Drones are incredibly innovative pieces of equipment that have allowed us to explore areas we can’t reach or indeed have full access to.
Today drones are used across many sectors for a variety of purposes. For example, for photographers to get the perfect shot, for businesses to gather aerial footage of their buildings, surveyors to check on maintenance and structures, etc.
And, of course, in the construction industry.
Helping to offer speed and accuracy across specific tasks, drones on construction sites are indeed increasing in popularity.
DRONES
A mini aircraft like an object controlled by remote control, drones are used to collect data such as video footage and photographs/images.
Drones can also collect and feed into mapping data to provide users with extremely comprehensive datasets.
USE OF DRONES IN CONSTRUCTION SITES
Construction projects can often be seen as inefficient with often sub-optimal production processes. However, drones are now changing this.
Helping to reduce costs, improve site efficiency, increase site sustainability, maximise profits, and reduce waste on each and every project, it’s no wonder that the use of drones is increasing in construction.
SURVEYING AND MAPPING OF SITES AND POTENTIAL LAND USE
Drones offer a high degree of functionality and accessibility.
Taking the use of drones a step further, they can also be used to help construction sites with:
Initial site surveys and measurements – where access to all areas of a site is not always possible, drones can provide all the footage you need and more—helping to inform your initial impact assessments. Allowing for transparency in the work that needs to be carried out. Offering a bird’s eye view, you can help eliminate human error in the production of surveys, which are also quicker when carried out by drones.
3D modelling and construction mapping – providing you with contour maps from high-resolution aerial imagery. 2D maps can, of course, also be generated, helping you to understand and plan where all temporary fencing and perimeter barriers need to be positioned.
Progress monitoring – a great option if you can’t be onsite all the time. Helping to increase site security, evaluation, and future planning. Efficiency and communication can also be hugely boosted in these areas. Mistakes can be identified and rectified quicker before they escalate into something much more sinister.
Improved communication – you’re now able to maintain constant contact at worksites, which can be great for managers and supervisors. Allowing you to increase your efficiency due to the real-time data collected, allowing you to manage workflow processes 24/7.
Increased security – supporting logistics and asset management, drones can also enhance overall security. For example, in an instant, you can quickly see if there’s an issue with your security fence or perimeter, identifying these areas so temporary fencing can be installed to reduce the risk of trespassing and theft, etc.
Reaching unsafe or inaccessible areas – if your site areas are deemed too dangerous, technology can help save the day! For example, drones are used to inspect roof structures, inspect bridges, produce 3D renderings of property, and more! Minimising risk and keeping workers safe at all times.
BENEFITS OF USING DRONES IN CONSTRUCTION
With any building project, time is money; that’s why drones can help:
- Get the job done quickly and efficiently
- Save you time and money
- Reduce the risk to workers and surveyors
- Offer you round the clock real-time monitoring
- Elevate onsite security and safety hugely
- Management to keep a check on everything coming in and out of the site
- Change the way sites are viewed and can be visualised
- Offer a competitive advantage
- Enable better monitoring and monitoring of progress
- Provide you with additional data
- Provide a high degree of accuracy so you can calculate and plan more effectively (drones typically get measurements right first time, every time).
REGULATION OF DRONES
It’s important to be aware that the use of drones is regulated. There is a difference in the use of commercial and residential drones, i.e., typically, if the drone is used for commercial purposes, a licence will be required.
Drones over 250g will also require a basic registration. Those over 5kg will have to be registered, and a safety awareness test will have to be taken to ensure safety and compliance with privacy regulations.
Everyone wants to be more efficient, especially in their workflows. Construction managers need to take the time to see how drones will benefit them and then use these strategically to support cost and time savings.
To support you further and for all temporary fencing and plastic fencing needs, the Site Fencing team is on hand to help.
Call 01274 833 396 or visit our page.
Read next blog: Please, can we all form an orderly queue?
Reference video: Drone U
Recent Comments