Fides Expertise inspects, monitors and informs

To measure is to know. We all know that term. But how important measurement data is during the various stages of project execution is often underestimated. Fides Expertise, a construction damage assessment and consulting firm with years of experience in inspecting, monitoring and reporting influences of construction, demolition and GWW work knows one thing for sure: quality is going to win out.

Infrastructure work can have an effect on the surrounding environment. By assessing the possible risks in the preliminary phase, drawing up control measures and measuring the impact on the surroundings during construction, much suffering can be prevented, according to Fred Pannekoek, director of Fides Expertise. "Zero (consequential) damage, that should be the starting point for all infrastructural work," he states. 

Risk-based monitoring

Fides specializes in assessing and analyzing risks in the construction and infrastructure sector, both on the client's side and on the insurance side (even before the project goes to market), as well as on behalf of executing parties. "We estimate the risks of the influences to the environment and look at how best to monitor that during execution," Pannekoek explains. "The basis of monitoring lies mainly in preventing nuisance and damage. Through monitoring, measurement data is obtained during the execution of work on projects. By risk-driven monitoring, the impact of the work is constantly controlled and monitored, preventing potentially harmful consequences." 

Utrecht sea hero neighborhood

Pannekoek cites a project where Fides' extensive monitoring expertise has been on full display. "During the waterproofing of Utrecht's Zeeheldenbuurt neighborhood, we carried out the preliminary surveys, vibration monitoring and continuous deformation measurements using Robotic Total Stations. This involves extremely accurate observation of the development of vibrations, noise, deformations and groundwater levels." Fides also provided the monitoring well monitoring via telemetric loggers. "In case of exceedances of the limit values, the client is informed immediately and a decision can be made to adjust the working method, minimizing the chance of damage occurring."

Clear working method

"All work is done entirely in-house and with our own measuring equipment," Pannekoek said and continued: "Naturally, we work according to clear quality standards of both the BRL and the SBR." Professional monitoring by an independent and expert monitoring contractor provides clarity and certainty for the client and other stakeholders. Not only does this minimize the risk of damage, but open and honest communication to all parties involved also helps prevent "side issues" such as image damage.

Structural preliminaries

The preliminary inspections are carried out in accordance with KOMO process certificate BRL 5024, which the company has had since February 2014. An important quality aspect of the BRL certification are the spot checks on site by the accredited institution (SKG-IKOB). For the preliminary inspections, a detailed check is then made to ensure that all defects are actually recorded in the report. "With the new BRL 5024, the quality of architectural preliminary inspections is finally guaranteed," says Pannekoek.

Vibration Monitoring

Vibration monitoring takes place according to BRL 5023 and the SBR-A 2017. Since 2013, Fides is part of a group of five companies that are the first in the Netherlands to be certified according to KOMO assessment guideline BRL 5023. } With this process certificate, every client knows that having vibration measurements performed by a certified measurement agency gives the assurance that the measurements have been carried out correctly in accordance with the SBR and that the measurement results -in case of procedures- will not be questioned. An important quality aspect of the BRL certification are the spot checks on site by the accredited institution (SKG-IKOB). Fides itself actively participated in the 2017 revision of the SBR guidelines, with SBR Guideline Part A dealing with damage to buildings, and SBR Guideline Part B dealing with nuisance to persons. "So we know exactly what we're talking about, and clients can trust our expert judgment." Pannekoek notes, "To ensure that measurements are not influenced or disturbed by third parties, we position our measurement systems in an anti-vandalism cabinet."

Extension of BRL 5023

"Meanwhile, we are part of the working group working on the extension of BRL-5023, on measuring environmental impact from construction and demolition activities," Pannekoek continued. "The BRL-5023 should become a complete monitoring BRL, to which noise measurements, groundwater level measurements and all forms of deformation measurements will be added." The request for expansion into a comprehensive monitoring BRL comes from the Association of Insurers. The large differences in quality between the various monitoring contractors and also the use of incorrect measurement techniques and insufficient measurement times were at the root of this. 

Height and deformation measurements

Environmental building monitoring always begins with a proper and comprehensive baseline survey. Traditionally, accuracy leveling is commonly used. Measuring points are placed in the facades of a building whose height is periodically checked. The measurement frequency depends on the situation and the nature/speed of the work. When the limit is reached, additional actions will be assessed on a situation-by-situation basis. "But," says Pannekoek, "we see an increasing demand for the use of an active monitoring system, such as the Robotic Total Station (RTS), especially in complex inner-city construction projects. We have a lot of experience in performing automated XYZ measurements with our own RTS setups. We work with the latest measurement equipment of the Trimble brand and, in combination with the right monitoring prisms, achieve a measurement accuracy that is less than 1 mm. Automated XYZ measurements that are more accurate simply do not exist. Fides deploys the RTS systems in areas such as quay rehabilitation and inner-city sewer projects with sensitive buildings. 

We stand for quality

Whatever method of monitoring is desired is always tailored to the work. From the design phase, a risk assessment is often carried out first, which is used, among other things, to work out a project's monitoring needs. Fides' consultants can advise on monitoring or its optimization at that point, as well as at a later stage in the project. "In doing so, we take a critical look at what is technically necessary and what can possibly be added from a tactical point of view. You have to do a building survey and environmental monitoring well or else not. We really stand for quality" says Pannekoek and concludes, "Fides' experienced specialists combined with our optimal processes and constant expertise, ensure professional monitoring you can rely on."