In June 2024, Alpine Painting and Sandblasting was tasked with cleaning the exterior of a 64-year-old water tank owned by NJ American Water in Howell, NJ. This project involved removing biological growth, such as mold and mildew, from the tank’s surface to extend the lifespan of its 14-year-old coating system. Leveraging state-of-the-art drone technology, Alpine executed this project efficiently while prioritizing safety—an effort that earned us a prestigious safety award, along with recognition from the American Builders and Contractors (ABC) Safety Management System.

Project Scope and Challenges:

The tank had accumulated extensive biological growth due to years of exposure to the elements. Traditional cleaning methods, which would involve placing workers at significant heights using lifts, presented safety risks and increased project costs. Alpine Painting took an innovative approach by utilizing an Aquiline drone operated by an FAA-trained pilot, eliminating the need for workers to be placed at heights and significantly enhancing project safety.

Some of the unique challenges included:

• Flight Path Navigation: To ensure the drone could operate safely and efficiently in the dense tree cover, Alpine coordinated with NJ American Water to trim trees, creating a clear flight path.

• Weather Considerations: Alpine conducted thorough weather assessments to avoid windy conditions, selecting optimal days for safe operation.

• Safety and Compliance: The project required a meticulously planned FAA-approved flight path to ensure safe operations and prevent risks to nearby properties.

Innovative Solutions:

The project’s standout feature was the use of a drone for surface cleaning. Equipped with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) and surfactant, the drone soft-washed the tank at a controlled water pressure of 300 PSI, effectively removing all biological growth without damaging the tank’s coating.

Key equipment used:

• Aquiline Drone System: A specialized drone equipped with hose reels and spray nozzles, operated by Alpine’s FAA-licensed pilot.

• Sodium Hypochlorite Solution: A cleaning solution that efficiently removed mildew, mold, and biofilm without causing harm to the tank’s coating.

Safety as a Core Value:

By using drones, we eliminated the need for workers to perform high-risk tasks at elevated heights, significantly reducing potential accidents. This focus on safety earned us recognition with a STEP Silver Award from the American Builders and Contractors (ABC) Safety Management System. This prestigious award acknowledges our ongoing efforts to develop and maintain a top-tier safety program that protects both our employees and the communities we serve.

The STEP Silver Award is a testament to Alpine’s rigorous safety standards, which include comprehensive training, meticulous safety planning, and industry-leading practices to ensure that every project is executed without incident.

Key safety measures included:

• FAA-Approved Flight Plan: Ensured safe and compliant drone operations within the residential area.

• Environmental Safety: Special precautions were taken to prevent chemical overspray.

• Ground-Level Operations: With no workers required to operate at heights, the project minimized risks to personnel.

Project Outcomes:

This work was a demonstration of Alpine Painting’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge technology to solve complex industrial challenges. Completed on time and within budget, the project successfully revitalized the tank’s exterior while extending the life of its coating system with minimal disruption to the surrounding neighborhood.

The use of drone technology not only improved efficiency but also exemplified our unwavering commitment to safety, which was recognized with the STEP Silver Award for excellence in safety management.

Conclusion:

By integrating advanced drone technology with a rigorous safety framework, we continue to cement our role as a leader in safe, modern construction practices, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of safety and excellence.

For inquiries or to learn more about Alpine Painting's services, please visit Alpine Painting's Website or call (866) 596-0349 to discuss your unique project requirements.