By: RK Water

In the second installment of “Understanding Dewatering,” we’re diving into the importance of representative groundwater sampling — one of the most undervalued aspects of temporary dewatering.

According to Pinyon Environmental, “The groundwater chemistry data collected for permit applications is often flawed because the collection techniques don’t adequately mimic the turbidity associated with the various construction means and methods. This results in either an under- or over-representation of the geotechnical impacts. And under-represented geotechnical condition could result in [the] under-design of the treatment system and [introduce] potential project delays and unanticipated costs.”

Groundwater sampling is essential because each of the following behaviors has the potential to distort groundwater treatment requirements by inadequately characterizing the groundwater chemistry:

Be sure to uplevel the sampling process by taking heed of potential sample biases. A sampling event is merely a description of general chemistry at a specific moment in time. When test wells are installed, not only will the groundwater table vary according to each well, but the chemistry of groundwater will also fluctuate, sometimes drastically.  Clay layering, bedrock, and underground rivers are below the surface, which is what causes naturally occurring obstructions; these obstructions can introduce chemistry variances that will be overlooked if only one test well is used.

Sampling activities over an extended period of time will provide a more accurate measurement of fluctuations in the groundwater table and its chemistry.  Furthermore, water that is allowed to stagnate with soil, will naturally contain higher levels of heavy metals and other contaminants. Through proper purge procedure, or even extending beyond the minimum, it is possible to obtain lower levels of heavy metals in the sample.

Once dewatering commences, groundwater will begin flowing downstream according to the natural flow of alluvial groundwater. Research also needs to be conducted regarding existing dewatering permits in the vicinity of the project to validate results from sampling activities. More importantly, permits upstream of the project will identify the chemistry to anticipate through continued dewatering activities. In the end, it’s not always about the chemistry of the groundwater within the confines of your shoring, but what’s in your neighbor’s groundwater that may make or break a project.

By: RK Service

In recent years, service providers have started offering facilities management partnerships—a much more comprehensive level of operations management than a variety of one-time services. This type of partnership transcends standard service agreements.

An effective facilities management partner can help you achieve long-term business goals, including:

Facilities management partnerships are affordable and improve facility functionality. They also offer an increase in the ability to utilize the latest technologies, stay fully staffed, reduce overhead and enhance every aspect of business operations, boosting the bottom line.

RK Service is the leading MEP facilities management partner in the Rocky Mountain region. We’ll partner with you to find the best solutions for your business and leave you feeling confident in your decisions.

By: RK Water

The use of steam boilers for industries in the U.S. is essential, especially when you consider they are used in highly monitored industries including food and beverage processing, medical facilities, power generation and sanitation. One of the main components in a successfully functioning steam boiler is the quality of its feed water.

In order to ensure proper operation of steam boilers, high purity water is required. However, through years of experience, RK Water has discovered that the single biggest issue in nonfunctioning steam boilers is poor feed water pretreatment, or, in some instances, no pretreatment at all. This leads to much larger maintenance problems.

TOP 3 REASONS FOR FEED WATER PRETREATMENT IN STEAM BOILERS

  1. Boiler failures result in operational downtime, repair and cleaning expenses
  2. Extensive scale deposits require more fuel for steam production
  3. Hot spots can cause boiler tube corrosion or failure

The evidence of poor pretreatment speaks volumes about the importance of having a scheduled service in place. A good boiler feed water treatment system will help you avoid costly plant downtime, expensive maintenance fees and boiler failures as a result of scaling, corrosion and pollutants in the boiler and downstream equipment.

If you suspect you are having issues with pretreatment, allow RK Water to take a sample of your feed water and run several tests to see what level of hardness is making it to your boiler. Our team can make recommendations, adjustments and even studies and analysis of your current system to see what best meets your needs.

By: RK Water

Before and during the excavation phase, project developers, architects, general contractors and other project partners take many considerations into account when planning the groundwork for a project including soil analysis, solar angles and other site-specific conditions. One of the most overlooked and under-valued planning activities involves an analysis of groundwater on the project site and how it may affect the project. This step is essential; those who skip it are at risk for project shut down or slow down due to unidentified water.

Dewatering is the action of removing groundwater or surface water from a construction site. It’s most commonly performed due to water that has accumulated during excavations or in places with a high water table. In these cases, the water must be removed for safety in order to proceed with construction as scheduled.

So, what’s required to dewater your next project? We will dive into four key pillars in future blogs to include:

With proper planning, treatment of groundwater on construction projects can be a manageable process that allows your timeline to remain on track.

Did you know that RK Water provides temporary and permanent dewatering services? Our team treats a wide variety of water contamination issues in dewatering operations from Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal to complicated remediation activities. RK Water approaches every project with a high level of engagement leading up to project commencement followed by unmatched field service during dewatering and remediation operations. Contact Steven Cummings at Steven.Cummings@rk-water.com to discuss a groundwater plan for your next project.

By: RK Mission Critical

Anyone who works with electricity knows how important it is to be aware of potential safety hazards. These hazards include shock, arc flash heat and explosions that can take place due to electrical mishaps. Predicting the level of hazard can be calculated thanks to the NFPA 70e Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

The NFPA 70e was officially adopted by OSHA and is now a standard that employers and employees must abide by, in addition to ensuing all electrical equipment complies. This compliance is required on any equipment emitting over 50 volts and can effect solar DC systems and UPS batteries.

Electrical safety standards are constantly improving and the NFPA 70e committee updates their standards every few years. David Weszely of Lewellyn Technology highlights changes to the standards for the upcoming year in his article: The Most Important 2018 Changes in NFPA 70e.

Here’s a synopsis of his review:

Weszely suggests that companies make sure all qualified workers have access to the 2018 NFPA 70e standard, update their electrical safety program and schedule on-site NFPA 70E electrical safety training.

RK Mission Critical offers prefabricated modular facilities and skidded MEP equipment for multiple industries. The facilities and equipment we produce require complex electrical system installation and commissioning – meaning our team understands the importance of the NFPA 70E standard and requires all team members working on electrical systems to be properly trained. RK Mission Critical has a certified electrical safety professional and Electrical Engineers on staff that can personally answer questions on electrical safety integration of our systems with theirs. Contact us at info@rkmissioncritical.com.

By: RK Electrical

Although prefabrication methods have been used for centuries in the construction industry, they are new to the electrical industry. Prefabrication, which means to construct in advance, is the practice of connecting components in a warehouse and delivering completed or partially completed units to a construction site for installation. Building in a controlled environment adds value in many ways and increases safety by limiting work in elevated areas.

As electrical contractors search for new ways to increase productivity, some are beginning to develop prefabricated electrical systems to expedite installation and increase their ability to take on more sophisticated and complex projects. Electrical prefabrication includes a wide variety of components from switches and receptacles to internal floor and wall equipment.

BENEFITS OF ELECTRICAL PREFABRICATION

RK Electrical can design an entire prefabricated electrical system for your project or simply build and deliver stand-alone assemblies. Our team will evaluate each project to find you the most cost-effective solutions. We also provide preconstruction services, which can decrease the time and labor required to complete the project.

By: RK Mechanical

Energy consumption is on the rise and consequently, more expensive than ever. As the demand continues to increase, scientists and engineers are exploring new ways to increase efficiency and safety in systems that require a lot of energy; HVAC systems are no exception. In recent years, groundbreaking technologies began giving consumers the ability to reduce the energy consumption of HVAC systems in our homes and buildings. While many new technologies are still in the early stages, several have been widely adopted. Here are the top innovations taking over the HVAC industry.

TOP 8 HVAC INNOVATIONS:

By using cloud-based systems and increasing smart and real-time communication between mechanical units, HVAC controls will continue to become more energy efficient and allow for cost savings. Energy alternatives, such as solar and geothermal will become more commonplace and technology like smart thermostats will become more popular by reducing energy consumption.

RK Mechanical is the Rocky Mountain Region’s leading full-service mechanical contractor. We fabricate and install mechanical systems, including HVAC, sheetmetal, plumbing and piping utilizing the latest innovative technologies.

By: RK Steel 

Testing Welding Candidates Before Hiring is Key

Quality and safety are top priorities when it comes to steel fabrication. In order to produce high quality products, it is important that steel fabricators test welding candidates before they are hired. Some companies will even retest certified candidates to ensure they meet company requirements.

The most efficient way to test welders is to have the capabilities to do so in-house. That said, there are few steel shops in Colorado that test in-house. The majority of shops send their tests to an outside source; results can take over a week to get back and can cost around $20,000-30,000 a year.

Companies that test in-house save time and money with certified weld testers that can review four to five tests a week. On average, two out of five candidates pass and move onto the interview process.

Tests and Standards for Welding Candidates

A 6G test consists of a 2” pipe weld. The test takes an hour and is examined with side bends. Some companies perform an industrial radiography test to examine the internal structure and integrity of the weld.

The structural steel tests are the 3G, vertical position, and 4G, overhead position. These tests go through a four-hour process starting with the visual test. During this test, the inspector looks for any discrepancies or holes that would compromise the end product. The coupon then goes through a root bend and cap bend test. If the candidate passes the bend tests, they are certified, and deemed a good candidate for hire.

Inspecting Steel Before It’s Installed on a Project is Required

Even with a team of certified welders fabricating steel projects; on-going special inspection requirements are necessary for all projects. These inspections are done by an outside party unless you are an AISC certified fabricator and erector, which employee certified testers to perform in-house inspections.

RK Steel is a premier shop for end-to-end design, fabrication and erection of structural steel and miscellaneous metals. RK Steel abides by the AWS Structural Steel and ASME certification standards. We pride ourselves on weld testing candidates before interviewing. Contact us to discuss your steel needs.

By: RK Service

Managing mechanical systems involves a deep understanding of the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the equipment. Asset management relates to the management and enhancement of those mechanical systems.

Importance of Optimal Mechanical Systems

Mechanical systems are comprised of pumps and filters, among other equipment, that are responsible for the efficient flow of liquids and air throughout buildings. They provide water, heating, cooling and ventilation for occupants and remove waste from the building.

The operation and maintenance of mechanical systems are labor intensive and require a technical skill. While mechanical systems can contain components that are hidden inside walls or under floors, most key equipment is located in a utility room that is easily accessible for upkeep. To preserve mechanical assets over their life cycle, regular monitoring of equipment and maintenance needs to be performed, preferably by a certified technician. Large equipment that fails, such as a burst pipe, require urgent repair, as this type of failure could lead to flooding or loss of hot water for tenants.

Asset Management Challenges

Keeping tabs on mechanical assets can be a daunting task as they require extensive record keeping. Because mechanical systems contain many moving parts, they typically have the longest list of assets in the asset inventory, ranging from fans to boilers and pumps. Often, basic supplies are kept on-hand in mechanical rooms, such as replacement filters, but some buildings also have supply rooms for additional spare parts. All of these items, from large equipment to spare parts, need to be accounted for and tracked. Documents must be kept readily available for quick reference in day-to-day operations.

Tracking with Technology

Today, technology has enabled service providers to inventory and track all mechanical assets on a cloud-based platform with easy to use customer interfaces. Warranty status, repair and maintenance history, upcoming scheduled events and end-of-life (EOL) forecasts are all recorded and accessible from a single source.

RK Service offers dedicated account management and a full MEP scope that allows us to be expert advisors for companies looking to transform their current facilities services. Contact us at service@rkindustries.com to discuss your asset management needs and what we can do to help you reach your goals.

By: Jon L. Kinning, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President 

The national unemployment rate is at a shocking low of 4.4% due to growth in the manufacturing, construction, professional and technical services, health care and mining industries in 2017. This statistic indicates that the country’s economy is healthy with increased production, more jobs, steady consumer spending and less government involvement, making it hard for people to recognize the strain so many companies are currently facing due to the shortage of skilled trades employees.

Businesses in the manufacturing and construction industries have more open positions for plumbers, pipefitters, welders, electricians, technicians than qualified candidates to fill them. In fact, the skilled trades is currently the hardest segment of the workforce for employers to staff, and the gap is expected to widen. Following are three reasons leading to the gap between open positions and available employees:

  1. Commercial Construction Market on the Rise
    The construction industry is expected to grow, or remain stable, in the next 12 months according to the USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index. The latest index score of 73 is based on three main factors: backlog, new business and revenues – meaning, the outlook for the commercial construction industry is strong and the need for qualified trades workers remains high. Companies affected by the continued market growth are fighting to hire from the same limited pool of skilled trades employees.
  2. Aging Workforce
    Manufacturing and construction work can be tough due to the physical demands of the job. Most skilled trades workers can’t sustain the stress to their body much past age 65, with most employees retiring between 55 and 64 years of age. Right now, 53{daeb8d662f58e4975bc93960761d671bdf0aa2ad049ea8a375d2717d280ef80b} of skilled trades workers are over the age of 45 and for every one skilled trades employee who enters the workforce, five retire.
  3. IMG_1089Stigma Around Skilled Jobs
    High schools, student counselors and parents are conditioned to believe that academic prep for college is the best way to go. There is a stigma that skilled jobs are low-paying and offer little advancement, but that does not hold true today. Although some parents would prefer their child to become a doctor rather than a plumber, the truth is that skilled jobs earn a good living and offer real career paths – often into white-collar management roles – and without college debt. However, this stigma results in few young people being interested in pursuing skilled professions. There are now defined pathways to bachelor degrees by starting out in an accredited apprenticeship program. Apprentices now have stackable credits that can be deployed if they choose.

Training and Awareness Alleviate Labor Shortage Pressure 

Vocational schools offer students a fast-tracked career path, typically two- or four-year programs, into a high demand career without student loans. Apprenticeship programs, like the RK Apprenticeship Program, offer students training in plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC, sheetmetal, ironwork, electrical and structural fabrication while working as a full-time employee with benefits and opportunities for advancement – plus, apprentices can earn up to 45 credit hours towards an Associates in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.). 

RK knows that you cannot build a business off of buying talent and believes that we must attract and train the next generation of skilled labor through work-based learning not only for our own success, but also for the future success of the manufacturing and construction industries. We continue to make significant investments in training and developing our talent pool through in-house training programs and by raising awareness. Check out our free whitepaper on the Swiss Apprenticeship model and see how RK is incorporating similar practices.