Chimneys
Vertex Air’s chimney surveys consist of fully GPS located images combined with Height Data to allow accurate fault analysis and reporting. All of the Vertex Access Group’s in-house reporting is undertaken by qualified surveyors to ensure our clients receive accurate reporting data and analysis.
Chimneys and Flare Stacks, whilst in operation, are inspected at a safe distance from the structure without the need for operatives to access the operational (hot temperature) structure. Additionally, by using Vertex Air’s thermal imaging technology, operating chimneys show weak spots within the structure to identify and locate the weakened areas for remediation works.
Lighting Towers, Masts & Pylons
Large vertical structures are often complicated and inefficient to access and pose many safety issues regarding Work at Height. Vertex Air overcomes these issues by utilising UAV (Drone) equipment that has the ability to be 100 metres in the air within 30 seconds of take-off. Imagery is then captured analysing the mast structure along with bracketry, fixings and the lighting units/ antenna/radio equipment/cables installed to the vertical structure.
Thermography of the in-use lighting units uncovers potential electrical faults that could otherwise lead to failure of the electrical components.
Thermography of electricity pylons reveals defects within the cables and the isolators allowing for PPM (Preventative Planned Maintenance) of equipment before failure reducing overall downtime of the assets.
Steelwork
Inspection of high-level steelwork is conducted efficiently using our HD high-resolution DLSR cameras mounted on our state-of-the-art drones. There is minimal disruption to the site and no requirement to shut down assets and plant to undertake the inspections. Vertex is able to photograph from above assets to locate issues that would otherwise be impossible to have identified.
The large format imagery that we provide to our clients gives unrivalled levels of detail (a single image can be zoomed-in to view the condition of an M16 bolt at 15 metres away). This allows us to capture the required survey imagery with a few photographs as possible (speed of analysis) without compromising on the quality of the survey.
Pipelines
Vertex Air’s Visual Inspections of difficult to access pipelines allow for a full-coverage of large spans of horizontal and vertical pipework along with the supporting structure & bracketry. There is no requirement for expensive scaffold access.
As there are often large runs of pipelines, locating a fault from a series of photographs can be difficult and time-consuming. With each inspection by Vertex, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and Height Data are recorded for every photograph. This GPS and Height Data allows for efficient pinpointing of faults, regardless of how technical and complex the pipeline is.
Bridges
Bridges form a key part of our nation’s infrastructure, but obtaining accurate condition information of these structures can be highly problematic using tradition methods of working. Not only is gaining access difficult and inefficient, but bridges span many hazardous environments such as rivers, roads and railways. Using Vertex Air’s market-leading inspection UAV eliminates many of these issues. Photographic condition information can be rapidly obtained for all elements of bridges’ masonry and steelwork. Uniquely, Vertex Air’s UAV equipment not only allows for the accurate capture of bridges’ external elevations but also offers a 3-axis 360° camera positioning system to allow for inspection of arch soffits.
3D Modelling & Point Cloud
Surveys are processed into 3D models (Point Cloud .LAS format – the LiDAR – Laser Scanning standard file format or .OBJ 3D file format) to be used with 3D CAD packages (AutoCAD, Revit, ReCap, Arc GIS, etc..) for design and measurement. Our Point Cloud Models are compatible with LiDAR models and can be imported to enhance information within existing models.
Vertical Shafts
After intensive Research and Development, Vertex has designed and created a Shaft Inspection Device (S.I.D.) for inspection of vertical shafts.
Reporting
Vertex provides full structural surveys, detailing defects, pathology diagnoses and remedial options, supported by the high-definition photography, 3D modelling and ortho-rectified photography where required. Vertex’s building surveyors can generate highly detailed schedules of defects, referenced to annotated plan or elevation drawings or photographs, that our clients can rely on to inform their decision making. Schedules can be produced with greater certainty; works can be tendered and managed on the basis of highly accurate information; and project risks can be reduced, with significant cost and time savings.
Rope Access Remediation
Following a Vertex Drone Survey, our sister company, Vertex Rope Access Ltd is able to carry out remedial works. Providing this inspection and remediation service gives our clients a full service in managing and maintaining their high-level assets.
