Standard Method of Measurement SMM7
Contents |
[edit] What is the Standard Method of Measurement?
It is important that there is a uniform basis for measuring building works in order to facilitate industry wide consistency and benchmarking, to encourage the adoption of best practice and to help avoid disputes.
The Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) is published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It was first published in 1922, superseding a Scottish Standard Method of Measurement which was published in 1915. It is now in its seventh edition (SMM7), which was first published in 1988 and revised in 1998.
[edit] What is SMM7
SMM7 provides detailed information, classification tables and rules for measuring building works. It is typically used in the preparation of bills of quantities, documents that provide measured quantities of the items of work identified by the drawings and specifications in tender documentation. Bills of quantities are issued to tenderers for them to prepare a price for carrying out works.
Work sections within SMM7 are classified according to the Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS). CAWS creates a consistent arrangement of work sections for specifications and bills of quantities. It was first published in 1987 and was updated by the Construction Project Information Committee (CPIC) in 1998 to align it with the Unified Classification for the Construction Industry (Uniclass).
SMM7 is accompanied by the Code of Procedure for the Measurement of Building Works (the SMM7 Measurement Code). Whilst SMM7 can have a contractual status on a project (for example in the JCT Standard form of Building Contract), the Measurement Code is non-mandatory.
[edit] Replacement of SMM7 with NRM
SMM7 was been replaced by the New Rules of Measurement volume 2 (NRM2) which was published in April 2012 by the RICS Quantity Surveying and Construction Professional Group and became operative on 1 January 2013. SMM7 should not be adopted on projects after July 2013.
NRM2 is accompanied by two additional volumes:
- NRM1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works.
- NRM3: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works.
It is suggested by the RICS that together, the new suite of documents will better reflect the way the industry now works:
- Better meeting the needs of clients.
- Providing for more up-front detail.
- Allowing better consideration of the full costs of a construction project (for example marketing costs, fees and charges, the cost of acquiring land, planning costs, relocation costs, the cost of finance, and so on).
- Providing a better method for quantifying risk.
The RICS also suggest that it will facilitate '...greater cross industry working (and) the introduction of Building Information Modelling' (ref. RICS).
NRM has moved away from the Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS) to adopt its own system of indexing.
The New Rules of Measurement are accompanied by the 'Black Book', the QS and construction standards. Together they provide a suite of tools to help the construction industry work more collaboratively and consistently.
Contracts that refer to SMM7 should be revised when NRM is adopted on new projects.
For a detailed comparison of NRM2 and SMM7 see Comparison of SMM7 with NRM2.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Bills of quantities.
- Black book.
- Code of measuring practice.
- Common Arrangement of Work Sections.
- Comparison of SMM7 with NRM2.
- Cost consultant.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- RICS.
- RICS Property Measurement.
- RICS publishes Land Measurement for Planning and Development Purposes.
- Tender.
- Tender documentation.
- Tender pricing document.
- Uniclass.
[edit] External references
- RICS: RICS has released new guidance for quantity surveyors and other members working in the construction sector.
- RICS: NRM 1 and NRM 2 are available.
- NBS video: The New Rules of Measurement.
- RICS QS and construction standards (the Black Book).
- NBS: Coordinating Common Arrangment, Uniclass, NBS and Rules of Measurement.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.