Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THE BCA
CONSTRUCTION QUALITY ASSESSMENT
SYSTEM
i
First Edition 1989
Second Edition 1990
Third Edition 1992
Fourth Edition 1995
Fifth Edition 1998
Fifth Edition 2000 (Reprint)
Copyright @ 2000 by the Building and Construction Authority, Singapore. All rights
reserved. No part may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without
permission in writing from the publisher.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
presented in this publication, neither the Board nor its employees or agents can
accept responsibility for any loss or damage incurred in connection with the use of
the contents.
ii
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................1
APPENDICES
iii
CONQUAS 21
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 1
CONQUAS 21
Apart from site inspection, the assessment also includes tests on the materials
and the functional performance of selected services and installations. These tests
help to safeguard the interest of building occupants in relation to safety, comfort
and aesthetic defects which surface only after sometime.
Page 2
CONQUAS 21
2.0 CONQUAS 21
Page 3
CONQUAS 21
In CONQUAS 21, the weightages for Structural, Architectural and M&E works
are allocated according to four categories of buildings as follows:
The CONQUAS score of a building is the sum of points awarded to the three
components in each category of buildings.
Page 4
CONQUAS 21
2.4 Sampling
As it is impractical to assess all elements in a building, CONQUAS 21 uses a
sampling system for the assessment. The sampling system, which is based on
the gross floor area of the building, will ensure that the assessment adequately
represents the entire building.
Page 5
CONQUAS 21
The scoring will be done on the works that are inspected for the first time.
Rectification and correction carried out after the assessment will not be re-
scored. The objective of this practice is to encourage contractors "doing things
right the first time".
When an assessed item does not comply with the corresponding CONQUAS
standards, it is considered failed and a "X" will be noted in the assessment form.
Likewise a "✔" is required for an item meeting the standards. A "-" will
indicate that the item is not applicable. The score is computed based on the
number of "✔" over the total number of items assessed.
Page 6
CONQUAS 21
Concrete Compressive 30 50
2 500 m2 At least 2 cubes per set
Strength sets sets
NDT - Electro-Covermeter 2 20
5 5,000 m2 5 samples per set
test for concrete cover sets sets
The resulting score for the formwork, reinforcement and finished concrete will
be the sum of the number of checks that meet the standards.
The assessment of the quality of concrete and steel reinforcement and the non-
destructive tests is based on compliance to the standards (see Appendix 1a).
The distribution of points for Structural Steelwork and Pre-stressed Concrete are
as follows:
Page 7
CONQUAS 21
Page 8
CONQUAS 21
Page 9
CONQUAS 21
CAT A CAT B
Commercial CAT C CAT D
Locations Industrial Institution Public Landed
Condominium
Institution & Others Housing Properties
Others
Principal 60% 40% 60% 40% 40%
Service 15% 40% 15% 40% 40%
An item under assessment will be considered failed if it does not meet the
standards. In addition, any item found to be defective functionally such as
evidence of water seepage in the window, slab, ceiling or roof, is considered to
have failed the assessment. Likewise for a particular defect that is found
excessive in an item (say excessive cracks on a wall).
For the assessment of roof, a minimum 50% of the total number of buildings
will be assessed. This applies to the assessment of external walls where a
minimum 50% of the total number of buildings will be required. For a building,
the external wall will be divided into 4 walls for assessment.
(a) Link-way / Shelter - 10m length section per sample and minimum 2 samples
(b) Apron & Drain - 10m length section per sample and minimum 2 samples
(c) Roadwork & Carpark - 10m length section per sample and minimum 1 sample
(d) Footpaths & Turfing - 10m length section per sample and minimum 2 samples
(e) Playground - 1 location
(f) Court - 1 location
(g) Fencing & Gate - 10m length section per sample and minimum 1 sample
(h) Swimming Pool - 10m length section per sample and minimum 1 sample
(i) Club House - 1 location
(j) Guard House - 1 location
(k) Electrical Substation - 1 location
Each item in the External Works will be assessed separately and all the
locations listed above must be assessed where applicable.
The material & functional tests, including the water-tightness test for windows
and external wall joints, the Pull-Off test for internal wall tiles, ponding tests for
flat roofs and wet areas and silt content test for plastering sand, are awarded
based on evidence of passing the tests.
Page 10
CONQUAS 21
The assessment covers the following areas, with their weightages allocated in
accordance with the four categories of projects:
The assessment of Basic M&E Fittings will be carried out during the Internal
Finishes assessment.
Page 11
CONQUAS 21
Minimum Samples 35 25 10 10
Maximum Samples 70 50 20 20
Page 12
CONQUAS 21
Scenario:
Project Type - Commercial (CAT A)
Structural System - Conventional Reinforced Concrete system with
Pre-stressing works at 78% to 22% cost ratio
Roofing System - non-accessible Pitched Roof
External Wall - Full Glass Curtain Wall
Page 13
CONQUAS 21
As the External Works, Flat Roof and External Wall Paint are not applicable for
this particular assessment, the Architectural Score will be pro-rated as below:
Arch Score = (Actual Score / (100 - Ext Works - Ext Wall Paint Warranty - Roof - Flat Roof Warranty -
Flat Roof Ponding Test)) X 100
= (59.2 / (100 - 6 -1 - 4 - 1 - 2)) X 100
= 68.8
Page 14
CONQUAS 21
Page 15
Appendix 1a
Item* Standards
1 Formwork
1a Formwork dimensions and 1) Tolerance for cross-sectional dimensions of cast-in place &
openings for services precast elements: +10mm / -5mm
1b Alignment, plumb and level 1) Tolerance for departure of any point from its position: 10mm
2b Anchorages & lap lengths 1) Required lap length not less than that specified
CONQUAS 21 Page 16
Appendix 1a
Item* Standards
3 Finished Concrete
3a Dimension for elements / 1) Tolerance for cross-sectional dimension of cast in-situ and
opening for services precast elements: +10mm / -5mm
2) Tolerance for opening: +10 for size and ±25mm for location
3b Alignment, plumb and level 1) Tolerance for departure of any point from its position: ±10mm
3c Exposed surface 1) Should not have visual exposure of groups of coarse aggregates
resulting from grout leakage
4 Structure Quality
4a Concrete Cube test 1) According to specifications; for every pour of concrete, test
cubes results at 28 days must satisfy the passing criteria as in BS
5328
4b Reinforcement (Rebar) 1) To pass the tensile strength test for all the reinforcement bars
used as according to SS2
2) All the welded steel fabric used to comply with SS32 in their
respective specified characteristic strength of not less than 250 N
per mm2, 460 N per mm2 and 485 N per mm2
CONQUAS 21 Page 17
Appendix 1a
Item* Standards
5 Non-destructive testing
5a Ultra Pulse Velocity test for 1) To conduct NDT using ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) to check
Concrete Uniformity the degree of uniformity of hardened concrete
3) Assessment is based on :
5b Electro-Covermeter test for 1) To check hardened concrete cover for reinforcement bars after
concrete cover casting: minimum 25mm or higher as according to specification
c 1 for beam @ 2 readings each on the soffit and one side of the
beam
3) For each reading, full point for ±5mm and half point for >±5mm
to ±8mm. For each location, no point will be awarded if any of
the 4 readings exceeds ±12mm.
For the assessment of concrete cube test results, the percentage of points shall be awarded based on the
percentage of non-compliance as tabulated in the table below :
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met.
CONQUAS 21 Page 18
Appendix 1b
Item* Standards
1 Plumb & Alignment 1) Plumb Tolerance: 5mm / 10m height, maximum of ±15mm
2 Cutting & Dimension 1) Cut edges visually dressed to finish and free from distortion
4 Bolting 1) Only specified bolts of correct size and type are used
5 Corrosion & Fire 1) If specified in the contract, protection such as paint coating and
protection fire protection coatings be evenly applied and no damages to the
coating
3) Should satisfy other specified tests (eg. Band test on shear studs)
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met.
# For test records, the following table would be used to determine the points awarded:
CONQUAS 21 Page 19
Appendix 1c
Item* Standards
1 Condition of tendons & 1) All pre-stressing strands and wires should comply with the
anchorages specified standards and requirements and be free from loose rust,
oil, tar, paint and any foreign objects
2 Installation of sheathing 1) Sheathing properly secured and protected and free from damage
or puncture
3 Stressing & Grouting 1) Tendon ducts clean and free from foreign objects and tendon free
process moving in the duct
4 Debonding 1) Open ends of debond tubes over the debond length of strands
sealed
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met.
CONQUAS 21 Page 20
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
1 Floors
4) Falls in wet areas like kitchen and toilet should be in the correct
direction towards floor traps or discharge points
10) Consistent skirting thickness and no gap between wall & skirting
2) Surfaces are even and levelled to proper falls in wet areas like
kitchen and toilet
3) Joints are aligned and consistent with skirting and wall tiles
CONQUAS 21 Page 21
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
1e Raised Floor 1) Evenness of surface (not more than 3mm per 1.2m)
2 Internal Walls
2a General 1) Walls meet at right angles (not more than 4mmover 300mm)
2c Tiled Finish 1) Tile joints aligned and with consistent joint size
CONQUAS 21 Page 22
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
2g Pre-cast concrete planks 1) Alignment with adjacent planks not more than 3mm
CONQUAS 21 Page 23
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
3 Ceilings
3a Skim Coats 1) Overall surface should be even, gaps between light fittings and
ceiling should not be seen
6) No visible damage
CONQUAS 21 Page 24
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
4) Door joints and nail holes filled up, properly sanded down and
with good paint finish (including on top and bottom of door leaf
and consistent in colour)
5) Consistent gap between door leaf and frame and not more than
5mm
4) Consistent gap between window leaf and frame and not more
than 5mm
10) Neat joint between window and wall internally and externally
CONQUAS 21 Page 25
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
6 Components
6b Other components 1) For permanent fixtures which are not covered in the standards,
the fundamentals such as evenness, straightness, no stain,
verticality, consistency and no visible damage will still be the
basis for assessment
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 Page 26
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
2) No cracks or chips
9) No paint defects
Pitched Roof
2) No leaking
3) No rust or stains
6) No paint defects
CONQUAS 21 Page 27
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 Page 28
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
3) Straightness of corners
3 Tiled Finish 1) Tile joints aligned and between 2-4mm wide unless specified
4) No efflorescence
CONQUAS 21 Page 29
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
1 Items to be assessed
1a Link-Way / Shelter
1b Apron & Drain
1c Roadwork & Carpark
1d Footpaths & Turfing
1e Playground
1f Court
1g Fences & Gate
1h Swimming Pool
1i Club House
1j Guard House
1k Electrical Substation
4) No ponding
CONQUAS 21 Page 30
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
7 Kerbs & aeration slabs 1) Kerbs with correct alignment (20mm / 50m long) and evenness at
joints
4) No corrosion
CONQUAS 21 Page 31
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
3) For permanent fixtures that are not covered in the standards, the
fundamental rules for installation and workmanship such as
evenness, straightness, verticality, no visible damages and
consistency will still be the basis for assessment
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 Page 32
Appendix 2
Item* Standards
2 External Wall Paint 1) To provide Warranty covering both supply and installation of
painting works
3 Roof Waterproofing System 1) To provide Warranty covering both supply and installation of
waterproofing system
4 Field water-tightness Test 1) No sign of leakage using BCA's Water-tightness Test for
for external wall (include Windows & External Wall Joints or HDB's Hose Method (for
window and curtain wall HDB's projects)
joints)
2) BCA's Water-tightness Test parameters:
5 Water-tightness test for 1) No sign of leakage after ponding wet areas over a minimum
internal wet areas (e.g. period of 24 hrs.
toilets, kitchen, etc)
For the assessment of the field water-tightness test for external wall, the number of points shall be awarded
based on the percentage of non-compliance as tabulated in the table below :
CONQUAS 21 Page 33
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
1 Embedded Conduits
No visible damage
2 Main Cables
No visible damage
3 Surface Conduits
CONQUAS 21 34
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
No visible damage
5 Distribution Board
No visible damage
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 35
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
1 Ductwork
Location & Installation 1) Location and ductwork installed according to approved shop
drawings
No Visible Damage
2 Fire-Rated Ducts
Location & Installation 1) Location and ductwork installed according to approved shop
drawings
No Visible Damage
3 Flexible Ducts
No Visible Damage
4 Flexible Connectors
No Visible Damage
CONQUAS 21 36
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
5 Dampers
No Visible Damage
6 Fire Dampers
No Visible Damage
Seal Penetration 5) Proper sealant of wall or roof opening after pipes are fixed
No Visible Damage
CONQUAS 21 37
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
8 Air-Con Comfort
Air Flow 2) Room airflow rate not exceeding 0.25 m/s or according to
specification
Relative Humidity 3) Room relative humidity not more than 60% or according to
specification
Location & Installation 1) Location & pipe layout installed as per approved shop drawings
No Visible Damage
10 Pump
Location & Installation 1) Location & pipe layout installed as per approved shop drawings
No Visible Damage
CONQUAS 21 38
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
11 Cooling Tower
Self-Earthing System 1) Cooling tower completed with self-earthing system for connection
to building lightning protection system
Location & Installation 2) Name plate installed with manufacturer's name, serial number and
model number
12 Pipework
including Chilled water, Hot
water, Steam, Condenser
water, Condenser drain, Cold
Water make-up, water
treatment and refrigerant 1) Pipe installed as per approved shop drawing
Paints & Support 2) Pipework provided with drains at each low point and automatic air
vents with manual isolating valve at each high point
No Visible Damage 4) Fire stop for passage of pipes at opening for fire resistance walls
and floor
13 Chiller
Location & Installation 1) Location & pipe layout installed as per approved shop drawing
No Visible Damage
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 39
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
4) Landing valve painted red for wet riser / yellow for dry riser
No Visible Damage
2 Sprinkler
Location & Installation 1) Location, sprinkler and pipe layouts and sizes as per approved
shop drawing
No Visible Damage
CONQUAS 21 40
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
3 Fire Alarm
Location & Installation 1) Location of fire alarm panel, breakglass & bell is correct
Fire Alarm Zoning Diagram 5) Fire Alarm Zoning diagram provided near panels / sub-panels
No Visible Damage
4 Hosereel
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 41
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
1 Concealed Pipes
Location & Installation 1) Pipes properly support, bent without distortion, kink and damage
3) Proper joints
No Visible Damage
2 Exposed Pipes
Location & Installation 1) Location of pipes installed and labeled as per approved shop
drawing
Clearance 10) Do not cause obstruction / pose safety hazard at public area
CONQUAS 21 42
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
3 Water Tank
Location & Installation 1) Location, type & capacity as per approved shop drawing
Location & Installation 1) Location & type as per approved shop drawing
No Visible Damage
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 43
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
3) No leakage at joints
2) No leakage at joints
3) No chipping or cracks
2 M&E Fittings e.g. power point, telephone point, air-con diffuser, fan coil unit,
lighting, smoke alarm, sprinkler heads, CATV camera, etc.
CONQUAS 21 44
Appendix 3
Item* Standards
2) No stains
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
CONQUAS 21 45
Appendix 4
CONQUAS 21 46