A dust protection wall safely separates work areas where dust is generated from sensitive zones. In interior demolition, gutting works, and special demolition, it serves as a temporary, tight barrier. Especially when working with concrete demolition shears or hydraulic rock and concrete splitters from Darda GmbH, mineral fine and coarse dusts are generated that would burden rooms, equipment, and traffic routes without containment. With a well-planned dust protection wall, emissions can be specifically controlled, negative pressure zones can be established, and workflows can be maintained—from selective concrete removal to material-sparing separation.
Definition: What is meant by a dust protection wall
A dust protection wall is a temporary, flush-fitting partition made of sheeting, panels, or modular elements that seals work areas dust-tight from their surroundings. It prevents particles from entering adjacent rooms via convection, drafts, or foot traffic. In practice, the partition is often combined with negative pressure maintenance and controlled airflow to capture and filter fine dust. Dust protection walls are used in concrete demolition and deconstruction, in gutting works and cutting operations, in tunnel construction, as well as in industrial halls and existing buildings.
Design and operating principle of a dust protection wall
The operating principle is based on enclosing the dust-intensive work area as airtight as possible. Tight seals at floor, wall, and ceiling, defined access points (airlocks), and directed airflow ensure that air moves into the work area and not out of it. This keeps dust and fragments inside the enclosure. When working with concrete demolition shears or hydraulic splitters, the controlled airflow supports immediate capture of the dust produced during breaking, crushing, or splitting.
Typical materials and systems
Depending on the task, flexible or rigid systems are chosen. Decisive factors are tightness, stability, reusability, and fire protection.
Sheeting with telescopic poles
Lightweight PE or flame-retardant sheets are braced between floor and ceiling with telescopic poles. Seams and edges can be sealed with adhesive tapes. Zipper openings form simple personnel and material airlocks. Advantage: very adaptable to floor plans. Note: Care at edge connections is crucial.
Modular panel and frame systems
Rigid panels (e.g., composite or plastic panels) in plug-in or clamping systems provide high tightness and stability. They are suitable for longer deconstruction phases or where frequent openings and closings are required, for example during selective concrete removal with concrete demolition shears.
Reusable systems
Reusable partitions are robust and designed for frequent assembly and disassembly. In combination with suitable sealing profiles and standardized airlocks, they facilitate quality assurance and reduce waste volumes.
Planning in the context of concrete demolition and gutting works
A dust protection wall is part of the overall work concept. Planning coordinates equipment selection, the sequence of work steps, and room airflow. When using concrete demolition shears, concrete elements are pressed and separated; fracture edges, chips, and fine dust are produced. Hydraulic splitters create controlled cracks in concrete or natural stone—the dust release is lower than with milling or cutting, but still relevant. In gutting works and during cutting, additional dust sources from separation cuts, drilling, and chiseling are taken into account.
Load and room-air concept
The room-air concept defines air paths, air changes, and filtration stages. The material and construction of the partition must match ceiling heights, substrates, and existing ventilation. Important: Openings for material logistics (e.g., for removed concrete material) are positioned so that negative pressure and airflow are maintained.
Installation: step by step
A systematic approach improves tightness and stability. The following steps have proven effective:
- Define the area, clean surfaces, and prepare the bonding base for sealing tapes.
- Mark the partition line, plan passages and airlocks.
- Install the supporting structure (telescopic poles or frames), cut and fit elements.
- Seal edges, joints, and penetrations; execute the base connection dust-tight.
- Install personnel and material airlocks, preferably self-closing solutions.
- Position negative pressure units, check exhaust paths and filters.
- Perform a tightness test (e.g., smoke test or airflow indication), create documentation.
Negative pressure maintenance and airflow
Negative pressure units with suitable filtration (e.g., HEPA final stage) extract contaminated air and create a slight negative pressure inside the partition. As a result, ambient air flows into the work area through defined make-up air openings. For many deconstruction tasks, continuous air delivery with multiple air changes per hour has proven effective. Principle: short, straight exhaust paths and tight partitions improve effectiveness. Measurement points for differential pressure and particle count support ongoing control.
Interfaces with Darda GmbH demolition technology
Dust protection walls deliver their benefit in combination with low-dust working methods and the right tool selection. Darda GmbH equipment is designed for controllable material removal and integrates well with containment concepts.
Concrete demolition shears: precise concrete removal
Crushing concrete produces fracture edges, crumbs, and fine particles. A dust-tight partition with a material airlock makes it possible to remove the nipped-off concrete parts smoothly. Localized wetting at the fracture edge, short working intervals, and immediate extraction inside the dust protection wall further reduce airborne contamination.
Hydraulic splitters: controlled splitting
During the splitting process, energy is introduced into cracks. This reduces secondary emissions compared to rotating cutting methods. Nevertheless, a tight dust protection wall is advisable to keep fine particles from drill holes and crack zones within the containment. The negative pressure airflow should begin close to the split.
Other tools and units
Combination shears, multi cutters, steel shears, and tank cutters can produce sparks, smoke, or fumes depending on the material. Therefore, heat-resistant elements, spark arresters, and a suitable filtration stage must be considered within the partition. Position any hydraulic power units so that waste heat and exhaust do not enter the clean area.
Application in rock excavation and tunnel construction
In tunnel construction and special operations, dust protection walls are used as local enclosures in crosscuts, niches, or maintenance areas. They serve as temporary airlocks when hydraulic splitters or concrete demolition shears are used in partial areas while the main ventilation airflow is maintained. In open rock excavation, a full enclosure is often not feasible; here, partial enclosures in buildings, portals, or forecourts, as well as the combination with air humidification and directed extraction, are helpful.
Safety and health protection
Mineral dust can strain the respiratory tract. A dust protection wall reduces exposure in the surroundings. Personal protective equipment, adapted work procedures, and regular cleaning complement the concept. When handling potentially hazardous dusts, the applicable requirements of occupational safety must be observed. Any statements here are of a general nature and do not replace a case-by-case assessment.
Fire protection and escape routes
Materials with suitable fire behavior, clear escape routes, and signposted airlocks increase safety. Electrical cables, exhaust hoses, and units are routed so they do not become tripping hazards. Doors in dust protection walls should be self-closing to maintain negative pressure.
Quality assurance, monitoring, and documentation
Regular checks of differential pressure, particle load, and tightness ensure proper function. Short checklists with measured values, visual inspection of seams, and re-taping stressed transitions are practical. For longer measures, simple monitoring is advisable, for example with particle indicators and protocols for cleaning cycles.
Cleaning, dismantling, and disposal
Dismantling the dust protection wall takes place only after coarse and fine cleaning inside the containment. A defined sequence prevents re-releases:
- Vacuum the work area, wipe surfaces damp.
- Let negative pressure units run on, perform filter check.
- Open airlocks last, remove sheeting or panels in a controlled manner.
- Clean and inspect reusable elements, dispose of single-use materials properly.
Avoiding common mistakes with dust protection walls
Typical weak points are leaky base connections, uncontrolled make-up air, overloaded filters, and airlocks kept open. Unplanned openings for cables or hoses also undermine the concept. Careful detailing and coordination with the work steps—for example, when switching from concrete demolition shear to hydraulic splitter—prevent loss of function.
Cost and sustainability aspects
Reusable systems and standardized sealing profiles reduce consumption and waste. Good planning reduces downtime and rework. The choice between sheeting solutions and modular panels depends on duration, load, and required tightness. In the long term, a solid partition pays off through cleaner work environments and lower cleaning effort.
Practice-oriented application scenarios
In concrete demolition and special demolition, a dust protection wall, for example, separates a stairwell core from the rest of the building while concrete demolition shears release columns section by section. In gutting works, it protects office areas that continue to be used in parallel. In tunnel construction, it serves as local containment when working with hydraulic splitters in side rooms, keeping dust away from the main traffic route. In natural stone extraction, it can limit emissions to defined areas in industrial halls around saws, shear applications, or splitting stations.