Selective interior demolition clears outdated commercial floor plans down to structural shell condition while safeguarding building MEP systems, neighboring tenants, and structural load paths.
Selective Demolition Sequence & Safeguards
| Work Stage | Primary Activity | Safety / Verification Check |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Environmental & Safing | Verify asbestos survey; lock-out/tag-out power, water, gas | Multi-meter electrical dead check; pressure gauges zeroed |
| 2. Containment Setup | Erect 6-mil poly zip walls; install negative air scrubbers | Smoke pencil test verifying negative pressure |
| 3. Soft Strip-Out | Remove drop ceiling tile, carpet, doors, frames & millwork | Segregate scrap metal and copper wire for recycling |
| 4. Partition Demolition | Cut drywall, unscrew metal studs, take down non-bearing walls | Overhead conduit and duct supports inspected |
| 5. Floor Prep & Grinding | Remove ceramic tile, ride-on scraper for VCT, diamond grind glue | Verify concrete surface profile (CSP 2-3) |
Concrete Floor Trenching Logistics
When selective demolition requires cutting trenches in existing slabs for new plumbing or electrical conduits, contractors must scan the slab with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to mark conduits and tension cables, utilize electric or hydraulic saws to avoid toxic carbon monoxide emissions, and run continuous slurry vacuums.