Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course
The Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course provides practical training for operatives who need to survey and assess existing Openreach underground telecommunications infrastructure for Physical Infrastructure Access projects. Delegates develop competence in chamber and duct identification, route assessment, Openreach mapping, underground locating equipment, identifying constraints and accurate survey reporting. Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, using realistic underground PIA surveying scenarios.
The Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course is designed to give operatives the knowledge and practical competence required to survey existing Openreach underground telecommunications infrastructure accurately and safely for Physical Infrastructure Access projects.
Delegates develop practical skills in inspecting chambers, ducts and underground routes, identifying Openreach and other Communication Provider assets, recognising route constraints, assessing route suitability and using underground locating equipment during survey activities.
Training combines technical instruction with practical surveying exercises so delegates can apply the required techniques in realistic underground network scenarios. The emphasis is on accurate observation, safe working, infrastructure identification, route assessment, comparison of mapping information with site conditions and clear survey reporting.
Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates complete the required practical and knowledge assessment activities for the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course.
About this course:
The Openreach PIA S6 Underground Survey Accreditation course is designed to give operatives the knowledge and practical skills required to survey underground telecommunications infrastructure accurately and safely for Physical Infrastructure Access projects.
Delegates learn how to inspect chambers, ducts and underground routes, identify existing assets and potential constraints, assess route suitability and record the information needed to support network planning. The course focuses on understanding underground infrastructure, interpreting survey information and producing accurate records that can be used during design and installation activity.
Training combines classroom-based learning with practical surveying exercises so delegates can apply the required techniques in realistic underground network scenarios. The emphasis is on accurate observation, safe working, route assessment, infrastructure identification and clear survey reporting.
Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates complete the required assessment activities for the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Survey Accreditation.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course, delegates will have developed the knowledge and practical competence required to survey existing Openreach underground telecommunications infrastructure accurately and safely in line with PIA requirements.
Delegates should be able to:
✓ Understand the purpose and requirements of underground PIA surveying
✓ Identify chambers, ducts and key underground telecommunications infrastructure
✓ Distinguish existing Openreach assets from those owned by other Communication Providers
✓ Assess route suitability for planned fibre and telecommunications deployment
✓ Identify potential blockages, access issues and other underground constraints
✓ Understand the information that must be captured during an underground survey
✓ Use underground locating equipment appropriately during surveying activities
✓ Interpret available network mapping and survey information
✓ Compare mapped information with actual site conditions
✓ Record chamber, duct and route information accurately
✓ Identify defects, discrepancies and infrastructure conditions requiring escalation
✓ Produce clear and accurate survey records
✓ Support network design and installation planning with reliable survey information
✓ Apply appropriate safe working practices during underground survey activities
✓ Demonstrate the practical competence required during Openreach PIA S6 assessment activities
Suitable for:
This course is designed for telecommunications surveyors, planners, engineers and contractors who need to carry out Openreach PIA S6 underground surveys for Physical Infrastructure Access projects. It is suitable for personnel who need to identify underground assets, assess chamber and duct routes, interpret mapping information, use underground locating equipment and record accurate survey data to support PIA network planning and installation.
This course is suitable for:
✓ Telecommunications underground surveyors
✓ Fibre network planners and designers
✓ Openreach PIA surveyors working on underground routes
✓ Broadband and FTTP planning teams
✓ Engineers and contractors involved in Openreach infrastructure projects
✓ Personnel responsible for identifying chambers, ducts and underground assets
✓ Surveyors who need to assess route suitability and underground constraints
✓ Operatives using Openreach portal mapping and underground locating equipment
✓ Project engineers supporting fibre and telecommunications network planning
✓ Personnel responsible for producing accurate underground survey records
✓ Organisations delivering underground fibre and telecommunications deployment projects
Course modules:
The Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course is structured around the knowledge, practical surveying methods and reporting requirements needed to assess existing underground telecommunications infrastructure accurately and support Physical Infrastructure Access network planning.
Underground Asset Identification
✓ Identifying underground telecommunications chambers, ducts and network features
✓ Distinguishing Openreach infrastructure from assets owned by other Communication Providers
✓ Recognising existing route infrastructure and access points
✓ Understanding the relationship between mapped information and actual site conditions
Route and Duct Assessment
✓ Assessing underground routes for planned fibre and telecommunications deployment
✓ Identifying potential duct blockages and access constraints
✓ Recognising chamber, route and infrastructure issues that may affect installation
✓ Identifying conditions that may require escalation or further investigation
✓ Assessing route suitability to support safe and effective network planning
Mapping and Survey Information
✓ Interpreting Openreach portal maps and available network information
✓ Comparing mapped assets with physical site conditions
✓ Recording chamber, duct and route information accurately
✓ Capturing the information required to support PIA design and planning
✓ Identifying discrepancies between network records and site observations
Underground Locating Equipment
✓ Understanding the purpose of underground locating equipment
✓ Using locating equipment appropriately during survey activities
✓ Supporting safe identification of buried services and telecommunications infrastructure
✓ Recognising equipment limitations and conditions requiring additional investigation
Survey Reporting and Assessment
✓ Producing clear and accurate underground survey records
✓ Recording route constraints, defects and infrastructure observations
✓ Supporting design and installation teams with reliable survey information
✓ Applying appropriate safe working practices during underground survey activities
✓ Identifying issues that require escalation before installation work proceeds
✓ Demonstrating the practical competence required for Openreach PIA S6 assessment
Certification Information:
On successful completion of the required knowledge and practical assessments, delegates achieve the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying accreditation.
The accreditation demonstrates that the delegate has been assessed in the knowledge and practical skills required to carry out underground PIA surveys, including identifying chambers and ducts, assessing route suitability, using underground locating equipment, interpreting mapping information, recognising underground constraints and recording survey information accurately.
Delegates must successfully complete all required assessment activities to achieve the S6 accreditation.
The Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying accreditation is valid for three years from the date of successful completion
Entry Requirements
Delegates must hold either Smart Awards SA002 Underground Safety or Smart Awards SA002A Underground Safety Awareness before attending the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course.
Delegates must also hold a valid NOPS card.
The course is intended for personnel who already have the required underground safety competence and are progressing into surveying and planning work on Openreach Physical Infrastructure Access projects.
Delegates should be comfortable identifying underground telecommunications infrastructure, interpreting network information and recording survey findings accurately.
Previous experience in telecoms surveying, network planning or fibre deployment is helpful but not essential, provided the prerequisite accreditation and valid NOPS card requirements are met.
Career Progression:
Completing the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying Course can support progression into more advanced underground surveying, planning, cabling and fibre infrastructure roles within telecommunications projects. The course develops practical competence in route assessment, chamber and duct identification, mapping interpretation, underground locating equipment and accurate PIA survey reporting.
Recommended progression routes include:
✓ Openreach PIA S7 Underground Cabling – for engineers progressing from surveying into practical underground cable and sub-duct installation
✓ Fibre Optic Outside Plant Level 3 – for delegates progressing into wider external fibre network installation, jointing, testing and outside-plant infrastructure work
✓ Smart Awards SA006 Safe Working in Civils – for personnel who want broader practical civils safety competence around underground telecommunications infrastructure
✓ Further fibre testing, OTDR, fault-finding and network planning training for those moving into more advanced telecommunications infrastructure roles
These progression routes can help delegates build on their Openreach PIA S6 surveying competence and progress into underground fibre deployment, cabling, civils, network planning and wider infrastructure roles.
Price:
£350.00 + VAT
Duration:
1 Day
Course Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying course?
The Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying course is designed for operatives who need to survey existing Openreach underground telecommunications infrastructure for Physical Infrastructure Access projects. The course covers chambers, ducts, underground routes, asset identification, mapping information, route constraints and accurate survey reporting.
Who is the Openreach PIA S6 course suitable for?
The course is suitable for telecommunications surveyors, fibre network planners, designers, engineers and contractors who need to carry out or support underground surveys on Openreach PIA projects.
What are the prerequisites for S6 Underground Surveying?
Delegates must hold either Smart Awards SA002 Underground Safety or Smart Awards SA002A Underground Safety Awareness before attending the Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying course. Delegates must also hold a valid NOPS card.
What will I learn on the Openreach PIA S6 course?
Delegates learn how to identify underground telecommunications assets, assess chambers and ducts, recognise route constraints, interpret mapping information, use underground locating equipment, identify potential blockages or access issues and record survey information accurately.
Does S6 cover underground chambers and ducts?
Yes. The course covers the identification and assessment of underground chambers, ducts, access points and other infrastructure used during Openreach PIA network planning.
Does the course cover duct blockages and route constraints?
Yes. Delegates learn how to recognise potential blockages, access problems, damaged infrastructure and other conditions that may affect a proposed underground fibre or telecommunications route.
Does S6 cover Openreach portal maps?
Yes. Delegates learn how to interpret relevant Openreach mapping information and compare mapped assets with actual site conditions during an underground survey.
Does the course include underground locating equipment?
Yes. The course includes the appropriate use of underground locating equipment during survey activities and helps delegates understand how this supports safer identification of buried infrastructure and services.
Does the Openreach PIA S6 course include practical surveying exercises?
Yes. Delegates apply S6 survey requirements to realistic underground network scenarios, including asset identification, route assessment, infrastructure checks, use of locating equipment and accurate survey recording.
How is the Openreach PIA S6 course assessed?
Delegates complete the required knowledge and practical assessment activities to demonstrate that they can apply Openreach PIA underground surveying requirements accurately and safely.
How long is the S6 Underground Surveying accreditation valid for?
The Openreach PIA S6 Underground Surveying accreditation is valid for three years from the date of successful completion.
What courses can I take after S6 Underground Surveying?
Useful progression routes can include Openreach PIA S7 Underground Cabling, Fibre Optic Outside Plant Level 3, Smart Awards SA006 Safe Working in Civils and further fibre testing, fault-finding and network planning training.
Is S6 relevant to fibre broadband and FTTP deployment?
Yes. S6 is directly relevant to fibre and FTTP projects using Openreach underground infrastructure. Accurate surveying helps designers and installation teams understand existing ducts, chambers, route constraints and potential issues before construction begins.
What jobs is Openreach PIA S6 relevant to?
S6 is relevant to roles such as PIA Underground Surveyor, Fibre Network Surveyor, Network Planner, Fibre Planner and other positions involving the surveying and planning of underground telecommunications infrastructure.
Where is the Openreach PIA S6 training delivered?
Training is delivered at our specialist training centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates complete both knowledge-based and practical underground survey activities.
What Openreach PIA S6 course dates are available?
Please contact our training team for the latest Openreach PIA S6 course dates and availability. Corporate and group bookings can also be arranged by request.