Demolition in London: Why Surveys are Critical

Although demolition in London and similar cities tend to catch the public’s eye with the literal excitement of a building being destroyed, very few are aware that the planning that goes into any such project is extremely thorough and will generally take months to complete. This is actually in direct contrast to the comparatively short amount of time it takes to bring a structure tumbling down. While factors such as the equipment needed and the surrounding neighbourhood need to be taken into account, removing hazardous substances such as asbestos is also critical to guarantee the safety of all workers and the surrounding urban districts.

The First Step: Management Surveys

This standard survey will often be carried out to determine the extent of asbestos that exists in a certain building. This is only slightly invasive and is quite practical for properties that only have a small amount of hazardous materials. However, this type of survey is frequently used in tandem with a more invasive technique known as a refurbishment and demolition survey.

This second survey is much more invasive and involves all suspected asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). This is also known as destructive inspection, for there may be parts of a building that need to be physically demolished to gain access to other hazardous sites within the structure. Of course, all such materials will need to be physically removed before the building can be brought down. This will help to guarantee that no dangerous dust or fibres will be released into the atmosphere during the Demolition in London itself.

How is the Asbestos Removed?

Only trained professional services are used to assess and remove any asbestos that is found. An area may be cordoned off from the rest of the environment. This is to help mitigate the chances of any airborne material from being released. It is also common for a Class H vacuum to be used, as the majority of particles can be sucked up with ease. The workers will wear breathing units and they will be fully protected from the materials while they are working. The very exacting nature of this process will help to guarantee that all parties remain safe. Once the asbestos is removed, the remainder of the demolition process can begin. Of course, any demolition in London will need to address this important step.

Ultimately, preparation is the key to success. Demolition can be a challenging task and likewise, making certain that all potentially dangerous materials are removed is the key to success.