The Basics of
Measurement
Fara Diva Mustapa
Assoc. Prof Dr. Rosli Abd. Rashid
Department of Quantity Surveying
Faculty of Built Environment
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
The Fundamental of
Measurement
Before proceedings to the next level of
taking- of work, one should know what are
the tools or the instruments needed to
carry out such process. Hence, this
lecture is an introduction to the dimension
papers, calculators, scale rules and colour
pencils before further explaining the
dimensions papers.
The instruments and
stationary used in a process
of measurement
A) Dimension papers
It is a sheet of paper that consists of few
column that represent the item/element that
has been measured. Each column has its own
functions and share almost equal importance to a
quantity surveyor. It is a standard format used
worldwide.
The next slide will show you a sample of
dimension paper.
The taking-off sheet
Bill No.
Project:
Dewan-Dwgs/12
Element/Trade.
WBLFF
Page No.
Heading
Unit
Description
Vibrated Reinforced Concrete Grade 25 as described in
column stump
m3
Quantity
0.14
Taker-off
FDM
2
0.80
0.43
0.20
----------
Squaring
0.14
----------
B) Ink Pen
The most basic tools of all which requires a good
attention.
One should use only black or blue ink to write
down all the elements in the dimension paper.
Whilst the red ink is used only to
SUBSTACTS/DEDUCTIONS of any items in the
dimension papers.
One should never writes in pencil as it can be
easily erased which further bring difficulty in
tracing down the measurement in future.
If one makes a mistakes during the taking-off
process, simply crossed/slash the mistakes and
DO NOT USE LIQUID PAPER.
C) Scale Rules
A scale rules is used to measure the
drawings if there is no dimension
stated in the drawings. It comes in
different scales such as 1:100, 1:1,
1:200, 1:20, 1:50, 1:5, 1:1250 and so
on.
One should use the appropriate scale
as mentioned in the drawings.
D) Calculator
Calculator is used to either adding,
omitting, squaring, dividing and other
calculation needs
A small size of calculator with a basic
function is very useful to carry around.
P/S: A quantity surveyor is very synonym
with calculator that one shouldnt be
regard as a one if he or she does not carry
one around.
E) Colour pencils
Colour pencils are very useful to
differentiate different items or
elements in a drawings.
As there is so many items to be
measured, by coloring and
highlighting, it shall ease the takingoff process
Introduction to
Dimension Paper
As mentioned earlier, each column in the
dimension paper represents certain
information with regards to the item
measured and even the drawings.
Please pay good attention as the next few
slides will explains each column which
incorporates the dimension paper
1
2
Project/drawings no.
1
Dewan-Dwgs/12
Project:
Sequence of elements
Heading
Elements measured
Sequence of taking-off
Description of item
2
WBLFF
Bill No.
Unit
Description
m3
Vibrated Reinforced Concrete Grade 25 as
described in column stump
Unit measured as per SMM 2
The total no. of item measured
F1
The name of persons responsible
2 0.80 for taking-off
The name of persons
Slip No.
14
Element/Trade.
11
0.14
Taker-off
0.43
0.20 for0.14
responsible
squaring
---------- ----------
12
Quantity
10
13
FDM
Squaring
10 The total of calculations
Bill No.
Project:
11
12
13
14
The process of
calculation the
dimension attained
from the drawings
The total no. of
same item/element
appeared in the
drawings
Dewan-Dwgs/12
Heading
Slip No.
14
Unit
Description
m3
Vibrated Reinforced Concrete Grade 25 as
described in column stump
Quantity
0.14
Side
cast/annotations
Explanation on
the item/elements
measured. Not
necessarily filled.
Should refer to
SMM2 for
further
explanations
WBLFF
Element/Trade.
Taker-off
F1
2
12
0.80
0.43
0.14
0.20
---------- ----------
11
10
13
FDM
Squaring
Sequence of
measurement
Usually a project consists of a few different
buildings with different designs and even finishes.
Hence, the measurement should be differentiated
in order to ease measurement.
For a buildings work, the measurement can be
divided into elements, item or trade.
However, measurements according to trade has
not been practiced as it was according to SMM1
which is very known for its complicatedness of
measuring process
An example of measurement according to
elements/work, the samples of distributions
are as follows:
Piling works
Work below low floor
finish
Structure
Upper floor
Roof
Staircase
External wall
External doors and
windows
Internal wall and
partitions
Internal doors and
windows
Internal wall finishes
Internal floor finishes
Internal ceiling
finishes
External finishes
Ect.
Taking-off Lists
Previously, it has been mentioned
that there are several items need to
be measured. Hence, it should be
noted at the beginning of taking-off
process. Sample of taking of lists
are as next slides.
Bill No.
Project:
Element/Trade.
Page No.
Heading
Piling
Description
Pre-Cast Concrete Piles
Taking-off list
1. Bringing in & removing plant Item
Unit
Quantity
2. Maintaining plant on site Item
3. Initial piles No.
Taker-off
4. Driven depth m.
5. Pile extension No.
6. Extension piles n.e. 3.00 long m
7. Extention piles exceedg. 3.00 ling m
8. Cut-off pile heads No.
9. Preliminary load tests Item
[Link] load test Item
Squaring
Principals of taking-off
How to measure
A normal practice of taking-off are
as follows:
- horizontal dimension as length
- vertical dimension as width, height,
or depth
How to write dimensions
in the taking-off paper..
All dimension in the drawings should
be transferred in the t/off paper
and should follow the following order;
Length , width, height/depth
3D drawings of a ground
beam
430
200
800
How to transfer dimension into t/off
paper
430
800
Ground beam depth: 200
Project:
Bill No.
Element/Trade.
Slip No.
Heading
Unit
Description
No. of
repetition
of same
item
appeared
in
drawings
m3
Quantity
length
2
0.80
0.43
0.14
0.20
--------------------
width
Height/depth
Taker-off
Squaring
And later after compilation
of all taking-off, a sample
of Bills of Quantities should
look like the following slide
No.
Description
Unit
Qty
Rates
Amount
The quantity of each
work item
(Obtained from the
Taking-off sheet)
BILL NO. 1 SMALL BENCH
a.
b.
Excavating trench for foundation
Starting from ground level, maximum
depth not exceeding 0.25m
m3
0.14
10.00
1.40
Formwork to edge of concrete not
Exceeding 250mm high
22.00
110.00
c.
Foundation in concrete Grade 20
m3
0.14
170.00
23.80
d.
Walll, 225mm thick in common bricks
in English bond in cement and sand
(1:6) mortar
m2
48.00
48.00
Plate, 75mm x 50mm in wrot pressure
treated group B timber
16.00
16.00
Bench top, 225mm x 25mm in wrot
pressure treated Group B timber
m2
24.00
24.00
e.
f.
g.
Apply two coats of timber tone and one
coat of varnish
TO COLLECTION
m2
6.50
6.50
229.70
The rate
(Obtained from
supplier or
schedule of rates)
Cost of each work item
(By multiplying the
quantity and the rate)
Total cost of the bench
(By adding the cost of
all the items in the list)
The End
Thank You