Idaho Demolition Contractor
Qualification Advanced 100-Question
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. Before employees begin demolition of an existing structure, what is the
most critical structural-safety assessment?
A. A visual inspection by the equipment operator
B. An engineering survey performed by a competent person
C. A written estimate from the owner
D. A material inventory prepared by the laborer
Answer: An engineering survey performed by a competent person
Rationale: OSHA requires an engineering survey before demolition begins to
determine the condition of framing, floors, and walls and the possibility of an
unplanned collapse. Adjacent structures that could expose employees must also
be evaluated.
2. During an engineering survey, the demolition contractor discovers that a
fire-damaged floor has lost significant structural capacity. What should
occur before employees work in the affected area?
,A. Increase the number of workers
B. Add temporary shoring or bracing
C. Begin demolition from the lower floor
D. Wet the floor
Answer: Add temporary shoring or bracing
Rationale: Damaged structures can collapse unexpectedly. OSHA requires walls
or floors of structures damaged by fire, flood, explosion, or similar events to be
shored or braced when employees must work within them.
3. Which utilities must be addressed before demolition starts?
A. Only electrical service
B. Only gas and water
C. Electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines
D. Only utilities shown on the original plans
Answer: Electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines
Rationale: Service lines must be shut off, capped, or otherwise controlled
outside the building line before demolition begins. Existing drawings alone
should never be treated as proof that a utility is inactive.
4. A demolition plan shows that an existing building shares a wall with an
occupied neighboring structure. What is the contractor's primary concern?
A. Increasing production speed
B. Protecting the adjacent structure and its occupants
C. Removing the shared wall first
D. Storing debris against the shared wall
Answer: Protecting the adjacent structure and its occupants
Rationale: Adjacent structures must be evaluated where employees could be
exposed to collapse or other hazards. Demolition sequencing must maintain
stability and prevent unintended damage.
, 5. Which individual should conduct the required demolition engineering
survey?
A. Any available laborer
B. The project owner only
C. A competent person
D. The truck driver
Answer: A competent person
Rationale: The survey must be performed by a competent person capable of
identifying existing and developing hazards associated with structural
deterioration and demolition.
6. What is the safest general sequence for removing exterior walls and floor
construction from a multistory structure?
A. Bottom to top
B. Middle floors first
C. Top downward
D. Randomly, depending on equipment access
Answer: Top downward
Rationale: OSHA generally requires exterior walls and floor construction to be
removed from the top downward, with each story addressed before proceeding
to the level below, except for specified preparatory operations.
7. A demolition contractor wants to use a hydraulic excavator on an upper
floor. What must first be verified?
A. That the machine has enough fuel
B. That the floor can safely support the imposed load
C. That the operator has worked for at least one year
D. That the building has no windows
Answer: That the floor can safely support the imposed load
, Rationale: Mechanical equipment may not be used on floors or working surfaces
unless those surfaces have sufficient strength for the imposed loads.
8. Why are floor openings particularly dangerous during demolition?
A. They increase ventilation
B. They can cause falls and allow uncontrolled debris movement
C. They reduce equipment capacity
D. They prevent dust suppression
Answer: They can cause falls and allow uncontrolled debris movement
Rationale: Floor openings create fall hazards and can become pathways for
debris. Openings not intentionally used for material drops must be properly
covered and secured.
9. A contractor cuts openings in a floor to drop debris. Under OSHA
demolition requirements, what limitation applies unless lateral supports
remain in place?
A. Openings cannot exceed 10% of the floor area
B. Openings cannot exceed 15% of the floor area
C. Openings cannot exceed 25% of the aggregate floor area
D. There is no limitation
Answer: Openings cannot exceed 25% of the aggregate floor area
Rationale: OSHA limits openings cut for disposal of materials to no more than
25% of the aggregate total floor area unless the lateral supports of the removed
flooring remain in place.
10.A floor has been weakened by demolition operations. What is required?
A. Continue work until the floor fails
B. Shore the floor sufficiently for the intended imposed load
C. Restrict the area to supervisors only
D. Place additional debris on the floor
Qualification Advanced 100-Question
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. Before employees begin demolition of an existing structure, what is the
most critical structural-safety assessment?
A. A visual inspection by the equipment operator
B. An engineering survey performed by a competent person
C. A written estimate from the owner
D. A material inventory prepared by the laborer
Answer: An engineering survey performed by a competent person
Rationale: OSHA requires an engineering survey before demolition begins to
determine the condition of framing, floors, and walls and the possibility of an
unplanned collapse. Adjacent structures that could expose employees must also
be evaluated.
2. During an engineering survey, the demolition contractor discovers that a
fire-damaged floor has lost significant structural capacity. What should
occur before employees work in the affected area?
,A. Increase the number of workers
B. Add temporary shoring or bracing
C. Begin demolition from the lower floor
D. Wet the floor
Answer: Add temporary shoring or bracing
Rationale: Damaged structures can collapse unexpectedly. OSHA requires walls
or floors of structures damaged by fire, flood, explosion, or similar events to be
shored or braced when employees must work within them.
3. Which utilities must be addressed before demolition starts?
A. Only electrical service
B. Only gas and water
C. Electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines
D. Only utilities shown on the original plans
Answer: Electric, gas, water, steam, sewer, and other service lines
Rationale: Service lines must be shut off, capped, or otherwise controlled
outside the building line before demolition begins. Existing drawings alone
should never be treated as proof that a utility is inactive.
4. A demolition plan shows that an existing building shares a wall with an
occupied neighboring structure. What is the contractor's primary concern?
A. Increasing production speed
B. Protecting the adjacent structure and its occupants
C. Removing the shared wall first
D. Storing debris against the shared wall
Answer: Protecting the adjacent structure and its occupants
Rationale: Adjacent structures must be evaluated where employees could be
exposed to collapse or other hazards. Demolition sequencing must maintain
stability and prevent unintended damage.
, 5. Which individual should conduct the required demolition engineering
survey?
A. Any available laborer
B. The project owner only
C. A competent person
D. The truck driver
Answer: A competent person
Rationale: The survey must be performed by a competent person capable of
identifying existing and developing hazards associated with structural
deterioration and demolition.
6. What is the safest general sequence for removing exterior walls and floor
construction from a multistory structure?
A. Bottom to top
B. Middle floors first
C. Top downward
D. Randomly, depending on equipment access
Answer: Top downward
Rationale: OSHA generally requires exterior walls and floor construction to be
removed from the top downward, with each story addressed before proceeding
to the level below, except for specified preparatory operations.
7. A demolition contractor wants to use a hydraulic excavator on an upper
floor. What must first be verified?
A. That the machine has enough fuel
B. That the floor can safely support the imposed load
C. That the operator has worked for at least one year
D. That the building has no windows
Answer: That the floor can safely support the imposed load
, Rationale: Mechanical equipment may not be used on floors or working surfaces
unless those surfaces have sufficient strength for the imposed loads.
8. Why are floor openings particularly dangerous during demolition?
A. They increase ventilation
B. They can cause falls and allow uncontrolled debris movement
C. They reduce equipment capacity
D. They prevent dust suppression
Answer: They can cause falls and allow uncontrolled debris movement
Rationale: Floor openings create fall hazards and can become pathways for
debris. Openings not intentionally used for material drops must be properly
covered and secured.
9. A contractor cuts openings in a floor to drop debris. Under OSHA
demolition requirements, what limitation applies unless lateral supports
remain in place?
A. Openings cannot exceed 10% of the floor area
B. Openings cannot exceed 15% of the floor area
C. Openings cannot exceed 25% of the aggregate floor area
D. There is no limitation
Answer: Openings cannot exceed 25% of the aggregate floor area
Rationale: OSHA limits openings cut for disposal of materials to no more than
25% of the aggregate total floor area unless the lateral supports of the removed
flooring remain in place.
10.A floor has been weakened by demolition operations. What is required?
A. Continue work until the floor fails
B. Shore the floor sufficiently for the intended imposed load
C. Restrict the area to supervisors only
D. Place additional debris on the floor
