This guide clarifies how environmental surveying constitutes a value-creating element in demolition and renovation projects. The guide describes how involved parties can use an environmental survey to identify and handle harmful substances throughout the entire demolition project – from initial design, through tendering to execution.
2020
12
Occurrences of harmful substances such as asbestos and PCBs are one of the most frequent causes of delays, extra bills and disputes between clients and contractors on demolition and renovation projects. Often, the client doesn’t prioritize environmental surveying in a demolition project due to it being a time-consuming and costly affair.
With good and accurate environmental surveying, the problematic environmental issues can be mapped, described, planned and handled early in the process. The environmental survey thus forms the basis for planning, collaboration and dialogue between the client, the consultant and the contractor throughout the entire demolition project.
A good environmental survey can reduce the risk of new issues arising, but it cannot be avoided that harmful substances or similar may be hidden in the structures once the demolition of a building begins. This guide therefore also describes how the involved parties can identify and deal with new issues during the execution phase.
Summary
The guide is one of three Værdibyg guides focusing on the value-creating demolition process, alongside “Tendering of Demolition Projects” and “Circular Demolition”.
The guide shows how the environmental survey can be used to create value in demolition projects. It covers the entire process from initial planning to handling unexpected findings during demolition, with focus on collaboration between all parties and proper documentation of harmful substances.
The guide contains:
- Clarification of roles and responsibilities related to an environmental survey
- Guidance on how the environmental survey can help identify and handle asbestos, PCBs and other harmful substances
- Procedures for handling unexpected findings
- How the environmental survey can be used throughout the demolition phases
Facts about this guide
The guide is published by Værdibyg with financial support from the organizations behind Værdibyg and Grundejernes Investeringsfond
Who is the guide aimed at?
The guide is primarily aimed at clients who need to plan demolition or major renovation projects, as well as environmental consultants who perform the surveys. It is also relevant for contractors who need to understand the survey results and plan their work accordingly. Additionally, work environment coordinators and technical advisors benefit from the guide’s systematic approach to handling harmful substances.
What you get from the guide
The guide clarifies how environmental mapping constitutes a value-adding element in demolition and renovation projects. By using environmental mapping actively and throughout the project, there are significant benefits to be gained – both in terms of planning and compliance with budget and schedule, safety and health, cooperation between the parties involved, etc.
Background
Danish buildings constructed before 1980 often contain harmful substances like asbestos and PCBs that pose serious health risks if not handled properly. Inadequate or missing environmental surveys frequently lead to work stoppages when harmful substances are discovered during demolition, resulting in significant delays and cost overruns. There is a need for systematic approaches to environmental surveying that balance thoroughness with cost-effectiveness, and that ensure all parties have the information needed to plan and execute safe demolition work.
Involved practitioners and editors
The authors have been assisted by the following group of practitioners:
Bygherreforeningen
Ole Lund (Konstruktør BTH)
Dansk Byggeri
Benny Aldershvile (Hvidberg)
Kirsten Burfelt (Aalsrode Tømrerfirma)
Richard Kristensen (Kingo Karlsen)
Danske Arkitektvirksomheder
Christian Wittrup (Lendager Up)
Claus Reinholdt (Tegnestuen Claus Reinholdt)
Foreningen af Rådgivende Ingeniører – FRI
Bent Bukh (OBH Rådg. Ingeniører)
Hanne Jensen (DGE Miljø og Ingeniørfirma)
Værdibyg
Nina Koch-Ørvad (Værdibyg)
Consultants and authors
Rikke Juel Lyng and Rune Østergaard Haven (Teknologisk Institut)
