Demolition Contractors Key Terms

Hire the right company by learning demolition contractors key terms

By Missy Duncan

Whether you are completely removing a building or just remodeling the interior of the office, demolition contractors have the knowledge to get the job done. There is much more to demolition than just a guy with a wrecking ball. Lay people, those not in the demolition field, might be confused by some of the terms used by contractors. Learning these key terms will help you know exactly what demolition contractors can do for you.

Salvage value

Salvage value is the value of the facility being demolished, if the reusable or recyclable items are going to be resold. This refers to items such as metal beams and electrical wiring. Some demolition companies lower the cost of the demolition by the salvage value if they keep the materials.
Try: Oracle offers more information about salvage values.

Strip-outs

Demolition strip-outs are the demolition of the inside of a structure without harming the exterior or structural integrity of the building. A strip-out may consist of one or two rooms or a couple of floors.
Try: Read more about strip-outs at the Entrepreneur.

Facility abatement

Facility abatement refers to the total demolition of a building or structure. This term implies a complete demolition, cleanup and removal of an entire building and all of its materials.
Try: Learn more about facility abatement contractors at Moran Environmental Recovery.

UST Removal

UST removal, or underground storage tank removal, is the digging up and extraction of an underground tank. USTs are tanks, such as underground water, oil and sewage tanks.
Try: The Maryland Department of the Environment supplies more information about UST removals. Learn more at Terratechnik Environmental.

Environmental remediation

Environmental remediation is the removal of contaminants and pollution from an area where they can seep into the soil or groundwater. Environmental remediation may also be used if the contaminates pose a threat to people or to air quality.
Try: Learn more about environmental remediation at Envirocon.

Hazwoper

Hazwoper stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. Hazwoper is a qualification received by some demolition contractors after training. Any company that feels its demolition crew may come across any hazardous material should ask the demolitions contractor if they are hazwoper certified.
Try: OSHA provides more information about Hazwoper. Discover more information at Chemical Processing.