What is a Demolition Plan and Why Do I Need One?

Demolition of structures on property may be necessary to build a more up-to-date and safer structure in its place. Demolition, though, can be a risky process no matter how necessary.

Because of the risk associated with demolition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a set of guidelines to be followed when conducting a demolition project. These guidelines are designed to protect the safety of all workers on the property as well as the safety of the structure going forward.

One of the guidelines is proper planning, and the first step of that should include an engineering survey, also known as your demolition plan.

The survey needs to include the condition of the structure and the possibility of an unplanned collapse. It also goes into the specifics of which buildings on the property should be demolished, silt, tree fencing, erosion, and sediment control measures. Demolition plans are especially important in the cases of older structures that have suffered large amounts of disrepair, such as from a tornado or earthquake, or that have suffered widespread rot.

Once the demolition plan is created, you will also need to locate, secure, and possibility relocate nearby utilities. There also must be a fire prevention and evacuation plan, first aid and emergency medical services ready, and an assessment of health hazards before the demolition occurs.
Demolition plans are documents for you and all crew on your jobsite that lay out exactly what is to be demolished, how it is to be taken down, how things are supposed to be disposed of, and how safety will be maintained. They put in black and white the important portions of your demolition project, protecting workers from injury and protecting you in the case of any worker error.

Experienced Demolition Plan Creation & Execution in Maryland

At Irvine Construction, we have more than 30 years’ experience developing and executing large- and small-scale demolition plans on homes across Maryland. Know your historic home will be protected with the experts at Irvine Construction. Schedule your consultation today!