18 Nov Essential equipment for a successful demolition project

Demolition projects are a regular occurrence, especially in more built-up areas, as old buildings and infrastructure often need to be cleared so new developments can be built. This is an essential part of bringing our towns and cities up to date, and ensuring they are capable of offering the living standards we need in the modern age.

However, demolition involves a lot more than simply knocking buildings down. It is a specialist job requiring a wide range of skills and equipment. Here we examine some of the essential tools of the trade, which enable demolition projects to be completed successfully, giving our towns and cities a new lease of life.

Safety equipment

Health and safety laws around demolition projects are naturally extremely stringent, as this can be dangerous work. Every reputable demolition firm will place the safety of their employees and the general public as their number one priority, and will ensure that all the correct safety equipment is used.

Safety equipment includes hard hats, high-visibility vests, protective goggles and gloves for all workers on site. Safety footwear with steel toe caps and midsole protection must also be worn.

Safety equipment and procedures will differ depending on the nature of the job. An extensive survey is carried out before any work begins to determine what safety measures need to be put in place and what equipment needs to be used.

Small-scale demolition equipment

The equipment used in any demolition project will depend on the nature and scale of the job. If it is a small-scale demolition, it is sometimes possible to do the job by hand, although this is rarely the quickest or most efficient method. However, if you want to tackle a small demolition project in this way, there is a basic minimum of equipment you would need.

For a start, you would require a selection of basic power tools including concrete cutters, jack hammers, grinders and cutting torches. Hand tools such as sledgehammers, shovels and pry bars are also needed. Wire cutters are essential demolition tools, as often buildings need the wiring stripped out before the demolition can take place.

Additionally, you will need ladders to reach the top levels, and wheelbarrows to remove the debris to the trucks, which are needed to take it away once the job is complete.

However, extremely few demolitions are completed by hand these days. At the very least, a hydraulic excavator is normally used, with attachments such as grapples, shears and impact breakers, ideal for demolishing small buildings.

Large-scale demolition equipment

As every demolition job is different, the right equipment depends on the nature of the job and conditions at the site. However, there are a number of standard machines which are regularly used in large-scale demolition projects.

Excavators are essential for larger-scale jobs, often with longer arms which enable them to reach the top levels of tall buildings. Bulldozers are also frequently used. These are highly versatile machines, as they are capable of shifting huge amounts of debris highly efficiently.

For particularly tall buildings, cranes are often used with a wrecking ball attached. This is a quick and effective means of demolishing a high-level structure, as it enables the job to be approached from multiple angles at once.

Low loaders are needed for transporting heavy machinery to and from the site, and trucks are essential for taking debris away. However, demolition companies are now much more aware of their environmental responsibilities, and want to keep to an absolute minimum the amount of debris which is removed into landfill. Because of this, concrete crushers are highly useful, as they can be used to recycle brick and concrete materials, having a more positive impact on the environment.

The very largest demolition projects can sometimes require explosive techniques. These should only ever be carried out by a highly experienced, specialist contractor who has all the right equipment, training and skills.

Equipment hire for demolition projects

Demolition equipment can be extremely expensive to purchase, particularly the kind of machinery used in large-scale demolitions. Because of this, many companies choose to hire their equipment as and when needed instead.

If you are interested in hiring demolition equipment, please contact us. We have a wide range of machinery for hire, and can advise you on the best tools for your demolition job.