Evaluation of emerging technologies for remote inspection of building work

What we did and why

The VBA supported research by Monash University and The University of Melbourne, through the Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), to review best practice remote inspection practices, evaluate emerging technologies that enable remote inspection of building work, and develop a guideline for the effective implementation of suitable technologies for remote inspections of building work.

Inspections of building work during construction play a crucial role in ensuring compliance, safety and quality within the construction industry. The advancement of technology offers an exciting opportunity to enhance inspection processes. Integrated with conventional inspection practices, these innovative approaches have the potential to enhance efficiency, safety and record keeping while addressing industry challenges such as the shortage of building surveyors and transparency issues.

While inspections of building work at mandatory notification stages during construction are required to be conducted in-person in Victoria, there exists scope for non-mandatory inspections (including the VBA’s compliance and assurance inspections of building and plumbing work) to be conducted remotely by taking advantage of emerging technologies.

Research led by Monash University’s Dr Yihai Fang and jointly funded by the Building 4.0 CRC and industry partners (VBA, Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, Sumitomo Forestry and Salesforce) investigated the effectiveness and suitability of technologies for remote building inspections as these are not fully understood and have not been rigorously evaluated.

This research project was completed in 2023-24 and published by the Building 4.0 CRC.

What we found

The research reviewed the regulatory context in which inspections of building work occur in Victoria and identified several legislative limitations to the use of inspection technologies for regulatory purposes.

The research confirmed that in Victoria, inspections of building work at mandatory notification stages must be conducted by the Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS) or their authorised delegate ‘in person’. The research identified that while the legislation provides for use of a range of supporting technologies for some types of inspections, the manner in which those technologies are described has not kept pace with actual advancements in the technologies themselves.

The research confirmed that there is no legislative requirement for compliance and assurance inspections such as those undertaken by the VBA to monitor and, if necessary, enforce compliance with statutory requirements and to assure the safety of building work, to be carried out ‘in person’.

The research identified that the current technology landscape offers ample support for a wide range of inspection tasks to be undertaken remotely. Various reality capture technologies were tested and proven feasible for the inspection of Class 1 building work, at multiple inspection stages.

Stakeholders who participated in the research generally hold a positive and receptive attitude toward technology-assisted remote inspections. However, concerns do exist regarding conflicts of interest, costs, and operator competency.

The research identified the benefits and risks of remote inspections. Benefits include the potential to make the inspection of building work more efficient, more effective, and safer. Risks include incorrect or faulty technology, or incorrect use of technology, potential conflicts of interest, and risks to data provenance.

The research identified that credentialing of the inspection technology operator could provide a new pathway to registration as a building surveyor or inspector.

The research concluded that governments should support the use of remote and like technologies to complement inspection processes at mandatory notification stages during construction, and provide an appropriate policy, regulatory and governance framework that ensures benefits are realised and risks mitigated.

Informed by stakeholder engagement, regulatory analysis, technology assessment, and field trials, the report makes several recommendations including that:

• The regulatory framework be amended to permit the use of technologies for remote or assistant-based inspection of building work at mandatory notification and other stages during construction.
• The use of remote, assistant-based, and other inspection enhancing technologies be supported within an appropriate policy, regulatory and governance framework that ensures benefits are realised and risks are managed. The key elements of this framework should cover: (a) when a remote inspection can be conducted, (b) who decides to conduct a remote inspection, (c) what technology should be used, and (d) who can use the technology.
• Inspections of building work at mandatory notification stages should be conducted by the RBS (or their authorised delegate) in-person and on-site unless the use of remote or assistant-based inspection technologies can be shown to be more effective, efficient and/or safe. The research did not evaluate the relative performance of remote inspections and in-person inspections in terms of effectiveness (thoroughness and accuracy), efficiency, and/or safety. Further research is required to undertake this evaluation.
• A multi-factorial tool should be developed to guide decision-making on the use of remote and assistant-based inspections, and the selection of suitable technologies matched to site and inspection stage and elements.

What difference this made

Outcomes from this research are expected to guide the implementation of technologies and workflows for technology-assisted inspections of building and plumbing work, and inform skills, training and education needs to support the deployment of proposed methods and workflows (e.g., higher education and VET sector training).

We have shared the research with government stakeholders to inform future legislative reform opportunities on how technology-assisted inspections could be conducted in an effective and rigorous manner.

The research will inform consideration of the use of emerging technologies to support the VBA’s regulatory oversight programs (e.g., through the Proactive Inspections Program and Plumbing Audit Program).

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