Signing the completion act is one of the most important moments in a construction project. Once signed, risks transfer to the client, and the contractor closes their obligations on most items. This is why acceptance must be conducted thoroughly, not just as a formality. In Almaty, standard items are supplemented by specific local ones: checking seismic-resistant joints, corrosion protection quality in a mountain climate, and compliance with snow loads for zones V–VI. Let's walk through the complete acceptance checklist.
Why Acceptance in Almaty Is Special
Facility acceptance in Almaty includes a number of items not found in other Kazakh cities:
- Seismic joints — bolted connections in the load-bearing frame with torque protocols, presence of seismic bracing per project
- Corrosion protection system — shot blast preparation, coating thickness (for a mountain climate with cyclical humidity and UV)
- Snow loads — compliance of roof structures with snow zone V–VI
- Expansion joints in the floor — correct sealant for temperature variation and seismic shifts
- State technical review and commissioning permit — without these, the facility legally does not exist
Documents: What Must Be Ready for Acceptance
Before going to the site, request the documentation package from the contractor:
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Design documentation with positive state technical review conclusion | Mandatory |
| Building permit | Mandatory |
| Acts of inspection of concealed works (foundation, corrosion protection) | Mandatory |
| Bolt tightening torque protocols | Mandatory for Almaty |
| Steel structure$2 certificates (factory quality certificate) | Mandatory |
| Sandwich panel and roofing material certificates | Mandatory |
| As-built drawings | Mandatory |
| Equipment manuals (gates, boiler, ventilation) | Mandatory |
| Acts of concealed works for engineering systems | Mandatory |
| Roof test report (water resistance) | Recommended |
| Commissioning permit (State Architectural and Construction Control) | Mandatory |
Without a commissioning permit — the facility legally does not exist
Acceptance Checklist: 40 Points
Section 1: Load-Bearing Frame (Steel Structures)
1. Geometry of columns and trusses complies with the project (column verticality, truss alignment — tolerances per GOST 23118).
2. Bolt tightening torque protocols are provided for all calculated connections. Torque values match the project.
3. Bolts — strength class 8.8 or higher, with zinc coating (check markings on several bolts).
4. Seismic bracing (horizontal and vertical) installed at locations specified in the project.
5. Load-bearing joint welds — visual inspection (no cracks, incomplete fusion, undercutting). If in doubt — ultrasonic testing.
6. Anti-corrosion coating: no chips, blisters, or uncovered areas. Thickness — measured with a gauge at 10–15 points (standard: 140–200 µm for epoxy+PU system). All site cuts treated.
7. Column anchorage: column bases tightly seated on the foundation, grouting completed, bolts tightened with protocol.
Section 2: Enclosure Structures (Walls and Roof)
8. Wall panels: no dents or scratches down to bare metal (without corrosion protection), even seating, joint gaps ≤2 mm.
9. Roof panels: roof slope matches project (not less than 5°–8° for metal roofs in wet snow zones).
10. Ridge, valleys, parapets: all flashings sealed, trim elements fitted tightly, overlap not less than 120 mm.
11. Gutters and downpipes: installed with slope toward drains, joints sealed. Free discharge above the blind area or connected to storm drainage.
12. Roof: pour 20–30 L of water per 1 m² of roof (or wait for rain) and check for leaks within 24 hours. This is a mandatory test.
13. Panel coating: request manufacturer's certificate specifying the coating type (PUR or PVDF). For Almaty — not less than PUR.
14. Panel fastening for wind and seismic loads: screw spacing matches project (no less frequent than specified in the structural drawings).
Section 3: Industrial Floor
15. Floor levelness: measure with a 2 m straightedge at 20–30 points. Deviation — no more than ±3 mm/2 m (for forklifts), ±2 mm/2 m (for reach trucks).
16. Topping (hardener): uniform colour, no delamination or cracks. Tapping — dull sound = delamination = defect.
17. Expansion joints: cut at 6×6 m or 6×9 m intervals, filled with sealant (for Almaty — polyurethane with range -40°C … +90°C).
18. No puddles or slopes: floor must be level (tolerance ±5 mm across the room diagonal). Puddles = violation.
19. Load test: if the project specifies a load of 5 t/m² or more — require test results (deflection under load).
20. Floor drains (if provided): installed flush with the floor, grates do not protrude.
Section 4: Doors and Gates
21. Sectional doors: opening/closing in manual and automatic mode. No distortion or gaps at the bottom.
22. Dock leveller (ramp): platform travel is smooth, hydraulics without leaks, rubber bumper installed.
23. Thermal break in doors (for warm warehouse): closed doors — no cold bridges along the frame. In winter, check the frame temperature from inside (should not be significantly colder than the indoor air).
24. Doors and frames: verticality, horizontality, no gaps around the perimeter. Rubber seals — without tears.
25. Emergency exit: presence of a wicket gate or emergency opening button in case of power failure.
Section 5: Foundation and Blind Area
26. Blind area: slope 2–3% away from the building, width at least 0.8–1.0 m, no cracks or delamination.
27. Drainage system: presence of drainage channels at gates, connection to storm drainage or discharge beyond the site boundary.
28. Visible parts of the foundation: no cracks, chips, or exposed reinforcement.
29. Foundation waterproofing: at wall-to-foundation junctions — no moisture traces from inside (check on a rainy day or after watering).
Section 6: Engineering Systems
30. Electrical supply: load measurement at the inlet, check all outlets and lighting. Circuit breakers — labelled, ratings match project.
31. Lighting: measure illuminance with a lux meter at 10–15 points in the hall (standard for warehouse — 150–200 lux, for picking — 300+ lux).
32. Heating: warm up the system to working temperature, check for leaks in pipelines, system pressure — per boiler documentation.
33. Ventilation: check air supply/exhaust, no vibration or excessive noise.
34. Fire alarm (AFA): test with smoke simulator — signal reaches the control panel. Inspection report — from the installation company.
35. Sprinkler fire suppression (if installed): system pressure test, passport and test report available.
36. CCTV: all cameras functional, recording active, image clear.
37. Water supply and drainage: no leaks, check pressure, traps primed.
Section 7: Site/Territory
38. Site plan: actual position of buildings and structures matches project.
39. Yard surface: no major cracks, slopes comply with standards.
40. External fencing and gatehouse: integrity, gate and barrier functionality.
How to Record Defects
- Photograph every defect with reference to location (axis number, distance from corner)
- Compile a defect list in writing (list with descriptions and photos)
- Sign a defect act jointly with a contractor representative
- Specify correction deadlines for each defect (10–30 days depending on complexity)
- Do not sign the main act until critical defects are corrected (or record them with retainage of part of the amount)
Retainage: your protection tool
After Acceptance: The First 12 Months of Operation
Even after a proper acceptance, some defects only appear during operation:
- First winter: roof leaks during snowfall, condensation in uninsulated zones
- First earthquakes: bolt loosening, panel displacement at joints
- First hot days: check air conditioning operation, behaviour of expansion joints
- 6 months: re-inspect anti-corrosion coating
Record all observations in the warranty log and send to the contractor within the warranty period.
StroyHub documents all construction stages in as-built documentation
Concealed work acts, bolt connection protocols, system test results — all of this is provided to you at project handover. Online construction monitoring — in real time.
FAQ
Is independent technical supervision needed for acceptance?
For facilities costing 80–100 million tenge and above — we recommend hiring an independent technical supervisor for acceptance. Cost: 200,000–500,000 ₸ for the acceptance. This is cheaper than any warranty repair.
What to do if the contractor refuses to sign the defect act?
Prepare the act unilaterally and send it to the contractor by registered mail with an itemised list. In case of litigation, a unilateral act is evidence — provided that the contractor was duly notified.
Can a partial acceptance act be signed?
Yes, if part of the facility is complete and can be put into operation. But the remaining work must be clearly listed, with a completion schedule and a corresponding retainage of payment.
