Client and Facility Overview
American Excelsior's Rice Lake, Wisconsin, facility is an industrial manufacturing site featuring extensive pipe systems and bag house structures. The facility's infrastructure includes critical processing equipment, with 13 bag houses and associated piping systems that are essential to their manufacturing operations. This facility requires regular maintenance of its industrial equipment to ensure optimal performance and regulatory compliance.
Requested Maintenance
The client required specialized industrial painting services for their pipe systems and bag houses, focusing on areas showing coating deterioration. The project scope specifically targeted:
- Equipment Coverage: 13 bag houses and associated piping systems requiring safety blue coating
- Surface Restoration: Complete surface preparation and recoating of deteriorated areas
- Coating System: Application of industrial-grade alkyd urethane enamel coating system
- Color Specification: Safety blue color application to maintain proper industrial color-coding standards
Decision Driver and Timing
The project timing and execution strategy were driven by several key factors:
- Operational Continuity: Weekend shutdown scheduling was essential to minimize impact on facility operations
- Equipment Protection: Need to address deteriorating coating conditions to prevent potential equipment damage
- Safety Compliance: Requirement to maintain properly color-coded safety blue surfaces on pipes and bag houses
- Insurance Requirements: Project specifications aligned with insurance-related maintenance standards, indicating the work was part of required facility upkeep
Scope of Work
The comprehensive maintenance project included multiple phases of specialized industrial coating application:
Surface Preparation:
- Hand scraping and power tool cleaning of damaged coating areas
- Thorough wipe down and power washing of all surfaces prior to coating application
- Targeted preparation of bare areas requiring spot priming
Coating Application:
- Spot priming of bare areas using Corotech V200 Alkyd Urethane Enamel in safety blue
- Roll application of one full coat of Corotech V200 Alkyd Urethane Enamel
- Uniform coverage across all specified pipes and bag houses
Access Methods:
- Utilization of aerial lifts and boom equipment for elevated areas
- Strategic ladder placement for accessible sections
- Certified lift operators ensuring safe access to all work areas
Project Management:
- Consecutive weekend work schedule to ensure project continuity
- Coordination of water access with facility management
- Implementation of proper cleanup procedures using client-provided disposal facilities
Notable Details
Safety Protocol Implementation:
- Establishment of Controlled Access Zones (CAZ) with red boundary tape to restrict unauthorized entry
- Comprehensive PPE requirements including full protective gear, respirators, hard hats, and steel-toe boots
- Certified lift operators and mandatory safety harness usage for aerial work
- Strategic placement of safety cones and caution tape to protect facility personnel
Schedule Optimization:
- Weekend-focused execution plan to eliminate operational disruption
- Flexibility to utilize Fridays when available
- Weather-dependent scheduling to ensure optimal coating conditions
- Consecutive weekend scheduling for project continuity
Quality Control Measures:
- Systematic surface preparation approach combining multiple cleaning methods
- Specific coating system selection for industrial durability
- Professional application techniques ensuring uniform coverage
- Detailed attention to proper coating adhesion through thorough surface preparation
Resource Management:
- Coordination with facility for water access
- Efficient waste disposal through client-provided dumpster facilities
- Clear project readiness agreements to prevent delays
- Strategic equipment positioning for optimal access
Client Satisfaction
The project met American Excelsior's maintenance requirements while adhering to strict facility protocols and insurance standards. The carefully planned weekend execution schedule successfully minimized operational impact, while the comprehensive safety measures ensured zero incidents during the coating application process. The restoration of the safety blue coating system on the 13 bag houses and associated piping helped maintain both equipment protection and safety compliance standards.