UFC 1-900-01
1 DECEMBER 2002
resources. Alternative methods may require other specialized resources that may
create an advantage or disadvantage to the owner.
4-5.1 Demolish (Resources). The type of construction, building height, proximity to
neighboring structures, and rights-of-way are some of the factors that determine the
method of demolition. Wood-framed buildings are generally demolished by bulldozer,
while masonry or concrete buildings are more likely to be demolished by wrecking ball.
Mechanical demolition requires the use of heavy equipment including dump trucks,
tractors, and loaders. Demolition requires workers with experience in the areas of
transportation and heavy equipment operation. These jobs are typically high paying
and require skilled labor.
4-5.2 Recycle (Resources). Common equipment and labor skills are used for on-site
separation of materials. Manual labor is required to supplement mechanical equipment.
The type of construction will determine what tools and equipment are required. "If you
don't have the right tools, generating a profit from a C&D debris recycling operation can
be as difficult as crushing a one-ton slab of concrete with your fist" (World Wastes, May
1998, p 62). Materials that are not recycled and reused on the site will need to be
hauled away by dump trucks.
4-5.3 Recover (Resources). Recovery is generally effective using commonly
available construction equipment and labor resources. Manually removing materials for
reuse requires workers with common building construction skills. Some training may be
required if non-construction labor is employed. If larger structural members are
removed heavy equipment, such as a crane, is required. High-value/low-salvage cost
items such as appliances, cabinets, lighting fixtures and architectural elements are
targeted and salvaged before the heavy equipment is brought in to clean up the
remaining items. More labor hours are required for a salvage operation. These
additional handling costs can be reduced if the efficiency of the equipment is increased.
4-5.4 Deconstruct (Resources). Deconstruction is very labor intensive. Workers do
not need to be highly skilled, but they do need to have endurance, ability, and
willingness to learn. Deconstruction also adds another level of jobs including material
handlers and distributors. In piece-by-piece wrecking, workers usually employ simple
hand tools such as crowbars, sledgehammers, flat screwdrivers, wire-cutting pliers, a
utility knife etc.
4-6
MARKETS. Markets and outlets for building construction materials greatly
influence reuse and recycling activities. If reasonable profits can be expected from the
sale of recycled materials there is a greater incentive for efficient recovery. If there is
not a high demand for a commodity, the material may not be salvaged or recycled.
There are several sources that can provide information as to the local market demand,
value, and outlets for each material or component type. Through DoD, and the Defense
Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) Reutilization Program, excess property no
longer needed by the military is made available for redistribution. An installation may be
able to use the DRMS to implement deconstruction and salvage. APPENDIX C to this
4-13
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