The demolition of a building interior or exterior is an inherently challenging process. Commercial demolition is particularly nuanced as it involves deconstructing a business-related structure such as a factory, retail site, or warehouse. Let’s take a quick look at a few helpful commercial demolition tips to consider prior to scheduling your building’s demolition.

Demolition contractors must be meticulous about environmental impact and employee safety, arguably more so than any other contractor. This is especially true for commercial demolition; that is, the demolition or deconstruction of any commercial structure, ranging from a warehouse or factory to an office or storefront.

This article is intended to give some advice for the stage before the decision of contracting an expert commercial demolition company, therefore you should consider this:

1. Hire a company that specializes in commercial wrecking.

It should go without saying that hiring an inexperienced, unlicensed, or uninsured contractor is a seriously bad idea.

Demolition contractors must follow OSHA standards for employee safety as well as EPA standards when it comes to deconstructing buildings in a way that is environmentally safe. There are often hazardous materials present as well, like asbestos or lead paint—all of which must be safely removed prior to any demolition work.

But even more than that, the contractor should be thoroughly experienced in commercial demolition specifically.

2. Everyone involved in the demolition must recognize the threat of hazardous materials.

Depending on the age of the building, demolishing a commercial structure can sometimes lead to the release of harmful materials. Everyone involved in the project should be aware of this threat and act accordingly. This is precisely why it is in your interest to lean on a team of commercial demolition professionals who have the knowledge, expertise, and qualifications necessary to handle hazardous materials such as lead, asbestos, etc.

Particularly, commercial structures built prior to1980 pose an elevated threat regarding the release of hazardous materials during demolition. Such a building should be comprehensively inspected prior to demolition to pinpoint the location of asbestos and other potentially harmful materials/substances. Furthermore, it also makes sense to rely on a certified asbestos inspector and possibly even an air testing specialist to ensure harmful asbestos fibers do not linger in the air.

3. Deconstruction is a viable alternative to traditional demo.

Many progressive demolition companies are going above and beyond government standards by finding new, forward-thinking ways to reuse building materials, like demolition debris, rather than simply having it hauled off to the landfill.

This is why you should consider deconstructing your building instead of demolishing it.

During commercial deconstruction, the structure is taken apart by hand one piece at a time, rather than with the help of heavy machinery (although sometimes, machinery is used in addition to hand tools to help support the structure).

The objective of deconstruction is to recover as much salvageable material as possible.

Although it is a much slower-going process, it is one of the most rewarding methods of removing a structure, keeping tons of debris out of the landfill.

4. Fall protection

Since the entire business of demolition companies is to create holes and tear things down, they are very aware of how important fall protection is. Whenever working around an open roof, open wall, or hole with a fall of more than 6 feet, usually demolition workers are required to have on full-body restraints. Those same hazards often are present throughout the construction phase also, and that means fall protection is as critically important for builders.

5. Nearby property owners should be kept in the loop.

Those who conduct business adjacent to, across from, or even also within the building in question should be notified that demolition will take place. This notification should be provided long before the day of the demolition. The work is likely to result in dust, noise, and the use of large machines/equipment, so it is only right that those in the vicinity of the demolition site be informed. Therefore, give the property owners at least a week or two notice in advance so they can take the appropriate protective measures.

Well, once you’ve reached this far in the article, we’ll give you an extra tip and the most important of them all.

6. Safety is always the top priority

Commercial demolition has the potential to be quite dangerous for everyone at and near the worksite. It is a mistake for those who have not performed demolition to be on-site when the demolition takes place. Covered scaffolding and the appropriate signs should be posted to safeguard pedestrians, drivers, and others in the area when the demolition occurs. In some instances, it may even make sense to reach out to law enforcement to cordon off the area where the demolition will take place, so no one ventures near the site when the work is being performed.

Now that you’ve realized that this kind of projects need positively the hands and experience of a team of professionals, that’s why ECG is here for you to tackle all the obstacles before, during and after a demolition project.

We are ECG, We are safety first.

This field definitely needs some expert hands and skill. So, have you decided on what type of project you need? Make sure you research on this for a while before coming up with a decision.

We pride ourselves in providing Demolition, abatement and Environmental Services you can depend on. (Concrete cutting, coring, green demolition, disinfection and sterilization cleaning services, asbestos abatement and more)

Contact us to get started on your next project, Call us: 562-438-7999.