Benefits at a glance
Fast and easy ventilation check
Easy detection of points of interest and integrated inspection reporting
Ultimate agility in all types of ducts (e.g., shunt or ducted systems)
Customer needs
In the real estate sector, particularly in social housing, apartment renovation is a key opportunity to modernize the existing building stock. However, beyond aesthetics and energy performance, occupant safety and regulatory compliance remain absolute priorities. It is in this context that ventilation inspection takes on a critical dimension.
Visual inspection of existing ventilation ducts in residential buildings is becoming a strategic process for social housing landlords, property owners, building managers, and project managers. This approach meets a dual requirement: first, to ensure strict and continuous building compliance to guarantee the building’s insurance coverage in the event of an incident, but most importantly, to ensure the safety of future occupants. In the case of major renovation work that involves reusing existing ducts (such as shunt, individual masonry, ‘Alsace’ or circular metal ducts with 90° connections) for a new ventilation system, a visual inspection of the existing ducts is now mandatory before the renovation project begins. The ventilation inspection must make it possible to understand the characteristics of the duct (type, shape, dimensions, floors served by the duct, number of dwellings and dwelling types, and types of rooms connected). The inspection allows a decision to be made on whether or not the existing ducts can be reused, or to enable the client to define the repairs to be carried out if defects are identified before the ducts are reused. Ultimately, given the direct impact of standards on safety and insurance implications, professional visual inspection of existing ducts is becoming an essential component of responsible real estate management.
As part of an apartment renovation project, a major social housing provider used the Visioprobe 45mm duct camera to conduct an in-depth inspection of the ventilation ducts within the building’s dwellings.
The building is 13 floors high. The apartments being renovated are connected to three ventilation ducts: one serving the bathrooms, another the kitchens, and the third the toilets and one storage closet. These are ducted systems (round, metal), measuring 38 meters (125 feet) high and 45 centimeters (18 inches) in depth/diameter.
The solution : Visioprobe inspection camera with light
The Visioprobe inspection camera with light is the ideal ventilation inspection solution for multi-story buildings. Engineered for maximum efficiency, its compact 45 mm diameter allows it to enter all types of ducts, whether shunt or ducted/lined systems, even narrow ones. The reel ensures a smooth descent down to 50 meters, and its integrated electronic metric counter provides precise positioning, which is visualized in real-time on the control unit. The camera’s 360° rotation and +/- 110° pivot, good resolution, and powerful lighting system capture every detail with exceptional clarity: from ventilation grilles to reductions, deviations, or obstructions. This allows for a complete and flawless diagnosis of your installations. The resulting photos and videos are then used to inform the intervention report.
/// Pan & Tilt 45mm inspection camera with light and focus
/// Control Unit
/// 50m reel with electronic mectric counter
The inspection was prepared beforehand with the client, who granted access to the dwellings to understand the geometry of the buildings and ducts. Upon arrival on-site, a preliminary visit to an apartment allowed us to determine the exact number of ventilation grilles that needed checking, ensuring exhaustive coverage of the ventilation inspection with the inspection camera with light.
Our team then proceeded to the roof and located the duct outlets. The preparation phase is crucial: we cleared access to the ducts by removing the sealing caps and performed an initial assessment (diameter, duct type – shunt or ducted, and access size). All this information was immediately marked on the building plan, ensuring a perfect link between our observations and their physical location.
The duct was ready. We deployed our professional Visioprobe 45mm inspection camera with light, precisely installing it onto the end of the flexible cable in its reel and connecting it to the control unit. The dispenser was positioned above the first duct. The inspection began: the camera passage included stopping points with the camera correctly oriented to clearly visualize any observed defects and unique features. At every floor, points of interest—such as extraction vents, deviations, reductions, or obstructions—were captured via photo or video.
Seven ducts were inspected in just three hours, without any intrusion or damage to the installation. Once the inspection was complete, every sealing cap was put back in place, leaving no trace of our presence. Our ventilation inspection is fast, efficient, and respectful of the property.
Results
The ventilation inspection using the Visioprobe professional inspection camera with light proved to be fast and easy. Following the inspection, the operator compiles an inspection report that itemizes all the defects and specific features observed in the ducts during the camera survey, along with identification of the affected ducts and an altimetry reading (height/depth measurement). The detailed photographic record of the camera inspection are included in the report sent to the client. All pictures are time-stamped for maximum traceability. The report thus allowed the housing provider to anticipate necessary repairs, optimize its renovation budgets, and ensure healthy and safe dwellings, in perfect compliance with regulatory requirements and tenant expectations.
By choosing the Visioprobe duct inspection camera with light, you are choosing peace of mind and performance. Our meticulous, fast, and non-destructive inspection process guarantees you an unparalleled accurate ventilation inspection, essential for the success of your renovation projects and the compliance of your installations. By using the Visioprobe professional inspection camera, the condition of your ventilation ducts will hold no secrets, allowing you to act with full knowledge to ensure healthy and safe dwellings.