Managing hazardous substances without demolishing structures – a responsible way to extend the life cycle of buildings

Topic:	Managing hazardous substances in building renovation
Focus:	Encapsulation, preserving structures, circular economy and extending the life cycle of buildings
Example sites:	Jyväskylä Valtiontalo and the Supreme Administrative Court creosote site

The future of buildings does not always require demolition. The discovery of hazardous substances in structures also does not automatically mean that extensive demolition work or the demolition of an entire building lies ahead.

The future of buildings does not always require demolition

In the construction industry, there has long been a mindset in which the discovery of hazardous substances in structures easily leads to extensive demolition work, or even to the demolition of an entire building. Practical experience and changing regulation in the construction sector show, however, that this is not always the only or the most responsible option.

The EU’s circular economy and low-carbon targets are increasingly steering the sector towards extending the service life of existing buildings. Preserving, repairing and reusing the building stock have become key ways to reduce the environmental impacts of construction.

In many cases, structures containing hazardous substances can also be safely preserved by encapsulating them using suitable methods.

Hazardous substance management is part of responsible building renovation

Buildings still contain various hazardous substances, such as:

• asbestos
• PAH compounds
• creosote
• VOC compounds
• mineral fibres
• other contaminants that impair indoor air quality

In some sites, demolition is the only possible solution. In many cases, however, preserving structures is technically possible and economically sensible.

When a hazardous substance can be safely encapsulated within the structure, it is possible to:

• reduce the amount of demolition waste
• avoid the manufacture of new building materials
• reduce the carbon footprint of the renovation project
• shorten the implementation time
• reduce disruption to building users

Jyväskylä Valtiontalo – an encapsulation site significant in scale

One of Finland’s most significant renovation projects related to hazardous substance management has been the renovation of Valtiontalo in Jyväskylä, designed by Alvar Aalto.

Valtiontalo is one of the valuable sites of Finnish architectural heritage. In the building’s extensive renovation, TKR and Amberla solutions were widely used for structural sealing and hazardous substance management. More than 15,000 kilograms of TKR products were used at the site for various encapsulation and sealing solutions.

In sites like this, preserving structures is not only an economic or environmental question. It is also about preserving architectural history and cultural heritage for future generations.

The Supreme Administrative Court creosote site

Another good example can be found in Helsinki’s Kaartinkaupunki district.

During the renovation project of the Supreme Administrative Court’s premises, significant amounts of structures containing creosote were found in the buildings’ underground spaces. The site was particularly challenging because the structures were partly load-bearing, and the buildings also have significant conservation value.

Creosote is a substance made from coal tar, and the PAH compounds it contains may pose health and environmental risks. Creosote is known to contain carcinogenic compounds, which makes its management in buildings important.

Demolishing the structures at the site would have been technically difficult, expensive and, in part, also risky in terms of the load-bearing capacity of the structures. Encapsulation was chosen as the solution, allowing the hazardous substance to be brought under control while preserving the structures.

Why should encapsulation be assessed before making a demolition decision?

In renovation projects, the focus is often on how a hazardous substance can be removed.

An equally important question is:

If a hazardous substance can be safely managed through encapsulation, significant benefits can be achieved.

Environmental benefits

• less demolition waste
• less manufacturing of new materials
• lower carbon dioxide emissions
• extension of the building’s life cycle

Economic benefits

• lower demolition and reconstruction costs
• shorter interruptions to use
• reduced need for temporary premises

User benefits

• less noise and dust
• smaller impact on the building’s normal use
• faster project completion

Experience matters

TKR methods have been used in Finland for more than 40 years in various hazardous substance management, sealing and building renovation projects.

Experience from hospitals, schools, offices, industrial buildings and protected sites shows that responsible renovation does not always mean building something new.

Often, the most responsible solution is found by preserving as much of the existing building as possible and managing the risks safely.

Before demolition, it is worth asking one question

If the answer is yes, encapsulation can be one of the most effective ways to combine the safety of building users, cost efficiency and circular economy goals.

 

Would you like to find out whether encapsulation could be suitable for your site?

If your site involves questions related to hazardous substances, sealing or indoor air remediation, contact TKR. Together, we can identify the solution that best suits your specific site.