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w
1 INTR DUCTI N,
m ENERAL RULES ND REC END Tl NS
1. Introduction 2.2
Bills of Quantities will adequately describe materials and workmanship in sufficient
1.1 detail for pricing and will accurately represent the quantities of work to be done.
The purpose of the Standard Method of Measurement is to provide a uniform basis
for the measurement of building works. 2.3
Where in particular cases the quantity surveyor believes it necessary to depart
1.2 from rules in this document, or, where this document has no rules which can
The methods of measurement included will be applicable to the preparation of Bills reasonably be applied to the measurement, then, the method of measurement
of Quantities (also known as Schedule of Quantities in New Zealand) before adopted for the particular work or materials involved will be stated in the Bills of
the works are commenced equally with the measurement of finished works and Quantities in each instance where it occurs.
variations.
2.4
1.3 Work which cannot be accurately measured will be given separately and described
If considered to be necessary to define further the precise nature and extent of the as Provisional and the work will be described in the contract documents. Items of
work, then more detailed information should be given. Provisional work will be properly identified in the Bills of Quantities.

1.4 2.5
The method of measurement given here will, if applicable, be over-ridden by any Work which is not covered by any of the existing trade sections will be measured
particular construction detail required by the contract documents, or any legistative separately under a separate new trade, with a new trade heading relevant to the
requirements specific to that country. scope of works to be measured.

1.5
The tender documents will be in the hands of the Quantity Surveyor seven clear
3. Measurement
days prior to the date of the issue of the Bills of Quantities to the tenderers and a
3.1
list of those documents will be included in the Bills of Quantities.
Unless otherwise stated in the Bills of Quantities, work is to be measured net as
fixed in position.
1.6
Refer to the NZ Guidance Notes for more information relating to measuring in New
3.2
Zealand.
Where minimum deductions for voids or openings are considered, they will refer to:

2. Bills (Schedule) of Quantities (a) voids or openings which are wholly within the boundaries of measured areas;
(b) door, window and blank openings;
2.1 (c) voids or openings at the boundaries of measured areas occurring as a result of
Bills of Quantities will identify which version of ANZSMM has been used to avoid the projection into the measured areas of piers, columns and similar members.
any uncertainty.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORKS - 2018 EDITION 4
 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORKS - 2018 EDITION
3.3
No deductions will be made from items required to be measured:
(a) by area for voids less than 1m2
(b) by volume for voids less than 0.1 m3 with the exception of walls and slabs given
by volume when rule (a) above will apply.
4.1
In stating dimensions the order will be in the sequence of length, width and height
or depth. Where that sequence is not appropriate or where ambiguity could arise
the dimensions will be specifically identified.
4.2
All dimensions, girths, thicknesses, mass and other relevant information necessary
for the proper assessment of items will be given.
4.3
Notwithstanding these rules of measurement patented or standard proprietary or
prefabricated items will be measured in a manner appropriate to the manufacturer's
practice and the manner adopted will be stated.
4.4
Where practicable, descriptions of items or headings to groups of items will contain
reference to their general location in the works.
4.5
Unless otherwise stated the items in the Bills of Quantities will include:
(a) materials and goods including materials required for lapping, jointing and the
like and all costs in connection therewith such as conveyance, delivery, unloading,
storing, returning packings, handling, hoisting and lowering;
(b) square, raking, splay and circular cutting;
5
(c) waste of materials;
(d) labour and all costs in connection therewith including the labour in drilling,
setting, fitting and fixing of materials and goods in position;
(e) establishment costs, overhead costs and profit;
(f) plant and equipment;
(g) taxes, overtime, bonus and incentive payments, duties and royalties;
(h) protection of work against damage except where specific means of protection
are stated in the contract documents in which case items will be given in the
appropriate sections.
4.6
Unless otherwise stated the forming of ends, angles, returned ends and the like
and junctions between straight and raking and/or circular work will be included with
the work in which they occur.
4.7
The description of items may refer to specification clauses or drawing numbers
where such reference is of assistance in the description of the measured items.
Reference to other documents will be limited to those which are particularly
identified in the specification or drawings.
5. Terminology
5.1
Where the method of measurement requires information to be 'given' then that
information may be included in a heading, sub-heading, preamble or description
as appropriate.
5.2
Where the method of measurement states 'items will be given for' these items will
only be given where required by the contract documents. Items will also be given
for additional 'items' as required by the contract documents.
5.3
Where the method of measurement requires work to be given in increments of, for
example, 100mm this will mean: not exceeding 100mm wide, exceeding 100 and
not exceeding 200mm wide, etc.
8. Works by Nominated Sub-Contractors & Suppliers
5.4
Where the method of measurement requires work to be given not exceeding a
8.1
Attendance on and provision of general facilities for nominated sub-contractors
designated width, for example, not exceeding 250mm wide this will mean: all work
for the supply and installation of goods and services will be as defined in the
up to 250mm wide will be grouped together and not given in individual widths.
contract documents and will be given as an item following each monetary sum or
as an integral part of the description of each monetary rate for nominated subcon-
5.5
tractor's work included in the Bills of Quantities. Associated construction work
Where work is described as 'existing' it will be taken to have been carried out prior
will be measured in accordance with this document and given in the appropriate
to any new work to be measured as part of the Bills of Quantities.
section.
5.6
There are some terminology differences between Australia and New Zealand. Refer
8.2
Fixing materials and goods obtained from nominated sub-contractors and/
to the NZ Guidance Notes.
or suppliers will be given in accordance with the provisions of the appropriate
Section. Where the costs of transporting such materials and goods to the site are
6. Billing Units required to be borne by the contractor, with particulars being stated.

6.1
Where the unit of billing is the metre, square metre or cubic metre, quantities will
9. Temporary, Remedial and Restoration Works
be billed to the full unit, any part of a unit being regarded as a full unit. An exception
may be made for items of high value under 10 units, which will then be given to one
9.1
Where documented, temporary, remedial and restoration works will be so
decimal place.
described and measured in detail.
6.2
Where the unit of billing is the tonne, quantities will be billed to the full one 10. Circular Work
hundredth of a unit, any part of a unit less than one hundredth of a unit being
regarded as one hundredth of a unit. These parts will be expressed as decimals. In 10.1
cases where there are no whole units, a zero (0) will be placed immediately before Work which cannot be accurately measured will be given separately and described
the decimal point. as Provisional and the work will be so described in the contract documents. Items
of Provisional work will be properly identified as such in the Bills of Quantities.
7. Monetary Sums
10.2
Circular work unless required later herein to be stated in diameter will be described
7.1
and given separately. The work will be classified as:
Monetary sums and rates will be designated in the Bills of Quantities within the
(a) to radius not exceeding 0.5 metre;
Included Sums section.
(b) to radius exceeding 0.5 metre and not exceeding 1 metre;

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 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORKS 2018 EDITION 7

(c) to radius exceeding 1 metre and not exceeding 5 metres;

(d) to radius exceeding 5 metres and not exceeding 10 metres; 13.1
(e) to radius exceeding 10 metres in 10 metre increments. It is recommended that the order of billing for items of similar description, should
be in ascending order of size.
10.3
The term 'circular' will include any form of curve. Conical and spherical will be
14. Work of a Complex Nature
described and given separately. Irregular curved surfaces will be given
separately stating min and max radii.
14.1
Items of a complex nature unable to be easily described may be referred to as a
11. Work in an Uncommon Situation detailed drawing and/or specification clause where appropriate.

11.1
15. Use of the Tabulated Rules
Work necessarily requiring execution in an uncommon situation such as in or
under water, or in compressed air, or in confined spaces clearly identified in the
15.1
contract documents will be described fully with reference to relevant specification
The rules in this document are set out in tables. Each section of the rules
clauses and drawings and given separately.
comprises classification tables and supplementary rules (measurement rules,
measurement and prices, definitions).
11.2
Confined spaces is determined as where work is required to be carried out in
15.2
situations where the working space is less than 1.75 metres high.
Horizontal lines divide the classification table and supplementary rules into zones
to which different rules apply.
12. Bills of Quantities Order
15.3
12.1 Within the supplementary rules everything above the horizontal line, which is
The various methods of measurement embodied in this document are grouped immediately below the classification table heading, is applicable throughout that table.
to suit the NATSPEC specification system as published by NATSPEC Pty Ltd.
Where the project specification does not adopt this system it is recommended that 15.4
the project specification order is followed and cross-reference made in the Bills of In referring to sections in classification tables the measurement unit column
Quantities to the appropriate Section of the Method of Measurement used. has been disregarded.

12.2 Each Bills of Quantities Section, clause, item and note will be individually and 15.5
The left hand column of the classification table lists descriptive features
positively identified.
commonly encountered in building works. The next column lists further sub
groups into which each main group of items will be divided and the third and
13. Item Order fourth columns provide for further division similarly. The lists in these columns
are not intended to be exhaustive.
 will not be repeated in the Bills of Quantities but any amendment to the standard
15.6 measurement and prices clauses will be stated.
In applying rules contained in classification tables regard should also be made
to the requirements of the clauses contained in supplementary rules.
1 Abbreviations
15.7
Each item description will identify the work with respect to descriptive features 17.1
drawn from each of the columns in the classification table as are applicable to The following symbols and abbreviations are used in this method of measurement
the item. m = metre
m2 = square metre
15.8 m3 = cubic metre
Measurement rules set out when work will be measured and the method by mm = millimetre
which quantities will be computed. 170 = number
t = tonne
15.9 ~ equal to or greater than
Measurement and prices draw attention to particular incidental work which will > = greater than
be deemed to be included in the appropriate items in Bills of Quantities whether s; equal to or less than
mentioned in item descriptions or not. < less than
min = minimum
15.10 max = maximum
Definitions define the extent and limits of the work represented by a word or
km = kilometre
expression used in the rules and in a Bill of Quantities prepared in accordance
with the rules.

15.11
Where wording within the sections is in bold print then there is a
corresponding definition within the definitions column.

16.1
A reference will be inserted in each section of the Bills of Quantities drawing
attention to the measurement and prices clause in the relevant section of the
Standard Method of Measurement. The standard measurement and prices clause

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