Inspections in tight areas are an important but difficult task in many industries, including oil & gas, construction, and infrastructure maintenance. Historically, these inspections have posed considerable risks to both the workers and business operations. However, with developments in drone technology, many of these challenges are now being addressed in more effective and safe ways. In this article, we’ll highlight the top five issues of inspecting restricted places and how drones can give game-changing answers.
Top 4 Challenges of Confined Spaces Inspection and Their Solutions
Here are four common problems faced during an inspection.
Limited Accessibility
One of the most difficult aspects of confined space inspections is limited accessibility. Many confined places, including pipelines, storage tanks, and ducts, are too small or dangerous for human inspectors to penetrate. Traditional methods frequently require workers to crawl through tiny locations or even demolish equipment to get access. This method can be time-consuming and physically exhausting, limiting the amount of space that can be surveyed at once.
Solution
Drones provide a small, quick fix for limited space inspections because they can access places that humans are unable to. They are equipped with modern cameras and sensors that gather detailed pictures and environmental information. This increases inspection thoroughness while saving substantial time and costs by eliminating the need for a physical entrance.
Cost of Inspections
Due to specialized equipment, labor-intensive tasks, and possible operational shutdowns, confined space inspections can become expensive. Hiring expert individuals to navigate limited spaces or using heavy machines to access tough areas might increase costs.
Solution
Drones reduce confined space inspection expenses by decreasing manpower and equipment requirements, often replacing entire teams with a single operator. They avoid costly machinery and infrastructural upgrades while reducing the requirement for operational shutdowns. Over time, the initial caged drone investment saves businesses a significant amount of money on inspection fees.
Time-Consuming Inspections
Inspections in tight spaces done the old-fashioned way might take a very long period. Scaffolding, ventilation systems, and lights must all be installed to perform a large number of inspections. Additionally, activities frequently need to be stopped for inspections, which adds to the expense of downtime. Even when the inspection has begun, the procedure is slow and labor-intensive.
Solution
Drones are a faster, more efficient solution because they require less setup and can complete inspections faster than manual techniques. They come with lighting and high-definition cameras to conduct thorough inspections without the need for additional infrastructure.b This means that businesses can continue operating continuously while increasing production by lowering downtime.
Data Accuracy and Coverage
Accurate data collection is frequently difficult in confined settings. An inspector’s capacity to get thorough information may be hampered by poor illumination, limited mobility, and poor visibility. Sometimes inspectors overlook important details, which results in inadequate evaluations and possible problems down the road.
