MRI & Medical Imaging Equipment Rigging: A Turnkey Installation Case Study

Medical equipment rigging and installation requires a specialized approach to protect high-value, delicate assets. At R. Baker, we successfully navigate these complex rigging projects using meticulous planning, specialized heavy-duty transportation, precision hoisting, and a highly skilled crew.

On one particular project, R. Baker & Son was selected to perform the rigging and installation of several medical imaging machines into a tight and low clearnance area. This including two MRIs, one CT scanner, and one PET scanner, along with their associated medical chillers and support equipment.

Several months before the imaging equipment arrived onsite, R. Baker & Son developed a detailed safety and engineering logistics plan that met and exceeded all the regulations of the facility and equipment requirements.  We installed the four associated medical chillers onto the waiting rooftop supports. Getting the chillers in place early ensured that each scanner's glycol cooling system would be fully operational and tested well before the machines were brought into the building.

MRI magnets are extremely heavy, and because of their sensitivity cannot be handled roughly or tilted beyond specific manufacturer tolerances without risking severe damage to the internal coils. Superconducting MRIs also contain hundreds of liters of liquid helium, which must be transported separately and installed only after the machines are properly positioned.

The medical imaging equipment on this project needed to be installed on the second and third floors of a new medical facility. Several access paths had been predetermined, and openings were either created or left unfinished to allow safe passage of the equipment into the building. This included a removable section of window and exterior wall. The imaging magnets themselves weighed anywhere from 3,800 to 8,000 pounds. To hoist and position them, the team used an 80-ton hydraulic crane and a flat spreader platform fitted with guide plates, commonly known in the industry as a "cookie sheet."

While the imaging magnets were being craned into place, additional R. Baker & Son crews worked in parallel using three available elevators to bring in various equipment, control panels, hardware, and protective materials. One elevator measured 8 by 10 feet with a weight capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. Throughout the process, solid floor protection was laid down over the facility's epoxy, terrazzo, and sheet vinyl flooring.

As each piece of equipment arrived onsite, it was inspected by both the manufacturers and R. Baker & Son for any signs of damage or irregularities. With the spreader platform already staged on the flatbed beside the scanner, the team was able to smoothly and safely transfer each unit into position. The equipment was then secured and hoisted to the designated opening, carefully rigged into the building, and placed onto adjustable skates with nylon wheels. These allowed the team to transport each machine down the corridor to its final destination with precision, guided by exact floor markings.

Working alongside each manufacturer, R. Baker & Son assembled all major components along with support hardware in the control rooms. This coordination allowed the equipment manufacturers to begin interconnect wiring and functional testing as quickly as possible. Cooling systems were operational and ready. Liquid helium was brought in a few days later and installed in the machines.

Because medical equipment rigging and assembly is vastly more complex than standard machinery moving, it demands an elite level of expertise. Recognizing this, the manufacturer partnered with R. Baker’s experienced riggers and millwrights to streamline the assembly process and keep the project firmly on schedule.

Once installation was complete, the team removed all floor protection and seamlessly reinstalled the exterior window and wall systems as part of their turnkey service. Months of meticulous planning culminated in a flawless, three-day execution. By managing every minute detail, R. Baker ensured a smooth workflow from start to finish, leaving both the equipment manufacturers and hospital staff extremely pleased with the results.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) since 1935, is your trusted partner for complex industrial projects. We specialize in expert demolition, dismantling, rigging, and plant relocation across North America and Puerto Rico. With a proven safety record, significant bonding capacity, and direct involvement in ten VPP OSHA Safety Award-winning sites, we execute complex projects with precision. Our comprehensive services include industrial and commercial demolition, machinery moving, environmental remediation, and asset recovery. Discover why leading industrial clients rely on R. Baker & Son for safe and efficient solutions to their most challenging projects. Learn more about our proven expertise in industrial rigging and project management in complex plant relocation.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services 
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746
732-222-3553
https://www.rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php