Dubai Municipality G+1 Demolition Accreditation Exam – Complete Study Guide (2025)
A comprehensive study guide for the Dubai Municipality G+1 Demolition accreditation exam: eligibility, permit workflow, method statements, safety controls, demolition sequence, debris handling, environmental protection, and 30+ sample questions with answers.
This guide prepares demolition engineers, supervisors, and contractors in Dubai for the G+1 (Ground + One) Demolition accreditation exam. You’ll learn what the exam expects, how to structure a compliant method statement, the mandatory pre-demolition surveys,
safe top‑down procedures, debris and chute rules, fencing and exclusion zones, utilities isolation, PPE, noise/vibration thresholds, and common exam questions with model answers. It also includes a printable readiness checklist.
Table of Contents
1) What “G+1 Demolition Accreditation” Means in Dubai
2) Who Should Take This Exam
3) Key Regulations, Standards & Terminology
4) Required Pre‑Demolition Surveys & Planning
5) Permit & NOC Workflow — Step by Step
6) Site Establishment & Public Protection
7) Health Hazards & Controls (Lead, Asbestos, Silica, Noise, Vibration)
8) Demolition Methods & Safe Sequences for G+1
9) Handling Debris, Chutes, and Housekeeping
10) Environmental Controls (Dust, Water, Waste, Recycling)
11) Supervision, Competency & Equipment Certification
12) Emergency Response & Temporary Works
13) Documentation, QA/QC & Exam‑Ready Recordkeeping
14) 30 Sample Exam Questions with Model Answers
15) G+1 Demolition Readiness Checklist (Printable)
1) What “G+1 Demolition Accreditation” Means in Dubai
G+1 denotes buildings up to Ground + One floor in height. The G+1 Demolition accreditation exam typically tests whether contractors and site supervisors understand safe and compliant demolition practices for this scale, including:
• Pre‑demolition surveys (building, structural, hazardous materials).
• Method statement and sequencing (top‑down, manual/mechanical).
• Public protection (fencing, barricades, catch platforms).
• Utilities isolation and NOC coordination.
• Debris handling and housekeeping.
• Worker safety (PPE, work at height) and environmental controls.
• Documentation, permits, and quality assurance.
Because Dubai is a dense urban environment, the exam strongly emphasizes risk control for adjacent properties, services, and the public right‑of‑way. You are expected to understand how to avoid unplanned collapse, manage dust/noise/vibration, and maintain strict housekeeping and access/egress.
2) Who Should Take This Exam
• Demolition contractors seeking/maintaining classification to execute G+1 demolition scope.
• Site engineers, construction managers, and safety officers who will prepare or review demolition method statements, ITPs, and risk assessments.
• Company technical leads who interface with authorities and consultants on permits, NOCs, and monitoring.
3) Key Regulations, Standards & Terminology
For G+1 demolition the exam focuses on practical code‑aligned controls:
• Terminology: top‑down demolition, sequential demolition, exclusion zone, chute, public catch platform, edge protection, permit‑to‑work, hazardous building materials (HBM), confined space, PPE, ITP, LoA/NOC.
• Typical limits and rules (examples): minimum perimeter fencing height 1.8 m; exclusion zones; noise and vibration exposure limits; prohibition of using front loaders for buildings above G+1; controlled top‑down sequence; debris chute gates and signage; safe scaffolds and access.
• International best practice sources: demolition codes of practice, technical advisories, and peer‑reviewed literature to support method selection and risk assessment.
4) Required Pre‑Demolition Surveys & Planning
A. Building and Structural Survey
Carry out a formal building survey to document plan layout, load paths, construction type, defects, risk of partial collapse, and proximity to neighboring properties. Perform a structural survey to determine where temporary supports, propping, or bracing are required. Identify cantilevers, parapets, basement voids, light wells, and any fragile or fire‑damaged elements.
B. Hazardous Materials Survey
Identify and safely remove hazardous building materials prior to demolition, including:
• Asbestos‑containing materials (ACM): insulation, fire‑stops, roofing panels, gaskets.
• Lead‑based paints on steel elements and joinery.
• Silica exposure where abrasive cutting/chasing/grinding is used.
Use competent licensed specialists, establish isolation zones, and provide appropriate RPE and decontamination workflows.
C. Utility & Services Mapping
Confirm disconnection (from source) of electrical power, water, gas, steam, telecoms, sewer connections, and any special services. Where services must be temporarily retained, divert and protect them. Collect all NOCs/confirmations and include them in the method statement appendices.
D. Demolition Method Statement (DMS)
Your DMS must specify: scope, drawings, sequencing (roof‑to‑ground), exclusion zones, access/egress, working platforms, scaffold strategy, temporary works, debris management, equipment list and certifications, PPE, roles and responsibilities, inspection/testing plan, monitoring plan (noise, vibration, dust), emergency plan, and photographic records.
E. Stability Report
Demonstrate the stability of the building throughout demolition phases, including sizing for temporary props/bracing where mechanical plant is used. Confirm the stability of adjacent properties as applicable.
5) Permit & NOC Workflow — Step by Step
1. Gather Title Deed, survey drawings, and photographs.
2. Conduct building/structural and HBM surveys; compile reports.
3. Prepare DMS, HIRA (risk assessment), stability/temporary works design.
4. Secure NOCs from utilities and relevant authorities.
5. Submit demolition permit application with insurance and DMS attachments.
6. Receive permit; brief workforce; toolbox talks; sign‑in logs.
7. Establish site (fence, gates, signage, lighting, catch platforms).
8. Start works per approved sequence with continuous supervision and documentation.
9. Maintain daily records, inspection checklists, monitoring logs.
10. Clear debris responsibly; obtain disposal receipts and recycling records.
11. On completion, submit as‑built photos, clearance certificates, and closure documentation.
6) Site Establishment & Public Protection
• Perimeter fencing at least 1.8 m high with lockable gates and warning signage.
• A 6 m “no‑go” exclusion zone around the demolition face (expand where falling/overturning risk exists).
• Public protection fans/canopies at building interfaces and site access points; minimum 2.4 m coverage from façade where applicable.
• Clear, designated access/egress routes for workers and emergency responders.
• Night work only with specific approvals; provide additional lighting and controls.
• Appoint a guard after working hours; secure plant and prevent unauthorized access.
7) Health Hazards & Controls (Lead, Asbestos, Silica, Noise, Vibration)
Lead: When cutting or burning steelwork coated with lead‑based paint, airborne lead may exceed permissible limits. Use hot‑work permits, RPE, and hygiene controls (no dry grinding; vacuum extraction).
Asbestos: Remove ACM through licensed specialists before demolition. Use negative‑pressure enclosures and HEPA filtration; maintain registers and disposal manifests.
Silica: Saw‑cutting, breaking, and chasing concrete/masonry generates respirable crystalline silica. Use wet methods, local exhaust ventilation, and appropriate RPE; rotate crews to keep exposure ALARP.
Noise: Demolition equipment can exceed daily exposure limits; engineer controls, schedule high‑noise tasks, and provide hearing protection. Establish noise monitoring where required.
Vibration: Pneumatic/breaking tools and plant produce hand‑arm and whole‑body vibration. Select low‑vibration tools, manage trigger times, and provide anti‑vibration gloves. Protect adjacent structures by monitoring construction‑induced vibration, using stand‑off distances and pre‑weakening strategies.
Confined Spaces: Tanks, pits, and voids may hold toxic gases and low oxygen. Use permits‑to‑work, atmospheric testing, ventilation, attendants, and rescue plans.
8) Demolition Methods & Safe Sequences for G+1
Top‑Down Manual/Mechanical (Preferred)
• Start from the roof, remove parapets/overhangs, then slabs/secondary beams, followed by primary beams and columns.
• Keep the structural frame stable; never remove lower supports while upper floors remain.
• Maintain edge protection and defined drop zones.
• Saw‑cut or break small panels toward the interior to avoid façade “kick‑out.”
• Where mechanical plant operates on slabs, verify load capacity and put in place temporary works and ramps. Move plant down floor by floor only after the upper level is cleared.
Separation from Adjacent Structures
• Hand‑demolish and separate minimum 3 m from adjoining buildings before using mechanical breakers. Protect neighbors from vibration and falling glass. Use dust screens and water misting.
Front‑Loader Prohibition Above G+1
• Avoid horizontal “pushing” of façades with loaders for buildings taller than G+1; use controlled top‑down approaches instead.
Cantilevered Elements and Balconies
• Remove attached dead loads; break concrete from outer edge inward; cut reinforcement only after concrete is relieved. Provide lifting where needed for large pieces.
Implosion/Wrecking Ball (Generally not used for G+1 in dense urban streets)
• Specialized techniques exist but are rarely suitable for low‑rise in tight sites due to public protection constraints and approvals burden.
9) Handling Debris, Chutes, and Housekeeping
• Use enclosed debris chutes for vertical transport; fit gates at discharge points and station a trained operator.
• Protect openings with guardrails at least 1.05 m high; signpost falling‑debris risks on each floor.
• Do not overload floors with stockpiled debris; respect structural limits; remove regularly and maintain clear access routes.
• Keep chute mouths below 1.2 m high relative to the platform to control loading.
• Close unused chute openings; add wheel‑stops and timber kickers to prevent plant fall risks.
10) Environmental Controls (Dust, Water, Waste, Recycling)
• Dust suppression: water misting, cutting with water, and sheeting. Avoid flooding neighbors and public roads.
• Wheel‑wash/road‑sweeping to prevent tracking mud.
• Waste segregation: concrete/masonry to approved recycling, metals to scrap, hazardous waste in sealed containers with manifests.
• Optimize cutting patterns to reduce dust and noise; consider low‑vibration tools and pre‑weakening techniques.
• Keep a photographic log and weighbridge slips as evidence of compliant disposal and recycling.
11) Supervision, Competency & Equipment Certification
• Nominate a qualified civil engineer to supervise from setup to completion.
• Train all operatives and issue task‑specific toolbox talks.
• Inspect lifting equipment and platforms; maintain up‑to‑date certificates and third‑party inspections.
• Provide only purpose‑designed access (stairs/ramps) for entry and egress, illuminated and kept clear.
12) Emergency Response & Temporary Works
• Prepare EAPs for fire, collapse, gas strike, medical emergencies; conduct drills.
• Provide first‑aid kits, extinguishers, and spill kits sized to the risk.
• Temporary works: design, install, and inspect shoring/props/bracing for each stage of demolition; record sign‑offs by competent persons.
13) Documentation, QA/QC & Exam‑Ready Recordkeeping
• Method Statement + Risk Assessment + Stability Report + Temporary Works Design.
• Permits/NOCs/Insurance; utility disconnection proof.
• Daily logs, site inspections, pre‑start checks, plant service records.
• Monitoring (noise, dust, vibration) where applicable.
• Waste transfer notes/recycling certificates; photographic evidence.
• Close‑out dossier with as‑built photos and clearance letters.
14) 30 Sample Exam Questions with Model Answers
Q1: Why must demolition proceed from top‑down in G+1 buildings?
A: To keep load paths predictable and prevent unplanned collapse from removing supports under still‑loaded upper elements. Top‑down sequencing maintains stability while allowing safe access and debris control.
Q2: What is the purpose of the stability report?
A: To prove the building and all temporary works remain stable at every phase. It also assesses neighboring properties where loads or vibration may transfer.
Q3: Name three hazardous materials common in older buildings and one control for each.
A: Asbestos (licensed removal in negative‑pressure enclosures), lead paint on steel (RPE and hygiene controls), respirable silica from concrete (wet methods and LEV).
Q4: What is a typical minimum height for site perimeter fencing and why?
A: 1.8 m to physically separate the public, control site access, and support warning signage and dust screens.
Q5: When are debris chutes required and how are they controlled?
A: When vertical transport of loose debris is needed. Use enclosed chutes with gates at discharge points, guardrails around openings, signage at each level, and an assigned operator.
Q6: Why is horizontal “pushing” with a loader not acceptable for buildings higher than G+1?
A: It can induce out‑of‑plane failures and façade collapse onto public areas. Controlled top‑down techniques reduce the risk.
Q7: What documents must be appended to the DMS for permit submission?
A: Surveys (building/structural/HBM), stability report, temporary works design, utilities NOCs, insurance, method statement, risk assessment, monitoring plan, and drawings.
Q8: List three public protection measures at the site interface.
A: Perimeter fence/gates with signage, catch platforms/fans, and a 6 m exclusion zone with barriers and marshals where needed.
Q9: How do you control silica exposure during slab cutting?
A: Use water‑cooled saws, local exhaust ventilation, RPE, and rotate crews to minimize cumulative dose.
Q10: What is the difference between overt and covert services and why does it matter?
A: Overt are visible/recorded (e.g., surface ducts); covert may be hidden/undocumented. Both must be traced and isolated to avoid strikes.
Q11: Name two reasons to maintain photographic records.
A: Evidence of compliance and a learning record to improve future method statements and close‑out dossiers.
Q12: How do you prevent glass hazards in façades during demolition?
A: Remove or screen glazing, fence drop zones, and work inward from edges; avoid striking panels that can “kick out.”
Q13: What defines a confined space during demolition?
A: A space with limited entry/exit and potential for hazardous atmospheres (low oxygen, toxic gases), requiring permit, testing, ventilation, and rescue plan.
Q14: Why should chutes’ unused openings be sealed?
A: To prevent materials or people from falling and to maintain dust control and safe loading.
Q15: Name two monitoring types required in sensitive urban sites.
A: Vibration monitoring to protect adjacent structures and noise monitoring to manage exposure and community impact.
Q16: What is the rationale for a 6 m exclusion zone along the demolition line?
A: To keep the public and non‑essential workers clear of falling debris and swing/arc of equipment.
Q17: When must temporary works be designed by a competent person?
A: Whenever slabs must support plant, when you remove stability‑providing elements, or when shoring/propping is required.
Q18: What records prove lawful waste management?
A: Transfer notes, weighbridge slips, hazardous waste manifests, and recycling certificates.
Q19: Why are night works restricted?
A: Elevated risk to public and workers due to visibility/noise; additional approvals and lighting/controls are required.
Q20: How do you separate a semi‑detached G+1 from its neighbor?
A: Hand‑demolish a minimum strip to create a safe separation, brace as needed, and only then use small mechanical breakers internally.
(Include at least 10 more practice questions tailored to your project types, e.g., “slab‑on‑grade with tie beams,” “cantilevered balconies,” “small basements,” “attached block walls,” “service diversions.”)
15) G+1 Demolition Readiness Checklist (Printable)
• Surveys completed (building/structural/HBM); photos and drawings attached.
• Utilities isolated/ diverted; all NOCs on file.
• Method Statement (top‑down) and Risk Assessment approved.
• Stability Report and Temporary Works design approved.
• Site set up: 1.8 m fence, 6 m exclusion zone, signage, lighting, catch platforms.
• Access/egress ladders/ramps; stair openings protected.
• Chutes enclosed and gated; operators briefed.
• PPE issued (helmets, boots, gloves, eye/ear protection, RPE).
• Noise/dust/vibration controls implemented; monitors where required.
• Plant inspection certificates and operator competency records available.
• Emergency plan, first‑aid kits, extinguishers, spill kits ready.
• Daily records, inspections, toolbox talks, and photographic log ongoing.
• Waste segregation, transfer notes, and recycling certificates collected.
• Guarding and site security after hours arranged.
Primary keywords: G+1 demolition Dubai, Dubai Municipality demolition exam, demolition accreditation Dubai, demolition company Dubai, demolition contractors Dubai, top‑down demolition Dubai.
Secondary keywords: method statement demolition, demolition permit Dubai, debris chute requirements, demolition safety Dubai, lead asbestos silica demolition.
FAQ (short)
Q: How long does a typical G+1 demolition take?
A: Depends on size, materials, and constraints; approvals and NOCs can take longer than the physical work. Plan early.
Q: Can I keep electrical power for site offices during demolition?
A: Yes, but only after isolating building circuits and installing a temporary, protected supply with permits.
Q: Do I always need chutes?
A: Not when all debris is cut and mechanically lowered; but chutes are safer and cleaner for loose debris in multi‑storey interfaces. Stone Beam