Phoenecian demolishes multi-storey structure

The Kaserne building, which was condemned by city authorities last year after it suffered a fire that claimed the lives of nine people, was brought down in just four seconds by 783 non-electronic detonators.

Midrand-based Phoenecian carried out the implosion for the Johannesburg Social Housing Company, which is part of the City of Johannesburg council.  imploded the structure  the five-storey building and prepare the site for its proposed redevelopment.

Sne’ Khanyile, contracts manager at Phoenecian, said: “We have carried out work for the CoJ before. Implosion is a demolition technique especially well-suited for this type of pre-existing structure.

“The demolition expert had to conduct minimal ‘soft’ work within the building itself from a structural perspective. This included pre-weakening certain structural elements such as the lift shafts and stairwells to ensure the successful implosion on the day.

According to Sne’, the demolition project required three months of planning and preparation, which included the pre-weakening of key structures, such as stairwells, prior to the blow down.

Phoenecian’s demolition and earthworks division has no begun further works at the site to break up the rubble and ready the site for redevelopment. 

Johannesburg’s Kaserne building set for implosion South Africa’s Phoenecian Group to handle blow down of fire-damaged five-storey structure