{"id":6158,"date":"2020-02-07T03:59:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T03:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuflow.net\/cctv-pipe-inspections-saving-facility-managers-and-time\/"},"modified":"2020-02-07T03:59:00","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T03:59:00","slug":"cctv-pipe-inspections-saving-facility-managers-and-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuflow.net\/cctv-pipe-inspections-saving-facility-managers-and-time\/","title":{"rendered":"CCTV Pipe Inspections Saving Facility Managers $$ and Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Enquire about our CCTV Pipe Inspection Service<\/a><\/p>\n

Building and facility managers using CCTV pipe inspections for proactive maintenance or reactive repairs are reducing operational costs and increasing efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are three ways in which CCTV pipe inspections can be used by facility managers to more effectively optimise their building’s performance. They are:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. as a REACTIVE tool to accurately locate and determine the cause and extent of damage when an emergency sewer or drainage repair is required<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. as a PROACTIVE strategy to better manage and maintain a building’s pipe network, thereby reducing costs and improving efficiency<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. as an investigative, evidentiary and planning resource, to be used in a range of circumstances such as renovation planning, tenancy disputes or insurance\/warranty claims. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    While CCTV pipe inspections can be financially beneficial in each of these circumstances, it is through the proactive use of the technology that facility managers are able to derive the greatest benefit. This article will consider how CCTV cameras work, the advantages and cost-savings they offer for best-practice facility management and some important things to consider before engaging a contractor.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Good Facility Management Practices for Pipes<\/span><\/h2>\n

    According to the <\/span>‘Facilities Management Good Practice Guide<\/i>‘<\/span><\/a><\/span> optimising the performance of a building is the best ‘first step’ toward ensuring its financially and environmental sustainability. The guide, which was a joint venture between the Facility Management Association of Australia and the City of Melbourne notes that a significant proportion of maintenance and budget planning in residential strata schemes occurs on an ad hoc or reactionary basis (fixing things only when they need to be fixed). They warn that this approach reflects “poor financial management and often leads to a lack of funds to pay for required works”\u009d (p.40) which results in owners being burdened with excessive short-term costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Proactive management of built assets, such as a building or facility’s water, fire, sewer and storm water pipes, requires that policies and procedures are put in place to ensure assets are monitored, evaluated and maintained to optimise performance and sustainability. <\/span>By carrying out regular CCTV pipe inspections as part of a proactive pipe management program, facility managers are able to reduce costs, improve stakeholder relations and avoid the stress, embarrassment and inconvenience that go hand in hand with emergency plumbing repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The basics of CCTV pipe inspections <\/span><\/h3>\n

    While broadcast television transmits images to thousands of receivers\/screens, closed circuit television (CCTV) transmits<\/span> signals to just one specific place, or to a limited number of monitors. <\/span>The system is called ‘closed circuit’ because the cameras, monitors and\/or video recorders communicate across a proprietary coaxial cable run or a wireless communication link meaning access to data transmissions is limited by design.<\/span><\/p>\n

    To carry out a CCTV drain inspection a<\/span> camera and powerful LED lights are inserted into the pipe, either on the end of a pipe or cable, or encased within a self-propelling explorer. <\/span>Those images are then transmitted back to a monitor where a trained technician interprets and reports on them. They may also offer relining or repair advice and services. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Types of equipment<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Tractor cameras are self-propelled and are generally used for larger pipes (over 100mm diameter). They usually have pan and tilt facilities to enable full image capture.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Push cameras (on poles\/cables for example) are more commonly used for sewer, storm water and residential pipes of less than 100mm diameter. Good quality CCTV equipment can provide 360\u00c2\u00b0 colour vision of pipe interiors of all sizes, including through transitions in diameter, along changing angles and bends, and into joins and junctions. Even when being used to probe and travel through vegetation, liquids and sludge, high quality equipment is designed to continue providing clear and accurate data and images.<\/span><\/p>\n

    This means that by using CCTV pipe inspections and advanced relining technologies, such as cured-in-place pipe relining, most issues that would have previously required excavation can be managed without any digging at all. <\/span>In a comprehensive report into the management and maintenance of water asset infrastructure, the US Environmental Protection Agency recommended use of CCTV technology<\/span>2<\/sup><\/span>, stating it was “a cost-effective technology providing the broadest base level of data for condition assessment”\u009d (p.ix). For more detailed information on use of CCTV technology for pipe maintenance you can read the full report <\/b>here<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    Uses and Benefits of CCTV Pipe Inspections for Facility Managers<\/span><\/h2>\n

    CCTV pipe inspections<\/a> are very useful for emergency repairs, but they can also be an important element of a responsible facility manager’s regular and ongoing maintenance schedule. They can provide facilities managers (FMs) with important information about the condition of the drains and pipes servicing a property and footage can be retained and used as a resource for future inspections, repairs, for planning and to demonstrate issues to property owners themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n

    The CCTV inspection report can include information such as:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n