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IS 1200:2000 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for method of measurement of building and civil engineering works, part xix: water supply, plumbing and drains. IS 1200 Part 21 provides the standard method of measurement for woodwork and joinery in building and civil engineering works. It is predominantly used by quantity surveyors and civil engineers to prepare bills of quantities (BOQ), estimate costs, and clear contractor bills for timber doors, windows, partitions, and frames.
Method of Measurement of Building and Civil Engineering Works, Part XIX: Water Supply, Plumbing and Drains
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
MEP — Methods of Measurement of Works of Civil Engg.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! A common mistake is measuring door frames (chowkhats) in square meters or running meters; IS 1200 requires them to be measured in cubic meters (m³).
! Shutters for doors and windows must be measured in square meters (m²) separately from their frames.
! Hardware and fittings (like hinges, tower bolts, handles) are usually enumerated (measured in numbers) and billed separately unless the item description explicitly states they are included.
! Unlike standard linear measurements taken to the nearest 10 mm (0.01 m), the thickness of timber boards and scantlings is measured to the nearest 2 mm.
Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, Fourth Edition
Defines measurement rules for civil engineering, with comprehensive coverage of earthworks.
NRM 2RICS (UK)
HighCurrent
New Rules of Measurement 2: Detailed measurement for building works
Provides detailed rules for measuring building works, including excavation and filling sections.
SMM7RICS (UK)
HighWithdrawn
Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works, Seventh Edition
Historically a direct parallel, it defined measurement principles for building works including earthworks.
POMIRICS (International)
MediumCurrent
Principles of Measurement (International) for Works of Construction
A high-level framework of principles for measurement, rather than a detailed rulebook like IS 1200.
Key Differences
≠IS 1200 specifies a standard 'lead' (horizontal transport) of 30m and 'lift' (vertical transport) of 1.5m included in the basic excavation rate. International standards like CESMM4 do not include a standard lead/lift; haulage is measured separately based on distance bands or using mass haul diagrams.
≠IS 1200 provides a detailed soil classification for payment (Soft Soil, Hard Soil, Mud, Soft Rock, Hard Rock). CESMM4 simplifies this, often measuring excavation broadly and having separate items only for 'rock' or other specified hard materials, with the definition of rock being project-specific.
≠IS 1200 provides a prescriptive allowance for 'working space' (e.g., 60 cm around foundations) which is measurable for payment. In NRM2 and CESMM4, working space is generally deemed to be included in the contractor's rates unless it is of such a magnitude that it needs to be specifically measured and described.
≠The measurement system in the USA is not nationally standardized like in India or the UK. Measurement for payment is typically governed by individual state Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications or defined per project, often referencing CSI MasterFormat for classification rather than a detailed method of measurement.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on the principle of measuring the net quantity of work from finished drawings. No allowance is made for the contractor's temporary works, over-excavation, or construction methods unless specifically stated.
≈The primary unit of measurement for bulk excavation, backfilling, and disposal is the cubic metre (m³) across IS 1200, CESMM4, and NRM2.
≈Measurement of filling is consistently based on the final compacted volume within the specified dimensions, not the loose volume of material transported to the site.
≈Surface treatments, such as trimming excavation faces, preparing surfaces to receive concrete, or topsoiling and turfing, are measured separately by area (in square metres, m²) in all comparable standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Standard Lead in Base Rate
30 metres included in excavation item.
Not applicable. Haulage is measured separately from excavation.
CESMM4
Standard Lift in Base Rate
1.5 metres included in excavation item.
Not applicable. Excavation is often measured in depth ranges (e.g., 0-2m, 2-4m).
CESMM4
Bulk Excavation Unit
Cubic Metre (m³)
Cubic Metre (m³)
CESMM4 / NRM 2
Surface Dressing Unit
Square Metre (m²)
Square Metre (m²)
NRM 2
Deduction for Voids (e.g., pipes)
No deduction for voids up to 0.1 m² in cross-section.
Deductions made for voids > 0.05 m³ in volume (not cross-section).
NRM 2
Measurement of Excavation
Net dimensions of the final void created.
Net dimensions of the final void created.
CESMM4
Measurement of Filling
Net volume of the space to be filled (final compacted volume).
Net volume of the space to be filled (final compacted volume).
NRM 2
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
length measurement toleranceNearest 0.01 m
thickness measurement tolerance for boardsNearest 0.002 m (2 mm)
area measurement toleranceNearest 0.01 m²
volume measurement toleranceNearest 0.01 m³
woodwork frames measurement unitCubic meters (m³)
door window shutters measurement unitSquare meters (m²)
mouldings and skirting measurement unitRunning meters (m)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 2 - General Rules for Measurement
Clause 3 - Measurement of Woodwork (Frames)
Clause 4 - Measurement of Joinery (Shutters, Partitions)
Clause 5 - Measurement of Architraves, Skirtings and Mouldings