Co-ownership waterproofing inspection
Detect broken tiles, detached slates, oxidized screws, deformed zinc. For building managers, energy audits, refurbishment planning.
SERVICE · 05 / 06
Professional
drone inspection.
Visual inspection of roofs, facades, civil structures and industrial racks. 20 MP HD photo, optional thermal sensor. No rope-access technicians, no aerial lift.
Photo resolution
20 MP
centimetric detail at 30 m
Coverage
5 ha/day
depending on inspection density
Report
7 days
illustrated PDF + HD photos
Drone inspection is an economical and safe alternative to rope-access or aerial-lift inspection. Where a high-altitude intervention costs €5,000 to €30,000 depending on the structure, immobilizes a site, and exposes personnel to fall risks, a drone inspection costs €1,500 to €5,000, does not disturb operations, and produces a more exhaustive HD photo deliverable.
ARPEO operates a DJI Matrice 4E for standard inspections, with 20 MP wide-angle 24 mm-equivalent sensor. For thermal inspections (roof waterproofing, PV, thermal bridges), we mount a DJI Zenmuse H30T thermal sensor (640 × 512 px, ±2 °C accuracy).
Our inspections are systematically delivered with an illustrated PDF report: defect summary, geolocated HD photos, intervention recommendations. Compatible with the expectations of a building manager, asset manager, or multi-trade engineering office. Delivery in 7 days after mission.
Mobilization within 5 working days in PACA. Regulatory lead time to add by zone (5 days outside zones, 15 days CTR, 30 days dense urban or ICPE). SIA coordination and prefectoral authorizations handled by ARPEO within the package.
— EQUIPMENT
The equipment
Professional inspection drone and specialized sensors.
Main inspection drone
DJI Matrice 4E
- 20 MP wide-angle 24 mm-equivalent sensor
- Hybrid zoom up to ×7
- 3-axis stabilization
- Ultra-precise hover (±10 cm)
- See Drone page for full specifications
Thermal inspection sensor (option)
DJI Zenmuse H30T
- 640 × 512 px thermal resolution
- ±2 °C accuracy in -20 °C / +150 °C range
- Dual mode (visible + thermal)
- For roof waterproofing, PV, thermal bridges
Heavy inspection drone
DJI Matrice 350 RTK (backup)
- For specific payloads (LiDAR, multispectral)
- 55 min battery life
- Wind resistance 15 m/s (Beaufort 7)
— PROCESS
How an inspection unfolds
Five steps, from declaration to report.
- 01 · BRIEF
Scoping and declaration
Scoping with the client (zones to inspect, defects sought). AlphaTango declaration. SIA coordination if CTR.
Duration5 to 15 days - 02 · RECONNAISSANCE
Exploratory flight
Reconnaissance flight to identify zones of interest and adapt the inspection plan. Quick photos for briefing.
Duration30 minutes - 03 · INSPECTION
HD photo acquisition
Targeted inspection of zones of interest. 20 MP HD photos with EXIF geolocation. 100 to 1,000 photos per structure.
Duration0.5 to 1 day - 04 · THERMO (OPTION)
Thermal inspection
If thermal sensor mounted. Hot-spot detection (PV), heat leaks (roof), thermal bridges (facade).
Duration0.5 day - 05 · REPORT
PDF summary + photos
Illustrated PDF report, defect summary, recommendations. Archived HD photos. Compatible building manager / asset manager / engineering office.
Duration3 to 7 days
— USES
Uses by sector
Six sectors where drone inspection replaces high-altitude intervention.
Solar farm inspection (thermal)
Defective cell detection via thermal sensor. Automatic hot-spot mapping. Yield recalculation.
Building refurbishment inspection
Detection of cracks, paint flaking, microcracks, altered joints. For ABF, building managers, facade engineering offices.
Bridges, viaducts, dams
Drone inspection instead of rope-access technicians. Detection of cracks, oxidation, structural defects. IQOA / Fascicule 65 compatible.
Petrochemical racks, flares, chimneys
ICPE inspection without production interruption. Detection of corrosion, cracks, defects. Site HSE coordination.
Inaccessible historic monuments
Cathedral roofs, spires, belfries. Inspection without scaffolding, ABF / DRAC validation.
— DELIVERABLES
Delivery formats
Report and photos exploitable by the client.
| Format | Usage | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Illustrated PDF report Defect summary + recommendations + key photos | Defect summary + recommendations + key photos | 20 to 200 MB |
| Geolocated HD JPEG photos Raw archive photos, EXIF GPS | Raw archive photos, EXIF GPS | 100 MB to 5 GB |
| R-JPEG thermal photos Radiometric thermal photos (analyzable with FLIR Tools) | Radiometric thermal photos (analyzable with FLIR Tools) | 50 MB to 1 GB |
| 4K HD video Context video for meeting / presentation | Context video for meeting / presentation | 500 MB to 5 GB |
| Georeferenced thermal map For PV inspection or mapping | For PV inspection or mapping | 100 MB to 1 GB |
| Excel summary Defect table with GPS coordinates | Defect table with GPS coordinates | 1 to 20 MB |
— STANDARDS
Normative framework
Drone inspection recognized by the main references.
IQOA (civil structures)
Image Qualité des Ouvrages d'Art — SETRA method recognized for bridge inspection.
Fascicule 65
French reference for reinforced / prestressed concrete structures.
IEC 62446-3
International standard for PV installations thermal inspection.
DGAC specific category
Drone flight in populated areas or at height authorized under scenario.
— PRICING
How much does a drone inspection cost
Flat rate by structure and sensor type.
— RELATED
Where we operate
Drone inspection is delivered across the PACA region.
— FAQ
Drone inspection — frequently asked questions.
Drone inspection or rope access: which to choose?
Drone inspection = 5 to 10× cheaper, faster (0.5 to 1 day vs 2 to 5 days rope access), no site immobilization, no human risk. Rope access = immediate remediation possible (gluing, repair). Often combined: drone for diagnosis, rope access for targeted intervention.
What inspection resolution can be reached?
At 30 m with 20 MP sensor and 24 mm focal length: centimetric detail discernible (microcracks, broken tiles, detached slates). With ×7 hybrid zoom: millimetric detail on targeted zones.
Thermal inspection: what can be detected?
On PV: defective cells, faulty by-pass diodes, hot spots. On roof: waterproofing leaks, insulation defects, thermal bridges. On facade: thermal bridges, infiltrations, envelope defects. On industry: bearing overheating, thermal insulation defects, steam leaks.
ICPE inspection in operation: is it possible?
Yes, with authorization and HSE coordination from the client. Our operators are N1 ICPE-trained and equipped with upper-tier SEVESO PPE. Homologated drone, flight perimeter coordination with the operator.
What do we receive as a deliverable?
Illustrated PDF report (defect summary + recommendations + key photos), geolocated HD JPEG photos (archive), HD video on request, Excel summary with GPS coordinates of each defect. Everything directly usable by your building manager / engineering office / asset manager.
Is the report admissible for an insurance file?
Yes. Geolocated photos (EXIF GPS), timestamped (UTC), with DGAC drone-pilot digital signature. Compatible with home insurance, multi-risk building, or contentious expertise files.
Start a drone inspection project? Quote in 48 h.
Mobilization within 5 working days. Contractual delivery in 15 days.