R. Baker & Son: EPA’s Website Simplifies Compliance

Demolition, dismantling and decommissioning have the potential to expose our environment to significant dangers.  Failure to control pollution can damage waterways and wetlands, contaminate groundwater, kill wildlife, and release hazardous substances into the air.  Materials such asbestos and lead are known cause significant health problems and deadly diseases.  Contractors must comply with regulations and follow practices that eliminate risks to health and the environment when handling hazardous materials.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacts and enforces the numerous regulations related to the construction and demolition sector.  In order to streamline and simplify compliance, the EPA provides regulatory information, documents, and guidelines on their website, www.epa.gov.  Topics include asbestos, lead, demolition waste, and storm water runoff.  EPA construction and demolition sector regulatory information can be found at http://www2.epa.gov/regulatory-information-sector/construction-sector-naics-23

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services operates in strict compliance of all federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations, and our personnel are we are expert in environmental remediation and decontamination.  All demolition debris and hazardous materials are properly designated, recycled, and disposed of, and 100% LEED compliance is guaranteed. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) 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
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://rbaker.com

Demolition Excavators

Moving, sorting, loading, and processing demolition debris demands machinery that is exceptionally sturdy. There are many excavators and interchangeable attachments available today that are specifically designed for use in the demolition and dismantling industry.

Demolition excavators are built to withstand the stresses and strains placed on the machinery during deconstruction of various structures. High-reach excavators feature longer booms that can reach upper parts of tall structures, as high as 160 feet or more. Booms are usually interchangeable and allow the machinery to be converted to a standard demolition excavator. Many feature hydraulically-tilting cabins which gives the operator greater visibility and helps reduce fatigue. Modern demolition and dismantling excavators are extremely high tech.

Multiple attachments, capable of pulverizing, cracking, crushing, pinching, scooping, lifting, and cutting concrete, rebar, and other materials, are used to demolish and dismantle concrete buildings, structures, roads, bridge abutments, etc., and to process debris for recycling or disposal. Attachments can operate hydraulically or mechanically. “Teeth” and other components can usually be replaced when they become worn. Demolition excavators can be fitted with dust suppression systems that spray high-pressure water mist to trap dust before it can escape into the environment. Interchangeability of booms and attachments allow contractors like R. Baker & Son to customize excavators to meet the varying demands of different demolition and dismantling projects.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) 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.

Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://www.rbaker.com/

Five Common Control Valve Problems

Some control valve problems can be relatively easy to detect, but others are more difficult to identify without performing specific tests.  Before attempting to tune a control loop to improve loop performance, here are five of the most common control valve problems to look for:  

Deadband, sometimes known as hysteresis, can be caused by backlash between the control output and actual valve position.  It can also be due to mechanical friction or looseness.  This can cause oscillations under PI or PID control.  

Stiction is static friction that can cause a valve to stick in position.  When enough pressure builds to force the valve to break free, the excess pressure will often cause the valve to overshoot its target position.  When valve movement stops, it sticks in the new position.  Common causes of stiction are over-tightened valve stem seal, sticky valve internals, undersized actuator, or sticky positioner.  

Positioner overshoot often results when a valve positioner is defective or tuned too aggressively, and changes in controller output can cause the valve to overshoot its target position.  

Oversize control valves can lead to poor control performance. Full flow should be obtained at 70-90% depending on conditions, and if valves are sized too large for the flow rate, small changes can significantly affect flow.  If other valve positioning problems exist, oversize valves will further amplify the negative effects.  

Finally, nonlinearity is another issue that can lead to tuning problems.  If a control valve’s flow characteristic is nonlinear, control loops tend to become sluggish or unstable when the valve position moves away from its operating point.  

Ruby Baker and the History of R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services was founded by Roger “Ruby” Baker in the New York City area in 1935.  Today, under the helm of Ruby’s son, Walter, and his grandsons, David and Mark, R. Baker & Son is widely recognized as the premier contractor in rigging, demolition, dismantling, and plant and equipment relocation in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.  

Ruby Baker started his business during the Great Depression, a time when jobs were scarce, and competition among industrial contractors was fierce.  But, early on, Ruby and his employees worked hard establishing their exceptional reputation in their industry, taking on challenging projects that other contractors could not.  As R. Baker & Son rapidly grew, Ruby Baker stressed the value of delivering premier customer service and developing and cultivating solid, long-term client/contractor relationships, which, according to company president David Baker, are still “the core of this company”.  As testament, some present day customers can be traced back to relationships that were established more than forty years ago.  

R. Baker and Son has long fostered Ruby Baker’s steadfast philosophy of dedication to excellence, integrity, and unparalleled expertise, and as a result we continue to thrive and grow for nearly 80 years.

About R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) 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.

Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Web: rbaker.com
Fax: 732-450-0311 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Demolition.Rigging

Wooden Rooftop Water Tanks: Familiar Fixtures of NYC Skyline

Wooden rooftop water tanks are common features of the New York City skyline.  The barrel-like, cone-roofed structures first appeared on city rooftops in the late 19th century, and have been an integral part of New York’s water system ever since.
 
After the Civil War, New York flourished and tall buildings began to crop up around the city.  Because New York is built on shallow bedrock, natural water pressure was too low to raise water to the upper stories of these buildings, so rooftop tanks were introduced.  Nowadays, electric pumps that are commonly used in U.S. cities are impractical with New York’s aged infrastructure, and rooftop tanks still provide the ideal solution to the city’s water needs.  

The first rooftop water tanks were constructed by barrel makers, and even today about 99% are still made of wood.  Steel tanks can cost up to four times more, require far more maintenance, and can impart a metallic taste to the water.  Wood has natural insulating properties, keeping water cool in summer and preventing freezing in winter.  

There are only two companies that currently build water tanks in New York.  These “tankmen”, as they’re known, can construct the body of a tank in as little as two hours, setting boards in place using only a hammer and a rope.  Tank walls, made from either cedar or California redwood and held together by cables or “hoops”, leak when first filled.  As the wood becomes soaked, it swells and the tank becomes impermeable.  No sealant is necessary.  

The average rooftop water tank is about 10-12 feet high and stores 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of water.  As water is used and levels drop, a pump is triggered and the tank is refilled.  Water used for drinking and bathing is siphoned from the top of the water.  Water in the lower half, where sediment settles, is reserved to fight fires.
 
Tank maintenance is a straightforward process that takes about six hours and causes little inconvenience to building residents.  Water is drained and the interior is scrubbed with a chlorine solution.  The tank is refilled, a second chlorine solution is added, allowed to soak, then flushed out.  Switches are lubricated, holes are caulked, and hoops are tightened.  The supporting structure also requires maintenance – mostly scraping and painting – on a regular basis.  Rooftop water tanks have an average lifespan of 20 to 25 years, and when particularly well-maintained tanks can last as much as 30% longer.  

Though rooftop water tank technology was developed more than 150 years ago, New York’s reliance on them is not expected to change any time soon.  The method is simple, inexpensive, effective, and well-suited to existing city infrastructure.  R. Baker & Son has been involved in a number of renovation and demolition projects in which rooftop water tanks have been relocated or dismantled.  Though they look like relics of the past, rooftop tanks will undoubtedly remain a customary fixture of the New York cityscape for many years to come.  

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services



R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) 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.



Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.



R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Phone: 732-222-3553

Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://www.rbaker.com
http://www.rbaker.com/demolition-contractors-new-york.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Demolition.Rigging

R. Baker & Son Power Plant Decommissioning

U.S. nuclear power plants are aging.  According to the Department of Energy, the average age of the 5,800 power plants in operation is about 40 years, and many them are outdated, environmentally unfriendly, costly to operate and maintain, and unprofitable.  Though nuclear power is inexpensive to produce and emits no greenhouse gases, and nuclear facilities account for about 20% of the power generated in the U.S., there is increasing pressure to make relicensing requirements more stringent and to shut down aging nuclear reactors. Also, the EPA and state agencies are imposing tougher regulations, and many of these facilities would require expensive retrofits to come into compliance.   As a result, many operators are deciding that extending the life of near-obsolete nuclear power plants no longer makes good business sense, and are opting to decommission, dismantle and/or demolish their facilities. 

Though decommissioning can be a complex and expensive task, the cost can be comparatively small compared to retrofit, and recovered scrap and salvage can offset a good portion of these costs.  Some states have established objectives shifting toward green alternatives such as wind, solar, geothermal and biofuel, and plant operators are exploring ways to convert existing facilities to renewable sources following decommissioning.  

R. Baker and Son is a seasoned contractor offering total power plant decommissioning services, from consultation to decommissioning plan development, and we have numerous safe, successful decommissioning projects under our belts.  We provide complete demolition, selective dismantling, and rigging and removal of power plant equipment, as well as asset recovery and used equipment sales.  Power plant decommissioning is strictly regulated, particularly so in nuclear facilities, and R. Baker and Son operates in strict 100% compliance.  

To find out more about our power plant decommissioning services, please contact R. Baker and Son at 732-222-3553.  

About R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) 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.

Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.


R. Baker and Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311

Website: http://www.rbaker.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Demolition.Rigging

Demolition Vibrations Used to Study Earthquakes

When a 13-story building on the California State East Bay campus was declared seismically unsafe, university officials considered their options. Retrofit was deemed too expensive, and the most economically sensible solution was demolition by implosion, then rebuild.  As the demolition date approached, a Cal State geology professor approached US Geological Survey officials with an idea:  why not study the vibrations from the implosion to learn about the area’s seismic vulnerabilities?  So when the building was demolished on August 17, 2013, more than 600 miniature seismographs in the area collected data that will help earthquake scientists better understand one the most dangerous fault zones in the U.S. 
 
According to the USGS, there is a 63 percent chance of a major earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area in the next 30 years.  The 13-story Warren Hall, built in 1971, stood a mere 2,000 feet from the Hayward Fault, which is considered the area’s most likely to shift.  Vibration recordings from the demolition will help scientists develop a seismic map of the area to locate trace fault lines that split off from the main fault, and determine where and how the ground might move when a large quake occurs.  The data will also help cities plan future development. 

 About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) 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..

Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial and Demolition Services
1 Globe Court
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Demolition.Rigging