Safety Critical · 11 checks

Demolition & Strip-Out
QA inspection checklist

Demolition and strip-out quality and safety audit, surveys, isolation and sequence.

Every check below carries what good looks like, when it passes, the standard it comes from and the defects that usually fail it. That guidance is what turns a tick-box into an inspection.

Pre-Demolition & Enabling Works

  1. 1.
    Pre-demolition survey completed and issued
    What to look forStructural survey identifies load paths, construction type, party structures and any structure requiring temporary support before demolition starts. Survey references drawings, photographs and the condition of adjacent structures.
    Acceptable whenSurvey by a competent person (structural engineer for anything beyond straightforward strip-out) issued before the method statement is finalised. Findings incorporated into the demolition sequence per BS 6187:2011.
    StandardBS 6187:2011, Code of practice for full and partial demolition. CDM Regulations 2015 (pre-construction information).
    Common defectsSurvey missing or superseded by later changes on siteParty structures not identified before work startsSequence in the method statement does not match the survey findingsNo photographic record of pre-existing condition or cracks
  2. 2.
    Refurbishment/demolition (R&D) asbestos survey in hand, any ACMs cleared
    What to look forR&D survey covers the full extent of the works including voids, ducts and below-floor areas. Where ACMs identified, licensed contractor clearance certificate (four-stage clearance) obtained before demolition of the affected area starts.
    Acceptable whenNo demolition or strip-out proceeds in an area with unresolved suspect ACMs. Clearance certificate references the specific area and is dated before work starts. Survey held on site and referenced in the method statement.
    StandardControl of Asbestos Regulations 2012. HSG264, Asbestos: The Survey Guide. BS 6187:2011.
    Common defectsR&D survey not covering the full scope, missed void or ductWork started before the clearance certificate was issuedClearance certificate for the wrong areaNo survey held on site for inspection
  3. 3.
    All services isolated and isolation certificates obtained before work starts
    What to look forElectrical, gas, water and telecoms services confirmed dead or capped by the relevant utility or a competent person. Certificates identify the specific service, location and date. Standing services for a live building clearly excluded and protected.
    Acceptable whenWritten isolation certificate held for each service before any structural or services demolition in that area. Capped ends visually confirmed on site, not just on paper.
    StandardGas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. BS 6187:2011 cl.6.
    Common defectsIsolation certificate for the wrong service or areaLive cable found during strip-out despite a certificateGas capped at the meter but not at the point of workNo isolation certificate for water, only electrics checked
  4. 4.
    Demolition proceeding in the sequence set out in the method statement
    What to look forStructure being taken down top-down, or per the engineered sequence, matching the temporary works design where propping or shoring is used. No sections removed out of sequence that would leave an unsupported span.
    Acceptable whenSite sequence matches the approved method statement and temporary works design. Any deviation formally reviewed and re-approved by the engineer before continuing, not decided on site by the demolition team.
    StandardBS 6187:2011 cl.8, Sequence of demolition. CDM Regulations 2015.
    Common defectsSequence changed on site without engineer sign-offA structural member relied on for temporary stability removedMachine demolition reaching beyond the planned lineNo evidence the team has seen the current method statement
  5. 5.
    Temporary works (propping, shoring) installed and inspected before loading
    What to look forProps and shoring per the TWC design, on sole plates, at the centres and locations shown on the drawing. Inspection record signed off before the temporary works are relied upon.
    Acceptable whenTemporary works installed and checked by a competent person against the design before any load is transferred to them, per BS 5975. Inspection record available on site.
    StandardBS 5975:2019, Temporary works. BS 6187:2011.
    Common defectsProps not on sole plates on soft groundMissing inspection sign-off before loadingProps at wrong centres compared to the drawingTemporary works removed before permission given
  6. 6.
    Exclusion zone, hoarding and signage in place around the demolition area
    What to look forHoarding/fencing secures the demolition zone from the public and other site personnel. Signage indicates demolition in progress. Access controlled through a single point.
    Acceptable whenExclusion zone sized to the fall/debris risk of the structure being demolished. Hoarding minimum 2.4 m where adjacent to a public area. Access restricted to authorised, briefed personnel only.
    StandardBS 6187:2011 cl.7. CDM Regulations 2015.
    Common defectsGap in hoarding allowing public accessExclusion zone too small for the height of the structureNo signage at access pointsZone not adjusted as demolition progresses

Monitoring & Waste

  1. 7.
    Dust suppression and monitoring in place
    What to look forWater suppression applied during breaking and loading of arisings. Dust monitoring equipment positioned at the site boundary where the works are near sensitive receptors. Results reviewed against action levels.
    Acceptable whenDust suppression in continuous use during demolition activity generating dust. Boundary monitoring per the Site Waste and Dust Management Plan where required by planning condition, with defined trigger levels and a stop-work response.
    StandardIAQM Guidance on the Assessment of Dust from Demolition and Construction. BS 6187:2011.
    Common defectsSuppression water not reaching the point of breakingMonitoring equipment not calibrated or positioned correctlyDust visibly leaving the site boundaryNo record kept of monitoring results
  2. 8.
    Noise monitoring in place and working hours observed
    What to look forNoise levels checked against the Section 61 consent or planning condition limits. Working hours match those agreed with the local authority. Noisy activities scheduled away from sensitive periods where required.
    Acceptable whenNoise monitoring records held and compared against the consented limit. Working hours per the Section 61 consent, typically 08:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 08:00-13:00 Sat, unless otherwise agreed.
    StandardControl of Pollution Act 1974 s.60/61. BS 5228-1:2009+A1:2014, Noise and vibration control.
    Common defectsWork starting before the agreed hoursNo monitoring records availableNoise complaint received with no evidence of proactive monitoringPlant left idling unnecessarily near the boundary
  3. 9.
    Waste segregated on site and transfer notes retained
    What to look forSkips clearly labelled by waste type: concrete/masonry, timber, metal, plasterboard, general. Hazardous waste, including any asbestos waste, kept separate and consigned correctly. Transfer notes/consignment notes matched to each load leaving site.
    Acceptable whenWaste transfer note held for every load, describing the waste correctly, the carrier's licence and the destination. Site Waste Management Plan followed. Hazardous waste consignment notes retained per the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.
    StandardEnvironmental Protection Act 1990 (duty of care). Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. BS 6187:2011.
    Common defectsMixed skip with no segregationMissing transfer note for a loadCarrier not a registered waste carrierAsbestos waste consigned as general waste
  4. 10.
    Adjacent structures monitored for movement during demolition
    Record: Movement (mm)
    What to look forMonitoring points, crack gauges, precise level survey or tell-tales, installed on adjacent or party structures before work starts. Readings taken at the frequency set out in the party wall award or monitoring scheme.
    Acceptable whenBaseline reading taken before work starts. Trigger and alert levels set out in the monitoring scheme, typically fractions of a millimetre for sensitive structures, with a defined stop-work response if exceeded.
    StandardParty Wall etc. Act 1996. BS 6187:2011 cl.6. BS 5228-2 (vibration).
    Common defectsNo baseline reading before work startedMonitoring frequency not maintainedTrigger level exceeded with no recorded responseParty wall award requirements not followed
  5. 11.
    Demolition method statement references BS 6187:2011 and site-specific hazards
    What to look forMethod statement is specific to this structure and sequence, not a generic template. Cross-references the pre-demolition survey, asbestos survey, temporary works design and isolation certificates by document reference.
    Acceptable whenMethod statement reviewed and approved before work starts, held on site, and matches what is actually happening on the ground per BS 6187:2011.
    StandardBS 6187:2011. CDM Regulations 2015.
    Common defectsGeneric method statement not specific to the structureMethod statement not matching site realityNo reference to supporting documents (survey, TW design)Method statement not reviewed after a sequence change

Questions people ask

What is a demolition & strip-out QA inspection for?

To record that the work was checked against the specification before it was covered up or handed over: a pass or fail against each item, a measurement where one matters, and a photo where it failed. It is the evidence a client's quantity surveyor or clerk of works asks for, and the thing that settles the argument at final account.

What standards does this checklist check against?

Each item names its reference. On this checklist that includes BS 6187:2011, Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. HSG264, Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. BS 6187:2011 cl.6., BS 6187:2011 cl.8, BS 5975:2019, BS 6187:2011 cl.7. CDM Regulations 2015.. The contract specification and the approved drawings always take precedence over a general standard; where they say something stricter, inspect to that.

Who signs a QA inspection off?

The person who carried out the check, named and dated, and where the contract calls for it the client's representative as a witness. The signature records that the check was done and what was found. It is not a warranty of the work.

How many items are on it, and do I have to use them all?

11 checks across 2 sections. Delete what does not apply to the job and add anything the specification asks for that is not here. A checklist that has plainly been thought about carries more weight than a long one nobody read.

Is this useful for a subcontractor as well as a main contractor?

More so. The subcontractor is the one who gets asked to come back and open something up. A signed inspection sheet with photos at the time is the cheapest insurance on a construction site.

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