close up photo of drone during smart facade inspection

Smart Façade Inspection

Next generation façade inspection

Next generation façade inspection

Façade inspection is an integral part of building survey as it helps to verify the integrity of the building structure and ensures safety for its occupants and people within its vicinity. However, conventional façade inspection can be time, labour and cost intensive.

Developed by TÜV SÜD and partners, our next generation smart façade inspection deploys drones with cutting edge high-resolution visual and thermal cameras to accurately scan the exterior of buildings. This service caters to building operators and owners of large high-rise buildings and helps construction companies to ensure façade quality and monitor construction progress of their projects. 

Smart façade inspection is also part of TÜV SÜD’s digital building solutions

WHAT IS SMART FAÇADE INSPECTION?

smart piloting system

 

Equipped with a smart piloting system, the drone ensures both operational safety and high-quality visual inspection. The data collected by the drone is securely managed by TÜV SÜD’s inspection platform, which is fully GDPR compliant and automatically masks any sensitive or private information to protect your privacy.

 

 

smart façade inspection engineer

 

Our professional façade inspection engineers are assisted by an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to deliver compliant inspection reports at the highest industry standard. The software constructs a 3D model of the building façade, which helps to better understand the building structure and automatically locate the detected defects on the building.

 

 

Smart Façade Inspection

 

Through the TÜV SÜD Smart Façade Inspection (SFI) application, you will have access to all the data, report findings, and 3D model at any time. Repairs and follow-ups can be seamlessly managed through the platform to improve efficiency and save costs.

 

 

 

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THE BENEFITS OF SMART FAÇADE INSPECTION

save cost and time

Save cost and time
Smart façade inspection needs a fraction of the time compared to conventional inspection

 

standards and regulationsStandards & regulations
Our service is based on standards and best practice ensuring up-to-date compliance

 

Improved qualityImproved quality
Automated digital workflow and data benchmarking improve service accuracy

 

Better insightsBetter insights
Digital representation of the façade and whole building optimises building operation

 


WHY CHOOSE TÜV SÜD'S SMART FAÇADE INSPECTION TEAM?

Choosing to work with TÜV SÜD Smart Facade Inspection team offers numerous advantages:

  • High inspection quality through our combined domain expertise and strong façade/building inspection knowledge
  • High level of inspection accuracy through expert-trained AI models
  • Efficient one-stop service provider for smart façade inspection (drone technology, professional engineer, pilots, permits, safety and quality assessment)
  • Fully integrated building digital twin service portfolio, which includes digital construction monitoring and indoor inspection if needed
  • Availability in core markets with access to TÜV SÜD’s global expertise

Get in touch with the team for more information.


SMART FAÇADE INSPECTION LIVE IN ACTION

image of tuv sud building in Singapore captured by drone during smart facade inspection

Images of TÜV SÜD @ IBP captured by a drone during smart façade inspection were compared against “as planned” models to minimise construction discrepancies. 


Frequently Asked Questions on Smart Façade Inspection

Who needs Smart Façade Inspection (SFI)?

Façade inspection can help to verify the integrity of the building structure and ensure safety for its occupants and people within its vicinity. Regular façade inspections can also result in better preventive maintenance for building operators. It has been a focus topic for maintenance and economic savings. Therefore, it’s beneficial for all building operators and owners. 

In Singapore, buildings older than 20 years old and greater than 13m in height, measuring at its highest point are required to comply with Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) regime.

 

How does SFI value add?

Increased safety: Conventional façade inspection requires inspectors to work at height with equipment such as scaffolding/ gondola which causes unnecessary danger.

Increased accuracy: Camera mounted on the drone can capture and record 100% of the façade instead of conventional façade inspection where some spots might be missed due to human error. Trained by TÜV SÜD Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts and validated by certified façade inspectors, the AI model can detect defects at a high level of accuracy.

Increased productivity: Conventional façade inspection is time consuming as it requires setting up of scaffolding/ gondola. It is also labour intensive as it requires manpower to perform the inspection manually. Using drone and AI, the inspection time can be reduced by up to 30%.

Increased traceability: All the data, report findings, and 3D models can be accessed at any time through an online platform. Defects can be classified based on urgency. Repairs and follow-ups can be seamlessly managed through the platform.

 

What does the Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) process entail?

Based on requirements, PFI includes

  • 100% visual inspection
  • 10% manual physical inspection
  • Defects detection
  • Rectification recommendations

 

What are the deliverables of SFI?

  • 3D images of the building and defects (if any)
  • Location and severity of the defects (if any)
  • Recommended rectifications (if any)

 

What do you need to prepare prior to arranging your façade inspection?

The Notice for PFI from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) as well as the floor plan of the building, if available.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our smart façade inspection team at [email protected]

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