MEP Middle East – November 2018

http://www.mepmiddleeast.com November 2018 | MEP Middle East 25

EDITORÊS NOTE

D

rone technology can be used in
construction in many different
ways. Most building surveys re-
quire visibility of the building’s roof
to identify the surrounding. Us-
ing a small drone to perform the survey can
save time, money and reduce health and
safety risks involved with surveying a roof
and accessing tricky or hard to reach areas.
Drone footage can be recorded from the
safety of the site cabin and sent to project
stakeholders in high defi nition (HD) qual-
ity quite quickly and effectively. Site in-
spections can be undertaken more regu-
larly and cover larger areas more effi ciently.
According to 6Wresearch, Middle East Un-
manned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Market is pro-
jected to grow at a CAGR of over 30% during
2018-24. Commercial UAVs are primarily get-
ting adopted for personal usage and industrial
& construction areas. Industrial & construction
application of the UAVs accounted for major-
ity of the revenues for commercial segment
and are utilized for area mapping and pipeline
surveillance & monitoring in oil & gas sector.
Considering that construction application ac-
counted for the majority of the revenues, we
see that using a drone to fl y over a site can
show new site operatives health and safety
risks in real-time. Drones can provide a quicker
and easier way of carrying out the inspections,
feeding back HD real-time footage to the engi-
neer or surveyor from the ground at all times
reducing cost but most importantly risk. Drones
can provide a real-time update of what is go-
ing on around the site. Carrying out a speedy
fl ight around the site can give a good overview
of potential issues to be aware of. For instance
moving vehicles, machinery or cranes etc.
again reducing risk and allowing key decision
makers to make up to the minute, informed
decisions on ever changing developing sites.

Similar to laser scanning, drones can be

used to take aerial thermal imaging record-

ings which can be used to assess potential

cold spots in buildings or even heat spots

in areas holding electrical components.

In addition, good projects begin with a qual-

ity estimate. The use of drones can give esti-

mators and contractors a different look at a

project. They increase their chances of bid-

ding more accurately and more competitively.

It’s time for contractors to get onboard drones.

Rajiv Ravindran Pillai

MEP Middle East Editor

[email protected]

It’s time for building contractors to have a good

bird’s-eye view of their project

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