CDS Demolition Project Planning & Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A demolition project is located adjacent to an active railroad. Which plan element is MOST critical to add to the project management documentation?
- A railroad equipment rental budget
- A third-party coordination and protection plan with railroad authority approval (Correct answer)
- Additional crew overtime schedule
- A soil compaction testing plan
Correct answer: A third-party coordination and protection plan with railroad authority approval
Working near active railroads requires formal coordination with the railroad authority and an approved protection plan to prevent interference with train operations.
Question 2: What is the purpose of establishing an exclusion zone during demolition operations?
- To mark areas for material salvage only
- To define a perimeter where only authorized personnel may enter for worker and public safety (Correct answer)
- To designate parking for heavy equipment
- To indicate areas where noise limits apply
Correct answer: To define a perimeter where only authorized personnel may enter for worker and public safety
Exclusion zones restrict access around active demolition to protect workers and the public from falling debris, equipment hazards, and structural collapse.
Question 3: Which federal regulation primarily governs worker safety planning on demolition sites in the United States?
- EPA 40 CFR Part 61
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart T (Correct answer)
- DOT 49 CFR Part 173
- NFPA 241
Correct answer: OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart T
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart T specifically addresses demolition operations and establishes minimum safety requirements for workers on demolition sites.
Question 4: What is a 'scope of work' document used for in demolition project management?
- Tracking daily equipment fuel usage
- Defining exactly what structures, materials, and tasks are included or excluded from the contract (Correct answer)
- Recording worker certifications
- Listing local emergency contact numbers
Correct answer: Defining exactly what structures, materials, and tasks are included or excluded from the contract
The scope of work document establishes clear contractual boundaries defining what will and will not be demolished, preventing disputes and cost overruns.
Question 5: During a high-rise demolition project, floor-by-floor top-down demolition is chosen over implosion. What is the PRIMARY reason for this choice in an urban environment?
- Top-down is always faster than implosion
- Top-down minimizes vibration, dust, and debris radius in tight urban settings (Correct answer)
- Implosion equipment is unavailable
- Top-down generates more recyclable material
Correct answer: Top-down minimizes vibration, dust, and debris radius in tight urban settings
Top-down mechanical demolition offers tighter control over debris, dust, and vibration, making it preferable when adjacent structures and the public are nearby.
Question 6: What does the term 'float' refer to in a demolition project schedule?
- The amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the overall project completion (Correct answer)
- The weight capacity of a floating barge used in marine demolition
- The upward cost variance in a project budget
- The time allocated for equipment mobilization
Correct answer: The amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the overall project completion
Float (or slack) is the scheduling flexibility available on non-critical tasks before they impact the project's critical path and completion date.
Question 7: A demolition subcontractor consistently fails to meet daily productivity targets. What project management tool BEST helps the supervisor document and address this issue?
- Change order forms
- Daily production logs with performance metrics compared to the project schedule baseline (Correct answer)
- Equipment maintenance records
- Material delivery receipts
Correct answer: Daily production logs with performance metrics compared to the project schedule baseline
Daily production logs provide objective documentation of actual vs. planned output, supporting corrective action discussions and potential contractual remedies.
CDS Demolition Project Planning & Management 3
A demolition project is located adjacent to an active railroad.
Which plan element is MOST critical to add to the project management documentation?