right substrate.
• Detail completeness: Every reference bubble points to a detail that exists. Head, jamb, and sill conditions are drawn at each window type. Flashing and waterproofing are complete at envelope penetrations.
• Sheet index: Every sheet in the index exists in the set, and the set does not contain unlisted sheets. Helonic's drawing set completeness check is built for this item.

What should a structural IFC review check?

Structural documents have to agree with architectural layouts and with the MEP penetrations that will actually be cut. Walk this list against both.

• Column grid alignment: The structural grid matches architectural plans. Column sizes do not eat finished space or fight partition layouts.
• Floor openings: Stairs, elevators, and chases on the architectural plans appear on structural plans with reinforcement details.
• Loading criteria: Design loads match the structural narrative and the occupancy. Mechanical equipment, file rooms, and assembly spaces are called out.
• Foundation coordination: The foundation plan agrees with the civil site plan for utilities. Pile or caisson locations miss underground lines.
• Embeds and connections: Embeds for MEP hangers, equipment supports, and architectural attachments are located and detailed.
• Joints: Expansion and control joint locations coordinate with finishes above and meet the structural system's spacing rules.

What should an MEP IFC review check?

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing sheets have to agree with each other, with the structure, and with the architecture. Most field conflicts hide here. The coordination method lives in MEP coordination on drawings. This list is the IFC sign-off.

• Equipment schedules vs. plans: Every piece of equipment on the plans matches the schedule for capacity, voltage, and connections. Tags are consistent across plans, schedules, and specs.
• Electrical panel schedules: Panel capacity matches connected load with spare. Circuits stay under the bus rating. Emergency and normal sources are identified.
• Plumbing fixtures: Fixture locations match architectural plans. Chase sizes fit waste and vent. Water heater sizing supports the fixture count.
• HVAC duct routing: Ductwork fits the ceiling space. Return paths are defined. Fire and smoke dampers sit at rated penetrations. Diffusers match the reflected ceiling plan.
• Fire protection: Sprinkler coverage meets NFPA 13 for the occupancy. Heads respect spacing and obstructions. Standpipe and FDC locations are shown.
• Electrical room access: Working clearances meet NEC 110.26. Panels have the required clear space. Emergency egress from the room is provided.

What should a civil IFC review check?

Civil sheets set the work that happens before the building comes out of the ground. Verify these items before site work starts.

• Grading and drainage: Finished grade falls away from the building. Stormwater meets local rules. Detention or retention calculations are in the set.
• Utility connections: Water, sewer, gas, electric, and telecom land at the right mechanical and electrical rooms. Invert elevations allow gravity flow where required.
• Paving and striping: Parking counts meet zoning. Accessible routes from parking to entries are graded and detailed. Fire lanes fit the jurisdiction's apparatus.
• Erosion control: SWPPP requirements are addressed. Phasing matches the erosion measures. Permanent stormwater BMPs are detailed.

How does Helonic work through an IFC checklist on a large set?

Walking this list across a 200-sheet IFC set by hand can take a review team more than a week. Helonic reads the issued PDFs and flags schedule-to-plan mismatches, missing details, and cross-discipline conflicts, then groups them by discipline and severity. That is the same job described in AI for construction drawings.

The team still owns constructability. A superintendent in the room will tell you in ten seconds that a lift cannot enter that corridor. The tool will not. Use the flagged list to spend the day on judgment, not on hunting.

IFC Document Review FAQ