Demolition Inspection

Per provincial OH&S regulations and asbestos regulations (e.g., Ontario Reg. 278/05), a designated substance survey (DSS) must be completed by a qualified professional before any demolition work begins. The survey must identify all hazardous materials including asbestos, lead paint, PCBs, mercury, mould, and other designated substances. All identified hazardous materials must be abated by licensed contractors before demolition proceeds. Abatement clearance certificates must be obtained.

1. Verify a designated substance survey (DSS) has been completed by a qualified professional and covers all areas of the building

2. Confirm the DSS identifies and quantifies all designated substances including asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), lead, PCBs, and mercury

3. Check that abatement of all identified hazardous materials has been completed by licensed abatement contractors per provincial regulations

4. Review third-party air monitoring and clearance reports confirming hazardous material concentrations are below regulatory limits

5. Verify abatement waste disposal manifests confirm proper transportation and disposal at approved facilities

- Demolition commenced before the designated substance survey was completed

- Survey did not cover all accessible and concealed areas of the building

- Asbestos-containing materials missed in the survey found during demolition causing work stoppage

- Clearance air testing not performed or results not available before demolition proceeds

Per municipal bylaws and provincial regulations, demolition requires a demolition permit from the municipality and notification to the provincial Ministry of Labour (or equivalent). Utility disconnections must be confirmed in writing from each provider (gas, electrical, water, telecommunications). Heritage buildings may require additional approvals. A demolition plan per CSA Z1220 must be prepared by a competent person and available on site.

1. Verify a valid demolition permit has been issued by the municipality and is posted on site

2. Confirm written utility disconnect confirmations have been received for gas, electricity, water, and telecommunications

3. Check that the provincial Ministry of Labour (or equivalent) has been notified of the demolition as required by OH&S regulations

4. Review the demolition plan per CSA Z1220 including sequence of operations, structural support requirements, and emergency procedures

5. Verify any required heritage, environmental, or conservation authority approvals have been obtained

- Demolition commenced without a valid municipal permit

- Utility disconnections not confirmed in writing, risking live services during demolition

- Ministry of Labour notification not submitted within the required time frame

- Demolition plan not prepared or not available on site for workers and inspectors

Per CSA Z1220 and provincial OH&S regulations, a structural engineer must assess the building before demolition to identify the structural system, load paths, and any pre-existing structural deficiencies. The demolition sequence must be planned to prevent uncontrolled collapse, working from the top down and maintaining structural stability at each stage. Temporary shoring or bracing must be provided where required.

1. Verify a structural engineer has assessed the building and identified the structural system, load paths, and areas of concern

2. Confirm the demolition sequence plan addresses removal of elements in the correct order to maintain stability per CSA Z1220

3. Check that temporary shoring, bracing, or underpinning is in place where required to protect adjacent structures or maintain stability

4. Verify that party walls, shared foundations, and adjacent buildings are protected and monitored during demolition

5. Confirm pre-demolition condition surveys of adjacent properties have been completed with photographic documentation

- Structural assessment not performed leading to unexpected instability during demolition

- Demolition sequence deviating from the plan causing partial uncontrolled collapse

- Adjacent structures not adequately protected or monitored during demolition

- Pre-demolition condition surveys of neighbouring properties not completed

Per provincial OH&S regulations and NBC Part 8, demolition sites must be secured with hoarding a minimum of 1.8 m high, and pedestrian protection (covered walkways) must be provided where the public could be exposed to falling debris. Dust and noise controls must comply with municipal bylaws. Workers must have project-specific PPE and fall protection per provincial OH&S requirements. A site-specific safety plan must be in place.

1. Verify hoarding is a minimum of 1.8 m high, continuous, and secured around the demolition site per NBC Part 8

2. Confirm pedestrian protection (covered walkways with overhead protection) is provided where required adjacent to public areas

3. Check that dust suppression measures (water spray, misting, dust screens) are in place and operational per municipal bylaws

4. Verify all workers have project-specific PPE including hard hats, safety glasses, respiratory protection, and high-visibility vests

5. Confirm fall protection systems are in place for workers at heights per provincial OH&S requirements

- Hoarding not continuous or secured allowing unauthorized site access

- Pedestrian protection not provided on adjacent public sidewalks

- Inadequate dust control resulting in complaints and bylaw violations

- Workers without appropriate respiratory protection during dusty operations

Per provincial environmental regulations and municipal bylaws, demolition waste must be separated for recycling where required. Erosion and sediment controls must be maintained per CSA W201. Stormwater runoff from the demolition site must not carry sediment or contaminants to the municipal storm system. Underground storage tanks must be removed or decommissioned per provincial TSSA requirements. Contaminated soil must be managed per provincial environmental standards.

1. Verify demolition waste is being separated into recyclable streams (concrete, metal, wood, drywall) per municipal waste diversion requirements

2. Confirm erosion and sediment controls are installed and maintained per CSA W201 to prevent sediment discharge to the storm system

3. Check that underground storage tanks have been properly removed or decommissioned per provincial TSSA requirements with soil sampling

4. Verify waste disposal manifests document proper transportation and disposal at approved facilities

5. Confirm any contaminated soil encountered is managed per provincial environmental standards (e.g., Ontario Reg. 153/04)

- Demolition waste not separated for recycling where required by municipal bylaws

- Sediment-laden water discharged to the storm system without treatment

- Underground storage tanks discovered during demolition without a decommissioning plan

- Contaminated soil stockpiled without containment or environmental assessment

Per provincial OH&S regulations and municipal noise bylaws, demolition activities generating significant vibration or noise must be monitored. Vibration levels at adjacent structures must be maintained below limits that could cause structural damage (typically 5-12.5 mm/s peak particle velocity depending on building type). Noise levels must comply with municipal bylaws for permitted hours and decibel limits. Continuous monitoring may be required for sensitive adjacent occupancies.

1. Verify vibration monitors are installed at the nearest adjacent structures and calibrated per project specifications

2. Confirm vibration trigger levels are set per municipal requirements or the engineer's recommendations (typically 5 mm/s for heritage structures, 12.5 mm/s for commercial)

3. Check that noise monitoring is conducted during demolition operations and results are within municipal bylaw limits

4. Review vibration monitoring records to confirm no exceedances have occurred, and if they have, that corrective measures were implemented

5. Verify demolition operations are restricted to permitted hours per municipal noise bylaws (typically 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM weekdays)

- Vibration monitors not installed or not functioning at adjacent buildings

- Vibration trigger levels exceeded without notification to the project team

- Demolition operations conducted outside permitted hours generating noise complaints

- Heavy equipment operation too close to adjacent structures without vibration controls