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815 Demolition Safety
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Inspection and Planning

When preparing to demolish any chimney, stack, silo, or cooling tower, the first step must be a careful, detailed inspection of the structure by an experienced person.

Richborough Power Station Demolition

If possible, architectural/engineering drawings should be consulted. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the chimney or stack.

  • Workers should be on the lookout for any structural defects such as weak or acid-laden mortar joints, and any cracks or openings.
  • The interior brickwork in some sections of industrial chimney shafts can be extremely weak.
  • If a stack has been banded with steel straps, these bands must be removed only as the work progresses from the top down. Sectioning of the chimney by water should be considered.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-2. What is the first step you should take when preparing to demolish any chimney, stack, silo, or cooling tower?