Drone Surveys
Drone surveys are now established as a valuable approach to transmission tower and powerline surveying. By eliminating manual ‘at-height’ working, they greatly reduce risk and improve safety outcomes.
Drones can be deployed rapidly and allow asset managers to interrogate defects using ultra high definition 4k imaging. Our drones frequently provide fresh data on previously difficult to see areas; helping our customers to make quicker, assured decisions.
LiDAR
A LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) drone survey creates exceptionally detailed digital models of landscape, vegetation, buildings and other assets. This makes it a great process for mapping and surveying landscape, quarries, stockpiles, roads and infrastructure, forestry, floods and complex structures such as powerline
Cross-sector benefits
For most sectors, drone surveys are quicker, more cost-effective, and safer than traditional manual surveys.
We specialise in construction surveys for buildings and rooftops and our experts can offer advice as well as images and information to be passed on to the structural engineer for sign off. We also provide drone surveying for other commercial applications including surveying land for property development and GIS mapping for agriculture.
So long to scaffolding
Our drones can capture high definition video footage which provide a view from above without the cost of hiring a plane or helicopter. Drone surveys, or UAV surveys, are also more affordable, quicker and pose fewer health and safety risks than setting up scaffolding and access platforms.
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Drone power line surveys
Our high-resolution cameras enable us to fly drones at a standoff distance from the infrastructure, thereby significantly minimising the risk of collision. A set of images is captured using a survey plan which deploys a methodical sequence to reference each image and help inform the resulting report. This high-resolution imagery allows the inspection engineer to quickly determine the condition of infrastructure and pinpoint corrosion points, pollution build up on insulators, and other damage.
Benefits to the energy sector
By their nature, power lines are often situated in difficult-to-reach areas and run across large swathes of land. Our drone power line survey inspection process provides real benefits to energy companies by reducing the risks inherent in traditional manual inspection methods, at the same time as remaining dynamic enough to cover a significant footprint in a short timescale.
Time saving
Remote drone power line surveys take a fraction of the time of traditional inspection methods. In the past, manual inspections of a single network could take many months – a little like the Forth Bridge painting metaphor; once you’d finished, it was time to start again.
In networks that often span thousands of miles of cable and multiple power stations, manual inspections are being phased out. Transferring to aerial drone power line surveys makes considerable financial sense for asset managers in the energy sector.
Image quality
Detecting power line issues and inefficiencies is made simpler by aerial inspection. Our drone cameras get closer than the human eye and show incredible detail – enabling you to make more effective remediation decisions. General wear and tear, erosion, cracks, electrical malfunctions, assembly errors and invasive vegetation can all be identified quickly and easily.
All-weather fleet
Our market-leading drone fleet is certified and proven to fly unaffected by electromagnetic fields and antennas, making them the perfect choice for drone power line surveys. They are also able to fly in poor weather meaning you don’t have to wait for the sun to shine to commission a network or specific power line inspection.
Roof Surveys
Our roof surveys capture high quality data and footage that give you a view from above without the cost of hiring a plane or helicopter.
Commercial and office buildings, high-rise buildings in built-up areas, industrial units, asbestos roofs, apex roofs with limited inspection space, or complex residential or historic buildings all benefit from the hands-off but highly detailed output from drone roof surveys.
Call us to inspect your roof safely for Planned Preventative Maintenance, or for reactive maintenance assessments following storm damage, falling tiles or breakages. Unlike other drone operators, we provide comprehensive condition and remediation reports.
Added value
Our construction expertise and background mean we can often spot and interrogate issues that other drone survey companies may miss – giving you better value for money.
Our pilots are fully qualified, and CAA approved. Our drone fleet is market-leading and can be deployed at short notice. We are one of very few drone surveys companies with permission to undertake roof surveys at night and within built-up areas.
Multiple solutions
Our equipment not only looks down from above, but also up from below. We deploy high definition cameras and zoom lenses mounted on telescopic masts to conduct aerial surveys where drones may not be able to fly. This is especially useful in inspecting the underside of bridges for example. Take a look at our roof survey case studies.
Double the data
When combined with other processes such as thermal imaging or aerial filming, a roof survey can represent exceptional value. As the drone or mast is being deployed, why not take advantage?
On fragile roofs, or roofs that simply can’t be easily accessed, enabling a detailed 360° view, or a heat map of the top of your building could pay dividends and enable you to develop a more comprehensive picture of remediation needs.
Drone roof surveys from Topomaster provide:
- Detailed images or aerial footage of a roof or structure for Condition Survey Reports
- A baseline for a preventative maintenance programme
- Millimetre-accurate detail that is hard to replicate by human eye
- Construction and remediation advice if required
Informed reporting
It’s a point of difference for us at Topomaster that we know what we’re looking at when it comes to construction. So although there are many drone companies, they might not know how to spot remediation issues on a roof.
Directing our drones to the point of interest quickly and safely is critical. We combine these skills with advanced inspection software reporting platforms that let us interrogate defects quickly, and help our customers prioritise and plan remediation more effectively.
Telecoms Surveys
Regular inspection and maintenance of towers and masts, especially inspection of the steelwork, is necessary but traditionally costly. Topomaster’ aerial telecoms surveys are fast, cost-efficient, and safe, allowing you to see the telecoms mast in exceptional detail.
Data from an inspection can show up small impossible-to-see issues or major structural defects which can support intervention or major remediation decisions. Knowledge of the position of the defect or issue helps ensure swift repairs are planned and undertaken, as the engineer can go straight to the point of concern
Combinations
Panoramic photography can be used in the telecommunication sector for evaluating site environments and localised obstructions to assist with proposed site upgrades or valuations. We can capture high quality images at 360° intervals at various heights using UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), aerial platforms, or our van-mounted telescopic masts fitted with a high-resolution camera.
Photogrammetry, LiDAR, and thermal imaging can be combined with an aerial telecoms survey to help enrich the volume and type of data (depending on the project at hand), whatever the need.
Image output
Geotagged photographs provide a record of the site visit. We can also feedback film and video feeds to stakeholders and engineers, allowing them to see live footage and make faster decisions. Images are processed and delivered quickly in a format to suit you.
Telecommunication Site Surveying Services
- Geotagged images for Tower and Mast maintenance.
- 360° panoramic photography from various heights.
- Photogrammetry, LiDAR point clouds and thermal image combinations available.
- Close-up monitoring for one-off inspections or as part of planned preventative maintenance.
Thermal Imaging Surveys
Topomaster thermal imaging surveys help you identify issues not normally visible to the naked eye. Solar farms situated over large areas of land, or inaccessible power lines are obvious assets that benefit greatly from regular thermal inspections.
Any leaks, temperature loss, defects, connection problems or malfunctions can be quickly identified, allowing you to take fast remediation action. Drones are also able to fly lower than manned aircraft, and therefore get closer to the subject, resulting in the capturing of greater detail in high definition thermal imaging.
Imaging technology
Thermal imaging surveys use unique heat sensitive cameras that can identify small differences in temperature to 0.01°C. Images are created from heat (infrared thermal radiation) rather than visible light.
Thermal imaging cameras detect differences in heat emitting from: buildings, electrical circuits, capacitors, couplings and insulation, liquids and gas, land and rocks, vehicles, machinery, and even living species, animals, and vegetation. They can even identify heat variation in darkness and through dust and smoke, making them ideal for mining environments.
Industry benefits
Calibrated radiometric temperature data can be achieved easily and safely for utility companies with substations, transmission and distribution lines, water works, chimney stacks, telecoms masts and more.
For construction site inspections, thermal imaging surveys provide useful information about a specific area on a roof, delivering actionable data for quick decision making. Solar farms are probably one of the biggest beneficiaries of thermal surveys – allowing a complete understanding of the health of the farm in a few minutes.
Energy efficiency
Ensure you have an energy-efficient property by having regular thermal surveys, which not only monitor the environmental efficiency of your building, but also help to reduce your energy bills.
Predictive maintenance
Thermal surveys are an effective predictive maintenance technology. Instigating a planned programme of predictive maintenance using thermal imaging surveys can significantly reduce both cost and maintenance.
Data capture
Once the data is captured, we will supply survey data in a digital format to meet your needs, e.g. 3D visualisations, temperature profiles and georeferenced images. We can also provide additional photography or video footage if required.
Thermal imaging services
Heat loss surveys, 3D visualisation and temperature profiles
Thermographic imaging to assess building integrity
Thermal imaging surveys for BREEAM compliance
Energy reduction and CO2 emission assessments
Topographic surveys
Aerial topographic surveys show the features of a landscape – from permanent structures to land contours and spot levels that show the elevation of the terrain. In addition to aerial topographic surveys, we provide topographic surveys in the form of general land or boundary surveys, construction surveys, or aerial surveys depending on the terrain and scale of the site.
Aerial topographic surveys may be particularly useful for water and power sectors as well as for construction sectors. In this type of survey, ultra-high-definition images are captured to develop high-density topographic models including point clouds, digital surface or terrain models, and ortho-mosaics
3D models
Our drones or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) provide cost effective solutions for topographic surveying and can be fitted with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors or use photogrammetry to provide accurate 3D models. LiDAR uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure distances to the surface of the object. These light pulses, combined with other data recorded by the airborne system, generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its characteristics.
Data delivery
Aerial topographic surveys are beneficial where there is a very large area to survey, where that area is difficult to access or where there are multiple sites to survey. In each of these situations, drones can be deployed quickly and safely to capture all the necessary information, minimise the number of people needed on site, and speed decision making with fast access to image data.
Once data is captured, we will supply it in your chosen format.
Applications
Aerial topographic surveys are useful in capturing data for earthworks (stockpile and spoil heap calculations), river restoration and flood management, catchment modelling, excavation calculations, mining, quarrying and landfill, and highways and infrastructure mapping. We also undertake stockpile assessments via highly accurate volumetric surveys. Find out more here.
Exceptional accuracy
We have decades of experience in the surveying and aerial surveying sector and assure all our customers that our topographic and aerial topographic surveys are undertaken to deliver exceptional accuracy – in the survey itself, the data captured, and the image and data delivery – enabling complete confidence in decision making.
This is just one of the specialised surveying services we offer. Please contact us today to discuss your Topographic Survey.
Volumetric surveys
Volumetric surveys accurately calculate the volume of earthworks and stockpiles using ground or air surveying techniques. The latter – volumetric surveying by drone – is an alternative, fast system that allows for accurate surveying of stockpiles that may be considered unsafe to stand on.
Often, the best solution uses a combination of both technologies to provide a more comprehensive result. Drones can be used alongside GPS positioning, laser, and 3D modelling systems to deliver extremely accurate volumetric measurements.
Business benefits
Determining the volume of material removed or for fill, in large dig-out sites such as mines, quarries and excavation pits can assist is calculating financial values. It can also be used as a method of progress monitoring – evaluating the volume of material removed over a period of time.
At Sky Revolutions we provide a professional and independent method of pairing production effort and transport capacity, particularly for mine operators who may be moving large volumes of material on a regular basis.
Stay safe
Our surveys can help identify safety issues too, particularly in high-risk areas like mines and quarries, meaning management teams can make effective decisions and judgements without unnecessary delay.
Multiple sectors
For contractors, civil engineering firms, mining, aggregates, energy, gas, and construction organisations, volumetric surveys (particularly by drone or UAV) represent a highly efficient method of measuring stockpiles.
For organisations involved in environmental research or landscape architecture, our surveys can be a helpful way of identifying the scope and impact of landscape change.