Pre-disaster design means the size or capacity of a facility as originally constructed or subsequently modified.

Pre-disaster design can be determined using as-built drawings, structural assessments, fracture-critical member reports, and load rating reports. Structural assessments usually occur every five to ten years.

Careful documentation of inspection findings is mandatory. The documented findings are useful for planning appropriate inspection cycles, evaluating the amount of deterioration that has occurred between inspections, and determining maintenance requirements. Sites of significant findings must be carefully identified to enable divers to return to the same location for further assessment. Documentation can take the form of detailed written reports, sketches, and measurements.