Taking A Systematic Approach To Planning Plant Moves
Conducting a plant move is an enormous undertaking from both a mental and financial point of view. Many factors and requirements must be considered. This article offers guidelines on how to plan, execute, and manage a facilities move via truck.
Conducting a plant move is an enormous undertaking from both a mental and financial point of view. Many factors and requirements must be considered. This article offers guidelines on how to plan, execute, and manage a facilities move via truck.
Basic groundwork
“Before” and “after” drawings of plant areas or operations are essential. Deciding where or how everything should be placed into the new facility before the move begins saves time, money, and frustration. Seeing the items plotted on the layout helps ensure they can be found and moved to the correct location.
Before. Draw a scaled layout of each existing area to be moved. Show every piece of equipment, furniture, shelving, fixture, etc. Make sure it is up-to-date. Identify each item on the drawing with a unique designation.
After. Draw a scaled layout of the new area showing each piece of equipment in its new place. Check the before drawing to be sure nothing is omitted. Be sure to include any new equipment. Identify each item on the new drawing with the same unique designation used in the before layout.
Obtain a shop drawing and/or specification sheet for each piece of plant equipment. This information provides the type of unit, model number, size, weight, and utility needss. On the after drawing, identify the utility hookups for each piece of equipment, and know the mounting method.
Utility considerations include:
– Gas — type, pressure, and Btuh
– Electric — voltage, phase, and current or kW or kVA
– Compressed air — pressure, flow rate, or pipe size
– Water — type, flow rate, or pipe size; chilled or hot
– Drain — sanitary or sewer; open or closed.
Onsite inspection
Check the new area near the move date. Take the utility checklist and a set of before and after drawings. There are several areas of concern.
Utilities. Are all the utilities roughed into the proper location? Is there sufficient supply for plant needs and future growth? Consider starting amperage, proper voltage, line conditioners, and gas, water, and airflows. Make sure there is sufficient access to the service panels and valves.
Floors. Will the floor construction support the equipment? Is it level and smooth enough? Consider drain locations and expansion cracks.
Inside environment. Is there proper lighting and ventilation? Air conditioning and heating may need adjustment if production processes give off heat. Consider the noise level in the new area, and whether it may require attention. Are emergency exits properly located and accessible?
Overhead obstructions. Check for clearance of ductwork, air handlers, piping, wiring, doorway heights, and moving hoists or cranes. Consider obstacles which may not be in the way for the move, but may present a safety hazard during normal operations.
Move management
The actual move plan should start with general considerations, and then move into the specifics. For example, general move requirements might include number of process lines, pieces of equipment, or pallets.
Organize the general requirements into more specific groups by:
– Sequence — What moves first? What is easiest/hardest to move? What will take the longest?
– Due dates — What has to be in by when?
– Similarities — What packing or moving method can be applied to groups of equipment?
Ideally, department and product lines are moved as a group.
Develop a task list for each area or group to be moved.
1. List the details of each area’s move. Brainstorm a list of tasks which must be completed.
2. Calculate the volume and weight to be moved.
3. Estimate the start and due dates or times. Place each task into a time frame.
4. Estimate the crew size and equipment needed. Receive feedback from crew leaders.
Assign coordinator
A knowledgeable, competent team leader should be chosen to coordinate all activities. This individual develops a general schedule, obtains feedback from key people on a timely basis, then assigns responsibilities, dates, and resources. The team leader should conduct meetings with key people to assess progress and make decisions, publish detailed schedules, and inform personnel well in advance of the scheduled date for the move.
Most important, this person must make plans which are realistic and flexible.
Assess needs
Determine what you need to make the move.
– Do you have enough vehicles in good condition: lift trucks, trailers, and carts?
– Do you have enough packing materials?
– Do you need an outside contractor to do some of the actual moving?
– Do you need any special moving equipment?
Be prepared for last-minute changes, and always have a contingency plan ready. A well-planned move has the greatest chance for success.
— Edited by Ron Holzhauer,
Managing Editor, 847-390-2668, r.holzhauer@cahners.com
Key concepts
Six questions must be answered before beginning.
The plan should determine what you have to move, schedule for getting it to the new home, and where it goes.
Several specific considerations and suggestions help smooth the flow of equipment and material movement.
The all-important questions
1. What needs to be moved? Identify all items, no matter how small or insignificant they may appear. If it moves, identify it.
2. Where does it move from? All items must be shown on the before print.
3. Where does it move to? All items on the before print must be shown on the after print. Fill new areas from back to front.
4. Who moves what? Assign a person responsible for every item or group of items.
5. When does it have to be there? Timing may be critical for some items.
6. How will it be moved from here to there? Have some idea how the item will be packed and secured, and know how it will be transported (flatbed, trailer, contractor, rental van, personal vehicle, etc.).
Procedures for relocating equipment
Order of move
1. Shut down and purge
2. Tear down: disconnect, disassemble, and tag parts for identification, clean and inspect parts, and perform preventive maintenance
3. Secure for the move: palletize and add extra bracing if needed
4. Load onto vehicle: determine trailer type, size, and quantity
5. Move: deliver pieces of large equipment in the sequence of its rebuild
6. Unload
7. Position and level: mark machine location on floor
8. Utility hook-up: install valves and disconnects for servicing
9. Pilot run and debugging; safety checks first!
General considerations
– Determine crews and crafts needed: electrical, mechanical, plumbing, riggers, HVAC, welders, etc.; estimate time required for each
– Conduct PM while the equipment is torn down; if items are sent out for overhaul, have them delivered to the new location
– Consider adding features such as quick-disconnects to improve serviceability, productivity improvements, and safety items
– Contract manufacturer trained technicians to tear down, secure, and set up sophisticated equipment
– Move spare parts, PM records, tooling and fixtures, and test/calibration equipment with the machine
– Allow time for a pilot run, startup, and debugging; bring along test material and inspection equipment
– Always use every available safety precaution
Moving material to its new home
Don’t underestimate the volume of stored material to be moved. Verify the computer report by counting the number of pallets to transport. What condition are they in? Will they survive the move? Is the product stacked neatly so it is easy to handle? Each pallet should be marked with its new location.
General considerations
– Determine how to pack items for the move. Remember that the objective is to protect the product.
— Palletize: large boxes or large quantities of the same product
— Gaylords: small boxes, loose, and bulky items
— Totes: small pieces or quantities
– Have lift trucks move the big loads while the small stuff is being packed.
– Rent extra lift trucks for faster moving and back-up equipment.
– Take a physical count and update inventory records with quantity and location as each product is moved.
More info
The author will answer technical questions concerning this article. Mr. Cummins is available at 630-879-2696, x129.
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