Demolition Works

Content
• Why Demolition Works needs to be controlled?
• How Demolition Works is controlled?
• Requirements of Demolition Plans
• Precautionary Measures Required
• Methods of Demolition:
 Manual Method
 Mechanical Method
 Other methods
• Special Structures
• Concluding Remarks

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 Why control Demolition Works? (1)
• Past incidents:
 Fortuna Hotel Case (1994)
 Kwun Tong Road Case (1996)
 Yau Tong Case (2001)
• Much death and injury caused

Fortuna Hotel Collapse Case 1994

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 Kwun Tong Road Collapse Case 1996

Yau Tong Collapse Case 2001

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 Why control Demolition Works? (2)
• Control System before 1996:
 Demolition plans were not prescribed
 Precautionary measures only specified in Building
(Demolition Works) Regulations
 Registered Contractor not specialized
 Supervision to be carried out by AP periodically
 RSE is normally not involved

Why control Demolition Works? (3)

• Control System after 1996:
 Demolition plans prescribed under Building
(Administration) Regulations
 Necessary precautionary measures to be shown in
demolition plans
 RSE would be involved
 Registered Specialist Contractor to carry out the works
 Site supervision plan system
 Extra supervision required for special structures
 Video records to be taken on site

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 Control of Demolition Works (1)
• BO s6(3)(a):
 The BA may refuse to give his consent to the
commencement of any building works or street works
where he has not received and given his approval to all the
plans thereof prescribed by regulations
• B(A)R 8(3)
 The plans set out hereunder are prescribed, in respect of
demolition works – (a) to (f)
• B(A)R 8(4)
 The prescribed plans for demolition works must be
accompanied by – (a) to (d)

Control of Demolition Works (2)

• Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004:
 The Code provides guidance on safe and good practice for
demolition works in compliance with the requirements of
the relevant provisions of B(A)R and B(DW)R relating to
demolition works
 Amendments to the Code issued through circular letter
dated 5 September 2016
 Further details and requirements on safety issues
 Inclusion of RGE and minor works requirements

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 Control of Demolition Works (3)
• PNAP APP-21
 The practice note sets out the procedures to be followed by
AP, RSE and RGE in meeting the requirements of the BO,
B(A)R and B(DW)r for demolition works
• PNAP APP-23
 This practice note provides guidance for the design and
construction of hoardings, covered walkways and gantries
to satisfy the relevant BO and regulations, and the
requirements of various government departments

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Demolition Plan (1)

B(A)R 8(3) The plans set out hereunder are prescribed:
(a) Plan showing the construction and condition of the
building to be demolished
 r.c. building, steelworks, masonry or timber
 Framed structure, load bearing walls
 Any special structures, such as hangers, prestressed
structures, flat slab
 Condition of the building: good/dilapidated
 Any adjoining slopes or retaining walls providing support
to the ground

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Demolition Plan (2)

(b) Plan showing site nature and surrounding, including
 Survey plan showing ground level contours
 Sections for slopes or ground supported by the building
 Removal of ground required
(c) Plan showing method of demolition
 Sequence of works
 Procedures to be followed
 Equipment to be used

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 Demolition Plan (3)
(d) Plan showing the support to be provided to, at each
stage of the demolition works
 The building to be demolished
 Any slopes/ground supported by the building
 All the affected buildings, structures, streets, land and
services
(e) Plan showing precautionary measures for public
safety, including
 Hoardings and covered walkways
 Catch fans
 Dust screen

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Demolition Plan (4)

(f) Plan showing support
to be provided
 All affected buildings,
structures, streets, land
and services
 At each stage of the
demolition works

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 Prescribed Documents in Demolition Plan (1)
B(A)R 8(4) The prescribed plans for demolition works
must be accompanied by:
(a) Stability report in respect of
 The building to be demolished
 All affected buildings and structures
 Streets, land and services
(b) Structural calculations for
 The design of supports acceptable by the BA

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Prescribed Documents in Demolition Plan (2)

(c) Stability report with calculations
 Demonstrating the safety of all affected buildings,
structures, land and services
(d) Stability report with calculations
 Justifying the safety use of equipment and mechanical
plants

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 Utilities (1)
• Prior to actual demolition, AP shall liaise with
available utility companies so as:
 To keep records of available utilities leading into premises
 To cause all utilities to be terminated

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Utilities (2)
• Common utilities encountered include:
 Electricity
 Water
 Gas
 Telecommunication
 Drainage
 Overhead and underground cables
 Railway tunnel and its accessories such as vent shafts
 Sewage tunnel and its accessories
 Disused tunnel

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 Precautionary Measures Required (1)
• Hoarding, covered walkway and catch platform
• Scaffolding and screen covers
• Catch fan
• Temporary support
• Protection for adjoining structures/land
• Protection of traffic
• Special safety consideration
• Environmental precautions
• Debris and waste handing
• Inspection and maintenance
• Post-demolition precautions

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Precautionary Measures Required (2)

• Hoarding and covered walkway
 As required under B(P)R 64
 Guidelines provided in PNAP APP-23
• Catch platform
 As required under B(DW)R 3(2)(a) to prevent nuisance or
danger
 Guidelines provided in PNAP APP-21

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Hoarding and Covered Walkway (2)

• Provide min. vertical clearance of 2.3 m for covered walkway.
Min. clear width of 1.1 m for hoarding/covered walkways
sited on carriageway. Regarding hoarding/covered walkways
on footpath, clear width shall be related to existing pavement:
– 1.5 m min. if existing pavement width is 2.5 m or less
– Width of pavement minus 0.8 m (subject to max. of 2 m) if existing
pavement with is over 2.5 m to 3 m
– 2 m if existing pavement width is over 3 m

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Precautionary Measures Required (3)

• Scaffolding and working platform
 Bamboo scaffold
 Metal scaffold
 Code of Practice issued by Labour Department to comply
with Construction Site (Safety) Regulations
• Screen covers
 As required under B(DW)R 3(2)(a)
 Screen system shall also satisfy Air Pollution Control
(Construction Dust) Regulations
 Double layers
 Properly secured
 Material specifications

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 Precautionary Measures Required (4)
• Catch fans
 As required under
B(DW)R 3(2)(a)
 For catching small pieces
of debris
 Vertical distance ≯ 10 m
 Horizontal extension ≮
1.5 m
 Angle of inclination 20°
to 45° from horizontal

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Precautionary Measures Required (5)

• Temporary supports for building to be demolished
 Propping under the floors supporting extra loading
 Supports for cantilevers
 Catch platform

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 Precautionary Measures Required (6)
• Protection for adjoining
structures/land
 Raking shores
 Flying shores
 Steel frames (for party
walls)
 Strutting for retaining
land

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Raking Shores and Flying Shores

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Precautionary Measures Required (7)

• Protection of traffic
 Avoid closure of traffic lanes
 If unavoidable, permission required from Transport
Department and Police
 Advisable to arrange temporary closure
• Special safety considerations
 Safety training courses for workers, plant operators and
supervisors
 Equipment maintenance
 Electricity supply
 Fire safety
 Occupational safety
 Emergency exit
 vibration
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 Precautionary Measures Required (8)
• Environmental protection
 Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulations
 Noise Control Ordinance
 Water Pollution Control Ordinance
 Hazardous materials, such as asbestos, LPG cylinders, toxic
and corrosive chemicals (special procedures to be followed)

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Precautionary Measures Required (9)

• Debris and Waste Handling
 Chutes (plastic chutes inside lift wells
preferred)
 Debris recycling (site sorting and
separation at source)
 Dust minimization (by water spraying)
 Debris accumulation (not allowed unless
adequately supported)
 Debris disposal and management system
 Debris handling (avoid propping
supports)
 Waste management

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 Precautionary Measures Required (10)
• Inspection and maintenance
 Frequency of inspections (in accordance with Site
Supervision Plan)
 Unsafe condition (demolition works to be ceased until it is
rectified)
 Scaffolding (to be performed according to requirements
under FIUO)

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Post-Demolition Precautions
After completion of demolition works:
• The site
 Levelled
 Cleared of debris
 Adequate drainage
 Completed enclosed
• Supports to adjacent structures
 Properly maintained
 Replaced by permanent support as necessary
• All slopes, retaining walls and excavation
 Properly supported

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 Methods of Demolition
• Choice of demolition method depends on project
conditions, site constraints, sensitivity of
neighbourhood and availability of equipment
• Various Methods of Demolition
 Manual method
 Mechanical method
 Hydraulic crusher
 Wrecking ball
 Implosion
 Non-explosive demolition agent
 Saw cutting
 Cutting and lifting

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Manual Method
• Sequence of demolition
 Cantilever structures
 Roof structures
 From top to ground
 Floor slabs (start from mid span), beams (cantilever beams,
secondary beams and main beams)
 Non-loadbearing walls, walls and columns (from centre to
edge)

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 Mechanical Method (1)
• Sequence of demolition is the same as manual
method, except most of demolition is done by
mechanical plant
• Demolition begins with lifting of mechanical plant on
to building top floor
• Movement of mechanical plant be within propped
area. Prohibit movement of mechanical plant in the
following areas:
 Within 2 m of building edge
 Within 1 m of any floor openings
 Any cantilevered structures

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Mechanical Method (2)

• Machine shall descent down to next floor by means
of ramp. Ramp may be temporary structure or other
appropriate design. Slope of ramp be no steeper than
1.75 to 1

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 Hydraulic Crusher
• Crusher attachment breaks concrete and
reinforcement by hydraulic thrust through long boom
arm system. Operate hydraulic crusher from ground
outside building.
• Operation shall have min. clear space of ½ building
height as safety zone for falling debris
• Demolish each section of structure in top down
sequence to ensure stability of structure

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 Wrecking Ball
• Wrecking ball application consists of crane equipped
with steel ball. Destruction of building is by impact
energy of steel ball suspended from crawler carne.
Wrecking ball operates outside building. This method
is suitable for dilapidated buildings, silos and other
industrial facilities. Operation requires substantial
clear space. Application demands high level skill
operators and well-maintained equipment

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• www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbzMH9uXv7Y

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 Demolition of Kowloon Wall City

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Implosion
• Blasting design may include pre-weakening of
structure, strategy in placement of explosives and
time delay so that building will collapse in a safe
manner.
• Pre-weakening of structure may include cutting out
portion of shear walls and other structural elements.
• A test blast may be conducted to verify strength of
structural member and to fine tune explosive design.
• Protection of adjacent properties and habitats is also
important

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Tsing Yi
Power Station
Chimneys

Sunday, 15.11.1998

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 Non-Explosive Demolition Agent
• Non-Explosive Demolition Agent (NEDA) is static
demolition agent. When reaction takes place in
confined drill hole, NEDA generates expansive
pressive to crack and break concrete and stone
• NEDA is suitable application in restrictive
environment where noise, flying debris and vibration
are less tolerated

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Saw Cutting
• Saw cutting is suitable for alteration and additional
works where accuracy in cutting is important and
tolerance to noise and vibration is very limited.
• It can be used to cut concrete slabs and wall elements
into segments
• An entire building may be dismantled by saw cutting

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 Cutting and Lifting
• Cutting and lifting involve initial cutting of structure
into individual pieces or segments, and then lifting
the pieces or assembly by crane onto ground for
further demolition or hauling away.
• Cut slabs into segments and lift off for further cutting
into smaller pieces before disposal. Cut precast
concrete structures into pieces and lift off as reversal
of construction sequence when precast elements are
fabricated from pieces into assembly of structure.
• May apply cutting and lifting to safely remove
projections such as canopies, architectural features,
balconies and bay windows.

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Special Structures
• Special structures need careful investigation and
planning prior to demolition:
 Precast concrete structures
 Prestressed concrete structures
 Statically determinate structures
 Composite structures
 Steel structures
 Cladding walls
 Hanging structures
 Oil storage facilities
 Marine structures
 Underground structures
 Structures supporting ground or sitting on slopes

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 Site Supervision and Inspection
• Site safety supervision plan:
 Technical Memorandum for Supervision Plans
 Code of Practice for Site Supervision
• Extra supervision for demolition of complex
structures:
 Full time site engineer
 Requirements under Table 9.1 of CoP for Site Supervision

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Video Record

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 Flowchart

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Concluding Remarks
• Lessons learnt from previous incidents:
 Fortuna Hotel Collapse
 Kwun Tong Road Collapse
 Yau Tong Collapse
• Expertise required
• Proper supervision to be provided
• BD has introduced more stringent control measures
• Overall safety of demolition works improved

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 Lessons learnt from Previous Incidents
• Fortuna Hotel Collapse
 Building records to be studied before demolition works
 Cantilevered structures are to be properly supported before
demolition
• Kwun Tong Road Collapse
 Approved demolition procedures must be followed to
ensure safety
• Yau Tong Collapse
 Approved demolition procedures must be followed
 Proper use of mechanical plants
 Adequate supervision must be provided
 Special procedures for special structures
 Proper handling of demolished debris

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Expertise Required
• RSE to be involved in planning stage and supervision
for works in progress
• RSC to be appointed for carrying out the demolition
works

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 Proper Supervision to be Provided
• Engagement of TCP for supervision of demolition
works by AP, RSE and RSC
• Extra supervision required for critical stages of
demolition works -- Provision of full time site
engineer for demolition of complex structures
 Flat slab, prestressed concrete, transfer plate, hanger, long
span beam (> 10 m), steel framed construction, cantilevered
structure with span > 1.2 m and is over street, buildings
which also act as earth-retaining structures supporting
adjacent ground
 RPE in structural, civil or building discipline employed by
RSC (Demolition)

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Follow up Action by BD
• BD has introduced more stringent control measures
for demolition works
• Overall safety of demolition works has been
improved

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 Case Study

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Fortuna Hotel Demolition Site

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Kwun Tong Road Demolition Site (30.7.97)

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Sze Shan Street Demolition Site (29.10.01)

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 Collapse during Demolition

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Collapse during Demolition

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 Control Enhancement after Incident
• No accumulation of debris is allowed
• Provision of full time site engineer for demolition of complex
structures
– Flat slab, prestressed concrete, transfer plate, hanger, long span
beam (> 10 m), steel framed construction, cantilevered structure
with span > 1.2 m and is over street, buildings which also act as
earth-retaining structures supporting adjacent ground
– RPE in structural, civil or building discipline employed by RSC
(Demolition)
• Provision of video camera to record entire demolition process
– At least 1 video camera for each site
– Location be agreed by AP/RSE and shown in demolition plan
– Video records be kept by RSC for at least 14 days

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53 Yuet Wah Street Demolition Incident

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 53 Yuet Wah Street Demolition Incident

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53 Yuet Wah Street Demolition Incident

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 Demolition Incident

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Planning
Demolition
of HSBC
Building

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The HSBC structure

is articulated as eight
steel masts and five
double-storey trusses
geometrically
arranged to form an
expressed open
suspended steel
structure, which
enabled the creation
of a ‘see-through’
building.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaMtWibQk0A

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 Construction Sequence
• Erect the masts
B B
• Erect the truss at the
top of the zone A A
• Lower down the C
tension column
• Construct beams and
slabs from the lowest A A
floor in the zone
upward
• Continue with the
upper zone

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Demolition Sequence
• Strengthen horizontal
member of truss of B B
lower zone A A
• Provide props to the C
zone to be demolished
• Demolish the truss at
the top of the zone A A
• Demolish the floors in
the zone from the top
downward

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101

• www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLFAJQ7SLew
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 Reference
• Code of Practice for
Demolition of Buildings
2004

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END

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