Central Heat and Power Plant Fire Damage Repairs

A fire damaged the Central Heat and Power Plant at Fort Wainwright, AK. WESTON was asked to assess the damage and identify the repairs required, including temporary emergency repairs, permanent repairs and facility upgrades. WESTON mobilized the personnel and equipment required to execute the work, which was accomplished in two phases: assessment and emergency response, and repair.

Ultimately, we determined that damage to the building required both structural repairs as well as replacing the coal elevator casing and the elevator roller guides.

The project also included:

• Removal and replacement of the old elevator case (which includes the hood, boot, casing, bracing, inspection doors, and dust collector connections)

• Inspection and reinstallation of the drive motor and reducing gear, buckets, chains and sprockets

• Changing out of the elevator head and tail bearings

• Repair and replacement of the main electrical power circuits and motor soft start

• Inspection of all electrical cabling

• Various electrical upgrades

• Testing and replacing damaged or defective PLC sensors/controllers

• Determining areas with lead-based paint as they are exposed during demolition

• Designing the south-side dust collector and south coal handling building and redesign of the dust collector system for the coal elevator (including structural, electrical, fire suppression, explosion protection and mechanical)

• Repair to the central heat and power plant and south coal tower roof

WESTON performed project oversight and quality control, subcontractor management, and coordination with the client and other stakeholders.