T
he use of drone technology is gaining traction in the construction industry in this country even though it adds to the project costs.
According to experts, developers are willing to spend more to ensure their projects run smoothly and stay on schedule as many projects were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic about three years ago.
Furthermore, the government has prioritised the construction industry in its economic recovery strategy, focusing on infrastructure projects related to transportation and utilities as well as affordable housing initiatives under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
According to Master Builders Association Malaysia, the budget allocation for the construction industry in 2024, which exceeded RM70 billion, is expected to rise to RM100 billion based on trends from previous years.
As construction industry players leverage drone technology to enhance project management, a key question emerges: To what extent can drone technology further revitalise this sector?
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Quoting a report published by Drone Industry Insights – a drone market research and analytics company – geospatial expert Prof Dr Rosmadi Fauzi said the use of drone technology in the global construction sector shows an increasing trend, with the 2024 market value estimated to reach US$4.8 billion and projected to soar to US$602 billion by 2030.
He noted that many construction companies in developed countries like Japan are leveraging this technology to monitor the progress of projects as well as occupational safety and health (OSH) aspects.
Drones can help construction developers monitor the safety and health aspects of their respective workers more effectively.
In fact, he said, heavy equipment and machinery manufacturers in Japan, such as Komatsu, have developed technology that can integrate data from drones with equipment, allowing machinery to operate more efficiently.
“In Malaysia, we are also seeing positive developments in the use of drones, with construction companies willing to invest more in drone technology now compared to previous years because the devices can track project progress more efficiently and can also identify issues more quickly,” he told Bernama.
Rosmadi, a lecturer at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, also said drone technology can be utilised from the start till the completion of a project.
At the pre-development stage, drones are employed to survey sites to provide data for project planning, including drainage system planning and positioning of building structures.
During the development phase, drones can track project progress and assist in the preparation of progress reports for submission to stakeholders.
“The data from drones can be processed to produce three-dimensional (3D) outputs for documentation purposes, maintenance planning and recording the history of the development process, which also serve as a critical reference for the parties concerned should issues arise in the future,” he added.
Drones are now also equipped with various advanced technologies including LiDAR and Artificial Intelligence (A.I).
Once the project is completed, drones are used to inspect building structures and roofs as the devices are equipped with sophisticated cameras and thermal imaging to detect any damage to the structures.
He also explained the radiometric thermal imaging in the drone system, which can detect infrared energy, can be utilised to quickly identify overheating equipment or electrical faults which are common precursors to fire hazards, enabling developers to promptly implement mitigation measures to safeguard future occupants of the building from potential risks.
He added drones are highly suitable for large-scale projects, which usually require monitoring teams to move from one point to another using vehicles that are not only energy inefficient but also contribute to carbon emissions.
MONITOR OSH
Another plus point for drone usage is their ability to monitor OSH aspects to ensure the well-being of workers.
Rosmadi said by leveraging data collected by drones, developers can determine the necessary safety measures to be implemented on their project sites.
Zanuddin Kisman, a representative of the top management of the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH), concurred there are many benefits to using drones in the construction sector, especially in terms of worker safety and health.
He said some drones are equipped with specific technologies like artificial intelligence and can be programmed to recognise safety equipment such as helmets, reflective jackets and other personal protective gear, thereby assisting in monitoring workers.
“MSOSH believes the use of drones is crucial due to the increasing number of accidents and fatalities among construction industry workers each year,” he said.
He said statistics on workplace accidents in the 10 main sectors from January to November 2022 showed 6,306 cases of non-permanent disability (NPD), 227 cases of permanent disability (PD) and 186 deaths. Of these, 87 NPD cases, two PD cases and 59 fatalities involved construction workers.
He also suggested that the authorities draft clear guidelines and regulations on the use of drones at construction sites, as well as provide incentives to developers who use this technology to enhance OSH standards and project efficiency.
APPLY FOR PERMIT
The use of drones in this country, however, requires a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). Developers need to apply for a special permit, known as the Standard Authorisation to Fly (ATF) for low-risk drone operations, with a maximum authorisation period of three months from the approval date.
According to CAAM UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) regulatory officer Muhammad Fadillah Rosli, this permit can only be issued with the approval of the CAAM chief executive officer, based on the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2016.
Muhammad Fadillah Rosli
Among the conditions for the issuance of the permit are applicants are only allowed to fly drones below 400 feet above ground level, the drone must not exceed 20 kilogrammes in weight and it must be registered with SIRIM.
The drone operator must also have an aerial filming permit from the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia and the drone pilot must demonstrate competency in operating the gadget.
Muhammad Fadillah said the use of drones in the construction industry generally falls under the low-risk category and permits can be approved within 14 working days.
Once all permit criteria are met and a fee of RM250 (for a drone under 20 kg) and RM1,000 (for a drone over 20 kg) is paid for each drone and each location, the permit is issued along with a Notice to Airmen, which will be referenced by the nearest air traffic controllers to prevent any accident with other airspace users.
He said from 2023 to July 2024, CAAM received nearly 1,300 drone permit applications from various industries, including construction, adding the number is expected to continue rising in the coming years.
VIOLATIONS
When asked about common violations related to drone usage, Muhammad Fadillah said these include flying drones without a valid permit or beyond the permitted time frame. Other violations are using drones that do not comply with the required specifications and failing to report drone-related accidents to CAAM.
There have also been cases of privacy violations where drones are flown beyond the permitted site, entering residential areas and restricted zones.
The public should report to CAAM if they find that there is a deliberate violation of air laws which is CAR 2016.
Since 2020 to date, CAAM has received 57 complaints regarding the misuse of drones, including incidents of drones entering residential areas.
“Any misconduct is subject to CAR 2016 which provides for fines of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, for individuals found guilty.
“Companies found guilty can be fined up to RM100,000. The determination of the penalty is at the discretion of the court,” Muhammad Fadillah said.
Meanwhile, Construction Industry Development Board chief executive Datuk Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria said CIDB is ready to educate construction companies on drone law compliance.
He said this initiative aligns with the Construction 4.0 Strategic Plan (2021-2025) developed by CIDB in collaboration with stakeholders to help the industry navigate technological changes.
Datuk Sr. Mohd Zaid Zakaria
CIDB has also published the ‘Construction 4.0 Guide (A Guide for Digital Transformation)’, which serves as a primary reference for all industry players in Malaysia.
According to him, the Construction 4.0 guidebook has identified 12 key technologies, including building information modelling, robotics technology and drone technology, that play a crucial role in the digital transformation of the construction industry.
“CIDB is also planning to implement a Construction 4.0 roadshow focusing on emerging technologies in the construction industry across various zones in Malaysia to raise awareness and knowledge about the use of emerging technologies.
“This is part of our efforts to ensure that industry players understand all related laws and subsequently adapt the latest technologies in the implementation of construction work in Malaysia,” he added.
