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:

• Reduced operational expenses with a variable cost structure
  A partner can evaluate your facility and make resource and cost adjustments as well as recommendations as market conditions change. They can offer scalable resources, technologies and specific expertise when needed.

• Peace-of-mind that only a top facilities management partner can provide
  The technical skills and broad knowledge of an experienced partner allow access to the best service practices and technical capabilities available.

• Improved processes and boost in productivity
  A partner can review your operations and offer recommendations to implement strategies that will boost productivity and reduce on-going overhead costs.

• Reassurance that your facilities services can expand as needed
  As a business grows, a good partner can handle more and more responsibilities, allowing businesses to focus on long-term goals instead of daily facilities operations.

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 Electrical

Prefabrication is rapidly growing and changing the construction industry, design and customization are major factors for its success. Prefabrication can offer more building options and greater flexibility than traditional construction including high performing thermal and acoustic walls, floors and ceilings with the use of durable and sustainable materials.

Prefabrication is relatively new in electrical construction but is rapidly increasing. As electricians begin to recognize the savings that prefabrication can provide, more are joining the ranks.

PREFABRICATION INVOLVES THREE MAIN PHASES:

1. Structural: Beams, columns and other structural components are manufactured to be easily transported and installed on the construction site.
2. Panels: Elements such as insulation, utilities, waterproofing and cladding are designed to allow for rapid assembly and easy transportation.
3. Modular Construction: Assembly of the factory-finished modules or products to form complete systems.

The concept is so versatile that it can meet the needs of a variety of industries including power and energy, oil and gas, residential and healthcare to name a few. The benefits of prefabrication and routine inspections by trained professionals in a clean and controlled environment have catapulted the evolution of prefabrication. Building information modeling (BIM) has also influenced the design and construction processes as well as cross-trade collaboration, enabling these types of projects to be built on a much larger scale.

INNOVATIVE EQUIPMENT HAS A STRONG IMPACT ON ELECTRICAL PREFABRICATION:

• Smart benders allow a specific angle to be entered into the machine without having to calculate the spring-back on the conduit. This not only speeds up the process but also allows less experienced apprentices to perform custom bends with much less supervision.
• Automatic whip cutters are used to cut metal clad cable. They allow a 1,000 foot reel to be set up, a specific cutting length to be entered and the user to walk away while it performs all of the cuts. The old process required at least two people to perform the work. With this equipment, contractors are able to utilize their labor force in other important stages of the production process.

The future of prefabrication includes integrating with other trades and, at RK Electrical, we are embracing this collaboration. Our team is incorporating prefabricated electrical components such as wall rough-ins, panel builds and lighting packages into modular data center skids built by RK Mission Critical. We are also utilizing some of the newest innovative equipment on the market to get the jobs done.

By: RK Energy

In the summer of 2014, crude commodity prices were more than $100 a barrel. Since then, prices have dropped to $45 and stayed low for the last few years. While dozens of energy companies had to file for bankruptcy during the down turn, quite a few have made it through despite the low prices. What is the secret to their sustainability? The Denver Business Journal credits their survival to technology advancements, paying debt, cutting expenses and earning favorable margins at a lower cost per barrel.

Technology advancements significantly cut costs.
Technology advancements have cut drilling costs in half. Strategic companies are using the money saved on drilling to pay off debts and sell unneeded assets.

Private-equity investors are still keen on oil and gas.
Over $130 billion has been raised by investors, and due to the market’s high demand, they’re not going anywhere. They see the potential for big returns in the future.

New lending agreements negate the possibility of bankruptcy.
New lending agreements have fixed problems that popped up during the downturn. Companies can no longer receive cash advances before they reduce the value of their reserves or file for bankruptcy. Also, lists of assets used for collateral have expanded to include other property, company-owned bank accounts and underground reserves.

Through the adoption of advanced technologies and cutting expenses, many oil and gas companies in the Denver-Julesburg (D-J) Basin are expecting to pour over $2 billion into drilling in 2018,  boosting output by 83{daeb8d662f58e4975bc93960761d671bdf0aa2ad049ea8a375d2717d280ef80b}, according to a recent Denver Post article. Even at $50 a barrel, the future is looking bright for the oil and gas industry.

RK Energy specializes in upstream and midstream production equipment, along with custom manufactured and skidded equipment for the oil and gas industry. We use advanced engineering, preconstruction and CAD modeling to fabricate skidded equipment for easy installation and maintenance in the field.

By: RK Service

A planned maintenance agreement is a contract between a business owner and a service provider to perform maintenance services for that business. Services include plumbing, drain cleaning, HVAC and electrical repairs, water treatment and much more. The common advantages of establishing a partnership with a trusted maintenance team include improved building performance, occupant comfort, sustainability and lower total cost of ownership.

Not convinced that you need a service agreement? Below are the top benefits of a planned maintenance agreement.

1. Energy Efficiency: With regular service, your equipment will continue to run at peak efficiency.
2. Equipment Uptime: Regular maintenance can help to keep your equipment in good condition and running for many years to come.
3. Improved Air Quality: Regularly changing dirty filters will increase the air quality and make for a healthier environment.
4. Peace of Mind: Agreements come with scheduled maintenance so you won’t have to worry about remembering to call someone for regular service.
5. Priority Service: Companies are more likely to offer priority services to their existing customers with agreements. And in the case of emergencies, the technician will likely already know your equipment making it easier for a quick fix.
6. Lower Cost of Ownership: Due to increased efficiency you’re more likely to save on heating and cooling bills. You’ll also save on unnecessary equipment replacement costs.
7. Increased Satisfaction: By delivering consistent occupant comfort, tenant satisfaction and retention rates will increase.

With an agreement, technicians will typically perform regular maintenance tasks and supply you with a report of their findings, along with advice as to what should be done next. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of service, repairs and replacement for business owners.

RK Service will work with you to develop the best solution that fits your needs, keeping your equipment running at peak performance and conserving your operating budget.

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:

• Representative groundwater sampling
• Flow rates and dewatering methodologies
• Permitting – Which one is appropriate to your project?
• Treatment methodologies

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:

• A qualified person will need to complete a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) before work or troubleshooting is performed.
• Adding a personal protective equipment (PPE) conformity assessment to promote consistency.
• Arc flash and shock hazard risk assessment now include the “potential of human error.”

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

• Increased Installation Efficiency: Electrical assemblies are built to exact specifications, so once they are prefabricated and delivered on-site, they simply need to be connected to the electrical supply to start working, greatly increasing efficiency. This also limits lost time retrieving forgotten tools and materials since most of the work is already complete.
• Less Material Handling: Prefabrication eliminates unnecessary material handling on the job site. In traditional construction, materials are moved from room to room as individual assemblies are built.
• Reduced Labor Costs: By performing repetitive installations your team requires less time, saving you labor costs.
• Faster Turnaround Time: With finalized plans, equipment can be prefabricated before the building is even built, which can shorten the project timeline
• Higher Quality: Eliminating the negative impact of weather and other trades by prefabricating in a controlled environment allows for higher quality output.

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:

• Movement-Activated Air Conditioning automatically turns off in empty rooms
• Thermally Driven Air Conditioning relies on solar power for cooling
• Ice-Powered Air Conditioning turns cool water into ice overnight, to be used the following day thus reducing peak electrical demand.
• Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps work hand-in-hand with a gas-fired furnace
• Geothermal Heat Pumps transfer heat to or from the earth
• Sensor-Enhanced Ventilation can control when an exhaust fan needs to run
• Air Purifying Technology allows the removal of nearly all of the particles from the air stream
• Energy Analysis Software allows for constant monitoring and adjustments to achieve optimal efficiency for HVAC systems

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.