Steel Construction for Automated Parking Systems
~
Inside Out:
A “Work-in-Process” Photo Collection
Steel construction in full swing in Daly City, Calif. The SilMan Site Services team has installed 25+ automated parking systems.
Summary: This article features a collection of “work-in-process” photos capturing the steel construction phase of a new automated parking system. This unique open-air work site allows views into the interior structure of an automated parking system. This point of view is not normally visible, since this technology was specifically devised for high-density urban environments. We also share the unusual housing solution developed by the end-user, the Jefferson United High School District in San Mateo County, California.
Industrial Equipment Challenges
Structural Steel Construction in Urban Parking Solutions
SilMan Industries has a specialized portfolio providing automated parking systems (APS). This automated solution supports architects and developers serving dense urban environments.
Therefore, it is no surprise that the typical challenges for our APS team are issues related to working in crowded work environments. Tight quarters can impact every aspect of our team’s operations, including staging of materials, sufficient lighting, transport routes for mobile equipment, and team member safety. This is particularly true for our steel construction team.
It also means that our project photos are similarly limited: shallow sight lines and low light.
Beginning in the spring of 2021, however, our automated parking team deployed for a very unique project: a free-standing steel structure in Daly City, California.
Luckily, we now have an opportunity to get a clear view of the inner workings of an automated parking structure, from the ground up!
Moreover, the story of the project itself is a first-of-a-kind housing project for faculty and staff of a public high school district. Keep reading to learn more!
Photos Capture Interior Views of Steel Infrastructure
A concrete pad awaited our team on day one: a blank canvas for our team to do its magic!
The scope of work for the project encompasses end-to-end implementation: structural, mechanical, and electrical. The four-level structure will accommodate 76 vehicles.
Details of the work include
- Steel construction: Installation of steel structures, steel roofing, corrugated deck
- Mechanical – Millwright: Installation of mechanical devices including motors, chains, and sprockets
- Power: Primary electrical power, PLC cabinets (2)
- Electrical: Control power
Inside Out: Photo Gallery
Work in Progress: Internal Structure During an Automated Parking System Installation
Unhindered views of the steel construction that support a parking solution. The images also show the early mechanical elements in place.
Photo credit: Mike Watchers, Scott Cully, and Tyde Biggerstaff.
SilMan’s Culture of Safety in Full View
In addition to the great views of an automated parking installation in progress, we couldn’t help noticing the clean and safe environment that is maintained by our team members. This is thanks to field leadership from Tyde Biggerstaff (millwrights) and Justin Neely (electrical), and the ever-watchful eye of safety manager Mike Watchers.
Making room for Mother Nature
Even as we gain a clear view of the internal structure of this system, many of the images capture the “June Gloom,” which is an iconic characteristic of coastal California.
You may also enjoy this article:
Urban Housing and Education Innovation
Jefferson Unified High School District takes a proactive stance
The parking project is one aspect of a dynamic new impulse by the Jefferson Unified High School District (JUHSD), which funded the project through a bond measure in 2018.
The initiative provides low-cost housing for teachers and staff members. Housing prices in the area are near the highest in the nation. This forces educators to purchase or rent homes long distances from the school. Unsurprisingly, this has led to high turnover. The housing project is expected to become a powerful tool to attract top talent for the district.
JUHSD is located in San Mateo Country and serves Daly City, Brisbane, Pacifica, and the town of Colma. This story was covered by a local ABC affiliate.
The residential complex was completed in the Spring of 2022.
About SilMan
SilMan Industries (previously SilMan Construction) is based in San Leandro, California.
Founded in 2008, the firm operates nationwide in three divisions – Construction, Material Handling and Site Services – and partners with “best in class” companies in the Industrial, Manufacturing, Distribution, and Public Works sectors.
For more information, please visit www.silmanindustries.com/about.
Capability and Capacity
Beyond Automated Parking System Installation: SilMan’s National Service Area
The SilMan Industrial Electrical Services (Specialty Services) and Material Handling Systems Integrators groups regularly deploy resources on a national scale.
This aggregate team includes mechanical-electrical engineering, controls, skilled trades, site management, and material handling system integration with national and local client leadership.
Furthermore, the entire process is powered by SilMan’s cloud-based project management platform, keeping all stakeholders updated daily in real-time.
These projects are managed from three regional offices: San Leandro, Calif., Bardstown, Ky., and Tupelo, Miss., which also houses SilMan’s engineering team
Completed national program projects include conveyor systems, controls, and equipment retrofits for national brands such as logistics leader Siemens Logistics and parcel carrier FedEx Ground.
