We moved out in early February and just received our demo permit two weeks ago. What a headache--you have to have all the utilities turned off and all wires and pipes disconnected, then get a county inspection of disconnected pipes and a letter from each utility confirming the disconnect. (The utilities are quick to send a bill but ask them to confirm they turned off your gas and water is a headache.)
I also needed an asbestos inspection, and yes, they found a little asbestos in the caulking on the roof flashing--that had to be removed by a licensed contractor. More time and money and paperwork.
All this before you can get a demo permit.
Then with demo permit and asbestos certification in hand I went to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Training Academy. It was perfect timing--they had a class graduating the next week and were looking for a home for their final "training" exercise. I was glad to oblige.
So on the 18th the academy torched our place--several times. The were practicing three things--hose deployment (getting the hoses were they needed them), emergency egress--getting people in and out when passages were blocked by flames by going through florrs, walls and roof;, and extinguishing "small controlled fires" as they termed it. I was told they set five fires in different places at different times.
Unfortunately I was working and couldn't swing by and watch until lunch--a lot of the action was over but from the pics you can get a sense of the devastation.
This is noting compared to the inside where the ceilings and insulation are on the floor, walls and floors seared and blistering, and water dripping everywhere. I was in a rush to get it boarded up after work on Wednesday (they are very strict that I have to do it--safety issue) but I'll get in this weekend and get more pics.
The remaining structure is scheduled to be demolished and removed next week. Then construction can finally begin!
More pics are at: http://mysite.verizon.net/vineski/photo.htm
Kontoboy
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