When demolishing a commercial building, there is a lot that goes into it. Commercial demolition is the complete or partial removal of unwanted commercial structures, such as hotels, malls, office buildings, and other properties alike. Demolition is not as simple as it may seem. On the contrary, it requires planning and a lot of preparation until a building can be demolished. Additionally, you will need to deal with cleaning up the waste afterward.
Planning Stage
Demolishing a commercial structure is not as simple as it may sound. Calgary has a lot of regulations that you must follow to make the process safe for the workers and people who might be walking near it, in the case of the structure being in a high-traffic area. All these requirements can take time to fulfill. Therefore, you need to plan to make sure that you can make deadlines.
Every local government is different when it comes to permits that are required to start the commercial demolition process. Calgary, for instance, requires a permit whenever you are demolishing or moving a building from a site. It can also include partial building demolition and reducing a building to its foundation and rebuilding. The process is fairly simple, but it needs to be thorough and accurate.
Before you can get a demolition permit, the building needs to be inspected by an asbestos removal company. If there is no asbestos in the building, the inspector will give you a document stating that. However, if there is asbestos present, you will need to hire professionals who can properly remove the mineral from the building. This process can take a few days, or weeks, depending on the severity. Therefore, it is important to factor the worst-case scenario into your schedule.
Preparation Stage
Once you get your permit, you can start prepping for the demolition process. This is an important step, because, with good planning, there will be fewer issues that you might run into.
Staffing
When hiring contractors for demolition jobs, they should bring expertise in concrete breaking for streets and highways, demolition of buildings and other structures, dismantling steel oil tanks, and wrecking of buildings or other structures. Additionally, try to hire contractors who
Inspections
Make sure that you plan and schedule all inspections ahead of time. You will need to get an asbestos inspection, and another inspection when you have submitted your permit application. These inspections should be scheduled with ample time until the scheduled demolition. Since you might find some unexpected issues when inspecting.
Cost Control
Demolitions, much like renovations, can come with unexpected costs. It is important to have someone who can take care of controlling costs and budgeting to make sure that you do not go over. Your budget should include a contingency plan to cover any unforeseen costs.
Dealing with Inventory
When you are emptying a building that will be demolished, you might end up with furniture that will not be used anymore. A good way to get rid of this furniture is by donating it or selling it online. Additionally, any electronics can also be donated or recycled. You can also schedule pickups for any expired cleaning supplies and old paint. A good rule of thumb is to salvage and donate first, recycle second, and go to a landfill as a last resort.
Prepping Checklist
Before starting the demolition process, a professional demolition company will make sure that the following checklist is taken care of:
Work area is secured and considered an exclusion zone.
Adequate public safety and access to roads and walkways.
Fire risks are observed, and preventative plans are placed.
Remove all utility services.
Set up debris systems to ensure any debris is removed to prevent buildup.
Ensure operators demolish floor by floor.
Brace walls and floors.
Remove ornamental stonework.
Conduct a thorough inspection of safety gear, machinery, and equipment.
Ensure operators are well informed, trained, knowledgeable, and supervised.
Communicate demolition plans to all personnel.
Demolition Stage
Once you have done all the paperwork and preparation to demolish a commercial building, it is time to get started with the process. Several demolition methods can be used. These include:
Implosions: these explosives cause a building to collapse from the inside out.
Excavator demolition: This type of demolition uses an excavator to hit the building and topple it. The most common excavator attachments include shears, crushers, and hydraulic hammers.
Wrecking ball: This is an inexpensive and quick demolition method. However, it is hardly used nowadays because it creates dust, debris, and safety hazards.
Selective demotion: Also known as deconstruction, this method retains the structure while removing specific sections of the building. This is a great option for remodels, upgrades, and extensions. Additionally, it is a more eco-conscious option since it reduces the environmental impact of demolition.
It is also very important to keep workers safe during demolition projects. All the equipment can be very dangerous and can be harmful to one’s health. Additionally, safety measures need to be taken depending on the location of the building to be demolished. Make sure to hire a team that will train your staff to properly operate heavy machinery and know-how to deal with emergencies.
Cleaning Up
Once the demolition is done, you will be left with a lot of debris. Therefore, the demolition should be done by professionals who will know how to properly dispose of the waste. Additionally, these companies know how to properly separate and recover materials to cut costs and natural resource use.
Here are a few examples of where waste goes:
Concrete is often crushed into gravel, which is used in new construction projects.
Steel and scrap metal get processed and recycled to create new materials.
Interior doors and beams are created out of decent condition scrap wood after the demolition.
Sinks and toilets from the demolished building, if still in good condition, are taken to a salvage company. If they are not in good condition, the porcelain sinks and toilets are recycled with concrete, and stainless-steel fixtures are recycled with scrap metal.
If you are planning on demolishing a commercial structure and need an asbestos inspection, Astra Construction Management can help you. Our team of experts can detect asbestos and effectively remove it. We want to help you achieve your goals through the means of construction. We offer multifamily and commercial renovations, new construction, as well as custom homes. Contact us to learn more about our services.
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