China implodes 19 buildings in 10 seconds

China tends to do everything on a large scale, and that clearly includes demolition. The video above shows the implosion of 19 buildings at once located in Wuhan.

How do you implode so many buildings at the same time and in less than 10 seconds? By using 5 tonnes of explosives!

Explosive storage and use rules have changed

Anyone involved in explosive demolition projects as explosives engineer, or like ourselves, as Principal Designer, will be aware that HSE have issued new guidance on the storage and use of explosives. Details of the guidance can be found at the following link:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/record-keeping.htm?ebul=hsegen&cr=18/26-may-15

If you are a "fan" of explosive demolition, and we certainly are, please keep following us on Twitter and by visiting the website as we currently have four explosive contracts scheduled for completion in the next six months. With that much work I suppose you could say "Business is Booming."

Watch episode 1 of Demolition - The Wrecking Crew

The beauty of the BBC in 2015 is that if you miss an episode of a show, you can still watch it online using iPlayer for 30 days. That's the case for new series Demolition - The Wrecking Crew, which aired its first episode on May 17th. That means you've got until June 16th to watch it. We highly recommend it as it explores the "explosive world of demolition." It also includes a few very familiar faces.

Watch the episode online now.

Explosives are being replaced as cities get more crowded

Using explosives to demolish tall buildings has been done for decades, but a number of factors are making them an increasingly difficult and undesirable solution. The reason for this is our cities becoming every more crowded meaning much more precise demolition is needed. The other reason is ever tighter controls on debris, recycling, and dust levels.

The solution surprisingly isn't the better use of explosives, it's actually replacing them completely. The Economist has a fascinating article about this subject which you can read at the link below. It seems gas canisters and remote-controlled hydraulic jacks are the future.

Source The Economist

DSM Demolition presentation date change

There has been a date change for a talk being given by Robert Powell of DSM Demolition. The presentation focuses on BS6187:2011 including high reach demolition and demolition by designed collapse mechanisms, including explosives. It will now take place on the 12th June.

The venue is in Worcester at the following address

Sixways Stadium,
Warriors Way,
Worcester, WR3 8ZE

Attendance is free and places can be booked by contacting Jo Webb at jwebb@ciob.org.uk or on 0845 070 6137.

Explosives regulations: have your say

Call Safe Services Limited's construction newsletter from July 2013 includes a piece that will certainly be of interest to C&D bearing in mind the number of explosive demolitions that we are involved with in Glasgow at the moment.

Have your say on proposed explosives regulations

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a public consultation on new regulations that will simplify and consolidate the safety legislation for explosives.

The consolidated set of regulations (referred to as the Explosives Regulations 2014 (ER 2014)) cover the safety of workers and the public when manufacturing, handling and storing explosives. They also include European requirements in relation to product safety.

The HSE is seeking views from businesses and stakeholders through an eight-week public consultation that begins on 30 July 2013, and ends on 24 September 2013. Those interested in the changes may include industry, other Government departments, third sector groups, and individual users such as hobbyists.

The consultative document and details of how to respond to the consultation are available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd256.htm

Great video of a bridge demolished by explosives at Sinntalbrucke, Germany

We know very little about this job, or who the contractor is, but we think it is a job well done and we are impressed with the catering arrangements for the spectators. Perhaps we should do that in the UK?

Sad Death of a Demolition Industry friend

It is always a bad day when you get a phone call from one demolition industry friend telling you about the death of another demolition industry friend and today was one of those days. After a long battle with an illness that he kept a secret to most of us within the industry Phil Lowe died in hospital at Saturday lunchtime.

My memories of Phil will be him drilling chimneys, placing the charges and seeing his chimneys fall before standing with him to discuss whatever the next job was going to be and I will miss him. Dick Green has known Phil longer than me and I think it best that Dick sums up Phil's career as follows:-

PHIL LOWE 1964-2012

It is with great sadness and regret that I have to let you know my good friend and colleague Phil Lowe passed away peacefully in hospital on Saturday 24th March 2012.

Phil started his apprenticeship as an explosives engineer in 1981 working in the Family Company Nottingham Explosives under his father Barry Lowe.

Phil joined the Institute of Explosives Engineers in 1986 at which time he became Explosives Director of the company.

In 1991 he took over the company as Managing Director, Phil was personally responsible for numerous successful explosive demolition projects within the UK and overseas.

In 1994 Phil was admitted as a full member of the Institute of Demolition Engineers.

In 2002 he joined the explosives team at Controlled Demolition where his thorough knowledge and experience of industrial demolition was an invaluable asset to the company.

In 2009 Phil Joined SES Specialist Explosives Services Ltd as Chief Explosives Engineer where he continued to excel in the profession he loved.

In Phil's 30 year career he has logged the demolition of over 3500 structures.

Phil will be sadly missed by the both the Explosive and Demolition Community and by all that knew him.

Our thoughts go to his wife, mother, daughter and granddaughter.

Phil Lowe a real demolition man.

Phil was a part of many demolition jobs, some of which we have covered on this website. Below is footage from those jobs:

The Big Bang - Dick Green on 25 years of explosives

In the latest edition of Construction Digital magazine there is an excellent article about our good friend Dick Green of Independent Explosives Engineers Ltd.

The article covers his 25 years in military explosives and safety training followed by the transition to civilian demolition. You can find the article on page 23 with the magazine available online at execdigital.co.uk