RICS CONSTRUCTION FACULTY

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY 2003

Standard Methods of Measurement in Current Use

DATABASE

NOTES

• The RICS Construction Faculty has carried out a survey to determine the use of standard methods or codes of measurement of building
work around the World. A questionnaire was sent electronically to selected overseas members. The database contains information provided
by those members who have so far responded.

• The RICS Construction Faculty wishes to maintain and expand the database in the future. If any member would like to comment on or add
to the information in the database (particularly in respect of any country not yet represented) they are cordially invited to correspond:
Either by Email to: cparker@bcis.co.uk
Or by Mail to: BCIS Ltd, 3 Cadogan Gate, London, England SW1X 0AS
Or by Fax to: BCIS Ltd. On fax number CODE+44(0) 20 7695 1501

• The Countries who are not yet represented are listed at the end of the database.

RICS Construction Faculty page 1 of 7 International Database (edition 3).doc

 STANDARD METHODS OF MEASUREMENT in CURRENT USE
COUNTRY STATUS DETAILS of SMM’s that
(and Province) number recommended named in have fallen into DISUSE
TITLE(S) SPONSOR(S) RESPONDENT’S OBSERVATIONS
in use by national contract
reference bodies documents

1 Australia 1 Australian Standard Method The Australian Institute of Yes Sometimes Rarely used in private sector projects.
of Measurement of Building Quantity Surveyors, Abbreviated methods produced by
Works, 5th Edition Master Builders Australia governments and large states, consultancies
Incorporated. often used.
2 Bahamas 1 Principles of Measurement RICS No Sometimes None reported
(International) for Works of
Construction
3 Belgium 1 NBN B 06-001 Belgian Standards Yes Always the information is based on personal None reported
“Measurement for Institute experience and refers to Belgian standards
Buildings” – Measurement for Belgian companies. Overseas
Methods for Quantities consultants might practice with their own
(standard method of standards, something not to be
measurement) 1982 recommended as it will only lead to
confusion and disputes.
4 British Virgin Islands 3 SMM 7, RICS UK. Unsure about Yes Always None reported None reported
SMM 6, Jamaican SMM – assume
Jamaican SMM, local surveyors
POMI

5 Canada, (Alberta) 1 Method of Measurement of Canadian Institute of Not on a Sometimes The Method of Measurement is available in None reported
Construction Works (SI & Quantity Surveyors regular basis either English (ISBN 1-896606-28-8) or
Imperial Version), 7th French (ISBN 1-896606-42-3)
Edition
6 Canada, New 1 Method of Measurement of Canadian Institute of Yes Sometimes None reported None reported
Brunswick Construction Works Quantity Surveyors

7 a Canada, Ontario 2 Method of Measurement of Canadian Institute of No Never Refer to Separate Notes None reported
Construction Works, 7th Quantity Surveyors
Edition
b Elemental Cost Analysis Canadian Institute of No Never As above As above
(Format, Method of Quantity Surveyors
Measurement, Pricing),
Measurement of Buildings
by Area & Volume, Pricing
8 a China, Hong Kong 2 Standard Method of Civil Engineering Dept., Yes Named in
Measurement for Civil Hong Kong Government. Tender
Engineering Works document
b Hong Kong Standard Hong Kong Institute of Yes Yes HKSMM4 is due for release at the end of
Method of Measurement of Surveyors 2003
Building Works, HKSMM3
9 China, Mainland 1 Code of valuation with bill Ministry of Construction, Yes Named in First published in February, 2003
quantity of construction China practice rules
works

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10 Czech & Slovak See Note Ceniky URS (Ứstav URS (previous No Sometimes All standard measurement and cost None reported
Republics racionalizace ve government body) methods are based on URS procedures –
stavebnictvi) Computer systems Calida, Poringss, RTS,
KROS, AKALK (used same coding system
and pricing structure).

Hong Kong - SEE UNDER CHINA

11 Ireland 4 ARM2, ARM2 – SCS, Yes Yes See separate report Previous editions
SMM7, SMM6&7 – RICS, superseded
SMM6, CESMM – ICE.
CESMM3
12 Indonesia None Refer to Separate Notes None reported
13 Italy None None reported None reported
14 a Jamaica 2 Jamaican Standard Method The Jamaican Institute of Yes Always None reported None reported
of Measurement Quantity Surveyors, The
Incorporated Master
Builders Association of
Jamaica
b Civil Engineering Standard The Institution of Civil Yes Sometimes As before As before
Method of Measurement 3rd Engineers, The Federation
Edition of Civil Engineering
Contractors
15 Lebanon 1 POM (I) Private QS Firms No Sometimes None reported None reported
16 Mauritius 1 Principles of Measurement - Adopted by Always Principles of Measurement (International) SMM4 & SMM5
(International) for Works of national bodies for Works of Construction, June 1979,
Construction, June 1979 needs to be updated and expanded. POMI is
not exhaustive so a number of amendments
reflecting SMM7 is adopted when it is
used, such that it has expanded over the
years and become a simpler version of
SMM7 with a POMI basis.
17 Mozambique None Within the local contract regime there is no None reported
formal method of measurement in use and
the definition of criteria for the
measurement of work can vary from
contract to contract.
18 a Netherlands 2 Rationalisatie en Governmental agencies, Yes Always None reported StandaardReferentiebeste
Automatisering Grond – local councils, contractors, k uitvoering woningbouw
Weg – en Waterbouw advisors, organisations in (Standard Specifications
(RAW) (Rationalisation and public transport and for Housing). Sponsored
automaton groundwork, road education institutes by the whole building
building, civil structures) industry.
b Standaardbestek uitvoering The whole building Yes Always As above As above
Burger en Utiliteitsbouw industry.
(Stabu). (Standard
Specifications for
Construction of Commercial
and Public Service Buildings
and Housing).

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19 New Zealand 1 New Zealand Standard 4202 Standards Council Yes Always None reported New Standard 4204.
Engineering method of
measurement
20 a Nigeria 2 Standard Method of Nigerian Institute of No Sometimes None reported Standard Method of
Measurement 2nd Edition Quantity Surveyors Measurement 2nd Edition
b 2 Standard Method of Nigerian Institute of No Sometimes As before As before
Measurement 2nd Edition, Quantity Surveyors
published in 1992
21 a Oman 2 Principles of Measurement POMI - RICS Yes Always None reported None reported
of International (POMI)
b Civil Engineering Standard Institution of Civil Yes Always As before As before
Method of Measurement Engineers
22 Poland None Refer to Separate Notes None reported
23 Seychelles 1 Standard Method of Architectural Association No Always Refer to Separate Notes None reported
Measurement of Building of Kenya, Chapter of
Works for East Africa, First Quantity Surveyors dated
Edition (Metric) October 1970
24 Slovak Republic None Note from Q.2
In our experience, architects prepare BQs
and each practice uses their own system.
25 a South Africa 2 Standard System of The Association of South
Measuring Building Work African Quantity
6th Edition Surveyors
b Standard System of The Association of South
Measuring Building Work African Quantity
for Small or Simple Surveyors
Buildings 2nd Edition
26 a State of Qatar 3 Standard Method of Ministry of Municipal Yes Always None Reported None reported
Measurement of Building Affairs and Agriculture
Works
b Civil Engineering Standard Qatar Petroleum, Ministry Yes Always As above As above
Method of Measurement, 3rd of Municipal Affairs &
Edition (UK ICE CESMM3) Agriculture
c Method of Measurement for Ministry of Municipal Yes Always As above As above
Road and Bridge Works Affairs & Agriculture,
Qatar Petroleum
27 Taiwan 1 Chinese National Standard Ministry of Economics, Yes Always None reported None reported
(CNS) or ASTM if nothing Taiwan Government
appropriate in CNS.
28 a The Philippines 3 PSMM, Standard Method of None No Always (DLS Refer to Separate Notes None reported
Measurement of Building projects only)
Works for the Philippines,
Second Edition 1999
b POMI – Principles of None No Sometimes As above As above
Measurement International

RICS Construction Faculty page 4 of 7 International Database (edition 3).doc

 c DPWH ‘Blue Book’, 1988
edition of the Standard
Specifications for Highways
and Public Works
Construction, Department of
Public Works, Volumes 2 &
3
29 United Arab Emirates,
a Dubai 2 POMI – Principles of
Measurement International
b SMM7 – Standard Method
of Measurement of Building
Works
30 United Kingdom 4 SMM7,
SMM6,
Principles of Measurement
International (POMI),
CESMM3
31 Yugoslavia 1 Normativi i standardi rada u
gradjevinarstvu (Norms and
Labour Standards in
Building)
32 Zimbabwe 1 System of Measurement of
Building Work in
Zimbabwe, 3rd Edition
1.5.1985
RICS Construction Faculty
Department of Public Yes Always As above As above
Works
With minor local adjustments
With minor local adjustments
SMM6&7, POMI – RICS, Yes Always SMM7 most frequently used and Generally all standard
CESMM - ICE occasionally amended to suit specific methods prior to SMM6
project requirements. SMM6 continues to are no longer used.
attract a small loyal following. Use of Previous versions of
POMI is minimal.. CESMM primarily used CESMM superseded.
for civil engineering contracts. See separate
report
Minstry of Building No Sometimes Refer to Separate Notes None Reported
through various
institutions (Building,
Civil Engineering)
Zimbabwe Institute of Yes Yes None Reported None Reported
Quantity Surveyors
page 5 of 7 International Database (edition 3).doc
COUNTRIES (with members) NOT YET REPRESENTED IN THE DATABASE
Andorra
Austria
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada: British
Columbia
Canary Islands
Cayman Islands, WI
Chad
Cyprus
Denmark
Dominica, WI
Egypt
Ethiopia
Falkland islands
France
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Grenada
Guyana
Hungary
India
Isle of Man
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Libya
Luxembourg
Malawi
Malaysia

RICS Construction Faculty page 6 of 7 International Database (edition 3).doc

 Malta
Namibia
Nepal
Norway
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Portugal
Republic of Macedonia
Russia
S Korea
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Spain
Sri Lanka
St Kitts, WI
St Lucia, WI
State of Bahrain
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand
Trinidad & Tobago
Turkey
Turks & Caicos, WI
Uganda
Uganda
Ukraine
USA
Western Samoa
Zambia

RICS Construction Faculty page 7 of 7 International Database (edition 3).doc