How Drone Technology Is Transforming Building Inspections in Facilities Management
Explore the cost and safety benefits of using drones for aerial building surveys. Discover how EntireFM uses drone tech to inspect high-level assets without the need for scaffolding.
The End of the Ladder?
Historically, inspecting the roof of a three-story office block or a 100ft industrial chimney required complex planning, expensive scaffolding, or high-risk 'working at height' protocols involving cradles and cherry pickers.
Today, that has changed. Drone technology is revolutionising the way EntireFM manages building fabric inspections and preventive maintenance for our clients.
The 3 Major Benefits of Drone Inspections
1. Significant Cost Reduction
Scaffolding and high-access machinery are some of the most expensive line items in a maintenance budget. A drone survey can be completed in a fraction of the time for a fraction of the cost—often saving our clients £5,000 to £20,000 per inspection depending on the building size.
2. Enhanced Safety (Zero Working at Height)
By using a drone, we eliminate the need for an engineer to leave the ground for the initial inspection. This drastically reduces the health and safety risk profile of your site maintenance.
3. Superior Data Quality
A drone equipped with a high-resolution 4K camera and thermal imaging can capture details that are invisible to the naked eye from a ladder. We provide our clients with a full high-definition video report and high-res photography of every inch of their roof and facade.
What Can Drones Inspect?
At EntireFM, we use drones for a wide range of facilities management tasks:
- Roof Condition Surveys: Identifying loose tiles, blocked gutters, or pooling water.
- Cladding and Facade Integrity: Checking for corrosion or loose panels on high-rise buildings.
- HVAC and Plant Inspection: Viewing rooftop AHUs and cooling towers without physical access.
- Chimney and Flue Surveys: Safely inspecting internal and external flues.
- Solar Panel Audits: Using thermal cameras to identify 'hot spots' or failing cells in solar arrays.
Regulatory Compliance: The CAA
Operating drones in a commercial environment like a business park or city centre is strictly regulated. EntireFM ensures total compliance by:
- Using CAA-authorised (Civil Aviation Authority) pilots.
- Having comprehensive public liability insurance specific to drone operations.
- Managing all flight planning, risk assessments, and local permissions (e.g., notifying local authorities or air traffic control if near an airport).
Why Drone Inspection is Now Part of PPM
We no longer view drones as a 'novelty'. They are a strategic tool in our PPM programmes. By performing an annual aerial survey, we can catch roof leaks before they damage internal assets, or spot cladding issues before they become a public safety risk.
Is your building overdue for a high-level inspection? Contact EntireFM to discuss how a drone survey can save you time, money, and risk.