Tessiers Successfully Installed 22 RTU Units with a Helicopter!

Recently, our Tessiers team was tasked with the safe and efficient installation of 22 RTU units, weighing between 650 and 2500 pounds, on a 330,000 square warehouse, located in Sioux Falls, SD. Our initial obstacles were identified: 150-foot reach from the building’s edge, and units spanning roughly 450 feet east to west and 250 feet north to south, and 42-foot-high walls.

Typically, such installations would involve the use of a crane. However, our experienced preconstruction team determined that using a rotorcraft would be more effective.

Safety was our top priority. Working alongside one another, the Operations Manager, Safety Director, Foreman, and Project Manager noted that the parapet wall was less than 42 inches and identified rooftop openings with drops exceeding 6 feet. To avoid potential falls and safely navigate across the rooftop we determined the best application for this task would be using two mobile fall protection devices (raptor carts).

Our foreman Robert Burns, noticed each cart would require a team of four, North Team and South two members to move the cart and two to place each unit and disassemble the rigging. The roof top navigation plan was put on paper.

The night prior to the pick, a plan pre-task session was conducted by Tessiers with the GC, and all operation leaders. Tessiers ensured our safety plan would be enforced, and the job site was prepped, and all hazards have been addressed. We discussed procedures and identified additional hazards. The signalers played crucial roles in directing the helicopter and providing communication with the pilot and our team members.

Having identified potential hazards and implemented safety measures, we proceeded with the pick plan early the next morning. Tessiers took control

of the job site, blocking access to the building, setting up extraction points, distributing personal protective equipment (PPE), and staging the units. A final review of the pick plan was conducted with the collective staff.

As an audience gathered outside the protected zone, our plan was implemented. Our rooftop team efficiently moved across the building while the ground team prepared for the next pick. Each member was vital to ensure the operation was completed seamlessly. We were able to set each unit in under three minutes.

Addressing all aspects of safety, communication and preplanning by our team made this task a success.