BUILDING DEMOLITION

Building demolition is not a single process but rather a long chain of precise actions to ensure that the building is removed in the safest way possible so that redevelopment can take place. As part of the process there has to be a thorough survey to assess the state of the building and any hazardous materials that might be released into the atmosphere in the process of demolition (see our pages on lead and asbestos). Those materials have to be removed prior to the demolition work and a full plan for that, as well as a safety plan, has to be presented to the relevant authorities. The plan includes a full walk through of the different techniques that will be used to complete the job. Because there’s more than one way to get the job done.

Implosions 

Implosion is when the size of a building calls for explosives and the implosion name refers to the fact that the idea is not to blow it up but rather to selectively take out supporting structures so that the building then collapses in on itself in a safe and controlled manner. Everyone loves a good implosive demolition and there are entire YouTube channels dedicated to it but in reality the technique is rare and only called for with very large structures.

Excavator Demolition

This is a much more common way of demolishing smaller buildings, houses, and structures of a few stories although with high reach excavators it can also be used to pull taller buildings apart. The beauty of excavator demolition is that its precision means that there is less debris, less danger, and less disturbance to the surrounding areas. The excavator is fitted with special tools at the end of its arm such as hydraulic shears or hammers so that it can cut into or smash up the structure prior to those larger chunks being further broken down and hauled away.

Wrecking Ball

Miley Cyrus may have put wrecking balls firmly back in the popular imagination but they are not as common as they used to be. That’s because while that huge metal ball on the end of a crane chain is undoubtedly effective at smashing walls, and because of that also very cost effective, it leaves a lot of rubble and airborne debris and that leaves a lot to be desired. There are locations where we can let rip with a wrecking ball but usually in residential or commercial areas there are neighbors to worry about and airborne clouds of masonry dust don’t make any friends or put a smile on the safety officers charged with protecting the environment.

Selective Demolition

This is a more eco-friendly process in that rather than smash everything and start from scratch selective demolition involves checking what part of the structure or what materials can be reused and then demolishing in a way to leave reusable structures or harvest the reusable materials. As the construction industry increasingly greens up its act selective demolition is becoming the go to approach.