Implosion of Glasgow’s Red Road flats will lack balletic beauty of previous Safedem blasts.
In a little under 48 hours, a series of blasts will change the Glasgow skyline forever as World Demolition Contractor of the Year Safedem adds another major implosion to its impressive portfolio. But anyone expecting the graceful fall that normally accompanies the controlled explosive demolition of such huge tower blocks is likely to be disappointed.
A combination of unusual construction methods and restricted space in which to drop the towers – once the tallest in Europe – means that Safedem is likely to opt for a height reduction rather than an outright demolition. Indeed, according to sources, as much as 10 storeys of some of the blocks will remain standing after the blast. These will be removed by mechanical means.
The Red Road flats were built in the 1960 in answer to the city’s post-tenement housing shortage. Ranging from 25 to 31 storeys in height and up to 100 metres in width, the blocks were built to accommodate almost 5,000 people. But their construction method was dictated as much by political desire as it was efficacy. When planning approval was granted for these giant tower blocks, an American steel construction method was selected in part to appease local steel workers who had failed to benefit from the city’s post-War construction boom. The selection of this method would have a lasting legacy as it required extensive fire-proofing using the asbestos that Safedem recently spent several months removing.
And this is only part of the challenge facing the Safedem team. DemolitionNews understands that the steel frame is extremely complex in nature and utilises a variety of steel gauges throughout, contributing to some equally complex load paths with which the blasters will have to contend.
A massive exclusion zone that extends one kilometre in places, the planned evacuation of thousands of residents from nearby homes, together with some extensive containment measures that have been set in place suggest that Safedem is expecting some material to be ejected when the blast occurs. But close liaison with the Glasgow Housing Association, local people and the police will ensure the safety of onlookers gathered in the safe viewing areas.
All of this aside, Sunday’s blast is likely to be truly memorable, pitting the World Demolition Contractor of the Year against what were formerly the tallest tower blocks in Europe as part of what is thought to be the biggest demolition contract in Europe this year.
But while it may be big, it won’t necessarily be beautiful.
