When to Expedite Critical Construction Materials Before a Pour
It only takes a couple minutes for a site inspection to go bad. Two days ahead of the pour, an inspector rejects a switchgear part that doesn’t match the updated electrical plan, or a structural connection isn’t included and can’t be used to release the beam. The crane is rented, the rebar guys are all done, and there is a styrofoam cup of cold coffee on the super’s blueprints. This is when rushing the correct component to the site makes the difference between keeping the schedule and canceling a whole series of trades.
Get the correct part, not just the spec
“Transformer component” won’t do. A warehouse worker will search among boxes of parts with smudged labels trying to find a specific item. The shipper, project engineer, and warehouse staff must verify that the part matches the last issued submittal by looking at the manufacturer part number, drawing revision, size, weight, and accessories.
This becomes more important when changes have been made since the part was originally ordered. A fire suppression valve may look the same as the one shown on a previous drawing, but have a different flange size. A bundle of structural connections may be labeled with the right job number, but have the wrong bolt hole spacing. Before you request an expedited shipment, take the packing list, photos, and current set of drawings, which Britannica covers at www.britannica.com/technology, and compare them for every detail.
Ask the vendor early and skip this if the schedule has buffer time
Sometimes getting a part shipped early comes down to finding out if it’s ready to go – Associated Logistics covers Dedicated Expedited Freight Specialists for that route. Maybe it’s stored behind other materials, or the only available loader will not show up until later in the day. Asking for an urgent shipment before you know the material is available can result in the carrier sitting at a locked dock door.
Help the vendor help you by giving them this information when they ask what you need:
- The contact person and phone number on-site
- The number, size, and weight of crates
- Availability of a forklift or dock
- Documents required, such as release numbers
- Pictures of the labels on the transformer component or valve assemblies
This is excessive if you have a regular shipment with days of buffer time and the vendor can pick it up again without delaying any orders. It’s important when you have a crane already reserved and can’t afford to waste a morning searching for the right bundle of steel.
Will the right carrier reach the location?
The quickest truck to show up may not be the best choice for your site. You may have a dirt driveway, overhead wires, weak pavement, or security at the gate who requires a driver to have a PO number. Using the correct truck lets the shipment move straight through the gate without waiting behind other materials at a distribution center.
The type of truck also determines how you unload. The electrical switchgear skid may need a liftgate, while long structural connections will probably need to ride on a flatbed to avoid getting dirty. You may need to provide a picture of the crate’s dimensions if you have a small telehandler with worn out forks.
Coordinate delivery time with the crane schedule
A truck showing up at 7 AM may still be late if the crane is already set to install precast wall panels until 12 PM. If you have a congested site, there may be only one area of flat ground that the carrier can park without blocking concrete deliveries. Plan for arrival time, delivery hours, gate access, crane availability, and the 5 minutes it takes to get the crate off the truck.
The super may have the driver wait until a rigger is available, particularly if you’re transporting a transformer component to an elevated platform. If you miss your crane time by an hour, can the component remain on the truck without being damaged?
Establish a handoff plan prior to dispatching the order. Request from the carrier the pick-up confirmation, driver’s name, and phone number, and status updates once the driver departs the vendor site.
In case of road closures due to inclement weather, an accident or an overweight bridge, the dispatcher may reroute the truck ahead of time instead of waiting until arrival to be turned away at the gate.
Confirm the delivery at the site
The delivery receipt should list the person who took delivery, and any damage before it leaves your location. A quick snapshot of undamaged packaging, the signature on the waybill, and the name of the super will answer any questions later if the package is placed near a staging area.
If you’re doing a rush shipment on a project, send the updated part number, pickup authorization, site directions, and crane schedule to your freight coordinator before arranging the transport.
