ForConstructionPros.com

St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, is in the midst of a $265 million expansion. Upon its completion by mid-year 2010, the hospital campus will have a new emergency room, six-story inpatient tower, surgical suites and additional space for support services.

As part of the expansion, Tonn and Blank (T & B) Construction Co., Michigan City, IN, the construction subsidiary of the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc., is installing a 30,000-gal. fiberglass fuel tank measuring 47 ft. long and 12 ft. in diameter. The tank will be used to fuel the hospital’s backup generators.

The excavation site was located about 6 ft. from the hospital. Nearby obstacles included a loading bay dock directly along one side that had to stay open throughout the excavating and installation process, and newly installed electrical banks just a few feet on the other side. As a result, excavators and other equipment could only access the site from two sides.

Slide rail proves the only option

Clearly, shoring the excavation to T & B’s strict safety standards was going to be a challenge. So Stan Burnside, T & B’s foreman, contacted Jim Wright, branch manager at United Rentals Trench Safety in Indianapolis.

“After looking at the specs of the project, I could see that our options were very limited,” admits Wright. Vibration restrictions at the hospital prevented the use of vibratory hammer-installed sheeting and bracing. “Also, installing a beam and plate or lagging system was off the table due to the two week schedule given to complete the project.”