The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has advised us of recent changes to the form required for the notification of building removal, demolition, and/or relocation. In addition, the Department's approach to removal of asbestos-containing materials in buildings on construction projects has changed in recent years.

Currently, the Right of Way Branch is performing inspections and removing asbestos-containing material during right of way acquisitions for all projects. In some instances, building demolition, removal, or relocation is also being performed by the Right of Way Branch. The Division Right of Way Agent can advise of all completed or scheduled work regarding the above.

When the removal, relocation, and/or demolition of buildings is included in a contract, the Resident Engineer should contact the Division Right of Way Agent to ensure that all buildings have been inspected and are asbestos free. The Resident Engineer should obtain copies of asbestos inspection reports and permits from the Division Right of Way Agent prior to or during the preconstruction conference. Copies of these reports should be provided to the contractor by the Resident Engineer.

Prior to demolition, removing, or relocating a building, the contractor must notify the Health Hazards Control Branch of DHHS. The contractor shall provide notification by submitting Form DHHS 3768 to the Health Hazards Control Branch ten working days prior to the date demolition, removal, or relocation work is to begin. The Resident Engineer should ensure that the contractor has submitted Form DHHS 3768 and that demolition, removal, or relocation does not occur prior to the date specified by the contractor on the notification form. Failure to provide notification or beginning work prior to specified date could result in a Notice of Violation (NOV) and fines issued by the Health Hazards Control Branch of DHHS.

The Resident Engineer should refer to the NCDOT Construction Manual for a check list regarding demolition, removal, or relocation of buildings. It is imperative that all items listed in the inspector's check list are addressed and adhered to in order to comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

When performing building demolition, removal, or relocation in Mecklenburg, Forsyth, and Buncombe Counties, the contractor should contact the local environmental agency prior to beginning work. Notification for building removal, relocation, and/or demolition will be handled through these local environmental agencies instead of DHHS. The contact person for those counties is as follows:

Buncombe County

WNC Regional Air Pollution Control Agency

(828) 255-5655

Forsyth County

Environmental Affairs Department

(336) 727-8064

Mecklenburg County

Department of Environmental Protection

(704) 336-5500

Copies of Form DHHS 3768 along with instructions for preparing the form can be found at the following website:

If you have any questions pertaining to asbestos detection and removal or Form DHHS 3768, please contact the Health Hazard Control Branch for assistance at (919) 733-2210.

1995 Standard Specifications - Section 225-3, Article 104-3

1995 Construction Manual - Section 225