Answers
Why generic AI measuring tools struggle with duct and pipe
Because a duct and pipe take-off is more than measuring lines. A tool has to know which printed size belongs to which run, where the size changes, which services are insulated, and how each is priced: pipe per linear metre, duct per square metre of girth. A general measuring tool is not built around those rules.
What makes duct and pipe hard
- A duct is drawn in plan as two lines, so the drawing shows only its width. Its depth is only in the printed size, such as 400x300.
- A pipe is often drawn as one line, with its size printed beside it, and the size changes at tees and reducers.
- Services are told apart by colour, line style or a legend, and the legend can sit on another sheet.
- Drawings carry existing work, other trades, notes and title blocks that should not be measured.
- Risers and drops run up and down, so a plan does not show their real length.
What Teastra does instead
- It was built for this trade. It reads the printed sizes and ties each one to the run it labels.
- It measures pipes per linear metre and ducts per square metre on the bare girth, and keeps the two apart.
- What it cannot tie down is held for you to check, not guessed.
- The measured take-off is laid over the drawing, so you can see what was measured. You approve each row.
Built by David Peck, 30+ years in insulation.