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Hanford explosive demolition to happen Saturday

10.07.2010

RICHLAND, Wash.— Three structures will be explosively demolished in Hanford’s 300 Area, just north of the Richland city limit, on Saturday morning.

Residents in north Richland and Franklin County across the Columbia River from 300 Area will hear explosions at about 7:30 a.m. as the 309 Building stack will be dropped, followed about two minutes later as the 337 and 337B buildings are demolished.

Explosives were selected as the preferred demolition method for safety reasons. The primary safety consideration was the height of the structures. The 337 Building is a large, three-story pre-cast concrete office building. The 337B Building is a 93-foot-tall high bay containing a 110-ton overhead crane. The 309 Building stack is 110 feet tall.

Elevated work presents a safety danger, as does working with concrete, which can crack in unpredictable ways. Explosive demolition represents the safest and quickest way to raze the structures.

The 337 and 337B buildings are free from contamination. The debris will be used as fill for other 300 Area building demolition projects. The 309 Building stack contains some immobile radioactive contamination. The debris will be transported to Hanford’s Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility for disposal.

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