Know-how and Tips from @AssessmentNinja - Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

A Revolutionary Integration for Coatings Professionals

Isabel English — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 03:39:55 +0000

Streamlining Your Workflow with Bluetooth Connection

We now have many coatings teams out there enjoying our Bluetooth integration with Elcometer & DeFelsko coatings gauges. Users can now seamlessly incorporate DFT (Dry Film Thickness), Surface Profile and Dew Point Meter (DPM) data directly into their reports through the Clarinspect app. This is a real game-changer, eliminating the need for manual data entry and cutting down on errors. The result? A precise and individual quality record for each blasted, treated, and coated item alongside photographs and a detailed activity log.

Comprehensive Quality Records

This integration makes our Coatings Logs and Coatings QA systems even stronger. With the app, the loaded floor plans and the bluetooth batch readings coming through - your efficiency is increased, and double handling of paper records removed.. Each coated item has a complete quality record that includes:

- Marked up site plans

- Technical specifications

- Photos

- Final register of DFTs

- Register of the climatics

- Register of all tests undertaken (dust / holiday / salt / surface profile)

- History of passes/fails

-This ensures that every aspect of your coating process is documented accurately and efficiently.

How to Connect Your Coatings Gauge to Clarinspect via Bluetooth

Connecting your gauge to the Clarinspect app is straightforward and convenient. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Turn on Bluetooth: Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your Elcometer device and your Android smartphone or tablet.

2. Open Clarinspect App: Launch the Clarinspect app on your device and sync.

3. Pair Devices: Go to the work package and “Select Gauge” - accept connection

4. Select your device: From the list of available devices, choose your Elcometer or DeFelsko device to establish a connection.

5. Confirm Connection: Once paired, confirm the connection in the app, and you’re ready to start importing your batch readings. Get in touch for a full document on how to do this.

With these simple steps, you can enhance your inspection process, save time, and improve data accuracy.

Experience the Benefits Today

If you have not tried it out yet, please get in touch for a demo and see how it can transform your coating inspections. Stay updated on our latest features and integrations by following us on LinkedIn.

Cheers.

Enhancing Efficiency in the Commercial Property Sector

Isabel English — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:28:51 +0000

At Clarinspect, we have spent many years working with the commercial property sector, continually impressed at the diverse ways our software benefits building surveyors, engineers, and architects. Our innovative solutions are designed to streamline their operations, enhance accuracy, and save valuable time. We put these reports into your company’s branding and style so it is in line with your other documentation, there are not many competitors who can say that!

How Clarinspect Can Help Your Business

Our software offers a range of applications tailored to meet the needs of professionals in the industry. We can help you with:

- Schedule of Condition Surveys: Documenting the state of a property at a specific point in time to assist in future maintenance and dispute resolution.

- Photographic Record of Condition: Providing a visual record that supports detailed reports and assessments.

- Weather Tightness Assessments: Assessing damage or ensuring that properties are protected against weather-related damages and meet required standards.

- Healthy Homes Inspections: Assessing properties for compliance with Healthy Home regulations, contributing to safer living environments.

- Bespoke Solutions for Large Contracts: Customising our software to handle the unique requirements for your client.

- Seismic Assessments: Evaluating the structural integrity and resilience of buildings.

- IQP Inspections (Backflow, Sprinkler, and BWOF Certification): Covering all aspects of the Building Warrant of Fitness certification process to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

- Local Authority and Central Government Property Condition Assessments: Providing comprehensive assessments for public sector properties.

Learn More About Clarinspect

If you're interested in discovering how Clarinspect can transform your business operations, we invite you to request a demo. Stay updated and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about our solutions and how we can assist you.

Join the growing number of professionals who trust Clarinspect to deliver exceptional results in the commercial property sector.

Mould Inspections Now Available

Isabel English — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:35:58 +0000

Expanding Your Inspection Capabilities with Clarinspect

As we witness an increase in extreme weather events, the demand for mould inspections has surged among both new and existing clients. Also it seems landlords and the general public are becoming much more aware of the dangers of mould in their internal environments. At Clarinspect, we recognize this growing need and our flexible inspection and reporting system can support your work in this crucial area.

More than Asbestos Surveys

For our existing asbestos clients this is an easy add on. We have been working with Asbestos Surveyors for over 10 years. We can see many of you expanding your services and we want to support you along the way. You can do mould inspections, noise audits, occupational hygiene audits and much more with Clarinspect.

Why Choose Clarinspect for Mould Inspections?

1. Tailored Inspection and Reporting: Clarinspect offers the adaptability you need to create a bespoke inspection and reporting system for mould inspections. We understand the critical nature of accurate reporting and the necessity of detailed photographs, especially when working with insurance companies.

2. Seamless Integration: If you're already using Clarinspect for hazardous material inspections or building surveys, adding mould inspection templates to your existing library is straightforward. This means you can manage all your inspection needs within a single software system—a true win for efficiency and consistency!

3. Comprehensive Documentation: With Clarinspect, you can ensure that your reports are thorough and professional, meeting the high standards required in the industry. Our system supports detailed photographic evidence, helping you document and communicate findings effectively.

4. Cost saving: No additional monthly fees if you are already a member using Clarinspect. Just pay for the commissioning and branding of our Mould system to how you like it then you are up and running.

How to Get Started

Interested in seeing how Clarinspect can enhance and digitise your mould inspection capabilities? Contact us for a demo to discover more about our system's features and how it can be tailored to fit your specific requirements.

Clarinspect is here to support you in expanding your inspection services efficiently and effectively, ensuring you are well-equipped to handle the increasing demands of the industry. It will also see your company well into the future.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

Key Points for Choosing Hardware

Isabel English — Mon, 27 May 2024 21:55:19 +0000

There is a lot to consider when buying devices for the team. We have put some top tips for what to consider when it is time to purchase hardware.

First things first

Do they even need a new device or is the one they have up to the job. Many assessors these days do not like carrying two devices so prefer to use their phone. The good thing about phones is they have great cameras, they are on mobile data and you can use one hand to take photos. This is handy when you only have one hand free or access some low corner. Check the list below to see if their current phone is up to the task. If you are looking at site plans though you may need a larger screen, so use a tablet.

Here are some key points for you to consider. If needed take a photo of this table and take it into the shop with you to discuss with the sales person.

Tablet, Phone or Phablet?

We get asked about this a lot. Phones are great for fitting in your pocket or getting in small spaces for photos. You only need one hand to operate them, and you only need to carry one device…

Phones will have 5G so better connectivity often and generally have superior cameras. However, if looking at site plans and marking them up in detail is your thing, then you might prefer a tablet for the larger screen size. It is often a personal preference and different team members might prefer one over the other.

Protect it!

You are going to need a good case to protect the device you have just purchased. Some have handles or a strap. Try them out and think about the duties the field staff will be doing and will it be comfortable to hold and use. At the very least an anti-scratch screen cover is essential. If you plan on using Voice to text, be sure to check the cover does not inhibit the microphone.

If you need any further help, please get in touch. We want to ensure the team in the field has the device they need so they can fly through their work.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

Software Helping in Post Disaster Recovery

Isabel English — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:13:39 +0000

Clarinspect Helping With Post Disaster Recovery

The recent anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake takes us back to the beginnings of Clarinspect. The massive earthquake meant thousands of buildings and assets needed to be checked ASAP. It was clear surveyors needed software to do the heavy lifting for report writing. This was the catalyst for us to put all our efforts into the business.

Paper based surveys were being done in an ad-hoc fashion initially. Engineers and surveyors were having to write up reports late at night - this was not working, was inefficient and created a lot of stress.

App onsite was a game changer

Creating an app to do the work was a game changer and helped staff get through the survey list and give people more clarity on the status of their homes and assets.

Reports out much faster

Having software to speed up the ability to survey and report in times of natural disaster is essential. Clarinspect has been there for the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquake assessments, and supported Auckland Council through the recent flooding. Our software was used by Structural Engineers, Civil engineers and building surveyors at these times assessing the condition of buildings, roading, bridges and other assets. Rapid assessments were changed for the situation at hand and then the team could get out in the field and get as many assets condition assessed as soon as they could.

A quick response by Clarinspect

The fact our software is highly configurable, means that questions can be added to ensure the important and relevant data is collected at these times. This enables our clients to respond rapidly to changing conditions.

Beautiful Christchurch today

It is heartwarming to look around our beautiful city and see how far it has come. The new design and the incorporation of the Otakaro / Avon river has been a massive improvement, along with the vibrant feel of our newly developed city centre and laneways.

It is good to see the city of Otautahi / Christchurch thriving but it is important to acknowledge those whose lives were forever changed from this event.

Kia Kaha

Multi Reports - Get it done with Clarinspect

Isabel English — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 21:43:44 +0000

One inspection with many report outputs!

A key feature of the Clarinspect inspection system is that it can produce more than one report from the data gathered during the inspection process.

When we do a demo to a group of building surveyors they are impressed that they can do one survey and then that data is processed into 4 (or even more!) report output formats. If your system produces a single report for you at the moment but you need further reports with different formats, we can help.

Each of the output reports can be for a different audience, and different members of your team can be notified depending on your business process. So a Condition Assessment might have a large report in word, a red flag report and a summary report for excel. For an IQP inspector, one inspection might produce the checksheet, a client report, a defect report and a 12A certificate..

For example, your team may undertake a survey that also includes a site hazard identification before starting the main purpose of their visit. After the survey is submitted for reporting, the data is added into one report for your team with everything in it, one for the client, a report to hand to the lab or a simple register. The site hazard assessment information goes into a different report (e.g. a single PDF) and the H&S manager is notified. A certificate of compliance as a pdf for the council, say, is an easy one for us to do too.

We design the app so it suits your on site work flow, and then rearrange the data so it is presented in the best way for the reader. This flexibility ensures the system works for you at the various stages of the surveying process.

If this sounds like it could save your team time on report production, whether you are commercial property, asbestos surveying or a structural engineer get in touch with us to learn more.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

AS1851: Get it sorted with FireQA

Isabel English — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 22:57:27 +0000

AS1851: Get it sorted with FireQA

The main reason for the existence of AS1851 is safety.

Our AS1851 product has been designed to ensure you can provide your clients with a comprehensive report against this standard.

Key features of our product include:

- Effortlessly create baseline data records

- Undertake routine inspections biannually or annually

- Conduct surveys and capture multiple photos to document fire protection systems

- Mark system locations on floor plans

- Specify compliance with standards such as NCC 2019 Volume 1 Section C3.15 (expandable to cover additional standards)

- Document reasons for failure and provide instructions for resolution

Keep your clients informed with the following comprehensive reports:

- Pass/Fail Register

- Photo Gallery

- Annual Service Report

- Certification & Record of Maintenance Fire Doorsets

Our product simplifies the quality assurance process, allowing you to seamlessly manage live work and generate final reports for your clients.

Want to learn more about how we can help? Please get in touch.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

Onboarding a new software - handy hints

Isabel English — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:31:08 +0000

Onboarding a new software - handy hints

When we engage with new clients we always ask about current productivity and output levels. Then we ask what their targets are, then what their lofty BHAG type targets are too.

When embarking on a journey of implementing software it is good to look at your current practices. And consider the following points:

- What are the issues with the current system?

- Where are the bottlenecks in production?

- What parts of the process cause frustration for the team?

- Is there variation in the way different team members do things?

- What does your “Best practice” look like?

In a recent review meeting with one of our council teams we were thrilled to find out that they have tripled the amount of assets surveyed monthly since using Clarinspect. They are looking to reach the lofty targets they had set out to achieve. What a win!

During the onboarding we discuss these things and build your “best practice" into the app and address the issues identified. A few small tweaks can lead to much higher outputs and a consistent, professional report/s for your clients.

Want to learn more? Please get in touch.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

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Clarinspect celebrates two years with Hampton Jones

Isabel English — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 23:13:58 +0000

Clarinspect are proud to be celebrating a strong two year partnership with the team at Hampton Jones.

We work with their building surveyors, structural engineers and architects on a wide range of inspections through out New Zealand including:

‌ - Construction Monitoring

- Schedule of Condition surveys

- Structural Assessments

- Final Checklists

- Vacant Inspections

- Weather Tightness Surveys

The Clarinspect team always enjoys working alongside the exceptional staff at Hampton Jones. We are delighted to be a part of their continued growth and ongoing success.

Particular thanks to Simon O'Brien, Gareth Christopher, Susan Wilson, Matt Earley, Fred Hanford, Jules Holdstock and Becky Miller for your support and collaboration over the years.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

Innovative Product Award!

Isabel English — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 01:20:49 +0000

FireQA by Clarinspect has won the Innovative Product Award, and for good reason.

What is this innovative product award you may ask? Clarinspect was nominated for, and won, the FireNZ award for Innovative Product & Design for 2023, announced at the FireNZ conference.

And here’s why:

We have an incredible fire stopping logging app and report system under our FireQA brand. It is optimised for each user along the process.

The app for the installers is straightforward, provides guidance and an image of the tested solution which allows installers to refer to technical drawings to ensure they are installing systems correctly.

Once that data comes through to the admin team, there are tidy as-built reports for each penetration, along with an overview report with all reports in one spreadsheet. This can be used by the QS for costings too. There is also a marked up site plan with all of the penetrations shown. This is a win for the council and property owner/manager.

The FireQA system allows for clients to invite the BCA, Project Manager, Fire Engineers or prime contractor in as monitors, so they can see the data, as well as before, during and after photos of work. This keeps the field staff accountable and has led to higher quality work and less destructive testing, as well as reducing the ‘back and forth’ in communication.

With all of these features the software improves quality of firestopping, makes work life easier for staff and most importantly makes buildings safer for our communities.

FireQA by Clarinspect offers forms to support BWOF and AS1851 compliance inspections, and is able to be used in existing buildings for remediation as well as being widely used for new installations, including some of the biggest in Australasia - such as Queens Wharf in Brisbane.

The team at Clarinspect are committed to providing excellence in design and development. We build strong relationships with our clients and continually build upon functionality of our software, as well as assisting clients with problem solving along the way.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

For more info about our Passive Fire Software, visit our FireQA website here https://www.fireqa.com/

Reduce your carbon footprint with Clarinspect

Isabel English — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:46:26 +0000

Ready to reduce your carbon footprint? Go paperless with Clarinspect and make a positive impact on the environment.

Many commercial property and asbestos companies come to Clarinspect for their inspections for a wide range of reasons. With the main focus usually being increased effiencies, automated report production and improved accuracy. But we are seeing more and more customers list reducing the carbon footprint of their company as a goal, especially those aiming for Toitu accreditation.

If you are looking to go paperless with your reports and surveys or add more templates to your library to reduce your carbon footprint, please get in touch.

Contact — Clarinspect - Mobile Inspection Software for Professionals

Clarinspect welcomes Progressive Risk Management!

Mark English — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 01:44:47 +0000

Asbestos Risk Compliance with Progressive Risk Management

Progressive Risk Management (PRM) is a boutique risk management consultancy providing services in the Environmental Risk and Workplace Health & Safety Risk fields across Australia and New Zealand.

PRM believe in client engagement throughout a project, from project budgeting and planning through to delivery and close-out to ensure requirements and expectations are exceeded.

Having seen how Clarinspect has delivered for one of the largest property owners and managers in NZ, Progressive Risk Management could see how Clarinspect would greatly help their own consultancy.

For more information about Progressive Risk Management see their website.

Clarinspect welcomes Bligh Tanner!

Mark English — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 21:12:00 +0000

Queensland Asset Compliance with Bligh Tanner

Bligh Tanner is a structural, façade, civil, environmental and water engineering consultancy distinguished by its high level of expertise, personalised service and reputation for delivering innovation on all projects.

Over the past 28 years, they have been responsible for some of Australia’s most innovative and complex engineering projects, from multimillion dollar special structures, through to world-leading integrated water management systems.

Clarinspect is very pleased to have produced an asset inspection system for them that is seeing active use, and covering hundreds of highly complex structures.

For more information about Bligh Tanner see their website.

Clarinspect welcomes BJS Group

Mark English — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 01:31:12 +0000

Queensland Fire Compliance with BJS Group

Based in Brisbane Australia, BJS Group manages a wide range of projects within the passive fire, and fire rated joint sealing sectors. These include commercial buildings, walkways, sporting facilities, pools, car parks and shopping centres.

They sought out Clarinspect as the tool for automating their quality approach to record keeping around firestopping. Since starting with Clarinspect they have saved a wealth of time and money in pulling their compliance documentation together.

Read the case study to find out more!

Read the BJS Group Case Study

Clarinspect welcomes Ryman Healthcare!

Mark English — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:53:16 +0000

Ryman Healthcare - Success with Clarinspect

Ryman Healthcare has been delivering pioneering retirement living since 1984, with 45 Ryman retirement villages now throughout New Zealand and Australia, with another 11 in the pipeline.

Ryman Healthcare and Clarinspect first began working together after Ryman started a project at their Invercargill retirement village. Ryman needed to complete a register of all the passive fire penetrations on the project to meet the compliance requirements of Invercargill City Council.

Ryman healthcare case study

Rapidly document your Passive Fire/Smoke Elements

Guest User — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 02:30:00 +0000

Preamble

Argest is NZ’s leading building warrant of fitness compliance management company with over 30 years experience with BWOF and Building in New Zealand. They offer a total building services package, providing expertise in building compliance management, fire system compliance and facilities management nationwide.

Why Clarinspect?

The Auckland City Council recently called for all owners of existing buildings in their territory to locate their passive fire/smoke elements onto a floor plan so they are in the building's Compliance Manual for BWOF and Building Management Documentation.

Malcolm Christie, the Passive Fire Program manager at Argest, had worked with Clarinspect for other inspection purposes. He decided to approach Clarinspect to create another app and report designed specifically to locate passive fire/smoke elements in a building onto a floor plan.

Getting Argest Inspecting

Clarinspect was able to come up with a solution for Malcolm and Argest’s needs after discussing what was needed to meet both the council’s requirements and Malcolm's own specifications to get the job done well.

Once Clarinspect had a clear idea of what was required, we moved on to develop the first prototype of the app.

Clarinspect then established the best design to assist Malcolm onsite, which involved managing a tremendous amount of data…

Click here to read the full case study

Cataloging Fire/Smoke Separations for a Large Property Portfolio

Guest User — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 22:00:00 +0000

Preamble

Why Clarinspect?

Recently Argest were engaged to do fire and smoke separation assessment reports for the Ministry of Education. Malcolm Christie, the Passive Fire Program Manager at Argest, knew there had to be a faster way than the current manual methods to get through this large contract.

When Malcolm approached Argest management with this idea, they immediately said to contact Clarinspect. They knew Clarinspect would be able to deliver, and could automate this process to meet Malcolm’s needs for data gathering and produce reports in a much faster time frame.

Getting Argest Inspecting

The current manual methods would involve a clipboard and camera, and spending hours cutting and pasting images into his reports and tediously marking up locations on floor plans. Malcolm Christie, a highly experienced passive fire subject matter specialist and inspector, knew that in 2020 there had to be a better way.

Clarinspect can produce reports in word or PDF, in this case, Malcolm preferred a word output so he could do a final proofread and add more comments when needed. After some training Malcolm was off producing reports at a rate he never had before…

Click here to read the full case study

Updating your QA process

Guest User — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 01:58:06 +0000

With the recently announced the FPANZ “Code of Practice for the Specification and Application of Intumescent Coatings for the Fire Protection of Structural Steel”, there is an increased emphasis on the processes around the application of intumescent coatings and the subsequent evidential records that prove compliance.

Clarinspect has been working with companies such as Tech Coatings and Altex Coatings for several years on Wet Film and Dry Film recording systems, and we have recently launched an app and reporting system for applicators to record daily paint logs and QA/QC activities.

Through collaborative efforts with Elcometer and DeFelsko®, Clarinspect has achieved a world first; being the only Coatings QA system that can take readings directly from “Dry Film Thickness (DFT)” gauges for ferrous and non-ferrous substrates. Using our app to take readings from the DFT gauge directly reduces human error and time wastage along the way!

Clarinspect allows you to produce a QA record that holds readings and batches streamed directly from the gauges along with annotated photos of elements, site plans, substrates, defects and remediations.

The software can also include PDF reports from the equipment manufacturer to provide your clients with a full and complete QA report of your work.

(Image: property of Tech Coatings.)

Get in touch today for a screenshare-demo with one of our enthusiastic staff!

New Passive Fire and Coatings FAQs!

Guest User — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 23:05:36 +0000

We now have a variety of FAQs on our Passive Fire and Coatings sectors!

We’ve answered the questions we get asked the most about the Passive Fire and Coatings services that Clarinspect offers.

Our FAQs cover a wide range of information around the Clarinspect Passive Fire Install log, the Coatings QA & Inspection app and cover a wide range of information on how the Clarinspect App can demonstrate the QA process you’ve followed!

From outlining what Passive Fire installation reports are available, if you can add clients or inspectors to view your work in progress, how you’re able to set up an automatic numbering sequence, and much more!

If you’re intrigued, you can read the rest of the Passive Fire FAQs here and the Coatings FAQs here!

Collaboration for Coatings Quality

Guest User — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 03:02:56 +0000

We’ve recently collaborated with DeFelsko® and Elcometer who are behind the leading Coatings Thickness Gauge technology in the world!

We’re excited to show you how the Clarinspect App integrates with both gauges. The videos below takes you through how the Clarinspect Inspection App integrates with each gauge to create a smoother workflow regardless of which gauge you prefer to use.

DeFelsko®

We integrated the Clarinspect App with the PosiTector®6000 coating thickness gauge which enables readings from the PosiTector®6000 on non-ferrous and ferrous substrates to load directly into forms in Clarinspect. This saves huge amounts of time in reporting on Coatings QA!

This is used extensively by Tech Coatings, and they were kind enough to let us film a video of them using our Coatings QA and Inspection app! Our video shows how Tech Coatings uses the app to record DFTs on plasterboard walls, and the quality and efficiency that our app provides throughout the process.

A big thanks to Ian Maxwell at DeFelsko® who we worked with on getting DFT readings data directly from the PosiTector®6000 coating thickness gauges via bluetooth and Scott Illingworth at BlastOne International for an early loan of equipment.

Thanks also to Elliot Gaensicke at Altex Coatings Ltd and Shane Wyatt at Tech Coatings for their support in testing on ferrous and non-ferrous substrates, and feedback on the new features.

Elcometer

The integration of the Clarinspect Inspection App with the Elcometer Coatings Thickness Gauge means huge time savings for Coatings applicators. You can record DFT readings with the Elcometer and populate the Coatings QA Inspection with those batches of data in the Clarinspect App - calculating minimum, maximum, and average coatings thickness along with standard deviation, and putting it into your report or spreadsheet.

Our video shows how the Elcometer integrates with the Clarinspect Inspection App using DFTs readings against our Founder's garage door, and showing the quality and efficiency that our App provides throughout the process.

Using this integration of the Elcometer with the Clarinspect App will save you a massive amount of time and also means you avoid having to use paper, read other people’s handwriting and double handling of data!

A big thank you to Elcometer and Catherine Lund-Barker for help in getting this up and running.

And an even bigger thank you to William Bettle and SYNTECH - SURFACE FINISHING SPECIALISTS for their help in getting equipment to test against! We couldn't have done this without your help.

Learn more about Clarinspect's Coating sector here