Digital Transformation of Building Inspections: A Function-Oriented and Predictive Approach Using the FastFoam System

Abstract

This paper presents the concept, implementation, and evaluation of FastFoam—a web-based inspection system designed for the technical assessment of buildings. Developed through international collaboration, FastFoam supports flexible inspection workflows, structured data collection, and integration with classification systems and geospatial data. The system enables civil engineers to create, customize, and manage inspection templates, store inspection results in a centralized database, and analyze inspection data using both descriptive and extensible analytical tools.To assess user needs and guide system development, a nationwide survey was conducted among Polish civil engineering professionals. The results confirmed strong interest in mobile and web-based inspection tools, as well as specific functional expectations regarding template customization, defect documentation, and automated reporting. The system architecture follows a multi-layered design with separate user, server, and external service layers. It supports modular data structures, role-based access, and integration with external platforms such as OpenStreetMap and BIM systems. A key innovation of FastFoam is its implementation of the FOAM (Function-Oriented Assessment Methodology), which enables temporal analysis and prediction of building condition over various timeframes. A case study demonstrates the application of FastFoam in a real-world building inspection in Poland. The evaluation confirmed the system’s practical usability while also revealing opportunities for future enhancements including AI-based defect detection, IoT integration, offline mobile functionality, and open data export.