Reader Response Draft 3

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In the article “4 Ways to Demolish a Building”, Rodriguez (2018) claimed that we must take into consideration several factors when planning the demolition of a building. These factors include the method of implosion, high reach arm, wrecking ball and selective demolition. Implosion is a method that comprises the use of explosives to demolish large structures. For this method to succeed, blueprints are evaluated to figure out the type, placement and time of the explosion. The next method that the author mentioned is high reach arm. The method of high reach arm is used on buildings of approximately 66 feet or higher.  High reach arm involves a base machine and demolition tool which are used to demolish and remove large structures. The author also mentioned the method of the wrecking ball is the oldest and commonly used. It requires skilful and experienced crane operators to ensure smoothness of operation. Wrecking ball demolition has its limitations as it can only be used to demolish certain building size. The last method that the author mentioned is selective demolition. The advantage of selective demolition is getting back the greatest amount of materials with minimal cost involved. However, it requires manpower and is time-consuming.

The article addresses four ways of demolishing a building. However, if the author included information with regards to the demolishing process, it would make the article more informative.

The pre-demolition processes require proper planning and protection to ensure the smoothness during operation. Mahmud (2017) stated that once a contract for demolition gets awarded, site visits and meetings are arranged. In the meeting, areas such as the entrance and exit of the demolition site, disposal of debris, and estimating project period would be discussed. Proper protection is necessary at the demolition side as accidents often occur when demolition is involved. In the article, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (n.d.) stated that "everyone at a demolition work site must be fully aware of the hazards they may encounter and the safety precautions they must take to protect themselves." Therefore, it is necessary to have awareness for the safety at a demolition site.

During the demolition process, minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment is key to demolition in urban areas. The Department of Environment in Mauritius (2017) stated that mitigation of environmental impacts such as dust and noise management is necessary to reduce the environmental impact. One of such effects would be dust generated by the size of a building and demolishing method. The guideline suggested measures such as water spraying of the site, consideration of wind strength and covering of demolition materials to reduce the amount of dust generated. Another effect would be noises emitted during the demolition process which causes noise pollution within an urban area. Mahmud (2017) mentioned that external scaffolding such as canvas deduces noise too. Therefore, such preventive measures are implemented to counter these problems. 

The post-demolition process consists of debris disposal. Zero Waste Singapore (2008) stated that “about 1.69 million tonnes of construction debris was generated in 2013 and the recycling rate is 99%.” Appropriate waste management measures such as reusing, and recycling of concrete, wood and glass can be implemented to reduce environmental impact. Mahmud (2017) mentioned that clean concrete can be recycled for roadside drains, kerbs and footpaths. Therefore, it is important for debris from demolition to be disposed of appropriately which could, in turn, benefit the environment.


 Reference: 

Rodriguez, J. (2018, June 29). 4 Ways to Demolish a Building. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancesmb.com/ways-to-demolish-buildings-844420

Mahmud, A. H. (2017, December 28). No explosives or swinging balls: How high-rise demolitions go down in Singapore. Channel NewsAsia.  Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/no-explosives-or-swinging-balls-how-high-rise-demolitions-go-9425362

United States of Department of Labor. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/doc/topics/demolition/index.html

Zero Waste Singapore. (2008, December 8). Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling. Retrieve from http://www.zerowastesg.com/2008/12/08/construction-and-demolition-waste-recycling/

Department of Environment. (2017). Environmental Guideline on Demolition of buildings. Retrieve from http://environment.govmu.org/English/Documents/env%20guidelines/2018/6.demolition%20of%20buildings.pdf

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