CASE STUDY

Thermal Drone Inspection and Roof Quality Verification at ITP Prizren

Supporting Building Energy Efficiency, Preventive Maintenance and Renovation Quality Assurance in Kosovo

Client: Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren
Location: Prizren, Kosovo
Inspection Date: April 2026
Website: itp-prizren.com

Project Overview

Sky Topography Kosovo conducted a proof-of-concept thermal drone inspection at Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren to demonstrate how radiometric aerial thermography can support building-condition assessments, energy-efficiency planning, preventive maintenance and the verification of recently completed roofing work.

Three buildings were evaluated, producing three distinct outcomes:

• Building A – Thermal Anomalies Identified: Multiple areas of abnormal thermal behaviour were documented, highlighting locations requiring further investigation.

• Building B – Stable Thermal Baseline: The inspected roof exhibited a largely uniform thermal profile, with no action-required anomalies.

• Building C – Roof Replacement Verification: A recently replaced roof was independently assessed, with no thermal defects detected within the inspected areas.

Together, these results demonstrate that aerial thermography can do more than identify potential defects. It can also document satisfactory observed conditions and provide independent supporting evidence following renovation and maintenance work.

The Challenge

Institutional campuses often contain buildings of different ages, construction methods, roof systems and maintenance histories.

Visual inspections alone cannot always reveal thermal patterns associated with insulation deficiencies, potential moisture intrusion or other building-envelope concerns.

In addition, recently completed renovation work may benefit from independent assessment to help property managers determine whether the inspected surfaces exhibit unexpected thermal irregularities.

The objective of the ITP Prizren proof of concept was to demonstrate how radiometric drone thermography could provide a fast, non-invasive approach to:

• Identifying potential building-envelope concerns.

• Supporting maintenance and renovation priorities.

• Establishing thermal baselines for future inspections.

• Providing independent thermal assessments of completed roofing work.

• Generating supporting documentation for infrastructure-modernisation and energy-efficiency initiatives.

Our Approach

Sky Topography Kosovo conducted the survey before sunrise using a radiometric thermal drone.

The pre-dawn inspection window reduced the influence of direct solar heating, providing suitable conditions for examining thermal patterns across the inspected roof surfaces.

The assessment combined:

Radiometric thermal imagery · Aerial roof mapping · Thermal anomaly identification · Measurement of affected areas · Thermal condition assessment · Prioritised follow-up recommendations

The inspections were performed without physical contact with the roof surfaces and without disrupting normal campus operations.

Building A – Multiple Thermal Anomalies Identified

Inspection Outcome: Further investigation recommended

Thermal analysis of Building A identified 17 point anomalies and four measured anomaly zones, covering approximately 353.81 m², equivalent to 27% of the evaluated roof surface.

These findings revealed several areas of abnormal thermal behaviour that warranted closer examination.

The inspection provided the facility management team with a documented overview of the affected areas, supporting targeted follow-up investigations and more informed maintenance planning.

Rather than relying exclusively on visual observations or extensive manual roof inspections, management received spatially documented thermal evidence identifying where further attention could be most valuable.

Building B – Stable Thermal Baseline

Inspection Outcome: No action-required thermal anomalies

Building B produced a significantly different result.

Across 834.30 m² of inspected roof area, the main roof surface exhibited a largely uniform thermal profile, with zero action-required anomalies.

Two advisory thermal signatures were documented. Both were consistent with known or expected rooftop heat sources rather than evidence of widespread building-envelope deterioration.

The stable thermal baseline provided supporting evidence that the inspected roof was exhibiting expected thermal behaviour under the conditions of the survey.

This result was equally valuable from a maintenance perspective, allowing management to direct resources toward buildings with more significant findings while avoiding unnecessary intervention.

Building C – Verification of Recently Completed Roof Replacement

Inspection Outcome: No thermal defects detected in the inspected areas

Building C demonstrated another important application of aerial thermography: independent quality assessment following completed roofing work.

The building's roof had recently been replaced, and Sky Topography Kosovo carried out a thermal inspection to assess its condition following completion.

The inspection revealed a consistent thermal profile across the evaluated roof surfaces, with no unexpected thermal anomalies detected.

The findings were consistent with a satisfactory observed thermal condition at the time of inspection, providing additional documentation supporting the recently completed roof replacement.

For the facility management team, this represented a positive outcome. Rather than identifying areas requiring immediate further investigation, the assessment provided independent evidence that no detectable thermal irregularities were present within the inspected areas.

This application illustrates how aerial thermography can support post-renovation quality assurance, maintenance records and future comparison inspections.

A successful thermal inspection does not always identify a problem. Sometimes its greatest value is providing documented evidence that no detectable thermal problem was found.

The Value Delivered

The inspection provided radiometric thermal assessments across three campus buildings during a single survey session, without disruption to occupants or normal operations.

The project demonstrated three complementary benefits of aerial thermography:

1. Targeted Maintenance – Building A

Identified and documented thermal anomalies, including the locations and measured areas of concern, to support prioritised follow-up investigations.

2. Evidence-Based Maintenance Planning – Building B

Established a largely uniform thermal baseline with no action-required anomalies, helping management focus attention on assets with more significant findings.

3. Renovation Quality Assurance – Building C

Provided an independent thermal assessment of recently completed roof replacement work, documenting the absence of detectable thermal defects in the evaluated areas.

Together, these findings gave the ITP Prizren management team a clearer evidence base for prioritising maintenance, documenting building conditions and supporting future infrastructure-modernisation and energy-efficiency funding applications.

The project also demonstrated how drone-based inspections can provide valuable technical information without requiring direct access to extensive roof surfaces.

Client Feedback

"The findings were very relevant and useful for us, especially considering our ongoing focus on infrastructure modernization and energy efficiency.

We truly value the professionalism of Sky Topography’s work and the insights provided through the initial assessment."

Muhamed Rexhepi
Executive Director
Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren

Supporting Kosovo's Energy-Efficient Future

The ITP Prizren project demonstrates the potential of aerial thermography to support more informed building management and long-term infrastructure planning across Kosovo.

By identifying potential problems, documenting stable thermal conditions and independently assessing recently completed renovation work, Sky Topography Kosovo helps property owners and institutions make decisions based on measurable thermal evidence.

Our approach combines radiometric thermal imaging, aerial mapping and structured reporting to support building energy efficiency, infrastructure reliability and preventive maintenance.

From identifying hidden thermal irregularities to documenting satisfactory building conditions, our objective is to turn aerial data into actionable information.

Smarter Buildings. Reliable Infrastructure. A Greener Kosovo.

Interested in understanding the thermal condition of your buildings or infrastructure?

Contact Sky Topography Kosovo to discuss an independent aerial thermal assessment.