Kuya Kim explains implosion method used to demolish old buildings

The 94-meter tall Hertz Tower, which is considered the tallest skyscraper in Lake Charles, Louisiana in the United States, suddenly exploded on September 7.

According to Kuya Kim's report in 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, the explosion of the Hertz Tower was intentional.

"Controlled explosion ang tawag sa sadyang pag-detonate sa isang pampasabog bilang paraan ng pag-demolish sa isang gusali o di kaya'y pag-dispose sa isang improvised na explosive device," Kuya Kim explained.

"Pinaplano ito at isinasagawa sa ilalim ng mahigpit na kontrol upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga tao at ng paligid," he added. 

The controlled explosion in a building, also called building implosion, is made to demolish the structure faster and to make sure the debris would not scatter around. Building implosions are often used on old structures, with the first attempt made in 1773 in Ireland.

Here in the Philippines, there are many old structures that have also been demolished but not through the building implosion method.

"'Yung population natin parami nang parami, 'yung infrastructure in our country. Parami nang parami rin kaya magiging collateral 'yung ibang magkakalapit na buildings," said civil engineer John Lex Sayson. "Paggamit ng mechanical demolition and selective demolition, mas madali."

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News