If your commercial building has been decommissioned or is no longer suitable for your projected use, you might need to perform demolition. You can choose partial demolition if you want to extend or renovate the structure. Complete demolition is the primary option if you plan to set up a completely new structure in place of the damaged building. There are different factors that you must think about before starting this type of project. This will help you avoid potential problems related to unexpected cost, lawsuits and unexpected delays. Here are the primary considerations to help you ensure that the demolition work runs efficiently.
Asbestos Testing and Management
Asbestos is present in older commercial buildings, so testing is critical before the demolition work commences. If the structure is disturbed prematurely, the fibres of this hazardous material will be released to the surrounding area. Consequently, the workers and even people around will inhale the particles and become predisposed to conditions like asbestosis. You should engage a consultant for a visual inspection of the building during the planning process. If there are suspect materials, sampling and laboratory testing can be performed to confirm the presence of the dangerous asbestos. Removal is the only management strategy that you can choose prior to demolition.
Method of Demolition
There are different techniques that can be utilised in taking down a commercial building. Your choice will determine the cost of the demolition and clean-up work, and it should depend on aspects such as location and building size. Mechanical demolition is the most ideal choice for medium-sized and small buildings. Basically, this involves using equipment such as bulldozers, excavators and pusher arms to dismantle the structure. Wrecking balls attached to cranes can also be used for larger buildings to reduce the height. Ensure these are used by experts to avoid accidental damage to surrounding buildings. Implosion, which involves explosives use, is ideal for large structures in populated areas. However, the risk is high and a lot of debris is produced, so this should be a final option. Your demolition contractor will offer their advice about which method will work best for your situation.
Clean-Up Strategies
You should plan for efficient clean-up because the building parts and poor debris handling can be harmful to the environment. Ideally, you should install a protective fence around the commercial property during the clean-up process to prevent materials from flowing out or people from accidentally stumbling in. Immediate clean-up is better for safety because this prevents pooling of contaminated water and establishment of animal populations. Where possible, consider recycling the building materials to reduce waste.
