What's New?
Use of 'structural geosynthetic reinforcement' - A BRE review seven years on
The guide to good practice - Working Platforms for Tracked Plant - was prepared by BRE under the direction of an FPS Steering Group, and was published in June, 2004 as Report BR470. Available evidence indicates that the guide has proved satisfactory in its principal objective of improving safety by promoting the implementation of minimum design, installation and maintainence standards. However, some concerns have been expressed about the way in which the effect of "structural geosynthetic reinforcement" is evaluated, and it has been pointed out that the contribution of geosynthetics can be represented in ways other than that depicted in the guide. Pending a full review of the guide, BRE undertook further research to review this one issue, and its findings are summarised in the review document.
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Casting In Situ Concrete Piles and Diaphragm Wall Panels in Cold Weather in the UK
The FPS has produced a guidance note on best practice in casting in situ concrete piles and diaphragm wall panels in the ground during cold weather in the UK.
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The Design of Piles to BS EN 1997:1 and BS EN 1992:1
Many piling and piled retaining wall designs are now being carried out in accordance with Eurocodes BS EN 1997:1 Geotechnical Design and BS EN 1992:1 Design of Concrete Structures. Experience gained during the design process has highlighted a number of areas where the members of the FPS believe that clarification is needed. A FPS position paper offers technical advice for all piles excluding micropiles.
View Position Paper
Keltbray becomes the latest addition to the FPS
The FPS has exacting entrance requirements that includes an independent audit of prospective Members covering their technical ability, quality, safety, training and environmental management. Keltbray Ltd have met all the required standards and we are pleased to welcome them into Membership of the Federation.
FPS Schedule of Facilities and Attendances Updated
The FPS supports the use of standard contract forms wherever possible. The Federation has identified a need for standard conditions to cover the special facilities which are required for foundation work. The Schedule of Facilities and Attendances adopted by the Federation is widely used - saving time and money for both the foundation contractor and the client.
A new updated version has been published which replaces all earlier versions.
More information
Martello Piling joins the FPS
Martello Piling have become the latest addition to the FPS membership. Martello are known particularly for their limited access, low headroom capability using their purpose built rigs. They have successfully fulfilled all Membership requirements, including the rigorous independent audit that all Members are required to undergo every three years.
Revised Working Platform Certificate Issued
The use of the Working Platform Certificate (WPC) is now well established but incidents involving the working platform and rig instability have not been totally eliminated. A full review of the certificate and guidance notes has therefore been undertaken and a new version WPC/4 has been issued. This replaces all earlier versions.
Many problems relate to the maintenance of the platform and the failure to properly reinstate it after work has been done that affects its integrity. A new requirement to 'regularly inspect' the platform has therefore been introduced, and an Inspection Log has been introduced to record the date of inspections and any comments, key alterations that have been made, and other relevant information.
Other changes that have been made in WPC/4 include:
- A requirement for more information about the Designer
- A requirement to indicate whether (and what) testing is required
- Amended wording in Part 2 (now called 'Verification by Principal Contractor'
Changes have also been made to the Guidance Notes (which now form Page 3 of the document).
New Certificate
BAM Ritchies
The Federation is very pleased to welcome its newest Member: BAM Ritchies. Based near Glasgow, the company has meet all the requirements of the FPS Registration System, which includes an independent audit covering Technical Ability, Safety, Quality, Training and Environmental Management. This confirms that BAM Ritchies operates at the standard expected of an FPS Member.
Bauer Technologies joins the Federation
The FPS prides itself on setting high standards for the piling industry which all Members are expected to demonstrate. For this reason we have exacting entrance requirements that can only be met by quality companies. Bauer Technologies have passed all sections of the Membership Audit and the Federation is delighted to welcome them into Membership.
Crane Mounted Piling Rigs
Appropriate CPCS Cards
Piling equipment mounted onto crane machines (ie piling equipment being attached to a crane): The operator shall have a crane operator’s CPCS card as well as the card for a Piling Rig Operator as the machine is primarily a crane.
Piling equipment fitted to base machines: The base machine being used is set up for piling with a fitted piling mast. This determines the primary use, not the machine it is mounted onto. Therefore the operator will need only a Piling Rig Operator CPCS card as the machine cannot operate as an excavator, etc.
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Notes for guidance on the extraction of temporary casings and temporary piles within the piling industry
The extraction of temporary casings and temporary works piles has long been common practice within civil engineering and the piling industry in particular. Temporary casings are regularly used in the construction of bored piles to both provide a guide for the auger and to support otherwise unstable soils. Perhaps the most common temporary works piles are sheet piles although ‘H’ piles and steel tubes are often used for temporary support being extracted on completion of the works, particularly in marine applications. The extraction method, in particular for the removal of temporary casings used in the construction of traditional bored piles, has largely been selected on the basis of the judgement of experienced personnel and, in most cases, has been successfully concluded. However, if this judgement is incorrectly made the results can be catastrophic.
This particular document considers the removal of temporary casings and temporary piles The document is commended to all those within the industry who may have reason to extract a pile or casing as part of their works, so that the industry can be more comfortable in the knowledge that this operation is being undertaken in a safe manner.
View / download document
Network Rail Safety Requirements
Following detailed consultation with the FPS, Network Rail have published a document setting out the conditions which must be adhered to when undertaking piling activities adjacent to the live railway (ie without possession).
The document is available from IHS (Order Line Tel: 01344 328 039)
Title: Piling adjacent to the running line (Issue 1)
Ref No: NR/L3/INI/CP0063
Price: £35 + Postage (postage for a single copy is £5.95)
Notes for Guidance on PUWER (Regulations 11 & 12)
in relation to Guarding and Cleaning of Augers on Piling Operations
These guidance notes, which have been prepared in conjunction with the HSE, seek to identify a practical approach to The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 as amended 2002, as they apply to rigs used in the bored piling industry. The notes cover continuous flight auger, rotary bored piling, displacement auger piling and mini piling, Small diameter drilling, which is commonly used for grouting, soil nailing and ground anchoring applications, is covered by Guidance Notes published by the British Drilling Association
View/download guidance notes
Builder's Profile
The Solution to Pre-qualification
The National Specialist Contractors’ Council (NSCC) has announced its support for the Builder’s Profile pre-qualification service as the solution to the bureaucracy created by the multitude of paper pre-qualification questionnaires.
NSCC committed to working with the Builder’s Profile to provide a green, paperless way for companies to exchange common pre-qualification information. By creating an online profile to send their company information instantly to whoever requests it, Specialist Contractors can save both the time and significant costs currently associated with pre-qualification.
Main contractors and clients also benefit from the Builder’s Profile as it delivers the answers to all
common pre-qualification questions in a quick and secure way as and when required.
The FPS is committed to reducing tendering costs via a cost effective industry wide pre-qualification system and support Builder’s Profile.
Further information http://www.nscc.org.uk/ebrochure/bpfaq/450/ebrochure.htm
Builders Profile website: www.buildersprofile.co.uk
DVD - ‘Focus on Safety’
Piling sites can be hazardous if safety is not well managed. This DVD highlights potential problems and will raise awareness among Main Contractors and anyone working on a piling site. It is an invaluable aid for trainers and anyone responsible for piling activities.
The DVD is available on request (foc to contractors). It should be used in conjunction with the FPS Pre-commencement Piling Standard. (See below)
FPS Supervisor HSE Awareness Course
The industry recognised course has been designed to provide candidates with the most appropriate training to enable Piling Supervisors to attain and maintain competency levels for health and safety management on site and to develop an understanding of behaviour patterns and culture change. Holders of a pass certificate for the course fulfil the criteria and requirements of the UKCG Supervisor Training Standard.
Further information
FPS - Pre-commencement Piling Standard
In general piling operations is one of the first sub-contractors to work on a construction site. Certain facilities need to be immediately available in order for the piling to commence in a satisfactory manner but also safely and in accordance with legislation. Experience has taught us that for the facilities to be available it is essential to ensure the arrangements are made some weeks prior to arriving on site. This document offers guidance on the minimum acceptable conditions expected before work commences.
View guidance
CPCS Cards for Fitters on Piling Sites
MCG Members have agreed that fitters necessarily operating plant and equipment during and as part of examinations and/or repairs will not be required to hold the plant specific CPCS card, provided they already carry the CSCS Plant Mechanic or Construction Plant Maintenance and Repair Card.
Click here to download this statement in PDF format
Safety in Design
Guidance on the application of CDM 2007 to pile foundations and embedded retaining walls, and examples of hazards associated with such works and how these might be managed within the design phase of a project.
View guidance document
View examples of hazards
Revision of Working Platform Certificate
WPC/3 has been issued and replaces WPC/2. The revised certificate requires greater clarity concerning the work area covered by the WPC and the position of the person who has signed it on behalf of the Principal Contractor. A second page (which can be printed on the reverse of the Certificate) gives detailed guidance to the Principal Contractor concerning design, installation and maintenance requirements.
View or download WPC/3
FPS Guidance - Pile Testing
The FPS and Pile Testing Houses have co-operated to prepare 15 useful datasheets covering practical aspects of pile testing. The sheets are intended to be used by main contractors, piling contractors, specialist groundworkers, testing contractors, engineers and pile test designers and cover on-site requirements and co-operation; design, evaluation and interpretation; and safety considerations.
View guidance
FPS Electronic Bearing Pile Schedule
To assist
engineers and piling contractors in providing pile design schedules, the FPS has developed an Excel based spreadsheet tool. The tool is available for download from this website.
More information and download tool
NSCC Fair Payment Campaign
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To improve payment practices in the construction industry, NSCC has launched the Fair Payment Campaign. The campaign is calling for proper and timely payment throughout the supply chain to improve the quality of all construction projects. The campaign has 3 key objectives: |
- Certainty of payment – agreeing how much you should be paid and when
- 30-day payment – insisting on payment within 30 days
- Removal of retentions – striking out cash retentions in favour of more modern and practical alternatives
To support the campaign, sign up at the campaign website at www.fairpaymentcampaign.co.uk.
For more information on retention issues, see the retention section of this website.
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