Installing HVAC and plumbing components in the building shell is an important milestone. To document these heating, ventilation and plumbing lines and units reliably, 3D scans are the perfect choice.
What is behind the drywall?
The more complex a new build or conversion, the more building services installations are usually fitted. However, these are often not documented before the drywall with suspended ceilings and wall linings goes up – which makes it impossible to see these elements. Inspection and maintenance are then only possible through small access hatches, or the drywall has to be removed again.
If, however, these technical installations are 3D scanned before the drywall goes up, all pipes, ducts, components and other installations are documented precisely and in a way that will stand up as evidence. In the event of later damage or during maintenance work, the 3D scan can be used to analyse the installations remotely and avoid opening up ceilings or wall linings on a large scale. This saves time and money.
Comparing design and execution
Contractors are increasingly being asked for as-built documentation that records the actual state of the work as executed, because this often deviates from the design. In building services in particular, potential clashes between pipe and duct routes are often only noticed on site and then lead to changes in execution. If these are captured in the 3D scan, later uncertainties and risks are minimised.
Overlaying scan data as a measured image with the 2D construction drawing in Autocad:
This makes differences between design and construction quick and easy to identify.
Checking construction work with laser surveying:
The actual position of walls, door openings, downstand beams and columns also becomes visible in the 3D scan.
3D analysis of the work as executed is also helpful for construction monitoring:
Screenshot from Autodesk ReCap showing the point cloud of a building shell.
Air-conditioning systems in the scan model:
By clipping the height range, this view shows only the installations located directly below the ceiling. With measuring function!
