What is inspection documentation?

The signed record of what was inspected, found and decided — the evidence that the inspection happened, and the baseline the next one is compared against.

DOCUMENTATION · THE INSPECTION IS NOT FINISHED UNTIL IT IS RECORDED RECORD AS FOUND · SIGN IT · NEVER ERASE 1 ASSET Asset ID, type Location, circuit RECORD FIELD 2 WHEN / WHO Date, time Inspector, method RECORD FIELD 3 FINDINGS As found, measured Instrument used RECORD FIELD 4 GRADE Condition grade Reason for it RECORD FIELD 5 PHOTOS Dated, located Before any work RECORD FIELD INSPECTION RECORD SIGNED · DATED · FILED IN THE ASSET REGISTER 6 TREND COMPARE · PLAN ACTION WORK ORDER RAISED EVIDENCE AUDIT · HANDOVER SCHEMATIC · EXAMPLE RECORD FIELDS ONLY · NOT TO SCALE
record field
trend
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The Fact Condition assessment

Inspection documentation is the written record of an inspection. It shows which asset was inspected, where, when and by whom, what was found, the condition grade given, the photographs taken and the action decided.

A record is only useful if it is made at the time and recorded as found, before anything is cleaned, tightened or adjusted. It is signed, dated and filed in the asset register, so the next inspection can be compared against it. A mistake is fixed by a dated correction, never by erasing, because an altered record is no longer evidence.

Inspection record

A record of this inspection: asset, findings, grade, photographs and action. It is signed, dated and filed against the asset.

Test documentation

The record of tests done at commissioning, with limits and measured values. It forms the baseline that later inspections refer to.

  1. Identify the asset. Use the asset ID, type, location and circuit from the register, so the record belongs to one asset.
  2. Record as found. Write findings and readings at the time, before cleaning, tightening or adjusting anything.
  3. Add the evidence. Dated, located photographs, and the instrument used for any measured value.
  4. Give the grade and action. The condition grade with its reason, and the action and priority the procedure requires.
  5. Sign and correct properly. Inspector’s signature and date; any correction is dated and signed, with the original left readable.
  6. File and use it. Place it in the asset register, raise work orders for actions, and compare it with earlier records.
Meaning The written, signed record of what was inspected, found, graded and decided
Made At the time of inspection, recording the asset as found
Record shows Asset and location, date, inspector, method, findings, grade, photographs, action
Corrections Dated and signed; the original entry stays readable
Filed in The asset register, indexed so it can be found by asset and date
Reference Site inspection and maintenance procedures; ICAO Annex 14 Vol I; ICAO Doc 9157 Pt 5; manufacturer data
Schematic — example record fields only. The fields, forms, signatures, retention period and filing system are set by the airport or maintenance organisation in its procedures and quality system. A record that cannot be found, or that shows signs of alteration, loses its value as evidence. Follow your site’s inspection, permit-to-work and reporting procedures.
Entry 24 · Photometric inspection Entry 26 · Defect classification

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1What is inspection documentation in AGL?

The written record of an inspection: which asset was inspected, where, when and by whom, what was found, the condition grade given, the photographs taken and the action decided. It is made at the time of the inspection, signed, and filed in the asset register so that it can be found and used later.

Q2What should an inspection record contain?

At least the asset identity and location, the date and time, the inspector's name, the method or procedure used, the findings as found, the condition grade, photographs, and the action raised with its priority. Any measured values also carry the instrument used. The exact fields are set by the site's procedures.

Q3Why is the record made at the time of inspection?

A record written later depends on memory and often loses detail such as exact positions, sizes and readings. Recording as found gives a true baseline, so the next inspection can show whether a crack, tilt or reading has changed.

Q4How is a mistake corrected?

By a dated, signed correction that leaves the original entry readable. Entries are never erased or overwritten, because the history of the record is part of its evidence.

Q5How is the documentation used afterwards?

A finding that needs work becomes a work order. The grade and findings are compared with earlier inspections to show trends and plan maintenance. The record is also the evidence shown to auditors, the regulator and the airport operator that the inspection was done as required.

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