Steel Buildings Technology: How Drones Aid Community Projects
To monitor progress on their steel buildings, project managers are using flying drones as an extra set of eyes.
It wasn’t so long ago that the thought of using flying drones to assist in the construction of multi-purpose steel buildings would be reserved for a sci-fi movie script. But a lot has changed, and in recent years, technology has advanced to the point where it has become affordable for the general public to use.
Drones, also known as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), are readily available in many electronics boutiques, and some of the higher-end models are already being used for innovative commercial applications:
- Real estate promotions
- Forestry surveying
- Inspections
- Aerial photography
- News coverage
- Monitoring crop growth
- Filmmaking
Given the potential cost-cutting and time-saving measures offered by a drone, it was only a matter of time before companies started using them for steel buildings and other construction projects.
A Bird’s-eye View
Fact: helicopters are expensive to rent and operate (prohibitively so). And in many cases, they would be too big and unwieldy to be of much use on a prefab building for a multi-purpose building.
A drone, on the other hand, is relatively inexpensive and, under the control of an experienced operator, can fly into some fairly tight areas. For instance, if a steel building company is working on a large project, such as a multi-use facility, and it wanted a visual update of the roofing system, rather than have the foreman climb up a ladder, they could just send the drone.
By using a UAV outfitted with a quality camera—one that’s capable of taking high-definition video and photos—you’ll be able to see (and record) everything you need.
Keep Clients Happy
Keeping clients happy is always foremost in the minds of steel building companies. One way to do that is to keep them continually apprised of what’s going on.
- How does the pre-engineered building look?
- Is the project on schedule?
- Are there any challenges?
These are all common questions builders face, and the video captured by a UAV will provide many of the answers. Instead of clients having to make repeated trips to and from the project site, you can save their valuable time by sending videos digitally.
Eyes and Ears on the Ground (and in the Air)
Metal buildings are already renowned for being cost effective and for having fast turnaround times compared to other construction methods. The use of a drone can increase efficiency by providing eyes and ears for project managers that aren’t onsite.
Sometimes, the chief decision makers need to see a problem for themselves before they can act. However, for larger companies that have multiple projects on the go at once, they can’t always be there in person. Having access to quality video surveillance will provide them with information they need to solve problems and keep projects moving forward.
If you’re planning a multi-use facility that features sports venues, read our post: 4 Planning Tips for Pre Engineered Steel Buildings with Sports Facilities.
Pre engineered steel buildings are a practical, cost-effective option for community buildings. If you’re looking for industry professionals that can design and build your project, call the experts at Metal Structure Concepts.