Compliance Assistance Tools for Demolition

Overseeing Demolition Program

When overseeing a demolition program, entities must comply with all applicable regulations even if they're not identified on this site. As a note regarding compliance

• Regulations can change.
• In emergencies such as natural disasters regulatory authorities may establish special procedures or guidance.
• Local governments may enact local regulations that are more stringent than the federal requirements.

When beginning a demolition, contact the state or local environment agency to clarify currently applicable regulations.

Demolition Resources 

• The Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center provides free, plain language explanations of the construction industry’s environmental responsibilities under federal and state laws. Information on the site is searchable by state and project type.
• Managing your Environmental Responsibilities: A Planning Guide for Construction and Development (EPA-305-B-04-003, EPA Office of Compliance, April 2005) helps entities fulfill their environmental obligations during construction and development projects, but the discussion is also relevant to demolition projects.
• RCRA in Focus: Construction, Demolition and Renovation (EPA-530-K-04-005) (pdf) (1,441KB) is a publication that addresses proper management of items containing: mercury (page 7), lead-based paint (page 8) and/or asbestos (page 9).
• State asbestos (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) NESHAP contacts
• U.S. EPA asbestos NESHAP contacts
• Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN)
• State Resource Locators

Additional Regulations and Considerations

Managing Stormwater at Sites

In carrying out demolition activities there is the potential for pollutants to be released from the site in stormwater runoff. Demolition activities and site controls should be planned to minimize the potential for pollutants to be released from the site in stormwater discharges. In certain cases, it may be necessary to have a permit for stormwater discharges from a demolition project.

If permit coverage is required:

• In most cases entities will need to file a short form with the permitting agency (typically the state environmental agency, in some cases US EPA).
• Under the provisions of the permit entities will need to develop and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP).

The SWPPP will illustrate measures (often referred to as best management practices or BMPs) to minimize the potential for pollutants to be released in the stormwater. EPA has additional information regarding Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities.

Open Burning and Fire Training

The intentional burning of facilities, including buildings burned for fire training, is considered a demolition under federal asbestos regulations. That is true even if no asbestos is present in the structure.

These things are required for a regulated demolition:

• Before burning, a thorough inspection of the structure (or the portion of the structure to be burned) for the presence of asbestos.
• Removal of all regulated asbestos-containing material, including Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM, before the fire, or fire training, if the activity will disturb those materials in any way.
• Timely advance notification of appropriate authorities about the planned burning (even before any asbestos is removed, and even if no asbestos is present in the structure).
• See also Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM).
• See also A Guide to Normal Demolition Practices Under the Asbestos NESHAP (EPA-340/1-92-013) for definitions of Category I and II nonfriable ACM.

Fire training exercises may also be subject to state and local government requirements, including a permit requirement. Contact the appropriate state and local environmental agencies when you plan a fire training exercise. See State demolition information to help you identify the state and local government agency requirements about open burning. Not all agencies publish this information on a website, so you may need to contact them directly.

Open burning of residential, commercial, institutional or industrial solid waste is prohibited under 40 CFR Part 257-3.7(a) with certain exceptions including:

• Land clearing debris.
• Diseased trees.
• Debris from emergency clean-up operations.

Demolition and Deconstruction Tools

Residential Bid Specification Tool: This tool assists users in anticipating the environmental issues and concerns so they can be factored into the planning and procurement process. The tool includes contract language for a bid package that instructs contractors on specific technical requirements to achieve improved environmental results in a demolition project.

Deconstruction Rapid Assessment Tool: The Deconstruction Rapid Assessment Tool enables organizations to triage building stock slated for demolition; it assembles data that can help prioritize structures for deconstruction and salvage. The assessment process identifies candidates for deconstruction by examining information on the building’s condition and salvageable material inventory. It considers factors that may affect the value of the building, such as age, structural integrity, valuable materials and architectural features, environmental hazards, etc.