Can LiDAR Scanners See Through Walls?
No. The building laser-scanning equipment used for existing-condition documentation does not see through opaque walls, floors, or ceilings. LiDAR measures surfaces reached by its laser light; it is not an X-ray view of the building. 1
That distinction is especially important when a project involves pipes, wiring, framing, or other features that may already be concealed.
Visible surfaces are different from hidden construction
A scan of a finished room can document the visible geometry of that room. It should not be interpreted as a verified record of everything inside the walls. Similarly, a scan of an insulated pipe primarily records the accessible outer surface, not necessarily the concealed pipe itself.
Glass is not a dependable workaround for hidden coverage. FARO cautions that measurements through glass can be affected by reflections and refraction and may not be accurate or repeatable. 2
Why scanning before drywall can be useful
Before finishes conceal the work, a documentation visit can record the exposed features included in the agreed scope. Think of it as a dated record of what was visible at that stage, not a promise that every component has been identified or fully modeled.
Coordinate the timing with the builder and relevant trades. The useful window is after the features you want documented are installed and while they are still visible. Depending on the work sequence, one visit may not capture every system at its final exposed stage.
What a pre-concealment record can and cannot tell you
For example, a later contractor may use the record to understand the route of a pipe that was visible during capture. However, the pipe might have been altered afterward, a section may have been blocked from view, or the later task may require more detail than the original assignment included.
Do not treat an earlier scan as clearance to drill, cut, or demolish. The responsible contractor must verify current conditions and use appropriate locating, investigation, and safety procedures for the work.
Hidden-feature investigation is a different service
Specialist technologies exist for particular concealed-condition questions. For example, ground-penetrating radar is used in certain concrete-scanning applications. That is a different technology and scope from optical building LiDAR, and it also requires appropriate interpretation. 3
Tell your project team what you are actually trying to locate. An existing-condition floor plan, a pre-drywall record, and a concealed-service investigation should not be ordered as though they were the same task.
Have a project approaching the concealment stage? Contact Spot On Measure to discuss which visible areas and features could be documented, the timing, and the files your team would use.