Demolition and Decommissioning

By Andy Lewis, Wixom, Michigan, USA

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As buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure come to the end of their useful life, they must be cleared away to make room for the property’s next use. This isn’t just a matter of calling in the wrecking cranes and bulldozers. The work calls for due consideration of many issues, such as legal liabilities regarding the building’s materials, safety on the job site, cost effectiveness and how much material recycling and reuse is practical. Accordingly, there is a growing emphasis being placed on process ­ in planning the work and in executing that plan in a way that meets a range of priorities. The articles in this issue of Technically Speaking discuss worldwide trends making demolition and decommissioning more of a strategic function within both private-sector and public organizations.

The financial costs of demolishing this manufacturing facility in Michigan, USA have been diminished due to Golder's knowledge of the building's valued components. See Easing the costs of demolition in Michigan, USA for more details.