What is a WiFi site survey?
A WiFi site survey is a professional measurement or model of wireless coverage in a building. It tells you how many access points you need, where they should go, and why the current network drops calls in the far meeting room.
The three types of WiFi site survey
In UK commercial work you will hear three names:
- Predictive (desktop) survey - coverage is simulated from floor plans in Ekahau AI Pro before install.
- Passive (validation) survey - an engineer walks the building with Sidekick 2 and records the live air.
- AP on a Stick (APoS) - a real AP is raised at height to prove warehouse or atrium coverage before you cable hundreds of points.
A complete project often uses two of these: design, then validate.
Do you need a WiFi survey?
Yes if you are buying more than a handful of access points, if users already complain, or if the building has brick, metal, glass or high ceilings. Skipping the survey is the most common reason new UK wireless estates underperform - APs end up in corridors because that was easy to cable, not because RF required it.
How a professional survey runs
We agree success criteria (for example -67 dBm primary coverage, secondary AP for roaming, minimum SNR). Then we either model the drawings or walk every required floor. Spectrum analysis catches non-Wi-Fi interferers. The report explains what to change, not just what is red on a heatmap.
What a good report includes
- Heatmaps for the bands you use (how to read them)
- AP placement and channel plan
- Remediation list ordered by impact
- Optional BOM for your preferred vendor
Common questions
Is a WiFi site survey the same as a heat map?
A heatmap is one picture. A survey is the process plus analysis: AP counts, channels, interference and a recommended design.
How long does a WiFi site survey take?
Desktop predictive work is usually days from receiving drawings. On-site surveys range from a half day for a small office to several days for a campus or warehouse.
Can I do my own survey with a phone app?
Phone apps are fine for spotting an obvious dead corner. They are not adequate for AP quantities, SLA evidence or warehouse scanner design.