Condition assessment of canopies – Interview with Karsten Dobner, CSZ Project Manager Construction Engineering

Large-scale canopies are real tests for building diagnostics – areas that are difficult to access, complex building details, and the detection of leaks under realistic conditions. Creative inspection methods are required! Karsten Dobner (Project Manager, Structural Engineering) explains how this works in practice.

Question 1: Mr. Dobner, why is leak detection particularly challenging for canopies?
Answer: The challenge lies in the large surfaces, complex connection details, and partially concealed structures of canopies. Transitions, penetrations, and hollow profiles are particularly susceptible to leaks, as water can remain in the structure, causing corrosion from the inside, and damage often only becomes visible at a late stage. Detection is only possible if water ingress is simulated under realistic conditions—classic visual inspections are not sufficient.

Question 2: You use artificial irrigation for this. How does that work in practice?
Answer: We work with fire hoses that generate a defined amount of water and a specific pressure. This allows us to simulate rainfall events that correspond to realistic weather conditions in terms of intensity and duration. The advantage is that we can control the load in a targeted manner and thus also reveal small leaks that would otherwise remain undetected.

Question 3: And what role does the aerial work platform play in this process?
Answer: Many relevant areas are simply inaccessible without special equipment. The aerial work platform allows us to safely reach critical areas—such as eaves or concealed connections. This is the only way to ensure a comprehensive inspection. We avoid overlooking entire areas of damage simply because they are difficult to access.

Question 4: How does building diagnostics work after watering?
Answer: We systematically document all water ingress points and compare them with the building details. This results in a damage profile, which we refine in several iterations. This means that with each phase, we gain new data that allows us to make a well-founded assessment. Only on this basis can we make reliable renovation recommendations.

Question 5: How important is close coordination with the client?
Answer: Very important! We discuss the results directly on site, point out the critical areas, and propose specific measures. This creates transparency and facilitates decision-making. Clients know exactly what steps are necessary to ensure the long-term value of their building.

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