Efficient Damage Assessment of Halsall Church Spire Using Drones

Background

Sky Revolutions was tasked by a loss adjuster to carry out an aerial inspection of the Halsall Church spire in Lancashire. The spire had sustained damage during a severe windstorm, which dislodged the stone finial at the top and loosened the lightning protection straps, creating potential hazards for the surrounding area. Given the height and structural concerns, a safe, rapid, and detailed inspection was crucial for making timely remediation decisions.

Project requirements

The client requested a drone survey to:

• Conduct a detailed inspection of the damaged spire, including the stone finial and the lightning protection straps.
• Provide high-resolution images that could be shared with stakeholders to assess the damage and determine necessary repairs.
• Complete the survey quickly and without posing any safety risks, eliminating the need for scaffolding or manual inspections.

Methodology

• Pre-flight risk assessment: A full risk assessment was conducted to ensure that the drone operation could be performed safely and without disruption to the church or surrounding areas.

• Drone deployment: Our team used a high-resolution drone camera to capture the necessary images. The ability to zoom in on key areas allowed for a close-up inspection of the damage, ensuring all elements of the spire were thoroughly examined.

• Rapid image processing and reporting: Once the images were captured, they were processed quickly and provided to the client within a short time frame. This allowed for rapid decision-making, enabling repairs to be planned immediately and mitigating any further risks to the structure or public safety.

Results

Sky Revolutions successfully completed the spire inspection in a fraction of the time that a manual survey would have required, while significantly reducing safety risks. The high-resolution images captured by our drone enabled the loss adjuster to clearly see the damage to the lightning protection straps and the dislodged stone finial. The rapid delivery of photographic evidence facilitated quick remediation decisions, helping ensure that repairs could be carried out without delay.

The client was highly satisfied with the speed, safety, and accuracy of the survey, confirming that drone technology provided a cost-effective and efficient solution for this type of inspection.

Conclusion

The use of drone technology for aerial inspections offers a fast, safe, and precise way to assess structural damage, especially in hard-to-reach locations like church spires. Sky Revolutions’ expertise in aerial surveys allowed us to provide detailed imagery, helping our client make informed decisions in a timely manner, avoiding the risks and costs associated with traditional manual inspections.

To learn more about how drone surveys can help with your next project, whether for structural inspections or damage assessments, contact Sky Revolutions today. Our expert team is ready to assist you with safe, efficient, and detailed aerial inspections.