QC 220: BASICS OF QUANTITY

SURVEYING
TOPIC 3: STANDARD METHODS OF
MEASUREMENT S (SMM)

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 LECTURE OUTLINE
Definition of SMM
Advantages and Function(s) of SMM
Types of SMM
Application of EASMM in measuring building
works

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 DEFINITION OF SMM
• Earley and Gould (2004) defined the SMM as:
‘a formal document setting out rules for
defining the nature of construction works, how
the work is measured or taken off and
quantified’.
• It is used in preparation of bills of quantities
whereby measurements of construction works
observe the rules of standard method of
measurement (SMM).

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 ADVANTAGES OF SMM
• The main advantages of SMM are;
i. It provides detailed information and rules
for measuring construction works.
ii. It provides Uniform basis for measuring and
describing construction works.
iii. It facilitates industry wide consistency and
benchmarking, to encourage the adoption of
best practice.
iv. It helps to avoid disputes.
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 TYPES OF SMM
• There are two types of SMM
i. SMM for building works
ii. SMM for Civil works
• SMM for Civil works is used to measure civil
works such as road works, bridge works, water
distribution infrastructure, etc
• The SMM for civil works used in Tanzania is
known as “civil engineering standard method of
measurement”
• It is prepared by the institute of Engineers of
London in 1976.
• All measurements of Civil works must observe its
rules and guidelines
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 TYPES OF SMM Cont’d
• SMM for building works is used to measure
building works such as houses, office buildings,
commercial buildings etc.
• The SMM for building works used in Tanzania is
known as “East Africa Standard Methods of
Measurement of Building Works” (EASMM)
• It is prepared by the Quantity surveyors of Kenya,
in 1968 first ed. and second ed. of 2008.
• All measurements of building works must
observe its rules and guidelines

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 East Africa Standard Method of
Measurement of Building Works (EASMM)
• It was first published in February 1968 by The
Architectural Association of Kenya: chapter of
QS’ after several years of work by many
members of the QS professional in Kenya.
• Its basis was the standard method of
measurement of building works published by
RICS and National Federation of Building
Trades Employers, London.

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 Sections of EASMM
The SMM has the following sections ;
A. General Rules
B. Preliminaries
C. Demolition and Alteration
D. Excavation and Earthwork
E. Piling
F. Concrete work
G. Walling
H. Underpinning
J. Asphalt work

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 Sections of EASMM cont’d
K. Roofing
L. Carpentry
M. Joinery
N. Structural steel works
P. Metal work
Q. Plumbing and Engineering Installations
R. Electrical Installation
S. Floor wall and Ceiling Finishing
T. Glazing
U. Painting and Decorating
V. Drainage
W. Fencing
Note: Sections C up to W are typical trades in any building
project
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 APPLICATION OF EASMM IN MEASURING
BUILDING WORKS
• EASMM has several rules which must be
observed when measuring building works.
• There are general rules and specific rules.
• The general rules are provided under section
"A” of SMM and they are applicable in all
trades
• While the specific rules are provided under
each trade and they are applicable within
that specific trade.
• Also under each trade there some general
rules applicable within that specific trade.
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 GENERAL RULES – Section A of EASMM
A1. BOQ – Shall fully describe and accurately
represent the works to be executed. Work
which can not be measured accurately shall
be described as “Provisional” or given in a
bill of approximate quantities.
A2 (a). Measurements - work shall be
measured net as fixed in position. And taken
to the nearest 10mm (i.e. 5mm and above to
be 10mm, and less than 5mm disregarded
eg. Size of a door 803mm x 1206mm to be
800mm x 1210mm)
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 GENERAL RULES CONT’D
A6 (a). Quantities
- Where the unit of billing is metre (i.e. m, m2, and
m3) or kilogramme, quantities shall be billed to the
nearest whole units. Which means no DECIMAL
QUANTITIES in a BOQ.
- Fraction of unit less than half (i.e. 0.5) shall be
disregarded and; unit more than half (i.e. equal or
more than 0.5) shall be regarded as whole unit.
- But when the application of this rule will cause the
entire item to be eliminated, such item shall be
“enumerated” stating the size or weight as
appropriate.

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 GENERAL RULES CONT’D
A4. Grouping of sizes; Some items within a certain
range of the sizes can be grouped together.
Example Sizes of pipes and tubes (measured
internally) while cables, conduits (measured
externally) shall be grouped and described as
small (i.e. n.e 55mm diameter), Large (over 55
but n.e 110mm) and Extra large (over 110mm
diameter).
Which means all pipes below 55mm diameter
are measured as one item, same for large and
extra large pipes.
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 GENERAL RULES CONT’D
A3. Description
a. Consistent order of stating dimensions in a
description - to be in a sequence of length,
width and height.( e.g. Hardwood paneled
door size 45mm thick x 900mm wide x
2100mm high).
b. Description should provide enough
information for an estimator to price - cost
of materials; fitting and fixing materials in
position; use of plants; waste of materials;
transport cost, loading and unloading cost,
storing cost, etc
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 GENERAL RULES CONT’D
A3 (c) straight and curved works shall be
measured separately as provided in specific
trades or sections
A3 (d) and (e) Labour to be given in linear
meters or numbers can be included in a
description as an alternative and not a must
to be measured as separate items of labour.
A3(f) Labour on existing work shall be described.
Which means measured as a separate item
from a new work of similar nature.
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 GENERAL RULES CONT’D
• A7 – its about provisional sums and Prime cost
sum.
• - The sum provided in a BOQ for prime cost
sum excludes any profit or general attendance
to the main contactor, Thus need to be added
as separate items for profit and attendance.
• A8. Works executed under water eg lake,
ocean shall be described stating if it is canal
river or sea water and levels of high and low
water.
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 SPECIFIC RULES
• Because of limited time we are going to do
measurement for two elements only.
• The basis of selecting these elements is
because they are common areas for
maintenance works.
• The elements are
i. Finishing element
ii. Painting and decoration elements

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 SPECIFIC RULES: FOR FINISHING
TRADE/ELEMENT
• Finishing is in section “S” of the EASMM titled Floor,
Wall and Ceiling Finishings
• Unit of billing is Metres
• Some of general rules to this section are:
S1 (a). Works to be grouped according to the kind of
materials ( eg if is ceiling board gypsum, chipboard,
etc)
(b). External works to be stated and measured
separate.
( C ). Work and labour overhand to be stated – eg
plaster at the ceiling level. Above 3.5 to be measured
as separate items in staged of 1.5
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 SPECIFIC RULES: FOR FINISHING
TRADE/ELEMENT cont’d
S (d). Repair works and their preparatory works
to be stated in a description.(means to be
measured separate from new work)
(e). Works on existing surface to be stated
(f). Work to pattern or in more than one color to
be stated
(g) Curved, conical or spherical works to be
stated

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 The Order of measuring finishings
The Order of measuring finishing works is as follows:
i. Insitu finishings
 Floors and paving – Measured in m2; S3(a)
 Walls and ceilings -Measured in m2; S4(a)
 Staircases (edge of landings, risers and treads) -
Measured in m; S5(b)
 Landings – Measured in m2; S5(a)
 Labours on finishing – others included in description
or measured separately S6
 Skirting – Measured in m; S8(a)

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 The Order of measuring finishing Cont’d
ii. Tile, slab or block finishing – Measured in m2;
S15 (a)
iii. Plain sheet finishing Measured in m2; S24(a)
and S26(a)
iv. Beds and backings- Measured in m2; S28 (a)
v. Lathing and base boarding - Measured in m2 or
m for over 300mm wide or less than 300mm;
S31 (a)
vi. Suspended plain sheets linings with supporting
metal works- Measured in m2 or m for over
300mm wide or less than 300mm; S33 (a)
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 SPECIFIC RULES: FOR PAINTING &
DECORATION TRADE/ELEMENT
• Painting & Decoration is in section “U” of the
EASMM titled ‘ Painting and Decoration’
• Unit of billing is Metres
• Some of general rules to the section are:
U1 (a). Works shall be grouped as external and internal
works separately
U1 (b). State works which are painted before fixing
U1 ( c ) Special method of application to be stated

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 The Order of measuring Paintings &
Decorations
• Painting works
On walls, ceiling, and floors- over 300mm girth
is given in m2, below given in linear metres
stating girth on stages of 100mm. U3(a)
On wood frames, windows, and doors –
Measured in m; U4(a)
On structural steel works – Measured in m2;
U6
On grilles, balustrades, railing and mesh-
Measured in m2; U7(a)
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 The Order of measuring Paintings &
Decorations cont’d
• Painting works cont’d
On gutters- m2 or m; U8(a)
On pipes- m or m2; U9
On bars, cables and conduits- m2 or m; U10
• Polishing – m2 or m; U12(b)
• Sign writing- Numerated (Nr); U13

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