Interior Demolition & Strip-Out
Interior demolition, or “strip-out,” clears ceilings, walls, floors and fixtures from inside a building before a renovation. It looks simple, but the walls hold hidden hazards: asbestos, lead, live wires, gas, pipes under pressure and structure that carries weight. OSHA’s demolition rules (29 CFR 1926 Subpart T) apply.
- Construction
- Demolition
- Renovation
Before work starts
- Survey first. OSHA requires an engineering survey by a competent person to check the structure and condition of the building before demolition begins (1926.850). Include floors, walls, and anything that could fall or collapse.
- Test for asbestos and lead. Older buildings may have asbestos in floor tile, mastic, ceiling tile, plaster, joint compound, insulation and roofing, and lead in paint. Find out before disturbing it. See Asbestos, Lead and Asbestos Laws Explained.
- Shut off and lock out utilities: electric, gas, water, steam and sewer lines must be shut off, capped or controlled before work. See Lockout/Tagout and Hidden Wiring.
- Check for other hazards like mold, bird or rodent droppings, fuel tanks and chemical containers.
- Make a written plan for the order of demolition, debris removal and who does what.
Structure and loads
- Know which walls, columns and floors are load-bearing. Removing them without supports can cause collapse. Get an engineer’s advice if you’re unsure.
- Install shoring or bracing as the plan requires before removing supports.
- Don’t overload floors with debris. Piled demolition waste can be heavier than the floor is designed for. Remove debris regularly.
- Take out ceilings, walls and fixtures from the top down when possible.
Dust and silica
Breaking concrete, masonry, plaster and tile makes silica dust. Use wet methods, vacuums with HEPA filters, and respirators as needed. See Silica. Seal off the work area with plastic and use negative air so dust doesn’t spread to occupied areas.
Debris and chutes
- Use enclosed chutes or hoists for debris, and barricade the area below where material falls. OSHA sets rules for chutes (1926.852).
- Keep walkways clear. Remove nails from boards and wire from debris.
- Cover or guard floor openings you cut, and protect workers from falls. See Holes & Floor Openings.
Hot work and fire
Cutting pipe and steel with torches or saws starts fires in old buildings with dry wood and dust. Get a hot work permit, remove combustibles, and keep an extinguisher and a fire watch. See Hot Work Permits. Keep exits clear and sprinklers working where possible.
Noise, tools and PPE
- Demolition hammers, saws and breakers are loud and vibrating. See Demolition Hammers, Noise and Hand-Arm Vibration.
- Wear a hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, cut-resistant sleeves where needed, and sturdy boots.
- Use respirators as the dust and chemical hazards require. See Respiratory Protection.
Daily strip-out checklist
- Asbestos and lead results known; utilities locked out
- Structural plan and shoring in place
- Wet cutting or dust collection running; area sealed
- Debris chutes, barricades and exits clear
- Hot work permits and fire watch where needed
- Hearing, eye, head and respiratory protection on
Standards & references
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