RICS has standardised the principles of building surveying for many years now, but with the most recent technological developments, building surveying could be shifting to new methods. 25 years ago, the first usage of the laser scanner was put into place which was the initial catalyst of change in this profession, but in the last 2 years, additional technological advancements are improving the quality, predictability and efficiency of this industry.

The use of laser scanning and 3D modelling has significantly increased the efficiency of surveyors by providing ultra-precise data rapidly, which improves the overall cost effectiveness. There was also the need for a rapid development of virtual site inspections, which help minimise the number of individuals needed onsite. This method enables a single site-based surveyor the ability to collaborate with team members via video communications which allowed operations to continue effectively throughout the pandemic.

Digital capture and image recognition software is giving building surveying a multitude of exhilarating opportunities with the ability to analyse data and pinpoint potential defects effectively. This technology is still in the early days of usage, however in the Netherlands, this technology is already being used for identifying road defects. Its automated analysis has successfully detected more than 95% of road defects such as cracks or potholes. There is quite a bit of future potential for crossover with this technology.

There is enormous benefits available for the surveying of tall buildings or hard to reach areas of large buildings with thermographic cameras attached to drones. The ability to identify potential performance issues in a structure so quickly and accurately offers not only a benefit in health and safety of surveyors, but also benefits the client with faster reporting.

The use of many of these techniques in the future will help to streamline and drastically improve building surveying. These newest technological developments will take building surveying efficiency and effectiveness to a whole new level.

When using a lifting hoist such as an electric chain hoist or electric wire rope hoist, it can be suspended on a beam by attaching it to a beam trolley. There are various types of beam trolleys on the market, each with different uses and purposes, and each will also be compatible with different types of hoists and cranes. When looking for beam trolleys, the options are easier to narrow down once you know the type you will need and the functionality you will require as part of it. Learn about the different types of beam trolley and which one might be right in this brief guide.

Different types of beam trolleys: what are they and which one is right for you?

These are some of the different kinds of beam trolleys available, some of the most commonly used accessories and fixtures, and the ways in which they can be used:

1. Push beam trolleys. The beam is pushed onto the flange, and it is attached in such a way that it can travel along the full length. This is a simple and efficient way of enabling travel.
2. Geared beam trolleys. These use wheels, which have chains and gears. The trolley will move when the chain is pulled on either side.

There are also beam clamps, which have a set of jaws that can be opened and closed easily using a threaded handle. These jaws can be fitted around a beam flange, and the clamp can be used as a stationary attachment for suspending devices. This is similar to a beam trolley, but the difference is that it does not allow for travel: it is a lifting and lowering mechanism instead.

Whatever type of beam clamp you are using, it will need to be suitable for its purpose and used in the way intended. If these guidelines are not followed, you can risk damage to equipment and loads, or in the worst case scenario, harm to people. It is essential that beam clamps, trolleys and hoists, as with any items of lifting equipment, are used responsibly and appropriately.

These are some general pointers for buying the right beam trolley, making sure it has been specified correctly, and then installing it properly as well:

1. The correct size needs to be purchased – to do this, measure the width of the runway beam
2. Spacer washers need to be used to assemble the suspension plate
3. The other hanger pins will need to be assembled so contact is not allowed
4. The trolley can then be loosely assembled so side plates settled on beam flanges
5. Nuts can be tightened and safety pins inserted

Make sure any beam trolleys you purchase and install will take the correct weight and can be used as is needed in the lifting and transportation of loads with lifting slings. If you need to opt for a professional installation instead this is a good investment, ensuring that the beam trolley will be property installed and fully usable.

There are basically three types of commercial roof types: Flat Roofs, Low-Sloped Roofs and Pitched Roofs. Flat roofs are the most common commercial roof, usually used for smaller structures and typically on the lowest end of the cost scale as they are the easiest and quickest type to build. Low-sloped roofs are typically used on large-scale buildings, are low cost and easy to install and repair. Pitched roofs have the best drainage and therefore are the least problematic but are the most expensive of these three. They are also the hardest and most expensive to repair.

Commercial Roof Materials

1. Thermoplastic Roofing- extremely flexible and resistant

2. EPDM Roofing- incredibly easy to install, maintain and repair

3. Photovoltaic Solar Panels- converts light energy to electrical energy but expensive to install and maintain

4. Green Roofs- usually flat roofs covered I vegetation which absorbs heat and protects underlying roof

5. PVC Roofs- incredibly fire-resistant and even more beneficial than EPDM roofing

Many construction sites still use paper timesheets to track employee hours but in a modern world, this task is slightly outdated, time-consuming, and leaves room for errors. There are many benefits of taking the plunge and converting to digital timesheets and we’ve listed the top 3 benefits below.

1. Convenience – digital timesheets are accessible anywhere at any time. One of the main issues with traditional timesheets is that they do not offer convenience, they are not accessible at any given time and often after a long working day, some employees may forget to fill them in.

2. Time-saving – paper timesheets are often time-consuming to fill in. a digital timesheet is far quicker to fill in and can be pre-set meaning for employees who work the same hours each week they are already filled in for them and would only need editing if hours change.

3. Accuracy – sometimes handwriting can be hard to read and mistakes can easily be written on paper timesheets. Digital timesheets leave room for far fewer errors meaning everyone is paid correctly and for the correct number of hours worked.

A jib or jib arm is that the horizontal or near-horizontal beam that’s incorporated into many crane designs to support the load beyond the most support. Usually, jib arms are attached to a vertical mast or tower or sometimes to an inclined boom, but one among if there’s one key takeaway, it’s that these proven, clever and efficient machines are mechanically sound. Finding a jib crane supplier is fairly easy too, and you only need to browse these robust machines online, whilst many local depots will have models on show.

How does it work?

Masts provide the vertical support structure; this permits for the boom to be held at the proper angle. With regards to booms and jibs, the horizontal member supports the moveable hoist; and this is often the part that’s fixed to the bottom or wall. Trolleys sit horizontally back and forth alongside the boom, helping to hold the hoist, while wire rope and lifting hook are also key features. Most jib cranes can be put into two main categories floor-mounted and wall-mounted cranes, with the floor-mounted cranes being attached to a tough and fast support base and wall-mounted cranes being attached to a structural support or wall. At times, jib cranes are permanently mounted into place, but small jib cranes are often mounted to vehicles, yet unfortunately these can only be used for lightweight tasks, so they’re not great in harsh settings or factory environments. Though it’s important to note that jib cranes are only assigned tasks that fall within their boom radius.

A few of the key advantages:

• Though they’re simple in design jib cranes are important pieces of kit simply because of their versatility and strength that they wield.

• As stated, jib cranes are very strong, even the smallest ones can hoist several tons. We would argue that the key to their strength is their fixed bases.

• They are reliable, because they have so few parts, meaning there is a reduced chance of a possible breakdown or failure points.

• They are easy to use because they eliminate multiple axes point movements that almost all crane operators must take care of; the rotational movement of the boom, the hoist lifting and lowering and thus the trolley travel.

• Jib cranes also have the advantage of transitional lifting, so they’re quick and nimble compared to other designs, which allows for them to manoeuvre heavy loads that are located during a rather small or cramped area.

Portable Jib Cranes

Like we stated before, portable jib cranes aren’t often used, but they’re still something we should always discuss because they do have their advantages. Some portable jib cranes are placed on a movable concrete block, or a metal heavy-duty block, this then means that they can be transported anywhere when needed, yet it increases the number it can lift when compared to ones that are mounted onto vehicles.

Though this mobility comes with a price, they’re unable to lift loads that exceed 500 kg, but it’s always best to check the specifications of each model for more details.

Advantages of portable Jib Cranes:

• They can prevent money, because you’ll easily move the jib crane around with a forklift, meaning you do not get to install multiple units

• Being that it’s portable you will have the jib crane complete almost any task in any position within your workshop.

• They are easy to operate; with its simple design jib cranes don’t require any special training and should be operated by almost anyone within the workshop.