Advanced Measurement Lecture note No: 4 outcome No: 1Plumbing

Plumbing
Subdivision
When measuring plumbing, it is particularly important to follow a logical sequence of taking-off in order to be sure that no part is missed. Frequently, particularly on a small domestic installation, the only information shown on the drawings is the location of sanitary appliances. If this is the case then the measurement of the appliances is fairly straightforward and forms a logical start. After the sanitary appliances have been measured, and possibly coloured in on the drawings, it is then easier to decide on a pipework layout for both wastes and supplies. i!es of waste pipes are dictated by the si!e of the waste fitting from the appliance, e.g. wash basins "#mm and baths and sinks "$mm. upply pipework si!es for a small installation should not be too difficult to assess. %he rising main is usually in &'mm pipework and the down feeds from the cistern in #$ or ##mm, reducing to &'mm for the individual feeds e(cept for baths, which require ##mm. Adequate isolating and drain-off valves should be included in the system to enable sections to be isolated and drained. )ate valves and ball valves do not restrict the flow of water when fully open and should be used on the low pressure distribution part of the system. ome water supply companies still require an indirect system with a drinking feed to the kitchen sink taken off the rising main and the other cold feeds coming from a storage tank. %he capacity of the cold water tank is given either as nominal, i.e. filled to the top edge, or actual, i.e. filled to the working water line. %he requirements of water supply companies vary considerably in required capacities but this should be at least &&# litres actual for storage only, rising to ##' litres for storage and feeding a hot water system. %he cold water tank may have to be raised to provide adequate pressure and flow, particularly for showers, and the roof construction may have to be strengthened to support the additional weight. %he inlet to the tank is controlled by a ball valve and the outlet should be opposite the inlet to avoid stagnation of water. An overflow pipe with twice the capacity of the inlet should be provided. An alternative installation, where permitted, is for all appliances to be fed directly from the incoming main supply, without the need for a cold water tank. *efore attempting to measure a plumbing installation, trade catalogues depicting fittings available for the specified pipework should be obtained for reference. A selection can then be made of suitable fittings for connections to various appliances. A diagrammatic layout of the plumbing when provided is often not to scale and drawn in two dimensions. When measuring from such a diagram, one has to visuali!e the layout in three dimensions and to relate pipe runs to the structure. %his will enable realistic lengths of pipes to be measured and the correct number of bends to be taken. ometimes, when measuring copper pipes, it is difficult to decide whether to take made bands +i.e. the pipe bent to form the bend, or fittings. )enerally, made bends should only be taken for minor changes in direction of pipes or on short lengths. It should be remembered that long lengths of pipes with made bands may be
NTK Lokuliyana Page &

Advanced Measurement Lecture note No: 4 outcome No: 1Plumbing

impossible to install. For the measurement of installations without detailed information the following is suggested as a suitable orderanitary appliances +a, anitary appliances including taps, traps, brackets, waste, overflow fittings, etc. Foul drainage above ground +b, .old water installation +c, Wastes, overflow pipes, soil and ventilating pipes including ducts. .onnection to supply company/s main, supply to boundary of site and meter0stop valve pit, reinstatement of highway. +d, upply in trench from boundary to building, stop valve, rising main to cold water tank. +e, +f, +g, 1ot water installation +h, +i, +2, +k, +l, )enerally +m, +n, *ranches from rising main including e(terior taps and non-return valves. .old water tank and lid including bearers, overflow and insulation. .old down services. Feed from cold water tank *roiler, flue, controls and work in connection .ylinder and primary flow and return pipes. .ylinder and primary flow and return pipes econdary circulation. e(pansion pipe and branch services. .asings .hlorination, testing, etc.

Note: Insulation of pipes and builder/s work in connection +e.g. chases, holes, painting, etc., should be taken after each subdivision. An alternative approach to measurement is to follow the flow of water from the water main, through the building to the sanitary appliances and discharging into the drains. %his is a more logical approach and would probably be adopted if the layout of the whole system is
NTK Lokuliyana Page #

Advanced Measurement Lecture note No: 4 outcome No: 1Plumbing

shown on the drawings. %he main divisions shown above could still be used but in a different order. As far as presentation in the bill is concerned, plumbing work has to be classified under headings indicating the nature of the work. For a simple domestic type installation these would be as followsa, anitary appliances b, Foul drainage above ground c, .old water d, )ot water e, unday builder/s work in connection with services f, %esting and commissioning the drainage or water system Note: For small-scale installations +c, and +d, may be combined. %he builder/s work in connection section may either be billed under a heading at the end of each appropriate work section or after the installation measurement. When taking-off, one obviously has to keep in mind these bill divisions but, by following the suggested order of measurement given earlier, the necessary sections will be automatically produced. %here are several additional divisions of work for more sophisticated installations required by the 33 than those mentioned above but these are considered to be beyond the scope of this book.

Sanitary appliances
If sanitary appliances are specified fully then they are enumerated and the description should include the type, colour, si!e, capacity and method of fi(ing, including details of supports, mountings and bedding and pointing. Frequently a catalogue or * reference is used for part of the description but care must be taken to define any alternatives available. If full details are not available then a 4. sum may be included for the supply of the appliances, an item included for contractor/s profit and fi(ing measured as enumerated items. 5escriptions should make it clear whether items such as taps, traps, overflow assemblies and bath panels are included with the appliance. mall items such as towel rails, mirrors and soap dishes must not be overlooked. Any builder/s work such as tile splashbacks, bearers, backboards, painting and similar items necessary for the installation should be measured at this stage.

Foul drainage above ground

NTK Lokuliyana

Page "

Advanced Measurement Lecture note No: 4 outcome No: 1Plumbing

Included in this section is the measurement of waste pipes, overflow pipes, antisyphonic pipes and soil and ventilating pipes. ome appliances, such as W.s, have traps built in and some, such as wash basins, have integral overflows. %raps and other pipework ancillaries are enumerated with a dimensioned description and the method of 2ointing stated, although cutting pipes and 2ointing materials are deemed to be included. 6owadays most waste and soil pipes are specified to be in plastic and their description should state whether they have ring seal or solvent welded 2oints and the type and spacing of pipe supports. 4ipes are measured linear over fittings, and 2oints in the running length, i.e. 2ointing straight lengths of pipe together, are deemed included. %he nominal si!e of pipes has to be given7 copper and plastic are usually described by their e(ternal diameter and cast or spun iron and mild steel by their nominal more. traight and curved pipes have to be classified separately and in the case of the latter the radius should be stated. Fi(ing the pipes to special backgrounds is given as follows %o timber including manufactured building boards %o masonry, which is deemed to include concrete, brick, block and stone %o metal %o metal-faced material %o vulnerable materials, which are deemed to include glass, marble, mosaic, tiled finishes or similar

4ipes laid in ducts, trenches, floor screeds and in situ concrete have to be so described. Fittings, such as bends and tees, to pipes not e(ceeding 8'mm diameter are enumerated and taken as e(tra over the largest pipe and are described as fittings with one, two or three ends, stating whether inspection doors are present. Fittings not falling within these categories are also measured e(tra over the largest pipe but are described with the method of 2ointing stated. pecial 2oints and connections to different pipes and ancillaries are enumerated and described as e(tra over the pipe, stating the method of 2ointing. %esting the foul drainage is given as an item, giving details of the tests and any attendance required. .utting mortices and sinkings for the installation are enumerated stating their si!e and the nature of the structure and any necessary making good. 9inear measurements are taken for cutting chases, stating the number and si!es of pipes, the nature of the structure and any necessary making good. 1oles for pipes are enumerated and grouped as not e(ceeding 'mm, '' to &&:mm, and e(ceeding &&:mm nominal bore + 33 4"&.#:,. Although in some work sections holes are deemed included, those made at a later stage for services are considered to be measurable. 3etal slates and collars and collars around pipes in asphalt and felt are enumerated. 4aintings pipes, described as painting services, is measured linear to pipes not e(ceeding "::mm girth and superficial to those e(ceeding "::mm girth. %he measurement of overflow pipes to flushing cisterns must not be overlooked7 these are measured in the same way as waste pipes.

Cold water
NTK Lokuliyana Page ;

Advanced Measurement Lecture note No: 4 outcome No: 1Plumbing

%he measurement of the cold water installation will start invariably with the connection to the supply company/s main7 this would in all probability be included as a provisional sum. It is necessary to check with the company the e(tent of the work that they will carry out. <ften included with the connection is the pipework to the meter0stop valve pit at the boundary and making good the highway. %he meter0stop valve is required to be located on the pavement or 2ust inside the boundary. 4ipes and fittings are measured in the same way as described for waste pipes. top valves, gate valves and ball valves are defined as pipework ancillaries and are enumerated described and their method of 2ointing stated. torage tank are enumerated as general pipeline equipment and are described including the si!e and capacity. <verflows to tanks should be taken at this stage. Insulation to pipelines is measured linear and described including the thickness of the insulation and the nominal si!e of the pipe. Working insulation around ancillaries is enumerated as e(tra over the insulation. Insulation to equipment is either measured superficial +on the surface of the insulation, or enumerated giving the overall si!e. In the former case, working around ancillaries is enumerated and in the latter case can be included in the item description. =(cavating trenches for services not e(ceeding #::mm nominal si!e are measured linear, stating the average depth in #':mm stages. =arthwork support, consolidation, back filling and disposal are deemed to be included in the trench item meter0stop valve chambers and bo(es are each enumerated and described. >nderground ducts are measured as linear items stating the type, nominal si!e, method of 2ointing and whether they are straight or curved. Fitting and special treatment at ends are enumerated as e(tra over the ducts. %imber tank bearers are measured linear and described as individual supports, giving the cross-section dimensions. %he remainder of builder/s work a measured is described before.

Hot water
5omestic hot water systems, apart from the pipework, have three main components - the boiler, the cylinder for storage and the cold feed storage. uitable pipe si!es would be #$mm for the primary flow and return between the cylinder and boiler and for the cold feed storage. uitable pipe si!es would be #$mm for the primary flow and return between the cylinder would be #$mm, reducing to ##mm for the vent and to &'mm sink or basin supplies and ##mm for the bath. %hese si!es should be regarded as minima7 si!es would be increased for a larger number of draw-off points. When an indirect heating circuit is included in the system then either a self-venting cylinder or a separate e(pansion and feed tank have to be provided. Whilst heating installation are considered to be beyond the scope of this book it is worth mentioning that a separate bill heading of low temperature hot water heating +smallscale, would have to be introduced. *oilers and cylinders are enumerated and described under the rules for equipment7 the description should include, as appropriate, the type, si!e, pattern, rated duty, capacity, loading and methods of 2ointing. %he remainder of the work is measured ad described above.
NTK Lokuliyana Page '

Advanced Measurement Lecture note No: 4 outcome No: 1Plumbing Further Readings
Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works, Seventh Edition Revised 1998 +9ondon?I. *ooks, &@@$,. 4atric ,A. B 4atric, 3. +#::C,SMM7 E !lained "nd #llustrated, ?I. , pp'C to @# andra, 9.,William, %.,BWillis, A. +#::', Willis$s Elements of %uantit& Surve&ing: "rd,ed., *lackwell, pp ##'-#"&

Ivor 1. eeley B ?oger, W. +&@@@, Building %uantities E !lained: 'th.ed., 3acmillan,

NTK Lokuliyana

Page 8