Page 14 - Energize April 2021

NEWS

Demolition is a critical part of the construction cycle

hen a layperson considers ‘demolition’, it is automatically
equated with blowing up buildings. However, demolition
Wis a highly structured and technically complex process
from an engineering, logistical and health and safety perspective.
As a critical part of the construction cycle, it is not only reserved
for structures and facilities that have reached their end of life.
Demolition creates space for improvements, facility upgrades or even
more beneficial land use. In some instances, it is often necessary to
improve the safety profile of a facility.
Ageing structures may require significant investment in
terms of resources with regard to maintenance – resources that
would generally have been available for ongoing operations.
In addition, ageing structures may quickly become hazardous,
adding more risk to redundant facilities. As such, demolition
is a critical part of the lifecycle of most facilities, highlights
Jet Demolition Contracts Manager Kate Bester (NDip Civil
Engineering - PMP). It also points to what continues to give the demolition
“Our approach to demolition projects has always been from the specialist the leading edge in the market. Internationally, it
point of view of adhering to international best practice,” comments is uncommon for a single service provider to undertake such
Bester. Wherever possible, mechanical methods are selected to a range of projects, mainly due to the different approaches
demolish structures due to the improved safety profile offered. Here required. Companies tend to specialise in a specific type of
specialised demolition excavators, equipped with highly-specialised project, whether controlled implosions, large-scale industrial
demolition tools that are not commercially available in South Africa, demolition projects, rehabilitation projects or asbestos
are deployed. abatement, for example.
Jet Demolition’s collection of tools ranges from hydraulic Even though Jet Demolition offers a range of services, these
hammers, shears and grapples, to grinding wheels, pulverisers and are not only closely inter-related but complementary. “We have
crushers. It also has a few specialised tools developed in-house to suit taken a long-term view of our business, specialising in technically
specific on-site applications. Its smallest demolition machine weighs demanding, large-scale commercial and heavy industrial projects
only 1.4 tonnes, whereas the largest is over 102 tonnes. suited to our range of expertise,” emphasises Bester.
“What makes our fleet unique is the fact that not only do we own This business strategy was certainly vindicated when Jet
it, it is maintained by our own in-house plant department,” notes Demolition was crowned ‘Best of the Best’ at the World Demolition
Bester. What is more, equipment is traded at very low hours. While Awards (WDA) 2020, in addition to winning the Explosive
it is not uncommon for general construction equipment to be traded Demolition category, in an online awards ceremony on 12
after 10 000 hours, Jet Demolition’s fleet is generally traded at half November last year. It saw the South African company beat top
that time. global competitors from the US, Canada and Australia.
When do explosives come into play during the demolition Despite acknowledging this as its crowning achievement to
process? It depends on determining the single method best suited to date, Bester elaborates: “Every single time we set a particularly
the project at hand. In some instances, explosives will be called for. challenging structure safely to ground, that same feeling of
For example, the 108-m-high, 31-storey Bank of Lisbon building in elation is shared by our teams and clients. Demolition is an
central Johannesburg Central is the tallest steel reinforced concrete- industry that is very difficult to compare to any other – every
frame building ever imploded by Jet Demolition. A total of 914 kg day has the potential to be the best you’ve ever had, whether it
of conventional mining and civil engineering explosive was used involves receiving an international award, or just a pat on the
in the implosion on 24 November 2019, with 2 363 separate charges back from a client who witnessed a tricky directional drop.”
individually timed and perfectly sequenced in accordance with the The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on what is a
implosion design. very ‘hands-on’ industry due to the nature of the work undertaken,
“Typically, we will only consider explosive demolition techniques in direct contrast to the social distancing and related regulations
in areas where mechanical methods are not appropriate, or where now mandatory in construction and related sectors. There is a
the confines of the site do not allow for alternative approaches,” notes concerted international drive to embrace remote-working and
Bester. Controlled implosion was opted for at the Bank of Lisbon in automated systems to limit the number of personnel directly
particular because the building had been damaged in a previous fire, interfacing with one another.
which raised safety concerns about the integrity of the structure. “Although there are significant developments in industry-
All explosive demolition projects undertaken are designed specific equipment to promote a more automated approach, we
and directly managed by Managing Director Joe Brinkmann, who are a long way off from replacing experienced and skilled industry
has over 30 years’ detailed blasting and explosive experience. professionals. There is a definite shift to embracing assorted
This has allowed Jet Demolition to safely and successfully carry digital and technological tools, for example conducting virtual
out some of the most challenging explosive demolition work ever site visits, but these tools are only able to enhance current work
undertaken globally. practices, not necessarily to replace them,” concludes Bester.

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