General Drone Project Progress/Inspection Guidelines.
This guideline is intended to give an overview of the key aspects of conducting a variety of remote inspections. It outlines the basic steps in the inspection process and reflects our leading expertise in remote inspections using Remotely Piloted Airborne Systems (RPAS – Drones)
Drones are becoming established as the favoured tool in Roof inspections for a variety of reasons:
Safety
working ‘at-height’ comes with inherent risks – these are greatly reduced.
Cost-Effectiveness
roof inspections/project progress monitoring are a more cost-effective solution than traditional surveying methods; no more costly scaffolding, cranes or cherry pickers. Efficiency, Drones can be deployed rapidly with reduced set-up time and no operational shut-downs.
Data Quality
Identified Defects/lack of progress are interrogated with close-up visual inspection using ultra-high-definition footage and stills.
Data Volume
fresh, updated visuals on previously difficult-to-see or difficult-to-access areas, boosting output and supporting better decision-making.
Pre-Booking
Before employing an aerial surveying service, make sure you are clear on the type of output you can expect. An Aerial Perspective offers a variety of service levels for project progress/roof inspections amongst others:
- Photographic evidence of Inspections/Project Progress for each project.
- Inspections/repair/maintenance work progress monitoring tailored to management specific OR site-specific requirements
In addition, ask for:
- Type of drone proposed (Drone redundancy is paramount to safety)
- Proof of piloting company’s knowledge of safety-critical issues.
- SACAA Licence Number.
- Approach to pre-flight briefings, risk-assessment and site assessment.
- Examples of previously completed progress presentations/inspections.
- Details of any previous safety incidents.
- Proposed flight-crew composition.
Pre-Flight
Utilising drones requires a high degree of technical expertise and relevant operating permissions. The Field Operations Manual Statutory, Site/Operational Area-Specific Documentation, including but not restricted to:
- Flight Authorization, Site Assessment, Operating Airspace, Risk Assessment, On-Site Emergency Details, Land Owner Permissions etc .
- Company FOM and SOP’s to be followed as per SACAA/Company requirements
- Timing and image sequencing plan
Inspection-Specific
A range of additional safety measures and processes are required pre-flight:
- Wind Assessment: Wind is a significant factor in all aerial inspections and needs careful consideration on the day.
- Communication: Two-way communication with the Site Manager is advised.
- Emergency Procedures: Best practice dictates sharing of basic emergency procedures with all those present on-site and relevant emergency services in the surrounding area.
- Pre- Flight Aircraft Checks: As per pre-flight checklist.
Brief
Set-out specific requirements to include:
- Objectives
- Known and suspected defects
- Land ownership details
- Communications strategy
- Other site-specific information
Qualify
Pre-assess proposed operator:
- Skills
- Knowledge
- Accreditation
- Qualification
- Procedure
- Process
Plan
Be aware of pre-inspection routine and monitor:
- Pre-flight check process
- Preparedness to fly
- Crew competence
Monitor
Monitor flight set-up carefully and approve:
- Safety
- Communications plan
- Emergency procedures
Assess
Assess the quality of inspection and how closely it met the original brief.
Feed results back to the operator where possible:
- Accuracy
- Safety
- Speed
- Cost-efficiency
Success
Discuss the possibility for:
- Additional Job Referrals
- Using the job as promotional material
- Ownership of images and video
