Rigging & Assembly Made Efficient by Color Coding

On a recent construction project at a New Jersey laboratory, R. Baker & Son was tasked with rigging 18 air handling units that were each shipped in multiple sections, as well as large dehumidifiers, pump skids, heat exchangers, lift stations, etc. Eleven motor control centers and distribution panels shipped in pieces required assembly, as well. With over 150 pieces of equipment and hundreds of parts that needed to be rigged, assembled, and installed in the five-story building in a specific order, the project required precise planning and coordination by the R. Baker & Son rigging team. The schedule was tight and mistakes would be very costly in both time and money.

Two 130-ton cranes with extended jibs were used to rig equipment through exterior panels and louvers into mechanical rooms as well as through a large atrium skylight. Project tasks included clearly marking all housekeeping equipment pads with a number corresponding to equipment slated for installation. Each piece of equipment received was verified by model and serial number and tagged with numbered, color-coded ribbons marked with the pad on which they were to be installed, which direction the unit should be facing, and the order in which the equipment or section should be hoisted. R. Baker & Son rigging teams were provided with a detailed rigging and routing plan and marked-up drawings, and the colored ribbons made it easy for the crane operator to determine what was to be lifted and when. 

The project was completed safely over a four-week period, on time, and on budget. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE),  in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/investment.php

Innovation in Rigging Helps Preconstruction

 

Many R. Baker & Son clients can attest to the marked advantages gained when we’ve gotten involved in pre-construction planning early on. Routing, rigging, and assembling large equipment are complex tasks, and oftentimes we come up with innovative methods others hadn’t thought of that save substantial time and money.

The progression of most construction and renovation projects follows a similar pattern. Because most mechanical equipment has a long lead time, and process equipment lead times can be almost double that of mechanical equipment, construction managers, engineers, and architects are hard-pressed to continue moving forward with an aggressive schedule while waiting for equipment that will arrive at a future date. 

Rigging and routing plans for this absent equipment are sometimes many months old and may have been prepared by well-intentioned persons who lack depth of knowledge in rigging methods and equipment. To further complicate matters, 3D models may call for putting off construction of certain sections of the facility and installation in anticipation of equipment arrival, which can cause scheduling problems and delays. 

R. Baker & Son’s expert rigging staff has been brought in on many complex projects to assist in the preconstruction phase where early planning for rigging and setting equipment that includes chillers, boilers, cooling towers, large air handlers, reheat hot water package skids, compressed air, etc., can pay for itself many times over. 

For example, on one of our projects, we recommended revising plans that called for delaying construction of several walls, ductwork, and pipe racks to accommodate rigging in the mechanical equipment. Our better solution was to call for specific shipping splits and the installation of a skylight in the mechanical room. This provided easy access for the equipment, which was rigged in using a 130-ton crane, not to mention bringing natural light to the area. 

On another project, concerns about damage to finished epoxy-floored corridors were solved by R. Baker’s proposal to bring in all of the process equipment on air skates. Lyophilizers, isolators, cage washers, and autoclaves were glided into place on a cushion of air, with no damage to any finishes. 

R. Baker & Son’s early involvement on a third occasion led to a far more efficient, less expensive solution for rigging lab equipment and support systems into a multi-floor R&D facility. An elevator shaft was left unfinished and capped with a temporary curb and roof, and when the equipment finally arrived, we strategically lowered it down through the shaft and through the elevator door openings to the appropriate floors. Upon completion, the elevator car was installed and the roof permanently sealed and finished. 

With over 85 years of experienced rigging, demolition, dismantling, and many other industrial services, we’ve seen a thing or two. R. Baker & Son knows the unique capabilities of a wide array of rigging and heavy equipment, and we have the experience to develop safe and innovative rigging techniques on our projects.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php

Successful Demo Projects Start with Good Planning

When hiring a demolition contractor for a project, owners must consider various factors and qualifications. Experience, price, safety, reputation, reliability, financial stability, and work quality are all essential to the decision, but many owners tend to overlook a central consideration: what is the demolition contractor’s overall plan for the project? Demolition usually paves the way for the rest of a project to commence, so a smooth, on-schedule demolition phase is a critical part of most projects. Better demolition contractors like R. Baker & Son can provide considerably detailed plans even before a project is awarded. 

A good demolition contractor will present a plan that addresses important questions. What is the site-specific safety plan? How will equipment be mobilized onsite and through what points of access? What steps will be taken to minimize dust, noise, and vibration? Will demolition progress in phases? What are the specific challenges, and how will they be approached? Is shift work recommended for the project and how will costs be held in check? Bidding demolition contractors may also provide marked-up drawings to demonstrate project plans to potential clients. 

A good demolition plan can distinguish superior contractors from the rest of the field, demonstrating greater caring and expertise as well as a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the project. Added costs due to unexpected issues are minimized or eliminated when a demolition contractor has a better grasp of project details. Early, innovative planning and execution allow projects to proceed smoothly to come in on time and on budget. 

With 86 years of experience under our belt, R. Baker & Son clients can rest assured that we approach every potential project with a solid plan aimed at ultimately delivering a successful project.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/selective-demolition.php

Hurricane Ida Ground Stabilization

 

On September 1, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept across the Northeast, leaving record-breaking amounts of rain in her path. At the time, several R. Baker & Son crews were in the midst of a large, state-of-the-art recycling plant construction project in eastern Pennsylvania where truck loading platforms and six 50-foot outdoor silos were being erected. Our crew of riggers and millwrightswere working 10-hour shifts alongside electricians, process piping mechanics, and instrumentation technicians to complete the project by the end of the month. The storm dumped more than five inches of rain on the job site over the course of the day. 

Construction crews returned to work early the next morning to find deep mud with small gullies threading throughout the site where gravel and soil had been washed out by the copious rainfall. It was immediately obvious that operating several 50-foot boom lifts and an 80-ton mobile crane on the soft, unstable, uneven ground would be impossible. Construction managers considered spreading more gravel over the site, but that plan was quickly ruled out as the heavy equipment would simply push the gravel down into the mud. They were considering calling off work for the day while they figured out what to do, but R. Baker & Son’s project manager and crew had already come up with a solution. 

R. Baker & Son set in motion a plan to quickly transport dozens of steel plates to the job site. While they were awaiting delivery, two Bobcats set to work removing soil from the muddiest areas around the facility, replacing it with dry fill, and topping it with gravel. By mid-morning, the work had been completed. Shortly thereafter, the 46 steel plates arrived on site, and our rigging crew arranged them strategically around the structure on the newly compacted soil and gravel. 

The entire operation stabilizing the ground and allowing free, safe mobility for the mobile crane and various articulating booms and lifts and was completed by noon, and the trades quickly resumed working toward the common goal of meeting the project’s approaching end date.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php

Architectural Salvage During Demolition

As long-time contractors in the demolition business, R. Baker & Son has come across countless objects that practically call out to be salvaged and not tossed away. After so much exposure to these architectural artifacts, we’ve gained a “sixth sense” as to what is unique, interesting, valuable, and sometimes extraordinary.  

Layers of paint, tarnish and dirt, combined with years of use, cover-up, and neglect, can hide great potential in objects that, to the untrained eye, might appear to be junk. So many of these special and unique items can only be duplicated at great expense, but with proper restoration, these items can shine once again as artifacts of value and beauty. Much-sought architectural salvage includes doors and windows, plumbing fixtures, mantels, gates, shutters, columns, paneling, moldings, tiles, marble slabs, architectural sculptures, and much more. 

R. Baker & Son is serious about saving artifacts on demolition projects, which can be reused by clients or resold as part of our asset recovery efforts. Please contact us at (732) 222-3553 for more information.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/demolition-contractors-new-jersey.php

Interior Demo - Making Way For New Manufacturing Facility

 

R. Baker & Son was recently contracted to provide interior demolition services for a new client that had just purchased a 95,000 square-foot rubber tire tread factory. With plans to construct a new manufacturing facility, the owner was anxious to get started with demo and construction prep. 

First to undergo demolition in the facility was a two-story, 8,000 sq. ft. office space. The Baker project team got to work safing off the office area by disconnecting the electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, and teledata systems. Workers removed drywall and other demolition debris from the office area and moved it to dumpsters using telescopic lifts, scissor lifts, a front-end loader, and two bobcats. Metal studs and other ferrous scraps were separated for recycling. 

While the offices were being demoed, two other crews set to removing the old lighting along with obsolete unit heaters and miscellaneous ductwork. All plumbing and electrical were removed except for the main service, which would be used for temporary power needs. Exhaust fans and intake louvers were removed and the openings were blocked with plywood and screening to prevent birds and other animals from entering. Two large bay doors were removed and replaced with temporary hinged doors for future construction purposes. A scaffolding system was erected to allow exterior access to the roof. 

Once interior demolition was complete and the building had been reduced to four exterior walls and a roof, R. Baker & Son sawcut the 6-inch concrete floors, about 20,000 sq. ft., into 2’x 3’ sections for removal so new plumbing and trench drains could be installed throughout the facility. The concrete was tested for contamination, of which there was none, and removed for recycling. 

Safety was a top priority on this demolition and construction prep project, which took approximately five weeks to complete, including complete interior and exterior cleanup before punch list review. R. Baker & Son crews worked from north to south to allow construction activities to start directly as soon as demolition of each section was completed. The project was completed safely and with efficiency, and two weeks were gained on the overall project schedule.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/interior_demolition.php

Zero Punch List - Demolition

 

Unless its performed by a highly experienced and professional contractor like R. Baker & Son, demolition can be a messy, chaotic process. Demolition experience dictates the best tools, equipment, and approach to getting a project done safely, quickly, and with the best outcome possible. What clients appreciate most is how a contractor leaves a project, preferably cleanly, and with no details left unfinished. No owner wants to have a mile-long punch list at the end of a project that takes multiple reviews and ages to complete. This is why R. Baker & Son strives for a “zero” punch list at the end of every project. 

On most demolition projects, there is no clear line of demarcation of where the demolition should end. For example, exactly to what point should pipes be cut, or where electrical systems should be taken back to. Its often up to R. Baker & Son as the demolition contractor to make the determination not only to delineate where the demo ends and work to that objective, but to leave a clean, well-prepared starting point for the next contractor. 

We monitor our own work as our demolition projects progress, developing and taking care of our own punch list items before we consider our contract tasks to be complete. When it’s time for the owner to come in and compile their punch list (which can be exhaustive and tend to take on a life of their own) it is always R. Baker & Son’s goal to have zero punch list items to be completed. This includes both contract work and extra work not specified in the contract.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/selective-demolition.php

R. Baker & Son Process Tank Repair Project

A longtime R. Baker & Son client with several large process tank farms at their New Jersey facility contacted us for assistance with tank repairs. A manufacturer supplying tank agitators needed several experienced riggers and millwrights for interior and exterior repairs. Usually, the Baker team is called in to disassemble and remove tanks, but this time we were helping to renew them. 

Over the years, these 20,000-gallon tanks had been used to mix and store various food and plant process media prior to shipment via truck or rail to other U.S. locations. At 23 years old, the tanks themselves were in excellent shape and needed little more than new gasketing and a good cleaning inside and out, but the tank agitators used to mix the media had taken a beating and were in need of repair or replacement. Agitator runout measurements were far beyond allowable parameters, so it was the decided that the best and most financially feasible plan of action would be to repair eight of the agitators and completely replace three. 

Tank interiors measured eighteen feet in height and could not accommodate scaffolding, so workers would need to be lowered into the tanks in order to reach the upper part of the shaft to perform shaft heat treatment and repair or replace agitator blades safely. Instrumentation and upper and lower manway covers were removed to allow ventilation and access to the tanks and a bosun’s chair with fall protection was used to gain access to higher levels of the agitators. Once heat treatment was completed on the agitators slated for repair, the shafts and blades were tested for runout and verified to be within acceptable parameters. 

The R. Baker & Son rigging and millwright team next moved on to the tanks in which the agitators required replacement. Again using the bosun’s chair, the interior blades were removed, leaving the only the hubs. An 80-ton crane was brought in to remove motor gearboxes and shafts and new pre-engineered replacement agitators were rigged into the tanks. After the Baker team installed new blades, runout tested successfully. 

At completion, the tanks were in like-new condition with repaired or new agitators, new instrumentation, new LED lighting, and new spray balls for cleaning. R. Baker & Son took about two weeks to complete the project with little downtime to the customer as we were able to coordinate our activities with the customer’s operating requirements. 

The agitator manufacturer was duly impressed with our ingenuity and professionalism and will use R. Baker & Son’s rigging and millwright team to make similar repairs nationwide at other facilities.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php

Baker Provides A Wide Range of Environmental Services

Included among R. Baker & Son’s core services are environmental remediation and decontamination. We boast a team of highly-trained environmental remediation personnel as well as an arsenal of tools and equipment that includes excavators, power and pressure washers, HEPA vacuums and filtration, industrial scarifiers, line-pigging equipment, and more. Remediation and decontamination are often performed as part of the demolition, decommissioning, dismantling, or other projects. R. Baker & Son personnel are HAZWOPR certified and CSE trained.

  R. Baker & Son environmental services include: 

     *Surface Cleaning (soda blasting)

     *Pipeline Cleaning and Pigging

     *HVAC and Other Duct Cleaning

     *Non-ACM Insulation Removal

     *Column, Tank and Vessel Cleaning

     *Scarification

     *HEPA Vacuum Services

     *Line Flushing and First Line Breaks

     *Power Washing and Steam Cleaning of Pipes and Equipment

Surface Cleaning/Soda Blasting

Soda blasting is widely recognized as a superior and environmentally friendly method of cleaning, paint removal, and degreasing surfaces. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is granular and sharp enough to remove carbon, grease, oils, paint, rust, dirt, etc., from a variety of surfaces. Unlike harsh sandblasting and other methods that can damage substrates, however, it can be used on virtually any surface including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized metal, concrete, ceramic tile, glass, plastics, rubber, neoprene, etc., and is environmentally safe. ARMEX, the industry leader, offers a variety of particle sizes, formulations, and equipment, allowing R. Baker & Son to accommodate our clients’ wide range of needs.  

Pipeline Cleaning and Pigging

Pipeline buildup causes contamination, reduced flow, and decreased production, and can lead to cracks in the line. R. Baker & Son provides pigging as an effective method for removing solids and liquids, scraping, line drying, and pipeline inspection. Pigging is accomplished by propelling a cylindrical or spherical “pig” through a pipeline using one of several means including existing product flow, compressed air, inert gas, or it can be towed through a line by a cable or other device. As the pig travels through the pipeline, it sweeps the line by scraping the sides and pushing debris ahead. Other methods of pipeline cleaning employed by R. Baker & Son include flushing, jet-washing, hydro-blasting, mechanical cleaning, acid cleaning, and chemical cleaning, depending on a client’s specific needs.  

HVAC and Other Duct Cleaning

HVAC ductwork can become dirty over time, spreading dust, mold, bacteria, and other contaminants throughout a facility and causing a myriad of health and productivity problems associated with poor indoor air quality. The buildup of dust and debris in duct systems can also restrict airflow, reduce system efficiency, provide a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, and increase the risk of fire in facilities where combustible dust is present. Ductwork should be periodically inspected and cleaned by a certified professional like R. Baker & Son.

Non-ACM Insulation Removal

When the removal of non-ACM insulation (fiberglass, cellulose, etc.) becomes necessary, R. Baker & Son strictly adhere to proper safety procedures. Equipment such as HEPA vacuums, filters, and air misting, are used to prevent hazardous particulates like fiberglass, mold, rodent droppings, and other contaminants from escaping into the air, and all materials are properly containerized and disposed of.  

Column, Tank and Vessel Cleaning

Safety is always of utmost importance when cleaning columns, vessels, and other confined spaces.  Automated, remotely-controlled cleaning using high flow, high-pressure water jetting pumps is always preferable and used whenever possible, though human intervention is sometimes necessary. In projects where human entry is required, stringent safety procedures and PPE requirements are strictly followed. R. Baker & Son uses the latest high-tech cleaning equipment and workers are fully trained and experienced in both automated and manual cleaning methods as well as material containment and disposal.

Scarification

Scarification is a process used on concrete flooring to clean, texturize, level, groove, or remove material. It is commonly performed to remove deteriorated, damaged, or contaminated concrete, or to remove epoxy, paint, adhesives, or other coatings. Scarifying leaves surfaces clean, evenly textured, and ready to receive a new coating or overlayment. R. Baker & Son uses scarifiers that are equipped with a vacuum system to capture dust and utilizes HEPA scarifiers in conditions or environments in which it is necessary to capture and contain 100% of airborne particulates and over 99% of heavier solids. 

HEPA Vacuum Services

Environmental cleanup and abatement often require HEPA vacuum equipment for the removal of hazardous and toxic materials, dust, particulates, and fine powders. HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air, is a type of filter that meets an efficiency standard set by the DOE, removing at least 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 micrometers.  R. Baker & Son provides HEPA vacuum services for lead abatement, lead paint removal, mold remediation, duct cleaning, and various other applications. 

Line Flushing and First Line Breaks

When process pipes require flushing and/or first-line breaking, R. Baker & Son can provide all the necessary pumps, filters, hoses, and other equipment required for a full gamut of specifications. It is important that lines are properly flushed, vented, and verified as clear of hazardous residue, plugs, or pressure during line breaking, so it is important that these services be performed by trained, experienced personnel. 

Power Washing and Steam Cleaning of Pipes and Equipment

R. Baker & Son provides power/pressure washing and steam cleaning for a variety of pipe- and equipment-cleaning tasks. Pressure washing requires specialized industrial equipment, and appropriate measures are taken for water reclamation, filtration, containment, reuse, or disposal. Steam cleaning reduces the amount of water used by up to 95% compared to power washing and reduces or eliminates the need for solvents or chemicals. It can be safely used in water-sensitive areas such as around electrical equipment, in control panels, on motors, etc. Steam can be used to clean and sanitize pipes, as well, and can reach small cracks and crevices. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/environmental.php

Requirements of Selective Demolition in Healthcare Facilities

Some of the most challenging selective demolition jobs are renovation projects that take place in healthcare facilities, where demolition team members must be specially trained to work in sensitive environments. Patient and worker safety are of utmost importance in hospitals, surgery centers, and rehabilitation facilities, so meticulous planning and strict adherence to clean demolition procedures are critical to these types of projects. 

Case in point, a large hospital in northern New Jersey was adding on to their cardiac care unit and R. Baker & Son was tasked with interior demolition. Before the area could be segmented off, modifications to ventilation and airflow, as well as electrical and hospital gas systems, were necessary. It had been determined that much of the ductwork could be cut and the existing ventilation system rebalanced to compensate for changes in the HVAC system. The Baker team worked closely with MEP contractors, walking down and identifying where lines would be cut and capped or rerouted and color-coding each, with red signifying what would stay and green signifying what lines were to be removed. 

Selective demolition in a healthcare facility requires the construction of a cocooned area with airlocks at the entrances and exits to ensure that dust and contaminants cannot escape the work area. Airlocks are monitored by a magnehelic differential pressure gauge to ensure negative pressure is maintained at all times. Peel-away adhesive mats are installed at all access points to ensure that dirt from the work area is not tracked onto facility floors. Demolition debris is deposited in bins that are covered with plastic sheeting and must be fully wiped down before passing through an oversized exit airlock and over a sticky mat to remove any remaining contaminants. 

Once all debris had been removed from the demolition area, R. Baker & Son performed a detailed review and prepares a punch list to ensure all work had been completed. Last but not least, the entire area was wiped down and cleaned with industrial HEPA vacuums to eliminate as much dust as possible before new construction began.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com

R. Baker & Son Demo Team Completes Plant Demolition

R. Baker & Son recently completed a demolition and decommissioning project at a northern New Jersey plant. The first of R. Baker & Son’s tasks was to demolish a 60’ x 30’ fuel pipe platform, which included valves, filters, etc. Baker team members painstakingly drilled pilot holes to identify lines that still contained oil. When found, openings were cut in the pipes to allow thinning of the viscous oil with diesel fuel, followed by filtered vacuum removal. 

Crew members next assisted in recovering tons of raw proprietary product from a 12’ x 60’ silo that was 47% filled. We worked closely with the owner and environmental team to remove the product via vacuum truck then performed demolition of the silo. An adjacent metal storage building that still contained various crates and drums was slated to be demolished next. The product in the containers was identified by our environmental team, labeled, and removed for recycling or disposal. Lighting, ventilation, building structure, and concrete foundation were carefully dismantled and recycled where possible. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com

Rigging and Anchoring Heavy Machinery and Equipment

An important work scope that is often overlooked on construction projects is the rigging and anchoring of equipment to concrete, steel platforms, curbs, decking, etc. Anchoring should not be an afterthought as it requires availability of materials, labor, and detailed planning, and should be included in the contract whenever possible. 

Rigging and anchoring heavy machinery may be as simple as installing embedded epoxy anchors specified by a structural engineer, but in other cases, such as when equipment is tall or top-heavy, including certain tanks and storage bins, objects require anchors both at floor level and from above. Depending on the project’s location and/or application, anchoring may involve vibration elimination or seismic restraints with the addition of such items as springs or rubber pads. Shims or other types of hardware are often needed to render the equipment level and plumb. When rigging HVAC air handlers onto rooftop curbs, units may require stainless steel tethers to prevent movement due to high-shear winds or microbursts. Rigging and anchoring of instrumentation such as load cells for measuring the weight of tanks is sometimes required.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php

Baker Completes Selective Demolition Project Christmas Eve

Over the recent winter holiday season, R. Baker & Son was tasked with performing selective demolition at a medical manufacturing facility that produced orthopedic titanium parts and hardware. Demo crew members needed to clear all equipment and support utilities in a 20,000 square-foot area which included seven offices, two quality control laboratories, two chillers, two boilers, and one air handler serving a clean storage area with HEPA filtration. 

The project’s biggest challenge was to complete all demolition within the one-week time period between December 18th and 24th, with no interruptions to adjacent departments. The facility was slated to be closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day, during which time new equipment would be delivered and installed. Ordinarily, a demolition project of this scale and complexity would take several weeks, but the client had critical surgical manufacturing orders to fill and could not exceed the time allotted for the project. 

R. Baker & Son worked closely with the electrician, plumber, controls company, and in-house maintenance staff as the start date approached to review and mark up everything that would require removal with bright green paint. Once all disciplines were satisfied that everything had been double and triple checked, the lockout/tagout process began simultaneously with demolition on Friday, December 18th. Baker demolition crews worked 10-hour shifts each day, ensuring that all was cut, capped, and made safe. The selective demolition project was completed just before noon on Christmas Eve – right on time. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/selective-demolition.php

3D Rigging Using BIM

R. Baker & Son was recently engaged in a complex project in which we were tasked with rigging and setting numerous pieces of process equipment from more than thirty different vendors. Items ranged from large process skids and tanks to small peristaltic dosing pumps. Project designers used 3-D building information modeling (BIM) to coordinate and build the project virtually to ensure that all of the equipment came together flawlessly once onsite. 

All equipment was placed into the master model, followed by process piping, plumbing, and electrical, which included control panels in varying sizes. Virtual BIM tours allowed owners to accurately visualize the form and function of the future facility. Prior to the arrival of the process equipment, pipes, platforms, and steel supports were prefabricated and installed with absolute laser precision based on the 3-D model. 

Fabrication and installation had to be exact – in many cases +/- 0.25 inches – in order to ensure that the many pumps, tank nozzles, and process equipment would have a precise flange-to-flange orientation when rigged into place. To ensure accurate rigging, R. Baker & Son used the approved 3-D model to transfer the design to the field via lasers to align critical parts. Ultimately, all process equipment was rigged into place successfully with few problems. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-services.php

R. Baker & Son: Taking On Diverse Tasks on Renovation and Construction Projects

Large renovation projects can be multi-faceted in depth and scope, and oftentimes a variety of small, unassigned tasks emerge as work progresses. Because these unexpected elements can make or break a project, owners and project managers will often turn to a trusted contractor already on the job to handle them. As a multi-faceted contractor providing a variety of services including demolition, dismantling, rigging, plant decommissioning, plant relocation, environmental services, warehousing, trucking, and asset recovery, R. Baker & Son is frequently approached to take on these tasks. Ingrained in the R. Baker & Son culture is pride in everything we do, down to the smallest detail, and we strive to always go above and beyond expectations. Clients entrust us with diverse tasks because they recognize this exceptional level of care.  

A New Jersey pharmaceuticals firm decided several years ago to utilize a large, vacant portion of an operational facility. Twenty years earlier, the building section had undergone partial interior demolition as part of a larger renovation project before owners changed course and abandoned plans to utilize the space. Now, R. Baker was called in to pick up where the earlier work had left off. 

The fact that spaces on both sides of the work area and on the floor below were occupied posed many challenges. A maze of piping, electrical and controls running throughout the vacant space had to be painstakingly traced to identify and relocate live utilities supplying adjacent areas of the facility without interrupting production. Simultaneously, a separate crew of R. Baker &Son millwrights was charged with rigging and relocating process equipment from another building.  

As the project progressed and the customer gained confidence in our capabilities, R. Baker & Son was continually assigned new tasks as arose. Working closely with manufacturer representatives, we received, sorted, routed disassembled, and assembled thousands of pieces of new and relocated equipment. Gantries, heavy duty forklifts, chain falls and come-alongs were utilized to relocate and set up lab equipment from the neighboring building. Baker crew members were entrusted with disconnecting and reconnecting electrical, compressed air, control panels, hydraulics, specialty gases, and sensitive lab equipment, to name a few. Our role was further expanded our when owners put R. Baker & Son in charge of other trades, and we even got involved in moving and set-up of office equipment and furniture.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746
https://rbaker.com/selective-demolition.php

Stainless Steel Tank Rigging Project Saved by Plan B

Progress on a construction site can sometimes be thwarted when new equipment or materials arrive with problems.Sometimes, no matter how much planning went into a project, one or two obstacles can become a showstopper, and Plan B becomes the only option. 

On one recent rigging job, R. Baker & Son was to hoist twenty-four newly-arrived tank agitators into a stainless-steel tank with the motor and gearbox mounted on top. It was discovered, however, that the agitator blade hubs were 0.5” too large to fit through the tank opening due to a machine shop error, leaving the crane and entire rigging team at a standstill. 

Rather than waste valuable time and money, R. Baker & Son did some quick thinking and reassigned riggers and millwrights to prefabricating support brackets and ladders and providing and cutting dunnage to set the 30-ft. tanks on their new pads. We made an emergency call to a specialty stainless-steel fabricator that assessed the situation and made recommendations to fix the problem. The recommendations were presented to the manufacturer and they quickly agreed. The Baker Team provided a small work area and prepped the agitators so two crews of stainless-steel technicians could start making the necessary modifications the next morning. 

The stainless-steel contractor was able to modify four agitator shafts per day, keeping the project moving along. In addition to rigging the agitators as they became available, Baker crew members kept busy installing agitator supports and getting tanks set in place. As a result, the end date for this phase of the project was exceeded by only one day, rather than weeks or months if the agitators had been sent back to the manufacturer for modification. This was excellent news to the project management team as many piping and pump activities needed to commence as soon as tank installation was completed. In the end, through quick, coordinated effort, Plan B made all the difference. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-services.php