Field calculator
Debris dumpster calculator (container count)
Ordering containers for a demolition or cleanup job comes down to how much debris you will make and how big the box is. The number of containers is the loose debris volume divided by the container size, both in cubic yards. Enter the volume and the box size; common roll-offs run 10, 20, 30, and 40 cubic yards. Estimate the volume as length times width times the pile height in feet, divided by 27. Two cautions keep the estimate honest. Demolished material bulks up as it is torn out, so the loose volume you haul is larger than the neat in-place volume. And weight, not volume, is often the real limit: heavy debris like concrete, masonry, dirt, asphalt, and shingles hits the container weight cap long before the box looks full, which is why haulers put those in smaller dedicated boxes. Confirm the size mix and the weight limits with your hauler.
Result
Debris container (dumpster) count: the number of containers is the loose debris volume divided by the container size, both in cubic yards. Enter the volume and the box size (common roll-offs are 10, 20, 30, and 40 cubic yards). Estimate the volume as length × width × pile height in feet, divided by 27. Two cautions: demolished material bulks up as it is torn out, so the loose volume is larger than the in-place volume; and weight, not volume, is often the real limit, because heavy debris like concrete, masonry, dirt, and shingles hits the container weight cap long before the box looks full. Order a smaller, dedicated container for heavy material and confirm weight limits with the hauler.
anvilfield.com/calculators/debris-dumpster-volume-calculator · Free field calculators and FieldOS. A planning estimate, verify against the code, the manufacturer, and the engineer of record.
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Dumpster FAQ
What is selective demolition?
Selective demolition, also called interior strip-out, removes specific parts of a building while the structure stays standing. It is the renovation method: take out finishes, partitions, ceilings, and systems, and leave the frame and floors. The same hazmat survey, abatement, and notification rules apply as on a full demolition.
Do you have to test for asbestos before demolition?
Yes. A pre-demolition survey to determine whether asbestos is present is required before you demolish, and regulated asbestos must be removed by a licensed crew first. Federal EPA NESHAP rules and the local air agency set the survey, abatement, and notification, so confirm the requirements for the jurisdiction.
What is an OSHA engineering survey?
An OSHA engineering survey is a required written assessment by a competent person before demolition, made to determine the condition of the framing, floors, and walls and the possibility of unplanned collapse. OSHA 1926 Subpart T requires it, requires written evidence it was done, and requires adjacent structures to be checked.
What is the demolition sequence?
The demolition sequence is the order the structure comes down, planned to keep it stable until each piece is meant to fall. The general rule is top-down and reverse of construction, so the roof goes first. For anything beyond simple structures, an engineer sets the sequence and the AHJ controls.
How long before demolition do you file the asbestos notification?
Under the EPA asbestos NESHAP, the owner or operator must notify the air agency commonly at least 10 working days before demolition begins. Start that clock late and the job waits. Lead times, thresholds, and the form vary by agency, so confirm with the air authority that has jurisdiction.