MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING AND CI |L ENGINEERING WORKS. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF QUANTITY SURVEYING. ‘The Quantity Surveying profession has its root in Britain during the 17” century although the earliest recorded firm, Reading firm was established in 1785. The need for quantity surveyors became evident as building work increased in volume and building owners (clients) became dissatisfied with the method adopted for settling the cost of the work. In early days the architect were employed to design and erect buildings. They engaged master craftsmen to carry out work in each trade. On completion each craftsmen submitted on account for ‘the materials used and labour employed on the work. It later became the practice for many of the master craftsmen to engage ‘measurers’ or ‘surveyors’ to prepare these accounts. Disagreements arose 2s quantities claimed far exceeded the measured finished work and therefore architects also engaged their own surveyors to contest these claims. General contractors became established during the period of Industrial Revolution and they submitted inclusive estimates covering the work of al trades. Furthermore, they engaged surveyors to prepare bills of quantities on which their estimates were based. As competitive tendering became more common, contract system of building procurement gained strength and full drawings and specifications were prepared before tenders were called for. With time, the building owner found it to be to his own advantage to appoint a surveyor who prepared an accurate bill of quantities, which was used for tendering purposes. This was the origin of independent and impartial quantity surveyor as itis fund today. PURPOSES OF BILL OF QUANTITIES (BQ) 1. Itenables all contractors tendering for a contract to price on exactly the same information with minimum effort. 2, It provides a basis for the valuation of variations which often occur during the progress of the work. 3, It gives an itemized list of the component parts of the building, with a full description and ‘the quantity of each part, and this may enable successful contractor in ordering materials, and assessing his labour requirements for the contract. 4, After being priced it provides 2 good basis for a cost analysis, which subsequently will be Useful on future contracts in cost planning work.PROCESSES USED IN QUANTITY SURVEYING WORK. ‘The traditional method of preparation of a bill of quantities can be broken down into two main processes. (a) Taking off. This is extracting dimensions from an existing building or drawing and booking (entering) them in a recognized form on specially ruled paper called dimension paper and inserting an appropriate description, {b) Working up. This comprises squaring the dimensions, transferring the resultant lengths, areas and volume to the abstract, where they are arranged in a convenient order for billing and reduced to the recognized units of measurement; and finally the billing operation. STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORKS (SMM) ‘The SMM is a document that sets out the rules for the measurement and description of construction works. The introduction to the SMM is so important that itis quoted in full. “This standard method of measurement provides a uniform basis for measuring building works and embodies the essentials of, good practice. More detailed information than is demanded by this document should be given ‘where necessary in order to define the precise nature and extent of the required work. The standard method shall appiy equally to the measurement of proposed works and of executed work” Section A of the SMM incorporates General Rules which are of general applicability to all work sections. Section B of the SMM is devolved to Preliminaries which are general particulars of the project and the contract, including contractor's obligations, general arrangements relating to temporary works as well as works by nominated sub-contractors, goods and materials from nominated suppliers and works by public bodies and a list of general facilities and obligations to be included in bills of quantities for convenience of pricing,DIMENSION PAPER. ‘The normal ruling of dimensions paper on which the dimensions, as scaled or taken direct from drawings is indicated below. a [2 43 a i ]2 473 a Each dimension sheet is split into two identically ruled parts, each consisting of four columns. Column 1 - (Timesing column) This is where multiplying figures are entered when there is more than one of the particular item being measured, Column 2- (Dimension column) This is where the actual dimensions, as scaled or taken direct from the drawings, are entered. Column 3 - (Squaring column) This is where the length, area or volume obtained by multiplying together the figures in column 1 and 2 is recorded, ready for transfer to the abstract or bill. Column 4 — (Descriptive column) This is where the written description of each item is entered. The right-hand side of this wider column is frequently used to accommodate preliminary calculations and other basic information needed in building up the dimensions and references to the location of the work, and is referred to as waste. ENTERING DIMENSIONS (BOOKING). Order of Dimensions. A constant order of entering dimensions should be maintained through-out in accordance with SMM A.3(a}, that is; length, width and height.For example; 3.00 Indicating a cubic measurement 3m long, 2m wide and 4m deey 2.00 es > 4,00 3.00 Indicating a superficial measurement 3m long and 2m wide. Indicating a linear measurement of 3m {An item to be enumerated is usually indicated in one of the following ways; 4 Indicating four in number. a\ 4 Occasionally, the SMM requires the insertion of an item; this is a description without a measured quantity e.g testing the drainage system. A sum of money is usually estimated and allowed for in the 8a. Test the drains. B Allow for bringing plant to site and removing from site. E |N/B — Dimensions are usually recorded in metres to two decimal place and a line drawn across the dimension column under each set of figures. Timesing. If there were twelve such items, then the dimension would be multiplied by twelve in the Timesing column ie a2 | 3.50 Reinforced conc. 1:2:4 in isolated foundation bases to columns and piers. 250 (12in No) 0.50 provide: 4, If it was subsequently found that four more foundation bases of the same dimensions were to be i, then a further four could be added in the Timesing column by the process known as “dotting on”. i.e 12 3.50 Reinforced conc, 1:2:4 in isolated foundation bases to columns and piers. 280 (16 in NO). 0.50 Abbreviations. ‘Many of the words entered in the description column are abbreviated in order to save space and time spent in entering the items. Examples; ab —as before av. - average bwk ~ brickwork c/e~ centre to centre conc. ~ concrete aib.d—as before described BS — British Standard m—cement mortar col. column dat. - deductdp-deep ditto, ~ that which has been said before exc. excavate fwk. ~ formwork h.b-half-brick mat. - material n.e~not exceeding reinf’d—reinforced swd ~ softwood Dpc- damp proof course e.0~extra over fdn - foundation g.|~ ground level hwd - hardwood ms-mild steel P.C— Prime Cost r.w.p~ rain water pipe wrot - wrought Grouping of Dimensions. Where more than one set of dimensions relate to the same description, the dimensions should be bracketed so that this shall be made clear. 99.14 Plain cone. 1:3:6/20mm agg. In fdns poured against the face of excavn. 1.00 0.40 3.05 0.76 Where the same dimensions apply to more than one item, the best procedure is to separate each of ‘the descriptions by an ampersand sign (&) commonly known as “anding on” and to bracket the descriptions.25.00 Render and set to block work walls. 2.40 & ‘Two coats of emulsion paint to plastered walls Deductions. After measuring an item itis sometimes necessary to deduct for voids or openings in the main area or volume, This is normally performed by following the main item by a deduction item. 21.30 Exe. topsoil av, 150mm deep. 20.30 7 Dat. ditto 5.00 Note the underlining of the word ‘deduct’ Alteration to Dimensions. Where dimension has been set down incorrectly and is to be altered, either it should be neatly crossed out and the new dimension written in, or the word NIL should be written against it in the squaring column to indicate that itis cancelled. Where there are a number of measurements in the ension column, care must be taken to indicate clearly how far the NIL applies. 3.007.00 | 3.00 NIL 260 Spacing of Items. It is essential that all measurements and descriptions should be spaced well apart, so that itis possible to follow the dimensions easily and to enable any items, which may have been omitted when the dimensions were first taken-off, to be subsequently inserted without cramping/crowding the dimensions. MEASUREMENT OF IRREGULAR FIGURES It is sometimes necessary to measure the areas of triangles, circles, the circumferences of circles and other such figures. 3.00 Area of triangle with base 3m and 2m height. 2.00 8 “3.00 Area of a circle 3m diameter ie mr? or "! | 150 1.50T 3/t 2.00 Circumference of a semicircle 3m diameter ie +nD ® ’ | oso a Volume of cylinder 1m diameter and a0 3m high. 2771 ‘Trapezoids ‘Measurements occasionally encountered on cuttings and embankments. 18m 6m ‘Area ; ¥i(18 + 6)3m = 123 = 36m? Segments. ‘The area of a segment (part of circle bounded by arc and chord) is sometimes required in the measurement of an arch. ‘The area of the sector is found following formula; % (length of arc x radius)La x 2nrR/360° Bellmouths, as at Road Junctions 3 ius The area in each case is radius’, and is equivalent to the area of a square, whose side is equal to the radius, less the area of a quadrant or quarter circle of the same radius. In this case the area on both sides of the bellmouth would be entered on the dimension paper as; GIRTH OF BUILDINGS Rectangular Buildings. ‘Measurement of the girth (perimeter along the centre line) or perimeter of a building is required for foundations, external walls and associated items. The length may be calculated on a straight-forward rectangular building by determining the total external length of walling and making a deduction for each angle equivalent to the thickness of the ‘wall. Alternatively, the internal length might be taken and an addition made for each of the external angles, Example; — « 15.000 > le 255mm cavity wall 6.000‘Taking external dimensions, 15,000 Sum of one long and one short side Sum of all four sides (measured externally) 42.000 Less; corners 4/255 1,020 ‘Mean girth of external wall (centre line of cavity) 40.980 ‘Taking internal dimensions; ‘Add corners 4/255 1.020 ‘Mean girth of external wall This centre line measurement is extremely important, since it provides the length to be used in the dimensions for trench excavation, backfilling to trench, concrete in foundations, brickwork, block work and damp-proof course. Buildings of Irregular Outline.ITEMS ENCOUNTERED IN PREPARATION OF BILLS OF QUANTITIES. “Extra over” Items “Deemed to be included” Items Spot Items Plant items Protection items “Extra-over” Items; When measuring certain types of work, they are described as being “extra-over” another item of work which has been previously measured. The will price for the extra or additional cost involved in ‘the second item as compared with the first. For example, measurement of brick face-work as; “extra-over common brickwork”. In this case the estimator will price the additional cost in handling the facing bricks i.e pointing the faced brickwork, Other examples, gutter and pipe fittings are extra-over the cost of gutter or pipe in which they occur. Excavating rock in basement is extra-over the ordinary excavation. “Deemed to be included” Items. ‘The term ‘deemed to be included’ indicates that this particular work is covered in the billed item without the need for specific mention. Examples; rough cutting in brickwork, multiple-handling of excavated materials and transporting about the site the excavated soil to be disposed, square cutting of timber frames and cutting edges of roof coverings, are deemed to be included etc. Spot items. This includes all items to be priced which the estimator should see on the existing premises on site. ‘These are kept together in a separate section of the bill and will be measured either on the site or from notes made there and the bill would be probably be written by the take-off process, Spot items may includ (i) Demolition of an old shelter (ii) Grubbing up of hedges & cutting down trees (i) Filling in old cisused manholes (iv) Breaking up of pavements (¥) Alteration to building walls or extensions (vi) Building up openings etc. All these can only be accurately priced by looking at them on site.Plant Items; ‘Many of the work sections in the SIMM provide for the inclusion of one item for bringing to site and removing from site all plant required; and another for maintaining on site all plant required. Protection clauses; The SMM includes protection clauses at the end of each work section. This enables the estimator, after pricing all the measurable items in the section and being fully conversant with the nature and scope of these items, to price for covering up and protection of all the items in the section. Protecting the work in the section shall be given as an item. ‘TERMS USED IN QUANTITY SURVEYING Use of schedules; When measuring a number of items of similar, characteristics but of varying components, it is advisable to use schedules as a means of setting down all the relevant information in tabulated form. This materially assists the taking-off process i.e reduce time spent and also the liability of error. ‘The use of schedules is appropriate for measurement of doors, windows, manholes, bar reinforcements etc. Query sheets; When taking-off, the quantity surveyor will enter any queries for the architect on query sheets, normally divided down the centre to accommodate the queries on the left-hand side of the sheet and the answers on the right-hand side. Preamble clauses; ‘These are introductory clauses entered at the beginning of each section or trade in a BQ. The main purpose is to provide tenderers with the information needed for pricing the billed items with ease. Preliminary Items; They are defined in the SMM as items in respect of works and / or general obligations and risks involved in the execution of the contract. They include the names of parties to the contract; description of the site; description of the works; form of contract; water for the works; lighting and power for the works; etc.‘TYPES OF BILLS OF QUANTITIES {a) Operational bills; These are bills that describe work in terms of the amount of labour, plant and materials required for each physical operation. With these bills, operations are scheduled as labour requirements in gang(s) plus materials and items of plant required to carry out specified works (an operation) to which rates are applied to arrive at a price. Operation bills have advantage for a contractor as they provide effective cost control during the construction works. In addition, they assist with estimating the price of a project because of the division of components that makes each work operation easier to recognize. This bill format is suitable for contractors on small projects as it provides detailed information and therefore is advantage in ordering of materials. It has disadvantage on larger projects because it is a bulky document and costly to produce. {b) Elemental bills; When pricing a project in the early stages of design development, the building and project requirements are segmented into elemental parts e.g substructure, upper floors, external walls, internal walls, preliminaries etc. each of which performs a certain design function These elemental parts are measured as composite items and have inclusion lists to which a suitable rate is charged to arrive at an elemental price with the total of the priced elements being the anticipated. As this is an aspect of estimating before works are tendered, elemental bills are widely used by Q.S for cost planning advice only. {c) Trade bills; These are bills where the order of items is listed according to the person or trade that does the work. Each trade is divided into various items ie excavator, concreter, bricklayer, mason, roofer, carpenter, plasterer etc. Apart from being arranged in trade order, each trade has the facility for each description to be priced and summed to give the total cost for each trade. The total trade cost is then transferred to a general summary to obtain the total project cost.