COMPARISON OF SMM7 WITH NRM2Last edited 31/01/2014 Discuss this article Edit this articleContents[hide] 1Introduction 2Structure of NRM2 3Comparison of SMM7 with NRM2 3.1Table 1: Comparison of contents 3.2Table 2: Comparison of the Part 3 rules 4Find out more 4.1Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki 4.2External references

INTRODUCTIONTheRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors(RICS) established a working group that has undertaken theRICSMeasurement Initiative over recent years with the aim of modernising the existing measurement standards. It sought to provide a link between the measurement forcost planningor early estimates with the measurement forbills of quantitiesand to introduce a common standard for thecost planningand procurement of maintenance work.The three volumes of theNRMsuite are: NRM1 Rules for order ofcostestimatingandelemental cost planning NRM2 Rules for works procurement NRM3 Rules for maintenance and operationcost planningand procurementNRM 1was initially published in March 2009 and has been reasonably well received and adopted by the profession. It has since been amended and the second edition was launched by theRICSin 2012 to coincide with the launch ofNRM2. The second edition became operative on 1 January 2013.NRM2was published in April 2012. It became operative on 1 January 2013 and replaced theStandard Method of Measurement, seventh edition (SMM7) on 1 July 2013.SMM7should no longer be adopted after July 2013.NRM2has been developed as a set of detailed measurement rules for the preparation of eitherbills of quantitiesor Schedules of Rates for either capital or maintenance projects. It does however deal with the quantification of non-measurable work items,contractordesigned works andrisks. Guidance is also provided on the content, structure and format ofbills of quantities, as well as the benefits and uses ofbills of quantities.NRM3has yet to be published.NRM2is a comprehensive document available as a free download toRICSmembers or can be purchased fromRICSBooks Ltd.The purpose of this article is not to give detailedinstructionon how to use theNRM2, much of the document is very self explanatory however it was felt appropriate to identify where there are differences betweenNRM2and theSMM7document currently used as theUKindustrystandard method of measurement.STRUCTURE OFNRM2NRM2is divided into three parts with supporting appendices:Part 1: General -places the measurement for works procurement in context with theRIBA Plan Of Workand theOGCGateway Process; and explains the symbols, abbreviations and definitions used in the rules.Part 2: Rules for detailed measurement of building works -outlines the benefits of detailed measurement, describes the purpose and uses ofNRM2; explains the function ofbill of quantities, provides workbreakdownstructures forbill of quantities, defines the information required to enable preparation ofbill of quantities, describes the key constituents ofbill of quantities, explains how to preparebill of quantities. Considerable space is given over to the codification ofbills of quantitiesand the use of the bills forcostmanagement.Part 3: Tabulated rules of measurement for building works -comprises the majority ofNRM2being the tabulated rules for the measurement and description of building works for the purpose of works procurement.Appendices: Appendix A: Guidance on the preparation ofbill of quantities Appendix B: Template forpreliminaries(maincontract) pricing schedule (condensed) Appendix C: Template forpreliminaries(maincontract) pricing schedule (expanded) Appendix D: Template for pricing summary for elementalbill of quantities(condensed) Appendix E: Template for pricing summary for elementalbill of quantities(expanded) Appendix F: Templates forprovisional sums,risksand credits Appendix G: Example of a workpackagebreakdownstructureAs can be seen from thisbrieflist of contents there is considerably more information given relating to the preparation of theBills of Quantities. In the past eachquantity surveyingpractice produced their bills following their own preferences and historical development. This is the first time that theRICShas given guidance on coding and workbreakdownstructures in an attempt to align the bills with thecost plansproduced usingNRM1.Coding and workbreakdownstructures will not be covered here, reference should be made to the detail contained in Part 2 ofNRM2.COMPARISON OF SMM7 WITH NRM2The following tables have been prepared by reviewing the sections inSMM7in order and identifying where the measurement rules are located and may have changed inNRM2. This is not a detailed comparison on a line by line basis but has looked at the general measurement principles.The framing of descriptions is also not as simple following these new rules and care should be taken to ensure that each description adequately reflects the work to be priced.One major change is in the layout of the document. There is now no reference to Co-ordinated Project Information and the lettering used previously has now been replaced with a numbering system. The comparison of the contents of each document appears in Table 1 and a comparison of the Part 3 rules in Table 2Table 1: Comparison of contentsSMM7General Rules APreliminaries/General conditions C Existing site/buildings/services D Groundwork E In situ concrete/large precast concrete F Masonry G Structural carcassing metal/timber H Cladding/covering J Waterproofing K Linings/Sheathing/Dry partitioning L Windows/doors/stairs M Surface finishes N Furniture/fittings P Building fabric sundries Q Paving/Planting/Fencing/Site furniture R Disposal systems S Piped supply systems T Mechanical heating/cooling/refrigeration systems U Ventilation/Air conditioning systems V Electrical supply/power/lighting systems W Communications/Security/Controls systems X Transport systems YMechanical and Electricalservices measurementAdditional Rules work to existing buildingsAppendicesAlphabetical IndexNRM 2 1Preliminaries 2 Off-site manufactured materials, components and buildings 3Demolitions 4 Alterations, repairs and conservation 5 Excavating and filling 6 Ground remediation and soil stabilisation 7 Piling 8 Underpinning 9 Diaphragm walls and embedded retaining walls 10 Crib walls, gabions and reinforced earth 11 In-situ concrete works 12 Precast/composite concrete 13 Precast concrete 14 Masonry 15 Structural metalwork 16 Carpentry 17 Sheet roof coverings 18 Tile and slate roof and wall coverings 19 Waterproofing 20 Proprietary linings and partitions 21 Cladding and covering 22 General joinery 23 Windows, screens and lights 24 Doors, shutters and hatches 25Stairs, walkways and balustrades 26 Metalwork 27 Glazing 28 Floor, wall, ceiling and roof finishings 29 Decoration 30 Suspended ceilings 31Insulation, fire stopping and fire protection 32 Furniture, fittings andequipment 33 Drainage above ground 34 Drainage below ground 35 Site works 36 Fencing 37 Soft landscaping 38 Mechanical services 39 Electrical services 40 Transportation 41Builders work in connection with mechanical, electrical and transportation installations Appendices

Table 2: Comparison of the Part 3 rules