Demolition

Attention SF Bay Area developers, building owners, and other parties to building demolition – there are new requirements to sample for PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) prior to building demolition.

 The requirements apply to whole building demolition of commercial, multi-family residential, public, institutional, and industrial structures constructed or remodeled between 1950 and 1980 in the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara and the Cities of Fairfield-Suisun and Vallejo. Single-family homes and wood-frame structures are exempt. For more information see this factsheet and this PowerPoint presentation.

Ready to DEMOLISH a Building?

For Safety’s Sake, Take Out Hazardous Wastes First! Here Is Where to Start.

Demolition Tutorial (PowerPoint)

Download the demolition tutorial PowerPoint presentation here.

Before you start, find, remove, and safely dispose of all hazardous materials in the building.

This will:

  • ensure worker and occupant safety
  • comply with state and federal law
  • comply with local health department and air district requirements
  • avoid future liability
  • protect the environment

Step 1: Inspect!

Prior to demolition, ALWAYS inspect a structure for hazardous materials. A trained professional should inspect any pre-1980s structure (including residential), as well as medical, dental, veterinary, laboratory, vehicle service, industrial buildings, and other buildings where occupants may have left behind hazardous materials.

Look for hazardous wastes in the following locations:

IN BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES OF ANY AGE:

  • Chemically treated wood (arsenic, chromium, copper, creosote, and/or pentachlorophenol)
    • Pressure-treated dimensional lumber
    • Creosote-treated railroad ties (outdoor landscaping)
    • CCA (chromated copper arsenate)-treated wood
  • Ceilings and floors (asbestos)
    • Textured ceilings
    • Ceiling panels and tiles
    • Resilient flooring – vinyl floor tiles and backing on vinyl or linoleum sheet flooring
    • Mastic adhesive
  • Insulation (asbestos)
    • Cement-based insulation (sheets, shingles, and pipes)
    • Furnace, water heater, and heating duct blanket or tape insulation
  • Roofing shingles and mastic (asbestos)
  • Light ballasts (PCBs or DEHP)
  • Light bulbs and lamps (mercury)
    • Fluorescent tubes and bulbs
    • High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs
    • Neon tube signs and lamps
  • Wall thermostats (mercury)
  • Smoke detectors (radioactivity)
  • Glow-in-the-dark EXIT signs (radioactivity)

INDUSTRIAL OR INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES:

IN ALL BUILDINGS BUILT/REMODELED PRIOR TO 1980:

  • Paint (lead)
  • PCBs
    • Caulk and sealants
    • Electrical transformers and capacitors
    • Industrial or institutional materials
    • Adhesives
    • Thermal or fiberglass insulation
    • Rubber window gaskets
    • Applied dried paints, coatings, or sealants
    • Felt or fabric products such as gaskets
    • Galbestos
    • Sound-deadening materials
    • Molded rubber parts
    • Paint
    • Plastics

Step 2: Protect!

During removal, protect building residents and demolition staff

Segregate hazardous wastes from other construction debris. Consider hiring a professional to segregate the waste. Take precautions, using personal protective equipment and following material-specific guidelines, to protect yourself, building residents, neighbors, and workers from contaminated dust and other potentially harmful releases. Store hazardous wastes in closed containers with proper labeling and secondary containment, if required.

Step 3: Dispose!

Dispose of wastes according to law, to limit liability and protect the environment

Depending on the substance, you may need to dispose of the material in accordance with state and federal hazardous waste disposal laws. If hazardous materials are simply disposed of with other construction debris, they can be released into the environment at the construction site, during transit, or even eventually from the landfill site. Willful or negligent violation of hazardous waste laws can result in civil or criminal penalties.

Some wastes may require disposal in a hazardous waste landfill. If the material can be recycled, you can seek a nearby recycling site using the earth911 form on https://baywise.org.

Do-It-Yourselfers / Homeowners

Homeowners can use household hazardous waste (HHW) programs to dispose of hazardous waste from their own home. Be sure to call in advance before delivering any hazardous waste to your local HHW facility. These facilities have certain limitations, therefore a homeowner should consult with HHW Program staff regarding the wastes and quantities.

For information about HHW alternatives, see:

Contractors and Property Managers

The U.S. EPA defines classes of hazardous waste generators and provides a summary of requirements for each class, available here.

Generators of Very Small Quantities

If the amount of hazardous waste being generated by a contractor or property management firm is 27 liquid gallons or 220 solid pounds or less,  it may qualify as “conditionally-exempt”.  Contractors and property management firms would then qualify to use Conditionally-Exempt    Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Programs for disposal.   CESQG Programs are operated in conjunction with HHW Programs.

For information about CESQG Programs, see:

Types of Collection Facilities

California Household Hazardous Waste Facilities

Generators of Larger Quantities

In general, contractors and property management firms are not allowed to use HHW programs and are required to hire a licensed hazardous waste hauler. A list of California licensed hazardous waste haulers is available here. A list of California licensed hazardous waste landfills is available here.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this document relieves the person conducting the demolition and property owner from responsibility for compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

About This Site

The information provided on this website has been reviewed by representatives from the following agencies:

  • Bay Area Air Quality Management District – Air Toxics Inspection Group
  • Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group
  • California Department of Public Health – Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
  • California Department of Public Health – Occupational Health Branch
  • California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
  • California Department of Toxic Substances Control
  • San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
  • San Francisco Department of Environment
  • San Francisco Estuary Partnership