By: RK Steel

Steel canopies are durable, attractive, versatile and offer a convenient way to create a sheltered space. They can also provide significant cost savings as they only require concrete piers rather than full concrete slabs. Steel canopies can be built as freestanding structures or as add-ons to existing buildings and have a variety of uses.

Why Steel Canopies?
Wood canopies require significant ongoing maintenance and have been known to fail in severe storms. They can be costly to build and are not portable. Tent canopies can be great for a temporarily shaded space outdoors but lack durability and will quickly deteriorate after repeated exposure to the elements.

• Steel canopies have clear advantages over wood or tent canopies.
• Steel is naturally fire retardant. It has an extremely high melting point and will not contribute to the spread of a fire. In addition, fireproofing material is often applied to exposed steel surfaces to provide an additional hour of integrity and escape-ability during a fire before failure begins to set in.
• Steel provides high strength and durability making it capable of withstanding heavy winds and snow loads.
• Steel shapes allow for greater spans.
• Steel is 100{daeb8d662f58e4975bc93960761d671bdf0aa2ad049ea8a375d2717d280ef80b} recyclable and has an endless life cycle that does not reduce its strength or durability making it an excellent environmental choice.
• Steel canopies can be portable and used for both indoor and outdoor functions.
• While steel does have the potential to rust over time, it requires much less maintenance than its counterparts. Weathering Steel, Grade A588, A606 or Cor-Ten, is designed to rust when exposed to the elements and eventually seals itself for a rustic look over time which eliminates the need for painting.

What Purposes Can Steel Canopies Serve?

• Steel canopies can be attached to existing buildings to provide additional shelter over loading zones, extended waiting areas or building entrances and exits. A feature that will be appreciated by customers during inclement weather.
• Canopies can also provide shade from the sun which can decrease business utility costs and increase customer comfort.
• Drive-through passageways, such as service windows can be improved with steel canopies, keeping money, food and customers dry during a storm.
• Covered parking can provide vehicle protection from the hot summer sun and harsh winter conditions.
• They can be used for outdoor coverage of existing tennis courts, basketball courts and batting cages.
• Farmers can use steel canopies to store hay and equipment away from the elements.
• They offer a non-combustible way for gas stations to cover pumps and protect customers from sun and rain.
• They can be built as shelters for picnic areas.
• Lean-tos, shacks with an inclined roof which are supported on one side by a tree, post or building, are another option for weather protection in rustic environments.

RK Steel is an expert at fabricating and installing steel canopies for Balfour Beatty, Denver Transit Partners and the Regional Rail Stations providing protection from the elements for riders awaiting the next train. These particular canopies (pictured above) were 40′ long and installed as an assembly to reduce costs. RK Steel prefabricates canopies in a climate controlled shop to ensure that on-site installation will be smooth. Contact us at rksteelestimating@rkindustries.com to discuss your steel canopy needs.

By: RK Mechanical

Working outside during the winter can leave construction workers susceptible to hypothermia, frostbite or trench foot, a decaying of the feet due to prolonged cold and wet conditions. In extreme cases, workers without proper personal protection equipment can also suffer shock that could even lead to death. Not only do workers need to stay warm and dry to prevent health risks, but it’s also important to eat properly, stay active and keep an eye on coworkers.

Productivity is often delayed due to harsh weather. So, work hours should be scheduled during the warmest part of the day. Below are some recommendations to stay warm, healthy and safe during the winter season.

Winter Clothing and Layering Reduce Injury Risks

Clothing should be selected to suit temperature, conditions, duration of the activity and location. Wearing proper clothing and layering can reduce sweating and the risk of injury. It’s best to avoid cotton material, as once it gets wet from rain, snow or sweat, it will begin to extract heat out of the body. Some alternate material choices are fleece, wool, Thinsulate, nylon and polypropylene. Weather can change rapidly, therefore it is important to plan and dress accordingly.

The top nine types of clothing to wear while working in the cold:

1. Thermal insulated coveralls
2. Thermal polyester underwear
3. Fleece or wool liner for hard hat
4. Insulated gloves, mittens should be worn for extreme temperatures below -17 degrees
5. Wrap-around eye protection
6. Scarves
7. Thick socks: layer two pairs to stay warmer longer, but avoid a tight fit which restricts circulation
8. Insulated boots
9. Waterproof/windproof external layers

Warm Break Areas Help Re-energize

When spending long hours exposed to the elements, a warm area to rest will help workers warm up and re-energize. Breaks are of the utmost importance, but without a warm and comfortable place to rest, breaks can be useless. For long-term construction projects, setting up a warming shelter is a must. Temporary tents with portable heaters can be used for smaller projects.

Incorporate a Buddy System to Stay Safe

Avoid traveling or working on your own unless someone knows your route and estimated time of return. Workers in frigid weather can show signs of uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech and erratic behavior. Keep an eye on your peers to help them stay safe.

If a co-worker is showing early signs of Hypothermia, like uncontrollable shivering, apply these treatments to help:

• Provide them with a warm drink or hot food to quickly restore body heat
• Keep them moving to increase blood flow and warm the body
• Provide an extra layer of clothing or blanket, if available, to prevent further heat loss

If more severe signs are present, such as slurred speech or erratic behavior, call for emergency help right away. While waiting for help to arrive, provide warm drinks, extra layers and heating blankets, if available.

Hydration and Good Snacks are Important in the Winter

• Hydration is very important in the winter. Drinks with caffeine and alcohol should be avoided, as they restrict blood vessels and impede the body’s ability to heat itself. Make sure to consume lots of water and non-caffeinated hot beverages, such as decaffeinated coffee, tea or hot chocolate throughout the day.
• Several snacks throughout the day are better than one or two heavy meals. The best choices are carbohydrates such as bread and bagels as well as cheese, butter and meats which add fat content to keep your body warm.

Save Your Skin from Freezing Temperatures

• Apply skin cream to exposed skin to help avoid frostbite and ward off hypothermia.
• Equipment with metal handles and bars should be covered by thermal insulating material and designed to be operated with proper grip using mittens or gloves.

It’s especially important to stress these simple points to people who may not be accustomed to cold temperatures. Holding safety meetings to help workers identify the signs and symptoms of cold-related illness and injuries and training them how to prevent and treat these injuries can save lives.

At RK, we take safety seriously and empower our employees to stop work if unsafe conditions exist. We encourage our employees to take responsibility for their own safety, as well as that of those working alongside them. Working responsibly in cold weather is no exception.

RK assesses how every aspect of our work integrates to improve your project. From conception through completion, we streamline the process while maximizing value. The combined skill set of our seven business units makes us the region’s most powerful single source for mechanical contracting, custom manufacturing, steel fabrication, prefabricated construction, facilities services, electrical work and water treatment solutions. If you would like to know more about our safety procedures or have questions about what we can do for your business, contact us at communications@rkindustries.com.

By: RK Steel

Did you know that China currently produces almost half the world’s steel? According to The Street, this is a large increase from the 10% they produced a decade ago. At that time, the U.S. was producing 14% of the world’s steel; now we only produce 4%.

For the past two decades, China has needed an abundance of steel for urbanization; constructing bridges, buildings and rail lines for its immense population. However, with China’s economic growth slowing down, its need for steel has followed suit. Similarly, the rest of the world’s demand for steel slowed due to a diminished global economy.

In an effort to keep its position as the top steel producer, China is now overproducing. In a single month, China produces enough steel for all of the cars made in the world last year. Nine out of the ten largest steel producers in China are state-owned. While these companies are selling steel at a loss, the Chinese government is subsidizing steel production and is demanding state-owned banks to regularly refinance the debt. This subsidy allows Chinese steel producers to export at lower prices than other countries, also known as dumping. Steel dumping has caused U.S. steel prices to drop by nearly half from 2014 to 2015.

While lower steel prices are good for buyers, they’re not good for producers. Dumping has impaired the steel industry worldwide. In recent years, many steel plants have been forced to close around the globe. The largest steel company in the U.S., U.S. Steel Corp., lost over a billion dollars in 2015 and reduced its workforce by a quarter.

There is no doubt that the U.S. steel industry has also been hurt by imports of steel from China. The U.S. passed a trade enforcement bill in March that resulted in a 266% tariff on steel imports from China. These tariffs have made Chinese steel too costly for U.S. buyers, resulting in less demand. However, these tariffs do offer a great benefit to U.S. steel producers who can now raise their own prices.

According to the Wall Street Journal, shares of U.S. Steel Corp. have more than doubled this year as domestic prices and mill utilization have climbed while imports of steel goods from trading partners have dropped by 34% this year.

Some argue that U.S. mills are taking advantage of the tight market and that the price hikes are too high and have happened too quickly. This is putting pressure on other industries within the U.S. who use steel to produce goods. Diminished inventories are now affecting the supply chain. Average delivery times have increased from 3 ½ weeks earlier this year to over 6 weeks. As a result, manufacturers that buy steel from U.S. mills say they are scrambling for steel to meet project deadlines.

America’s top two steel companies argue that prices have merely returned to normal, where they should be when steel is fairly traded.

The majority of materials that RK Steel purchases and utilizes are domestic-made. While our vendors do import some materials for miscellaneous and odd-sized items, they typically source their materials from mills within the U.S.

Our team of experts wants to know what you think! Are the U.S. imposed tariffs good for the overall U.S. economy? Contact RK Steel today at rksteelpurchasing@rkindustries.com to further the discussion.

By: RK Mechanical

Large-scale construction requires collaboration across numerous disciplines. It’s rare to find a contractor who has the capability to perform multiple trades in-house. For the successful execution of a project, effective planning is essential. From project conception to completion, construction teams must consider zoning, scheduling, budgeting, bidding, safety, transportation of materials, logistics and much more.

Trade-Specific Roles and Responsibilities

The architect designs and develops construction drawings including structural, electrical and mechanical requirements, interior design and lighting. Their final drawings are detailed and include specifications and materials for a construction manager to estimate the total cost of the project. During construction, they monitor work and submit new drawings if changes are made. They also prepare final acceptance documents at the completion of the project.

Construction engineers direct construction projects. They handle everything from the design of the construction project to making sure that everything is going as planned on-site.

General contractors are responsible for providing all of the necessary material, equipment, labor and services for the construction of the project. They typically hire special trade contractors to perform all or some of the work.

Mechanical contractors* install and maintain technologically advanced and energy-efficient HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing and piping systems. The following trades fall under mechanical contracting:

Plumbing: Plumbers install and maintain pipes and mechanical systems for water supply, gas, drainage, sewerage and HVAC systems.

Piping: Pipefitters fabricate, assemble, maintain and repair large high-pressure piping systems.

Sheet Metal: Sheet metal workers install HVAC ductwork and related work.

Construction laborers perform a variety of tasks from erecting and restoring structures, maintaining stormwater, drainage and sewerage systems to excavating, clearing and leveling sites. Laborers are skilled workers who are proficient with pneumatic tools, hand tools, blasting and smaller heavy equipment.

Carpenters and joiners construct, erect, install and renovate structures and fixtures made of wood, plywood, wallboard and other materials and cut, shape and fit the parts to form structures and fittings.

Electricians* specialize in electrical wiring of buildings and equipment. They design, assemble, install, test, diagnose and maintain electrical systems and equipment.

Glaziers are responsible for measuring, cutting, installing and removing glass for windows, doors, mirrors, shower doors, skylights, display cases, facades, interior walls, ceilings, tabletops and more.

Heavy equipment operators operate heavy machinery such as cranes, hoists, lifts and winches to lift, move and place materials, equipment and people onto building and construction sites.

Insulation installers are responsible for all insulating materials, protective coverings, coatings and finishes to mechanical systems.

Ironworkers* fabricate and erect structural steel and other metals as well as repair metal products using various welding techniques. They also position and secure reinforcing bars and mesh which are used to reinforce concrete.

Landscapers create or renovate outdoor spaces by planting lawns, flowers, trees and shrubs. They also construct hard landscaping features such as paths, patios and decks.

Masons are skilled in brick laying and concrete finishing which includes pouring and finishes concrete for floors, stairs, ramps, footpaths, bridges and more.

Painters are responsible for the painting and decorating of buildings which includes the application of paint, varnish or wallpaper to protect and decorate surfaces of structures.

Plasterers apply plaster and fix partitions, suspended ceilings, fire rating systems, acoustic tiles and apply decorative and protective coverings of plaster, cement and similar materials to the interiors and exteriors of structures.

Roofers specialize in roof construction including the application of materials such as tiles, sheets and shingles that weatherproof buildings.

Tilers lay various types of tiles on external and internal surfaces, such as walls and floors, to provide protective and decorative finishes.

With the large number of diverse trades that may be involved in a construction project, establishing collaboration is particularly important. All large commercial projects are likely to involve the coordination of complex information, procedures and systems.

RK gives construction, commercial and industrial customers a reliable, single source for mechanical and electrical contracting, custom manufacturing, steel fabrication, prefabricated buildings, facilities and equipment maintenance and water treatment solutions. For more information about what RK can do for your next construction project, contact sales@rkindustries.com.

*RK has professionals who specialize in these fields that are available to collaborate with you on your next construction project.

By: RK Steel

Aluminum and stainless steel are considered non-ferrous materials, in other words lacking iron, which means they don’t rust or corrode and are much more malleable than ferrous metals. These materials are commonly used in place of carbon steel for areas of high moisture, salt or architectural exposure to the elements.

ALUMINUM
Aluminum originates from bauxite ore.  Once mined, it is chemically extracted into alumina which is then smelted to form pure aluminum metal.

Aluminum was used for building and construction beginning in the 1920s primarily for decorative detailing and artistic structures. However, in the 1930s, structural elements of the Empire State Building were built with aluminum opening up the material to new opportunities.

Weather-proof and corrosion-resistant aluminum structures require no painting, little maintenance and, unlike concrete, require no framework or cure time. Aluminum is lightweight yet durable which allows it to support large glass structures and solar panels. Structures built with aluminum can weigh up to two-thirds less than steel, while providing the same amount of strength. Aluminum is pliable which means that it can be formed into a variety of shapes. Its flexibility also makes it less susceptible to stress fractures than other metals. The modern skyscraper could not exist without aluminum.

Aluminum is now mainly used in construction for windows, roofing, curtain walling, cladding, architectural hardware, prefabricated buildings, shop fitting, partitions and HVAC. In addition, the material is still used for decorative detailing applications from facades to ornamental trim, windows, doors and balconies.

STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel is made by adding ten percent or more of chromium to low carbon steel. This combination is what gives stainless steel its unique ability to resist stains and corrosion.

One of the most impressive properties of stainless steel is that it’s self-healing. The addition of chromium provides an extremely thin transparent layer on the exterior of this alloy. If the surface is scratched or damaged it will immediately begin to rebuild itself, as long as there is oxygen present.  For this reason, stainless steel will remain shiny after many years of use without needing an additional coating to protect it.

Another major benefit of stainless steel is its strength-to-weight ratio, which allows for a thinner and lighter finished material.

Stainless steel provides a good-looking and low maintenance material that many industries rely heavily on for its durability, easy cleaning and sterilization. It can be made into bars, wire, sheets and tubing, making it ideal for surgical instruments, appliances, hardware, cookware and cutlery, industrial equipment, building material and more.

ALUMINUM AND STAINLESS STEEL ARE BOTH INFINITELY RECYCLABLE
The fact that these materials can be melted and reused time and again makes them a great choice for eco-friendly construction projects. As much as half of all new stainless steel and aluminum made in the United States is created from melted scrap metal. The sustainability of these alloys can often assist projects in qualifying for green building status under the LEED standards.

RK STEEL HAS A CLEAN ROOM DEDICATED TO ALUMINUM AND STAINLESS STEEL
It is important to segregate these materials from carbon steel materials, which contain iron, while cutting and welding so that they do not incur carbon precipitation which would cause rust and potential weld failures. For more information about RK Steel and our aluminum and stainless steel capabilities, contact us at rksteelestimating@rkindustries.com.

By: RK Steel

For years, spider cranes have been used for applications such as glass and aluminum-framed wall installations in new construction and renovation projects. Recently, they have started to make a mark in mainstream general construction.

Spider cranes can get nearly any job done with ease.

Whether it’s lifting steel for installation inside of an existing structure, working in confined or underground areas or operating in harsh conditions, spider cranes can do it all. They deliver unparalleled heavy lifting capacity for heavy and compact pieces of equipment. They can often provide solutions for challenging lifting problems with the ability to work in tight areas instead of using a larger crane that must be positioned some distance away.

Spider cranes decrease site congestion and increase efficiency.

Spider cranes don’t require the space that a larger crane does to operate. This means that they reduce disruption to the construction area and limit road closures. They are often more cost and time effective. Teams can overcome obstacles including dangerous work areas by sending in a spider crane rather than trying to maneuver a full-size crane that ultimately saves endless man-hours. Transportation of a spider crane is also much easier and cheaper due to its compact size.

Spider cranes are often equipped with a wireless radio remote control system.

The remotes have a wide operating range with multi-channel frequency, which makes it nearly impossible for any type of interference. This system has been used in demanding and secure work environments such as military facilities without any interference with radar. Controlling a spider crane with a remote control opens up opportunities for use in situations that may otherwise be too dangerous.

Erecting steel in a construction setting can be difficult to navigate with a traditional crane. The construction industry frequently requires working in some of the smallest and tightest work areas which no ordinary crane can reach. Spider cranes are engineered to fit into small spaces and easily maneuver, allowing more efficient work. They are able to move through a hall as narrow as a doorway, yet expand to provide impressive lifting capability.

RK Steel has acquired a spider crane to work on steel projects in the future. Do you have a project that requires work in confined or difficult spaces?  RK Steel has just the tool and the team to get the job done!  Contact rksteelestimating@rkindustries.com for more information

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

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

On October 19^th, 2014, RK Mechanical, Inc. won two Award of Excellence trophies at the ABC-EIC awards on October 19th. One was awarded for the new Rooftop at Coors Field and the other was for the work that RK did on the Aspen Art Museum. RK also won a second place Award of Merit trophy for the Denver Union Station project.

The Aspen Art Museum was a labor of love from the beginning. Known for its “A-list” residents, exquisite homes and breathtaking vistas, Aspen, Colorado has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. It is home to affluent and influential executives, movie stars and musicians, making it the site of some of the most expensive real estate in the nation.

Since the community is accustomed to only the finest of everything, residents and visitors have high expec­tations for the city’s buildings and architecture. With that in mind, the Aspen Art Museum hired Shigeru Ban, the top architect in the world, to design their new digs. Ban, known for his unique use of cardboard tubes, won this year’s Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest honor. He dreamed up the new 33,000 square-foot museum to fit within the city’s astonishing mountain landscape located at the base of the luxury ski resort.

Intended to be a multi-use structure, Ban’s design welcomed visitors and locals, encouraging them to use the space as a public area. With jaw-dropping views of Ajax Mountain, the property would be accessible, free of charge, including the roof deck and café. Every aspect of the design was crafted to reflect the style and grace of the community, married with the rugged and glorious landscape. This might be illustrated best by Ban’s exposed three-dimensional truss ceiling.

In order to help bring their conceived facility to life, the Aspen Art Museum teamed with Turner Construction Com­pany for their general contracting, along with Shigeru Ban Architects and CCY Architects. With a proven track record of successfully completing complex mountain projects, RK Specialties, Inc. was selected as the steel fabricator of choice. Everyone on the team knew this was no ordinary project. They also knew they were up to the challenges that would lie ahead.

As an American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certified contractor, RK Specialties (RKS) is rooted in tested processes designed to deliv­er predictable results. The success of the project was due to having appropriately trained and certified personnel on site and properly documenting progress along the way. By ensuring clarity of goals and expectations, the RKS team was able to effectively work without compromise to ensure high safety and quality standards.

The remarkable museum design posed many difficulties for the project team as the exterior of the building was comprised of glass, structural steel and Prodema wood paneling. Behind the wood is 40 tons of structural steel and behind the steel is a wall of glass. In order to fabricate the steel to fit the building specs, the RKS team opted to pre-assemble all of the steel components in the shop to pass a ‘fit check’ (in-house quality procedure). Once the steel was fabricated and passed the check, the team delivered it to the project site where it had to be disassembled, and reassembled all over again.

Although this process required more work on the front end, it mitigated the risk of not meeting the building size requirements during the crucial installation phase.

The Aspen Art Museum had a very aggressive schedule, with construction beginning in March of 2013 and completion planned for July of 2014. Although this type of schedule is normal and expected in the construction industry, nothing about working in Aspen was normal.

The physical location of the project was the number one challenge. The city is located just under 180 miles away from the RK Specialties shop in Henderson, Colorado, at an elevation of 7,900 feet. Not only was the distance a factor for meeting delivery requirements, but the infamous and inconsistent Colorado winter weather also played a key and, often vicious, role.

The crew was forced to make tough decisions regarding travel and safety when faced with the blustery and treacherous conditions pre­sented by I-70’s Vail Pass. Weather often forced crews to turn around before ever reaching the job site.

All of these factors played a big role in the RKS project team’s schedule management. In order to combat the schedul­ing interferences, the team used Bluebeam software to stay organized and share information internally, the structural steel was pre-assembled in the shop to avoid possible size inaccuracies, and there was consistent communication between the various trades to make sure they were still on schedule for deliveries, in addition to accounting for the chance of inclement weather and working around the remote project location, regarding distance and travel time.

The construction team was handed their biggest project challenge right from the start. Both the Aspen Art Museum and the world-renowned architect Ban knew what they wanted the museum to look like, but they had absolutely no idea how it was going to be built. For example, the staircase was not a normal design, in that it was to be accessible from both the inside of the building for those viewing the exhibits, as well as from the outside of the building for public access to the roof. With the help of the 50 plus person in-house CAD Department, the RKS team was able to provide value analysis, conquering the test through multiple rounds of design changes and on-going collaboration with the glass and wood con­struction teams. In addition to CAD, the team used a value engineering, pre-assembly approach in the shop for all of the structural steel components prior to project installation.

Aspen, like the majority of ski resorts throughout Colorado, gets a heap of snow each winter. This is great news for those who snowshoe, ski, snowboard, snowmobile, etc. But it is less appealing news for construction companies who are select­ed to work there. While the new Aspen Art Museum was being built, the city was blessed with just under 200 inches of snow. Although it is not possible to control Mother Nature, it serves as a true test to the skill and flexibility of construction teams when her interruptions can be effectively managed.

The Aspen Art Museum opened on the 9th of August, 2014, hosting museum tours, concerts, films, a dance party and even a sunrise yoga session!