early-phase-enabling-trades

name	early-phase-enabling-trades
description	Sitework, excavation, demolition, environmental abatement, and underground utility guidance for construction PMs and field supervisors.

Early Phase Enabling Trades

Expert-level guidance for sitework, excavation, demolition, environmental abatement, and underground utilities in commercial/institutional construction. This skill covers the critical first phases of construction that establish the foundation for all subsequent work.

Quick Reference Tables

OSHA Excavation Soil Classification

Type	Description	Max Allowable Slope	Cohesive Strength
Type A	Clay, silty clay, sandy clay, clay loam (ceite)	3/4H:1V (53°)	1.5 tsf or greater
Type B	Angular gravel, silt, silt loam, sandy loam, previously disturbed soils	1H:1V (45°)	0.5-1.5 tsf
Type C	Gravel, sand, loamy sand, submerged soil, unstable rock	1.5H:1V (34°)	Less than 0.5 tsf

Reference: Trench Safety & OSHA Requirements

Soil Classification Quick Reference (USCS)

Symbol	Description	Characteristics
GW	Well-graded gravel	Excellent drainage, high bearing
GP	Poorly-graded gravel	Good drainage, moderate bearing
SW	Well-graded sand	Good drainage, good bearing
SP	Poorly-graded sand	Good drainage, lower bearing
SM	Silty sand	Fair drainage, fair bearing
SC	Clayey sand	Poor drainage, fair bearing
ML	Silt	Poor drainage, low bearing
CL	Lean clay	Poor drainage, fair bearing
CH	Fat clay	Very poor drainage, variable bearing, expansive
OH/OL	Organic soils	Not suitable for structural support

Reference: Geotechnical Fundamentals

Compaction Requirements by Application

Application	Minimum % Compaction	Test Method	Lift Thickness
Structural fill under footings	95-98% Modified Proctor	Nuclear density	6-8" loose
Building pad/slab subgrade	95% Modified Proctor	Nuclear density	8" loose
Utility trench backfill (pipe zone)	95% Standard Proctor	Nuclear density	6" loose
Utility trench backfill (above pipe)	90-95% Standard Proctor	Nuclear density	8-12" loose
Pavement subgrade	95% Modified Proctor	Nuclear density	8" loose
General site fill	90% Standard Proctor	Nuclear density	12" loose

Reference: Excavation & Earthwork

Shrink and Swell Factors

Material	Shrink Factor	Swell Factor	Bank to Compacted
Clay	0.90	1.30	0.90
Common earth	0.90	1.25	0.90
Gravel	0.92	1.12	1.05
Sand	0.95	1.12	0.95
Rock (blasted)	0.67	1.50	Variable

Reference: Excavation & Earthwork

Underground Utility Pipe Materials

Application	Common Materials	Typical Sizes	Key Considerations
Sanitary sewer	PVC (SDR 35), DIP, VCP	4"-36"	SDR 35 to 15' depth; DIP for deeper
Storm drainage	RCP, HDPE, PVC, CMP	12"-96"	RCP for heavy loads; HDPE for flexibility
Domestic water	DIP, PVC (C900), HDPE	4"-16"	DIP most common; HDPE for HDD
Fire water	DIP, cement-lined	6"-12"	Typically ductile iron
Gas (distribution)	PE, steel	2"-6"	Yellow PE most common
Electrical duct	PVC (Sch 40/80), HDPE	2"-6"	Concrete encased in traffic areas

Reference: Sanitary & Storm | Water & Fire | Dry Utilities

Dewatering System Selection

Groundwater Condition	Soil Type	Recommended System	Typical Depth
Low volume, shallow	Any	Open sumps	0-6'
Moderate volume	Sand, gravel	Wellpoints	0-18'
High volume, deep	Sand, gravel	Deep wells	15-100'+
Fine soils, low perm	Silt, fine sand	Eductors	0-60'
Contaminated	Any	Contained system	Varies

Reference: Dewatering Systems

Shoring System Selection

Excavation Depth	Soil Conditions	Typical System	Design Responsibility
<5'	Type A soil	Open cut or box	Contractor
5-12'	Type B/C soil	Trench box/shield	Contractor
5-20'	Mixed conditions	Sheet piling	Engineer required
10-40'	Tight site, adjacent structures	Soldier pile & lagging	Engineer required
20'+	High groundwater	Secant/tangent piles	Engineer required
Variable	Permanent installation	Soil nail wall	Engineer required

Reference: Shoring & Excavation Support

APWA Utility Color Codes

Color	Utility Type	Examples
Red	Electric	Power lines, conduit, lighting
Yellow	Gas/Oil/Steam	Natural gas, propane, petroleum
Orange	Communication	Telephone, cable TV, fiber optic
Blue	Water	Potable water, irrigation
Green	Sewer/Drain	Sanitary sewer, storm drain
Purple	Reclaimed water	Non-potable water
Pink	Temporary survey	Survey marks, proposed excavation
White	Proposed excavation	Dig area boundary

Reference: Utility Coordination & Locates

Asbestos-Containing Materials (Common Locations)

Material	Friability	Typical Location	Removal Method
Pipe insulation	Friable	Mechanical rooms, ceilings	Full containment
Spray-on fireproofing	Friable	Structural steel, decking	Full containment
Acoustic ceiling tile	Non-friable	Ceilings throughout	Wet removal
Floor tile (9x9, 12x12 VAT)	Non-friable	Throughout building	Wet removal
Mastic/adhesive	Non-friable	Under flooring	Leave in place or removal
Transite siding/panels	Non-friable	Exterior, mechanical rooms	Wet, intact removal
Roofing felts	Non-friable	Roof systems	Wet removal
Joint compound	Friable	Drywall joints	Full containment
Boiler insulation	Friable	Mechanical rooms	Full containment

Reference: Asbestos Abatement

Environmental Regulatory Framework

Regulation	Agency	Applies To	Key Requirements
NESHAP	EPA	Asbestos	10-day notification, work practices
OSHA 1926.1101	OSHA	Asbestos (construction)	Worker protection, exposure limits
OSHA 1926.62	OSHA	Lead (construction)	Worker protection, medical monitoring
RRP Rule	EPA	Lead paint renovation	Certified renovators, work practices
TSCA	EPA	PCBs	Disposal requirements
RCRA	EPA	Hazardous waste	Manifests, disposal
NPDES	EPA/State	Stormwater	SWPPP, inspections, BMPs

Reference: Lead & Hazmat Abatement | Permits & Regulatory

Pipe Testing Requirements

Pipe Type	Test Method	Test Pressure/Duration	Acceptance Criteria
Sanitary PVC	Low-pressure air	4.0 psi, 2 min minimum	No audible leaks
Sanitary PVC	Mandrel (deflection)	5% of ID	Pass without force
Storm RCP	Exfiltration	2' head above GW	<200 gal/inch-dia/mile/day
Water main DIP	Hydrostatic	150% working, 2 hrs	Max allowable leakage per AWWA
Water main PVC	Hydrostatic	150% working, 2 hrs	Max allowable leakage per AWWA
Gas PE	Pressure test	1.5x MAOP, 1 hr	No pressure drop
Electrical duct	Mandrel	Per spec	Full pass-through

Reference: Testing & Inspections

Erosion & Sediment Control BMPs

BMP Type	Application	Maintenance Frequency	Key Installation Requirements
Silt fence	Perimeter, slope bases	Weekly + after 0.5"+ rain	Trenched 6"+, posts 6' OC
Inlet protection	Storm inlets	Weekly + after rain	Filter fabric or gravel
Stabilized entrance	Site access points	Daily, add stone as needed	50' min length, 6" stone
Sediment basin	Large disturbed areas	After each storm event	Per SWPPP sizing
Erosion blanket	Slopes >3:1	Inspect weekly	Stapled per manufacturer
Concrete washout	Mixer/pump cleaning	Weekly, dispose properly	Lined pit, 10' from drainage

Reference: Erosion & Sediment Control

Survey Layout Tolerances

Element	Horizontal Tolerance	Vertical Tolerance	Verification Method
Building corners	±0.01' (1/8")	N/A	Double-check layout
Foundation/footings	±0.02' (1/4")	±0.02'	Survey, form check
Anchor bolts	±1/8"	±1/4"	Template, survey
Structural steel base plates	±1/8"	±1/8"	Survey, level
Underground utilities	±0.10'	±0.02' elevation	Grade laser, survey
Fine grading	±0.02'-0.04'	±0.02'	Laser, string line
Paving subgrade	±0.02'	±0.02'	Laser level

Reference: Surveying & Layout

CSI MasterFormat Divisions for Early Phase Work

Division	Title	Key Sections
01	General Requirements	SWPPP (01 57 00), Temporary Facilities
02	Existing Conditions	Demolition (02 41 00), Hazmat (02 82 00)
31	Earthwork	Excavation, Shoring, Dewatering, Grading
32	Exterior Improvements	Paving, Fencing, Site Improvements
33	Utilities	Storm, Sanitary, Water, Gas, Electric

Reference: Specifications & CSI Divisions

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Detailed Reference Guides

Sitework & Excavation

• Geotechnical Fundamentals - Soil classification, bearing capacity, geotech reports, boring logs
• Excavation & Earthwork - Mass excavation, cut/fill, compaction testing, quantities
• Shoring & Excavation Support - OSHA soil types, shoring systems, monitoring, design
• Dewatering Systems - Wellpoints, deep wells, monitoring, discharge permits
• Erosion & Sediment Control - SWPPP, BMPs, inspections, NPDES permits

Demolition

• Demolition Methods - Selective, structural, mechanical, equipment selection
• Demolition Planning & Sequencing - Pre-demo surveys, salvage, LEED, occupied buildings

Environmental Abatement

• Asbestos Abatement - Surveys, containment, air monitoring, clearance, NESHAP
• Lead & Hazmat Abatement - Lead, mold, PCBs, mercury, USTs, contaminated soil

Underground Utilities

• Sanitary Sewer & Storm Drainage - Pipe materials, installation, testing, manholes
• Domestic Water & Fire Water - Water main, fire protection, testing, disinfection
• Dry Utilities - Electrical duct bank, gas, telecom, joint trench
• Trench Safety & OSHA - Subpart P, competent person, soil classification, protective systems
• Utility Coordination & Locates - 811, potholing, damage prevention, as-builts

Regulatory & Documentation

• Surveying & Layout - Control, benchmarks, layout procedures, GPS, tolerances
• Permits & Regulatory - Demo permits, NPDES, notifications, closeout
• Testing & Inspections - Compaction, pipe tests, video inspection, documentation
• Safety Hazards - Excavation, utilities, demolition, hazmat, equipment hazards
• Specifications & CSI Divisions - Division 02, 31, 32, 33, key specification sections

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Integration with Other Skills

This skill works with other construction management skills:

Skill	Integration Points
construction-safety-management	OSHA requirements, competent person duties, incident investigation
vdc-bim-coordination	Underground utility coordination, clash detection, 3D models
procore-project-management	RFIs, submittals, daily logs, documentation workflows
schedule-management-cpm	Early phase sequencing, critical path, activity durations
contract-administration	Differing site conditions claims, change orders
claims-delay-documentation	Unforeseen conditions, delay documentation

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Typical Early Phase Sequence

1. Site Mobilization & Setup
   ├── Establish survey control
   ├── Install erosion controls
   ├── Set up construction entrance
   └── Temporary facilities

2. Demolition Phase
   ├── Hazmat surveys (if not complete)
   ├── Utility disconnections
   ├── Abatement (asbestos, lead)
   ├── Selective interior demo
   ├── Structural demolition
   └── Foundation/basement removal

3. Site Clearing & Earthwork
   ├── Strip topsoil (stockpile or export)
   ├── Mass excavation
   ├── Shoring installation
   ├── Dewatering (if required)
   ├── Building pad preparation
   └── Proof roll and compaction testing

4. Underground Utilities
   ├── Storm drainage
   ├── Sanitary sewer
   ├── Water and fire mains
   ├── Dry utility duct banks
   ├── Testing and inspection
   └── Backfill and compaction

5. Foundation Preparation
   ├── Fine grading
   ├── Subgrade compaction
   ├── Foundation layout
   └── Hand-off to structural

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Key Contacts & Coordination

External Coordination

• Geotechnical engineer - Soil conditions, testing, observations
• Surveyor - Control, layout, as-builts
• Utility companies - Connections, inspections, acceptance
• Environmental consultants - Abatement oversight, air monitoring
• AHJ (Building department, fire marshal, health department)
• 811 One-Call - Utility locates

Internal Coordination

• Safety manager - OSHA compliance, JSAs, incident response
• Project engineer - Submittals, RFIs, documentation
• Superintendent - Daily operations, crew coordination
• Scheduler - Activity updates, critical path