R. Baker & Son: Oxy –Acetylene Cutting Torch Fundamentals

Oxy-fuel cutting is a process in which a combination of fuel gases and oxygen is used to cut metals with a torch.  While there are a number of fuels that can be used for torch cutting in combination with oxygen, including propane, gasoline, and propylene, the most common is acetylene.  The oxy-acetylene torch is a tool that is frequently used for selective demolition by R. Baker & Son.

Acetylene is a compound of hydrogen and carbon that has a burning temperature of 4,600 F.  When combined with oxygen, acetylene burns at 5,700-5,800 F.  Contrary to popular belief, oxygen itself is not flammable.  It is, rather, an accelerant; its presence causes materials to burn hotter and faster.  Another common misconception is that oxy-acetylene torches work by simply melting through steel. In fact, oxygen and acetylene are used to preheat the metal to its kindling temperature, at which point a stream of pure oxygen is introduced that burns the heated metal into oxide and blows it from the cut.  Oxy-acetylene torches are used for low-carbon, or mild, steel, which easily oxidize at oxy-acetylene’s burning temperature.  An oxy-acetylene torch can cut mild steel up to 12 inches thick.

An oxy-acetylene apparatus consists of two cylinders (oxygen and acetylene), each equipped with a regulator, pressure gauge, and a length of hose, and each hose is attached a torch. The angled cutting head is comprised of a central high-pressure oxygen jet surrounded by holes through which oxygen and acetylene pass to provide preheating flames.  The oxygen jet is controlled by a trigger or lever. 
To cut with an oxy-acetylene torch, the cutting head is held at a 90 degree angle to the cutting surface; using preheat jets only, the metal is heated to a dull cherry red.  Oxygen from the center jet is then triggered, instantly burning and oxidizing the iron.  As the torch is moved steadily along to produce the cut, a shower of sparks is ejected from the opposite side.  At this point, preheat jets are there purely to assist the oxidation process, and cutting proceeds at a surprisingly fast rate. 

There are numerous safety precautions that must be followed when working with an oxy-acetylene torch.  Gas cylinders must be handled properly, work areas must be properly prepared and safeguarded, and workers must be thoroughly trained.   Personal protective equipment must be worn at all times to prevent burn injuries, and special eyewear is particularly important to protect against glare and sparks while reducing the bright yellow-orange flare that oxy-acetylene cutting produces. 

Planning and preparation of the work area are important when cutting with an oxy-acetylene torch during select demolition.  Flammable materials should be removed when possible, surfaces should be shielded with welding blankets or other fire resistant guards or partitions, the area must be properly ventilated, fire extinguishing equipment should be readily available, and a fire watch must be established, among other appropriate safety procedures.  On demolition projects, careful planning is required to ensure that objects are structurally supported as cutting progresses, and sections can be removed and disposed of safely and without difficulty.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.


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

R. Baker & Son: Air Casters Provide Simple Rigging Solutions

Air Casters Provide Simple Rigging Solutions

Air caster rigging systems, also known as air skates, use a continuously flowing thin layer of air to float heavy loads across smooth surfaces, similar to the operation of a hovercraft.  Unlike wheels, air casters are omni-directional and nearly frictionless, and just one to five pounds of force is required to move 1,000 lbs. of load.  This allows one person or a small crew to move thousands of pounds with minimal effort, complete control, and no floor damage.  Standard air caster rigging systems can handle loads weighing up to 100 tons.
 
R. Baker & Son frequently uses air casters for rigging large equipment where smooth, non-porous floors are present, such as in plant relocation projects.  Several low-profile modules are placed at strategic support points beneath a load to evenly distribute the weight.  Compressed air lifts the load and allows easy movement and precise positioning, even in confined spaces.  If floors are not completely smooth (cracks or expansion joints, etc.) or loads are being moved over transitional areas, overlay materials can be used to create an even surface. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition, demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

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

Call 811 Before You Dig

In March 1994, a 36-inch natural gas pipeline ruptured and exploded near the Durham Woods apartment complex in Edison, New Jersey, sending a massive fireball 500 feet into the air and lighting the night sky for miles around.  Eight apartment buildings were destroyed, over a hundred people were left homeless, and scores were injured.

An investigation by the NTSB determined that the blast was caused by earlier damage from excavation equipment that had gouged and weakened the pipe.  As a result of these findings, New Jersey passed a law requiring all property owners and contractors to call a “Once Call” telephone hotline prior to any digging to have all underground utilities located and precisely marked.  By 1996, the One Call system had become national practice, and in 2005, the FCC established 8-1-1 as the nationwide number to call for all local utility location services.

Though damage to underground utilities is seldom as catastrophic as the Edison gas explosion, it can seriously disrupt vital services, cause property damage and injury, and result in costly repairs, fines and project delays.  A few days before any digging project, large or small, contractors or property owners are legally required to place a call to 8-1-1.  The One Call center will notify local utility companies to dispatch locators to mark out underground utilities with paint, flags, and stakes.  Different utilities are color-coded – red for electricity, yellow for gas, orange for communications, blue for water, green for sewer, etc.

 
Because One Call utility locators only mark lines leading to meters, contractors must also examine accurate as-built drawings and confer with facility owners prior to digging in order to precisely identify, locate and mark private underground utilities using the color code system.  Sites should also be carefully inspected for other telltale signs of unknown buried utilities or hazards that might exist.  These markings must be carefully preserved, and contractors must follow strict regulations and procedures when digging in close proximity to underground utilities.
 
When digging, an error of just a few inches can spell disaster.  So whether you are a homeowner installing a mailbox or a contractor breaking ground for a large facility, remember to call 8-1-1 before digging and mark out underground utilities.  It’s the law.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

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

R. BAKER & SON: TRICKY JOB WITH A VERY AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE

R. Baker & Son was contracted by a pharmaceuticals firm to perform selective demolition in their central utility plant.  The company was slated to bring an innovative new drug to market, and it was especially critical that research and development went undisrupted.
 
The central utility plant supported many of the facility’s operations with compressed air, chilled water, steam, nitrogen and DI water. The project required much of the old equipment to be removed and replaced by new equipment.  This necessitated that crew members remove old housekeeping pads with jackhammers and saw-cut new drains into concrete.  With adjacent R&D laboratories lining two walls of the CUP and a vivarium not far away, R. Baker & Son developed a detailed schedule in coordination with facility owners to suppress dust and minimize noise, and vibration.

 
Selective demolition and dismantling took place as a precise, step-by-step process. System piping and other equipment were carefully traced, identified, and marked for appropriate disposition. Hazardous substances and materials, including refrigerants and lead paint, were carefully removed and abated, and proper lockout / tagout procedures were followed.
   
To complicate the already-challenging project, the pharmaceuticals firm moved the completion date up by three months due to increased urgency in bringing the new product to market.  The project kicked into an even higher gear and shifts were added in order to complete the project on time.

R. Baker & Son developed a detailed Rigging and Routing plan when it came time to move new equipment into the facility.  After double-verifying weights and dimensions, team members determined how and when to move the equipment, and through which access points.  Many pieces of equipment required careful disassembly in order to maneuver it into the building. In some instances, new equipment was installed in the midst of demolition.

As new equipment was rigged, installed, and readied to be brought online alongside existing equipment, crews went over a detailed checklist to ensure a smooth transition from old equipment to new.  This was done without system interruption whenever possible, but when unavoidable, the work generally took place when the facility was unoccupied and details were meticulously planned and scheduled with owners.
Once the new systems were up and running, Baker crews concentrated on cleanup and punch list items.  When all was said and done, the new central utility plant equipment was seamlessly integrated, and the project was successfully completed on time.  Owners were so pleased with the outcome they treated everyone involved to a catered luncheon.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

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

BIM - Building Information Modeling

BIM Tools

Over the last decade, design and construction industries have widely embraced Building Information  Modeling, otherwise known as BIM. BIM utilizes 3D real-time modeling technology to coordinate a building’s data, from its design and construction through the duration of its life cycle.
 
With BIM, all building details – design, document production, construction planning, performance predictions and cost estimates, etc. – are centralized and readily accessible.  When changes are made and recorded, BIM automatically updates every trickle-down detail.  Errors and information loss that commonly occurs when a project is handed from designer to contractor to owner is virtually eliminated, saving time, improving efficiency, and reducing costs.
 
Recently, BIM has extended its reach to the job site with BIM-to-field technology.  Three dimensional BIM models and CAD files are merged onsite with advanced positioning technology to provide pinpoint laser layouts of various components.  Using only a robotic central station and a handheld controller, one person can plot a complex layout in a fraction of the time, manpower and expense previously needed. 
BIM is being more and more widely used and is touted as the future of building design and construction methodology.  R. Baker and Son uses BIM technology frequently to determine building features, simplify logistical details and allow easy detection of potential problems.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

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

BORESCOPE USE IN CONSTRUCTION

By David Baker, R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

Borescopes have a multitude of uses.  From manufacturing to turbine maintenance to underground pipe inspections – even medicine – they have become an invaluable tool across a wide range of industries.

A borescope is an optical device consisting of a rigid or flexible tube with a lens or miniature video camera on the end that is used to visually inspect objects that are not accessible for direct viewing.  Rigid borescopes are the most widely used and cost less than flexible devices, but viewing is restricted to a straight line.  Flexible borescopes include a bundle of optical fibers that allow access to cavities and around corners.  To meet the wide range of needs required by such diverse industries as aerospace, weaponry, and power generation, borescopes come in a variety of diameters and lengths, and can be customized for different viewing angles and environments.
 
Borescopes are widely used in the construction industry to inspect ductwork, wall cavities, piping, conduit, tanks, and more.  In R. Baker & Son’s line of work – rigging, dismantling, and demolition – they provide data on the structural features and integrity of a building, detect damage in underground piping, and identify ductwork problems such as tears or collapses.  They’re also used to trace the layout and origin of lines and piping, examine their condition, and locate lost or previously unknown underground tanks and vessels. 

Contractors who frequently use borescopes (plumbers, HVAC) often purchase or rent equipment, while others use professional borescope inspection services.  With sophisticated borescope equipment and highly trained technicians, these companies are equipped to handle challenging inspections of just about any kind, and some offer repair, washing, and retrieval services as well.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

Corporate Contact Information
R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Website: http://rbaker.com/home.php

Hard Hats - R. Baker & Son, Redbank, NJ

Head protection is an absolute must to protect construction industry workers from a wide array of hazards.  Hard hats or helmets meeting ANSI standards should be worn any time there is a risk of falling or moving objects, fixed objects such as exposed pipes or beams on which one might strike their head, or if there is a possibility of accidental contact with electrical hazards.  Protective headgear should resist penetration, absorb the shock of a blow, resist water and burns, and display clear instructions.

There are three industrial classes for hard hats.  Class A hard hats provide impact and penetration resistance along with electrical protection up to 2,200 volts.  Class B provides the maximum level of protection against electrical hazards (up to 20,000 volts) as well as impact and penetration protection.  Class C offers lightweight impact protection, but does not protect from electrical hazards.
 
Hard hats should be inspected daily for holes, cracks, tears or other damage, and should be cleaned periodically to extend their useful life.  Replace suspension systems when they appear damaged or worn.  Headgear that is perforated, cracked, or deformed should be discarded and replaced, as well as those that have show signs of exposure to excessive heat, chemicals, ultraviolet light, or other radiation.  This can include loss of surface gloss, chalking, or flaking.  Finally, always replace a hard hat if it sustains an impact, even if damage is not noticeable. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

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