The “shake out” is likely the most important phase of a tower job. Shake out is a term used by companies that work in process towers and drums for repairs and revamps. There are several steps that have been diligently planned prior to the shake out phase. Tower companies typically load an enclosed tool trailer with materials, tools and consumables needed for the project at hand. The tool trailers are loaded for a specific job, which includes all safety PPE, backup safety gear, welding supplies, ear plugs, hand tools, radios, hoses, air tools, electric tools, etc. Prior to any project, the tower company receives the drawings and scope of work provided by the customer; this starts the planning process. What needs to be ordered? What needs to be rented? What needs to be loaded? Trays, distributors, valves and other materials, specific for the particular towers that will be worked on, are ordered by the customer and are delivered on-site prior to crews arriving.
The actual shake out happens the first day on the jobsite. The tower company’s superintendent directs the crew to perform the shake out of the entire customer-supplied inventory. The crews will then fully account for all items to be installed and identify any shortages. The process is what makes every project safe and successful. Without this, you risk valuable time during execution. By identifying material shortages ahead of time prior to the project starting, this eliminates unplanned downtime due to ordering and receiving new materials.
Skilled tower crews are sent inside the tower to inspect current conditions. A review of the job scope as identified by the plans and what was originally sent to the contractor is also performed. This is where the experience comes into play. Some items not identified on the original scope could be discovered during this initial inspection such as dam-aged distributors, fouled packing, etc. The customer at this point may decide to replace the damaged parts after consulting with the tower experts and site engineers. This could save a lot of money down the road. The idea is pre-job planning and preparation for that specific project are done ahead of time. The shake out is very important to a tower company’s success. You can’t show up on a project when a unit is down for repair and start running around looking for parts to do the job. You must diligently review the plans in detail down to the smallest nuts and bolts.
Tower companies are heavily involved during maintenance and shutdown seasons, and it is paramount these companies have their ducks in a row prior to arriving on-site. Most production units generate hundreds of thou-sands of dollars of revenue per shift. A planned shutdown should run like a fine-tuned machine with each part well oiled and running at its very best with safety at the forefront. If one part is not working at its best, it will slow the entire process and be very costly to the owner. While safety is the absolute most important part of any project, being prepared and anticipating unspecified events will guarantee a rewarding future in this industry.
For more information, contact Tex Leggio at (281) 506-7152 or texleggio@towerforce.com, or visit www.towerforce.com.