Demolition Planning, Stability and Control (DEM)
Pre-demolition information, engineered sequence, isolation, hazardous materials, exclusion zones and debris management.
How to prepare for a CITB Specialist test
Lock in common site safety first, confirm the exact route with the card scheme, then add the relevant specialist hazards and competence boundaries.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Demolition needs suitable structural and asbestos information, service isolation and a competent written method before physical work begins.
Exam cue: Check surveys, alterations, adjacent structures, services and hazardous materials before selecting the method.
Concept 2
The planned sequence must maintain stability and control debris, plant loading, temporary works and effects beyond the site boundary.
Exam cue: Preserve the engineered sequence and temporary support; do not remove a load-bearing element by assumption.
Concept 3
Workers must stay within exclusion and debris zones and stop when the structure behaves differently from the survey or method.
Exam cue: Use dust, noise, vibration and waste controls alongside collapse prevention.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Starting soft strip before the refurbishment or demolition asbestos information is available.
Guardrail: Do not mix specialist routes or replace an engineered, competent control with a briefing, warning sign or PPE alone.
Letting debris accumulate where it overloads a partly demolished structure.
Guardrail: Do not mix specialist routes or replace an engineered, competent control with a briefing, warning sign or PPE alone.
Changing the demolition sequence to suit plant access without competent review.
Guardrail: Do not mix specialist routes or replace an engineered, competent control with a briefing, warning sign or PPE alone.
Memory anchors
Survey Before Strike
Structural, asbestos and service information must precede demolition work.
Sequence Holds Stability
Remove elements in the competent planned order and preserve temporary support.
Isolate Every Service
Confirm electrical, gas, water and other services are safely controlled.
Zones Contain Consequence
Exclusion and debris zones protect workers, neighbours and the public.
Debris Is a Load
Control where material falls, accumulates and is removed.
Unexpected Movement Stops Work
Cracking, leaning or unplanned collapse signs require immediate withdrawal and review.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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