The facilities management contractor Mitie has launched a drone service. That’s for property surveying, thermal mapping and the inspection of high-rise buildings – previously unreachable – besides security, the FM firm says. The inspection service with the drone’s high-resolution 4K camera gives facilities and property managers more detail, according to the company. With the ability to reach 400ft, previously inaccessible places are reachable from the ground and without the need for specialist equipment.
Footage and imagery of any areas of concern are 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 drones for its pest control business, inspecting roofs for gull’s nests and has extended its use across its FM 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 – analysing ‘hot spots’ on the building to identify potential savings via improved insulation
• Security – remote surveillance to view 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 says: “Drone technology is 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.
