Permit to work · 8 precautions · 3 critical

Demolition / Structural Alteration
permit to work

Any demolition, structural dismantling, or removal of load-bearing elements.

These are the precautions the issuer confirms before signing. Each one says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation it rests on and how it usually fails. Critical precautions are marked: if one cannot be confirmed, the permit is not issued.

Precautions before issue

  1. 1.
    Demolition method statement approved
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forA written demolition plan to BS 6187:2011 prepared by a CCDO Black Card / IDE-qualified demolition engineer. Includes method (top-down, pull-down, deliberate collapse, explosive), sequence, plant selection, dust/noise control, asbestos linkage, exclusion zone, structural pre-weakening calculations, and contingency for unplanned collapse. Signed by demolition contractor and principal designer / principal contractor under CDM 2015 reg 13.
    Acceptable whenPlan to BS 6187. Author IDE / CCDO Black or equivalent. Signed by PC and PD. Reviewed before each phase change. Contingency plan for unplanned collapse. Notification F10 to HSE if duration / personnel thresholds met.
    StandardCDM 2015 reg 13, 22 (excavations and demolition). BS 6187:2011 Code of practice for full and partial demolition. National Federation of Demolition Contractors guidance. CCDO scheme.
    Common defectsGeneric plan, sequence not specific to actual structureAuthor not formally qualified, competence under challengeNo pre-weakening calculation, collapse goes the wrong wayNo contingency for unplanned partial collapseF10 not submitted where thresholds met, HSE notification breach
  2. 2.
    Structural survey completed
    What to look forPre-demolition survey by structural engineer identifying: load paths, primary load-bearing elements, hidden steelwork, prestressed/post-tensioned elements (which release stored energy violently when cut), party walls, cantilevers, retaining elements, basements/voids. Pre-Refurbishment Survey (R&D) under CAR 2012 also done. Identifies elements that must remain (party walls, listed features).
    Acceptable whenStructural survey by chartered engineer (MIStructE / MICE). Load paths mapped. Prestress/post-tension elements identified (these REQUIRE specialist methodology). Party wall award if applicable. Listed building consent if applicable.
    StandardBS 6187. CDM 2015 reg 4 (client info), reg 13. Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
    Common defectsPost-tensioned slab cut without specialist method, tendon releases stored energy violentlyHidden steel beam in masonry wall, section above collapses unexpectedlyParty wall identified but no party wall award, adjoining owner suesCantilever cut at the wrong end, outer span fallsPrestressed lintel cut, sudden release
  3. 3.
    Services disconnected and confirmed dead
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forElectricity disconnected at the cutout / DNO supply (not at the consumer unit), capped, certified by DNO. Gas capped at the meter or supply main, with formal disconnection certificate from gas transporter. Water shut off and drained. Telecoms and fibre disconnected at the network demarcation. Drainage capped to prevent backflow during demolition. ALL confirmed dead with appropriate test method (voltage indicator for electrical, gas test for residual). DNO disconnection precedes any demolition.
    Acceptable whenElectrical: DNO cutout disconnection cert + GS38 prove-dead at all live conductors. Gas: gas transporter capping cert. Water: stop tap closed + drained. Telecoms: provider disconnection cert. Drainage: capped. All recorded on permit.
    StandardElectricity at Work Regs 1989. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regs 1998. HSG253. BS 6187.
    Common defectsConsumer unit isolated but DNO supply still live to cutout, operative cuts the live tailGas meter removed but supply main capped only with a plastic plug, gas leaks during diggingDrainage not capped, sewer backflow during heavy rain floods plantTelecoms cable assumed dead, actually a fibre with a 48V power feedDisconnection cert on file but live test not performed at point of work
  4. 4.
    Asbestos survey reviewed, no ACMs present
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forRefurbishment & Demolition (R&D) Asbestos Survey to HSG264, fully intrusive, every void, every cavity, every roof element, all insulation, all gaskets, all flooring screeds, ALL textured coating. Survey reports states "presumed" or "confirmed" for each element. Any presumed item treated as ACM. Removal completed and clearance certificates issued before demolition. Where ACM remains in structure, demolition method preserves containment until licensed strip-out completed.
    Acceptable whenR&D survey to HSG264 by P402-qualified surveyor. Sampling per HSG264 sample density. All void spaces accessed. Removal by licensed contractor (Reg 8 licence) where licensed material. Clearance certificate (4-stage clearance) before demolition begins. ASB5 notification 14 days pre-licensed-work.
    StandardControl of Asbestos Regulations 2012 reg 5, 8. HSG264 Asbestos: The survey guide. HSG247 Asbestos: licensed contractors guide. HSG248 Asbestos: analyst guide.
    Common defectsManagement survey done instead of R&D, not intrusive enough, hidden ACMs missedSurvey covers building "from inside", exterior cement sheet not sampledBoiler flue lagging missed, exposed during demolition, fibres releasedVinyl floor tile bedded in bitumen mastic, bitumen contains chrysotile, not surveyedSurvey >12 months old, structure altered sinceNo clearance certificate, demolition begun with ACM still present
  5. 5.
    Temporary works/propping in place as required
    What to look forWhere partial demolition retains a structure (e.g. facade retention, party wall remaining), temporary propping designed by engineer to BS 5975 (Temporary Works) signed off by Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC). Propping installed before any load-bearing element removed. Sequence of demolition matches the propping design, not the other way round. Propping inspected before each load change.
    Acceptable whenTW design to BS 5975 by qualified engineer. TWC sign-off before installation and before load change. Propping installed PRIOR to load-bearing element removal. Inspection log per shift.
    StandardBS 5975:2019 Code of practice for temporary works procedures. CDM 2015. BS 6187.
    Common defectsDemolition started before propping, facade bucklesPropping designed for a static load, demolition imposes dynamic load, under-ratedTWC sign-off retrospective after install, no pre-install design checkProp foot bearing inadequate, punches through floor slabPropping not inspected after a load change, instability undetected
  6. 6.
    Exclusion zone established
    What to look forExclusion zone calculated from collapse fan analysis, typically 1.5 x building height all directions, larger where deliberate-direction collapse. Heras + Heras Concrete Block Base where public adjacent. Sentry at all access. Within zone, no personnel during active collapse / wrecking ball / explosive sequences. Adjacent properties protected (sheeting, scaffold canopy where overhang risk).
    Acceptable whenZone radius >= 1.5 x demolition height (more for deliberate direction collapse). Sentry at access. Heras + concrete block base at public boundary. No personnel in zone during active demolition. Adjacent protected from debris.
    StandardBS 6187. CDM 2015. HSG150. Construction Plant-hire Association guidance.
    Common defectsZone radius set at building height not 1.5x, debris travels outside zoneSentry at one entrance only, public enters via gapHeras feet without concrete block base, barrier blown over by debris impactOperatives inside zone "tidying up" during a deliberate-collapse sequenceNo protection of adjacent property, claim for damage
  7. 7.
    Dust suppression measures in place
    What to look forWater mist sprays / dust cannons (e.g. DustBoss DB-30) running continuously during dust-generating operations. Hoses to water mains or bowser, NOT relying on stored buckets. Sheeting on scaffold for boundary control. Personal RPE (FFP3 minimum) for operatives. Where Respirable Crystalline Silica risk (concrete, brick), dust extraction at point of cut. Air monitoring for boundary if asbestos or RCS risk.
    Acceptable whenDust suppression continuously during demolition (not intermittent). Water rate sized to dust load. Sheeting on scaffold. RPE FFP3 for RCS, powered respirator for high-volume work. Boundary air monitoring if required by EHO. WEL for RCS = 0.1 mg/m³ (HSE proposed reduction to 0.05 mg/m³).
    StandardCOSHH 2002. EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits. HSG201 (RCS). Environmental Protection Act 1990 (statutory nuisance). BS 6187.
    Common defectsSuppression turned off "to save water", visible dust plume off siteWater hose loose, overshoots material, soaks ground, no actual mist on dustNo boundary monitoring, EHO complaint upheldFFP3 worn loose / facial hair, face seal failedNo dust extraction at concrete cutting, RCS exposure exceeds WEL
  8. 8.
    Noise and vibration controls in place
    What to look forSection 61 consent obtained from local authority where required (BS 5228 Part 1 noise / Part 2 vibration). Plant fitted with manufacturer noise enclosures, in good repair (silencers not blown). Working hours per consent (typically 0800-1800 weekdays, 0800-1300 Saturdays, no Sundays). Vibration monitoring near sensitive structures (heritage, hospital). Operative HAVS exposure managed (EAV 2.5 m/s² A8, ELV 5 m/s² A8).
    Acceptable whenSection 61 consent if required. Working hours per consent. Plant noise enclosures intact. Boundary noise <75 dB(A) typical (per BS 5228 / consent). Vibration monitoring at sensitive receptors. HAVS exposure recorded; rotation managed below ELV 5 m/s² A8.
    StandardControl of Pollution Act 1974 s.60-61. Environmental Protection Act 1990. BS 5228-1 noise + BS 5228-2 vibration. Control of Vibration at Work Regs 2005. Noise at Work Regs 2005.
    Common defectsWorking outside consent hours, local authority abatement noticeSilencer removed for "easier maintenance", boundary noise exceeds limitNo vibration monitor at adjacent listed building, cracking damage claimOperative HAVS dose exceeds ELV, Daily Exposure Action Value exceeded without medical reviewSection 61 consent not applied for, works carried out under risk of prosecution

Questions people ask

When is a demolition / structural alteration permit needed?

Any demolition, structural dismantling, or removal of load-bearing elements. A permit is the right control when the work is high risk, time-limited and depends on specific precautions being in place before it starts and being kept in place while it runs. It does not replace the RAMS; it sits on top of it for that shift. Guidance, not legal advice.

Who issues a permit to work?

An authorised person who is competent for that type of work and is not the one doing it. They walk the job, confirm each precaution, sign the permit, and hand it to the person in charge of the work, who accepts it by signature. Two names, two signatures, a start time and an expiry.

How long is a permit valid?

One shift, or a shorter stated period. If the conditions change, the permit is suspended, not stretched. A new day is a new permit, walked and signed again, because the site is not the same site it was yesterday.

What does critical mean on a precaution?

3 of the 8 precautions here are marked critical. If a critical precaution cannot be confirmed, the permit is not issued and the work does not start. The rest can be conditioned or noted; the critical ones cannot.

How is the permit closed out?

The person in charge hands it back when the work stops, the issuer checks the area is left safe, and both sign the close-out. For hot works that includes the fire watch period after the last spark. The closed permit is kept with the job file.

Issue it on a phone, close it out on a phone

The same 8 precautions with the guidance a tap away, issuer and acceptor signatures, start and expiry times, suspension, close-out and a branded PDF in the job file. 14 days free.

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