Two industrial projects are subjected to virtual TOP examinations
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A pair of industrial facilities have been successfully subjected to Virtual temporary occupancy permit (TOP) inspections conducted by JTC as well as the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). These virtual inspections carried out by JTC Logistics Hub @ Gul in April 2021 as well as JTC semiconSpace in Tampines Wafer Park in September 2022. The projects then received their TOPs in May 2021 and Oct 2022, respectively.
Instead of the traditional physical inspection of the TOP Instead, the BCA inspector and the project team performed the inspection online with 3D data that was compiled using 360-degree photos and the use of laser scanners.
JTC Corporation says the virtual process could cut down on the amount of time and staff needed for inspections by up around 30% for the project team as well as inspectors. Following the pilot inspections JTC as well as BCA have worked together to create the virtual TOP standards for JTC projects. These guidelines are expected to clear the way for a framework that will be used by the industry for greater adoption.
“BCA is currently working on guidelines technical to define virtual TOP requirements for the industry, based on the experiences of the pilot trials conducted with JTC as well as other stakeholder. We will announce the details once they are finalized,” says Darren Lim the head of inspection and audit at BCA.
Tan Chee Kiat, group director of engineering at JTC Tan Chee Kiat, group director of engineering at JTC, says JTC is always trying to digitize the construction process. “We are thrilled by the fact that this virtual TOP pilot is a success and are looking forward to implementing it in every one of the JTC project,” he adds.
Alongside TOP inspections JTC declares that it uses virtual technologies for the construction site management. 360-degree reality capture systems are used to coordinate and tracking progress, as well as documenting and reports by site teams over a variety of time. Initial studies suggest potential savings in man-hours as well as productivity gains up to fifty% across the entire construction value chain.
To save money and increase the technology of real-time capture within the field, JTC has launched a solicitation to employ such technologies in all JTC-managed projects.