Any building that’s slated for demolition contains salvageable capital assets. Copper pipes, gypsum board, roofing tiles, and fixtures can be reused or recycled. Many building elements, such as scrap metal, can be resold. Salvaging income can partially or entirely offset demolition costs. Therefore, clients and contractors alike have a vested interest in demolition project planning, including creating a thorough asset recovery plan. Without an asset management plan, demolition salvage efforts are ineffective and wasteful.
In a previous post on demolition and asset recovery, we’ve written on the basic components in an asset recovery plan, including:
- Estimated market values for salvageable materials;
- Plans for site remediation following demolition;
- Structural information about the building itself;
- Location planning, such as historical ordinance research; and
- The proper disposal of hazardous materials.
In this post, we’re discussing asset management planning specifically for industrial plant demolition. Read on to learn the unique considerations for industrial plant demolition asset management plans.
Maximizing Assets in Industrial Plant Demolition: What to Include in Asset Management Plans
Mothballing Options. An asset management plan can include research on the best approach to mothballing, if needed. Halting a project is no easy affair; clients can minimize financial waste by considering how to close or pause projects with no long-term negative impacts.
Legal Research. Industrial demolition is regulated by dozens of laws, from environmental ordinances to local noise restrictions. Site managers must have a strong understanding of how to operate legally, thereby avoiding fines and lawsuits.
Safe Decommission. Asset management plans should include research on safe plant deactivation and site remediation. Industrial plants may contain radioactive gauges, chemical stews, and explosive substances. Other hazards on industrial demolition sites include crumbling structures, toxic vapors, and deafening noise. To prevent worker injury, asset management plans should consider safety throughout the life of the project. Demolition experts must consider all angles of how to safely halt a plant, from avoiding environmental damage to reviewing OSHA recommendations on best practices for demolition worksites.
The creation of an asset management plan is the first phase in any industrial plant demolition project. With a strong asset management plan, a demolition contractor is better prepared to answer countless on-the-job quandaries, such as when to dismantle, rather than demolish, plant structures, in order to maximize salvage value. A strong asset management plan will maximize salvage returns by thoroughly researching all aspects of a demolition project.