Frost protection describes all preventive and accompanying measures that keep construction and deconstruction processes technically safe, gentle on materials, and efficient at sub-zero temperatures. In the application areas of concrete demolition and special demolition, gutting works and cutting, rock excavation and tunnel construction, natural stone extraction as well as special operations, cold, ice, and freeze–thaw cycles act directly on structural elements, rock, machinery, and hydraulics. This particularly affects tools such as concrete pulverizers and hydraulic rock and concrete splitters, as well as the associated hydraulic power packs. The aim of frost protection is to prevent damage to materials, tools, and infrastructure, to ensure process quality, and to minimize risks for personnel.
Definition: What is meant by frost protection
Frost protection refers to the entirety of technical, organizational, and safety-related precautions that prevent the freezing of water, moisture, and media, or make the resulting effects controllable. This includes temperature conditioning of materials and hydraulic oil, preventing ice formation at work locations, managing moisture in concrete and rock, and adapting work methods at sub-zero temperatures. Frost protection acts on three levels: protection of materials (e.g., concrete, reinforcement, natural stone), protection of equipment (e.g., hydraulic power packs, concrete pulverizers, rock and concrete splitters), and protection of execution (e.g., cutting path, splitting process, demolition sequence).
Frost protection in concrete demolition and special demolition
In concrete demolition, frost protection is closely linked to material moisture and temperature control. Moist concrete is subject to freeze–thaw cycles that can lead to spalling and microcracks. This offers opportunities for targeted separation but requires controlled methods to prevent unplanned failure of structural elements. Concrete pulverizers benefit from more brittle behavior in the cold when the component moisture is high, but they need ice-free gripping and rotation areas to transfer forces safely. During splitting with rock and concrete splitters, dry, ice-free boreholes are crucial to ensure wedges engage evenly. Hydraulic power packs should be preheated to keep viscosity and response behavior stable. Organizationally, a winter-capable demolition sequence has proven effective: first remove icing, then preheat or dry, followed by cutting or splitting, and finally clear the material before refreezing sets in.
Effect of frost on concrete and rock
Frost causes an increase in the volume of pore water. In concrete, high saturation and repeated freeze–thaw cycles promote crack formation and edge spalling. Natural stone reacts depending on porosity and mineral fabric: fine-grained, water-accessible rocks often show stronger frost shattering than dense materials. For deconstruction, this means that a careful assessment of moisture, surface condition, and the embedment depth of reinforcement is particularly important at sub-zero temperatures to choose cutting lines, splitting points, and gripping areas correctly.
Practical implications
In cold, saturated concrete, brittleness is increased, which can improve the effectiveness of concrete pulverizers. However, an excessively icy surface film reduces friction and makes controlled force transmission more difficult. When splitting rock and concrete, frozen residual water in boreholes reduces wedge seating, which is why thorough blowing out, warming, or covering is required.
Frost protection measures for hydraulic power packs and tools
Hydraulically operated tools are sensitive to cold due to viscous oil, condensation-related icing, and embrittlement of seals. Systematic frost protection maintains performance and reduces wear.
Hydraulic oil management
Viscosity and flowability at low temperatures are crucial. Cold starts are mitigated by gently warming up the power pack. Oil level and condensate must be checked; water content promotes cavitation and micro-ice formation. Observe the temperature window of the hydraulic oil used to avoid pressure spikes caused by a viscous medium.
Seals, hoses, couplings
Cold increases the stiffness of elastomers. Before operations, hoses should be laid without stress, bending radii observed, and couplings de-iced. Keep coupling faces free of ice to avoid leaks. Depressurizing before coupling prevents damage to sealing lips.
Start-up and operating procedures
- Start the hydraulic power pack in a wind-sheltered area.
- Warm up the oil circuit without load until response time is stable.
- Briefly actuate tool functions one after another to evenly warm the seals.
- Only then work under load and avoid pressure spikes.
Frost protection for concrete pulverizers
Concrete pulverizers operate reliably in the cold when grippers, bearing points, and cutting edges are ice-free and clean. Cold lubricants behave more viscously; lubrication intervals must be adjusted. Rotation units and cylinders benefit from controlled preheating, for example by covering and directing warm air. Frozen residual moisture between reinforcement and concrete can facilitate peeling-off, but requires increased attention to unpredictable crack propagation. A visual inspection of the fracture joint is recommended after each step.
Cutting and gripping strategy
At sub-zero temperatures, attack surfaces should be free of ice and loose frost. Pre-cleaning with a dry brush or compressed air is often sufficient. Gripping at edges with minimal ice reduces slipping. Where possible, use cracks and weak zones to apply clamping forces efficiently.
Frost protection for rock and concrete splitters
When splitting, the condition of the boreholes is decisive. Ice in the borehole leads to uneven load transfer, which stresses wedges and shims. Therefore, blow boreholes dry, cover them, and protect against renewed snow ingress. In rock excavation and tunnel construction, weather-protected work areas are advantageous, such as shields against drifting snow and cold wind. The tool should not be placed directly in frozen surface water to avoid cold bridges and icing.
Procedure at low temperatures
- Dry boreholes (compressed air, gentle preheating, covering).
- Keep wedges/shims dry and clean before insertion.
- Build up splitting pressure evenly and listen for acoustic changes.
- Perform intermediate inspections of the split and stop immediately if ice forms.
Frost protection in water and dust management
Water used for dust suppression can freeze in the cold and create slipping hazards. Lines, spray nozzles, and collection trays must be protected. Alternatively, mechanical dust reduction measures such as an adapted demolition sequence, localized covering, or short work intervals with intermediate cleaning are possible. Where water is unavoidable, hot water supply, insulated lines, draining after operation, and consistent dewatering of work surfaces help.
Environmental and occupational safety
The use of frost-inhibiting additives in water systems must be carefully weighed from an environmental perspective. Prevent drains from freezing, roughen walkways for grip, and clear traffic routes in good time. Adjust lighting and marking for winter days.
Material behavior and cutting path at sub-zero temperatures
Concrete exhibits increased brittle behavior in the cold; reinforcing steel can lose toughness at very low temperatures. For separation work (e.g., gutting works and cutting), a combination of pre-cutting followed by pulverizer or splitting operations is recommended to produce controlled fracture patterns. In natural stone extraction, frozen moisture can help separate layers but requires precise control of force and timing between freeze and thaw phases.
Metalworking in cold operation
Cutting and shearing work on steel (e.g., with steel shears, combination shears, or tank cutters) must be carefully planned in the cold: remove ice from workpiece surfaces, consider stress distribution, and avoid sudden brittle fractures. Even force application and sufficient preparation time improve cutting quality.
Work organization and safety in winter operations
A winter-capable construction workflow is part of frost protection. This includes short, well-timed work sections, buffer times for de-icing and drying, and contingency strategies for sudden temperature drops. In all application areas—from tunnel heading to deconstruction of existing urban buildings—clear traffic routes, lighting, fall protection, and slip-resistant surfaces are essential.
Proven measures
- Weather and temperature monitoring with defined intervention thresholds.
- Preheating of tools and power packs in low-wind zones.
- De-icing concept for gripping, splitting, and cutting areas.
- Clearing and gritting plan for traffic and escape routes.
- Intermediate inspections of fracture and split surfaces.
Quality assurance and documentation
The effectiveness of frost protection is reflected in reproducible results: defined fracture patterns, consistent cycle times, and low tool wear. This includes measurement and visual checks of temperatures, material moisture, oil condition, as well as logs of start-up procedures. Inspection intervals for hydraulic power packs, pulverizer bearings, and splitting wedges must be adapted to the season. Clean documentation supports traceability in concrete demolition and special demolition, in gutting works, and in rock excavation and tunnel construction.
Checklist-oriented practical tips for sub-zero temperatures
- Before starting work: Check the weather, de-ice the work zone, check oil and seals, dry boreholes.
- During operation: Start gently, increase load in stages, carry out regular visual checks of joints and gripping points, drain lines during breaks.
- After finishing work: Shut off water sources, drain systems, clean and cover tools, store power packs frost-free.
Overview of regulations and responsibilities
Frost protection measures are based on applicable standards, guidelines, and regulatory requirements. These relate to, among other things, winter construction, occupational safety, environmental protection, and the operation of hydraulic equipment. Responsibilities should be clearly defined: who decides on operating limits in the cold, who documents temperature and functional tests, who initiates de-icing and safeguarding. The notes in this text are general and do not replace an individual assessment of the specific case.