PROJECT DETAILS

/ CONTEXT Delsan AIM entered into a contract with a general contractor to decommission and demolish a former seniors’ residence in preparation for the redevelopment of the property. The residence consisted of a 13-storey apartment building with a basement (McConnell Building) connected to a series of six, 2-storey wings with crawl spaces (Griffith Building). The buildings were located in proximity to residential properties, roadways, sidewalks, above-ground utilities, a bus shelter as well as a school.

/ PROJECT Delsan AIM was responsible for erecting fencing to isolate the property; obtaining all regulatory permits; removing and disposing of all designated and hazardous materials in accordance with the applicable regulations; and arranging for the disconnection of all utilities prior to commencing demolition operations. Upon completion of the preparatory work, Delsan AIM was also responsible for the demolition of the structures including the footings and foundations and the shipment of all demolition materials off-site to licenced facilities for either disposal or recycling.

/ CHALLENGE Delsan AIM set-up a covered walkway along Parkhaven Avenue and arranged for the temporary relocation of a bus shelter as well as above-ground power lines in preparation for the demolition of the apartment building. The demolition of this building presented some important challenges since the curtain wall consisted of a combination of brick and precast panels. In order to ensure the safety of the public and neighbouring buildings, Delsan AIM set-up mast climber work platforms around the perimeter of the apartment building in order to remove the entire curtain wall on a floor-by-floor basis using small demolition equipment and to lower the structure several floors to a safe level to facilitate machine demolition. Upon completion of this work, a 125’ high-reach excavator was mobilized to demolish the remaining floors in a systematic and controlled manner.

/ SAFETY FIRST The control of debris and dust due to the proximity of neighbouring houses was a very important aspect to the safe completion of this project. In order to mitigate any potential impact to these residences, Delsan AIM constructed a 150’ long, 20’ high, heavy-duty, chain-link fence covered with perforated tarps to act as a barrier between the houses and the building for both dust and debris. Delsan AIM also utilized a high-pressure oscillating misting fan in order to spray water in strategic locations as a further measure to mitigate dust during demolition operations. A telescopic handler was employed in order to elevate the misting fan so that the dust control would be more effective during the demolition of the upper floors.