An equipment removal scope should cover disconnects and isolation, refrigerant recovery by a certified technician, disposal of the unit and fluids, a lift plan that names the crane and rigging, any street or lot closure, roof protection, and building coordination. The crane is rented equipment arranged and coordinated by Davinci. It is not a subcontracted trade.
- Removal is not the reverse of installation. It has its own sequence: isolate, recover, disconnect, rig, lift, protect, and haul.
- Refrigerant must be recovered, not vented, and the recovery should be recorded against the unit.
- The lift plan, crane size and staging location depend on the unit weight, the reach to the roof and the access at street or lot level.
- Davinci coordinates a rented crane as equipment. It is part of the work, not a separate contractor.
- Roof protection and structural verification belong in writing, and the structural check is owned by someone qualified.
Why removal deserves its own scope section
Replacement scopes often fold removal into one line: "remove and dispose of existing." That works for a small split system. It does not work for a large rooftop unit, a chiller, or a rack of rooftop equipment on a building with tenants below. The removal sequence involves recovered refrigerant, stored energy, a weight problem, and a roof that was not designed for dragging steel.
Treat removal as a defined phase with its own steps and its own assumptions. It also lets you compare bids more fairly, since the largest differences often hide in how each contractor plans to get the old unit off the building. The same thinking appears in the rooftop unit replacement scope of work, and this page goes further on the logistics.
The removal sequence
- Lockout and isolation. Confirm the electrical party has de-energized and locked out the power supply. Davinci's crew does not perform primary electrical work, so the scope should name who disconnects and later reconnects the feed.
- Refrigerant recovery. A certified technician recovers refrigerant into approved cylinders. Record the type, the quantity and the unit it came from.
- Mechanical disconnects. Cut and cap piping, release gas lines through the responsible licensed party, drain hydronic connections, and disconnect condensate and control wiring.
- Preparation for lifting. Remove loose components, secure doors and panels, locate lift points and attach rigging.
- Lift and set down. The crane lifts the unit to a staged surface or truck. Spotters control the lift area at ground and roof level.
- Haul and disposal. The unit goes to a licensed recycler or disposal facility, with fluids handled according to their type.
Recovery and handling follow EPA Section 608 practices. The refrigerant compliance guide for California lays out how records and reclaim fit together. Confirm current requirements for the refrigerant being removed, especially for older equipment.
Lift planning: what the plan must answer
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How much does the old unit weigh, including water, oil and curb adapters? | Sets crane capacity at the required radius |
| How far must the crane reach from its staging point to the unit? | Capacity falls as the radius grows, so a longer reach needs a bigger crane |
| Where can the crane set up, and what is the surface? | Soft pavement, underground vaults and sloped lots limit outrigger loads |
| What overhead hazards are present? | Power lines, canopies and signage can force a different position |
| Where does the old unit land, and where does the new unit stage? | Avoids double handling and reduces crane time |
| What is the work window? | Drives noise limits, tenant hours and traffic control |
Many Southern California sites have tight lots, shared drive aisles and overhead utility lines. A site visit with a measuring wheel and a camera is worth more than a phone call. For work involving multiple sites, bid work planning usually includes a lift matrix for each building.
Crane logistics, street and lot closures
Davinci arranges the crane as rented equipment, with an operator and rigging supplied by the rental provider, and coordinates the lift directly. That keeps one point of accountability for scheduling the crane, delivery of the new unit and the removal of the old one. The scope should state that the crane is coordinated by Contractor as rented equipment.
- Street closures and permits: If the crane or delivery truck blocks a public right-of-way, a permit or traffic control may be required. Confirm current requirements with the city, and say in the scope who applies.
- Private lot closures: The property manager typically blocks parking stalls and drive aisles, posts notices to tenants and arranges security if needed.
- Overhead and underground hazards: Locate lines, vaults and drains before positioning outriggers.
- Weather: Wind limits apply to all lifts. Build a reschedule clause that does not penalize either side.
- Delivery sequence: Where possible, the new unit is delivered, staged and set in the same window as the old unit's removal to limit crane hours.
Roof protection and structure
Roofing membranes are easy to damage and expensive to repair. The scope should require protection such as plywood walkways or protective mats along the travel path, and covers under temporarily set equipment. It should also address curb condition, since a damaged or corroded curb may need work before the new unit sits.
Structural capacity is a different question. Davinci does not perform structural or roofing work, so a heavier replacement unit or a new rooftop location needs verification from a qualified structural party, and roofing repairs and flashing belong to the roofer. The owner or GC should confirm who is responsible for each.
Coordinating with the building
Tenants and operators are affected by crane work even when they are not near the roof. Plan notices for noise, parking changes and short utility interruptions. In a multi-tenant property, the property management industry page describes the usual coordination points, and a facility with sensitive operations, such as a clinic, should set quiet periods for the lift.
Contractor shall recover refrigerant from the existing unit in accordance with applicable regulations, disconnect mechanical and control connections, and remove the unit using a rented crane arranged and coordinated by Contractor. Owner shall identify the staging area, provide lot access during the lift window, and confirm the responsible party for electrical disconnection and any structural review. Contractor shall protect the roof along the travel path and dispose of the removed equipment at an appropriate facility.
For the related replacement work, see the commercial RTU replacement page and the rtu split installs service.