Facilities manager Mitie has become the latest firm to harness the power of drones on site with the launch of the first thermal imaging drone to be used in the facilities management industry.
Mitie has begun using a new drone named Inspire 1 that will use thermal imaging technology and enable the company to deliver a wide range of services, from pest control to property and waste management.
The move to using drones is part of the company’s next stage of development for pest control drone service.
Gareth Davies, regional director for Mitie pest control and drone operations said: “The thermal imaging technology enables us to develop the precision of our existing drone fleet. The Inspire 1 will enable us to offer customers and increasingly comprehensive, safe and flexible service and is a great example of Mitie’s technological innovation in the FM sector.”
Other thermal imaging applications for the Inspire 1 include:
- Building damage inspections and maintenance, in areas that aren’t readily visible;
- Wildlife management – thermal imaging for animal population control, like deer;
- Safety at landfill sites – the drone can find hot spots that pose a fire risk;
- Thermal mapping – look at any heat leakage over the whole building to identify potential savings via improved insulation;
- Roofing surveillance to detect excess humidity and water cooling on flat roofs;
- Concealed bird nesting in roof crevices.
Drones are now becoming a more common sight in the construction sector with most firms either having purchased their own equipment or used the it in a project.
According to a survey carried out by dronesdirect.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading drone retailers, 12% of construction firms are now using drone technology.
The report, which was based on a survey of 3,000 drone users and data from thousands of sales of drones, found that construction and plumbing businesses have adopted drones faster than any other industry.
According to the data, half a million people are using drones for commercial purposes – and construction firms are among those leading the way. Across all industries the most popular usages for drones is photography, surveys and security.
