This study examines the actual status of drone utilization in building exterior wall inspections. First, we conducted questionnaire and interview surveys in accordance with the Exterior Wall Inspection Guidelines. We focused on Article 12 inspections performed with infrared-equipped drones and selected five companies with demonstrable experience. Questionnaire results indicated that, while drones offer cost-effectiveness and superior imaging accuracy for high-rise buildings, challenges remain in increased labor for image analysis and pre-inspection preparation, as well as in methods for implementing tethering devices to ensure safety. Interview findings highlighted the importance of selecting appropriate inspection methods according to safety requirements, environmental conditions, and client needs, and con firmed the necessity of regulatory compliance and human-resource development. Finally, we evaluated the safety and costs of traditional visual inspections versus drone-based Article 12 inspections. The results show that, for high-rise buildings, the use of tethering devices becomes increasingly essential to ensure safety, and that drone-based Article 12 inspections offer clear cost advantages over visual inspections,particularly for high-rise and large-scale structures.

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