How Do I Pass a QII Inspection?

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

How Do I Pass a QII Inspection is a practical question that should be answered before insulation, drywall, or other finishes begin covering the building envelope.

Passing Quality Insulation Installation verification requires more than installing insulation with the correct R-value. The air barriers, insulation materials, framing cavities, penetrations, attic conditions, and other applicable portions of the envelope need to match the approved California energy-compliance design and satisfy the applicable QII installation criteria.

The most effective approach is to plan for QII before construction reaches the inspection stages.

For a current 2025 Energy Code project, the process generally involves an appropriately qualified Energy Code Compliance Rater, commonly called an ECC Rater. Older projects can still contain HERS terminology because earlier Energy Code cycles used HERS field-verification procedures.

To improve the likelihood of passing the applicable QII verification:

• Confirm that QII is listed in the approved energy documentation.
• Review the insulation levels shown on the Certificate of Compliance.
• Coordinate with the ECC Rater before work is concealed.
• Complete required air sealing before insulation is installed.
• Install insulation according to manufacturer instructions.
• Avoid gaps, voids, and improper compression.
• Fit insulation carefully around wiring, plumbing, electrical boxes, and structural elements.
• Complete hard-to-access cavities before they become inaccessible.
• Maintain required attic ventilation and insulation conditions.
• Keep insulation labels and specification sheets available for verification.
• Correct deficiencies before drywall or other finishes hide the work.

Alternative Energy Systems can review the Title 24 calculations and help identify which QII measures appear in the approved compliance design. Required third-party field verification is performed separately by the applicable rater.

Call (626) 365-1518 if QII appears on your project and you need help understanding how the energy report relates to the construction requirements.

Start by Confirming That QII Is Actually Part of the Project

Before preparing for an inspection, verify that the approved Title 24 documentation actually requires QII.

Useful documents can include:

• Certificate of Compliance
• Title 24 energy calculations
• Construction plans
• Insulation specifications
• Existing ECC or HERS documentation

The project should not rely on verbal assumptions about whether QII applies.

Review the Certificate of Compliance Before Insulation Begins

The Certificate of Compliance identifies energy-related assumptions used in the approved design.

The installed insulation should meet or exceed the applicable levels represented in that documentation.

Before the insulation contractor begins work, the project team should understand:

• Wall insulation requirements
• Ceiling insulation requirements
• Roof-deck insulation when applicable
• Raised-floor insulation when applicable
• Slab-edge insulation when applicable
• Other QII measures identified for the project

If the construction documents and energy report disagree, resolve the discrepancy before relying on either version in the field.

Do Not Wait Until the Insulation Is Finished to Call the Rater

QII involves construction conditions that can become hidden.

The rater should therefore be coordinated before the applicable work is concealed.

Waiting until drywall is scheduled can be too late to easily verify some of the required air-barrier and insulation conditions.

Understand That QII Includes More Than One Stage

Current California single-family QII documentation separates the process into major stages that include:

• Air-infiltration sealing at the framing stage
• Insulation installation verification

The project team should schedule construction around those verification points.

For general information about insulation and thermal-envelope performance, review building insulation on Wikipedia.

Pass the Framing and Air-Sealing Stage First

Required Air Barriers Should Be Verified Before Insulation Is Installed

A major step in answering How Do I Pass a QII Inspection is understanding that the process begins before the insulation is placed into the framing cavities.

The current QII insulation verification form specifically requires confirmation that air-barrier installation and preparation for insulation were completed and verified before insulation installation.

Seal Applicable Boundaries Between Conditioned and Unconditioned Space

The building envelope separates conditioned space from areas that are outside the conditioned environment.

Potential boundaries can include:

• Exterior walls
• Ceilings
• Roof assemblies
• Raised floors
• Garage interfaces
• Kneewalls
• Skylight shafts
• Other project-specific assemblies

Applicable air barriers and sealing should be complete enough for verification before insulation covers the work.

Pay Attention to Plumbing and Electrical Penetrations

Air leakage can occur around penetrations through the envelope.

Common areas requiring careful workmanship can include:

• Plumbing lines
• Electrical wiring
• Electrical boxes
• Mechanical penetrations
• Framing transitions
• Other utility openings

The goal is a continuous applicable air barrier rather than isolated patches of sealant with large unaddressed openings elsewhere.

Check Framing Intersections Before They Become Inaccessible

Some framing configurations become difficult to reach after sheathing, stucco lath, drywall, tubs, showers, or other construction is installed.

These areas should be addressed while access remains available.

Coordinate Structural Framing With the Insulation Plan

Structural components can create thermal bridges and difficult insulation conditions.

The current QII criteria recognize structural bracing, tie-downs, steel framing, and other specialized framing, but applicable areas still need to be insulated according to the required design.

When unusual structural conditions affect the envelope, the plans should clearly identify the insulation strategy.

Do Not Cover the Framing Before Required Verification

If the rater needs to inspect an air barrier or framing condition, concealing it prematurely can create a compliance problem.

Construction scheduling should account for:

• Framing completion
• Air sealing
• Applicable rater verification
• Insulation installation
• Insulation verification
• Drywall or other interior finishes

That sequence can vary according to the project, but the required work should remain visible when it needs to be inspected.

Install the Insulation to the QII Standard

Correct R-Value Alone Is Not Enough to Pass Verification

Once the framing and applicable air barrier are ready, the insulation itself becomes the focus.

The current California verification criteria require insulation to be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and to correspond with the Certificate of Compliance.

Avoid Gaps in Insulation

Insulation should fill the applicable cavity rather than leaving open areas that allow heat to bypass the intended thermal layer.

For applicable wall installations, the current QII criteria specifically address insulation contact throughout the cavity without unacceptable gaps.

Avoid Voids Behind the Insulation

An insulation batt can appear complete from the front while still hiding an empty space behind it.

This can happen when insulation is not fitted correctly around:

• Pipes
• Wiring
• Electrical boxes
• Bracing
• Other obstructions

Insulation should be cut or fitted appropriately around obstructions rather than simply pushed over them.

Avoid Excessive Compression

Compressing insulation into a cavity can reduce the effective thermal performance of the installed assembly.

The rater is not simply looking for material inside the wall. The installation needs to satisfy the applicable QII criteria.

Fit Insulation Around Electrical Boxes

Electrical boxes commonly create problem areas.

The insulation should fit snugly around the box without leaving unnecessary gaps or creating improper compression.

Fit Insulation Around Plumbing

Plumbing lines can divide framing cavities and make full insulation contact more difficult.

The installer should fit the material around the plumbing so the cavity remains properly insulated.

Fit Insulation Around Wiring

Electrical wiring passing horizontally or vertically through wall cavities should not create large empty areas in the insulation system.

The insulation should be installed around the wiring according to the product and applicable QII procedures.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions

The current QII verification form specifically requires the insulation to be installed according to manufacturer instructions.

Do not assume that one installation technique applies equally to:

• Fiberglass batts
• Loose-fill insulation
• Rigid insulation
• Spray polyurethane foam
• Other insulation products

The material and assembly determine the proper installation method.

Walls Are One of the Most Detailed Parts of QII Verification

Corners, Headers, Tubs, Showers and Obstructions Need Special Attention

Wall insulation can appear straightforward until framing, utilities, structural components, and architectural features begin interrupting the cavities.

QII procedures address many of these conditions directly.

Insulate Hard-to-Access Wall Cavities Early

Current QII criteria identify hard-to-access framing areas such as corner channels and wall intersections.

Applicable cavities should be insulated to the proper level before exterior sheathing or other construction makes access difficult or impossible.

Check Exterior Walls Behind Tubs and Showers

Tubs and shower enclosures located against exterior walls can hide large portions of the thermal envelope.

Applicable insulation and interior air barriers should be installed before those assemblies prevent access.

Check Walls Behind Fireplaces and Stairwells

Applicable exterior-wall areas behind fireplace enclosures and stairwells also need to remain consistent with the approved insulation design.

These locations should not be overlooked merely because they will later be concealed by another construction feature.

Pay Attention to Window and Door Headers

Headers can interrupt the insulated wall assembly.

Current California QII criteria include specific insulation provisions for applicable single-member window and door headers.

The correct solution depends on:

• Wall framing depth
• Header width
• Continuous exterior insulation when applicable
• Approved construction details

Do not improvise the header insulation after framing is complete without checking the required assembly.

Make Sure Kneewalls Have Complete Air Barriers

Attic kneewalls separate conditioned and unconditioned spaces and can become significant weak points when insulation and air barriers are incomplete.

Applicable kneewalls should be insulated and enclosed according to the approved QII design.

Pay Attention to Skylight Shafts

Skylight shafts create vertical portions of the building envelope inside attic spaces.

Current QII criteria include special requirements for applicable skylight shafts and attic kneewalls.

The insulation should remain properly supported and in contact with the applicable air barrier.

Do Not Leave Open Cavities Behind Architectural Features

A cavity hidden by cabinetry, tubs, showers, fireplaces, stairs, or another finish is still part of the envelope when it separates conditioned and unconditioned space.

The fact that the area will not be visible after construction does not eliminate the insulation requirement.

Prepare the Attic Carefully for QII Verification

Insulation Depth, Ventilation, Access and Air-Barrier Contact Can All Matter

Attic assemblies have their own QII details.

The applicable requirements depend on whether the project uses:

• A conventional vented attic
• An unvented attic
• A high-performance vented attic
• Another approved roof-and-ceiling configuration

Keep Ceiling Insulation in Contact With the Air Barrier

Current QII criteria require applicable ceiling insulation to remain in direct contact with the ceiling air barrier without unacceptable gaps, voids, or compression.

An insulation layer that floats above the ceiling or leaves large empty areas does not represent the intended assembly.

Do Not Block Required Eave Ventilation

In applicable vented-attic designs, required eave ventilation should remain unobstructed.

Insulation should not simply be pushed into ventilation openings.

Install Baffles and Insulation Dams Correctly

Where required, eave vent baffles and dams can help prevent insulation from obstructing ventilation or being displaced by airflow.

These details should be completed before the rater evaluates the attic assembly.

Insulate the Attic Access

Under the applicable current QII criteria, attic access needs insulation corresponding to the required ceiling insulation and the insulation needs to remain permanently attached.

The opening also requires the applicable insulation dam.

Install Loose-Fill Depth Markers When Required

For applicable loose-fill attic insulation, current QII verification uses attic rulers to document installed depth.

The rulers should correspond to the insulation product and remain visible for verification.

Have Loose-Fill Product Information Available

Loose-fill installations need manufacturer coverage information so depth and density can be compared with the specified R-value.

The current QII form calls for insulation labels or specification sheets to be provided to the rater.

Unvented Attics Have Different Details

In an applicable unvented attic configuration, the roof sheathing can serve as part of the air-barrier system.

Insulation contact, roof-deck conditions, and applicable gable-end construction should follow the approved design.

Do not use vented-attic installation assumptions on an unvented-attic project.

Coordinate With the ECC Rater Before the Inspection

Good Scheduling Can Prevent Avoidable QII Failures and Construction Delays

The rater is verifying installed conditions, not redesigning the building after the work is complete.

Clear coordination helps everyone understand when the project is ready for inspection.

Contact the Rater Before Work Is Concealed

The safest time to establish the verification schedule is before the critical construction stages begin.

The project team should understand when the rater needs access to:

• Framing
• Air barriers
• Insulation
• Attics
• Raised floors
• Other applicable envelope assemblies

Do Not Assume the Building Inspector Replaces the ECC Rater

A building-department inspection and Energy Code field verification serve different purposes.

When the Certificate of Compliance requires third-party QII verification, ordinary building inspection should not be assumed to satisfy that requirement.

Have Product Documentation Ready

The current QII form requires applicable insulation labels or product specification sheets to be available to the ECC Rater.

For loose-fill products, that can include:

• Bag labels
• Coverage charts
• Other manufacturer information

Make Sure the Installed Product Matches the Plans

Substituting insulation can create problems if the installed system no longer matches the Certificate of Compliance.

Before changing:

• Insulation type
• R-value
• Assembly thickness
• Roof or wall configuration

have the change reviewed when it affects the approved energy design.

Walk the Project Before the Rater Arrives

A contractor or insulation installer can catch many obvious problems before the formal verification.

A practical preinspection walkthrough should look for:

• Missing batts
• Open cavities
• Large gaps
• Compressed insulation
• Uninsulated electrical boxes
• Poor fitting around plumbing
• Poor fitting around wiring
• Missing insulation behind tubs or showers
• Incomplete kneewalls
• Blocked attic vents
• Uninsulated attic access
• Unfinished hard-to-reach cavities

Correcting these items before the rater arrives can reduce unnecessary reinspection and schedule disruption.

Do Not Rely on Photographs as a Substitute for Scheduling

Photographs can be useful construction records, but the project team should not assume photographs automatically replace required ECC verification.

Coordinate with the rater before covering any condition that needs field verification.

Keep the Current Plans Available

The rater may need to compare installed conditions against the approved compliance documentation.

Using old drawings in the field can create confusion when the building has already been revised.

What Happens if You Do Not Pass the QII Inspection?

Correct the Deficiency and Complete the Required Verification Process

A failed QII item does not necessarily mean the entire construction project has permanently failed.

The current California ECC process provides for failed verification items to be corrected.

If an ECC Rater determines that a required feature does not satisfy the applicable compliance threshold, the contractor is responsible for correcting the feature or system until it passes.

What Causes a QII Failure?

Potential reasons can include:

• Missing insulation
• Incorrect insulation level
• Gaps
• Voids
• Improper compression
• Incomplete air barriers
• Insulation installed incorrectly around obstructions
• Hard-to-access cavities left unfinished
• Attic conditions that do not satisfy the applicable criteria
• Installed materials that do not match the compliance documentation

The Rater Can Document Correction Notes

The current CF3R QII form includes verification status and correction-note fields.

If one or more applicable requirements are not met, the rater can identify the reason for failure so the project team knows what needs correction.

Correct Problems Before the Work Is Concealed

The easiest time to correct insulation is generally while the cavity remains open.

Repairs become more complicated after drywall, cabinets, exterior finishes, or other construction covers the affected areas.

Do Not Simply Remove QII From the Paperwork

If QII is part of the approved energy-compliance design, eliminating it can affect the Title 24 calculation.

A revised performance analysis may be needed to determine whether the building can comply without verified QII.

Other efficiency measures may need to compensate for the change.

Can AES Review the Energy Calculation if QII Becomes a Problem?

Yes. Alternative Energy Systems can review the approved compliance design and determine whether the calculation needs revision.

The available options depend on:

• Building envelope
• Insulation levels
• Window performance
• HVAC efficiency
• Roof design
• Other qualifying measures

A revised calculation does not guarantee that QII can always be removed.

Passing QII Does Not Replace Other Required Verification

A project can have multiple field-verification measures.

Depending on the design, those may involve:

• QII
• Duct leakage
• Mechanical ventilation
• Airflow
• Equipment performance
• Other applicable measures

Passing QII satisfies the applicable QII requirement, not every Energy Code requirement on the project.

Current Projects Use ECC Terminology

For the 2025 Energy Code, California uses the Energy Code Compliance Program for residential field verification and diagnostic testing.

The ECC Program replaces the Energy Code field-verification portion of the former HERS Program.

The California Energy Commission explains the current program on its Energy Code Compliance Program page.

What if My Project Still Says HERS?

Older code-cycle projects can continue to use HERS terminology and forms associated with their applicable Energy Code.

Do not change forms simply because the terminology changed for the 2025 code cycle.

Review Which Title 24 Energy Code Version Do I Need if the applicable code version is unclear.

Why Choose Alternative Energy Systems?

Alternative Energy Systems provides professional Title 24 calculations, energy-compliance documentation, revisions, and energy-related plan-check support throughout California.

AES brings more than 30 years of California energy-compliance experience to:

• New homes
• ADUs
• Garage conversions
• Additions
• Residential remodels
• Multifamily projects
• Envelope compliance
• Projects involving QII
• Plan-check corrections
• Energy-report revisions

AES can identify QII in the energy documentation and help coordinate the approved compliance design with the plans. Required third-party field verification is performed separately by an appropriately qualified rater unless a project agreement expressly provides otherwise.

Learn more through the About Us page, review company background on the clients page, or explore Title 24 energy compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions: How Do I Pass a QII Inspection?

How Do I Pass a QII Inspection?

Coordinate with the rater early, complete applicable air sealing before insulation, install insulation according to the Certificate of Compliance and manufacturer instructions, avoid gaps, voids, and improper compression, and correct deficiencies before the work is concealed.

Should I call the rater before installing insulation?

Yes. The applicable QII process includes air-barrier and framing-stage requirements that need to be coordinated before insulation covers the work.

Does QII require an inspection before drywall?

Applicable insulation conditions need to remain accessible for required verification. Do not conceal the work before coordinating the inspection.

Does the insulation have to match the Title 24 report?

Yes. Applicable surfaces should meet or exceed the insulation levels identified in the Certificate of Compliance.

Can insulation have gaps?

Applicable QII criteria require proper cavity installation without unacceptable gaps or voids.

Can insulation be compressed?

Improper compression can cause an installation to fail applicable QII criteria.

Does insulation have to fit around electrical boxes?

Yes. Applicable wall insulation should fit around electrical boxes, plumbing, wiring, and other obstructions without unacceptable gaps, voids, or compression.

Do hard-to-access cavities need insulation?

Yes. Applicable hard-to-access wall cavities should be insulated before construction makes them inaccessible.

Does insulation behind a bathtub matter?

Yes when the applicable tub or shower is located against an exterior envelope wall. The required insulation and air barrier should be installed before the enclosure prevents access.

Does attic access need insulation?

Applicable current QII criteria require attic access insulation corresponding to the required ceiling insulation and an appropriate insulation dam.

Can attic insulation block the eave vents?

No. Required eave ventilation should remain unobstructed in applicable vented-attic assemblies.

Do I need insulation product labels?

Current QII verification requires applicable insulation labels or specification sheets to be available to the ECC Rater.

Does loose-fill insulation get measured?

Yes. Current QII procedures include applicable depth and density verification and use manufacturer coverage information.

Who performs the QII verification?

For current 2025 Energy Code projects, required third-party field verification is performed by an appropriately qualified ECC Rater.

Is an ECC Rater the same as a building inspector?

No. The ECC Rater performs required Energy Code field verification, while the building department performs its own permit inspections.

Is an ECC Rater the same as a HERS Rater?

The current ECC Program replaced the Energy Code field-verification portion of the HERS Program. Older code-cycle projects can still use HERS terminology.

What happens if I fail the QII inspection?

The rater can identify the deficient item, and the contractor must correct the applicable feature or system until it satisfies the required compliance criteria.

Can I just cover the insulation after it fails?

No. The deficiency should be corrected and the required verification completed before the affected work is concealed.

Can photographs replace the inspection?

Do not assume so. Coordinate directly with the applicable rater before concealing any condition that requires field verification.

Can I remove QII if passing becomes difficult?

Potentially only after energy-compliance review. Removing QII can change the performance calculation and may require other efficiency measures.

Does passing QII guarantee permit approval?

No. QII is one part of the California Energy Code compliance process. The complete project remains subject to other applicable permit and inspection requirements.

What should I send AES if I have a QII problem?

Send the current plans, Certificate of Compliance, Title 24 calculations, insulation specifications, available ECC or HERS documentation, correction notes, and a description of the current construction stage.

How do I get help before a QII inspection?

Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518, email info@title24energy.com, or use the contact page.

When service and payment have already been arranged, payment can be completed through the AES payment page.