Intro
In the constantly evolving landscape of construction, the latest advancement that is taking the industry by storm is the integration of drone technology. These aircraft are not only used for capturing breathtaking aerial footage but are also reshaping construction workflows for the better.
In this blog post, we will dive into the impact of drones on construction projects. We'll outline the ways these drones are revolutionizing how projects are planned, executed, and monitored, ultimately driving down costs and maximizing returns on investment. From streamlined site surveys and enhanced project management to hazard elimination, drones are proving to be an indispensable tool in the construction arsenal.
We will uncover how drones are enhancing safety on construction sites, minimizing the occurrence of accidents, and saving the financial headache associated incidents. Moreover, we'll examine the newfound marketing and communication avenues that drones have opened up, allowing construction companies to showcase their work in a new light, attracting new clients and securing future growth.
However, it's not all smooth skies in the adoption of drone technology. We'll also address the challenges and concerns that construction professionals may encounter in embracing UAVs, discussing effective strategies to overcome regulatory, training, and privacy obstacles.
Precise Site Surveys: Using Drones in Construction to Optimize Resoucre Allocation
The project planning phase is when our decisions have the greatest impact on project success. Informed decisions lead to cost and time savings over the project lifecycle. One of the easiest ways help your team make informed decisions is to start with an accurate site survey. Drones can fly a site to generate high-resolution birds-eye views of the project area, and specialized software can transform these images into accurate 3D models. This current map of the site helps determine resource allocation, provides a basis for cost estimates, gives supervisors an opportunity to identify health and safety hazards, and reduces schedule delays by allowing you to identify challenges early.
Construction Monitoring and Project Management
Drones are an excellent addition to any project manager’s toolbox. They provide numerous benefits to the monitoring and management tasks associated with a construction project. Peter Ducker said “you can’t improve what you don’t measure,” and progress monitoring is a prime example. Drones help project managers monitor progress, which can then be compared to a schedule. They can improve communication and hold subcontractors accountable when jobs are not being completed on schedule. Specialized payloads allow drones to measure volumes and track excavations over time. In addition to monitoring project progress, drones provide supervisors and managers with a covert way to monitor safety program compliance. Often, workers will hold themselves to a higher standard when under direct supervision, but standards relax when working alone – drone pictures give an opportunity to see what’s really going on. In addition to job progress and safety, drones can help a construction manager track procurement, by taking photographs of materials received. Drones are also very useful when creating a “permanent record of installation.” If you need to know exactly when a piece of equipment arrived or was installed, it is easy to look at the past drone photos to determine timeframes.
Improved Safety Measures: Mitigating Accidents and Costly Incidents
In every successful construction company, safety is held as one of the most important values. The people are what make the company great, and no worker should ever be unnecessarily put at risk. Drones are beginning to play a role in the reduction and elimination of workplace hazards, helping workers return home safe at the end of each day. First, a drone can be used to perform an initial hazard hunt, allowing construction supervisors to identify and mitigate risk without even needing to be present on the site. A drone can identify open water, deep pits, steep ledges, and with the use of specialized equipment, can even detect toxic gasses. A drone can perform structural integrity assessments, and can identify potential danger zones without ever putting a person at risk. Drones can also assist with the early detection of new hazards. Often, managers are unable to visit the site to perform inspections, however a drone can provide a live feed of the construction site, allowing for remote safety inspections. Giving those who are primarily off-site a means to view the site lends a fresh set of eyes, increasing the chances of issues being identified before an incident occurs.
What about when an incident does occur? Drones can provide a different view for use in incident reports, helping identify root causes, and documenting the exact situation. In addition, an updated birds-eye map is a great resource to help emergency responders find your location. If a person cannot be found, drones equipped with thermal cameras can help find them in the event of an emergency. A final safety application for drones in construction is site security. A periodic drone flight over a site is an excellent deterrent that shows trespassers and vandals that the site is being monitored, and that it is not worth accessing.
By integrating drones into construction operations, companies can proactively identify and mitigate safety risks, reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries. Drones serve as valuable tools that complement human efforts, improving safety protocols and creating a more secure and productive working environment for construction teams.
Beyond the Build: Marketing and Communication
Construction is a very competitive industry and contractors need to set themselves apart to win new clients. One of the first things a potential client will look for is an example of past work; something that aerial photos and videos are a great tool for. Unique visuals of your completed projects attract new clients by showcasing your expertise. Some drone shots that can increase your brand recognition are before and after comparisons (these are a great client gift at the end of a project), virtual site tours, progress updates, and social media content. Drones can be used to differentiate you from your competitors – the “futuristic” feel of aerial images can position your company as forward-thinking and innovative. One great way to use drones for marketing is to capture the moment during groundbreaking ceremonies and special events. Videos of these events are excellent for social media and can be shared with your current client to build trust in the partnership. Perhaps one of the best ways to showcase your company is to use drones to show your capabilities and the scale of your work. When you have a unique or large project, an aerial shot is the best way to truly do your work justice.
Overcoming Challenges and Adoption Barriers
While drones are an excellent tool for any construction company, there are challenges to effectively implementing a drone program. The first is pilot skill: a pilot will need to be trained and skilled enough to operate the drone safely and effectively. Transport Canada considers the Pilot-in-Command of a drone operation to be ultimately responsible for the safety of the flight, which introduces significant liability to your company. A second issue is the legal and permitting requirements to operate a drone. A pilot needs to be certified, and different types of airspace require different levels of training and certification. Some even require special permission from air traffic authorities. In the construction industry, the primary focus should be on completing the work, not dealing with legal issues surrounding drones. 1st Up Drones is fully licensed and insured, and is ready to complete the administrative tasks associated with drone operations of your site. Our pilots are trained and certified to the highest standard, and we are capable of flying in different types of airspace, including near airports and in crowded areas. The best way to overcome the challenges associated with utilizing drones on your site is to reach out to an experienced drone service provider, like 1st Up Drones, and take advantage of our expertise to ensure that the flight is safe, legal, and the resulting images are of a high-quality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the introduction of drones to the construction industry has led to new beginnings in efficiency, monitoring, safety, and communication. From precise site surveys to optimize planning, to aerial inspections that improve safety, drones provide data that allows project managers to make informed decisions, keeping construction projects on budget and schedule. Beyond construction operations, drones play a key role in your marketing plan, providing captivating visuals for social media that help attract new clients. With all the benefits of drones in construction, there are numerous challenges that make it difficult for a construction company to start a drone program. With a drone service provider like 1st Up Drones, you can reduce the challenges by utilizing our expertise to make your drone operations a success. Contact us to discuss your project, and we will tailor a drone program to you, allowing you to experience the benefits of using drones for your construction project while minimizing the risks associated with aircraft.
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