Demolition of Fire-Damaged Structures: Best Practices & Safety Considerations
Demolishing a burnt building can be painful, both figuratively and literally. The process is a complex mix of sifting, clearing, and tearing the building down. The only convenient way to do it is to hire a demolition company.
When you hire a demolition company, the demolition process becomes much safer as professionals have knowledge and experience. They are skilled, precise, quick, and organized. Here is a detailed outlook on the perks of a demolition company.
Why Hire a Demolishing Company?
- Equipped: Building demolishing companies are always well-equipped. They have the necessary tools and equipment to bring down a building.
- Quick: A building demolishing company gives quick results because it has enough workforce, sources, and instruments.
- Safe: The best part about getting a demolition service is safety. They are professionals and follow the best safety measures regarding deconstruction.
- Legal adherence: Well, every city and country has its own rules of demolishment, which are pretty complex. A demolishing company, however, comes with a permit and abides by the rules to the core.
Cost-effective: Hiring a demolishing company can prove cost-effective in the long run. It will save you from future expenses.
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Types Of Building Demolishment Methods
There are three types of building demolition methods. These include -
- Interior demolishment: This demolishment caters to the inside of the building. This process happens in a small fire when only the insides are affected.
- Exterior demolishment: This involves demolishing the exteriors, such as the roof, walls, patio, etc. It is usually used for fires in large buildings.
- Total demolishment: As the name implies, total demolishment is the process of completely demolishing a building. It happens in case of intense fire, in which both the inside and the outside of a building are destroyed.
Process Of Demolishing a Fire- Damaged Building
Now, let us walk through the process of demolishing a fire-damaged building. Whether you do it by yourself or you hire a company, these steps must be followed:
- Survey: The foremost step is to survey the burnt building thoroughly. Herein, the property, size, intensity of fire and destruction, hazardous materials, and neighborhood should be noted down. Accordingly, one should formulate a perfect plan to demolish the burnt-down building.
- Emergency board: Placing an emergency board around the burnt building is necessary. It protects the building from invasion of animals, thieves, rain, etc. If you hire a demolishing company, they will even board up the roofs, doors, walls, and windows.
- Clean up: Under a professional demolition service cleaning up a burnt building is the main pillar of the demolition process. It includes two types of cleaning: water cleaning and dry cleaning. The former covers burst- pipes and extraction water from the damaged area. The latter covers the removal of soot and smoke by using special tools.
- Gathering contents: The building’s contents should be packed up once the cleanup is finished. From furniture to paintings to appliances and clothes, everything must be sorted out. The destroyed contents should be packed as waste, while the usable stuff should be packed separately.
- Restoration: Of course, the final step is restoration. This is also the most tedious task, but it is mandatory nonetheless. Here, the absolutely irretrievable parts are thrown away. The roof, walls, plumbing, and floors are fixed. Dry-washing and painting of the building also come under this process. The result is a building that is liveable, breathable, and good to look at.
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Statistics and Factors Of Demolishing a Building
A recent study found that the average cost of demolishing a burnt building is $4,000 to $14,000. This price can vary from building to building. When you get in touch with a demolition company, they will quote you a price based on a couple of factors.
The factors affecting the demolishment cost include the size and area of the building, materials used for its construction, materials inside the building, charges for disposing of the waste, salvageable contents, location of the building, and presence of hazardous materials.
Hazards During The Demolition of a Burnt Building and Control Measure
Demolishing a fire-damaged building is tough. Hazardous materials, volatile compounds, and various other risks are involved. Here is a deeper look at the same, with some easy solutions:
- Soot: Well, well, where there is fire, there is soot. And soot, as we all know, harms one’s health. When inhaled, soot can affect the lungs and throat. It leads to respiratory issues and can damage the lungs also.
- Asbestos and carbon monoxide: The two most harmful components emitted from a fire are asbestos and carbon monoxide. Asbestos gets trapped in the lungs and keeps on accumulating, resulting in chronic health issues, including cancer. Carbon monoxide, which is very high in carbon, also leads to severe lung damage and, in some cases, even death.
- Unstable structures: The most sought-after demolition service states that there are plenty of unstable structures in a burnt building. These structures pose a risk of physical harm. They can collapse at times and hurt people in the vicinity.
- Energy sources: Certain energy sources in a burnt building can be hazardous. For instance, there are electrical lines, gas lines, and broken wiring.
- Water issues: Water hazards may not be a major issue, but they are nonetheless an issue. Using sprinkler systems and fire hoses can lead to excess water accumulation on the property, which can lead to inconvenience and a similar scenario.
That was all about the hazards of demolishing a burnt building. Let us now review the control measures to deal with them.
- The primary solution is to wear a complete PPE kit. It includes safety gloves, high visibility jacket, hard hat, protective glasses, and SP3 boots.
- One shouldn’t contact the water in a burnt building, as it contains harmful chemicals. Get in touch with a demolition company to get it cleaned up as soon as possible.
- Next, do not touch loose wiring, appliances, or electrical lines with your bare hands. Use a tool to handle them.
- Monitor the noise, pollution, and vibration for your and the environment’s safety.
- Above all, a proper risk assessment of the property must be carried out before starting its demolishment. This will inform you of what to avoid and the dos and don’ts.
Read More About Demolition:
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Other Materials That May Contain Asbestos
Ceiling tiles aren’t the only building materials that may contain asbestos. If your home or commercial property was built before the 1980s, other areas might also contain asbestos, which includes -
- Floor Tiles - Older vinyl or linoleum tiles sometimes contain asbestos, especially those installed between the 1920s and 1970s.
- Heating Duct Pipe Wraps - Asbestos was used to insulate and wrap pipes, especially around heating systems.
- Popcorn Ceilings - Textured or “popcorn” ceilings are often found to contain asbestos and should be tested by a professional asbestos removal company before removal.
- Vermiculite Insulation - This loose-fill insulation, particularly in attics, often contains asbestos and has been common in buildings since the early 20th century.
If you suspect asbestos in these areas of your old 1950s home, a professional asbestos inspection can help you identify and safely handle these materials.
What to Do if You Suspect Asbestos in Ceiling Tiles?
If you think you may have asbestos ceiling tiles, take the following steps -
- Don’t attempt to remove or disturb the ceiling tiles, as this can release asbestos fibers into the air.
- A certified professional can take a sample of the ceiling tiles for testing. This is not something you can DIY, as improper handling can increase exposure risks.
- If the tiles test positive, Only certified professionals should perform asbestos removal to make sure the asbestos is properly handled and disposed of.
- In some cases, asbestos ceiling tiles can be covered with drywall or another material to prevent fibers from becoming airborne. This option, known as encapsulation, is sometimes a more affordable solution. But remember, although this is a great solution, it may not be suitable for long-term safety.
When Should You Call an Asbestos Removal Company?
Asbestos is dangerous to handle without the right precautions. Here are situations when it’s best to call a professional -
- When Renovating an Older Building - If you are planning renovations in an older property, have an asbestos professional inspect for asbestos materials before beginning the work.
- If You Notice Damage to Ceiling Tiles - Damaged asbestos materials are more likely to release fibers into the air. Any visible damage to old ceiling tiles needs a professional inspection.
If You Have Health Concerns - If anyone in the home has respiratory issues or you have concerns about asbestos exposure, it’s worth having an inspection for peace of mind.
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Takeaway
While demolishing a fire-damaged company may look complicated, it is not. You just need to follow the aforementioned steps and control measures. For best results, hire an experienced demolition company.
Looking For a Building Demolishing Company in Sacramento? Contact JM Environmental
JM Environmental is the most efficient demolition company in Sacramento. We are a registered demolition and hazard abatement company in California.
JM Environmental has been in service since 1994. Our demolition company offers a plethora of services, including lead removal, asbestos abatement, fire debris cleanup, and so much more.
Hiring us to demolish a burnt building can prove to be cost-effective, well-organized, safe, quick, and of exceptional quality. Contact JM Environmental to have a convenient and smooth building demolition.
