As-built surveys – a useful aid to facilities management

A comprehensive overview Facility managers – contractors who maintain and oversee large, often multiple occupancy or use buildings, such as apartment blocks, schools, chemical or manufacturing plants or offices – can use the data provided in as-built surveys to ascertain areas of concern or to aid renovation, inspection, audits or planned changes. Facilities managers rely […]
As-built surveys – a timeless, permanent record

Also known as ‘As Constructed’ surveys, this type of survey is usually produced at the end of a construction phase or when construction is complete. They are a definitive record of where buildings and other permanent features such as roads, pavements, walls and other aspects have been built. However, they can also be carried out […]
Defining the constraints: Surveys for guidance reports

Identifying constraints Constraints are any features that can influence the location of the project. Specific examples of constraints include existing infrastructure (such as roads, railways, underground services and access and egress issues), archaeological and heritage sites (including national monuments), elevated topographic details (such as mountains and hills), bodies of water (like rivers and lakes) and […]
When do you need a drainage survey?

A drainage survey is a way of seeing the damage inside the pipe itself and ideally the pipe should be free of debris. It would be useful carry out power jetting first, before any survey is undertaken, so the pipe is clean, and access is readily available. Though drain jetting should be carried out regularly […]
CCTV drainage surveys – exploring and assessing beneath the surface

CCTV drainage surveys: an underground overview Usually, a CCTV drainage survey is done by sending a portable, navigable camera along the drain network. When CCTV surveys are requested, there’s usually an inkling of a problem. In most cases, the drain will be blocked or there will be some reason why the camera can’t get down […]
Survey specification – right from the start

Levels of detail At Powers, we have over 50 years of experience of working on all kinds of projects. Not just construction projects, but also engineering, scientific and environmental. When you are in the early stages of a project, our skilled team at Powers can work with you to ensure that we are surveying exactly […]
Why is it a good idea to get my measured building survey or underground services detection done at the same time as the topographic survey?

The level of detail a topo provides can help with the understanding – and create the visual representation – of the site. It will also establish what enabling work needs to be carried out before the start of construction, such as the scale of the earthworks required. However, despite this high level of detail, it […]
Innovation: Digital twins and measured building surveys

The here and now A full measured building survey is used to create a digital twin. This is done by plotting the dimensions and scope of a building or structure as they stand. Measured building surveys of existing buildings are required by developers, planners, architects and local authorities, who want to document what currently exists. […]
Measured building surveys – back to the drawing board

Time and place Measured building surveys are carried out using 3D laser scanners. The geospatial data gathered from the resulting point clouds is used to create digital 3D models or digital twins, elevations, floor plans and sections. This provides a snapshot of time and place in a structure’s lifecycle. They are an essential part of […]
Made to measure – what is a measured building survey?

Captured for posterity Measured building surveys of existing buildings are required by developers, planners and architects, who want to document what currently exists structurally. These plans illustrate all the structural elements and architectural features of a building. This will include external elevations of the building, i.e. how the building appears from the frontage and from […]