Lakshitha Senarathne

BSc (Hons), AMIE(SL)

As each person different, when trying to measure
and describe the parts of a building they would all
do it in a different way.
 The method of measurement and description are
on a uniform basis. Therefore tenders are
comparable.
 Cost effective items are identified and measured
whilst unimportant items are omitted.
 The rules can be easily applied for a wide range
of buildings.
 Safeguard against ambiguity, confusion and
accidental omissions.
 Accurate representation of quality and quantity of
work.
 NRM

SMM7

CESSM4

SLS 573

POMI
 The New Rules of Measurement (NRM) are published by
the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and
prepared by the Quantity Surveying and Construction
Professional Group.
 They provide a standard set of measurement rules for
estimating, cost planning, procurement and whole-life
costing for construction projects. Adopting a standard
methodology such as NRM facilitates consistency and
benchmarking and helps avoid disputes.
NRM 01:
 provides guidance on Order of cost estimating and
cost planning for capital building works
 NRM 1 is a best practice guidance note offering
guidance on the preparation of:
Order of cost estimates.
Elemental cost models.
Cost plans.
Cost analyses.
Benchmark analyses.
NRM 02:
 This is written mainly for the preparation of bills of
quantities and quantified schedules of works.
 NRM2 provides a set of detailed measurement rules for the
preparation of bills of quantities or schedules of rates for
the purpose of obtaining a tender price. It also deals with
the quantification of non-measurable work items,
contractor designed works and risks. Guidance is also
provided on the content, structure and format of bills of
quantities, as well as the benefits and uses of bills of
quantities.
 Consisting of 3 main parts
1. Part 1: General - places the measurement for works procurement
in context with the RIBA Plan Of Work and explains the symbols,
abbreviations and definitions used in the rules.
2. Part 2: Rules for detailed measurement of building works -
outlines the benefits of detailed measurement, describes the
purpose and uses of NRM2; explains the function of bill of
quantities, provides work breakdown structures for bill of
quantities, defines the information required to enable the
preparation of bill of quantities, describes the key constituents of
bill of quantities and explains how to prepare bill of quantities.
Considerable space is given over to the codification of bills of
quantities and the use of the bills for cost management.
 Consisting of 3 main parts
3. Part 3: Tabulated rules of measurement for building works -
comprises the majority of NRM2 being the tabulated rules
for the measurement and description of building works for
the purpose of works procurement.
NRM 03:
 intended to provide a consistent method for the
quantification and description of maintenance works.
 NRM3 can be used for:
Initial order of cost estimates during preparation stages.
Cost plans during the design development and pre-
construction stages.
Asset-specific cost plans during the pre-construction phases.
Bills of quantities shall fully
describe and accurately
represent the quantity and
quality of the works to be
carried out. More detailed
information than is required by
these rules shall be given where
necessary in order to define the
precise nature and extent of the
required work. The rules apply
to measurement of proposed
work and executed work.
 This sets out a procedure for the
preparation of a Bill of Quantities
for civil engineering works, for
contracts based on traditional
‘measure & value’ principles.
The Bill of quantities enables
tenders to be prepared
efficiently and can be used to
value work completed once the
contract has been let.
 This produce by Institution of
Civil Engineers & Federation of
Civil Engineering Contractors.
 This is prepared by a technical committee
appointed by the institute for construction training
and development (ICTAD) in associated with the Sri
Lankan standard institution (SLS).
 This deals with the measurement of building works
and applies equal to the preparation of estimate,
BOQ and to site measurements.
 This mainly used in
Middle east countries.
 This is the second most
commonly used
document for standard
method of measurements.
 Generally Standard Sheet is A4 (210×297 mm),
ruled vertically. Each dimension sheet is split into
two identically ruled parts and each consisting four
columns.

 Ruling confirms to the requirements of BS 3327:1970

Stationary for Quantity Surveyor.

 Rulings, widths are as follows.

Columns A – The timesing columns; these columns are
used to enter multipliers when there is more than one of
the particular item being measured.

Columns B – The dimension columns; where the

dimensions of the item being measured are recorded
Columns C – The squaring columns; these columns are
used to calculate the quantities which are produced by
multiplying the timesing factor in column A by the
dimensions in column B. The results are then totaled to
derive the final quantity of work.

Columns D – The description columns; these wider

columns are used for descriptive content such as location
references and explanatory notes called annotations.
Preliminary calculations, called waste calculations may also
be carried out in these columns
 Measurement item are set down under each other
on the dimension sheets and are spaced well apart
to ensure clarity, neatness and good handwriting
are also essential factors of presentation.
 Helpful tips
1. Dimension column should not be overloaded or
crammed with item so that impossible to distinguish one
item from another.
2. Maintain even spacing between items
3. Always aim to get the item in correct sequence.
1. Cubic Measurement

2. Square of superficial measurements

3. Linear Measurements

4. Enumerated Measurement

5. Item Measurements
1. Square dimension
• Length × Height
• Horizontal × Vertical
2. Cubic dimension
• Length × Width × Height
• Horizontal × Vertical × Thickness
 Number of similar dimensions occur in measuring
this is used.
Ex: 6 similar type of doors providing
 Measurements may be multiplied by writing the
timesing figure in the timesing column.
 It is so important that the timesing should be
condined to the proper column and separating it
from the measurement by slash (/).
 In repeating a dimension the take off may find that
it cannot be multiplied but added, for instance
having measured three items as follows.
 Where more than one set of dimensions, relate to
the same description the dimension should be
suitably bracketed.
 Sometimes it is necessary to substitute amended
dimension in place of those, which have already
been entered on the dimension paper.
 It is advised never to alter the original figures apart
from looking untidy, it is often extremely difficult to
identify the correct figure.
 Better approach is NIL the item as below.
 No actual waste column shown in the taking off sheet.
 General Practice is use to right side of the description
column.
 Descriptions should be written in a clear and
concise manner and on the same level with its
associated dimensions.
 Description should be occupy the full width of the
appropriate column and should not overlap in to
the other columns not intended for this purpose.
 Writing should be neat and legible and if possible
not too large.
 After measuring an item it is some times necessary
to deduct for void or opening in the main area or
volume. This is normally performed by a deduction
item as shown as follows.
 Where there may be uncertainty about specific
elements of the design drawings and specifications,
for example, there may be doubt about the nature,
extent or dimensions of elements, these may be
entered onto a query sheet and issued to the
appropriate members of the consultant team for
clarification.
Stonework elements
The purpose of these designation is to identify the work
classes, being represented by a number, symbolized as
($), indicating chapter. The items on the table are
referenced based on that header.

Information
In this zone the elements contained in that table are
defined, which will be subject to the rules that the table
complies. The excluded elements will have a reference to
the table in which they can be consulted.
Classification table
This designated as the classification table and embraces
five columns, each corresponding to a subdivision of the
works approached by the measurement rules. In the first
column the most general works are presented,
succeeding the second, where a subdivision of these
works is presented, the same applying to the third
column. The fourth column contains the unit definitions of
the previous columns content, and details can be found in
the fifth column, usually provided in specific documents.
Measurement Rule
This is gathers the criteria by which jobs are quantified
and how they should be measured

Definition rules
This column contains the rules that establish the
extension and the limits of the work represented by a
word or expression used in the rules
Included works / Coverage Rules
This is gathers the criteria that define which particular
works would be included in each heading of the Quantity
Bill, so that the prices presented in the budget reflect the
quantity and extension of the works to be done

Additional information / Supplementary Information

It contains criteria/specifications which should be
additionally provided to the description of the included
headings
Example 01
SPECIFICATION
1. Topsoil: 150 mm deep — to be excavated & deposited
in spoil heaps 50 m from excavation.
2. All surplus soil taken to a tip provided by the
contractor.
3. No ground water.
4. Concrete: a) Foundations — 15N/20 mm
b) Oversite & cavity fill — 20N/20 mm
5. Brickwork: a) Generally to be Class B engineering bricks
in cement mortar — (1:3)
b) Facing bricks to be Redland multi coloured in
cement mortar — (1:3) pointed with a flush joint as work
proceeds.
c) Built in stretcher or English bond.
6. Wall tiles: Mild steel vertical twisted type — to BS.1243
Type 3 — 2 per sq. metre.
7. DPC: Hyload pitch polymer bedded in cement mortar
(1:3) lapped 150 mm.
8. DPM: 1000 gauge polythene lapped 150 mm at all joints.
9. Hardcore: Broken brick or stone — blinded with sand.