by Brianna Crandall — July 18, 2016 — U.K.-based FM outsourcing services provider Mitie recently announced the launch of a new drone service. The technology enables improved property surveying, efficient thermal mapping and the inspection of high-rise buildings — previously unreachable, points out the company. The drone inspection service offers unrivalled benefits in terms of quality of the inspection, cost reduction and instant reporting, says Mitie.
Mitie’s drone technology enables improved property surveying and efficient thermal mapping and inspection of high-rise buildings.
The drone’s hi-resolution 4K camera boosts the accuracy of each survey, giving facilities and property managers a more detailed inspection service. With the ability to reach 400 ft., previously inaccessible places are reachable from the ground and without the need for specialist equipment, says the company.
Footage and imagery of any areas of concern are immediately transmitted to the operative’s smartphone or tablet for inspection. This data can then be processed in real time to Mitie’s computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) system, Miworld.
Mitie trialled drone technology for its pest control business, inspecting roofs for gull’s nests, and has extended its use across the whole FM spectrum of services including:
- Maintenance — General building damage inspections
- Thermal population surveys — Using heat-seeking cameras to spot pests in undergrowth and birds nesting on roof tops
- Thermal mapping — Analyzing “hot spots” on the building to identify potential savings via improved insulation
- Security — Remote surveillance to view vast areas in a fraction of the time
- Surveillance — For cleaning at height requirements
- Aerial mapping — For landscaping services
Peter Trotman, MD of Mitie’s pest control business, stated:
Drone technology is [a] great innovation which increases our safety when working at height, and it also offers both cost and time efficiencies compared to traditional surveying methods. The new technology enables us to provide our clients with a more comprehensive and flexible service with the ability to recommend solutions in real time.
The small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) are operated by licensed Civil Aviation Authority members, enhancing safety and reducing the cost of surveying at height.
For more information on the company’s services, visit the Mitie Web site.
