April 2008 - R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, Inc., a specialized contractor providing total plant dismantlement, demolition and decommissioning services, recently completed an eight (8) phase, highly technical, demolition and environmental remediation project at Kings County Hospital located in Brooklyn, New York.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, Inc. (R. Baker & Son) was contracted by the client to provide a complete turn-key package which consisted of the complete remove of asbestos containing materials, demolition of three (3) multi-story buildings (one 5-story 100,000 sf building and two 1-story 20,000 sf buildings), removal of all piping, conduit and other related services from underground utility tunnel, demolition of all concrete slabs and foundations, removal of one underground storage tank and one above ground storage tank and then restoration and backfilling of the area.

Prior to any work being performed several pre-demolition and abatement tasks needed to be completed. All utilities were disconnected from the buildings and temporary electric and water lines were installed to facilitate the work. 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. Proper sidewalk bridges, barricades and fencing were installed to protect the surrounding public and structures. Scaffolding was also installed around the entire 5 story building, including the penthouse. The scaffolding consisted of double plank wood members with 2 ply debris netting.

Demolition and abatement means and methods were carefully evaluated based on several technical factors. Due to the close proximity of surrounding buildings (less than 40 feet) as well as public sidewalks, the building needed to be carefully taken down by hand demolition methods. In addition, there was asbestos flashing that went thru the walls as well asbestos containing waterproofing on the spandrel beams.

In order to evaluate the safest and most efficient means to complete the project, R. Baker & Son utilized the services of a licensed Professional Engineering firm to perform several engineering analysis tasks. The engineer evaluated the structural integrity of the building with respect to the proposed method of demolition as well as an evaluation of floor loading for various pieces of demolition equipment (skid steers and Brokk robotic demolition machines). Utilizing the engineering report as well as input from R. Baker