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Client Guide

Client guide to demolition or partial demolition procurement.(procedures)

The reader should refer to the British Standard BS6187: 2000 Code of practice for demolition; this reference document provides a useful guide for planning, managing and completing demolition.

Demolition does not include operations such as making openings for doors, windows, services or removing non-structural elements such as cladding, roof tiles or scaffolding. Such operations may, however, form part of demolition or dismantling work when carried out alongside other activities.

The CDM Regulations, Construction (Design & Management) regulations 2007 (CDM) lay down various requirements in law that a client must undertake when letting a Demolition contract this step by step guide will help take you through this process to ensure a safe and successful contract is achieved.

NFDC thanks Wayne Bagnall for his assistance in prepearing these guidance notes.

Planning for all demolition projects

Demolition work must be carried out in accordance with CDM that applies to all size construction projects including demolition and must include the following steps: (inter alia)

1. Decide if you need assistance with planning and managing the demolition
2. Define the scope of works
3. Inform others in good time who may be affected by the works; e.g. adjacent property owners etc.
4. Prepare pre-construction information
5. Carry out various surveys
   a. Asbestos survey in accordance with ‘HSG 264 Refurbishment/Demolition survey’
   b. Site survey to ascertain any potential hazards on the site.
   c. Survey of statutory services detailing disconnections.
   d. Ground conditions.
   e. Local environmental impact assessment.
   f. Significant existing hazards
6. Where applicable Listed Building consent
7. Where applicable Party wall notice under The party wall act 1996
8. Select suitably experienced competent demolition contractors, e.g. an NFDC member
9. Ensure the Local Authority are given 6 weeks notice of your intention to undertake the demolition under section 80 of the Building Act 1984 and that you receive a section 81 consent, or refusal with reasons and conditions.
10. Compile a tender enquiry document accompanied with the relevant pre-construction information and allow sufficient time for the contractors to visit, ask questions and submit a bona-fide tender submission by the due date.
11. The demolition contractor must ensure the work is planned and carried out in such a manner to avoid danger, or where this is not possible reduce the danger to ALARP (as low as is reasonably practicable); these arrangements must be recorded in writing before the work commences.
12. Before appointing your preferred demolition contractor ensure all these arrangements (as above) are in place including services disconnected, a plan of work (risk assessments & method statements), site security fencing, signage, adequate welfare etc.
13. All appointments should record the agreed arrangements, payment terms etc in a suitable form of contract e.g. NFDC direct form of contract

Additional appointments and planning for larger demolition projects

If your demolition exceeds £300,000 then you must ensure a site waste management plan (SWMP) is compiled with further requirements where the value exceeds £500,000.

For projects that are likely to exceed 30 days duration or 500 person days CDM requires additional duties: (inter alia)

1. Select and appoint a suitably experienced and competent CDM-Coordinator (CDMC), this is usually undertaken by an organisation or individual and they will initially notify the HSE with a Form F10
2. The CDMC will provide additional advice on how to ensure the work proceeds safely and effectively including the appointment of a principal contractor (PC) as required by CDM.
3. When a suitably experienced and competent PC has been appointed a 2nd notification must be sent informing the HSE with a Form F10.
4. A health & safety plan will be developed recording the arrangements and eventually a health & safety file will be completed (by the CDM Coordinator) at the end of the project for future reference.

Managing the demolition work

1. It is useful to understand that demolition is a particularly hazardous activity; however the risks can be managed safely and effectively to an acceptable level given that competent persons are appointed, provided with sufficient information, time and resources to plan and implement the works.
2. The site must be adequately fenced, signed stating “Danger Demolition Do Not Enter with details of the project team” this protection must be adequate to prevent unauthorised access and protect members of the public from the works.
3. Good practice recommends independent health and safety audits are undertaken during the works.