A pioneer in atomized misting equipment has helped a demolition company protect workers and the surrounding community from potentially hazardous dust during indoor demolition with its newest suppression technology. As mini excavators demolished the inside of a former mall, East Coast Demolition used the DustBoss Atom for automated particle control. With no need for labor to hold a hose, the Atom prevented dust emissions from remaining airborne or leaving the area.
Construction of luxury senior apartments are planned for the location, opening June 2022.East Coast Demolition
“Owners, general contractors, and developers select East Coast because we offer worry-free, turnkey services,” explains Ricky Webb, COO of East Coast Demolition. “We initiate, perform and execute projects of all sizes and complexities for the private, municipal, commercial and federal markets. We take environmental hazards very seriously because we want to be good stewards of the communities we serve. From a best practices standpoint, experience has taught us that atomized misting equipment for dust suppression is one of the best safety and compliance tools in our fleet.”
The project involved the demolition of 7 structures with a total of ≈7,500 sq./m. (≈81,000 sq/ft) of building space and more than 4 acres of asphalt flattop. The estimated timeline was 10-12 weeks to take down structures made primarily of cinder block and brick on a cement foundation. Using a fleet of 12 dump trailers, the site prep involved a complete clearing of all debris with the exception of crushing stone material into aggregate for storage on-site.
The Atom features a Kohler KD440 power plant - a 9.1 horsepower air-cooled engine that meets Tier-IV Final emissions standards and complies with California CARB requirements.East Coast Demolition
One of the challenges on this project was the removal of the roofing and floor tile, which both contained asbestos. The task of soft-stripping these elements is often done by hand to avoid producing excessive dust, but to mitigate potential worker exposure to asbestos fibers, the company employed heavy equipment and a new specialized dust control design from BossTek. Using equipment instead of manpower for demolition and dust suppression improves safety and drastically reduces the amount of time needed for internal stripping.
Since the Kingsmill project featured tight areas that had to be addressed with precision, the DustBoss Atom was chosen for its ability to produce a highly pressurized water stream that fractures into a fine mist which can be directed right to the source of dust. Using its oscillating head, the compact unit delivers both airborne and surface suppression using a fraction of the water volume of manual spraying, helping to minimize oversaturation and runoff.
The system is fitted with a Cat Pumps 56G1 water pump that requires just 40 PSI (0.344 BAR) minimum inlet pressure, connected by a 1-in. cam-and-groove quick-disconnect fitting.East Coast Demolition
A standard hand-held 3/4-in. hose attached to a hydrant generally delivers up to 83 lpm (22 gpm) of water. Instead of relying on water pressure, the Atom uses a 1-in. hose attachment from a water source running to a pump powered by a 9.1 HP diesel engine. The increase in pressure from the pump rather than relying on pressure from the hydrant means the design uses only ~26 lpm (7 gpm). This greatly reduces wastewater runoff and the amount of standing water in the area, allowing the machine to be distant from the water source and still deliver superior dust control.
With a throw of 30 m (~100 ft.), the unit’s 0 to 65-degree vertical adjustment and 100-degree maximum oscillation range increase the coverage area to 567 sq/m (6,100 sq/ft). Using the hand-held remote control, operators can set the oscillation range from the cab of their rig or at a safe distance from the demolition zone.
“A single worker was able to wheel the Atom around by hand, place it, determine the optimum settings and go do something else,” Webb said. “The versatility is great because if we need dust control in another building or on the storage piles, we can get the unit there quickly, turn it on and walk away. The labor savings alone makes it worth the money, but the safety and ease of use are huge benefits.”
There were some clear advantages to having precision dust control one is that workers can stay protected in enclosed cabs and change the Atom’s settings with a remote control. Another advantage was the dust’s effect on equipment. In the past, workers performing demolition inside structures had to clean the excessive buildup of dust out of equipment air intakes and radiators to prevent engine breakdowns. Since dust is addressed at the point of emission, this activity is reduced considerably, saving maintenance time and protecting valuable equipment.
Result
With a throw of 100 ft., the adjustable elevation angle and user-defined oscillation allow precise aiming of a powerful dust-capturing mist, which is comprised of millions of droplets per minute in the range of 50-200 microns.East Coast Demolition
“From a perception standpoint, when the public and the city observe these DustBoss units in operation, they are immediately more at ease seeing that the dust is being properly contained,” Webb says. “From a business perspective, general contractors know we have the equipment, safety and compliance measures in place to do the job properly.”
By having a versatile hands-free dust control unit, sites are safer and more compliant, while reducing the cost of operation. The compact, diesel-powered DustBoss Atom takes up little room, is useful on any site, and is easily maneuverable by a single worker on flat surfaces.
“It was great working with the BossTek team to get us exactly the machine we needed to do the job right,” Webb says. “This equipment has actually helped us capture new business; that’s how much value they bring to our company.”
