Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course
The Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course provides practical training for operatives who need to survey and assess existing Openreach overhead telecommunications infrastructure for Physical Infrastructure Access projects. Delegates develop competence in pole and asset identification, available pole space, route constraints, DILOR requirements, Openreach mapping, A1024 survey information and accurate reporting. Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, using realistic overhead PIA surveying scenarios.
The Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course provides practical training for operatives who need to survey existing Openreach overhead telecommunications infrastructure for Physical Infrastructure Access projects.
Delegates learn to assess poles, spans, and overhead routes; identify potential constraints; record survey information accurately; and support safe, effective network planning. The course focuses on recognising infrastructure condition, understanding survey requirements and producing clear records that can be used during PIA design and installation activities.
Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, using realistic overhead network scenarios and practical surveying exercises.
About this course:
The Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course is designed to give operatives the knowledge and practical competence required to survey existing Openreach overhead telecommunications infrastructure accurately and safely for Physical Infrastructure Access projects.
Delegates develop practical skills in assessing poles, spans and route conditions, identifying potential constraints, recognising infrastructure condition and recording the information needed to support effective network planning. The course also focuses on understanding survey requirements and producing clear, accurate records that can be used during PIA design and installation activities.
Training combines technical instruction with practical surveying exercises so delegates can apply the required techniques in realistic overhead network scenarios. The emphasis is on accurate observation, safe working, route assessment, record keeping and identifying issues that may affect planned PIA work.
Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates complete the required practical and knowledge assessment activities for the Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course, delegates will have developed the knowledge and practical competence required to carry out overhead surveys accurately and in line with Openreach PIA requirements.
Delegates should be able to:
✓ Identify key Openreach overhead telecommunications assets
✓ Distinguish Openreach assets from infrastructure owned by other Communication Providers
✓ Assess available pole space for existing and proposed assets
✓ Explain Dropwire In Line of Route (DILOR) requirements
✓ Recognise common telegraph pole types, including Light, Medium, Stout and Hollow poles
✓ Understand relevant pole classifications and how they affect proposed work
✓ Identify where network adjustments may be required
✓ Understand the information that must be captured and reported during an overhead survey
✓ Complete required A1024 survey information accurately
✓ Interpret relevant information shown within Openreach portal maps
✓ Identify overhead assets from Openreach mapping information
✓ Recognise route constraints, defects and infrastructure conditions that may affect planned PIA work
✓ Record pole, span and route information accurately
✓ Produce clear and accurate survey records to support network planning and installation
✓ Demonstrate the practical competence required during Openreach PIA S5 assessment activities
Suitable for:
This course is designed for telecommunications surveyors, planners, engineers and contractors who need to carry out Openreach PIA S5 overhead surveys for Physical Infrastructure Access projects. It is suitable for personnel who need to identify overhead assets, assess available pole space, understand route constraints and record accurate survey information to support PIA network planning and installation.
This course is suitable for:
✓ Telecommunications overhead surveyors
✓ Fibre network planners and designers
✓ Openreach PIA surveyors working on overhead routes
✓ Engineers and contractors involved in Openreach infrastructure projects
✓ Personnel responsible for identifying Openreach and other Communication Provider assets
✓ Surveyors who need to assess pole space and overhead route conditions
✓ Operatives who need to understand DILOR and network adjustment requirements
✓ Personnel using Openreach portal mapping and A1024 survey information
✓ Project engineers supporting fibre and FTTP network planning
✓ Organisations delivering overhead fibre and telecommunications deployment projects
Course modules:
The Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course is structured around the knowledge, survey methods and reporting processes required to assess existing Openreach overhead infrastructure accurately and record the information needed for Physical Infrastructure Access network planning.
Overhead Asset Identification
✓ Identifying existing Openreach overhead telecommunications assets
✓ Distinguishing Openreach assets from those owned by other Communication Providers
✓ Recognising common pole types, including Light, Medium, Stout and Hollow poles
✓ Understanding relevant pole classifications currently in use
✓ Identifying key overhead network features and route information
Pole Space and Route Assessment
✓ Assessing available pole space for existing and proposed assets
✓ Understanding Dropwire In Line of Route (DILOR) requirements
✓ Recognising route constraints that may affect installation
✓ Identifying where network adjustments may be required
✓ Understanding how pole condition and existing infrastructure can affect planning decisions
Openreach Mapping and Survey Information
✓ Interpreting information shown within Openreach portal maps
✓ Identifying relevant overhead assets from mapping information
✓ Comparing mapped information with actual site conditions
✓ Recording survey observations accurately
✓ Understanding the information that must be captured during an Openreach PIA overhead survey
Survey Reporting
✓ Completing the required A1024 survey information
✓ Producing clear and accurate survey records
✓ Recording constraints, defects and network adjustment requirements
✓ Providing reliable survey information to support network design and installation planning
Assessment and Practical Application
✓ Applying Openreach PIA S5 survey requirements to realistic overhead network scenarios
✓ Correctly identifying assets and pole types
✓ Assessing pole space, spans and route conditions
✓ Completing survey information to the required standard
✓ Recording issues that may affect planned PIA installation work
✓ Demonstrating the practical competence required for Openreach PIA S5 assessment
Certification Information:
On successful completion of the required knowledge and practical assessments, delegates achieve the Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying accreditation.
The accreditation demonstrates that the delegate has been assessed in the knowledge and practical skills required to carry out overhead PIA surveys accurately. Assessment covers asset identification, pole types and classifications, available pole space, route constraints, DILOR requirements, Openreach mapping information, A1024 survey data and accurate survey reporting.
Delegates must successfully complete all required assessment activities to achieve the S5 accreditation.
The Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying accreditation is valid for three years from the date of successful completion.
Entry Requirements
Delegates must hold at least one of the recognised overhead safety accreditations required before attending the Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course: Smart Awards SA001 Overhead Safety, Smart Awards SA001A Overhead Safety Awareness, or Smart Awards SA051C TETRA Leaning Ladder & Flat Roof.
Delegates must also hold a valid NOPS card.
Participants should be comfortable carrying out practical surveying activities around overhead telecommunications infrastructure and completing both knowledge-based and practical assessment activities.
Career Progression:
Completing the Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying Course can support progression into more advanced overhead surveying, network planning, fibre deployment and telecommunications infrastructure roles. The course develops practical competence in pole assessment, route surveying, DILOR requirements, Openreach mapping and accurate PIA survey reporting.
Recommended progression routes include:
✓ Openreach PIA S8 Overhead Cabling – for engineers progressing from surveying into practical overhead cable installation
✓ Openreach PIA S9 Pole Stepping on Congested Poles – for operatives who need additional competence when working on congested poles
✓ Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue – for personnel who require emergency response and rescue competence for pole-based work
✓ Fibre Optic Outside Plant Level 3 – for delegates progressing into wider external fibre installation, jointing, testing and outside-plant infrastructure work
✓ Further fibre testing, fault-finding and network planning training for those moving into more advanced telecommunications infrastructure roles
These progression routes can help delegates build on their S5 surveying competence and progress into practical overhead installation, FTTP deployment, pole-based activities and wider network planning roles.
Price:
£340.00 + VAT
Duration:
1 Day
Course Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying course?
The Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying course is designed for operatives who need to survey existing Openreach overhead telecommunications infrastructure for Physical Infrastructure Access projects. The course covers asset identification, pole types and classifications, available pole space, route constraints, DILOR, Openreach mapping and the accurate recording of survey information.
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Who is the Openreach PIA S5 course suitable for?
The course is suitable for telecommunications surveyors, fibre network planners, designers, engineers and contractors who need to carry out or support overhead surveys on Openreach PIA projects.
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What are the prerequisites for S5 Overhead Surveying?
Delegates must hold a valid NOPS card and at least one recognised overhead safety accreditation: Smart Awards SA001 Overhead Safety, Smart Awards SA001A Overhead Safety Awareness, or Smart Awards SA051C TETRA Leaning Ladder & Flat Roof.
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What will I learn on the Openreach PIA S5 course?
Delegates learn how to identify overhead telecommunications assets, distinguish Openreach infrastructure from assets owned by other Communication Providers, recognise pole types and classifications, assess available pole space, understand DILOR requirements and identify where network adjustments may be required.
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Does S5 cover Openreach portal maps?
Yes. The course covers how to interpret relevant information within Openreach portal maps and use mapping information to identify assets and support accurate overhead survey work.
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What is DILOR?
DILOR means Dropwire In Line of Route. The S5 course helps delegates understand how DILOR affects overhead route assessment and the information that must be considered when surveying existing pole infrastructure.
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Does the S5 course cover different telegraph pole types?
Yes. Delegates learn to recognise common pole types, including Light, Medium, Stout and Hollow poles, together with relevant pole classifications used within the network.
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Does S5 cover pole space assessment?
Yes. Assessing available pole space is an important part of the S5 survey process. Delegates learn how to identify existing assets and assess whether suitable space is available for proposed infrastructure.
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What is the A1024 and is it covered on the course?
Yes. Delegates learn what information is required for the A1024 survey record and how to capture and report overhead survey information accurately.
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Does the Openreach PIA S5 course include practical surveying exercises?
Yes. Delegates apply S5 survey requirements to realistic overhead network scenarios, including identifying assets, assessing pole and route conditions and completing the required survey information.
How is the Openreach PIA S5 course assessed?
Delegates complete the required knowledge and practical assessment activities to demonstrate that they can apply Openreach PIA overhead surveying requirements accurately and safely.
How long is the S5 Overhead Surveying accreditation valid for?
The Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying accreditation is valid for three years from the date of successful completion.
What courses can I take after S5 Overhead Surveying?
Useful progression routes can include Openreach PIA S8 Overhead Cabling, Openreach PIA S9 Pole Stepping on Congested Poles, Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue and Fibre Optic Outside Plant Level 3.
Is S5 relevant to fibre broadband and FTTP deployment?
Yes. S5 is directly relevant to fibre and FTTP projects using Openreach overhead infrastructure. Accurate surveying helps designers and installation teams understand existing assets, route constraints and any network adjustments that may be needed before construction begins.
Where is the Openreach PIA S5 training delivered?
Training is delivered at our specialist training centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates complete both knowledge-based and practical survey activities using realistic overhead network infrastructure.
What Openreach PIA S5 course dates are available?
Please contact our training team for the latest Openreach PIA S5 course dates and availability. Corporate and group bookings can also be arranged by request.