Drone and UAV Inspection
Reaching a tank roof, a flare stack or the top of a structure usually means scaffold, rope access or a mobile platform. A drone gathers the same visual evidence from the air, with people on the ground.
About drone inspection
Working at height is one of the most significant risks on any industrial site, and gaining access to elevated assets is often slow and expensive. Scaffolding a flare stack or a tall vessel, or bringing in rope access technicians for a roof survey, adds cost and programme time before any inspection work begins.
Drone inspection lets us carry out a close visual survey of elevated and hard-to-reach assets from the air. Using high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging, we capture detailed imagery and video of tank roofs, flare stacks, chimneys, structural steelwork and external shells, keeping the operator at a safe distance on the ground.
The result is a genuine set of inspection data, geo-referenced and time-stamped, that lets an engineer assess condition, identify areas of concern and target any follow-up hands-on inspection where it is actually needed.
Inspection scope
A typical drone inspection is defined by the asset, its condition and the degradation mechanisms of interest. Scope commonly includes:
- Close visual inspection of external shells, roofs and structures
- Flare stack, chimney and vent inspection at height
- Structural steelwork and access platform condition survey
- Thermal imaging to identify hot spots, wet insulation and losses
- Coating condition and external corrosion assessment
- High-resolution still imagery and video for the record
- Identification of areas needing follow-up hands-on inspection
Why inspect by drone
Removes work at height
The asset is surveyed from the air, cutting the need for scaffold, rope access and mobile platforms and the risks that come with them.
Faster access
A drone is airborne in minutes, so elevated assets can be surveyed without the delay and cost of erecting access.
Reaches what people cannot
Live flare tips, tall stacks and fragile roofs can be inspected without putting anyone in harm's way.
A clear visual record
Geo-referenced, time-stamped imagery gives a baseline that can be compared at the next inspection.
Reporting and recommendations
Every drone inspection produces a clear report setting out the findings, the condition of the asset and any defects or degradation observed, illustrated with the high-resolution imagery captured on site.
Where the survey identifies an area of concern, we say so plainly and recommend the appropriate follow-up, whether that is a hands-on inspection, thickness readings or repair. Reports are written by the inspector who reviewed the data, so the judgement and recommendations reflect real assessment of your asset rather than a photo library.
Related inspection services
Need to inspect an asset at height?
Speak with our team about drone inspection and how it fits your inspection and maintenance programme.