National Demolition Association > OUR INDUSTRY > Demolition Planning Document

This document has been developed or is provided by the National Demolition Association. It is a sample specification for recommended practice for use by fully qualified, trained, professional personnel who are otherwise competent to evaluate the significance of its use within the context of specific demolition projects. No express or implied warranty is made with respect to the foregoing including without limitation any implied warranty of fitness or applicability for a particular purpose. The National Demolition Association and all contributors of this document shall not be liable for damages of any kind arising out of the use of this document, and, further specifically disclaims any and all responsibility and liability for the accuracy and application of the information contained in this document to the fullest extent permitted by law. In accepting this document, user agrees to accept sole responsibility for its application.

DEMOLITION PLANNING DOCUMENT

A demolition project can be a huge undertaking and requires a great deal of pre-planning in order to coordinate all facets of the project. Through the course of the project some detours and changes will inevitably occur, but a solid plan and direct course of activities will assist in minimizing the overall impact on project schedule, cost and liabilities. The following checklist will be helpful in the planning stages of a demolition project and includes many of the items that need to be considered to design a successful job.

Proposed Use If the intended use of the site is known, it is helpful to make the contractor aware of that information. The contractor’s expertise and input at this stage of the project can help the project become successful.

Utility Disconnects The owner/operator should determine if the demolition contractor will carry the cost and responsibility of utility disconnects. If not, the owner/operator should be prepared to provide all disconnect documentation to the demolition contractor.

Reuse of Materials If materials from the project are to be reused, this information should be conveyed to the contractor as early as possible. A schedule of items to be reused should be furnished to the contractor so that this information can be used when putting together a bid.

Salvage of Materials Bid and contract documents should be clear as to ownership of scrap/salvage materials. It is usually in the owner’s best interest to let the contractor take ownership of these items.

Extent of Underground Demolition The extent of underground removals should be clearly defined. Some options are as follows: removal of ALL underground structures on site; removal of underground structure to a certain depth; removal of underground structures to a certain extent (using column lines, drawings of new structure, survey map, etc.); leaving slabs and all underground structures; or a combination of the aforementioned.

Existing Programs Certain programs are available for use. Some of these programs require specific reporting requirements. These can be State, Federal, private, or quasi-government sponsored programs. Samples of available programs include: Armstrong ceiling tile recycling; Brownfield’s; community block grants and others. It is essential that the contractor be made aware of these programs as they may have important and extensive reporting requirements.

Responsibility of Temporary Facilities It should be made clear who will bear the responsibility for temporary facilities. These can include: portable restrooms, temporary power, temporary water, site fencing, site security, etc.

Special Requirements Prevailing wages, LEED requirements and reporting for recovery act work are all examples of special requirements. Also to be included are any requirements imposed by regulatory committees/agencies such as Coastal Area Management plans, Inland Wetland Commission Requirements, Municipal requirements, work near a well head or reservoir as well as internal corporate policies that are applicable to the work.

Hazardous Materials The owner/operators should determine if they will have environmental remediation completed by the demolition contractor or by a separate entity. Federal and State laws mandate removal and disposal of certain hazardous materials prior to razing a structure. Furthermore, most typical landfills will not accept hazardous materials. The best practice would be to have destructive environmental testing completed prior to asking for bids. This information should be made available at the bid walkthrough.

NESHAP (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) Notification(s) Pursuant to federal regulation, notification of renovation/demolition is required. The Asbestos NESHAP regulation, 40 CFR, Subpart M, Section 61.145 requires written notification of demolition or renovation operations. This notification is required 10 working days, prior to commencement of work. This is commonly called the “10 day waiting period”, and the notification is commonly referred to as the “10 day”. Some states have a reciprocal agreement with the Federal Government and owners may need to only file that respective state’s notification. A thorough and competent contractor will be able to help with this process.

Permits It should be made clear as to which party will secure permits. If the project has an aggressive schedule, it may be prudent for the owner to begin this process as early as possible. It is important to note that there can be multiple permits required for a project including but not limited to demolition, sidewalk closure, road closure, specific structure heights, dust mitigation plan, airborne release plan, truck route plan, etc. It is important to check with any agencies that may have jurisdiction. Planning and a competent contractor can be of a great help to get through this process.

Expected Condition of Site at Completion of Demolition It is important for the owner to convey to the contractor his expectations of the site condition, post demolition. The site can be left as is, with a full excavation with existing materials "bowled" to best eliminate any drastic cuts. Alternately, the contractor can be instructed to backfill the void left by the structure. Once again, the more information given to the contractor, the more successful the project will be.

MODEL DEMOLITION SPECIFICATION
I.	SUBMITTALS, GENERAL CONDITIONS & PRE-EXECUTION
	A.	Permits
	If so elected, contractor shall provide and secure permits, in accordance with all applicable regulations.
	B.	Insurance
	Contractor shall provide a copy of a current Certificate of Insurance and any subcontractor’s Certificate of Insurance. Policies will need to include worker’s compensation, in all states worked, comprehensive general liability, automobile liability and, if necessary, environmental / asbestos / and pollution liability. Coverage shall be written on an occurrence basis with A. M. Best A-rated companies. Specific project limits and required language shall be as listed in Attachment "A".
	C.	Licenses
	Contractor shall submit to owner all applicable, current licenses. Licenses shall be kept current for the duration of project. All employees on site must be properly licensed in accordance with State statutes.
	D.	Health and Safety Plan
	Contractor shall prepare and make available, on site a Health and Safety Plan (HASP). HASP shall conform to current regulations.
	E.	Engineering Survey
	Contractor shall prepare and make available on site, an Engineering Survey. Engineering Survey shall conform to current regulations.
	F.	Temporary Facilities
	Contractor shall be responsible for providing the following temporary facilities, unless excluded in the exclusions section of Attachment "B":
	1.	Fencing
	2.	Toilets
	3.	Offices
	4.	Other Temp Facilities as deemed by project details as listed in Attachment “B”.
	G.	Waste Disposal Sites
	Contractor shall submit and have approved by owner proposed disposal sites.
	H.	Waste Management Plan
	Contractor shall submit a waste management plan detailing anticipated waste streams, handling, processing and packaging of waste streams and disposition of waste streams.
	I.	Schedule
	This scope of work will be completed by _____/_____/_____. Work shall be performed to minimize disruption to owners, tenants, and operations of aforementioned. Special scheduling concerns as well as delicate site conditions are listed in Attachment "B".
II.	EXECUTION
	A.	Scope of Work
	1.	Work shall be performed in accordance with engineering survey.
	2.	Contractor shall conform to a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan as provided by owner.
	3.	Demolition and removal of all above grade construction.
	4.	Above grade items are listed on Attachment “B”.
	5.	Demolition and removal of below-grade construction to elevation, (See Attachment B.)
	6.	Contractor shall remove all below grade construction as listed on Attachment “B”.
	7.	This work shall commence in a logical manner, so as to keep site access and use as functional as possible.
	B.	Structure Razing
	1.	Contractor shall provide safeguards, including warning signs, barricades, temporary fences, warning lights and other items that are required for protection of all personnel during demolition and removal operations.
	2.	Demolition shall proceed in a controlled manner utilizing the latest technology available.
	3.	Schedule of Building Demolition Activities: Contractor shall provide a detailed sequence of demolition and backfilling work. If this contractor is in control of hazardous materials removal, utility cut and caps, fencing, and/or backfill, they shall be included.
	4.	Site Cleanliness Contractor shall verify with owner that removal is complete and that remaining structures can remain. Floor slabs shall be broken into pieces up to 100 square feet for drainage and remain in place. Foundation/walls shall be broken down to an elevation/depth as required.
	C.	Removal of Underground Elements
	1.	Demolition and removal of below-grade construction, including basement walls, foundation walls and footings as described on Attachment “B”.
	2.	Demolish all existing utilities and below grade utility structures. These items shall be properly disposed/recycled.
	3.	Underground concrete structures to remain, shall be prepared as follows: Contractor shall verify with owner that removal is complete and that remaining structures can remain. Floor slabs shall be broken into pieces up to 100 square feet for drainage and remain in place. Foundation/walls shall be broken down to an elevation/depth as required.
	D.	Waste Disposal/Recycling
	1.	Transportation Remove and transport debris in a manner that will prevent spillage on adjacent surfaces and areas. All materials removed from the project site are to be legally transported to the waste disposal or recycling site. All concrete demolished from the project site assumed to be inert materials.
	2.	Waste Disposal Site All waste materials shall be removed from the project site and legally disposed of in an EPA and Owner-approved landfill or recycling facility. No onsite burning of materials allowed.
	3.	Recycling Facility Any recycling facilities utilized for the project shall be an approved facility.
	E.	Recycling/Salvage
	1.	Construction and Demolition Debris The contractor is required to make an effort to utilize any recycling option that is economical for the project. The practices and procedures to be implemented shall be identified in the Waste Management Plan.
	2.	Scrap/Salvage All scrap materials and other items not identified by the owner for salvage shall become the property of the contractor. All revenue generated from the sale of said materials shall accrue to the contractor. Items requiring salvage for the owner are listed in Attachment “B”.
III.	RESTORATION / CLOSEOUT
	A.	Backfill
	1.	Backfill Material Backfill material shall be suitable for compaction and free of deleterious materials. Do not allow for rocks or lumps greater than 4 inches (i.e. -4” material). Materials may be from on site “borrow” sources, crushed masonry, or brought from off-site locations.
	2.	Below Grade Areas Contractor shall rough grade below grade areas and make ready for excavation or backfill, as required. Contractor shall assure that areas are free of standing water, frozen material, and/or debris, prior to backfilling.
	3.	Compaction Place backfill material in layers and compact to a minimum 95% of maximum dry density or meet a density equal to or greater than adjacent original soil.
	4.	Site Grading Rough grade site to a uniform rough grade, so as to minimize pooling and collection of surface water. Grade so as to provide surface water drainage. Contractor shall grade the site to minimize the transition between existing and new grades.
	B.	Project Closeout
	1.	Upon completion of project, contractor shall provide the following documentation, as deemed necessary for the project. Waste Disposal Documentation Applicable sign-offs from building department Compaction Report, if required As-Built drawings showing location of utility terminations, and/or any remaining underground structures. Any additional project paperwork as listed on Attachment “B”.