512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

17-8. General Requirements.

Demolition

Control dust from demolition activities as per local, county, state, and federal regulations.
Include the demolition or removal of associated structures and utilities with the primary structure.
Complete abatement of hazardous materials and avoid working inside the structure once demolition begins.
Ensure safety in structural integrity by properly bracing walls, avoiding hazardous weather conditions, and following specific guidelines for structural and load-supporting members.

Floor Removal

Clear debris and materials from the work location and adjacent areas before starting floor demolition.
While breaking down floor areas between beams and joists, employees must work upon planks that are not less than 2 inches x 10 inches in cross section.
Do not exceed 16 inches (40.6 cm) straddle space between planks.
Prevent access to areas directly underneath the floor removal site by barricading and signage.

Steel Removal

Provide planking to support workers dismantling steel framing after any floor section removal.
Dismantle skeleton-steel constructions in a methodical manner, column-by-column and tier-by-tier. Columns may be in two-story lengths.
Do not overstress structural members during the dismantling process.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

17-5. While breaking down floor areas between beams and joists, employees must work upon planks that _____.

must be removed permanently prior to dismantling

are not less than 2 inches x 10 inches in cross section

are at least 16 inches between planks

must be painted with a slip-resistant surface

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 17-8 (d.–f.).

17-8. General Requirements. (d.–f.).

d.  Demolition. (17-8.d)

(1)  Ensure dust generated from demolition activities is adequately controlled according to applicable requirements.

Note.  Regulatory requirements for the control of dust generated during demolition operations can arise from local, county, state, and federal ordinances, codes and/or regulations.  Work closely with local and state environmental regulator, as well as with any office that issues a demolition permit (if in an area where such permits are required), to ensure the requirements for the control of dust that exist are met.

(2)  Demolition or removal of a facility may also include appurtenances to the primary structure.  These appurtenances might include fences, parking areas and associated lights, roadways and access from roadways, sidewalks and stairs associated with access., pads, patios, and paved lay-down areas, utilities, underground and above ground storage tanks, poles, and interior and exterior equipment associated with the facility.

(3)  Before structural demolition can begin, abatement of lead, asbestos, and
    ORM must be completed.

(4)  Once structural demolition has begun, personnel must not work inside the structure.

(5) Do not permit masonry walls, or sections of masonry, to fall upon the floors of the building in such masses as to exceed the safe carrying capacities of the floors.

(6)  Wall sections that are more than 6 feet (1.8 m) in height must be laterally braced unless the wall was designed and constructed to stand without any lateral support and is self-supporting.  Do not leave wall sections left standing without lateral bracing any longer than necessary for removal of adjacent debris interfering with demolition of the wall.

(7)  Do not work on top of walls when weather constitutes a hazard.

(8)  Do not cut or remove structural or load-supporting members on a floor until all stories above the floor have been demolished and removed. If necessary, floor beams may be cut for material disposal or equipment installation provided the structural bracing and other requirements of this chapter are followed.

(9)  Plank solid floor openings within 10 feet (3 m) of any wall being demolished, except when employees are kept out of the area below.

(10)  In buildings of skeleton-steel construction, the steel framing may be left in place during the demolition of masonry. Clear all steel beams, girders, and structural supports of loose material as the masonry demolition progresses downward.

(11)  Do not demolish walls that serve as retaining walls to support earth or adjoining structures until the earth is braced or adjoining structures are underpinned.

(12) Do not use walls to retain debris unless capable of safely supporting the imposed load.

e.  Floor Removal.  (17-8.e)

(1)  Before demolishing any floor, remove debris and other materials from the immediate work location and other adjacent floor areas.

(2) While breaking down floor areas between beams and joists, employees must work upon planks that are not less than 2 inches x 10 inches (5 cm x 25.4 cm) in actual cross section.

(a) Locate the planks to provide a safe support for personnel should the joists between the beams collapse.

(b) Do not exceed 16 inches (40.6 cm) straddle space between planks.

(c)  Provide walkways that are at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) wide formed of wood planks that are at least 2 inches (5 cm) thick, or of equivalent strength, to be used by personnel to reach points so they do not walk upon exposed beams.

(d)  Support flooring planks with stringers.  Support the ends of the stringers with the floor beams or girders.

(e)  Lay the planks together over solid bearings with the ends overlapping at least
        1 foot (0.6 m).

(3)  Do not allow workers in the area directly underneath the area where a floor is being removed.  Barricade these areas to prevent access and post signs to warn of the hazard.

f.  Steel Removal.  (17-8.f)

(1)  When any portion of a floor has been removed, provide planking to support the workers razing or dismantling the steel framing.

(2)  Dismantle skeleton-steel construction column-by-column and tier-by-tier. Columns may be in two-story lengths.

(3)  Do not overstress any structural member during dismemberment.

512 EM385-1-1 Chapters 16-22