INDUCTION TRAINING-QUANTITIES DIVISION

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1
2.0 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE:...............................................................................2
FIG 1: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE..........................................................................2
3.0 CIVIL ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS...............................................................3
3.1 Introduction to CESSM3....................................................................................................3
3.1.1 General items...................................................................................................................4
3.1.2 Work classification..........................................................................................................4
3.1.3 Coding and numbering....................................................................................................4
3.1.4 Item numbers...................................................................................................................5
3.1.5 Coding of unclassified items...........................................................................................5
3.1.6 Mode of description.........................................................................................................6
3.1.7 Unit of measurement.......................................................................................................6
3.1.8 Additional description rules............................................................................................6
3.2 Introduction to Bill of Quantity (BOQ)..............................................................................6
3.2.1 Purpose of Bill of Quantities...........................................................................................6
3.2.2 Content of Bills of Quantities..........................................................................................7
Section A: List of Principal Quantities........................................................................................7
Section B: Preamble.....................................................................................................................7
Section C: Day Works..................................................................................................................8
Section D: Works items and Classifications................................................................................8
Section E: Grand Summary..........................................................................................................8
FIG 2: SECTIONS OF BOQ....................................................................................................8
3.2.3 Production of Bill of Quantities......................................................................................9
4.0 Taking off 1km Road…………………………………………………………………12

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CHAPTER 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Quantities Division is one of the eight divisions of the development department of Ghana
Highway Authority. The division is headed by a director who is assisted by two managers:
Quantities Manager Development and Quantities Manager Maintenance. The Division is charged
with the responsibility of:

1. Preparation and checking of tender documents

2. Vetting of payment certificates
3. Estimation of road works
4. Advising other divisions on issues relating to costing

During my two months induction training with the Quantities Division I was scheduled to
receive training in the form of lectures and discussions and this was undertaken by surveyors in
the Quantities section. This report elaborates on my experience with the Quantities Division.

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CHAPTER TWO

2.0 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE:

FIG 1: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

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CHAPTER THREE

3.0 CIVIL ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS

3.1 Introduction to CESSM3

Quantities of Civil Engineering works are normally measured in accordance with the standard
method of measurement of civil engineering quantities (CESMM3).

The civil engineering standard method of measurements (CESMM) helps to secure a more
comprehensive, uniform and rationalized approach to measurement with its standardized
terminology and three levels of description.

The method of measurement seeks to:

 Standardize the layout and content of Bills of Quantities

 Bring about a systematic structure and uniformity of items measured by means of
standard phrases and method related instructions
 Increase the number of work and revise the type, nature and subdivision of work into
measurement items
 Update the measurement code to make it easier with new techniques
 Allow the Contractor to ‘write in’ items relating to special constructional techniques or to
particular provisions which directly affect construction methods and therefore should be
reflected in tenders
 Provide a list of brief identifying descriptions that do not repeat information found on the
drawings or in the specifications and will be available for use in the preparation of
valuations.
One of the main functions of a civil engineering bill of quantities is to provide a basis on which
tenders can be obtained and, when the bills are priced, they afford a means of comparing the
various tenders received, both as regard totals and individual rates. After the contract has been
signed, the rate in the priced bill of quantities can be used to assess the value of the work as
executed, and help in the preparation of interim statements.

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3.1.1 General items

These are works not part of the permanent works. i.e. contractual, specific requirements, method
rated charges.

Contractual –for contractors

Specific requirements-for engineers.ie they are required to facilitate smooth flow of work

Method related charges-facilitate the method contractors will work with.

Examples

Provide performance bond code A110

Provide third party insurance A130

Provide third party against injury to personnel A130.1

Provide third party personnel against injury to equipment A130.2

3.1.2 Work classification

The works encountered in civil engineering contracts are classified into 26 main classes. i.e. A-Z

Each class is further sub-divided into three (3) divisions which classify works at successive
levels of detail. Each division comprises a list of 8 descriptive features of work.

An example

Class F (in –situ concrete) contains three divisions of classification. The first classifies different
types of in situ concrete.

The second classifies the strength and location and the third division classifies the aggregate size
and thickness of cross sectioned area.

3.1.3 Coding and numbering

Each item in the work classification is coded for easy identification starting from A-Z and
numbered.

The letters represent the classes while digits give the position of the item. These positions are in
the first second and third divisions.

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An example

Code E322 identifies an item as follows:

Class: E Earthworks

First division: 3 Excavation of foundations

Second division: 2 Material other than top soil, rock or artificial

Third division 2 Maximum depth 0.25-0.5m

Sometimes the symbol * is used to Indicate all numbers in the appropriate division

An example

A27* meaning group of code numbers from A 271 toA278 inclusive

3.1.4 Item numbers

Code numbers could be used in the bill of quantities (BOQ).this is done in ascending code
number. When code numbers are used as item numbers in BOQ, they should not be part of item
description.

Example

Item Description Qty Unit Rate Amount

No
A110 Performance bond
A120 Insurance of work

3.1.5 Coding of unclassified items

In coding of unclassified items, digit shall be used in the appropriate positions in the code
number where feature of item is not listed in the work classification.

Example

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Item A339 –where digit 9 is used as plant for mixing chippings.

Item E120 - where digit 0 is used when the division of classification is open ended.(excavation
by dredging)

3.1.6 Mode of description

Item description should identify the component of works not the task to be carried out by the
contractor.

An example

High yield steel bar reinforcement to BS 4449 nominal size 20mm not supply, deliver, cut bend
high yield bar reinforcement to BS4449 nominal size 20mm.

3.1.7 Unit of measurement

The unit of measurement stated against a descriptive feature should be the same for all items to
which that descriptive feature applies.

3.1.8 Additional description rules

These are additional description rules used in describing items of work.

A separate item would be given in some instances where additional description is given for
component of work exhibiting different additional features.

They are normally separated with a decimal.

Example

Item D310.1 which might be “stump removal 150-500mm diameter and backfill hole with gravel

Item D310.2 which might be “stump removal 150-500mm diameter and backfill hole with clay
material.

3.2 Introduction to Bill of Quantity (BOQ)

3.2.1 Purpose of Bill of Quantities

The bill of quantities of a contract assists in the engineering field in the following ways:

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 It enables all contractors tendering for a contract to price on exactly the same information
with a minimum of effort.
 It provides a basis for the evaluation of variations which often occur during the progress
of work.
 It gives an itemized list of the component parts of projects, with a full description and the
quantity of each part, and this may assist the successful contractor in ordering materials
and assessing his labour requirement for the contract.
 After being priced, it provides a good basis for a cost analysis, which subsequently will
be of use on future contracts in cost panning work.

3.2.2 Content of Bills of Quantities

The CESSM3 presents a standard format for Bills of Quantities. Bills are to have five sections as
follows:

 Section A: List of Principal Quantities

 Section B: Preamble
 Section C: Day Works
 Section D: Works items and Classifications
 Section E: Grand summary

Section A: List of Principal Quantities

The first section of the Bill of Quantities is the list of principal quantities.

This list is to precede the preamble to the bill of quantities.The early part of the specification
should describe the nature, magnitude, output or size of the principal components of the works so
that the extent of the works required is defined and readily appreciated. This is also useful if the
cost of the contract is to be of value for cost analysis purposes in the tendering process.

Section B: Preamble
The preamble can be grouped into three items:

 Inclusions and narrating of any other standard method of measurement used in measuring
ancillary works on the contract

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 Any amendment to the CESSM adopted by the Measurement Engineer or Quantity

Surveyor for the Contract
 Where excavation, boring or driving is included, a definition of Rock is given in the
preamble to aid measurement.

Section C: Day Works

Day work means the method of valuing work on the basis of time spent by the workmen, the
materials used and the plant employed.

Section D: Works items and Classifications

Work item Class A: General work items

The standard method has five main divisions or categories of items that can be put in the Class A
preliminaries bill:

 Contractual requirements
 Specified requirements
 The ‘Method-related charges’
 Provisional sums
 ‘Nominated subcontractors’, which include or exclude work on site
Work items Class B-Z:

This is related to measured quantities. Under this we have:

 Classification and number of items

 Items Coding, Numbering, Headings and Subheadings

Section E: Grand Summary

The Grand Summary contains a tabulation of the parts of the Bill of Quantities with provision for
insertion of the total of the amounts brought forward from the Part Summaries.

FIG 2: SECTIONS OF BOQ

Section Description
A List of Principal Quantities

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B Preamble:
States the edition of CESMM being used and items with measurements
that varies with the CESMM. clauses 5.4 and 5.5
C Day work Schedule
This is a list of labour, plant and material with or without nominal
quantities inserted in the document.
D Works Items
Class A: General Items (preliminaries)
Contractual requirements fixed
Specified requirements fixed, time related, quantity related
Method Related Charges fixed, time related
Provisional Sums
Price cost (PC) items

Class B to Z: Work Items

Related to measured quantities

E Grand Summary
Collection and totaling of Part summaries
General contingency allowance
Adjustment item: Addition to or deduction from the total of complete
works: not adjustable on final certificates – paid or recovered by
proportional installments in interim certificates

3.2.3 Production of Bill of Quantities

The traditional method of preparing bill of quantities is in the following sequence of operations:

 Taking off dimensions from drawings

 Working up

- Squaring

- Abstracting

- Billing

- Editing

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- Typing

- Reading over

- Printing

Below is a sample of a typical dimension sheet used for taking off

A B C D E A B C D E

A - Binding column

B - Multiplying column

C - Dimension column

D - Squaring column

E - Description column

Order of entering dimension at the Dimension Column is as follows:

 Length

 Width/breadth

 Height/depth

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Example: entries for excavation for foundation of box culvert.

10.00 Excavation

1.20 Item: E 323

1.00 12.00m3 Excavation for foundations of material other than

topsoil, rock or artificial hard material not exceeding
1.0m
2

Ditto Apron
3.60

0.60
E 532
1.00
Disposal of excavated material
16.32m3

16.32m3

Typical bill of quantity sheet is shown below

Binding Item Item Item Item Rate Amount

Column Number Description Unit Quantity Column Column

1 m3 16.32

Excavation

2 Disposal of m3 16.32
excavated

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material

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Taking off for a 1km roadway

As part of my training, I was guided on how to take off for a one km stretch of a presumed road.
This assignment is completed in the appendix attached to this report.

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