Building Quantities Explained

Kaomtuan Build.i.q and Surveying Series Series Editor: Ivor H. Seeley

Emeritus Professor, Trent Polytechnic Advanced Building Measurement, second edition Ivor H. Seeley An Introduction to Building Services Christopher A Howard Applied Valuation Diane Butler Asset Valuation Michael Rayner Building Economics, third edition Ivor H. Seeley Building Maintenance, second edition Ivor H. Seeley Building Quantities Explained, fourth edition Ivor H. Seeley Building Surveys, Reports and Dilapidations Ivor H. Seeley Building Technology, third edition Ivor H. Seeley Civil Engineering Contract Administration and Control Ivor H. Seeley Civil Engineering Quantities, fourth edition Ivor H. Seeley Civil Engineering Speciti.cation, second edition Ivor H. Seeley Contract Planning and Contract Procedures B. Cooke Contract Planning Oa.se Studies B. Cooke Environmental Science in Building R. McMullan Introduction to Valuation D. Richmond Principles of Property Investment and Pricing W. D. Fraser Quantity Surveying Practice Ivor H. Seeley Structural Detailing P. Newton Urban Land Economics and Public Policy, fourth edition P. N. Balchin, J. L. Kieve and G. H. Bull 1980 JOT Sta.nda.rd Form of Building Contract, second edition R. F. Fellows

Building Quantities Explained

IVOB H. SEELEY BSc(EstMan), MA, PhD, FRICS,

CEng, FICE, FCIOB, MIH Chartered Quantity Surveyor

Emeritus Professor of Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham

Fourth Edition

M MACMILLAN EDUCATION

© Ivor H. Seeley 1965, 1969, 1979, 1988

All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication maur be made without written permission.

No paragraph of this publication maur be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended), or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 33-4 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP.

Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

First edition 1965 Reprinted 1966 SI edition 1969 Reprinted 1972 (with corrections), 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977 (twice) Third edition 1979 Reprinted 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 1985, 1987 Fourth edition 1988

Published by MACMILLAN EDUCATION LTD Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 2XS and London Companies and representatives throughout the world

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Seeley, Ivor H. (Ivor Hugh), 1924-

Building quantities explained. 4th ed. 1. Great Britain. Buildings. Construction. Bills of quantities I. Title 692'.5

ISBN 978-0-333-48206-3 ISBN 978-1-349-19343-1 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-19343-1

This book is dedicated to those numerous graduates, diplomates

and students in quantity surveying ofTrentPolytechnic, with whom

I have had the privilege and pleasure to be associated.

Series Standing Order If you would like to receive future titles in this series as they are published. you can make use of our standing order facility. To place a standing order please contact your bookseller or, in case of difficulty, write to us at the address below with your name and address and the name of the series. Please state with which title you wish to begin your standing order. (If you live outside the United. Kingdom we may not have the rights for your area, in which case we will forward your order to the publisher concerned.)

Customer Services Department, Macmillan Distribution Ltd Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 2XS, England.

Est modus in rebus which can be translated as

'there is measure/method in all things' (motto of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)

List of Figures List of Examples Preface Acknowledgements

Contents

1 GENERAL mTB.ODUCTION' Historical Background of Quantity Surveying- Pur­poses of Bill of Quantities- Processes used in Quantity Surveying Work-Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works -Co-ordinated Project Informa­tion- Other Functions of the Quantity Sur­veyor- Modern Quantity Surveying Techniques: Methods of Preparation of Bills of Quantities; Formats of Bills of Quantities.

2 GENERAL PBIN'CIPLES OF TA'K'TNG OFF General Rules: Basic Principles; Tabulated Rules- Dimensions Paper- Entering Dimensions: Spacing of Items; Waste; Order of Dimensions; Times­ing; Abbreviations and Symbols; Grouping of Dimen­sions; Deductions- Measurement of Irregular Fi­gures-Alterations to Dimensions- Figured Dimen­sions- Numbering and Titles of Dimension Sheets­Order of Taking off-Adjustment of Openings and Voids- Descriptions- Extra Over Items- Deemed to be Included Items-Accuracy in Dimensions- Use of Schedules- Query Sheets- Preambles- Prime Cost Items- Provisional Sums -Work of Special Types­Backgrounds- Composite Items- General Defini­tions -Services and Facilities -Plant Items.

3 USE OF :MEN'SUllATION' IN' QUANTITIES Introduction- Girth of Buildings: Rectangular Build­ings; Buildings of Irregular Outline -Measurement of Areas: Irregular Areas; Trapezoids; Segments; Bell­mouths- Measurement of Earthwork: Sloping Site Ex­cavation; Cuttings and Embankments- Measurement of Pitched Roofs: Lengths of Rafters; Lengths of Hips and Valleys; Roof Coverings.

xi xii xili XV

1

14

32

viii Contents

4 JIEASUllEMEl\T'r OF EXCAVATION .ADD FOUNDATIONS Preliminary Investigations - General Items -Site Preparation-Excavation to Reduce Levels-Ex­cavation of Foundation Trenches- Disposal of Ex­cavated Material- Surface Treatments- Basement Excavation- Earthwork Support- Concrete Founda­tions- Other Sub-Structure Work; Brick Walling; Face­work; Damp-proof Courses- Worked Examples of Measurement of Foundations to Small Building and Basement.

45

5 MEABUllEIIIIEl\T'r OF BRICK .ADD BLOCK WAIJ,J'NG 66

Brick/Block Walling: Measurement Generally; External Walls; Internal Walls; Chimney Breasts and Stacks- Incidental Works: Damp-proof Courses; Rough and Fair Cutting; Eaves Filling; Projections; Deductions for String Courses and the like; Facework Ornamental Bands; Facework Quoins-Worked Examples of Measurement of Brickwork, Facework and Blockwork and Curved Brick Screen Wall.

6 MEABUBEIIIIEl\T'r OF CHiliiNEY BREASTS .ADD STACKS, FIBEPLACES, VENTS .ADD RUBBLE W:AIJ.J'NG 82

Chimney Breasts and Stacks: Brickwork in Breasts and Stacks; Flues- Fireplaces-Vents- Rubble Wall-ing-Worked Examples of Chimney Breast, Stack and Fireplace and Random Rubble Boundary Wall.

7 liiiEABUBEIIIIEl\T'r OF FLOORS Sequence of measurement- Hollow Floors: Plates; Floor Joists; Joist Strutting; Floor Boarding- Solid Floors: Concrete Beds; Suspended Concrete Slabs; Floor Finishings-Worked Examples of Measurement of Hollow Ground Floor, Solid Ground Floor, Boarded Upper Floor, Concrete Upper Floor and Stud Partition.

8 MEABUllE:MEl\T'r OF ROOFS Introduction- Pitched Roofs: Roof Timbers; Coverings; Eaves and Rainwater Goods- Flat Roof Coverings: Asphalt; Built up Felt; Sheet Metal-Worked Examples of Measurement of Pitched Roof, Adjustment of Roof­work for Chimney Stack, Asphalt Flat Roof and Lead Flat Roof.

93

110

Contents ix

9 MEASUBl!:JIEliT Ol!' :or.rEBNAL l!'IlVISHmGS 134

Sequence of measurement- Ceiling Finishings- Wall Finishings; Schedule of Internal Finishings; Skirtings and Picture Rails -Floor Finishings -Painting and Decorations- Worked Example of Measurement of In-ternal Finishings.

10 MEASUBl!:JIEliT Ol!' WIBDOWS

Order of Measurement-Windows-Adjustment of Window Openings- Window Schedules-Worked Examples of Measurement of Wood Casement Window, Bullseye Window and Metal Casement Windows in Stone Surround.

11 JIEABUBEJIE:R'.r OF DOORS

Order of Measurement- Doors- Door Frames and Lining Sets-Adjustment of Door Openings- Worked Examples of Measurement of Internal Door and Ex­ternal Door.

146

164

12 MEASUBEJIE:R'.r OF ST.AIB.CASES AND Fri•.tmGS 177

Timber Staircases- Fittings- Worked Example of Measurement of Timber Staircase and Shelving to Larder.

13 MEASUBEJIE:R'.r OF PLUMBING INSTAIJ.AnONS 184

Order of Measurement- Drawings of Plumbing Instal­lations- Connection to Water Main- Pipework Generally- Water storage Tanks or Cisterns-Holes for Pipes- Sanitary Appliances- Builder's Work Con-nected with Plumbing Installations- Worked Example of Measurement of Plumbing Installation.

14 JIIIEABUB.EJIE:R'.r OF DB.AINAGE WORK

Order of Taking Off- Drains- Pipe Accessories­Manholes-Associated Work- Worked Example of Pipe Measurement of Drainage Work.

15 JIEASUllEJIEliT Ol!' EXTEBNAL WORKS

Roads, Drives and Paths- Grassed Areas- Trees, Shrubs and Hedges- Fencing- Worked Example of Measurement of External Works.

201

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x Contents

16 BILL PBEP.AllATION' PROCESSES Working up- Billing direct- Squaring Dimensions -Abstracting: Transfer of Dimensions; Subdivisions of Abstract; General Rules of Abstracting- Billing: Ruling of Bill of Quantities; Referencing of Items; Ent­ering Items in the Bill; Units of Measurement; General Rules of Billing; Typical Examples of Abstract and Bill; Preliminaries Bill; Bills of Reduction and Addenda Bills; General Summary; Preambles; Daywork; Specialist Bills - 'Cut and Shuffle'- Standard Descrip­tions- Use of Computers: Computers and Information Technology; Microcomputers and Bill Production; Range of Microcomputer Programs - Other Bill For­mats: Elemental Bills; Sectionalised Trade Bills; Opera­tional Bills; Activity Bills; Annotated Bills- General Conclusions.

Appendix I -Abbreviations Appendix II- Mensuration Formulae Appendix III- Metric Conversion Table Appendix IV- Manhole Schedule Bibliography Index

223

263 269 271 274 275 277

List of Figures

Dimensions paper 16 I Girth of rectangular building 32

II Adjustment for corners 33 III Building with set-back 34 IV Building with recess 35 v Irregular area 36

VI Trapezoid 36 VII Segmental arch 37

VIII Bellmouth 38 IX Sloping site excavation 39 X Cutting excavation 41

XI Lengths of rafters 43 XII Lengths of hips and valleys 44

XIII Intersection of internal and external walls 48 XIV Measurement of excavated soil disposal 48 XV Stepped foundation 50

XVI Footings 51 XVII Projections 68

XVIII Stair treads and risers 178 XIX Concrete protection to drain pipes 203

Billing paper 229 XX Cut and shuffle procedure 252

List of Examples

Example Drawing Chapter Description Nr Nr

4. Foundations to small building I 1 4. Basement II 2 5. Brickwork, facework and blockwork III 3 5. Curved brick screen wall IV 4 6. Chimney breast, stack and fireplace v 5 6. Random rubble boundary wall VI 7. Hollow ground floor VII 6 7. Solid ground floor VIII 6 7. Boarded upper floor IX 6 7. Concrete upper floor X 6 7. Stud partition XI 7 8. Pitched roof XII 8 8. Adjustment of roofwork for chimney stack XIII 8 8. Asphalt flat roof XIV 9 8. Lead flat roof XV 10 9. Internal finishings XVI 11

10. Wood casement window XVII 12 10. Bullseye window XVIII 13 10. Metal casement windows in stone

surround XIX 14 11. Internal door XX 15 11. External door XXI 16 12. Timber staircase and shelving to larder XXII 17 13. Plumbing installation XXIII 18 14. Drainage work XXIV 19 15. External works XXV 20 16. Abstracting XXVI 16. Billing XXVII 16. Reduction bill of quantities XXVIII 16. Typical cut and shuffle dimension

sheet XXIX

xii

Preface to the Fourth Edition

The primary aim of this book continues to be to meet the needs of students studying the subject of building measurement in the earlier years of degree courses in quantity surveying and building, and those preparing for the first professional examinations of the relevant professional bodies and the Business and Technician Education Council. Although the needs of some of these students differ, it is believed that they will all benefit from the fundamental and yet practical approach that has been adopted.

This book covers the measurement of relatively simple building work in accordance with the principles laid down in the Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works: Seventh Edition (SMM7) supported by the associated Code of Procedure. The book contains a careful selection of worked examples of taking off, accompanied by comprehensive explanatory notes, covering all the basic work sections of the Standard Method. Its main aim is to simply explain and illustrate the method of measuring building work and to amplify and clarify the basic principles contained in the Standard Method, for the benefit of quantity surveying and building students. SMM7 contains a number of radical changes from previous practice and the book endeavours to highlight the main changes at appropriate points in the text and examples. Some clauses of the Standard Method are difficult to interpret and where more than one approach appears possible, the alternative procedures are described and examined.

In re-writing the book a positive aim, apart from complying with the prescribed requirements of SMM7 and thoroughly revising and updating the contents throughout, has been to produce a high standard of excellence in accuracy of dimensions, use of waste calculations, adequacy of descriptions, sequence of items and quality of presentation, which all aspiring students might seek to emulate. Furthermore, every effort has been made to incorporate and explain each step in the measurement process throughout the 25 worked examples, and to extend the usefulness of the book.

The book begins with a general introduction which traces the origins of the profession, the processes in use and an outline of the more recent developments, including project co-ordination documentation, followed by an examination of the general

Xlll

xiv Preface to the Fourth Edition

principles of taking off and the use of mensuration in building measurement. The bulk of the book is concerned with the practical application of the principles of the Standard Method together with the recognised taking off techniques to a wide range of building work. The final chapter examines and illustrates the various bill preparation processes ranging from abstracting and billing, including preambles and daywork, through to cut and shuffle, standard descriptions, the use of computers and other bill formats. Appendixes cover abbreviations, mensuration formulae, a metric conversion table and a manhole schedule, and there is a useful bibliography.

The unit symbol 'mm' has been omitted from all item descriptions, as well as drawing dimensions, since it now appears superfluous and its omission cannot give rise to confusion. However, they are rather surprisingly included in the billed examples contained in the SMM7 Code of Procedure for Measurement of Building Works.

The radical changes introduced by the Co-ordinating Committee for Project Information are examined and their possible implications and applications explored. It has to be emphasised that in practice a variety of approaches may be used and the author has attempted to adopt a standardised, logical approach following the format used in SMM7.

Nottingham, Spring 1988 IVOR H. SEELEY

Acknowledgements

The author expresses his thanks to the Standing Joint Committee for the Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works for kind permission to quote from the Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works: Seventh Edition (SMM7).

Christopher Willis FRICS FCIArb and Norman Wheatley FRICS, Chairman and Honorary Secretary respectively of the Standing Joint Committee, both gave friendly help and advice which was very much appreciated.

Ronald Sears MCIOB whom I have relied upon for many years past for his impressive artwork, once again prepared the handwritten dimensions and accompanying explanatory notes of outstanding quality on an extremely tight time schedule. His work does so much to bring the book to life as well as adding immensely to its value and quality.

Peter Murby and Malcolm Stewart of Macmillan Education Ltd have taken a keen personal interest in the production of the book. I am, as ever, greatly indebted to my wife for her continuing patience and understanding throughout the arduous re-writing period.

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