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Thermal Roof Inspections require a specialized approach that goes beyond standard aerial photography. With this guideline, we aim to equip you with all the tools and knowledge needed to perform precise and high-quality thermal inspections. We’ll guide you through the essential principles, recommended angles and techniques, and specific technical requirements to effectively capture both thermal overview images and detailed close-ups of various roof types.
Guideline as of May 2025
Job specifications?
Job specifications?
RGB + thermal inspection of a building at two different times
Mission 1 - Thermal flight just before sunrise or after sunset (RGB + Thermal)
Mission 2 - RGB mission once enough sunlight is there (RGB)
Technical specifications
Technical specifications
Shutter speed: 3m/s or 5m/s depending on GSD
JPGs only - NO RAWs required.
Resolution: 640 x 512 radiometric thermal camera. NO DJI supermode (1280 x 1024)
Dewarping setting: ON (only for mapping drones)
MSX off
Palette: Red Iron
What needs to be collected?
What needs to be collected?
- Close-Up images: Detailed shots of the entire roof to detect potential damage
- Low Mapping Flight: Backup to ensure complete coverage if close-ups are insufficient
- High Mapping Flight: For creating an orthomosaic
It is possible that not all of the above points apply to your project. Therefore, always refer to the job description for the scope of work and contact us if you have any questions.
- Close up images
Here, we need complete images of the entire roof to identify any potential damage.
Position of the drone: Manual
Gimbal angle: Perpendicular to the roof
Overlap: 10%
Capture Mode: Manual
It is important that the drone comes to a complete stop in the air for each frame!
High shutter speed to avoid motion blur at all costs
Here you can access our Motion-Blur Calculator to calculate the correct shutter speed.
Capture close-up images perpendicular to the entire roof surface—please refer to the image carousel for reference.
Approach the roof and fly over it with the pitch of the roof and take several photos from the gutter to the ridge.
The aim is to get a comprehensive impression of the condition of the roof
Important: For each picture a NEW position must be taken. Do not rotate the drone while hovering!
Be sure to include the following details:
Be sure to include the following details:
Roof slopes
Ridges
Angles
Covers on the edge
Chimney
Skylights
2. Low mapping flight (Ortophoto)
2. Low mapping flight (Ortophoto)
Here, we need a mapping flight to provide backup images in case the close-up shots are not sufficient.
Position of the drone: about 10m above the roof
Gimbal angle: -60° from horizontal
Overlap: 40% front and side overlap
Flight speed: 3-5m/s
Capture Mode: Double grid
Here you can access our Motion-Blur Calculator to calculate the correct shutter speed.
3. High mapping flight (Orthophoto)
3. High mapping flight (Orthophoto)
Here, we need a mapping flight to generate an orthomosaic of the area.
Position of the drone: about 60m AGL
Gimbal angle: -90° from horizontal / NADIR
Overlap: 80% front and side overlap
Capture Mode: Single grid
Flight speed: 3-5m/s
At least 3 rows must be flown. If the AOI is too small -> increase overlap
Here you can access our Motion-Blur Calculator to calculate the correct shutter speed.
On-site guidance
On-site guidance
If the contact person on site would like additional recordings:
Please contact us immediately. Only in this way can the request be addressed directly and ambiguities can be ruled out.
If it is outside our office hours, please send us an email immediately.
IMPORTANT:
Never hand over material to the contact person on site, unless we have instructed you to do so.
Never give recordings away.
Wear the FairFleet pilot safety vest.
Please note, you are operating on behalf of FairFleet.
Order completion
Order completion
Check that the app has captured the full number of images when you have finished.
-> If not, repeat the flight!
Are the images sharp? Sharpness check!
-> If not, repeat flight and set focus manually to infinity.
To much motion blur?
-> Repeat flight!
Is the sun too low so that it burns out?
-> Set AEB/HDR and repeat flight.
IMPORTANT:
Shots that are blurred, incomplete or incorrectly exposed will not be paid for.
The pilot is obliged to repeat the shots at his own expense, as it is part of his service to deliver flawless material.
The data has to be uploaded within 24 hours after the shoot.
Data upload
Data upload
Checklist and summary
Checklist and summary
The most important points are:
Drone set up correctly?
Were all perspectives photographed?
Are all mission parts done?
Are all pictures sharp and correctly exposed?
Then the job is completed on site and the FairFleet team is waiting for the upload. By the way, you can also leave a comment for the FairFleet team in the portal after you have marked the job as completed.
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