Determine When a PE-Stamped Engineered Demolition Plan Is Required
domain: osha.gov · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Start from the OSHA baseline: 1926.850(a) requires an engineering survey by a 'competent person' of the structure's framing, floors, and walls before demolition begins, with written evidence retained on site — this does not by itself require a licensed PE.
Check whether the owner, insurer, permitting authority, or project complexity (large/complex structure, explosive demolition, structure abutting occupied buildings) requires a PE-stamped plan beyond the OSHA minimum.
For federal or federally funded work, confirm whether the applicable agency safety manual requires a Registered Professional Engineer's survey, which is stricter than the general OSHA competent-person standard.
When a PE stamp is required or elected, have the PE document structural sequencing, temporary shoring/bracing, and load path assumptions, not just a general condition assessment.
Retain both the OSHA-required written survey evidence and any PE-stamped plan in the project file, since local permitting agencies may request the stamped plan separately.
Known gotchas
OSHA's 'competent person' standard for the engineering survey is a lower bar than a licensed PE — OSHA compliance alone does not satisfy a contract or jurisdiction that separately requires a PE stamp.
Local building departments increasingly require PE-stamped demolition plans for permit issuance even where OSHA's competent-person survey would be legally sufficient — check the permitting agency's requirement independently.
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