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Module Code - Title:

WT4704 - BUILDING MEASUREMENT

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

3

Lab

0

Tutorial

0

Other

2

Private

5

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

This module introduces quantity surveying and building measurement practices and procedures to construction management students. The general module aim is to introduce the role of the quantity surveying profession in the construction industry and built environment; explain the measurement process in preparing a bill of quantities; provide instruction in developing skills and logical approaches in measuring simple building works; and offer a platform for further studies in the measurement and pricing of building and associated works.

Syllabus:

The module examines the role of the quantity surveying profession throughout the construction process. It covers an introduction to building measurement and highlights the core functions of a quantity surveyor in the production of bills of quantities. The module develops by building on the essential skills involved in the taking-off of building quantities by use of structured exercises, considering various elements of a domestic building. In the process, it gives students the core skills necessary to take-off building quantities accurately and neatly onto standard dimension paper and bill sheets. Along with learning about the production of a bill of quantities, the students will gain an appreciation of the importance of quantity surveyors developing and maintaining good interpersonal skills, applying professional standards and producing detailed measurement honestly and accurately in an ethical manner. An indicative syllabus includes: • The Role of the Quantity Surveyor - the nature of the construction industry, personnel and relationship of the design team, the role of the Client's Quantity Surveyor, the role of Contractor's Quantity Surveyor. • Introduction to Building Measurement - historical development of building measurement in Ireland, purpose of building measurement, building measurement in practice, standards methods of measurement, Agreed Rules of Measurement (ARM4), National Standard Building Elements (NSBE), future of building measurement. • Good Measurement Practice - take-off processes; setting down dimensions; calculating centrelines and girths of both regular and irregular perimeters; elementary take-off exercises; use of the Agreed Rules of Measurement (ARM4). • Bills of Quantities - background, functions and format of the Bill of Quantities, prime cost, provisional and contingency sums, processes involved in the preparation of a Bill of Quantities.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to...                                                                                                                                                     • Illustrate the role and highlight the importance of the quantity surveyor throughout the construction process. • Describe the purpose and processes involved in the practice of building measurement by quantity surveyors. • Prepare and measure a range of building elements associated with domestic construction projects. • Identify and explain the role of a bill of quantities in construction projects, applying the principles, skills, techniques and standard rules in its production.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to...                                                                                                                                                     • Apply the theory of good practice and professionalism in the presentation of building quantities on standard dimension paper and bill sheets. • Demonstrate an awareness of professional practices, ethics and contract conditions within the quantity surveying profession.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

•N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

This module WT4704, aims to develop a skillset in building measurement, necessary for our graduates to take their place working in and influencing the construction sector, capable of managing construction projects with a strong emphasis on ethics, accuracy, responsibility and compliance with planning regulations Through the learning environment - using a focused teaching approach, resources and supports, we aim to develop expert learners and global citizens who are: Curious - through having a questioning mindset and a solution focused perspective. Courageous - understanding the importance of standing up for what is right and ethical. Responsible - for the correct usage of resources and their own impact on the world. Agile - utilising proactivity to adapt to and drive change in their community and career supported by a continuous learning approach. Articulate - in that they can express themselves with a confidence grounded in sound learning. To develop these attributes, this module will be taught using a series of in-person lectures, tutorials and a selection of self-directed and collaborative learning activities so it is student-centred and in line with UL's Integrated Curriculum Development Framework (ICDF). Module learning materials are developed from a research-led perspective regarding content and the principles of Universal Design for Learning are used to ensure accessibility for all students. The module Brightspace site is designed and organised in a user-friendly format to maximise functionality. To allow for the incorporation of new developments and research findings in the subject material, the flexibility of blended learning methodologies is utilised - such as Flipped Classroom in the Tutorials, on-line video resources and recorded tutorials delivered through the Brightspace module site. The learning experience of students is directly affected by the design of learning materials, delivery of such materials and assessment thereof. The principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) have been applied so that Multiple Means of Engagement, Representation and Action & Expression are built in. Attention is also paid to the principles of Laurillard's ABC Curriculum Design process with all 6 learning types (Acquisition, Collaboration, Discussion, Investigation, Practice and Production) utilised in terms of delivery, engagement and assessment for the module. With regard to assessment - care is taken in the design of assessment vehicles used in the module so that they are challenge driven, authentic and constructively aligned with the Learning Objectives for the Module. A crucial piece of the learning experience is communication between faculty and students, as well as peer-to peer interactions. These will be proactively managed primarily through the channels available on Brightspace, plus direct contact between faculty and students before and after lectures and via e-mail. Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):                                                                                                                                                 Module content is continuously informed by both academic and industry research on the subject matter, pertinent to the disciplines of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying. 

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and Construction Industry Federation (CIF) (2009) Agreed Rules of Measurement 4th Edition (ARM4) ,
Environmental Research Unit (ERU) (1993) National Standard Building Elements for Design Cost Control Procedures (NSBE) ,
Hore, A.V., O'Kelly, M. and Scully, R., (2009) Seeley and Winfield's Building Quantities Explained (Irish Edition) , Palgrave Macmillan

Other Relevant Texts:

Hills R. and Lee, S., (2024) Willis's Elements of Quantity Surveying (14th Edition) , John Wiley & Sons
Packer, A., (2017) Building Measurement: New Rules of Measurement, 2nd Edition , Routledge

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

BSCMENUFA - CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Spring

Module Leader:

michael.curran@ul.ie