The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) Technical Committee met virtually on 10th September 2025. The meeting brought together leading technical specialists from across the piling, design, and engineering community to discuss current guidance, testing, Eurocode updates, sustainability integration, and wider industry collaboration.
Key Updates and Actions:
Concrete “Blowout” Safety Update – The FPS, in collaboration with the EFFC, is finalising interim safety guidance and plans to deliver a webinar to brief members and the wider industry. Longer-term research will examine grout cleaning, aggregate sieving, and potential use of glass beads to prevent recurrence.
CIRIA Chalk Code Development – Progress continues on the new CIRIA Chalk Code. The guidance will align with the second-generation Eurocodes, while offering prescriptive rules for flexibility.
RoGEP Presentation – Recognising Competence – A presentation was given on the Register of Ground Engineering Professionals (RoGEP), which provides a clear competence framework from technician to advisor. FPS expressed strong support for integrating RoGEP more fully into the FPS Audit.
Tip Testing and Data Collection – The committee reiterated the importance of ongoing tip load testing trials, with potential pilot projects identified. Members are encouraged to continue collecting and sharing data to strengthen decision-making and improve the reliability of correlation methods.
CPD and Knowledge Development – The group discussed future CPD topics and agreed to circulate a poll to members to identify training needs and areas of interest, with potential follow-up webinars for wider industry engagement.
Debonding Foam Guidance – Ongoing member discussions have highlighted varying client expectations on tolerances. Revised working has been drafted for the guidance and will be reviewed.
UKAS Accreditation and Testing Consistency – Concerns were raised over the value and consistency of UKAS accreditation for testing. The group noted that while clients increasingly expect UKAS-accredited suppliers, a balanced FPS position may be needed.
Eurocode 7 and BS 8004 Review – The committee reviewed upcoming Eurocode 7 revisions, including potential integration of ground improvement within BS 8004. Confirmed FPS involvement in the review process and invited volunteers to contribute.
Working Group Updates:
- – Cage Reinforcement – Final draft guidance is under final review ahead of publication.
- – Sustainability by Design – Updates were shared to the FPS Sustainability Guidance, including a new section in the ePAS schedule on as-built data capture. Alignment with the digital group is underway.
- – Digital Task Group – Progress has been made on the FPS Digital Mapping project, with minimal member action required at this stage. Recruitment continues for the EFFC AI working group.
- – Working Platforms – Revised Working Platform Certificate and supplementary guidance being finalised. Members were again encouraged to submit deflectometer test results, which remain limited.
Engagement with National Highways – An issue regarding 30-minute concreting limits being incorrectly applied to bored pile works under Series 1600 specifications was raised. The FPS will engage National Highways to seek practical resolution.
Embedded Carbon in Foundations – The Institution of Structural Engineers has invited the FPS to contribute to new Eurocode guidance on embodied carbon in foundations. FPS members with relevant experience are encouraged to provide case studies and insights.
Building Safety Act and BSR Guidance – It was confirmed that pile position changes can be treated as notifiable rather than major alterations under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), with staged applications now accepted for foundation packages. Industry guidance is expected shortly.