General In the last thirty years many vertical steel storage tanks have been demolished worldwide. In some cases the owners of such tanks entered into contracts with demolition contractors without sufficient knowledge of the problems involved. As a consequence a number of serious and sometimes fatal accidents have occurred. The causes amongst others have included inadequate contract specification@ insufficient inspection and supervision@ shortcomings in the site safety arrangements and unsafe demolition procedures. This document provides guidelines for the following types of structures: ? Vertical cylindrical@ non-refrigerated@ storage tanks built in accordance with BS 2654(1)@ API 650(2) or an equivalent code ? Vertical cylindrical@ refrigerated storage tanks built in accordance with BS 7777(13)@ API 620(3) or an equivalent code ? Column supported LPG or Ammonia spheres built in accordance with BS 5500(4)@ ASME Section VIII(5)@ Division 1 or 2 or other national pressure vessel code These guidelines are written particularly for the owners of storage tanks and spheres and outline the steps necessary to achieve a satisfactory and safe demolition. Although some information is included on demolition procedures@ this document does not provide a comprehensive list of all methods that may be proposed by demolition contractors. This guidance is intended to assist the owner in evaluating the acceptability of the methods proposed. This document assumes that the tank material will not be re used to construct a new tank. *Throughout this text the term ??owner?? is used for the party having the ultimate responsibility for the safe demolition of the tank. To avoid subsequent difficulties it is essential that should a party other than the owner be assigned this responsibility@ this is clarified and understood prior to detailed contract discussions and the commencement of any site work.