Before a building on Vancouver Island can be renovated or demolished, the hazardous materials in it have to be found and dealt with. For general contractors, the hazardous materials survey is the first item on the schedule, because nothing else can safely start until it is done. Here is what the survey covers, why it matters, and how to keep it from delaying your project.
What a hazardous materials survey is
A hazardous materials survey (often called a hazmat survey or pre-demolition survey) is an inspection of a building to find materials that could harm workers or the public when they are disturbed. A qualified person walks the building, takes samples of suspect materials, and has them tested by a lab. The result is a report listing what was found, where, and how much.
What the survey looks for
- Asbestos in drywall mud, ceilings, flooring, insulation, stucco and roofing.
- Lead in paint, especially in buildings painted before the 1990s.
- Mercury in thermostats, switches and fluorescent tubes.
- PCBs in older light ballasts and electrical equipment.
- Mould from past leaks or moisture problems.
- Silica hazards in concrete and masonry that will be cut or crushed.
Why it is required
WorkSafeBC requires hazardous materials to be identified before demolition or renovation work that could disturb them. Many municipalities also ask for the survey report with a demolition permit application. And since January 2024, asbestos abatement in BC must be done by a contractor licensed by WorkSafeBC.
How the survey affects your schedule
The survey, lab results and any abatement all happen before demolition. To keep them off your critical path:
- Order the survey early, as soon as the project is likely to go ahead.
- Give access to the whole building, including attics, crawl spaces and mechanical rooms. Missed areas mean surprises later.
- Use the report to scope abatement before you finalize the demolition schedule.
- Book abatement and demolition together where you can, so one crew moves straight from one to the other.
What happens after the survey
If hazardous materials are found, they are removed by trained workers under containment, the area is cleaned and tested, and the waste goes to an approved facility. Once abatement is complete and documented, demolition or deconstruction can start.
Hazmat survey questions
Does a newer building need a survey?
The requirement to identify hazardous materials applies regardless of age, but buildings built before 1990 are the most likely to contain asbestos. Your surveyor can tell you what level of survey your building needs.
Can one company do the abatement and the demolition?
Yes. Deconstructors holds a WorkSafeBC Asbestos Abatement Licence and does hazmat abatement, demolition and deconstruction, so one contractor can take your project from abatement to cleared site.
What do you need from us to quote abatement?
The survey report and access to the site. We quote after reviewing the report and walking the building.
Call (250) 419-5488 or email estimating@deconstructors.ca for a free project evaluation, or see our hazmat abatement services.
