Why Pre-Demolition Site Inspections Are Important

14 January 2016

Eugene Vargas

Safety is key when you need to have a residential structure torn down, be it partially or completely. Unfortunately, guaranteeing site safety during residential demolition projects is not something that most budding DIYers can easily achieve. Instead of exposing yourself and the public to safety hazards by doing the job yourself, you should let demolition experts do work for you.

A demolition contractor will often perform a pre-demolition site inspection to assess the safety risks involved in tearing down your residential structures. The following points will explain to you why this inspection is an important first step of the demolition process.

Helps identify hazardous materials and substances.

Before demolition experts can get started with all the cutting, heavy impact hitting or bring down of walls, they will need to know what building materials they will be coming into contact with. If the building has hazardous materials, such as lead paint, asbestos-containing cement, chemically-treated timber, and so on, they will have to look for a safe way to tear them down. They will also be on the lookout for flammable substances, such as natural gas found in the gas supply line, so that you can prevent the risk of an explosion.

Initially identifying materials and substances that may be harmful and dangerous if handled improperly during the demolition process well will ensure that the necessary safety measures are taken to protect involved parties against potential safety risks. To prevent the risk of an explosion, for example, the contractor may ask you to contact your natural gas supply company to come and shut off supply of natural gas into your home until the demolition work has been completed.

Helps maintain the structural integrity of adjacent structures.

Aside from ensuring that the demolition job is done in the safest and healthiest way possible, demolition contractors will also make sure that the structural integrity of adjacent buildings is not weakened; this means no phase of the demolition process should compromise the structural strength of any other building near the demolished structure.

Special attention may need to be given where adjacent structures are underpinned or where there are changes in soil condition due to the demolition, as these structures may not be able to withstand heavy shocks and vibrations.

Prior to embarking on the demolition works, a demolition contractor may ask to be granted access to neighboring properties, and that such access should remain all through the demolition process. This will ensure that public safety is maintained, preventing the unintentional collapse of any adjoining structures.

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