Demolition work has been in the news a lot recently. There is an ongoing debate about whether buildings should be repurposed, or demolished and rebuilt, with major retail outlets like M&S on London’s Oxford Street at the centre of the conversation.
But demolition work is and always will be a crucial part of the construction industry. If you’re considering carrying out a demolition on your property or want to pursue a career in demolition work, here are some insights into this key part of the construction process.
What is demolition work?
In some cases, it is decided that a building must be destroyed. This is done in a number of ways, from systematically dismantling the building using tools, to using more impactful methods like using a wrecking ball or controlled explosives.
Why is demolition work needed?
There are different reasons why demolition is necessary.
Sometimes, materials used in its construction are no longer considered safe. We can only build properties and developments with the materials that we know to be suitable at the time, so when technology and education around common building materials evolves, it becomes clear that it’s better to knock the building down and begin again.
One major example of this is asbestos. Once seen as a great way to insulate a property, it’s now known to have toxic properties and has been banned in the UK since the late 1990s.
Another reason is that there is a need for regeneration in an area. Times change and modernisation means that clearing the way for fresh developments is the easiest way to update a town centre or part of a city.
Additionally, there instances where structures are no longer in use. In cases like this, it can be beneficial to demolish what’s there and repurpose the land.
The demolition process
There are different steps to take when demolishing a building:
- Get planning permission – While many demolition projects don’t need planning permission, it’s worth checking to see if this is required. As a demolition contractor, it will be your duty to check this and prepare the paperwork.
- Carry out a full risk assessment – A specialist will need to assess the impact of any demolition work on the surrounding area. Then, a risk assessment of the building will be needed to check for things like asbestos, mould, and lead paint. This is in order to protect the workers when the begin the demolition.
- Clear the surrounding area – Anything close to the building, including people, animals, and trees, should be moved out of the way. If the building is attached to another one, a plan must be drawn up to support the neighbouring buildings.
- Make sure everything is safe – remove electricity and gas lines. If this isn’t possible, disconnect these lines so that the demolition remains controlled.
- Carry out the demolition – This is by hand, explosives or using a machine like a wrecking ball.
Health and safety factors
The health and safety of demolition workers is vital here. Demolition is a hazardous career to work in so taking the right steps to avoid accidents can be hugely beneficial.
From having the appropriate protective work gloves to ensuring noise levels are accounted for, there is a list of things to take into account. Additionally, the safety of people nearby must be part of any risk assessment as bystanders have been known to be injured – and even killed – through poor health and safety planning.
Next steps
Whether you’re thinking of having a building demolished or you work in construction and would like to move into the world of demolition, there is much to consider before you take the next step. However, razing a building to the ground in order to create something new in its place is a rewarding process that has the potential to benefit generations to come.
