



Emergency demolition is a necessary task when a building has immediately and unexpectedly become a threat to safety. In Florida, emergency demolition is often required after natural disasters, such as hurricanes or floods. Other disasters, like fires or earthquakes could lead to an emergency demolition. State or local authorities order emergency demolitions when they find conditions of buildings or structures no longer structurally sound, in danger of imminent collapse. Uncovering hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead or mold that cannot be controlled with remediation could also require emergency demolition to protect human and environmental health. If you’ve found yourself needing to execute an emergency demolition to protect the safety and health of others, here are some tips to help you prepare for the project.
Expect Swift Action
Typically, demolition projects require several weeks or months for planning, permitting and coordination with key partners. Emergency demolition, however, has minimal preparation time. To be considered for emergency demolition, a building likely possesses a significant risk, so the sooner it can come down, the sooner the community surrounding it is better protected. State and local authorities will prioritize the safety and health of the community and expedite the processes involved in demolition, such as permitting. If you’re dealing with an ailing building that poses a safety risk following a disaster, expect swifter than usual action from all parties involved in the demolition.
Safety & Preservation Measures
While time is of the essence when dealing with an unsafe structure following a disaster, it’s still critical to work in a way that keeps crews and the surrounding community safe. Buildings facing emergency demolition may be resting on unstable ground. Choose a demolition expert who understands these volatile demolition environments. It’s also important to be mindful of other surrounding structures. Some may be next up for demolition, meaning they are unstable themselves. Others may need to be preserved, so the demolition team must be mindful of its preservation. Mobilizing large equipment takes careful coordination and planning. Despite an escalated timeline for the demolition project, do not cut corners when it comes to safety and preservation.
Here at ELEV8 Demolition, our teams can mobilize in a matter of hours. So if you find yourself in need of an emergency demolition, make us your first call.