Good Air Quality Maintained During Hydro Demolition

Project Overview

Manchester New Square is a new development of 351 apartments, new restaurants and shops. Before construction work started above ground, extensive hydro demolition work was required in the building’s existing 4-storey basement.

Challenge

Extensive hydro-demolition work in the enclosed basement would inevitably result in a high level of mist and fumes being produced. Unless some means were deployed to remove these health hazards, it would be impossible for site workers to operate safely.

Solution

RVT carried out an assessment of the site. With four levels of basement going very deep, it was clear that keeping the air clean and safe to breathe would require significant power.

The first step was to install three VENTEX 800SA fans to supply of fresh air to the different basement levels and dilute the ambient dust levels and exhaust fumes from two Bobcats, which were also fitted with exhaust particulate filters. Then, once the hydro demolition itself started, three VENTEX 800 CF centrifugal fans were added to disperse the misty air and ensure good visibility and safe, healthy work conditions. Both models of fan have been specifically designed to channel large quantities of air underground – they are typically used to maintain supplies of fresh air in tunnel workings – so were a natural fit for this job.

Each individual fan delivers tens of thousands of cubic metres of fresh air every hour and creates a positive pressure to ensure good air quality is maintained. The ducting used to convey the fresh air was strategically routed to provide a safe working environment on each basement level.

"It is hard to find a company in today’s market which caters for ventilation systems for these types of complex projects working below ground levels. RVT produced a design based on the size and volume of the site and provided a good professional service. They were always available to visit the site." - Keith Rice, Site Manager, Adana