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Colorado Demolition
Contractor Examination — Local
Jurisdiction Practice Exam 2026 | 100
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. What is the primary purpose of a pre-demolition inspection?
A. To determine the resale value of the property
B. To identify structural conditions, hazards, and utilities before work begins
C. To select the cheapest demolition equipment
D. To determine the final landscaping plan
Answer: To identify structural conditions, hazards, and utilities before work
begins
Rationale: A pre-demolition inspection helps identify structural instability,
hazardous materials, utility connections, adjacent-property concerns, and other
conditions that affect safe demolition planning.
2. Before demolition begins, which utilities should be properly disconnected
or otherwise controlled?
,A. Only electrical service
B. Only natural gas service
C. Only water service
D. All applicable utilities serving the structure
Answer: All applicable utilities serving the structure
Rationale: Electrical, gas, water, sewer, communications, and other services
may create hazards during demolition and must be properly identified and
controlled before work starts.
3. What is the safest general principle when demolishing a structurally
compromised building?
A. Begin at the weakest visible location without further planning
B. Work according to an engineered or properly developed demolition sequence
C. Remove all exterior walls first
D. Use the largest available excavator immediately
Answer: Work according to an engineered or properly developed demolition
sequence
Rationale: A controlled sequence reduces the likelihood of unexpected collapse
and protects workers, neighboring properties, and the public.
4. What does selective demolition generally mean?
A. Demolishing an entire building at once
B. Removing designated portions of a structure while preserving other
components
C. Demolishing only exterior landscaping
D. Removing only construction equipment
Answer: Removing designated portions of a structure while preserving other
components
,Rationale: Selective demolition is controlled removal of specific building
elements, often used during remodeling, renovation, or partial structural
replacement.
5. Why should an existing structure be surveyed before demolition?
A. To establish the building's original sale price
B. To identify construction characteristics, hazards, and conditions that could
affect demolition
C. To determine the color of replacement materials
D. To eliminate the need for permits
Answer: To identify construction characteristics, hazards, and conditions that
could affect demolition
Rationale: A survey helps the contractor understand structural systems, utilities,
hazardous materials, neighboring conditions, and potential demolition risks.
6. Which condition presents a significant hazard during demolition?
A. Stable concrete slab
B. Uncontrolled structural collapse
C. Clearly marked work area
D. Properly barricaded sidewalk
Answer: Uncontrolled structural collapse
Rationale: Unexpected collapse can cause fatalities, injuries, equipment
damage, and damage to nearby property.
7. What is the purpose of a demolition plan?
A. To advertise the contractor
B. To establish the planned sequence, methods, controls, and safety measures for
demolition
C. To calculate property taxes
D. To select interior paint colors
, Answer: To establish the planned sequence, methods, controls, and safety
measures for demolition
Rationale: A demolition plan provides a systematic approach to removing the
structure while controlling foreseeable hazards.
8. Which federal agency establishes and enforces workplace safety
requirements applicable to demolition operations?
A. OSHA
B. EPA only
C. FEMA
D. IRS
Answer: OSHA
Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes
workplace safety requirements, including standards specifically addressing
demolition operations.
9. What is a major concern when demolishing a building near a public
sidewalk?
A. Paint color
B. Falling debris and public exposure
C. Interior lighting
D. Furniture selection
Answer: Falling debris and public exposure
Rationale: Public areas must be protected from falling objects, dust, equipment
movement, and other demolition hazards through appropriate controls.
10.What should be done if previously unidentified hazardous material is
discovered during demolition?
A. Continue work as quickly as possible
B. Disturb it to determine what it is
Colorado Demolition
Contractor Examination — Local
Jurisdiction Practice Exam 2026 | 100
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. What is the primary purpose of a pre-demolition inspection?
A. To determine the resale value of the property
B. To identify structural conditions, hazards, and utilities before work begins
C. To select the cheapest demolition equipment
D. To determine the final landscaping plan
Answer: To identify structural conditions, hazards, and utilities before work
begins
Rationale: A pre-demolition inspection helps identify structural instability,
hazardous materials, utility connections, adjacent-property concerns, and other
conditions that affect safe demolition planning.
2. Before demolition begins, which utilities should be properly disconnected
or otherwise controlled?
,A. Only electrical service
B. Only natural gas service
C. Only water service
D. All applicable utilities serving the structure
Answer: All applicable utilities serving the structure
Rationale: Electrical, gas, water, sewer, communications, and other services
may create hazards during demolition and must be properly identified and
controlled before work starts.
3. What is the safest general principle when demolishing a structurally
compromised building?
A. Begin at the weakest visible location without further planning
B. Work according to an engineered or properly developed demolition sequence
C. Remove all exterior walls first
D. Use the largest available excavator immediately
Answer: Work according to an engineered or properly developed demolition
sequence
Rationale: A controlled sequence reduces the likelihood of unexpected collapse
and protects workers, neighboring properties, and the public.
4. What does selective demolition generally mean?
A. Demolishing an entire building at once
B. Removing designated portions of a structure while preserving other
components
C. Demolishing only exterior landscaping
D. Removing only construction equipment
Answer: Removing designated portions of a structure while preserving other
components
,Rationale: Selective demolition is controlled removal of specific building
elements, often used during remodeling, renovation, or partial structural
replacement.
5. Why should an existing structure be surveyed before demolition?
A. To establish the building's original sale price
B. To identify construction characteristics, hazards, and conditions that could
affect demolition
C. To determine the color of replacement materials
D. To eliminate the need for permits
Answer: To identify construction characteristics, hazards, and conditions that
could affect demolition
Rationale: A survey helps the contractor understand structural systems, utilities,
hazardous materials, neighboring conditions, and potential demolition risks.
6. Which condition presents a significant hazard during demolition?
A. Stable concrete slab
B. Uncontrolled structural collapse
C. Clearly marked work area
D. Properly barricaded sidewalk
Answer: Uncontrolled structural collapse
Rationale: Unexpected collapse can cause fatalities, injuries, equipment
damage, and damage to nearby property.
7. What is the purpose of a demolition plan?
A. To advertise the contractor
B. To establish the planned sequence, methods, controls, and safety measures for
demolition
C. To calculate property taxes
D. To select interior paint colors
, Answer: To establish the planned sequence, methods, controls, and safety
measures for demolition
Rationale: A demolition plan provides a systematic approach to removing the
structure while controlling foreseeable hazards.
8. Which federal agency establishes and enforces workplace safety
requirements applicable to demolition operations?
A. OSHA
B. EPA only
C. FEMA
D. IRS
Answer: OSHA
Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes
workplace safety requirements, including standards specifically addressing
demolition operations.
9. What is a major concern when demolishing a building near a public
sidewalk?
A. Paint color
B. Falling debris and public exposure
C. Interior lighting
D. Furniture selection
Answer: Falling debris and public exposure
Rationale: Public areas must be protected from falling objects, dust, equipment
movement, and other demolition hazards through appropriate controls.
10.What should be done if previously unidentified hazardous material is
discovered during demolition?
A. Continue work as quickly as possible
B. Disturb it to determine what it is
