How is a Calgary designated substance survey ordered?

A designated substance survey (DSS) in Calgary is ordered by hiring an accredited environmental consulting firm or industrial hygienist to assess your property before any demolition or major renovation work begins. This is a legal requirement under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation whenever a building is being demolished or significantly disturbed.

Why a DSS Is Required

Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act and the OHS Code require that before any demolition or renovation that could disturb hazardous materials, the employer (or owner acting as employer) must identify all designated substances present. In Calgary, this applies to residential, commercial, and industrial properties alike. The most common designated substances found in Calgary's older housing stock include asbestos (very common in homes built before 1990), lead paint (pre-1978 homes), silica, mould, and mercury (in older thermostats and fluorescent lighting).

Calgary's inner-city renovation boom — think bungalows in Killarney, Renfrew, or Capitol Hill being gutted or torn down — means DSS reports are being ordered constantly. If your home was built before 1990, there's a realistic chance asbestos is present in floor tiles, stipple ceilings, pipe insulation, duct wrap, or exterior cladding. You won't know until a qualified professional tests it.

How to Order One

The process is straightforward. You contact an accredited environmental consulting firm or a certified industrial hygienist — look for firms with professionals holding CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) or ROH (Registered Occupational Hygienist) credentials. The surveyor will visit the property, conduct a visual inspection, collect bulk samples from suspect materials, and send those samples to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The resulting report identifies all designated substances, their locations, quantities, and condition — and provides recommendations for safe removal or management.

Typical costs in the Greater Calgary market run roughly:

• Small residential home (under 1,500 sq ft): $800–$1,500


• Mid-size home or partial renovation scope: $1,200–$2,500


• Full demolition survey on a larger property: $2,000–$4,000+

Turnaround is typically 5–10 business days for the written report, though rush services are available.

Calgary-Specific Context

For demolition permits, the City of Calgary requires documentation that hazardous materials have been identified and will be properly managed. You'll submit your DSS (or a clearance letter from your environmental consultant) as part of the demolition permit application through calgaryplanningpermit.ca. Asbestos abatement must be performed by a contractor certified under Alberta's OHS Code — abatement work is inspected and must meet strict containment and disposal requirements. Asbestos waste is disposed of at approved landfills (the City of Calgary's Spyhill Landfill accepts asbestos waste under specific conditions).

If asbestos or other designated substances are found, removal must happen before demolition or renovation proceeds — this is non-negotiable under Alberta OHS legislation and is enforced by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.

Your Next Steps

Contact two or three accredited environmental consulting firms in Calgary to get quotes — scope the survey to match your project (full demolition vs. targeted renovation area). Ask for their lab accreditation details and turnaround time. Once you have the DSS report in hand, share it with your contractor and submit it with your demolition permit application to the City of Calgary. You can browse environmental consultants and abatement contractors in the Calgary Construction Network directory to find qualified local professionals.