Explosion Demolition

Commercial Demolition Sacramento

Explosion Demolition

Demolition is one of the most fascinating and needed parts of construction work. As we build more structures, we need to demolish the debilitating ones, for safety reasons or to make room for the newer buildings.

Demolition is the process of dismantling a building by pre-planned or controlled methods. At Monster Demolition we know there’s more to demolition than swinging a wrecking ball and bringing down a building. First, we look at the safety aspect then decide the best plan of action for demolition.

The construction industry continues to see increased growth at a 3.3% rate over the next few years. We at Monster Demolition understand the importance of demolishing a building, we also understand how it makes room for growth of new businesses in our communities.  Below we will provide a summary of the entire demolition process.

Pre-demolition Process

Before a demolition is executed with the Monster Demolition experts, we must consider several different factors. First and foremost how to proceed safely and second how to get the results the client wants. Monster Demolition customizes each project and will typically involve the following steps.

Building survey: Our experts at Monster Demolition will examine the different aspects of a building. For example, the types of materials used, how the building itself was used, how the building was constructed, the condition the building is currently in, the draining conditions, if there are traffic conditions around the site, any building codes, and neighboring communities and how we will contain the demolition. Considering all of these parameters will help us to determine the best demolition method.

Removal of hazardous materials: Our fully licensed and bonded demolition team will remove dangerous materials from the building prior to demolition. Monster Demolitions services include Asbestos and Lead abatement, Earthquake Clean up, fire and debris clean up, and swimming pool demolition and removal.

Demolition plan: The Monster Demolition experts will come up with a detailed plan depicting what will be involved in the demolition, how it will be executed, the equipment that will be needed, and how much debris and time they will need to clean up.

 Safety measures: The Monster Demolition team are all trained and advised of potential hazards such as flammable materials and exposure to noise and dust. We provide our team with the most current training and pride ourselves on improving and building upon our many safety initiatives to further our commitment to EPA & OSHA Standards.

Our next step at Monster Demolition is to select the safest and most efficient demolition method that will deliver our clients with the best results on time and on budget.  Not all demolitions end in the big explosions. Modes of demolition can run from a hands-on or piece-by-piece tear down, to the larger jobs requiring the “blasts” or explosive style demolitions, implosions, excavators, wrecking balls, and bulldozers all have their place in demolition.

Building Implosion

Implosion is one of the most intense and dramatic methods of demolishing a building. Implosion being one of the most effective methods is actually only used about 1% of the time due to its nature. Implosion is using explosives to knock out a building’s main supports. This causes the building to collapse from the inside out. This method is typically used for large buildings that is surrounded by other structures. An implosion allows for more controlled demolition.

There are two methods when dealing with implosions. If enough space is available, explosives are placed into the building’s left columns, making it fall to one side when detonated, much like chopping down a tree. Cables are used to control the building’s collapse. If space is limited, the second method involves placing explosives in the building’s lower support system and middle sections, causing the building to fall onto itself. This method is typically used if multiple structures are to close for a side implosion.

“Blasters” is the term used to refer to the expert who will set the explosives and demolish large structures. A blaster will also map out the implosion ahead of time using the following factors below.  A successful implosion requires planning and experience.

Blueprint examination: Blasters study blueprints of a structure then walk the building multiple times to determine which areas need to be blasted and the best places to attach the explosives. Once they have enough data the map out their plan of action.

Site preparation: Crews will start by eliminating all loose debris and non-load-bearing walls.

Determine explosives: Blasters will select an explosive based on the building’s materials and structure. Dynamites are a combustible material that burns hot and quick. When detonated it releases an immense outward pressure and obliterates the concrete columns into tiny chunks. RDX is used for steel structures. RDX can expand up to 27,000 feet per second and will slice through steel structures splitting them in half.

Load explosives: Blasters will drill holes into the concrete columns known as “boreholes”, once ignited it causes the concrete to shatter.

Time detonation: Timing is everything when working with explosives. If the blaster needs a more controlled explosion, they will use blast caps with a delay mechanism. This is just a slower burning material placed between the fuse and primer charge.

Excavator Demolition

For smaller buildings such as offices or homes, an excavator may be used to demolish the structure. A heavy-duty machine such as a high reach excavator may be used for buildings over 60 feet tall, as well as those made of masonry, concrete, and steel.  High reach demolition causes less flying debris, dust, noise, and risk to the operator as it is considered a cleaner and safer way to demolish a structure.

The building is demolished primarily from the excavators’ attachments. The attachments used primarily are the shears, crushers, and hydraulic hammers. A specific tool will be chosen based on material. Shears will cut through the material, crushers reduce the pieces to rubble, and the hydraulic hammer will bust up the material.

The correct boom size is also important when clearing debris. The height against the weight must be determined. Taller buildings will typically have lighter steel and materials the higher you go. Shorter buildings, such as industrial type buildings will have heavier materials.

 Wrecking Ball Demolition

A wrecking ball is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of demolition. A massive steel ball swinging from a crane and smashing into a building using only kinetic energy. The weight is sometimes as heavy as 12,000 pounds will free fall into a building and bring it down with no problem.

There are different ways to release the ball depending on the structure and plan of action. It can either be dragged back, suspended by a length of steel chain and released, hoisted and dropped, or swung from a spinning a crane. Controlling the initial swing is important, once the ball hits the structure it cannot be controlled.

Wrecking balls can be used on the ground or in some cases even from helicopters. They are also used if a more practical approach is not the safest approach. If there are potentially hazardous materials such as lead or asbestos or other environmental dangers a wrecking ball may be utilized.

While wrecking ball demolitions are fairly inexpensive and quick, this method can cause more collateral damage along with a lot of dust.  Wrecking balls are seldom used unless there is no other option.

Selective Demolition

Selective demolition is also referred to as interior demolition and it is gaining popularity in today’s eco-conscious world. Rather than destroying the building as a whole, this method allows only certain parts of the structure to be demolished while retaining the main structure. It’s a great choice for remodels, upgrades, and extensions. We can even save some of the components to recycling and reusing are desired to lessen the demolition’s environmental impact.

As with any kind of demolition, there is a certain amount of planning that happens. A thorough survey of the building’s structure, removal of any hazardous materials, permits, and determining what materials may be recycled or reused at a later time are all part of the planning. The following steps will give you a better idea of how Monster Demolition carries out the selective demolition process:

Prepare the site

Prepare the site: First, all utilities must be cut off. This may require the help of plumbers. The water must be shut off and all pipes must be capped prior to demolition of any kind. All power must be shut off and an electrician will need to disconnect all wiring from the service poles. Mechanics may be called in to remove HVAC systems or in-home generators from the home.  Our crew members at Monster Demolition will install temporary lighting and add a trash receptacle to maximize the sorting of recyclable goods.

Strip away nonstructural components

Strip away nonstructural components: This means that the structure is stripped down to the shell. The crew will remove everything that does not play a specific role in the actual structure of the home.

Remove materials and shore up the building

Remove materials and shore up building: This is where the crew will remove floor beams, load-bearing walls, columns, and floor slabs of external sections of the building that require demolition. The crew will also add and supports or shore up the building for temporary support.

Sort debris

Sort debris: The crew will sort the deconstructed building materials into recycling, reuse, sell, or donate bins and dispose of it accordingly.

As the old saying goes, whatever goes up must come down, this includes homes, industrial buildings, and skyscrapers. When buildings and homes come to the end of their life or if they are just in need of a selective demolition to be made new again, we at Monster Demolition has you covered. Monster Demolition will work safely dismantle in a way that is efficient and non-hazardous. To some, seeing a demolition is an awe-inspiring experience. However, there is a lot of skill, planning, and precision that goes into pulling off a successful demolition and the crew at Monster Demolition knows just how to make that happen.