Across the sector, more clients and client organisations are recognising its value and are actively seeking out TSA to find out more about what the scheme offers.

Why PUMA matters

Geospatial surveying is one of the essential, but often unseen, disciplines behind and under the built environment.  Raising standards in utility surveying, a specialism within geospatial surveying, has never been more important. High-quality, reliable survey data is essential to prioritise safety, improve efficiency, and ultimately save time and money on infrastructure projects.

This was the driving force behind the creation of PUMA, the PAS128 Utility Mapping Accreditation scheme and feeds directly into the national marketing campaign recently launched by TSA

Developed over ten years by TSA, PUMA represents a significant step forward for our profession. It provides a robust and independent way to assess whether geospatial surveyors can consistently deliver work in line with the PAS128 specification.

Building confidence through accreditation

For accredited TSA members, PUMA offers a clear and credible way to demonstrate compliance with PAS128:2022. Crucially, it also gives clients confidence in both the level of service and the accuracy of the data they receive.

Every PUMA-accredited company has undergone independent audit, ensuring that:

• Survey outputs meet PAS128 requirements
• Working practices are robust and consistent
• Staff are properly trained and demonstrably competent

This means that when clients choose a PUMA-accredited company, they can be assured they are working with a provider fully equipped to deliver reliable, compliant survey data.

Raising the bar for utility surveys

By standardising how PAS128 surveys are delivered, PUMA has raised the bar for the entire construction industry. It establishes a benchmark for quality, giving accredited companies a powerful way to differentiate themselves and prove their capability.

Equally, it simplifies decision-making for clients, who no longer need to rely solely on claims of compliance as they have independent assurance.

PUMA is administered by LRQA, a global leader in assurance, certification, and inspection services, further strengthening the scheme’s credibility and rigour.

A scheme gaining real traction

What’s particularly encouraging is how quickly PUMA is gaining recognition across the sector.

With a number of major infrastructure projects in the pipeline that will require PAS128 surveys, we are seeing a shift in client expectations. Organisations with large contracts are beginning to explicitly request that PUMA accreditation is written into project requirements.

In many cases, they are actively reaching out to TSA to better understand how the accreditation works and how it can support their project delivery.

PUMA is increasingly being recognised as the gold standard for PAS128 surveys.

Looking ahead

The momentum behind PUMA signals a positive change for the industry. For survey companies, this is an opportunity to demonstrate excellence and stand out in a competitive market.

For clients, it is a chance to reduce risk, avoid costly delays, and ensure confidence in the data that underpins their projects.

Find out more about PUMA

If you’re interested in learning more about PUMA accreditation and how it could benefit your organisation or projects, we encourage you to get in touch with TSA.

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Powers and utility surveys

Powers is a long-established geospatial survey firm in North West England, serving the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors for more than 50 years. The company delivers a full range of geospatial services, including:

• Measured building and topographical surveys
• 3D laser scanning, mobile mapping, 3D Revit modelling, UAV (drone) surveys
• Site‑engineering work like setting‑out, machine control, ground modelling, as‑built surveys, deformation monitoring
• Underground utility detection (PAS 128 compliant and PUMA accredited)

The Powers team brings deep expertise in hi‑tech, high‑precision surveying and works throughout the UK. Powers holds ISO accreditations for Quality (ISO 9001), Health & Safety (ISO 45001), and Environmental Management (ISO 14001), enabling the company to work in the aerospace, defence, and aviation sectors. Powers’ approach is hands‑on, emphasising building relationships with clients to better understand their needs, delivering value within budget and time constraints and supporting decision‑making from early stages in projects.

Why do you think PUMA is important?

In the UK, there’s no mandatory rule governing how underground utility surveys are carried out. Quality varies widely. Being PUMA-accredited tells clients that your surveys truly follow PAS 128 and that your processes are independently audited. That builds trust swiftly, cuts ambiguity in bids, and reduces risk on site. Clients choosing a PUMA‑accredited firm know what they’re getting: independent verification that the surveys meet PAS 128:2022 standards. That spares them from time-consuming due diligence and reduces the chance of buried‑utility surprises, costly delays, or even injuries on site.

PUMA isn’t just a badge. It creates a consistent, national standard for utility surveys by TSA (The Survey Association) and is managed by LRQA (a global leader in quality assurance). Every accredited company is audited against processes, staff competency, risk management, and transparency in results.

How did you find the process of applying for PUMA accreditation?

Earning PUMA isn’t a one‑and‑done. First comes an office systems audit; then on‑site validation of survey methods; then periodic surveillance during the three‑year accreditation period—so the standards are maintained.

As we are already ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified, the external PAS 128 audit was very similar to our external ISO Standard audits so we didn’t have to change much in order to get through it. All of our projects are subject to high quality standards, so it was a case of communicating this well to the auditor. Unlike our ISO auditors, the PUMA auditors understand the geospatial profession as they also audit NERS (National Electricity Registration Scheme), WIRS (Water Industry Registration Scheme) and GIRS (Gas Industry Registration Scheme) companies. LRQA’s PUMA auditors therefore understood the nuances of underground utility detection to a very deep level which means our clients can be assured we are rigorously checked to a high standard. We passed first time with flying colours and will continue to do this in the future.

What impact do you think being PUMA accredited has on your business?

Having PUMA accreditation helps us to communicate effectively and quickly with clients and establish a clear quality benchmark for our underground utility surveys. Our clients are clear about what they are getting and know that they can leave the technical detail to the experts when dealing with Powers. We believe that all utility surveyors should have a requirement to be PUMA PAS 128 accredited so that the quality of underground utility detection in the profession remains high and standardised.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about starting to apply for PUMA accreditation?

Go for it! The audit is a methodical process and if you’re doing everything correctly and you’ve been following the PAS 128 specification anyway, then you should sail through the audit. It really helps when explaining what we do to potential clients who come from a variety of backgrounds and who may or may not understand utility detection.

To find out more about PUMA, please go to https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/puma/.

The post Gaining PUMA accreditation appeared first on The Survey Association.

What is your involvement with utility surveys?

We offer full service PAS 128 underground utility mapping to clients across the UK and Ireland, working on complex infrastructure projects, large-scale developments, and urban regeneration schemes. Our teams use cutting-edge technology to locate and map underground assets accurately, ensuring safe, efficient and informed decision-making for all our clients.

Why do you think PUMA is important?

PUMA sets a national quality benchmark that brings clarity and consistency to PAS 128 surveys. It allows clients to distinguish between providers who meet rigorous standards and those who do not. For the industry as a whole, it raises the bar in safety, accountability and professionalism. For us as a team, being PUMA accredited demonstrates sustainability of quality, not just as a one-time audit.

How did you find the process of applying for accreditation?

The process was thorough but very manageable. We were already working to high standards, so much of the work was about formalising and evidencing our systems. The Survey Association and LRQA were both clear and supportive throughout, and the live assessment was a positive opportunity to showcase our teams’ capability. Malcolm Hughes was one of the earlier companies to  achieve PUMA accreditation and we hope to lead the way.

What impact do you think being PUMA accredited has had/ will have on your business?

Being PUMA accredited gives clients immediate confidence in the quality and reliability of our work. Internally, it has helped us review and strengthen our documentation and reinforce good practice. Strategically, it sets us apart in bids and tenders and aligns with our position as a trusted, progressive industry leader.

At Malcolm Hughes we aim not just to participate but to set the example and be a voice for industry-wide improvement. PUMA supports a culture of accountability, attention to detail, and pride in workmanship, qualities we’ve always valued. Accreditation is not a ‘one and done’ achievement. It’s a living system that motivates our teams to stay sharp, invest in learning, and continue to innovate within a solid, transparent quality framework.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about starting applying for PUMA accreditation?

Start by reviewing what you already have in place, you might be closer than you think. View it not as a compliance hurdle but as an opportunity to stand out and future-proof your utility offering. Be transparent in your approach and use the process to bring your team into the conversation.

To find out more about PUMA, please go to https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/puma/.

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Construction projects generally need underground utility surveys or PAS128 surveys to be carried out before any building work can start. As the first step towards delivering a project, a utility surveyor’s specialist skills are required to locate, identify and then map all the utility services which may exist beneath the surface. Most underground utility services, including telecoms, drainage, water, gas, and fibre optics can be detected using the appropriate equipment.

Why are underground utility surveys so important?

Once underground utilities are identified and mapped, their whereabouts may have an impact on the design of the buildings to be constructed above them. Having a precise map of their location at the design stage will help avoid the possibility of needing to make expensive subsequent design changes, re-routing services or rescheduling of works if buried services are found unexpectedly once the construction phase begins. These delays can significantly increase project costs. Crucially, of course, it also improves health and safety performance, mitigating against many possible accidents, not to mention minimising the risk of subsequent legal issues.

How are underground utility surveys carried out?

Professional surveyors use geophysical techniques and cutting-edge survey technology, including electro-magnetic detection, ground penetrating radar (GPR), GNSS and total stations to create a detailed digital map of what is lying beneath the surface.

As part of our pledge here at TSA, to help all our members build a better business and ensure clients choose TSA members for their survey needs, we have created a PAS128 accreditation scheme named PUMA (PAS128 Utility Mapping Accreditation) for utility surveying companies that are TSA members.

Four reasons to secure your PUMA accreditation

1. PUMA provides a benchmark and creates a national standard for best practice
2. PUMA demonstrates continuous professional improvement
3. PUMA gives clients confidence in the quality of survey being provided
4. PUMA can save clients time and costly delays.

Find out more about PUMA here https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/puma/

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