Aerial thermographic inspection is one of the most promising areas in drone technology. Previously, thermal imaging was time consuming and often logistically prohibitive. Drone manufacturers have teamed up with top thermography companies to create solutions that are efficient and cost conscious. At Altitude UAS we use top of the line thermal imaging technology to deliver superb results.
OUR CREDENTIALS
Quality and accuracy of infrared inspections is dependent on operator skill and knowledge. All thermographers at Altitude UAS maintain infrared certification and have completed specific applications courses through the most reputable infrared training centers in the world. This ensures that you get the most out of your aerial infrared data.
OUR INFRARED INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Commercial Roof Inspection
Solar Panel Inspection
Pipeline Inspection
Custom inspections
Commercial Roof Inspection
Many commercial roofs are low sloped roofs that are susceptible to damage due to inclement weather and improper maintenance. Undetected damage can cost building owners and prospective buyers thousands of dollars in remediation cost. For this reason it is important that roofs are inspected properly before purchase and regularly during ownership. Some of the potential costs of undetected damages are shown below.
Leaks can cause hazardous conditions for occupants
Moisture leads to mold
Corrosion to fasteners can lead to structural concerns
Wet insulation significantly reduces R value, resulting in higher energy expenses
Roof inspection can be conducted in a few different ways. Visible inspection is conducted by physically walking the exterior of the roof and taking moisture readings in suspect areas using handheld devices. The preferred method of non damage inspection (NDI) is infrared inspection. This has typically been done with a handheld device that can detect variations in roof surface temperature. If conducted properly, this type of inspection can detect wet insulation that indicates damage. Handheld infrared inspection is practical for small to medium sized roofs but becomes more time consuming and expensive as the size of the roof increases. For larger commercial roofs aerial inspections are more practical. Before the advancement of thermal drone technology this had to be conducted from a helicopter. The image to the right is an infrared image of a low slope commercial roof. This roof has significant indications of insulation saturation.
Drone thermal inspection is an efficient and cost effective way to scan roofs for potential damage. This can save prospective buyers thousands of dollars in hidden costs that can easily go undetected with visible inspections. Current building managers and owners can benefit from regular drone thermal inspections to identify problem areas to be re-mediated before causing more significant damage. This can help owners stay current with roof warranty requirements and ultimately make roofs last longer.
Solar Panel Inspection
Installing solar panels is a substantial upfront investment that has the potential to pay significant dividends in the future. The ROI (Return of Investment) is typically calculated for a 20 year period and often assumes that the solar cells are operating at full capacity. Unfortunately, overtime solar cells experience degradation due to environmental factors such as moisture, wind, hail, and lightning strikes. Damaged cells overheat and cause significant reductions in efficiency not only to the damaged cells but to the other working cells in the panel. For example a 20o F temperature increase on a panel due to defective cells can lower the power yield by as much as 5%.
