The Association of Russian Construction Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO), together with the commonwealth of security companies in Russia, compiled an interesting rating of theft of material assets at construction sites. The first place in terms of the amount of damage was taken by the theft of special equipment (dump trucks, excavators, bulldozers, etc.), the second — the theft of building materials (concrete goods, fittings). The third is the theft of infrastructure technological equipment. The compilers of the rating mean by it: diesel generators, transformers, compressors, pumps and other equipment used for electricity, heat and water supply of construction sites.
To protect and prevent theft on construction sites, the authors of the study propose insurance, the use of satellite tracking systems (for special equipment) and the buildup of an army of security guards to prevent theft of building materials, equipment and tools. All these methods entail a serious increase in operating costs, stretching out almost for the entire construction period. Are there any alternatives?
Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to offer anything to combat the theft of special equipment and theft of building materials, since we are not experts in this matter. But we will gladly share our experience in protecting technological equipment..
Since 2005, our company has been manufacturing various block-modular structures: change houses, trailers, as well as block-boxes for equipment. And the solution we offer to prevent theft of diesel generators, compressors, pumps is rather an additional bonus to other advantages of modular equipment supply. Placing expensive equipment in a block-box not only protects it from bad weather, construction dirt and debris, but also significantly complicates the task of the thieves. Block-boxes are made according to individual drawings with a structural reference to the equipment placed in them, that is, quite often the parts of the block-box frame become part of the supporting frame of technological equipment and are firmly attached to each other with anchor bolts or welding.
It is impossible to remove, for example, a diesel generator from a block-box without a special tool and a lifting winch. Disassembling and taking out in parts is also not an option. This takes much more time, and therefore the risk of being caught becomes unreasonably high. You can, of course, take out the block-box with the entire equipment, but here you cannot do without a truck crane, a trawl and collusion with the security of the construction site. We believe that few people will take such a desperate step so as not to immediately fall under suspicion..
Now compare the cost of making a block-box 80-150 thousand rubles with the monthly expenses for enhanced security, access control systems, satellite tracking and insurance. Add to this a bonus in the form of an increase in the service life or benefits from the re-sale of equipment protected from a changeable climate, negligence towards other people’s property and other troubles typical of many Russian construction projects. In our opinion, everything is clear without a calculator.
However, as we said, minimizing theft and damage to expensive mechanisms is not the only advantage of placing equipment in block-boxes. Western companies, obsessed with capital turnover and cost reduction, are resorting to modular design in order to reduce the time required for installation and commissioning of complex equipment at the site of operation. Transformers, boiler houses, pumping stations or even water treatment plants come to the customer completely ready for start-up. All that remains to be done on site is to connect the equipment to power grids and communications, read the instructions and press the «Start» button. No downtime waiting for the manufacturer’s representatives, no amateur installation. Huge time savings.
If you are faced with the task not formally, but in a truly effective way to organize a construction site, include our proposal in the list of issues to be discussed. It will definitely benefit your business..
Article prepared
engineering service of the company «Enkitex»
