Remote Inspections & Confined Space Drone Services

Remote Drone Inspections of Confined Spaces & Inaccessible Areas

Angell Surveys delivers specialist remote inspection services using advanced drone technology to access confined spaces, hazardous environments, and inaccessible structures safely and efficiently. Our approach eliminates the need for rope access, scaffolding, or permit-to-work entry into confined spaces — significantly reducing cost, programme time, and risk to your workforce.

Confined Space Drone Inspection

We operate the Flyability Elios series of collision-tolerant inspection drones, specifically designed for confined space environments. The Elios platform is enclosed in a protective cage, allowing it to navigate inside tanks, vessels, silos, tunnels, culverts, and pipelines without risking damage on contact with walls and obstructions. GPS is not required — the drone navigates using internal sensors and manual pilot control.

Confined space drone surveys remove the most significant risks associated with traditional confined space entry — toxic atmosphere, oxygen deficiency, and engulfment hazard — by keeping personnel outside the space entirely. This removes the requirement for atmospheric monitoring, standby rescue teams, and PPE entry procedures in many cases.

Remote Inspection Applications

• Storage tanks and vessels — internal condition surveys of tanks, silos, and pressure vessels without emptying or entry
• Pipelines and culverts — internal inspection of large-bore pipes, culverts, and drainage channels
• Tunnels and underground structures — condition surveys of tunnels, service ducts, and underground chambers
• Boilers and heat exchangers — internal tube and shell inspection during planned maintenance windows
• Bridges and structures — soffit, void, and pier inspection using tethered or free-flying drones
• Industrial chimneys and flues — internal lining and refractory inspection
• Mines and shafts — inspection of mine workings, ventilation shafts, and old mine entries

Benefits of Confined Space Drone Surveys

• Eliminates or reduces confined space entry risk
• No requirement for emptying tanks or taking assets out of service in many cases
• Faster mobilisation and shorter inspection programmes
• High-resolution video and photographic evidence
• Thermal imaging capability for heat loss and defect detection
• Significantly lower cost than rope access or scaffold-based inspection
• Detailed inspection report with geotagged imagery and defect annotations

Inspection Deliverables

Every confined space or remote inspection programme includes a comprehensive written report, full HD video recording of the inspection, geotagged and annotated photographs, and condition grading with recommendations. Reports are suitable for use in maintenance planning, insurance assessments, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a confined space drone inspection?

A confined space drone inspection uses a collision-tolerant UAV — such as the Flyability Elios — to enter and inspect enclosed spaces that are hazardous or difficult for personnel to access. The drone captures video, photographs, and in some cases thermal data, providing a detailed record of internal conditions without requiring human entry.

Can drones fully replace confined space entry?

In many inspection scenarios, drone surveys can replace confined space entry entirely, providing equivalent or better visual data at a fraction of the risk and cost. Where physical intervention is required — such as cleaning, repair, or material sampling — drones are used to de-risk the pre-entry assessment and reduce the extent of entry required.

What size spaces can you inspect?

The Flyability Elios can enter spaces from approximately 600mm in diameter or width. For very small-bore pipes, we can advise on alternative inspection solutions. There is no upper size limit — the drone is equally effective in large tanks, tunnels, and open structures.