Tremco Roofing Launches SkyBEAM
7/8/2014
BEACHWOOD, Ohio (July 8, 2014) – Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance proudly introduces SkyBEAM (Building Envelope Asset Mapping) for use throughout Canada. SkyBEAM™ is a groundbreaking program that uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-resolution thermographic (infrared) and video cameras to help Tremco Roofing’s customers locate where their facilities may be leaking energy through gaps in the roof, façade or elsewhere, or may have wet insulation; and to find and photograph other potential problems on the building.
SkyBEAM’s thermographic camera graphically depicts energy inefficiencies by showing temperature variations within the building, a result of problems that can lead to increased operating costs, occupant discomfort and other issues. Poor or missing sealing around windows, for example, typically allows energy to escape. On rooftops, wet insulation retains heat longer than dry insulation; wet insulation can cause enormous long-term damage if not removed.
“Using SkyBEAM to gather building data is faster, more thorough and safer than any other method,” said Paul Sheehy, Tremco Roofing’s Vice President of Sales. “Instead of standing on the ground and trying to map the façade of a multi-story building by holding a thermal or video camera, or by sending someone up in a lift, we program the UAV to fly to the precise height, do the mapping and return. We can now map buildings without the expense of tools such as scaffolding, so we can find problems for our customers that would have been virtually impossible to detect before. SkyBEAM also eliminates the need to send technicians onto rooftops to conduct infrared scans, which means no safety risks.”
SkyBEAM is available to Tremco Roofing’s customers anywhere in Canada through a relationship with Toronto-based Industrial SkyWorks, experts in aerial mapping and reporting.
A video explaining the SkyBEAM system and its many benefits can be found at http://www.tremcoroofing.com/services/skybeam-aerial-mapping/.
The safest way possible to find damaging wet insulation beneath the roof
Roofs are typically scanned to detect wet insulation, which is a roof’s worst enemy. Spreading beneath a roof, it wastes energy, eats away at the roof deck, contributes to “sick building syndrome” and can be extremely expensive to repair. Since wet roof insulation absorbs and retains more solar energy than dry roof insulation, infrared scanning is most effective when the sun is not warming the building and will not affect the scan. Traditionally, this means sending a crew onto a roof at night, a dangerous situation despite safety precautions that Tremco Roofing puts in place.
SkyBEAM eliminates this danger. Highly-trained technicians safely on the ground operate the UAV, which scans the roof in a programmed pattern. SkyBEAM takes hundreds of photographs, which are combined into a single large image showing precisely where the roof’s “hot spots” – wet insulation – are located. Technicians can then safely mark these areas during the day for removal and replacement, or further analysis if necessary.
In addition to infrared scanning, SkyBEAM’s video camera can photograph other potential problems such as the need for appropriate rooftop safety equipment, including screens over skylights and permanent guardrails around hatches and the perimeter.
Interactive reporting that clearly shows the building’s condition
SkyBEAM consolidates the infrared scanning and videotaped images into a comprehensive, interactive, easy to understand report that is presented to facility owners and managers, and technicians, through a cloud-based application. The report clearly and accurately shows problem areas, helping decision makers determine their plan of action.
A virtual model of the building is created in 2-D and 3-D and can be viewed from any angle. Swiping the model allows the user to overlay thermal images to their exact location on the building. Photographs, comments and other data can be added in real time through a tablet, including when technicians are on site, to ensure that work can be verified and that the report always has the latest information.
Uniquely, data can also be transmitted down to those on the roof. Through geo-positioning, technicians can always see their exact location in relation to problem areas. They can bring up the thermal scan of the roof, and as they walk across the roof the scan moves with them. This enables them to precisely locate where work on the roof needs to take place, minimizing disruption to the roof.
While conventional infrared scanning with handheld thermographic cameras is available if a SkyBEAM scan cannot be performed, Sheehy believes that SkyBEAM will revolutionize the industry. “SkyBEAM is completely unique in construction,” he said. “It gives decision makers visual evidence of where their building is losing energy, especially from areas that were difficult to scan before. SkyBEAM will help them improve their facility maintenance planning and budgeting; is the safest way to conduct night time infrared scanning; and is a huge benefit to our field technicians who need to locate and repair rooftop damage.”
About Industrial SkyWorks
Toronto based Industrial SkyWorks (iSW) deploys unmanned aerial vehicles to provide aerial imaging solutions. iSW creates detailed building envelope reports, maps, photographs, 3D models and assessments using geo-referenced aerial data and panoramic images, delivered through cloud-based, direct to smart device platforms. The company has deep
experience in aeronautical safety and risk management, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology and regulatory compliance. ISW technology features the safe and efficient use of advanced aerial and thermal imaging technologies for the building sciences, open pit mining, hydro, and pipeline infrastructure industries. http://industrialskyworks.com/
About Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance
Headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance helps manage building life cycles for customers in education, healthcare, government, manufacturing and many other industries. Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance is a division of Tremco Incorporated, which has been in business since 1928 and is itself part of RPM, an international leader in the construction, maintenance and repair markets. Tremco Roofing works closely with Tremco Incorporated subsidiary WTI, which provides general contracting and roofing services, and Canam Building Envelope Specialists, which provides air barrier analysis and solutions. To learn more about us, visit www.tremcoroofing.com or call toll-free at 800-562-2728 in the United States or 800-668-9879 in Canada.