The city relies on drones to detect the risk of collapse
Since the rue d’Aubagne disaster in Marseilles, and more recently the collapses of‘Ifurniture in Bordeaux then Lilletown halls are looking for ways to better control “building risks” on the oldest dwellings. Toulousewho had to manage the collapse of a roof on rue Cujas in 2019, then that of the first floor of a building on rue de la Fonderie in 2020 – which fortunately did not cause any injuries but weakened buildings adjacent – is no exception.
It is the only town in France to have a dedicated service for “buildings in danger of ruin”. He collects reports from worried neighbors or condominium trustees when an ominous crack appears. But there are other less accessible danger signs than cracks.
Hence the decision of the town hall to equip itself with two drones. “They will be used to inspect the roofs or even the chimneys, the condition of which may not be able to be apprehended otherwise”, explains Claire Nison, the municipal elected official in charge of the service.
The two machines, one of which is equipped with a thermal camera, have already arrived within the walls of the Capitol. But they won’t start their aerial inspections until the spring, “probably in April-May”. Because if there are in the ranks a few “remote pilots” already trained, it takes time to harden other agents in this specialty which requires a lot of dexterity, even to recruit externally. The training will be provided by the firefighters of Haute-Garonne, themselves equipped with drones to support them on certain fires.
The situation is not “worsening”, 37 “perils” in progress
You also have to be strict about the regulations, so as not to worry about local residents who would suddenly be surprised by the hum of an engine, which is also equipped with a camera. “The rules are very strict and it is the prefecture that manages overflight authorizations, specifies Claire Nison. We have already obtained a waiver for emergencies. “If an accident occurs on a building, the town hall will not need to file a flight plan to “enter” a building with its drone, taking advantage for example of a gaping hole in the roof. If there are persistent risks for a “human” inspection, the inventory will be much faster. Drones, unrelated to the missions of the municipal police, could also be used exceptionally to fly over the banks of the Garonne in times of flood.
But the idea is also, outside of emergency situations, to carry out “prospective inspection missions to detect problems upstream and take the necessary measures”. In Toulouse, reports have increased. They went from 116 in 2018 to 170 in 2019 then to 186 in 2020. They fell to 123 in 2022. “But that does not mean that we have more buildings in danger, reassures Claire Nison. Awareness is progressing but the situation is not getting worse in Toulouse”. There are 37 danger orders currently in progress.