RVT support demolition companies with dust, fume and noise solutions
14th May 2021RVT Group were a key sponsor of the Demolition and Recycling webinar, hosted by International Construction on 28th April, on the subject of "Equipment Challenges". The event included thought-provoking discussions around the latest innovations and solutions for demolition companies. Read this article to learn more about how RVT can support demolition companies.
The Demolition Process
Demolition is a skilled and technically challenging operation. Whether you are carrying out soft-strip, structural alterations or completely dismantling the building and recycling the materials a methodical approach is required that minimises the risks to site operatives, the public and the environment:
The immediate safety risks are well known; falling from height, falling materials, uncontrolled collapse, hazardous materials, heavy machinery, risks from connected services however, we can’t forget the long-term health risks that arise from excessive exposure to dust, fumes and noise, and this is where RVT can help demolition companies.
Managing Health Risks During Controlled Demolition
The industry has come on a long way since the days of the ball and chain; high-reach excavators with shears, crushers, grapples and breakers allow the safe demolition of multi storey buildings, lower down excavators fitted with clamshell buckets, Skidsteer loaders, crushers and screens allow the sorting of materials for recycling to be carried out with minimal manual labour.
Despite the many advances the one constant is airborne dust, this increases the risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica, aspergillus spores and other airborne contaminants. Excessive exposure to dust can lead to long-term health problems, including: heart disease, lung disease, COPD, aspergillosis, silicosis and cancer. It is therefore essential that exposure to dust is managed effectively.
Airborne dust is a particular problem in the summer months when everything is very dry, RVT therefore offer a wide range of water suppression units, which vary in size and can offer a throw of between 10m and 80m. Some units provide a very fine mist, whereas others provide a high concentration of water to suppress heavier dust particles. Some models feature an integrated water tank for convenience, whereas other units need to be connected to a water supply; each are best suited to different applications.
Learn more about Hydramist Dust Suppression Units >
Where the site has restricted space around it or when high-rise buildings are being reduced in height it is common to use top-down or deconstruction methodologies; small excavators and Bobcats dismantling one floor at a time or a crane removing individual sections from modular panel system buildings. Noise from this type of work can be a major challenge especially to neighbouring buildings. Fortunately during these processes the buildings are scaffolded both to provide safe access and to enable a level of protection from falling masonry etc. and RVT can supply a range of acoustic barriers that are certified to BS 7955 making them suitable for suspension off scaffolding, fences, hoardings or other temporary structures. The acoustic quilts not only contain the noise, but they can also contribute towards containing dust and debris. It is normally only necessary to wrap the scaffold lifts immediately above and below the work area.
Learn more about Soundex Scaffolding Quilts >
If you have particular concerns around dust, noise or vibration (maybe you are demolishing a building in a city centre, with close neighbouring buildings, and are working to strict council guidelines), RVT can provide environmental noise, dust and vibration monitors.
Learn more about RVT’s Dust, Noise and Vibration Monitors >
Managing Health Risks During Internal Demolition
Interior demolition and structural alterations involve demolishing spaces within a building for renovation, expansion or change of design. The process can involve removal of ceilings, walls, floors, railings, wiring, utilities and much more. Contractors will therefore be cutting, breaking and removing a variety of materials, including plasterboard, brick, stone, fibreglass, metals, plastics etc. and naturally this causes a lot of dust, fume and noise.
When removing structural steelwork, falsework or propping systems, RVT Group can provide fume extraction kits, welding fume filters, carbon filters, spark guards and more. We can also offer high airflow units with 4-way spigots, therefore providing multiple extraction points. View all fume extraction solutions >
Working with diesel powered plant in enclosed spaces can significantly reduce manual handling, but also introduces health and environmental risks from the exhaust emissions. RVT offer a range of RAVEX exhaust filtration kits suitable for machines of up to 150kw, diesel fume extraction for static plant like bore hole rigs and generators and can design ventilation systems to handle the residual gases all backed up by our Monitex P55 exhaust gas monitor. Learn more >
When demolishing walls and ceilings containing brick, block, stone or concrete, contractors can unwittingly expose themselves to a variety of respirable dust particles including silica dust and aspergillus spores. Failure to install adequate engineering controls to control dust, will leave workers vulnerable to long-term health problems such as heart disease, lung disease, respiratory problems, asbestosis, silicosis and cancer.
The Dustex® Raptor is a multi-purpose portable extraction unit, with integrated HEPA filter, designed to capture dust from a wide range of construction activities. With an airflow of 1,000m3/h this is the most powerful filtration unit of its size on the market. Learn more >
The Dustex WandaFilta Plus Kit contains a capture hood, ducting, Ventex Centrifugal Fan 300M and the WandaFilta Plus unit. This powerful mobile filtration kit has an airflow of up to 6000 m3/h and is ideal for extremely dusty construction tasks, such as heavy demolition and concrete alterations. The Dustex range is flexible and can be adapted to suit most demolition applications click here to Learn more > or call to speak to one of our advisers
If you are working in an enclosed space and require increased ventilation, RVT are able to offer a wide range of centrifugal and axial fans, ranging from 1000 m3/h to 104,000 m3/h. Calculating ventilation requirements can be tricky and there are a number of things to consider, we therefore recommend speaking to a fully trained RVT consultant to help you select a fully effective, reliable and robust Ventex ventilation solution on site. Learn more >
These are only a small sample of our range of specialist controls, if you have a specific project you are working on and would like further information or a conversation with one of our experienced technicians, please submit your enquiry here.
Alternatively, if you would like to print a PDF copy of this article to share with your team, please download a copy here.
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