Weekend Standby Generator Replacement

A large laboratory and office complex needed to replace an existing standby generator with a new, larger 2000 kW unit with associated automatic transfer switches and day tank. The owner needed the project to be completed over a long weekend beginning on Friday morning and ending on Monday afternoon, so the electrical contractor tasked with replacing the generator chose R. Baker & Son to assist in this critical replacement project. 

The electrical contractor had prepared for the weekend installation over a few months. Due to the critical nature of the project, a site-specific safety plan was developed along with a method of procedure specifying which teams would be performing certain tasks, and when. The weather forecast looked good, with cool temperatures and a few scattered showers expected over the weekend. 

R. Baker & Son and the electrical crew arrived early on Friday morning. While electricians were shutting down and disconnecting electrical power from the generator, R. Baker millwrights and rigging team members were simultaneously disassembling the old standby generator and separating the diesel engine from the condenser/fan section. A second rigging team removed the four large louvers and dampers, allowing access to a rear parking lot area. By late afternoon on Friday, the project had progressed to where the 80-ton hydraulic crane could begin removing pieces of the generator. 

On Saturday, the Baker rigging team had removed the remains of the old generator by mid-morning and the area was cleaned and prepped with pre-fabricated steel pieces. Riggers carefully brought in the new generator using spreader bars, slings, chain blocks, and a fork lift and precisely set it in place where new electrical conduit and fuel lines sat ready for connection. The Baker Team assisted the electrical contractor with installing ATS switches, mounting the day tank, installing the exhaust system, and various other tasks. The outside louvers and dampers were reinstalled, and all remaining debris was removed. Because of all the intensive preparation, pre-fabrication, and close coordination between the electrical and rigging teams, the new generator was wired and ready for startup and testing bright and early on Tuesday morning. 

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 

732-222-3553 

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

Interior Demolition: Epoxy Floor Removal Gives Old Building a New Purpose

R. Baker & Son was contracted to perform interior demolition at a New Jersey pharmaceuticals manufacturing plant. Originally built in 1948, the second floor of the two-story building had served for decades as a 62-room vivarium, and the now-vacant area was to be repurposed as open offices with high ceilings and laboratories with down flow booths.
 
The first demolition task required to prepare for renovation was the removal of all of the old terra cotta block and concrete walls throughout the 25,500 sq. ft. area. Removal of the walls revealed sixty-two individual 12’ x 12’ areas with thick, pitched, troweled-on epoxy floors with drains in the center of the rooms, as well as seven corridors. Removal of the epoxy floors down to the concrete below would require multiple passes by five Blastrac BMS-280 ride-on floor scrapers. Four National 550 floor scrapers were utilized in areas that couldn’t be accessed by the ride-on machines. Other equipment used during the wall and floor demolition included three Bobcats and two pneumatic hammers.
 
Following wall demolition, all drains were plugged and filled with non-shrink concrete. Once the epoxy floors were removed down to the concrete base, R. Baker & Son brought in a BIM scanner system contractor to determine the level of the floors within +/- 1/32” as they needed to be as level as possible, with no high or low points. The BIM contractor identified about a dozen areas that needed to come down in height in order to have a 2-inch total poured concrete floor. Baker crew members prepped and patched several low areas with non-shrink grout to make them level. BIM scans were repeated several times until all high and low points were brought to level. 

The floor was now ready for a new poured resinous surface. Prior to the pour, R. Baker & Son was asked to assist with identifying and filling any open floor areas where conduit and piping had passed through to create a complete seal for the new resinous system. Finally, the entire area was broom swept, cleaned, and vacuumed. The entire floor demolition and preparation project was performed safely to our site-specific safety plan and took approximately three weeks to complete, clearing the way for the next project phase to begin.

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
732-222-3553

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

Pilot Plant Demolition Project

During a plant consolidation project, a three-story, 39,000 sq. ft. chemical pilot plant required demolition to make way for a future Butler storage building. R. Baker & Son worked closely with the client on overall safety, dust control, shutting down, locking out, and removing all utilities. Interestingly, our company had, thirty years earlier, rigged in all of the process equipment that was now being removed. 

The building had easily-removable, translucent plastic panels on the north and south sides of the building through which much of the equipment was removed. This included reactors, heat exchangers, low-temperature chillers, and associated piping, as well as a 100,000 CFM air handling unit and all ductwork and electrical throughout the facility. 

The structure was steel with concrete-filled block walls, and the east and west exteriors were brick. The demolition required two large excavators equipped with hydraulic hammers and shears working from each side. There was limited room to maneuver the excavators, so demolition debris removal required more careful coordination than usual. Debris was removed using skid steers and loaders to waiting trucks. 

The building and slab were removed, leaving grade beams below. Underground piping was removed back to the main on the street and capped. All debris had been cleared from the site, three-quarter-inch gravel was brought in and spread where the building once stood. The project went smoothly and the owner was very satisfied as the Butler buildings were scheduled to be delivered and erected in four weeks’ 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 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 

732-222-3553 

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

Decommissioning and Dismantling of HVAC Equipment - Pharma

A 55,000 sq. ft. pharmaceutical facility in New Jersey was slated to undergo demolition. The 60-year-old building had undergone previous renovations over the years during which obsolete HVAC equipment had been decommissioned but never removed from the rooftop. R. Baker & Son had previously completed demolition of the building’s interior, and now we were tasked with decommissioning and dismantling of equipment that had been in use until recently, dismantling of the old equipment, and rigging the disassembled equipment from the roof. This included air handlers, heat exchangers, scrubbers, large exhaust fans, chillers, and cooling towers, as well as a penthouse structure.

Following abatement of lead paint and asbestos, recovery of refrigerant and oil from old compressors and pumps, construction of barricades, and installation of a safety line at the edge of the roof, the Baker team began the dismantlement process. Several four-person crews worked inward from the edge of the building using saws, cutting torches, fire blankets, extinguishers, and ladders. With very little room to maneuver among the large machinery, clear radio communication and hand signals during rigging were particularly critical to preserving safety. Access to the rear and sides of the building was limited due to pipe racks and cable trays that were still in service for other buildings on the campus and had to remain in place until the end, So the dismantled equipment was rigged from the front of the building to a waiting lowboy tractor-trailer using two 80-ton hydraulic cranes with extended jib.

The decommissioning and dismantling phase of the project was completed safely and on schedule, paving the way for R. Baker & Son to begin the final phase of demolition.

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
732-222-3553

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

History of the Versatile Skid Steer Loader

One of the most versatile machines on any construction or demolition project is the skid steer loader, a compact, rigid-framed, engine-powered machine with lift arms that can be fitted with a variety of different tools and attachments. 

The skid steer loader was invented in Rothsay, Minnesota in 1956 by a pair of local blacksmiths named Cyril and Louis Keller. A turkey farmer asked the two brothers to make a lightweight machine he could use to clean manure from his barns, and they came up with a three-wheeled vehicle that quickly became popular. The Melroe Manufacturing Company bought the manufacturing rights in 1958 and hired the Keller brothers to develop it further. By 1960, the single rear caster wheel had been replaced by a rear axle, and in 1962 the four-wheel skid steer loader was dubbed “Bobcat.”

Skid steers are ubiquitous on R. Baker & Son demolition projects, and one or more skid steers can usually be seen on any given job site. Skid steers are light, easily transported, and can be lifted via freight elevator or rigged by crane. They are highly maneuverable, using two joysticks to operate, and can turn within their own footprint, allowing them to operate in tight spaces.

There are dozens of attachment options available for the skid steer loader including buckets, augers, hammers, brooms, saws, forks, rippers, scrapers, backhoes and more. Multi-terrain counterparts to four-wheel versions are fitted with tracks. Operating capacities range from 800 lbs. to over two tons. On demolition and construction sites, skid steer loaders are used to move debris, gravel, snow, sand, cement, dirt, etc., and can lift and manage tools and materials such as rebar, pipe, conduit, tool boxes, and air compressors. Demolition attachments commonly include shears and hydraulic breakers for demolishing walls, floors and ceilings. Popular manufacturers include Bobcat, John Deere, Caterpillar, Gehl, Case, and more.

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

732-222-3553

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

Qualified Rigging Contractor In Writing

Crane rigging is a specialized activity that requires years of experience, but unfortunately it is not uncommon for contractors that lack rigging expertise and proper training to safely take on rigging responsibilities. There are two main reasons for this: to save money on the budget, and a lack of understanding of exactly what is involved in a rigging project. 

Over our 86 years in business, R. Baker & Son has heard countless stories of equipment damaged during rigging by unqualified contractors. Common ones are racked and twisted air handlers, buckled chillers and cooling towers, and electrical gear supports that are twisted and can’t be set properly, and oftentimes the damage is not repairable. Most equipment manufacturers provide rigging instructions for specific units and require qualified riggers to set and anchor equipment that will support startup and warranty. 

More importantly, construction managers and general contractors should require subcontractors in writing to utilize qualified rigging professionals to ensure the safety of workers. Rigging problems and accidents can happen very quickly when it is performed by workers who lack training and experience. Making this a contractual requirement can prevent the vast majority of equipment damage and lost time and money and allows people to go home to their families safely at day’s end.

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

732-222-3553

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

Demolition, Asset Recovery, and the Supply Chain

With high demand for used HVAC, process, and manufacturing equipment due to pandemic-related supply chain shortages, recovered assets from buildings undergoing renovation or demolition have grown significantly in value. In cases where equipment is not suitable for reuse, R. Baker & Son clients are harvesting individual parts from the equipment either for resale, or reuse by the client as spare parts or for equipment maintenance. 

For many years, equipment that was marked for removal during demolition, dismantling, or plant relocation was either recovered for reuse or resale or simply scrapped for the value of the copper, aluminum, and steel that were contained within. Now there is a new emphasis on harvesting individual parts and electrical equipment such as electrical substations, motor control centers, transformers, starters, control panels, boilers, pump skids, heat exchangers, etc. 

Companies that own large buildings or multiple facilities oftentimes have multiple pieces of identical or similar equipment, and pandemic-related parts shortages have many of them harvesting parts for their own critical spare parts and maintenance inventory before equipment is scrapped. Others are recovering parts for reconditioning and resale. This includes items such as starters, contactors, and VFDs that have risen in value because they are currently difficult to find due to shortages that are expected to continue until at least mid-to late-2022.

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