Case Study Tower Block Inspection for EWI Concerns

15 storeys
Priority tower block inspected

100+ tower blocks
Housing stock requiring assessment and triage

Within 72 hours
Planning, data capture and reporting

The challenge

A fast, practical way to assess high-rise building condition

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, local authorities faced increased pressure to understand the condition of external wall systems across their housing stock. In this case, a 15-storey tower block had external wall insulation panels that were cracking and detaching from the façade.

The authority needed a rapid way to inspect the priority building and help assess repair needs across more than 100 tower blocks. Traditional access methods, including scaffolding and rope access, could involve substantial cost, logistics and lead times of up to two months.

The inspection needed to be planned and deployed quickly, with clear visual coverage and an accurate 3D model to support condition assessment and repair triage.
The survey was completed without scaffolding or rope access, helping the authority review the building remotely.

Case at a glance

Aerial evidence for housing stock decisions

Sector: Local authority housing

Asset: 15-storey tower block

Platform: DJI Matrice 4E

Flight planning: DJI Pilot 2

Processing: gNext Labs

Output: Detailed 3D model for desktop review

The approach

Plan quickly. Capture the façade. Build a model teams can review.

Iprosurv used a DJI Matrice 4E to capture high-resolution imagery of the tower block’s exterior. DJI Pilot 2 supported flight planning, and the imagery was processed in gNext Labs to produce a detailed 3D model for desktop investigation.

Plan the inspection

Use DJI Pilot 2 to plan the flight and organise rapid data capture around the building and the inspection requirements.

Capture façade imagery

Fly the DJI Matrice 4E around the tower to record high-resolution images of the exterior, including areas difficult to inspect from the ground.

Create a reviewable model

Process the imagery in gNext Labs to produce a detailed 3D model that stakeholders can explore remotely and use to review visible defects.

The result

A 3D building record delivered in time to inform decisions

Planning, on-site data capture and reporting for the 15-storey block were completed within 72 hours. The high-resolution images were processed in gNext Labs to create a detailed 3D model for desktop review.

The model gave the local authority a way to examine the building’s exterior and review visible defects without relying solely on access methods such as scaffolding or rope access. The approach was intended to support condition assessment and repair triage across a housing stock of more than 100 tower blocks.

What the data supported

Clearer information for housing teams deciding what needs attention

✓
High-resolution imagery of the building exterior

✓
A detailed 3D model for desktop investigation

✓
Visible defects and their locations available for review

✓
Information to help assess and prioritise repairs across the wider housing stock

Why it matters

A clear view of one building can help teams prioritise an entire portfolio

Housing teams need to understand where defects are, how extensive they appear and which locations may need closer investigation. A detailed 3D model helps stakeholders review the façade remotely and use a shared visual record when discussing next steps.

For large housing stocks, that evidence can support a more informed triage process, helping authorities decide where repair resources and further inspections may be needed.

Start with the building

Need a clearer view of high-rise building condition?

Tell us about your buildings, access requirements and inspection priorities. We’ll help you assess whether drone inspection and 3D modelling could support your maintenance programme.

Talk to Iprosurv