Selective interior demolition
Selective interior demolition in active facilities
Bowfinn carries out selective interior demolition coordinated with abatement, so the space is cleared, contained and ready for the next trade, with disruption to the rest of the building kept as low as possible. One contractor, one schedule and one closeout package means fewer hand-offs between the abatement crew and the demolition crew.
Tell us the building, the work you're planning and your timeline. We aim to respond promptly.
- Occupied facilitiesContained work areas, phasing planned with you to limit disruption
- UA Local 170Signatory contractor
- Trained and certified crewsOn every asbestos abatement job
- InsuredInsurance certificates available on request.
When you need this
- Mechanical room remediation or equipment removal ahead of an upgrade
- Selective interior demolition for tenant improvements in an occupied building
- Plumbing, HVAC and electrical access preparation
- Clearing hazardous materials before structural demolition by others
Typical scope
- Interior strip-out to agreed limits
- Mechanical room strip-out
- Access openings for plumbing, HVAC and electrical
Process
How the work runs
Survey and scope
Hazardous materials survey reviewed and demolition limits agreed.
Abate first
Hazardous materials contained or removed and confirmed in writing before demolition that could disturb them.
Protect the building
Dust control, isolation of regulated systems by qualified trades and protection of adjacent areas.
Demolish
Controlled removal to the agreed limits.
Sort and dispose
Waste sorted for recycling and disposal.
Hand over
Clean space and closeout documents for the next trade.
Occupied facilities
How we keep disruption low
The area being worked on is cleared, isolated and contained until the work is finished and cleared. We plan the sequence, phasing and timing with you, including night and weekend shifts, so the rest of the facility is disrupted as little as possible.
Phasing
Work split into areas and sequences planned with you, so less of the building is affected at any one time.
Negative air
High-risk enclosures under negative pressure with HEPA-filtered exhaust, so air flows into the work area, not out of it.
After-hours work
Night and weekend shifts where they reduce disruption
Cleared, restricted work areas
The work area is cleared and closed off, with signs and controlled routes for crews and waste, until the work is finished and cleared.
Occupant notices
Plain-language notices for staff, students, patients or residents
Trade coordination
Clearance planned into the schedule so the mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical trades behind us are not held up.
Frequently asked questions
What has to happen before a building can be demolished?
A qualified person must inspect for hazardous materials, and no demolition that may disturb them can happen until they are safely contained or removed and a qualified person confirms that in writing (OHS Regulation s. 20.112).
What do cities ask for before demolition?
It varies. Vancouver requires a Hazardous Building Materials Assessment Report and, if abatement was needed, a Post-Abatement Clearance Report before machine-assisted demolition (Vancouver); Coquitlam lists a clearance letter and waste manifest where asbestos is present in pre-1990 residential demolitions (Coquitlam).
Do demolition contractors need an asbestos licence?
WorkSafeBC lists building demolition contractors among employers that need an Asbestos Abatement Licence when they offer asbestos abatement services to others in relation to buildings (WorkSafeBC).
Which hazardous materials are removed before demolition?
Whatever the survey identifies. That can include asbestos, lead-containing materials and mercury-containing devices. Metro Vancouver's C&D toolkit lists common sources.
Is a Notice of Project needed for demolition with asbestos?
Yes for moderate- or high-risk asbestos work, and for alteration or demolition of buildings where asbestos was processed, manufactured or stored. WorkSafeBC must receive it at least 48 hours before the activity (s. 20.2.1).
What if hazardous materials can't be reached until demolition starts?
The qualified person must address them. Material that cannot be sampled is treated as asbestos-containing unless shown otherwise (s. 6.4(2)), and newly found material triggers s. 20.112(6).
Where does demolition hazmat waste go?
To authorized facilities, with a licensed transporter and manifest where required. In Metro Vancouver, the Vancouver Landfill accepts commercial asbestos waste from within the region with 24 hours' notice; Metro Vancouver transfer stations do not (Metro Vancouver).
General information, not legal advice. Requirements depend on your project; confirm with WorkSafeBC, your municipality or a qualified professional.
Planning work in an older building?
Book a Site Consultation and we'll walk the scope, the schedule and the building with you.
Prefer email? admin@bowfinn.com