SUMMARY OF
SERVICES
Complete Building Demolition
Selective Interior Demolition
Residential Demolition
Concrete Saw-Cutting and
Coring
Deconstruction and Salvage
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For most buildings, such as houses,
that are only two or three stories high, demolition is a rather
simple process: the building is simply pulled down by excavators
or bulldozers (see photo below, left). Larger buildings need the
use of a wrecking ball that is swung into the sides of the buildings.
Wrecking balls are especially effective against masonry. This
process is quite slow, but it puts the operator of the demolition
equipment at a safe distance from any falling debris. In recent
years this technique has fallen out of favor because of its slowness.
| Large buildings,
tall chimneys, and increasingly some smaller structures are
destroyed by implosion using explosives. Imploding a building
is very fast. The collapse itself only takes seconds and an
expert can ensure that a building falls into its own footprint,
so as not to damage neighboring structures. This is essential
as most tall structures are in dense urban areas. Any error
can be disastrous, however, and some demolitions have failed,
severely damaging neighboring structures. The greatest danger
is from flying debris which, when improperly prepared for,
can kill onlookers. Even more dangerous is when a building
fails to collapse completely. This often leaves the structure
tilting at a dangerous angle and filled with un detonated
explosives, making it impossible for workers to approach. |
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Budget Demolition offers a full
range of services to our clients from pre-planning to project
completion. Because demolition is often the first step in any
successful construction project, it is important that we work
closely with project owners and contractors to ensure timely completion
with safety as our top priority.
| With heavy equipment, demolition
of a house is a two man job that can be completed in a day
or two. All items of value, such as copper wiring, are stripped
from a building. Some materials such as glass that can form
deadly projectiles, insulation that can cover a wide area,
and other materials also must be removed. A building takes
several weeks to be prepared for implosion. Selected columns
are drilled and nitroglycerin and TNT are placed in the holes.
Smaller columns and walls are wrapped in explosive cables.
The goal is to use as few explosives as possible, and only
a few floors are rigged with explosives. The areas with explosive
are covered in thick plastic and fencing to absorb flying
debris. Far longer than the demolition itself is the cleaning
up of the site where the debris must be loaded into trucks
and carted away. |
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10 Common
Misconceptions about the Demolition Industry
Setting the record straight- Demolition
industry practices touch the lives of businesses and ordinary
people everyday. It is none the less surprising how little is
known about the significant role demolition contractors play in
this country’s economic prosperity and redevelopment. The
National Demolition Association has created this piece to address
the most commonly held misconceptions about the industry. This
will hopefully educate readers about the challenging and fascinating
services provided by a select group of skilled professionals throughout
North America. You may be surprised by the many ways these specialists
preserve the best of the past, while preparing the way for a brighter
future and an ever expanding economy.
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Misconception
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Fact
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1 |
Demolition contractors primarily implode, or "blow
up" buildings |
Implosions account for less than 1 percent of all demolition
work. |
2 |
Demolition contractors destroy many structures that should
be saved. |
Demolition contractors are instrumental in achieving the
goals of preservationists. |
3 |
Demolition contractors don't participate in the nation's
recycling effort. |
The demolition industry was salvaging building elements
and materials for reuse long before it was the "ecological
thing to do." |
4 |
Demolition contractors unnecessarily overcrowd landfills
with debris. |
The industry is reducing its use of landfills in favor
of recycling. |
5 |
Demolition is an unsophisticated business. |
A safe and successful demolition project requires a working
knowledge of both construction and the law. |
6 |
The methods of demolition never change. |
Demolition practices today are not only quicker, but safer
and more cost-effective. |
7 |
One demolition contractor is basically the same as the
next. |
Don’t tell that to the owner who has had the misfortune
of dealing with an inexperienced contractor. |
8 |
Demolition is dangerous business. |
In the hands of professionals, the danger is controlled.
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9 |
Demolition is expensive. |
Commercial demolition work generally costs less than 2
percent of the replacement cost of the building. |
10 |
Once a demolition project is completed, the owner's worries
are over. |
A project owner cannot "contract away" his
responsibility or liability. |
The destruction of large buildings has become increasingly common
as the massive housing projects of the 1960s and 1970s are being
leveled around the world. The tallest legally demolished building
was the forty-seven story Singer Building of New York City, which
was built in 1908 and torn down sixty years later to be replaced
by One Liberty Plaza.
Salvage & Reuse
Seattle is a treasure trove of building materials. Remodeling
projects often yield materials that can be valuable in the project
or to someone else. Additionally, used building materials and
architectural salvage from other projects can be readily incorporated
into yours.
Budget Demolition also recognizes the potential to positively
impact the environment and the region we work in through our recycling
and historical preservation efforts. It is our goal to maximize
the amount of recycled demolition debris and frequently work with
local salvage companies in order to re-use historic building elements.
Over recent years Budget Demolition has expanded its client &
services list by undertaking specialist demolition and remediation
projects. Capturing niche markets and accepting contracts in traditionally
difficult fields.
We have applied our knowledge of demolition techniques &
practices, Health & Safety regulations and knowledge of the
market place to introduce new methods and methodology to create
a superior service that can be applied to larger projects demanding
a more diverse skill set.
Since our inception, we have continued to build our company's
resume of jobs varying from small residential projects and commercial
selective interior demolition to complete building demolition
in both the private and public sector. Budget Demolition's experienced
management team strives to understand the individual needs of
each of our clients in order to provide the best possible customer
service and complete satisfaction with the finished project.
Budget Demolition continues to grow and expand services as the
needs and expectations of our clients change. The company recently
started a saw cutting division and purchased two fully equipped
saw cutting trucks with the most up to date and innovative equipment
available. This service helps us meet project timelines more efficiently
using the most modern tools available for concrete and slab removal.
The company has plans to add up to four more fully equipped trucks
to this division by the end of 2006 due to the increase in demand
for these services.
New technology and innovation in demolition.
There are hundreds of processes utilized in the demolition industry
that traditionally have relied on manual influences. By introducing
new modern technologies and innovations however, many of these
processes can now be undertaken by employing mechanical means.
Budget Demolition have invested heavily in these new technologies,
such is our commitment to provide the safest occupational environment
as possible.
When considering the hierarchy
of risk - the most favorable control of risks associated to potential
hazards, is to eliminate occupational risk by removing the human
factor from the working environment. In layman's terms favoring
mechanical processes over manual processes. Safety is always paramount
on each project. A site safety officer is assigned to each project
and enforces all OSHA and client specific safety rules and regulations.
Crushing, screening and reclamation.
When biding for large projects,
the one criteria that is becoming more and more important is that
of reclamation. New modern innovation has now allowed for equipment
which will process demolition materials and provide good quality
secondary aggregates, wood chips for use in composite boards,
vulcanized crumb for use in landscape environments and many other
re-usable products that saves the material from going instead
to landfill.
Briefly described, the Alternative Asbestos Control Method removes
the most friable asbestos-containing materials before demolition,
but leaves some asbestos containing materials (primarily wall
systems) in place. The most friable asbestos -containing materials
are removed under the requirements of the Asbestos NESHAP and
are disposed of properly as asbestos-containing wastes. Once the
most friable asbestos-containing materials are safely removed,
the demolition proceeds using amended water suppression before,
during, and after demolition, in order to trap asbestos fibers
and minimize their potential release to the air. Wastewater generated
during the demolition is collected, and all contaminated materials
are properly disposed as asbestos-containing waste. A two-inch
layer of soil is removed to ensure that no residual soil contamination
remains at the site.
Knowing what you're dealing with can identify maximum credit
values in respect of non-ferrous metals, along with knowledge
of the market trends; and world market, can also identify credit
values for ferrous metals. Which, collectively gives today's specialized
demolition contractor the required information to take to the
tender process. Today's customer is aware that their building
may have a credit value, and he/she expects the contractor to
build in such credits into the contract negotiation. Budget Demolition
have well founded relationships with the major scrap metal dealers
which reflects their yield of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals
from their projects. Such relationships warrant premium credit
values and this gives Budget Demolition a possible edge over competitors,
especially when price is the issue when sat around the negotiation
table.
When considering the remediation strategy, many clients need to
build in the demolition masonry into the aggregate requirement
for the long term finish of their site. Budget Demolition are
able to perform both the demolition process and fulfil the remediation
strategy. By opening and closing the crusher jaws, or double processing
material many types of aggregate can be achieved, also screening
of soils and site surfaces can realize materials that would normally
be bulk excavated and removed to landfill, furthermore with their
comprehensive fleet of plant and proven expertise, Budget Demolition
can offer the full package with the green protocol built in.
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