Key numbers
Key numbers
Challenge
With existing methods of high-rise inspections being labour-intensive, slow, costly and hazardous, we sought a more efficient solution that could automate much of the process. Responsible for managing a variety of buildings across the UK, our teams must undertake inspections regularly. Having already used drone inspector and associated AI technology across our solar farms globally, we were confident that the results of this solution could be replicated at other sites and integrated seamlessly with BIM to enhance operational and maintenance processes.
Solution
As part of our integrated Retro BIM solution, Equans has been able to feed inspection data captured and analysed by AI into a 3D model that we’ve created using collected building data to not only support all subsequent operations and maintenance but to monitor and manage the thermal envelope of a building, with the aim of reducing overall carbon emissions.
Our innovative digital solution provides customers and endusers with numerous benefits, whether it be a business returning a building to its landlord within two years and spreading the remedial work over that period rather than close to handover or enabling the PFI market to benefit from yearly surveys rather than every five years – maximising efficiency and saving costs.
Impact
Having delivered our Retro BIM Solution at three customer sites: an aging church that needs refurbishment, the HQ of a large pharmaceutical company and the offices and distribution centre of a skincare brand, the process of analysis and reporting that would usually take 21 days for all these buildings, has been reduced to less than 48 hours.
Testimonial
“The ability to cut the survey to report time dramatically through our integrated Retro BIM solution is a game-changer for Equans. It is enabling us to complete condition surveys of large estates in a matter of two-to-three days at inception, annually during the life of the building and when we handover the building. In addition, leveraging our Retro BIM capability, has enabled better transparency of data across key stakeholder groups to review building components and can facilitate a transition to condition-based or predictive maintenance processes.”
- EMMANUEL CHAUTEMPS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT EQUANS UK & IRELAND
Frequently asked questions
Equans’ Retro BIM solution automates large parts of the inspection process using AI‑powered data capture and 3D modelling, reducing turnaround times by up to 80% and cutting labour and equipment costs by 50%.
By feeding AI‑analysed inspection data into a detailed 3D model, Retro BIM enables continuous monitoring of the building’s thermal envelope and supports more targeted maintenance, helping reduce overall operational carbon emissions.
By delivering transparent, accessible digital asset data and enabling regular annual surveys instead of five‑year cycles, Retro BIM supports condition‑based and predictive maintenance models that cut costs and improve long‑term asset resilience.
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
