RICS Property Measurement
The Code of Measuring Practice (COMP) is a guidance note published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), ‘…to provide succinct, precise definitions to permit the accurate measurement of buildings and land, the calculation of the sizes (areas and volumes) and the description or specification of land and buildings on a common and consistent basis.’ It was first published in 1979 and the sixth edition was published in 2007.
In 2015, the sixth edition was updated by publication of RICS Property Measurement to incorporate the International Property Measurement Standard (IPMS), a global standard developed by the IPMS Coalition (IPMSC) to make property measurement internationally consistent. The IPMSC is a group of 73 professional bodies from around the world.
RICS Property Measurement has four elements:
- Professional Statement (applies to office and residential measurements only)
- IPMS: Office Buildings (applies to office measurements only)
- IPMS: Residential Buildings
- Code of Measuring Practice, 6th edition (currently applies to all building classes except office and residential).
From 1 January 2016, RICS professionals are expected to adopt the Property Measurement Professional Statement in place of the Code for offices unless local laws, or a client require an alternative. Professional Statements for other property classes including residential, industrial and retail will be added over time as the IPMS is expanded.
RICS suggest that the new standards will be "fit for purpose" in local markets such as the Middle East and Europe. Members will be provided with a free online tool to enable conversion to the Code of Measurement Practice, and RICS are looking to include conversions for other high-quality European national standards.
Mark Walley, Regional Managing Director, EMEA (RICS) said, “We want our professionals to be recognised as the leading experts when it comes to providing consistent, transparent, and comparable property measurement information. Using IPMS will equip and position our professionals as the preeminent experts in the delivery of IPMS compliant measurements of office buildings.”
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Building People.
- RICS code of measuring practice.
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
- Standard Method of Measurement.
- New Rules of Measurement.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.