UNIT 13 �MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES �IN �CONSTRUCTION

Dr Adewale Abimbola, FHEA, GMICE.

www.edulibrary.co.uk

Aim: �Standard Methods of Measurement

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

INTRODUCTION – THE NEED FOR MEASUREMENT RULES

• Standardisation:
• They establish standardised methods for quantifying and describing construction work. This consistency is essential for clear communication and understanding across the industry.
• Accuracy and Precision:
• Measurement rules provide precise guidelines for measuring quantities, ensuring accuracy in determining the number of materials, labour, and other resources required for a construction project.
• Contractual Clarity:
• Well-defined measurement rules contribute to the clarity of contracts. They help in avoiding misunderstandings between parties by establishing a common basis for measurement and pricing.

• Cost Estimation:
• Accurate quantity measurement is fundamental for cost estimation. Quantity surveyors use these measurements to assess the costs associated with materials, labour, equipment, and other resources required for a project.
• Tendering Process:
• Measurement rules play a crucial role in the tendering process. Contractors rely on precise measurements to submit competitive bids, and clients use them to evaluate and compare bids accurately.
• Consistency Across Projects:
• Standard measurement rules enable consistency in quantity surveying practices across different projects. This consistency simplifies the comparison of costs and facilitates benchmarking.

INTRODUCTION – THE NEED FOR MEASUREMENT RULES

• Risk Management:
• Accurate measurements reduce the risk of underestimating or overestimating project costs. This is critical for effective risk management, helping to avoid financial surprises during construction.
• Project Control and Monitoring:
• Measurement rules contribute to effective project control and monitoring. They provide a baseline for tracking quantities, costs, and progress, allowing for proactive management and adjustments as needed.
• Billing and Payments:
• Measurement rules are essential for billing purposes. They provide a clear basis for valuing completed work, enabling accurate and fair payment processes between the client and the contractor.

• Dispute Resolution:
• In case of disputes or disagreements, measurement rules serve as a reference point for resolving conflicts. They provide an objective standard against which the work can be evaluated.
• Regulatory Compliance:
• Measurement rules often align with industry standards and regulations. Adhering to these rules ensures that quantity surveying practices comply with legal and professional requirements.
• Facilitating Collaboration:
• Standard measurement rules facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders in the construction industry, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients. They provide a common language for discussing and planning construction projects.

STANDARD METHODS OF MEASUREMENT

• The two common rules of measurement in use in the United Kingdom are:
• The New Rules of Measurement (NRM) parts 1 to 3: The three parts are designed to provide a unified and standardised approach to the measurement of construction works. They are published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The NRM evolved from the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7), which was first written in 1922.
• The Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESSM): The CESMM was first published in 1976 by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). It is now in its fourth edition; CESMM4. It covers civil engineering measurement of quantities.

THE NEW RULES OF MEASUREMENT (NRM) �PARTS 1 TO 3

NRM 1: Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Capital Building Works:

Provides rules for preparing order of cost estimates, cost plans, and approximate estimates during different stages of a construction project. It also includes guidance about quantifying preliminaries, overheads and profit, risk allowances, and inflation.

NRM 2: Detailed Measurement for Building Works:

Focuses on the detailed measurement and quantification of building works. It provides a comprehensive set of rules for various elements of construction (It covers 41 work sections), thus allowing the preparation of bills of quantities, quantified schedules of works, and schedules of rates to obtain tender prices. It replaced the SMM7 on 1 July 2013.

NRM 3: Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Building Maintenance Works:

Applies to the measurement and cost estimation for building maintenance and repair works. NRM3 was published in March 2014.

THE CIVIL ENGINEERING STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT (CESMM)

• CESMM is a standard method of measurement specifically tailored for civil engineering works, providing a structured approach to quantify and measure construction activities.
• Designed to standardise the measurement and description of civil engineering works, CESMM aims to bring consistency and clarity to the measurement process.
• CESMM has evolved over time, with various versions released to reflect changes in industry practices and advancements. The current version is CESMM 4.
• CESMM is organised into sections, each covering specific aspects of civil engineering works. Within each section, there are rules providing guidance on measurement procedures.
• Facilitates the preparation of Bills of Quantities (BoQ) by providing a standardised framework for the measurement and description of civil engineering works.
• Adopts a standard unit of measurement for various elements, ensuring uniformity across projects. Common units include cubic meters, square meters, and linear meters.

SELF-ASSESSMENT TASK

1. Provide brief history discussions about the development of NRM (Parts 1-3) and CESMM4.

2. Discuss THREE benefits of using a recognised standard method of measurement?

3. What do these symbols represent:

• nr
• ha
• kg
• T

[Refer to NRM 1 on the MS teams to obtain the document]

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4. What do these abbreviations stand for:

• RICS
• RIBA
• SA
• Cost/m² of GIFA

[Refer to NRM 1 on the MS teams to obtain the document]

SELF-ASSESSMENT TASK

5. Search NRM2 [Refer to the MS teams to obtain the document] and locate the 41 work sections covered by NRM2 (pp. 139 – 317). Then, identify what should be measured (Length, Area, volume, etc.?) for all of the following Item or work:

• Site clearance
• Site preparation/removing topsoil
• Disposal of excavated materials off site
• Damp-proof membrane
• Compacting of soil

• Mass concrete
• Mild steel bar
• Walls; brick work and blockwork
• Roof coverings
• Gutters

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Designing Buildings Ltd. (2023a) New rules of measurement. Available at: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/New_Rules_of_Measurement#:~:text=The%20New%20Rules%20of%20Measurement%20(NRM)%20are%20published%20by%20the,life%20costing%20for%20construction%20projects. (Accessed: 7 October 2023)

Designing Buildings Ltd. (2023b) Cesmm4. Available at: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/CESMM4 (Accessed: 7 October 2023)

Pearson (2017) BTEC national construction student book. London: Pearson.

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