By: RK Energy

Excessive costs associated with maintaining oil and gas sites are risky, the smart solution is to rent equipment instead of purchase it.

Due to limited resources, profits can drop drastically because of the substantial up-front cost that comes with buying new equipment. Rental equipment is a great alternative that can also greatly reduce industry barriers allowing for multiple projects to occur simultaneously. In addition, many oil field and construction equipment suppliers rent out specialized equipment for individual needs and often streamline the process by delivering and installing it on site as well.

There are several hidden costs to owning oil and gas equipment.

Besides the decrease in value that comes with years of use, owners are also responsible for equipment repair, maintenance, transportation and more. Renting reduces these concerns and often allows renters the option to buy the equipment down the line. Ongoing maintenance costs are typically included with a rental which avoids unexpected expenses if a piece of equipment suddenly needs service.

During a downturn, companies focus on increasing production to remain competitive and profitable.

With an increase in production comes more exploration, projects and equipment to do the job. Renting equipment allows a business to have multiple on-going projects without tying up too much cash in equipment.

Companies should look beyond rental rates when deciding on a piece of equipment or rental company.

It’s important to understand the rental company’s ability to service and obtain parts quickly which can affect long-term savings and peace of mind. Customers should consider operating costs, emissions generation, increased performance and maintenance requirements as well.

Government regulations can also increase costs when purchasing equipment. Renting equipment ensures that operations are in compliance with regulations rather than having to invest in new equipment when a regulation changes.

Renting can help operators test out the latest technologies and models, gain equipment knowledge, obtain access to specialized or temporary-use equipment, analyze equipment before buying and avoid high start-up costs and maintenance.

By: RK Mechanical

Hospital construction requires perfection from conception to completion. To ensure safety, healthcare building design is governed by codes, standards and regulations.

The most recent change in healthcare building standards was to the NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code. This code establishes criteria for healthcare systems or services based on the risk to the staff, patients or visitors in healthcare facilities in order to minimize the hazards of fire, explosion and electricity. This code applies to all healthcare facilities other than home care. It’s intended for professionals involved in the design, construction, inspection and maintenance of healthcare facilities, as well as to the design, manufacture, and testing of equipment and appliances used in patient rooms within healthcare facilities.

This latest edition, 2012 NFPA 99, presents significant changes for the first time since 2005. It has undergone a complete restructuring from prior editions and is now a risk-based code document instead of a facility-based document. The occupancy-based approach was replaced by a categorization of each healthcare facility system regarding its risk to patients’ welfare. Earlier requirements have been removed and replaced by a focus on risk instead of occupancy. New chapters have been introduced for IT and communication systems, HVAC, plumbing, security, emergency management and features of fire protection unique to healthcare facilities.

NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code guides users to first determine the level of system category contingent upon the risks to the patients and caregivers within the facilities. The system categories are determined by following a defined risk assessment procedure. Depending on these results, and the system category classification of the healthcare facility, the minimum criteria for gas vacuum, gas equipment, gas electrical system, electrical systems and equipment, plumbing, HVAC, IT and communication systems, emergency management, security management and fire protection features are then determined.

RK Mechanical has worked on several major healthcare facilities both locally and nationally. We understand the complex requirements and have the experience to keep your staff and patients safe­—and your facility operational.

Looking to build or renovate a healthcare facility? RK Mechanical would be happy to discuss our services with you. Contact RK Mechanical at communications@rkindustries.com for more information.

Sources:

www.csemag.com, NFPA 99: Health care facilities code overview
www.nfpa.org, NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code

By: RK Electrical 

When organizations plan their facilities maintenance budgets, electrical maintenance is often overlooked as most funds are allocated to HVAC, climate control and plumbing systems.

It’s good to reassess the budget, because proper preventive electrical maintenance helps organizations stay compliant with NFPA 70E, the standard for electrical safety in the workplace. Maintenance also ensures a safe electrical system and work environment that complies with OSHA electrical safety standards.

Organizations that perform electrical maintenance also save money on utility bills. It is estimated that U.S. businesses lose roughly $4 billion a year in energy costs due to inefficient equipment and operations. Improving energy efficiency can lower utility costs up to 30{daeb8d662f58e4975bc93960761d671bdf0aa2ad049ea8a375d2717d280ef80b}.

The key components of a preventive electrical maintenance program.

Infrared thermography scanning every three years
Infrared thermography is an effective method of scanning your electrical system for “hot spots” in motors, breakers and switchgear that indicate problems. The data shows what’s needed to improve systems, enhance environmental comfort and increase building efficiency. Infrared thermography scans should be performed every three years and are ideal before cleaning and torqueing as it may point out issues that can be fixed in the cleaning and torqueing process.

Cleaning and torqueing electrical equipment every three years
The lugs in electrical gear constantly get heated up, then cooled off, causing repeated expansion and contraction that, over time, loosens them up. It’s important to have a qualified electrician clean electrical panels and switch gear, and then torque the lugs and any other loose components to meet the manufacturers’ equipment specifications.

Without maintenance, the loose lugs can start arcing, increasing the risk of fires and shock hazards. Motors can burn out, which can cause outages and electrical issues throughout the building. The building will also suffer from decreased energy efficiency. If you don’t have qualified electrical personnel for three-year cleaning and torqueing, you can easily outsource it under a Planned Maintenance Agreement with a provider like RK Electrical.

Lighting audits and improvements annually
Compromised lighting systems can have a serious negative impact on energy efficiency. Your organization should perform a lighting audit once a year by checking all lights in the facility. Do the lights and sensors work? Do the switches work properly? Is the timing system set to on/off at the right times? If not, your facility could be losing lots of money!

Additionally, entry and exit lights near doors and in stairwells are required work properly at all times, per NFPA code, and these lights can go out quickly because they have a short battery life. Batteries require checking and they may need EM balancing. Check these lights first for NFPA compliance, or have a licensed electrical professional from RK Electrical do it!

Why outsource?
Outsourcing electrical preventive maintenance can ensure that maintenance occurs on regular schedule and is conducted in a thorough manner, and also fills staffing gaps if your internal team lacks electrically qualified personnel.

Questions? Contact us at rkelectrical@rkindustries.com.

By: RK Steel

People often admire the skyscrapers which are erected as cities expand and develop.  What many don’t realize is that countless ironworkers get injured every year, often seriously, during the erection of these structures. They frequently work at jaw-dropping heights and, unfortunately, elevated work doesn’t forgive lapses in safety. It also rarely gives second chances. Here are some hazards that ironworkers face and safety practices that could save their lives.

Preventing Falls

As indicated in a 2015 presentation by an OSHA specialist, 9% of fatal falls were from structural steel, specifically during steel erection.

To protect employees from falls at varying heights, companies must establish training and protocol that exceeds safety requirements, creates happier and healthier employees and lowers Experience Modification Rating (EMR). EMR is a number used by insurance companies to gauge the cost of past injuries and future risk for a company. Here are some best practices to follow in order to avoid falls:

• Written job site and hazard-specific plan.
• Employee orientation training and periodic on-going training related to the job.
• Fall protection systems that are appropriate for the work and situation. Train workers in the proper selection, use and maintenance of fall protection systems.
• Contractors and job sites should have established tie-off requirements at heights above 6 feet.
• Rescue and retrieval plan with trained rescue personnel for every elevated job site. Workers hanging from a fall arrest system must be rescued in a safe manner, protecting the rescuer from falls, and quickly to prevent further injury.

Avoiding Trapping / Crushing Injuries

Entrapment and crushing injuries in boom lifts often occur when the operator is reversing, slewing or elevating the platform into an unacknowledged obstruction. Here are a few best practices to avoid accidents.

• When elevating near obstructions use controls in this sequence: drive, elevate, slew, telescope, fine control.
• Do not lean over platform controls while moving.
• Always check the direction of movement of the aerial work platform with reference to the direction arrows on the AWP base and platform controls before activating secondary guarding.
• Consider adding secondary guarding solutions to your fleet of aerial work platforms.

Controlling Loads with Taglines

Taglines are used to oppose uncontrolled rotation of a load, alter the rotation of a suspended load, assist in controlling swinging, and avoid the need for workers to control the load with their hands. They are not intended to pull a load out of its natural suspended line, hold a load against wind forces or help support a load. Here are some best practices:

• Avoid placing hands directly on a load.
• Assuming 45-degree angles from load to handler, the tagline should be at least 1.5 times the height plus six feet.
• Tagline rope should be laid across the palm of one hand and firmly gripped.
• Never wrap the line around a beam, column or rail.

Protecting Hands

Hand injuries account for about 1/3 of all disabling job-related injuries each year. More than 80% of these injuries are caused by pinch hazards. Here are some ways to protect your hands from injury:

• Hands Off: Use tag lines at all times.
• Identify pinch points and provide guards.
• Be aware of hand placement and pinch points.
• Watch for folding or collapsing loads.
• Always wear impact and cut-resistant gloves in good condition.
• Establish a glove policy.
• Do not operate tools or equipment without guards.

At RK we take safety seriously. Our full-time, licensed safety managers empower employees to take responsibility for their own safety, as well as those working alongside them. We have a zero-injury goal on every project. To learn more about RK Steel or our safety procedures please contact Kirk Schoech at Kirk.Schoech@rkindustries.com.

Source: “Keeping Ironworkers Safe Takes Education, Training and a Daily Dose of Reminders” by SEAA Safety Committee – SEAA Connector Magazine, 2016 Spring Edition

By: RK Mechanical

Green building initiatives, including LEED for healthcare v4, and new patient care models have impacted healthcare construction. Sustainable, patient-focused facilities are designed and constructed to be safer, resource efficient and financially beneficial.

Green facilities reduce resource waste through LEED v4.

Building owners, facilities managers and contractors are focusing on green building strategies for new construction and renovation projects to ensure facilities are in good shape to serve patients now, and in the future. The LEED v4 rating system, specific to healthcare, places guidelines on specific energy- and water-efficiency prerequisites, including building reporting and disclosure requirements. A Future Trends article from Medical Construction & Design highlights popular sustainability advancements to meet the LEED requirements, including motion and light sensors to reduce energy, solar shading to increase natural day light and decrease internal heat gain and low-flow faucets and fixtures with auto-off controls to conserve water.

Patient-focused designs lower operating costs.

The popular W-shaped hospital layout limits patient exposure to noise and infection while improving navigation, keeping doctors closer to patients and promoting collaboration between medical specialties. Sustainable facilities reduce waste, contamination and greenhouse emissions while conserving water, energy and natural resources. Financially, LEED-certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs now and increase ROI in the future.

RK has completed several LEED-certified projects locally and nationally. We have the knowledge and expertise to work closely with project teams in sensitive healthcare environments. Let us help you with your healthcare facility needs! Contact us at communications@rkindustries.com for more information.

By: RK Energy

Modular facilities and skidded equipment are manufactured and assembled indoors, at a fabrication facility, affording companies the opportunity to produce high-quality units while decreasing costs and often accelerating the project schedule. Organizations are increasingly innovating their construction and procurement processes by purchasing modular, mobile, prefabricated facilities and equipment.

Save Time and Money

Equipment is contained within a modular facility or skidded frame that allows it to be easily transported. Individual skids can house complete systems, or multiple skids may be combined to create larger modules. In cases where there are logistical constraints, large modules are split into multiple pre-assembled units that are interconnected at the site.

An Alternative to Traditional Construction

System parts can be shipped individually and installed on-site as needed. Because the systems are built off-site in a fabrication facility, improvements can be completed at the plant site simultaneously. Skidded process systems provide several advantages over traditional construction process systems:

Portability: Units are self-contained within frames, making it easier for them to be transported. Systems can be moved to another location as needed.

Space Saving: Custom frames allow equipment layering. All of the necessary equipment is able to fit into a smaller area.

Accessibility: Skids often contain a hallway in the center with the larger pieces of hardware placed around the periphery.

Better Organization: Skids are organized into one area at the site, making on-site connections easier.

Off-site Assembly: Skids are built in controlled conditions at a fabrication facility. Operations taking place at the plant are not affected by the new system fabrication.

Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT): Testing is completed before systems are shipped. Equipment is ready to be used immediately upon delivery reducing startup time.

Maintain Productivity: Skidded systems allow facilities to remain functioning while maintenance is being performed.

Quality Control: There is a higher level of responsibility and quality control when a single party is responsible for the construction and installation of skidded equipment.

If you are interested in learning more about the advantages of modular facilities and skid-mounted equipment or systems, or if you would like a free project consultation, please contact us at rkenergy@rkindustries.com.

Denver is flourishing. Its population and employment growth are among the strongest in the nation, with the population almost tripling since 2000, according to the Denver Business Journal and the Downtown Denver Partnership. To accommodate the population and business growth, nearly $2.5 billion is currently planned or under construction in Metro Denver.

Steady Construction for the Foreseeable Future

Collecting accolades from Forbes as the best place for business and careers, and with U.S. News and World Report declaring Denver as the best place to live in the country, it’s easy to see why companies are flocking to Colorado. The city’s rapid growth means its infrastructure must quickly expand as well. New buildings have to be built and older buildings have to be renovated to keep up with the office and living space demand. In turn, construction project schedules are extremely tight with little room for error.

The structural support for these new and renovated buildings must be sturdy and stable as they are being constructed in the densely populated downtown area with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Developers and owners rely on contractors to hire experienced project teams to fabricate and install high-quality products to construct these buildings on a fast paced schedule.

Structural Steel is the Material of Choice for Commercial Construction Projects

The American Institute of Steel Construction says structural steel is the trusted material of choice for many reasons:

1. Project Schedule: Prefabrication in a fabrication shop increases productivity allowing for rapid erection on-site and a decrease in wasted materials.
2. Construction Budget: Steel costs 5 – 7{daeb8d662f58e4975bc93960761d671bdf0aa2ad049ea8a375d2717d280ef80b} less than concrete framing. Today, a single ton of steel requires less than one single man-hour to produce.
3. Aesthetics: Steel is functional and unique, with natural beauty, allowing for creative designs. Exposed steel emphasizes strength and transparency.
4. Design: Building Information Modeling (BIM) allows full integration between analysis, design, detailing and fabrication. BIM applications like Trimble are taking steel design to a new level.
5. Sustainability: Structural steel is the most recycled material on the planet and can be reused without additional processing.
6. Modifiable and Efficient: Steel can easily be modified or strengthened depending on requirements. It also optimizes building space efficiency through the use of columns and beams that allow for longer spans of open space.
7. Reliable and Predictable: Structural steel is fabricated under controlled conditions using quality control processes. Its strength is verified at the point of production, not after the material is installed.

Industry Knowledge and Proper Training Create a Reliable Project Team

Safe erection of structural steel requires a knowledgeable team. Ensuring workers are qualified, suitably trained and have sufficient experience to perform work safely must be established and verified prior to starting work. The steel team should be in constant communication with the general contractor and other trades to plan site access, equipment needs and laydown requirements. In addition, developing site-specific work instructions and safety procedures to identify potential risks is key.

RK Steel is currently working on several projects in downtown Denver including Bock A, 17^th and Wewatta, 1709 Chestnut, 14^th and Lawrence, Denver Club Renovation, Helen Bonfils Theatre Renovation, Denver Center for the Performing Arts Galleria Rails, Confluence Park Tower, 1201 Auraria and the Residence on Cherokee. RK Steel is a single source for fabricating and installing any type of structural steel or miscellaneous metals such as stairs, rails, platforms and canopies.  Do you have a project that needs a trusted, premier steel contractor to get the job done? Contact our team for a free project consultation today at rksteelestimating@rkindustries.com.

By: RK Mechanical

The healthcare field is vast and frequently progressing. As death rates decrease and life expectancy increases, people are living longer creating a demand for new and updated healthcare facilities. Thankfully, prefabrication has allowed healthcare facilities of all sizes to be built in record time.

According to The 2015 SmartMarket Report on Prefabrication and Modularization published by McGraw-Hill Construction, contractors believe that prefabrication can decrease project schedules by four weeks or more. In addition, 65 percent of contractors believe that prefabrication leads to a decrease in budget and, because of that, more than 49 percent of healthcare projects now incorporate prefabrication.

Mechanical contractors are capitalizing on this approach and are experiencing great success. Prefabrication has proved to increase efficiency through less wasted material and improve the speed of construction. Repetitive processes lead to consistency and fewer mistakes, leading to better quality products. Prefabricated mechanical systems, specific to healthcare facilities, include bathroom components or whole bathroom pods, MEP racks, wall systems and exterior elements. As prefabrication advances, new applications include modular mechanical rooms and patient and exam rooms.

Prefabrication creates safer working environments for employees. Prefabricating mechanical systems in a controlled environment means that as little as 20 percent of work is done on-site, reducing health and safety risks. And, more than one third of McGraw-Hill survey respondents using the approach say they have seen safety improve company-wide. Weather is not an issue and ladders and platforms are rarely needed. Fabrication in a warehouse and installation onsite allows multiple construction activities to be performed in parallel. According to a recent article published by Sourceable, between 60 and 90 percent of the prefabricated portions of healthcare facilities are assembled off-site.

Prefabrication is essential for operational facilities. Construction crews are able to perform work and install systems with less congestion and disturbance to facility employees and patients. Cutting down the construction schedule is also a key benefit because the sooner construction is finished the sooner they can expand the amount of care that they are able to give.

RK Mechanical has extensive experience working in the healthcare industry prefabricating and installing mechanical systems for projects including:

• Audie Murphy VA Memorial Hospital, San Antonia, TX
• St. Anthony Hospital, Denver, Colorado
• Fort Carson Soldier Family Care Center, Colorado Springs, CO
• Vail Valley Medical Center (VVMC), Vail, CO
• Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, CO
• Northern Colorado Medical Center (NCMC), Greenly, CO
• U.S. Air Force Academy Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO
• Denver Health, Denver, CO
• Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, Castle Rock, CO

Looking to build or renovate a healthcare facility?  RK Mechanical would be happy to discuss our services with you. Contact RK Mechanical at communications@rkindustries.com for more information.

By: RK Energy

The recent decline in the oil and gas industry has many companies experiencing hardship. Those that have survived are working to reduce costs by selling equipment or letting it sit idly; others are bypassing well testing, equipment servicing, repairs and site maintenance.

While scrimping on equipment maintenance is tempting, companies should seriously consider retaining and maintaining their costly operating equipment and field sites. Used equipment can now be found at bargain-basement prices today. Selling equipment in a downturn will likely result in a large capital loss for the business. The benefits will lie only with the buyer. Oil and gas companies should consider that once the industry turns around, the cost of equipment will also rise.

By holding onto equipment and investing in preventative maintenance instead, operators can gain enormous savings on future repairs. Investing now in maintenance will reduce down time and extend the life of the equipment. It will also help identify potential site risks and reduce overall production costs.

If companies continue to market effectively, it could also be an opportunity to win some business from competitors who are downsizing. Rather than dismantling and selling equipment or slashing the maintenance budget, maintaining existing equipment can put companies in a position to gain market share when the industry picks up because they’ll be able to ramp up production more quickly.

Despite the significant slowdown, there is still plenty of oil to drill. When the industry is on the upswing, competitors who downsized will be forced to spend extra time and capital expense before getting back to work as they will have to replace their equipment and perform site maintenance. Those who sustained their equipment and sites will be able to get to work right away.

If you are looking for someone to maintain your oil field equipment and perform on-site maintenance, RK Energy would be happy to discuss our services with you. Contact RK Energy at rkenergy@rkindustries.com for more information.

By: RK Service

People from the rest of the country may be starting to take their winter ski vacations in Colorado, but area business owners and facility managers need to keep their buildings safe and operating smoothly until spring returns.

RK Service professionals weighed in on the most important winter maintenance tasks for local businesses below.

Top Three Winter Maintenance To-Do’s

Inspect the HVAC System
Ensure that HVAC systems are ready to handle the demands of cold months. Have an expert inspect and optimize your HVAC system now. If your heating system has not been inspected and serviced recently, doing so right away may prevent unnecessary outages and emergency service calls during or after a storm. It will also ensure that employees and tenants stay warm no matter how low the temperatures drop.

Eliminate Heat Loss
“Gaps around louvers, doors and windows create pockets of freezing air that make their way throughout an entire building,” says RK Service technician, Don Pierce. The loss is compounded as heat escapes from these same areas. Every part of your building should be checked for leaks and cracks. General caulking around doors and windows will help seal out the winter air. Drafty areas near windows may indicate insulation inadequacies or freeze exposure issues.

Protect Water Pipes
Freezing weather can affect vital facility systems: sprinkler systems, fire pumps, heating and air conditioning equipment, boilers, steam piping and water tanks. Freezing in any part of your system can result in flooding, causing equipment damage and electrical dangers. The best way to avoid frozen pipes is to prepare your facility as early as possible. First, heating equipment needs to be serviced and in good repair so that optimal heating levels can be maintained at all times. The cause of frozen pipes is often insufficient interior heat due to equipment failure. Second, pipes should be inspected and insulated in exposed areas.

Call RK Service today to schedule an equipment maintenance call right away. Or let one of our experienced technicians perform a complete inspection of your facility and provide their top recommendations for your business. No matter where you are in Colorado, we have a local team that can you help you.