512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

17-8. General Requirements.

Mechanical Demolition

Ensure all mechanical equipment complies with this manual and OSHA regulations.
Equip excavators involved in high-structure demolition with proper guards as per SAE J1356 or ISO 10262 Level II standards.
Limit access to demolition areas to necessary personnel only, use dust abatement measures, and provide respiratory protection as required.

Wrecking Ball Use

Use a wrecking ball only if approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR, ensuring it meets specific weight and attachment requirements.

Work Progression

Demolish structures from the top down, ensuring each story's materials are removed before proceeding to the next.
Prevent walls or masonry from falling on floors in a manner that exceeds the floors' safe carrying capacities.

Debris Removal, Disposal, and Waste Management

Follow specific guidelines for constructing and using debris chutes and guardrail systems, ensuring proper enclosure and signage.
Ensure chutes are designed for strength and durability and equipped with gates controlled by a CP, particularly at the discharge end.
Adhere to floor load limits when storing materials, and follow specific guidelines for waste removal, including the transport of hazardous materials to appropriate facilities.

17-9. Figures and Tables.

Not Applicable.

17-10. Checklists and Forms.

Not Applicable.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

17-6. Structures should be demolished _____.

as a single unit

from the bottom up

two stories together

from the top down

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 17-8 (g.–i.).

17-8. General Requirements. (g.–i.).

g.  Mechanical Demolition.  (17-8.g)

(1)  All mechanical equipment used on a project must meet the applicable requirements of this manual and OSHA regulations.

(2)  Install top and front guards on excavators directly involved in demolition of free-standing buildings or structures that are higher than the top of the excavator cab according to SAE J1356 or ISO 10262 Level II standards.

(3)  No one may occupy an area where mechanical demolition is being performed unless they are necessary for the performance of the operations.

(4)  Use dust abatement measures to suppress dust during demolition.

(5)  Use respiratory protection as necessary to protect personnel from respiratory hazards, including equipment operators (see chapter 5).

(6)  A wrecking ball may only be used if approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR. If a wrecking ball is approved/accepted for a demolition, the following must be adhered to:

(a)  The weight of the wrecking ball must not exceed 50% of the crane's rated load, based on the length of the boom and the maximum angle of operation, or 25% of the nominal breaking strength of the suspension load line, whichever is less.

(b)  The crane boom and load line must be as short as possible.

(c)  The ball must be attached to the load line with a swivel-type connection to prevent twisting of the load line and must be attached by positive means so that the weight cannot be accidentally disconnected.

(7)  Do not use mechanical equipment on floors or on working surfaces unless they have sufficient strength to support the loads.

h.  Work Progression.  (17-8.h)

(1)  Begin demolition of floors and exterior walls at the top of the structure and proceed downward, except when cutting holes in floors for chutes or holes through which to drop materials, creating storage space, or performing similar preparatory work.

(2)  Remove each story of exterior wall and floor construction and move it into the storage space before working on the next story below.

(3)  Do not allow walls or sections of masonry to fall upon the floors in such masses that exceed the safe carrying capacities of the floors.

i.  Debris Removal, Disposal, and Waste Management.  (17-8.i)

(1)  Construct and use chutes used for debris removal according to chapter 14. Install a guardrail system according to chapter 21 completely around chute openings at the working level that personnel stand to dump material.  Cover any space between the chute and the edge of openings in the floors through which it passes.

(2)  When debris is dropped without chutes through openings in the floors, enclose the openings with a guardrail system according to chapter 21.  Enclose the area onto which the material is dropped with a guardrail system located at least 6 feet (1.8 m)
    back from the projected edge of the opening above.

(a) Post warning signs that address the hazard of falling materials at each side of the debris opening on each floor.

(b) Do not remove debris from an area until all debris removal and handling cease on the upper floors.

(3)  Enclose all material chutes, or sections thereof, at an angle of more than 45° from the horizontal, except for openings equipped with closures at or about floor level for the insertion of materials.

(a) Openings must not exceed 48 inches (121.9 cm) in height measured along the wall of the chute.

(b)  Close and secure all openings, except for the top opening, when not in use.

(4)  Install a substantial gate inside each chute at or near the discharge end.  A
    CP must control the operation of the gate and the backing and loading of trucks.

(5)  Close off the area near the discharge end of a chute except during loading operations.

(6)  Where material is dumped from mechanical equipment or wheelbarrows, attach a toe board or bumper, not less than 4 inches (10.2 cm) thick and 6 inches (15.2 cm) high, at each chute opening.

(7) Design and construct chutes with enough strength and durability to eliminate failures resulting from the impact of the falling materials and debris.

(8)  Do not exceed the allowable floor load when storing materials, universal waste, and debris on any floor of a structure.

(9)  In buildings having wood floor construction, only remove floor joists from one floor above grade to create a storage space for debris, provided falling material is not permitted to endanger the stability of the structure.

(a) When wood floor beams serve to brace interior walls or freestanding exterior walls, leave the beams in place until other support can be installed to replace them.

(b) Floor arches located no higher than 25 feet (7.6 m) above grade may be removed to create a storage area for debris, as long as their removal does not endanger the stability of the structure.

(c) Block off all storage spaces where materials are dumped into them.  Keep these areas closed except when removing the materials.

(d) Install curbs or stop logs around all floor openings to prevent equipment from running over the edge.

(e)  Do not cut openings in a floor for the disposal of materials longer in size than 25% of the aggregate of the total floor area unless the lateral supports of the removed flooring remain in place.  Shore floors weakened or otherwise made unsafe by demolition to carry safely the intended imposed load for demolition.

(10)  Remove all demolition debris and other existing wastes within the limits of work and dispose offsite according to the Waste Management Plan (see para 17-7). Separate the debris according to the planned disposal type.  Dispose of all material to include ACM and ORM according to applicable laws and regulations.

(11)  The USACE supervisor will approve or the KO or COR will accept the disposal sites, whether Government furnished, private, or commercial, during review of the Waste Management Plan.  Provide the USACE supervisor/KO or COR with documentation that confirms the actual disposal locations, the type of debris, and quantities of each type to include any wastewater generated during dust suppression.

(12)  Transport lead, ACM and ORM to a controlled landfill or other licensed disposal facility.

(13)  Transport construction and demolition (C&D) debris to a solid waste landfill.

(14)  Transport recyclable C&D materials to a recycle yard or set them aside for Government use.

512 EM385-1-1 Chapters 16-22