Projects

Tenant Improvement

RMJ started by focusing on Tenant Improvement (TI) work, and we have done more of this type work than any other. Early approval of product (light fixtures and switchgear) is critical. Especially when a needed product has a six week lead-time and the project is only eight weeks in duration. Sometimes disagreements between tenants and landlords arise over who is responsible for specific costs. The time spent resolving a dispute is time taken away from production. We often encounter less experienced owners’ representatives on small TI’s. It is hard for them to visualize a finished product. This leads to changes during the design and construction phases. Again, time is lost from an already aggressive schedule. RMJ’s early recognition of potential delays allows to us communicate foreseeable consequences and express the need for decisions required to continue construction and comply with the schedule.

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Warehouse & Distribution

Contractors are often judged by the way they finish a job. Finishing a warehouse/distribution (W/D) job is often more challenging than others. Some of the typical challenges near a job’s completion are the late setting of plumbing and mechanical equipment, additions required by special systems contractors and unforeseen code requirement concerns cited by inspectors. These are all present, and often of greater magnitude, on a W/D job. In addition, owners hire independent contractors to provide furnishings, conveyance systems, storage systems and other firms to fulfill other requirements unique to that owner’s specific needs. These contractors have the same typical needs near the end of a job as the customary construction team. By adding more of these typical needs the challenge to finish is compounded. Research, preplanning and prefabrication are just as important to W/D jobs as they are to other types of projects. In addition, coordination at the job level, an area where RMJ excels, is of utmost importance.

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Call Centers

Call Center work is normally straightforward and routine. Sheer magnitude, occupying tenant requirements and coordination with and between the occupying and adjacent tenants are a few of the primary challenges. Magnitude: Cube farms typically cover thousands of square feet of space and require a substantial amount of circuitry for lighting and power. Different styles of modular furniture often require different wiring configurations. Projects are often staged by creating “swing spaces”. Employees move from one area to another as the different stages of construction are completed. After moving, the wiring starts in the recently vacated area. Circuits feeding “under-floor” require work in suites that are occupied by other tenants. Coordinating the work in an adjacent space is necessary to avoid any conflict with, or interruption of, another tenant’s operations. Examples of these other tenants are medical providers and banks. Off-hours for disruptive work are needed in many instances.

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Industrial

Every construction project is unique; this is especially true for industrial jobs. RMJ always starts with safety. Safety concerns vary depending on the product the owner is manufacturing. Hook-up of owner furnished equipment sometimes proves challenging as well. The equipment is often manufactured overseas with components requiring voltages different than those found in the United States. RMJ researches both the safety and equipment concerns to determine the necessary steps: 1) to provide a safe workplace for employees through engineering controls, PPE or other special accommodation, and 2) to make sure the proper power source (e.g.: isolation transformers, “buck-boost” transformers) is available for the owner’s equipment. Steps 1 and 2 can require special training and atypical procurement procedures.

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Medical

Medical facilities have many different requirements and wiring methods all of which are dependent on level of care. Critical, emergency, normal, essential, life-safety are examples of the different terms used to delineate which wiring methods are used. Hospitals require as many as three different systems providing electricity in the same area of the building. Some circuits automatically connect to alternate sources, while others do not. Operating rooms require isolation panels to eliminate shock hazards for patients in an anesthetized state. Redundant grounding is required for all patient care areas in all facilities. Special precautions must be taken in existing occupancies to avoid contaminating specific patient treatment locations. We take great care to perform our own research and coordinate with designers, inspecting authorities, other contractors and maintenance personnel to ensure our installations safeguard the people who are to be treated.

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Redundant Power

Redundant Powers systems offer multiple challenges. Every consumer’s needs are somewhat different, consequently each system is different. Procuring the right uninterruptible power source (UPS), generator, transfer mechanisms, and bypass equipment requires diligent attention. Coordinating shut-downs of new or existing systems requires complete working knowledge to avoid any activity that can cause system failure or data loss. Finally, these systems are designed to provide continuous power. Concerns for our employees’ safety are obvious. No “hot work” if at all possible, is our mantra. Checking ways to isolate portions of the system for maintenance is our first choice. If the only option is working on a system hot, we complete our “Energized Electrical Work Permit” and plan the work and all its specific requirements. RMJ has installed many redundant power systems ranging in size from a few volt amps/ watts to several thousand volt amps and a few mega watts. Our experience makes this one of our favorite types of work.

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EDUCATION

Typically, the greatest challenge for building an educational project is schedule. Design is usually well thought-out and financing is determined before a job starts. Availability of funds is often mandated by predetermined construction deadlines. Simply put, be ready for students by the start of the next semester, or you don’t get your money. Schedules are tight and work occurs during periods when schools aren’t in session. Pre-planning and pre-fabrication are methods RMJ uses to overcome the challenges posed by aggressive schedules. We evaluate repetitive work, and do as much “upfront” as we can. This minimizes the actual onsite installation time and expedites the construction process.

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Solar

Photovoltaic (Solar) Installations are unique from the perspective that both DC and AC electricity are present. Safe work practices are a must when performing this type work. The solar panels are designed to produce voltage when the sun shines on them; simply stated, when we’re working with them, they provide a potential shock hazard. Most of today’s systems are designed to tie-in with the existing power grid. The AC is a source for an additional shock hazard, and “back-feeding” between the two systems is reason for further concern. Proper use of PPE, coordination with local utilities and checklists protect our employees, our greatest objective. Ultimately, per initial expectations, our clients save money by reducing their monthly utility bills.

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Other Projects

An “Other” project is one with parameters that fall outside of one of RMJ’s defined categories or one with characteristics that fit multiple categories. For a less defined style of job, we use the money, schedule and quality evaluation process, all governed underneath a safety umbrella, to determine the most prevalent challenges. For a project that fits multiple categories, we apply our “lessons learned” to each particular aspect of the job. We realize our strengths, and we will tell a potential customer they may have a better option, if applicable. However, with twenty years of multi-faceted experience, we feel in most cases, we are the best option. We hope you agree.

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