Pre-demolition investigation and survey

The owner of a property which is to be demolished has a duty under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 to provide the demolition contractor with a pre-demolition investigation and survey. He will appoint a planning supervisor to organize this survey. 

Before any work Is started, a full site Investigation must be made by a competent person to determine the hazards and associated risks which may affect the demolition workers and members of the public who may pass close to the demolition site. The competent person Is often a specialist structural engineer who will also advise on the temporary support of adjacent buildings and the correct method of dismantling or demolition. 

The details of the construction structure of building to be demolished would include whether it was built of brick, pre-stressed concrete, reinforced concrete or steel. There may be certain building regulations which cover the site and the Local Authority Building Department should be contacted to ascertain whether any part of the site is affected by these regulations. It is also important to consult with legal advisers to ensure that there are no legal covenants or disputes which could affect operations on the site. 

The planning supervisor, who is responsible, when relevant, for notifying the Health and Safety Executive of the proposed demolition work, must ensure that a written risk assessment is made of the design of the structure to be demolished and the influence of that design on the 

The site manager should arrange for suitable plant and equipment to be provided so that the work can be executed to the standards required by health and safety legislation, in particular the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. It may be necessary for the local authority and the police to be consulted about the proposed demolition so that issues of public protection, local traffic management and possible road closures can be addressed. There should be liaison with the occupiers of adjacent properties because, in some cases, they may need to be evacuated. 

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