SMM7 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Introduction This book SMM7 Questions & Answers is a companion volume to the seventh edition of the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7) and the SMM7 Measurement Code.It has been written to try to assist in the interpretation of some of the more complex areas of measurement and work description. The authors hope that it will eliminate many of the arguments and disputes, and explain some of the more common misunderstandings which can arise on construction projects due to differences of interpretation. This text uses questions sent to the Standing Joint Committee (SJC) and their responses on live issues. For ease of understanding by the reader, questions and responses have been paraphrased and, where appropriate, combined with other similar questions. This book utilises diagrams in certain cases to clarify the question or the answer in relation to identify with the Standard Method of Measurement text.The book follows the structure of SMM7 and its component chapters. However, because the book is based on actual questions submitted to the SJC for SMM7,not all sections are covered here. It is also important to recognise that SMM7 and this book both deal with the measurement and description of construction work.Among the queries received by the SJC there are a number which do not fall within the committee’s remit; such as queries on landfill tax, on valuation methods for variations, or on actual rates set for jobs.These issues are not discussed in this text. How to use this book and its general layout The book is written in the same sequence as the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM). The chapters are those as set out in the SMM.To avoid confusion, the first section annotation is used for the questions and answers contained thereunder, the other headings listed in section are taken as being referred to by the first heading annotation. For example: F20 Natural stone rubble walling F21 Natural stone ashlar walling/dressings F22 Cast stone ashlar walling/dressings INFORMATION MEASUREMENT PROVIDED RULES DEFINITION RULES COVERAGE SUPPLEMENTARY RULES INFORMATION P1, P2, etc. CLASSIFICATION TABLE M1,M2,etc. D1,D2,etc. C1,C2,etc. S1, S2, etc. The questions and answers in this section are referenced as F20.1.1.1.1, Measurement Rule F20.M1, etc., for simplicity even if they may be specific to the other headings (i.e. F21, F22).Where detailed numbers such as F20.1.*.1 are used they refer to the numbered items in the Classification Table. (Note that ‘.*.’ corresponds to a blank column.) Occasionally a question is included in more than one section, typically where the Work Section in the answer is different from that raised in the question