Standard Method of

Measurement in Water &

Wastewater Industry

A Consulting Engineers Perspective

SMM In Water & Wastewater Works
- a consulting engineers perspective

„ Introduction
„ Current Practice in Malaysia
„ SMM for Water & Wastewater
INTRODUCTION

„ What is a Bill of Quantities?

… A document with detailed information about
the type, nature and quantities of the
finished work in a construction.
… Compiled together with Forms of Tender,
Specification and Drawings.
INTRODUCTION
„ Why Use Bills of Quantities?
… Avoid unnecessary effort from multiple
contractors to prepare the tender
… Provide standard basis for tender
… Provide Quality control
… Assist tender evaluation
… Provide rates for valuation of variations
… Provide the basis for payment purpose
… Provide basis for financial reporting/cash
flow
INTRODUCTION

„ Standard Method of Measurement

… An agreed set of rules defining what and
how an item is to be measured
… First produced in 1922 by RICS, UK
… Now…many Standard Method of
Measurement (SMM) in use everywhere
INTRODUCTION
„ International usage of BQ and SMM
… Europe
„ UK, Gibraltar and Cyprus follow the British model
„ Germany, France and Spain have their own method.
Used only for evaluating bids not for payment
… Middle East
„ BQ used widely. Measurement based on POM (I)
published by RICS
INTRODUCTION
„ International usage of BQ and SMM
… Africa
„ Many African nations were influenced by
Europe and tend to adopt the use of BQ and
SMM
… Americas
„ In general, the US and Canada do not use BQ
although some form of BQ is occasionally
used in civil engineering works
„ Central and South America, due to their
Spanish heritage use BQ for their construction
works
INTRODUCTION
„ International usage of BQ and SMM
… Asia and Australia
„ Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore,
Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia all
use BQ mainly based on the British
model.
„ The BQ is prepared by the quantity
surveyor (or by the architect or engineer)
generally based on locally produced
Standard Method of Measurement.
CURRENT PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

„ The method of measurement used is dictated

by the relevant contract provisions or
sometimes by the nature of the works involved
„ The Standard Method of Measurement of
Building Works as published by the Institute of
Surveyors, Malaysia is normally used for
essentially building works
CURRENT PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

„ Although the Civil Engineering Standard

Method of Measurement (CESMM) by ICE UK
is often used for works of a civil engineering
nature but there are many occasions
particularly for road works, water supply,
wastewater, etc. that utilise their own Standard
Method of Measurement prepared by the
Engineer.
CURRENT PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

„ Presently, there are no generally accepted

Standard Method of Measurement for M&E
works.
„ Schedule of Prices are often used rather than BQ
for M&E works.
„ Where BQ is used the method of measurement is
usually spelt out either in the Preamble to the BQ
or in the Specification.
CURRENT PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

„ PAM Contract (2006)

… Clause 12 requires the BQ to be
prepared in accordance with the SMM
for Building Works prepared by Institute
of Surveyors, Malaysia
CURRENT PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

„ JKR 203A (Rev. 10/83)

… Clause 26 (a) calls for the BQ to form part
of the Contract
… Clause 26(b) requires the BQ to be
prepared in accordance with the SMM for
Building Works prepared by Institute of
Surveyors, Malaysia
CURRENT PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

„ JKR 203A (2007)

… Clause 26.4 in the new form allows SMM for
preparation of BQ to be also based on
CESMM by ICE or any Method of
Measurement as set out in the BQ in addition
to the SMM for Building Works by ISM.
SMM IN WATER AND WASTEWATER

„ Presently, no Standard Method of

Measurement for water and wastewater
industry.
„ Engineers indicate methods of measurement
in the Preamble to the BQ, the Specification
and the Drawings.
„ Different consultants may have different
methods of measurements.
SMM IN WATER AND WASTEWATER
„ Measurement of piles and piling
… `Pile driving measured by total length of
penetration obtained below formation, river or
stream bed level, as appropriate.’ - Some use the
excavated pile cap level rather than formation
level.
… `Piles delivered to site and cut piles not
incorporated in the Works shall on completion be
removed and no payment of any kind shall be due
to the Contractor for such piles.’ - Some provide
additional items for cutting of piles and removal
from site.
SMM IN WATER AND WASTEWATER

„ Measurement for pipe laying

… `Joints shall be measured in numbers.’ - Some
measure both slip and collar joints separately
whereas others measure only collar joints on the
basis that slip joints form part of pipework.
… `The sides of trench excavation shall be deemed to
be vertical in all materials and shall apply to any
depth of trench….’ - Some allow for measurement
of the splay in trench excavation.
SMM IN WATER AND WASTEWATER

„ Measurement for laying of sewer

… `The measurement for payment for supply and
laying of sewer pipes shall be taken as a linear
measure along their centre line…’ - Some
measure supply and laying of the sewer
line separately. Some even include depth
bands on the laying of the sewer main.
SMM IN WATER AND WASTEWATER

„ In view of the differing methods of

measurements adopted, there is a real need to
provide a uniform basis for measuring and
valuation of the Works within the industry and
hence a Standard Method of Measurement.
SMM IN WATER AND WASTEWATER

„ A Standard Method of Measurement for the

Water and Wastewater industry will ensure a
standard basis for contractor’s to tender and a
uniform basis for valuation and payment to the
contractor.
Thank You