- Case Study -

Derelict Building in Burton-on-Trent

Date: 2nd April 2024

Introduction

This case study outlines a drone roof survey carried out for GCA Consulting, a structural engineering firm, working on behalf of AG Group, a developer and construction company.

The project involved a derelict property in Burton-on-Trent in a poor and potentially dangerous condition. Its location - surrounded by a public road and adjacent to a police station - limited the use of traditional access methods such as mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).

Drone technology proved to be the ideal solution for this challenging environment, providing a safe, efficient, and comprehensive roof survey.

Drone shot from above and to the front of the property showing a big hole in the slate roof.

Drone view from the front of the building

Project Background

The property was part of a redevelopment project managed by AG Group.
GCA Consulting was tasked with assessing the structural integrity of the building and its roof.

Due to the building’s deteriorated state, it was unsafe for personnel to enter or access the roof using conventional methods.

Additionally, the location - surrounded by a public road and adjacent to a police station - presented logistical challenges that ruled out the use of scaffolding or MEWPs.

These safety concerns, combined with the need for a detailed inspection, made a drone survey the most practical and efficient option.

Objectives

The main objectives of the drone roof survey were:

Safe Access: Inspect the roof without risking the safety of surveyors or damaging the building.
Detailed Survey: Capture high-resolution images and 4K video footage of the roof, chimneys, and surrounding structures to assess damage and identify areas requiring repair.
Comprehensive Analysis: Provide GCA Consulting with the data needed to make informed recommendations on the roof’s structural integrity.
Cost Efficiency: Avoid the need for costly, time-consuming traditional access methods while still delivering high-quality results.
Real-Time Monitoring: Enable real-time adjustments during the survey for maximum accuracy.

Birds eye view of the grey tiled roof of a derelict building which has lots of holes.

Birds eye view of the building which has lots of holes in the roof.

Challenges

This project presented several key challenges:

Unsafe Building Conditions:
The building’s poor state made it too dangerous for personnel to access the roof via ladders or scaffolding due to the risk of collapse or further damage.
Restricted Location:
Being surrounded by a public road and next to a police station limited the use of MEWPs or cranes, as these could obstruct traffic or interfere with police operations.
Weather and Environmental Factors:
As with all drone operations, the survey depended on suitable weather conditions. Wind, rain, or other factors could affect data quality, making careful planning essential.

Solution: Drone Roof Survey

Given the challenges, a drone roof survey was selected as the best solution.

The drone was equipped with a high-resolution camera and thermal imaging technology, allowing for a detailed visual and thermal analysis of the roof.

It was operated by a licensed and experienced drone pilot, ensuring both safety and precision.

Key Features:

High-Resolution Imaging:
The drone captured high-quality images and 4K video, enabling close examination of the roof and surrounding structures.
Real-Time Data Monitoring:
Live footage was transmitted to the team on the ground, allowing for adjustments during the survey.
Non-Invasive Inspection:
The drone’s non-contact approach avoided any further damage to the fragile structure.

An angle of the grey roof that cannot be seen from the ground

The drone captured hard to see angles of the roof.

Execution

The survey was carried out in one day and followed these steps:

Pre-Survey Planning:
The team conducted a site visit to assess the surrounding area and identify potential obstacles, such as power lines or nearby buildings.
A detailed flight plan was created to ensure safe access to all roof areas without endangering surrounding structures or road users.
Survey Execution:
The drone captured high-resolution images and video footage, making multiple passes to cover every angle, including hard-to-reach sections around chimneys and ridges.
Data Analysis:
Post-survey, the data was analysed by both the drone operator and GCA Consulting’s structural engineers.
High-resolution images and thermal data provided a clear picture of the roof’s condition and highlighted areas needing repair.
Reporting:
A detailed report was prepared for AG Group, featuring both visual and thermal imagery and summarising the key issues identified during the survey.

Results

The drone roof survey delivered the following results:

Comprehensive Roof Inspection:
The survey successfully captured high-resolution images and video of the entire roof, including areas that would have been difficult or impossible to access with traditional methods.
Identification of Key Issues:
The drone identified several problems including cracked tiles, displaced roofing materials, and areas where water ingress had caused structural damage.
Thermal imaging revealed significant heat loss in certain sections, highlighting potential insulation problems.
Informed Decision-Making:
The detailed report provided AG Group and GCA Consulting with the insights needed to prioritise urgent repairs, enabling efficient and cost-effective decision-making.
Cost and Time Savings:
The drone survey was completed far faster than traditional methods and removed the need for scaffolding or MEWPs, significantly reducing costs.

high vantage point of the entire roof showing all of the broken areas.

The drone allows us to see a complete look at the broken roof from a high vantage point.

Benefits of Using Drone Technology

This case study showcases the benefits of drone technology for roof surveys, especially in challenging environments:

Safety:
Reduced the risk of accidents or injuries by eliminating the need for personnel to physically access the roof.
Cost-Effectiveness:
Avoided expensive scaffolding or MEWPs and enabled targeted repairs, saving further costs.
High-Quality Data:
Delivered detailed high-resolution images and thermal data, giving GCA Consulting and AG Group a clear understanding of the roof’s condition.
Efficiency:
Completed the survey quickly, minimising disruption to the surrounding area and speeding up decision-making.
Adaptability:
The drone’s ability to access hard-to-reach areas, such as around chimneys and ridges, made it ideal for complex structures.

Conclusion

The drone roof survey in Burton-on-Trent, conducted for GCA Consulting and AG Group, demonstrated the significant advantages of drone technology in complex and hazardous environments.

By delivering high-quality data, the survey enabled informed decision-making while offering significant cost and time savings.

As drone technology advances, it is set to play an even greater role in the construction and property maintenance industries, providing safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions for roof inspections.

Drone picture from above of the entire roof of the derelict building, showing all of the damage.

A drone gives you the full picture - so you can make better decisions about what happens next.

If you need an in-depth survey like this, please find more info on our Drone Roof Survey page. Or book a drone roof survey below.

Book a Drone Roof Survey

Review

Steve Ancliff, GCA Consulting Limited, Derby, UK

“As a structural engineer, I was highly impressed by the precision and efficiency of the drone roof survey conducted by Ricky.
The high-resolution images and 4K video provided critical insights into the roof’s condition without needing physical access, which was crucial for this deteriorated structure.

The itemised PDF report was very detailed and, most importantly, the survey saved time and costs while offering accurate, actionable data that allowed me to make informed recommendations.
I would highly recommend this method for complex roof inspections.”