While cost is always a factor in electrical contracting, capability is often more crucial in large industrial operations. The electrical contractor must have the capability to manage large numbers of people and equipment against critical timetables. They must have the capability to establish smooth working relationships with a number of different trade unions. And, of course, they must have the technical capability to undertake extensive, complicated projects.
In the case of an electrical outage, every minute of downtime is of critical importance. The work is precisely scheduled and calculated, sometimes down to the hour. These situations require an electrical contractor that can mobilize large work crews and fleets of equipment, sometimes working around the clock, to meet or beat the shutdown schedule.
Kirby Electric has held “blanket orders”, and has become the electrical contractor of choice for most major power, steel and industrial clients.
Pennsylvania Power Plants
Kirby has enjoyed outstanding relationships with virtually every major power company in Central and Western Pennsylvania, from Harrisburg into West Virginia and Ohio. Just a few examples of our work have included: new construction and replacement of coal-fired and co-generation plants; electrostatic precipitators; PLC/DCS controls; flue gas desulphurization; hopper vibrators and heaters; turbine fire protection systems; instrumentation power and control; ash handling systems; and much, much more.
Conemaugh Power Plant
When the $26 million SCR project at Conemaugh Power Plant was awarded to Kirby, we were more than up to the challenge. The intense 3-year project included 13.8kV Switchgear, 115kV Disconnect Switches, a complete SCR installation, as well as associated electrical work for pollution control equipment.
Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel
Kirby’s responsiveness to planned outages in the steel industry was illustrated by the massive rebuild of blast furnace #5 at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel’s Mingo Junction facility. Working in 7 major areas - casthouse, furnace power, stockhouse, hoisting and charging, stoves, gas system, and process control system - Kirby mobilized more than 350 workers, sometimes working around the clock, to complete the $5.6 million job within a critical 77 calendar day timetable. Other steel experience has included hot strip mills, rolling mills, steckel mills, hood cooling systems, process control systems, and fiberoptic cable networks.