Our Projects
St Leonard’s Parish, Hythe
Client: St Leonard’s Parish, Hythe
Traditionally each parish will undertake a condition survey by employing a designated architect who will carry out a ground level survey.
For roof or high level inspections, scaffolding is erected to provide access. The main criticisms of this method were safety, cost, appearance and timing.
Looking to improve their quinquennial inspection routine, the parish contacted us to perform an aerial survey of the church exterior.
We were happy to assist and showcase what a detailed UAS survey can achieve in terms of survey quality, improving safety, and reducing costs.
How we are helping
Aerial inspections
The UAS chosen for this survey was our Mavic series with integrated camera payload. The decision to use this over our Matrice and P1 camera payload were driven by the urban environment, local avian population, and to reduce the inconvenience to neighbours.
The Mavic is a smaller unit so we can get closer to the structure for fine detailing, it produces less noise when operating, and due to its 1,050g mass it presents less of a hazard if it were to need to land in an emergency.
By using an aerial camera platform we eliminated the requirement for scaffolding as part of a routine survey thereby meeting the client’s requirements to remove the need to work from height, remove the costs of scaffolding, and remove the need for calendar’s to align.
We took hundreds of photos (655 to be exact) in less than two hours, including Ground Control installation and recording.
The raw photos can be used by the architect while we are building the model which increases the time the parish has to make decisions.
Detailed surveys
The church at St Leonard’s Parish, Hythe hosts many fine details, the more obvious being the ornate lead beaded windows with intricate patterns and details.
Other less obvious details can be found high on the roof ridge, bell tower, buttresses, and brickwork. We were also able to capture guttering and downpipe leaks and the resultant damage the leaks were having on the roof tiles and mortar between the blockwork.
By capturing these details with our high definition cameras we retain accurate records which can be passed on to the specialist contractors who would under take the repairs.
The photos are so detailed that repairs can be located and quantified, and materials and equipment sourced and procured, with far more accuracy than could ever be achieved without scaffolding and a direct inspection.
Ongoing structural modelling
Once the photogrammetry survey was complete we built an interactive 3D model.
By undertaking regular “for cause” inspections, such as after a severe storm, we can compile model layers to show the evolution of the condition of the structure.
The model allows us and the parish to view the church from any angle and zoom in to identify fine details and key areas to establish where remedial work is required, and guide proactive maintenance and repairs.
We were clear to the parish that we aren’t a replacement for a quinquennial inspection, nor are we a replacement for their architect. But what we do represent is a shift in how they would normally tackle maintenance and condition recording.
After reviewing the photographs and the 3D data model, the parish were excited to realise they do not have to wait for a quinquennial inspection to guide their maintenance programme, nor do they have to face the pitfalls of scaffolding and working from height for a simple condition survey.
You can rely on us to improve safety, raise standards, drive delivery, and manage your site effectively
Contact our team to understand how we can meet your exact requirements, discuss our various services and how we can manage your your site effectively.