Explosive demolition

The team safely dismantled, decommissioned and demolished Dawes Lane Coke Ovens for British Steel in Scunthorpe without any disruption to a fully-operational site.

Two 300 tonne mobile cranes were required to dismantle the 65m high coal hopper and adjoining conveyor system. Particular attention was given to the conveyor system, which was being retained for the client’s future use and was attached to live plant throughout the works.

Once the conveyor sections were dismantled, S Evans & Son’s structural and explosive engineers carried out detailed analysis of the coal hopper ready for its demolition using two separate blow-downs. A design and cutting sequence was created and highly trained and experienced top-men burners prepared and pre-weakened the structure to ready it for the explosives.

On the day of the blow-down, British Steel staff and neighbouring businesses were evacuated within a 500m radius which involved the movement of more than 200 people and the assistance of the local Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue.