GENERAL RULES

A.1 Introduction
This Standard Method of Measurement provides a uniform basis for measuring
building works and embodies the essentials of good practice but more detailed
information than is required by this document shall be given where necessary
(e.g. in descriptions or preambles, certain specification information including
limits on tolerance imposed by the designer) in order to determine the precise
nature and extent of the required work. This Standard Method of Measurement
shall apply equally to both proposed and executed works
A.2 Bills of Quantities
1. Bills of quantities shall fully describe and accurately represent the quantity and
quality of the works to be carried out. Work which cannot be measured shall be
given as a provisional sum. Work the extent of which is not known shall be
described as provisional or given in a bill of approximate quantities.
2. Rules of measurement adopted for work not covered by these rules shall be
stated and such rules shall as far as possible conform to those given in this
document for similar work.
A.3 Measurement
1. Unless the term metre used in this document is preceded by the words square
or cubic it shall be deemed to be linear.
2. Unless otherwise stated, works shall be measured net as fixed in position and
each measurement shall be taken to the nearest 10mm (i.e. 5mm and over shall
be regarded as 10mm and less than 5mm shall be disregarded). This rule shall
not apply to any dimensions stated in descriptions.
3. Unless otherwise stated, where minimum deductions of voids are dealt with in
this document they shall refer only to openings or wants which are within the
boundaries of measured areas. Openings or wants which are at the boundaries
of measured areas shall always be the subject of deduction irrespective of size.
4. The use of hyphen between two dimensions in this document or in a bill of
quantities shall mean a range of dimensions exceeding the first dimension stated
but not exceeding the second.

A.4 Description
1. The order of stating dimensions in descriptions shall be consistent and
generally in the sequence of length, width and height. Where that sequence is
not appropriate or where ambiguity could arise, the dimensions shall be
specifically identified.
2 Unless otherwise stated in the bill or herein, the following shall be deemed to
be included with all items:
a. Labour and all costs in connection therewith.
b. Materials, goods and all costs in connection therewith such as conveyance,
delivery, unloading, storing, returning, packing, handling, hoisting, lowering, etc.
c. Assembling, fitting and fixing materials and goods in position.
d. Plant and all costs in connection therewith.
e. Waste of materials.
f. All cuttings.
g. Establishment charges, overhead charges and profit.
3. Junctions between straight and curved work shall in all cases be deemed to be
included with the work in which they occur.
4. Notwithstanding the provisions in this document for labours to be given as
linear items, such labour may be given in the description of any linear items of
work on which they occur.
5. Notwithstanding the provisions in this document for labours to be enumerated,
such labours may be given in the description of any enumerated items of work on
which they occur.
A.5 Drawn information
1. Drawn information can either be drawings or extracts from drawings used for
measurements or specially prepared to supplement a description, and shall show
all the information necessary for the manufacture and assembly in the case of
components.
2. The requirements of this document for detailed descriptions shall be deemed
to have been complied with if drawn information is provided or referred to in the
2

description and such information indicates fully the items required to be

described.
A.6 Standard products
The requirements of this document shall be deemed to have been complied with
if the item concerned is a product details of which have been published and to
which reference has been made in the description.
A.7 Quantities
1. Where the unit of billing is the metre, square metre, cubic metre or kilograms,
quantities shall be billed to the nearest whole unit. Fractions of a unit less than
half shall be disregarded and all other fractions shall be regarded as a whole unit.
2. Where the unit of billing is the tonne, quantities shall be billed to the nearest
two places of decimals.
3. Where the application of clauses A.7.1 and 2 would cause an entire item to be
eliminated, such item shall be enumerated stating the size or weight as
appropriate.
A.8 Provisional or prime cost sums
1. Where this document requires provisional or prime cost sums to be given in
accordance with this clause, the choice of terms shall be made in conformity with
the following definitions unless otherwise provided in the conditions of contract:
a. The term provisional sum is defined as a sum provided for work or for costs
which cannot entirely be foreseen, defined or detailed at the time the tender
documents are issued.
b. The term prime cost sum is defined as a sum provided for work or services to
be executed by a nominated sub-contractor, a government or a statutory
authority or for materials or goods to be obtained from a nominated supplier.
Such sum shall be deemed to be exclusive of any profit required and/or
attendance to be provided by the main contractor and provision shall be made for
the addition thereof where applicable
A.9 Work in special conditions
1. Alterations and work in existing buildings shall be so described. Handling
materials and getting them in or out of such buildings shall be deemed to be
included with the items. Labours on existing work shall be so described.

2 Work carried out in or under water shall be so described stating whether canal,
river or sea water and (where applicable) the levels of high and low water.
3. Work carried out in compressed air shall be so described stating the pressure
and the method of entry and exit.
4. Work outside the cartilage of the site shall be so described
A.10 Use of tabulated rules
Generally
1. The rules in this document are set in tables. Each section of the rules
comprises information (to be) provided, classification tables and additional rules.
2. Horizontal lines divide the classification table and additional rules into zones to
which different rules apply.
Classification tables
3. Within the classification table where a broken line is shown, the rules given
above and below the broke line may be used as alternatives.
4. In referring to columns in classification tables the measurements unit column
has been disregarded.
5. The left hand column of the classification table lists descriptive features
commonly encountered in building works. The next column lists further subgroups into which each group of items shall be divided and similarly the third
column provides further division. The lists in these columns are not intended to
be exhaustive.
6. Each item description shall identify the work with respect to one descriptive
feature drawn from each of the first three columns in the classification table and
one of the descriptive features in the fourth column as are applicable to the item.
7. Where the abbreviation (nr) is given in the classification table the quantity shall
be stated in the item description.

Supplementary rules
8. Within the supplementary rules everything above the horizontal line which is
immediately below the classification table heading, is applicable throughout that
table.
9. Measurement rules set out when work shall be measured and the method by
which quantities shall be computed.
10. Definition rules define the extent and limits of the work represented by a word
or expression used in the rules and in a bill of quantities prepared in accordance
with the rules.
11. Coverage rules draw attention to particular incidental work which shall be
deemed to be included in the appropriate items in a bill of quantities to the extent
that such work is included in the tender documents. Where the coverage rules
include materials they shall be mentioned in the item descriptions.
12. The column headed Supplementary Information contains rules governing the
information which shall be given in addition to the information given as are result
of the application of rule A 6.
13. A separate item shall be given for any work which differs from other work with
respect to any matter listed as information.

A.11 Symbols and abbreviations

11.1 The following symbols and abbreviations are used in this method of
measurements
m
m
m
mm
nr
kg
t
h
p c sum
prov sum

%
*
-

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

meter
square meter
cubic meter
millimeter
number
kilogram
tonne
hour
prime cost sum
provisional sum
exceeding
equal or exceeding
not exceeding
less than
percentage
relates to numerous items in the bill
blank column

11.2
Cross references within the classification tables are given in the form :
Work
Number from
Number from
Number from Number from
section and
first
second
third
forth
horizontal line
column.
column.
column
column
number :
Example:
D12.1.1.1.1
Excavation and earthwork
Excavation
Around piles
Maximum depth not exceeding 0.25m
Commencing level stated

11.3
An asterisk within a cross reference represents all entries in the column in which
it appears.
11.4
The digit 0 within a cross reference represents no entries in the column in which
it appears.