If, following a fire, a building was to be demolished, what survey may be required?

• A. A post-incident review
• B. A pre-demolition survey
• C. An environmental impact assessment
• D. A structural integrity test

Answer: (B)

When a building damaged by fire is going to be demolished, a pre-demolition survey is required. This survey is done before any demolition work starts to identify hazards that could affect safety and to inform how the work should be carried out. It typically checks for asbestos and other hazardous materials, assesses structural stability and whether temporary supports are needed, identifies utilities to disconnect, and plans access, containment, and waste handling. The findings feed into the risk assessment and method statement for safe demolition, helping protect workers and the surrounding environment. A post-incident review looks at why the fire occurred, not the demolition; an environmental impact assessment is broader and not routinely required for every demolition; a structural integrity test alone doesn’t cover all hazards or planning needs.