Blog Archives
Customizing your overhead protection – The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, PA
Superior Scaffold doesn’t just install the safest, best looking canopies (overhead protection) in the city we also customize them to our customer’s needs. We can match the color and content of your brand to maximize exposure for your company.
Case in point is the aluminum canopy we installed at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, one of Philadelphia’s premiere hotels located at 10 Avenue Of The Arts, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
The Ritz’s elegant brand needed to be conveyed all through their facade inspection and renovation process. (that can take up to two years). Who wants an eyesore in front of their business for that amount of time?
That’s why Superior Scaffold works with their clients to create the most aesthetically pleasing product on the market. The first step on this job was to create an stylish aluminum canopy that would be tall enough to allow guests very few obstructions. Our brushed aluminum scaffolding was just the ticket.
The Ritz-Carlton also wanted their luxurious blue conveyed on the outside of the scaffold as well. We custom painted the panels to match their logo – giving this sidewalk shed an almost regal feel.
And the final touch was the special color debris netting we added to finish this functional masterpiece.
Other challenges included the special beam sizes needed to span the load over the train station exit at one end of the canopy.
This facade work was completed and the Ritz-Carlton is looking fabulous – another satisfied client.
As always, I like to show you the project being erected – so here are a few shots as the job went up. Enjoy!
Call 215 743-2200 and ask Superior Scaffold how they can create a custom canopy for your project.
Join us next time for completely customizing your canopy – or sprucing up your sidewalk shed!
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Suspended Scaffold & Overhead Protection at Rittenhouse Plaza, Philadelphia
Deep in the heart of Philadelphia’s most prestigious historic district (Rittenhouse Square) is this gem of a pre-war building called Rittenhouse Plaza at 19th and Walnut. The historical structure of this building is being preserved to retain the integrity of the original design (1926).
Superior Scaffold was called in to help get crews all around the perimeter of this 21 story art deco building while they give it an extensive exterior restoration. Our experience working with historic buildings gave us the upper hand in designing a suspended scaffold plan to get crews onto the facade. Bob Sarkisian, V.P. of Suspended Scaffolds worked extensively with the client on the best approach to complete this job. Ultimately, there were multiple suspended scaffolds working simultaneously to finish the job.
Because it the building’s design and limited access to the roof area, Sarkisian spent many hours working with the clients designing the rigging and platform layout for utmost access and safety. You can see in this photo where he had to place the outriggers and counter weights to balance the suspended scaffolds. If you look carefully at some of these other photos around the back and sides you can see the swings and the outriggers.
And in these photos you can see the shape of the building and how the staging was building to accommodate the corners (to get the most real estate for crews)
Superior also designed a fully functional overhead protection system that allowed the work to continue overhead while everything went on business as usual down below.
Crews were able to complete the restoration work on time and within budget helping make the Rittenhouse Plaza shine to its proper glory.
Some fun facts about The Plaza:
*The building is a Co-Op and not a condominium.
*1901 Walnut St. is finished in an Art Deco Style, and has one of the most visually interesting lobbies in town.
*When first constructed in the 1920’s, the building was designed in such a way that it basically could be split down the middle,
and would be the same on both sides. Two elevator banks, serving 3 units per floor.
*Elevators were manned until the mid 1990’s…today, they are fully automated 🙂
http://www.centercitycondos.com/high_rises/rittenhouse_plaza.html
Call Superior Scaffold today for all of your suspended scaffold and overhead protection needs. (215) 743-2200
Superior Scaffold Sidewalk Shed: The key to commerce.
To some this might seem a bit commonplace, since you see them everywhere, but to us it’s the key to commerce. These canopies are what keep industry rolling. Just think about it for a minute. If we didn’t construct these sidewalk sheds around buildings that were doing façade work or window replacement or brick and mortar repointing, everything would shut down. No food for the tenants, no around the corner morning coffees, no treats or ice cream – nothing. These are our very own little stimulus package.
Many times, just like with this canopy, it serves a dual purpose; one, keeping the building and byways open for business while protecting the patrons and two; it also works as a platform for our swing stages. (We will have some additional pics later).
These are known by a couple of names – Canopy, sidewalk shed, overhead protection. It really doesn’t matter which one you use or prefer but the result is the same. I never really understood the term “Sidewalk Shed”. Maybe it’s because it’s shaped like a shed and provides protection overhead and from the sides? It’s sits on the sidewalk, that part makes sense but it’s really not a shed, it’s more of a walkway, a passage, a throughput… Hmm???? I looked up the term Shed in the dictionary and this is what it said: a slight structure built for shelter or storage; especially : a single-storied building with one or more sides unenclosed. Someone in the office suggested that the term might have come from train shed, or snow shed. He mentioned that it might be anything with sides and a roof and then said that it could have come from NYC – back when they used to use corrugated metal on the sides so they looked like a shed. I don’t know. Googling around really didn’t produce much – other than: A sidewalk shed must be erected whenever materials will be hoisted over the sidewalk, regardless of building height or horizontal distance between building and sidewalk.
This is a very well designed and constructed canopy at the corner of 20th and JFK, in Center City, Philly. It’s what we call an extra-tall canopy to clear the giant storefront windows. Superior Scaffold can accommodate any scenario – large, small, medium, wide, short, we customize them to every job. We can add different colors that accent the building (see our Amtrak canopy blog) put debris netting around the top for added protection, and even completely enclose the sides to protect against the elements.
So, the next time you are walking through Philadelphia or any city, for that matter, take a moment to thank your scaffolding company (Superior Scaffold on the East Coast) for their work helping to keep your city moving and open for business.
And if you find yourself in need of a Canopy, Sidewalk Shed, Overhead Protection, or sidewalk bridge – pick up the phone and call Superior Scaffold today at (215) 743-2200 or visite www.superiorscaffold.com.
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Amtrak rides the Superior Scaffold rails around the entire building
Superior Scaffold is proud to be providing scaffolding support for Amrak’s renovation of their 30th St. Station in downtown Philadelphia. The historic building that opened in 1933 will get a much needed facelift. It’s an incredible looking structure and can you just imagine what it’s going to be like when it’s finished? Wow…
Amtrak wants to make the neoclassical 30th Street Station a more welcoming gateway to West Philadelphia and Center City. The 30th Street Station handles 120 Amtrak trains, 960 SEPTA trains, and 26 NJ Transit trains each weekday. More than four million Amtrak passengers went through the station last year.
Superior’s first order of business was to erect canopies and sidewalk protection around the entire building – and that’s a good sized building. The station is a hustling, bustling metropolis all of its own with cars, buses, and lots of people all the time. Those are just some of the challenges faced when erecting scaffolding around a busy building like this. For that reason, most of the work was done at night as pedestrian and vehicle traffic was diminished.
I love this part of the description because we actually get to see BEFORE and AFTER shots of the scaffolding (something we don’t always get). But this gives you an insider’s look at just what goes into scaffolding an historic building like this. It also lets us see some the challenges crews face.
The jersey barriers on each side were quite the problem. Superior had to scaffold around all the physical obstacles, lamp posts, bollards, parking meters, taxi cabs, pedestrians.
All of 30th Street Station is hollow underneath so Amtrak required Superior to build canopies on top of barriers to distribute weight load.
This was done so scaffolding can be installed on top of the canopy to do facade restoration.
Amtrak even specified the type and color of paint…a beautiful soft green. Customizing the look and color of a canopy is an option that many of our clients choose.
This is going to be an 8 – 10 year project.
Superior had to construct overhead protection at different elevations for buses, cars and pedestrians.
The biggest challenge was finding jersey barriers with one flat side as Amtrak mandated.
Fortunately Rob Buckley from Buckley Construction had what the doctor ordered. 177 – 12′ barriers.
Next challenge was setting them in place. We used a lull and a unique clamp made just for lifting the barriers.
We also had to cut many of them to fit into Amtrak’s layout (parking meters, doors, etc.) It’s not easy cutting concrete barriers!
Some shots to give you an idea of the scope of work with the canopies and overhead protection.
Before.
After.
Some of the detailed work that goes into doing an extensive job like this.
These structures are just the first phase in an extensive renovation. They have to be strong enough to support additional scaffoling when they start renovating the facade of the building.
Superior provides scaffolding for renovations, inspections, new construction – just about any type of project.
Give us a call today at (215) 743-2200 or visit www.superiorscaffold.com for more information.
Going off the deep end with scaffolding…
The Princeton Medical Center at Plainsboro, NJ is adding on to their illustrious hospital with two new rehabilitation pools. The crews needed to get access to the ceiling to do some repairs and additions. Well, with swimming pools spanning the entire room it makes it a bit difficult to reach up that high.
So they called Pat McAndrew at Superior Scaffold and said, “Help.” Since they had spent most of their budget on these incredible pools they were looking for a low cost alternative to just scaffolding the entire pools all the way up to the ceiling. They also wanted to use Baker/Painter scaffolds to roll from one end of the pool area ceiling to another.
So, they creatively devised a plan that would put an 8’ scaffolding tower down into the center of the large pool from the 3’ shallow end down to the 9’ deep end. They used 8’ horizontal trusses at deck height and then ran aluminum joists from side walls to trusses at 16” centers. The entire thing was then topped off with a deck of ¾” plywood. This would allow the baker scaffold to roll freely around the entire room while allowing crews to reach to the ceiling. You can see just how wide and deep this room is.
Now, the small pool was a bit different. They rested aluminum joists on the concrete side walls at 16” centers and then topped that off with plywood. Since it was only 18’ in diameter the aluminum joists would be able to support all of the weight put upon them.
Bingo, bango, bongo… another Superior solution and satisfied customer. Superior specializes in creative solutions for scaffolding problems. Call 215 743-2200 to see what Superior can do for you.
Holy Erection, Batman – 13th & Chestnut Emergency Services call to Superior Scaffold
I love it when we can help someone out in a pinch. That’s why we have the emergency services line. (215) 743-2200. Kind of like the Bat phone for scaffolding. I’d like to think that our very own Bob Sarkisian is Batman (in a way). But really, the only time he’s like the caped crusader is when he’s climbing the side of a building in one of his swing stages or answering the Bat phone, like this case.
We say it – and we mean it. We will have crews on-site within 24 hours and the problem solved or at least in motion shortly thereafter. We really do have the fastest response teams in the industry. And I’m not just saying that because Batman (Sarkisian) and his trusty partner Robin (Shawn MacDonald) have me squeezed tighter than Anita Bryant and some Florida orange juice. But it’s true. In reality, it’s mostly MacDonald who acts more like Batman on these emergency service calls. I guess trusty sidekicks are always quick to slip into their leader’s shoes when they aren’t around. But I digress…
The guys over at 13th and Chestnut needed to get to the top elevation for some cornice repairs and reconstruction. And they needed to get up “air” fast. The job was put into overdrive. From the time Batman (Sarkisian) at Superior Scaffold took the call – all the way through design, engineered drawings, approval, and erection it took only 7 days. We even added containment netting too.
Bam! Pow! Zap! Done! Holy Bat Erection.
Yes, another satisfied customer. So when you need something in an emergency situation – don’t turn on the Bat signal (Sarkisian or McDonald will never see it – too busy analyzing what effect Bat guano has on steel cross braces) make the call to Superior Scaffold’s emergency service line (215) 743-2200. You won’t be disappointed.
More pics to come, as the job continues.
Superior Scaffold at Frick Laboratory, Princeton University, NJ
Superior Scaffold was called out to the Frick Laboratory at Princeton University to build scaffolding for crews to get access to the 3 floors of the structure. Crews will then install trash chutes so they can demo the entire interior of the building.
Princeton University officials say that the former Frick lab will remain vacant until renovation funds become available.
The Frick Lab is named after industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919). The lab, built in 1929, housed the academic chemistry facilities for over 83 years making it one of the oldest functioning labs in the United States.
It has been moved into the gleaming new Frick Chemistry Lab. It is part of the University’s commitment to green building. You can read about the New Frick Laboratory here.
And you can watch video here.
You can really see the new building’s design here.
Turnaround crews work to revitalize Trainer, PA refinery for Delta Airlines and Monroe Energy.
Superior Scaffold is proud to be working with Monroe Energy (a Delta Airlines subsidiary) in an innovative move designed to cut jet fuel costs to the airlines by $300 million.
Crews are revitalizing and renovating the once shuttered Conoco/Phillips refinery in preparation for the restart of fuel production in September. Monroe is spending $100 million to modify and convert the refinery to produce jet fuel (with an estimated output of 52,000 pdp.
Monroe Energy closed on the $180 Million purchase deal from on July 22nd and 3 days later Superior had turnaround crews onsite (which is a maintenance procedure basically restoring, optimizing and checking the integrity of the facility and its operations).
In the end, Delta hopes the deal will lower its fuel costs, which reached nearly $12 billion last year, the largest expenditure on its balance sheet, while also putting 400 people back to work.
In its day, the old refinery, located on the Delaware River in Trainer, PA about 10 miles southwest of downtown Philadelphia, had a crude oil processing capacity of 185,000 barrels per day and processed mainly light, low-sulfur crude oil.
Superior Scaffold at the University of Pennsylvania, Market & 34th
University of Pennsylvania (U of P) is caulking and waterproofing the façade of their building at 3400 Walnut, (Market & 34th) Pennsylvania, PA 19104.
Superior Scaffold provided an intricate sidewalk canopy (sidewalk shed), with overhead protection,
2 blocks long that would allow construction work to go on above while keeping the businesses open underneath.
Superior also provided two suspended scaffolds (swings, swing-stage) to allow crews greater access to all areas of the façade.
U of P turned to Superior because of the confidence they have for them to handle the safety requirements and guidelines set up by the city, state, and the university. Superior is proud to continue their long relationship with U of P.
“When work finishes along Market Street, the canopy will be relocated around the corner on 15th,” said Superior estimator, Anthony Pini.
For information call Superior Scaffold (215) 743-2200.
Superior Scaffold’s canopy withstands the harshest of tests.
In an instant, lives can change. One second you are walking down the street and the next a car is careening out of control in your direction. To complicate things, you are beneath a canopy outside a hospital waiting for your scheduled appointment. That canopy supports a ton of weight in steel, aluminum and wood that could come crashing down around you.
But luckily, Superior Scaffold installed the canopy. As one of the best in the industry Superior builds them to withstand most anything that can be thrown at it – including being run into by a car.
Nobody wants their scaffolding or canopy to have to withstand that type of impact but it refreshing to know that even after being hit by an out of control automobile the canopy only sustained minor damage and didn’t collapse. The reason you hire a company that knows how to build a proper sidewalk shed or canopy is just for this reason. Don’t skimp on bargain basement products when doing a facade replacement or inspection – lives can be at stake.
Accidents do happen – and when they do – Superior’s 24 hour emergency services team is on the job. Just like the incident here at Jefferson Hospital at 9th and Sansom. Crews were on the scene in a few hours to replace the bent and broken parts bringing the canopy back to it’s full working capacity.
And if you think this is an isolated incident, think again. This is the second canopy to be hit by a car or truck in just a few months span. So if the good people at Jefferson Hospital trust the safety of their patrons to Superior Scaffold – Shouldn’t you?
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