Pipe Piles in Florida — FM-PP30 Deep Foundation Systems
Foundation Masters, LLC is Florida’s leader in pipe pile design, manufacturing, and installation.
Pipe piles are structural deep foundation elements that transfer building loads to strong soil or rock layers below the surface.
They are used in residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects when shallow soils cannot carry structural loads.
Our proprietary system — the FM-PP30 Pipe Pile — delivers engineered performance, verified compression strength, and lifetime warranty support.
Whether you’re building on weak soils, near coastal zones, or tackling heavy structural loads, Foundation Masters has the pipe pile system to meet your needs.
What Are Pipe Piles?
Pipe piles are hollow steel pipes, typically ranging from 2-7/8″ to several feet in diameter, driven or drilled into the ground until reaching competent bearing strata.
Load transfer occurs through skin friction along the pile shaft and end-bearing at the pile tip.
To increase strength and protect against groundwater intrusion, pipe piles are typically filled with concrete after installation.
Pipe piles have been used in the United States since the early 1980s, originally for commercial construction.
By 2010, they began appearing in residential work.
Jeff Earl of Foundation Masters was the pioneering engineer and contractor who introduced residential pipe piles to Florida in 2012.
FM-PP30 Pipe Pile — 30 Ton New Construction System
Our flagship residential and light commercial system, the FM-PP30 Pipe Pile, is engineered for reliability and strength:
- Pipe: 3½″ Schedule 40 steel
- Top Plate: 12″ × 12″ × ½″ flat plate
- Ultimate Compression Strength: 40 tons
- Working Load: 30 tons
- Application: new construction foundations, residential homes, light commercial structures
- Warranty: lifetime, transferable
The FM-PP30 is designed for new construction projects in Florida’s variable soils, from sandy coastal zones to inland clay layers.
Its strength makes it ideal for preventing settlement and protecting long-term structural stability.
Proven High-Strength Performance
Foundation Masters holds a record for one of the strongest custom pile systems installed in Florida — a push pier system supporting a railroad bridge abutment.
That system achieved an ultimate compression strength of 100 tons with a 60-ton working load.
This experience proves our capability to design, manufacture, and install pipe piles for even the most demanding infrastructure projects.
Pipe Pile Sizes & Installation
Pipe piles are versatile and scalable:
- Diameter Range: 2-7/8″ to several feet
- Lengths: easily spliced to reach hundreds of feet
- Installation: driven, drilled, or augered depending on soil and design requirements
- Load Transfer: skin friction + end-bearing based on soil borings
- Concrete Fill: used to increase strength and protect against groundwater
Frequently Asked Questions About Pipe Piles
What is the FM-PP30 pipe pile system?
The FM-PP30 is Foundation Masters’ proprietary 30-ton new construction pipe pile system.
It uses a 3½″ SCH 40 pipe with a 12″ × 12″ × ½″ top plate, delivering 40 tons ultimate compression capacity and a 30-ton working load.
It is engineered for Florida residential and light commercial foundations.
When should pipe piles be used instead of other foundation systems?
Pipe piles are recommended when shallow soils cannot support structural loads.
They are common in coastal Florida, on weak sands, near high groundwater, and for heavy load-bearing projects where helical or push piers may not provide sufficient strength.
Do you manufacture your own pipe pile systems?
Yes. Foundation Masters designs and manufactures all of its piling systems in-house.
This ensures cost savings, quality control, and custom engineering tailored to each project’s soils and loads.
Can pipe piles be used for both residential and industrial projects?
Absolutely. We install pipe piles for homes, commercial buildings, warehouses, industrial structures, and bridges.
The FM-PP30 is optimized for residential/light commercial, while larger diameters and designs are available for heavy industrial projects.
Get a Pipe Pile Estimate in Florida
Building on weak soils? Need an engineered deep foundation solution?
Call 813-614-1718 or request a free site review to see how our FM-PP30 Pipe Pile or custom systems can support your project.