Although people associate demolition mainly with explosions and big buildings collapsing, these works are more complex than simply detonating explosives at the base of a building. While explosives are undoubtedly helpful for structural demolition, this process also requires a lot of planning, labor, and specialized equipment to tear down a structure successfully and safely.
For example, the timeline for commercial demolition projects varies greatly depending on the work’s scope and the size of the building. Small projects take a few weeks to complete, while large, complex structures, such as malls, take months. Factors like permit obtention, hazardous materials, and site clean-up affect the project timeline and the equipment required.
Hence, if you plan to hire an experienced demolition company in Stuart to help you with your commercial project, keep in mind that they will likely use more than explosives and dump trucks. Hence, look for these factors in your estimate and account for them when budgeting for your demolition job.
Standard equipment used in commercial demolition projects
Demolition equipment used in commercial projects usually gets divided into three categories: equipment for structural demolition, equipment for selective or partial demolition, and equipment for the site’s clean-up.
Depending on the type of demolition and the extent of the work, you may see all of them on the job site, just a few, or even other types of equipment not mentioned here.
Machines for total demolition projects
Excavators
Excavators are, perhaps, the most common type of equipment used by any experienced demolition company in commercial projects. Their flexibility in boom attachments and sizes makes it easy to select the most appropriate one for your project. Likewise, since the cab sits on a rotating platform, it permits a 360° range of helpful motion for tearing down walls and relocating debris.
For small commercial demolition projects, where implosions are unnecessary, excavators tear down the building. For more complex projects, they are most used in cleaning out debris.
Cranes
Though cranes are most commonly associated with construction projects, they can also be useful in structural demolition projects. For example, cranes are often used with a wrecking ball attached to the boom to demolish high-rise buildings like skyscrapers.
High-reach demolition machines
Similar to excavators, these heavy and giant machines with cabs, booms, dippers, and buckets are used by any experienced demolition company for extra-large demolition projects. They epitomize precision and power while tearing down significant structures such as bridges or high-rise buildings.
Tools for selective commercial demolition projects
While many commercial properties undergo complete demolition, other times the owner only wishes to redesign certain floors or spaces and maintain the primary structure without changes. For these types of projects, using excavators, wheel loaders, or cranes is impossible, since you often cannot fit through the doors, and you can’t take them up the stairs.
Hence, in these cases, demolition contractors will use hand tools to tear down walls, floors, and ceilings, such as:
- Sledgehammers
- Ripping bars
- Sawzalls
- Framing hammers
Likewise, an experienced demolition company will plan your partial demolition so that there’s always a clear path to move the debris out of your property, typically using wheelbarrows.
Equipment for demolition cleanup
Bulldozers
Bulldozers are also familiar on construction sites, but their large metal blades are handy for moving debris and cleaning paths on commercial demolition projects. They also have various attachments that make moving debris easier for contractors and come in different sizes (crawler, wheel, and mini versions) to help you select the best one for your project.
Articulated trucks
The main purpose of these trucks is to move large amounts of debris and waste out of the demolition site and transport them to the landfill or recycling facility.
Their primary advantage is that they travel on uneven ground and rougher terrain, so that an experienced demolition company can facilitate the removal process. So, many large demolition projects and contractors streamline the process by keeping several trucks on site to keep the progress steady, instead of waiting for one truck to travel back and forth to dispose of debris.
Wheel loaders
Wheel loaders are essential for removing debris from structural demolition sites. These machines have a large bucket on the front that quickly scoops building debris and moves it out of the site. They also come in different styles, such as track, skids, and backhoes, to best suit your project needs.
Work with an experienced demolition company; choose TRM Construction.
You know the importance of choosing a trusted contractor for your commercial demolition projects. They don’t cost you money and time, but can also cause legal problems if your contractor doesn’t do it right. If you want to guarantee a safe and compliant demolition, work with TRM.
We know construction inside out. From laws, permits, equipment, materials, and required professionals, we’ll ensure your demolition and building projects have everything they need to come to life successfully.
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