The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) Technical Committee met on 9 September, with Andrew Heathcote chairing the meeting and Zoe Baldwin acting as Vice Chair. Member companies reviewed progress across a wide range of technical, regulatory and standards-led workstreams, including pile-position change guidance, CFA concrete line clearing research, competence frameworks, second-generation Eurocodes, digital data initiatives, working platforms, sustainability by design, non-destructive testing guidance and future training priorities.
Key Updates and Actions:
Movement of Pile Position Guidance and BSR Engagement – FPS is working with Build UK and the Construction Leadership Council on guidance intended to establish a proportionate approach to pile-position movements under the Building Safety Regulator change-control process. The draft proposes that out-of-position piles should normally be treated as notifiable changes, supported by risk assessment and control measures, with major-change treatment reserved for movements that affect the design, layout or arrangement of the substructure. Once outstanding comments are resolved, the document will be circulated to the Technical Committee before progressing through the Build UK and BSR engagement process.
Concrete Blowing-Out Research and Guidance – The refreshed task group has set out a roadmap to complete the concrete pumping and line-clearing work by the end of March 2027. Further Swansea University research will examine the causes of blockages during blowing out, including the influence of concrete mix quality, alongside trials of a reusable synthetic polymer-based cleaning fluid. Laboratory and bulk trials are planned, with the findings intended to inform formal FPS guidance, member education and a proposed membership vote on future methods.
Concrete Optimisation Tool – FPS is also progressing Jim Blackwell’s concrete optimisation spreadsheet as a potential member-facing tool. The model assesses pumpability and blockage risk using factors including particle surface area, fines, aggregate and suspension behaviour. Subject to agreement on commercial rights, the intention is to develop the spreadsheet into an FPS website application. The committee noted that the tool addresses concrete pumpability and blockage risk generally and will not, by itself, determine whether compressed-air clearing is appropriate.
Competence Frameworks and Industry Validation – The committee reviewed developing competence requirements under the Building Safety Act at organisational, individual and occupational levels. FPS will seek representation on the SLG3 geotechnical competency group, where work is being led through the Institution of Structural Engineers and is expected to map geotechnical design tasks against recognised ROGEP levels. Members discussed the importance of ensuring that any emerging framework remains practical for technicians, non-chartered engineers, graduates and smaller organisations, while still providing a credible route for demonstrating competence.
FPS Audit and Competence Pathway – A new working group will examine how geotechnical competence could be incorporated into the FPS Audit. The committee discussed whether audit, mentoring, monitoring and quality systems could provide a practical mechanism for recognising competence among employed ground engineers, including those who do not follow a conventional chartered route. The BGA-led GENIUS initiative was also identified as a potential development pathway from undergraduate level through to professional recognition.
Eurocodes and Execution Standards – The committee reviewed the rollout of the second-generation Eurocodes and associated UK National Annexes. Updates covered BS EN 1990-1, Eurocode 7 Parts 1, 2 and 3, together with revisions to BS 8004, BS 8002 and execution standards for bored piles and diaphragm walls. Members were encouraged to begin familiarising themselves with and implementing the second-generation Eurocodes rather than waiting for planned minor amendments in Autumn 2027, with the first-generation Eurocodes due to be withdrawn in April 2028. Revised BS EN 1536 and BS EN 1538 documents are also available for comment, with further displacement-pile, micropile and ground-anchor work following.
Digital Map, Data Integration and AGS Standards – The next FPS Digital Project Map data release is being prepared, incorporating incremental member updates and previously missing records before loading into ArcGIS. The digital group also has the Dingo dataset ready for test-pile data and is considering how the FPS pile schedule can be represented digitally. Alongside this, the AGS piling working group is seeking greater contractor participation as it develops more consistent formats for CFA piling data, machine telemetry and pile testing, helping create structures that can feed the FPS map and wider industry systems.
Digital Maturity and Future Audit Expectations – The committee noted that digital maturity is beginning to feature in discussions around the FPS Audit, although no specific Federation-wide mandate has yet been set. Future work may consider minimum expectations around data standards, digital practices and maturity, with Andrew Heathcote and Tracey Fitch to discuss the direction of travel with FPS Chair Stuart Norman.
Working Platform Guidance and Rig Information – One remaining working-platform guidance note, covering band platforms, still requires technical input, particularly around stabilised platform behaviour, bearing pressures and equipment loading. Members with relevant design or site experience are being encouraged to support the working group. The committee also discussed the importance of ensuring rig-bearing-pressure information reflects actual attachments, hammers, augers and machine configurations rather than standard machine data alone.
Rig Supplier Data and Project Delays – Members raised concerns that loading information from some rig suppliers is not being provided in the required FPS spreadsheet format, creating delays and pressure to commence work before complete information is available. The issue will be raised with FPS associate members and discussed with the Safety, Operations and Plant Committee, with the aim of improving consistency and timeliness across suppliers.
EFFC NDT Guide and UK Position – The committee reviewed final comments on the EFFC non-destructive testing guide ahead of the EFFC AGM in October. Particular attention was given to the treatment of thermal methods and the need to protect the UK position on pile-integrity testing and cross-hole sonic logging. FPS may recommend that existing UK guidance, including the reduced use of sonic logging because of associated safety considerations, is referenced clearly within the final EFFC document or its appendix.
EFFC Governance, Training and CPD Priorities – The committee heard that the EFFC is reviewing its governance and voting arrangements as Kevin Hague prepares to take over the presidency, alongside a stronger strategic focus on sustainability, safety, workmanship and member representation. Within FPS, follow-up engagement is also planned around the recently issued cage, workability and safe-lifting guidance, potentially through a webinar later in 2026 or early 2027. The outstanding CPD topic poll will also be finalised and circulated to help shape future Technical Committee activity.