POWER July 2022 - 14

O&M
Essential Prep and Closeout
of Demolition Projects-
What Power Plant Owners
Need to Know
Industrial demolition projects of any scale
are complex undertakings that require
much more than just knocking things
down and cleaning them up. Quite the
opposite, in fact. Demolition, including
of a retired power plant, is an extremely
involved, multi-phase process that requires
unique and specialized skillsets
to complete to the highest standards of
quality, safety, environmental protection,
and community betterment.
From safety considerations, such
as developing detailed work plans and
maintaining a core project management
team, to environmental considerations,
such as implementing asbestos
abatement strategies and waste removal
procedures, there are a host of
areas that must be addressed-including
financial
considerations involving
scrapping and asset recovery. Industrial
demolition is simply an umbrella
term for a wide array of services, processes,
and areas of expertise needed
to complete a successful project.
For power plant owners, managers,
or even engineers who have found an
industrial demolition partner or are still
considering their options, there's a great
deal more to consider beyond who can
complete the project in the shortest
amount of time for the least amount of
money. There's also a great deal to understand
about the crucial phases of a
demolition project before and after the
demolition itself.
" Demolition " is usually assumed to
just mean the process of actually dismantling
a building itself, but the reality
is that it's only one part of a much broader
industrial demolition project (Figure
1). Owners and engineers need to stay
acutely aware of the other facets of their
site that require inspection and careful
consideration. To ensure the greatest
and safest results for everyone involved,
it's imperative that plant owners understand
(and demolition contractors respect)
the careful sequence of events
that bookend large undertakings-the
people, the plans, the documents, and
the considerations that prevent incidents,
ensure safety, and protect the
communities that these facilities have
14
1. The St. Johns River Power Park was a coal-fired power plant built in 1987. It featured two
817-MW units. The plant was situated on about 1,600 acres in Jacksonville, Florida. Total Wrecking
& Environmental was contracted for the complete demolition and asset recovery of the
plant and all its structures, closing of all ponds, and sitewide restoration. The project was showcased
by the implosion of two 463-foot-tall cooling towers with 50,000 cubic yards of concrete
and a 620-foot-high stack. Courtesy: Total Wrecking & Environmental
often powered for decades.
Industrial
demolition
demands
extreme
sensitivity and diligence. The
breakdown discussed here condenses
and summarizes every major preparation
and administrative responsibility of all
parties to prepare owners and contractors
alike.
Project Management Team
Just as power plant management is a
collaborative process reliant on a team of
dedicated people, demolition of a facility
is an often-lengthy process that requires
as much input as humanly possible, particularly
from the folks who have spent
their careers running, managing, and operating
a site. A common mistake made
by plant owners is releasing their staff
as soon as a demolition has been decided.
It's absolutely crucial to maintain
the most trusted members of the power
plant team, including the plant manager,
environmental manager, maintenance
manager, and engineers.
The input of this core team is essential
to identify every historical hazard
across the entire site. Few, if any, other
people have the intimate understanding
of the nuances of a site (Figure 2)
or an understanding of its operations.
Silly as it may sound, if " Bob " knocked
over a barrel of lead-based paint in the
supply room 15 years ago, the demolition
contractor needs to know about it
to ensure a full conversion of the space
into a clean green site. Use the project
management team from top to bottom
to guide the process, aid with inspections
and historical record-keeping, and
www.powermag.com
ensure every potential hazard has been
spotted and addressed.
Site Visits, Historical
Documentation, and Estimating
In-person inspections are imperative, but
even beforehand, the demolition contractor
will have performed extensive
research to gain insight into the site's
history, purpose (Figure 3), and the surrounding
community.
An initial site walkthrough, a detailed
2. The Louisville Gas & Electric-Kentucky
Utilities Canal Station was a coal-fired power
plant in Louisville, Kentucky, built in the early
1980s. The demolition contract included all
teardown, abatement, demolition, hazardous
waste removal, and site restoration for
the entire power plant site. This project was
alongside not only an active railroad, but
also the Ohio River. The project required the
floodwall to remain in place and untouched,
and also required sediment control and
storm water management. Courtesy: Total
Wrecking & Environmental
POWER | July 2022

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POWER July 2022

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