Demolition costs for an apartment in Waterloo, Iowa, are raising after two fires, a report by The Courier says. The city-owned “castle” apartments must be removed as regulated asbestos containing material (RACM), which can drive up demolition costs up into six figures.
RACM requires crews to treat all debris on a demolition project as if it contains asbestos, including keeping the site hosed down, wrapping trucks containing material in plastic and other steps to contain the hazardous material.
The city acquired the property, which is considered a nuisance, in September 2014. A minor fire caused by squatters occurred in November 2016 and another Aug. 20. The report says city officials initially sought traditional demolition methods on the ends of the building and RACM for the middle section, which was damaged by fire, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stepped in.
OSHA officials said the city could only use their original method if it could guarantee the fire-damaged portions of the building would not be disturbed when the ends were removed. The report says contractors viewing the site could not make that guarantee, and city officials cancelled a bid for the asbestos removal on the ends of the building.
City Planner Chris Western, who oversees the city’s demolition program, says in the report that Waterloo officials will evaluate the city’s remaining budget after other contracted demolitions occur.
No more results found. RACM requires crews to treat all debris on a demolition project as if it contains asbestos, including keeping the site hosed down, wrapping trucks containing material in plastic and other steps to contain the hazardous material.
The city acquired the property, which is considered a nuisance, in September 2014. A minor fire caused by squatters occurred in November 2016 and another Aug. 20. The report says city officials initially sought traditional demolition methods on the ends of the building and RACM for the middle section, which was damaged by fire, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stepped in.
OSHA officials said the city could only use their original method if it could guarantee the fire-damaged portions of the building would not be disturbed when the ends were removed. The report says contractors viewing the site could not make that guarantee, and city officials cancelled a bid for the asbestos removal on the ends of the building.
City Planner Chris Western, who oversees the city’s demolition program, says in the report that Waterloo officials will evaluate the city’s remaining budget after other contracted demolitions occur.