R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, Inc., a specialized contractor providing total plant dismantlement, building demolition, rigging and decommissioning services, recently completed the demolition of a large chemical manufacturing facility in New Jersey (NJ).
The facility, which formerly manufactured a variety of chemicals, consisted of over sixteen (16) multi-story buildings and was situated near a major waterway. The buildings were well over 50 years in age and were predominantly block wall and steel truss roof or wood beam construction.
R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services (R. Baker & Son) was contracted by the client to provide total demolition, wrecking and environmental services to demolish the buildings to top of concrete slab. Safety to the surrounding public, environment and waterway was paramount and the client understood that R. Baker & Son prioritizes safety on every project.
Prior to any work being performed, several pre-demolition tasks needed to be completed. All utilities were disconnected from the buildings. An OSHA engineering survey was completed, notifications were submitted and all permits were obtained. Universal wastes (mercury switches, ballasts, fluorescent light tubes, etc.) were collected, characterized, containerized and the shipped offsite for proper recycling.
Asbestos abatement of the building had already been performed by the client. However, R. Baker & Son still maintained a watch for unknown or uncovered ACM's throughout the entire project, of which none were discovered.
Once pre-demolition activities were completed, R. Baker & Son commenced demolition activities. The demolition crew consisted on average of 6 skilled laborers and operators. Demolition equipment consisted of a CASE 9060 with UP-50 shear attachment, CASE 9060 with grapple attachment, CASE 9050 with grapple attachment, a bobcat skid steer loader with demolition bucket, a CASE wheel loader, a telescopic LULL and a 40 ft man lift. Buildings were demolished in a controlled manner and special attention was given to proper sorting of materials. The buildings were comprised of predominantly masonry block with either metal or wood roofs. Buildings and structures were demolished to top of slab (concrete slabs were left intact).
As part of a "Going Green" initiative, R. Baker & Son is striving to optimize the percentage of C&D materials recycled on every project. In order to maximize recycling efforts, masonry, metals and concrete were carefully separated from debris and wood materials. Some concrete and masonry was crushed onsite and used for grading purposes but because the building slabs remained, a majority of the concrete and block was shipped offsite for recycling. Metals were sorted into ferrous and non ferrous and shipped to a local recycling company. R. Baker & Son estimates nearly 90% of the C&D materials were recycled due to the careful segregating techniques utilized by the dismantling crews. This effort is not only environmentally sound but also has positive financial impacts for the company as recycling of the materials is more inexpensive then land filling.
The project was completed in four months without incident or injury.
R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor for dismantlement, decommissioning and demolition in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The veteran owned company 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 total plant and facility dismantlement, decommissioning, demolition, plant relocations and re-installations as well as heavy equipment rigging and machinery moving, millwright services and onsite concrete crushing.
