Vertical Water Curtains: The Future of Dust Control in Urban Implosions

Many implosion demolition projects always make the news as it's impressive to see a perfectly timed implosion where the building literally falls into itself. The engineering behind it and the execution is absolutely genius. That is why so many people from hundreds of miles around come to see this grand spectacle on display.

The problem is many of these buildings are located in urban settings, in or near densely populated areas. Taking a building down to a pile of rubble in a matter of seconds can be very disruptive to businesses and individuals, unlike dismantling the building over several months' time. The dust and particulate matter from these implosions is incredible, covering most everything in the surrounding area. These particulates not only pose a massive cleanup issue but also create environmental and possible health concerns. Controlling this dust and particulate matter is certainly a challenge.

Many demolition projects incorporate mist cannons and/or high-pressure water dispersion technology to keep demolition dust to a minimum. This is accomplished by small water droplets coming in contact with dust and particulates, causing them to settle to the ground.

Because implosion demolition happens so quickly and within a defined area, engineers and demolition contractors are seeking ways to decrease and encapsulate this dust. One promising technology uses vertical water cannons that act as a giant curtain where implosion dust under pressure would penetrate and thus be encapsulated by the water. These water cannons must disperse thousands of gallons of water to vertical heights within seconds of the implosion, under extremely high pressure. The water curtain must surround the building completely.

One such approach uses individual pools or open tanks of water with a pump submerged in the open tank that, upon command, turns on, ejecting a large volume of water vertically. The key is split-second timing so that the water curtain is at maximum height and width as the building is falling. This promising technology continues to evolve.

Controlling dust in demolition implosions is critically important. We need to explore all methods to achieve that goal, and vertical water cannons can and will be a big part of that evolution.
 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

Since 1935, R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), has been your trusted partner for complex industrial projects. We specialize in expert demolition, dismantling, rigging, and plant relocation across North America and Puerto Rico. With a proven safety record, including direct involvement in ten VPP OSHA Safety Award-winning sites, and significant bonding capacity, we execute complex projects with precision. Our comprehensive services include industrial and commercial demolition, machinery moving, environmental remediation, and asset recovery. Discover why leading industrial clients rely on R. Baker & Son for safe and efficient solutions to their most challenging projects.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746
732-222-3553

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Image credit: Dustboss Water Cannon by BossTek