Method of measurement of building and civil engineering works, Part 21: wood-work and joinery

IS 1200 Part 21 - Scope Summary

• Scope: Covers the method of measurement of woodwork and joinery applicable to:

  • Buildings
  • Civil engineering works (including industrial and river valley projects)

• Measurement system:

  • All measurements are to be recorded net, in decimal system (Clause 2.4).
  • Position of measurement as per Clauses 2.4.1 and 2.4.1.1.

• Rounding off: Final measured values should be rounded as per IS 2:1960 (Rules for rounding off numerical values).

Key Points:

Measurement Process Flow (Simplified):

flowchart TD
    A[Identify Woodwork/Joinery Item] --> B[Measure Net Dimensions]
    B --> C[Record Measurements in Decimal System]
    C --> D[Apply Rounding as per IS 2:1960]
    D --> E[Report Final Measurement]

This ensures uniformity and clarity in measurement reporting for woodwork and joinery under IS 1200 Part 21.

IS 1200 Part 21: General Rules for Measurement of Woodwork and Joinery

Key Points from General Rules (Clause 2.4.3)

• Cubical contents (volume) of woodwork/joinery must be calculated and rounded to the nearest 0.001 m³.
• Measurements should be precise and consistent for accurate billing and estimation.
• The standard defines methods for linear, superficial, and cubical measurements of wood components.

Typical Measurement Specifications:

General Formula for Cubical Content:

[ \text{Volume} = \text{Length} \times \text{Width} \times \text{Thickness} ]

• All dimensions must be in meters (m).
• Use net dimensions after deducting openings or voids.

flowchart TD
    A[Measure Length (m)] --> B[Measure Width (m)]
    B --> C[Measure Thickness (m)]
    C --> D[Calculate Volume = L × W × T]
    D --> E[Round off to nearest 0.001 m³]

Summary: IS 1200 Part 21 emphasizes precise measurement and rounding rules for woodwork quantities, ensuring uniformity in construction documentation.

IS 1200 Part 21: Description of Items - Key Points

• Clause 2.3: Item descriptions include all activities unless stated otherwise:

  • Conveyance & delivery
  • Handling, unloading, storing
  • Fabrication, hoisting
  • Labour for finishing to shape/size
  • Setting, fitting, fixing
  • Straight cutting & waste

• Clause 3.6: Include all necessary small components:

  • Keys, wedges, dowels
  • Wood/bamboo pins for tenoned joints
  • Clinching of nail heads

• Clause 2.1: Items may be clubbed together if breakup is agreed based on detailed descriptions.

• Clause 4.13: Sundry works must be fully described, e.g.:

  • Wardrobes, cupboards
  • Draining boards, plate racks
  • Curtain brackets, towel rails
  • Toilet fixtures, backboards to cisterns
  • Small fittings (door/window stops)

Summary Table of Included Work in Item Description

This ensures comprehensive coverage of all labor, materials, and minor fittings in item descriptions, facilitating clear measurement and costing.

flowchart TD
    A[Item Description] --> B[Conveyance & Delivery]
    A --> C[Handling & Unloading]
    A --> D[Fabrication & Hoisting]
    A --> E[Labour for Finishing]
    A --> F[Setting & Fixing]
    A --> G[Straight Cutting & Waste]
    A --> H[Small Components]
    H --> I[Keys, Wedges, Dowels]
    H --> J[Wood/Bamboo Pins]
    H

IS 1200 Part 21 specifies the method of measurement for woodwork and joinery in buildings. Though the standard mainly defines measurement procedures, here are key points and formulas commonly used:

Key Measurement Principles:

• Measurement Units: All dimensions are measured in meters (m) or millimeters (mm).
• Length, Breadth & Thickness: Measure actual finished sizes including finishing like polishing or painting.
• Joinery Items: Measured by area (m²) or volume (m³) depending on the item type.

Typical Measurement Formulas:

Specifications:

• Include all finished surfaces (veneers, polish).
• Exclude gaps, joints, or overlaps.
• For composite items, measure components separately and sum.

flowchart LR
    A[Start: Identify Woodwork Item] --> B{Is it frame, shutter, or panel?}
    B -->|Frame| C[Measure length & cross-section]
    B -->|Shutter| D[Measure height & width]
    B -->|Panel| E[Measure length & height]
    C --> F[Calculate volume]
    D --> G[Calculate area]
    E --> G
    F --> H[Record measurement]
    G --> H
    H --> I[Include finishing thickness]
    I --> J[Finalize measurement]

This ensures consistent, accurate measurement for cost estimation and billing. For detailed tables and clauses, refer directly to IS 1200 Part 21.

IS 1200 Part 21 (1973) - Doors and Windows Measurement Key Points

• Measurement Unit: Doors and windows leaves are measured in square metres (m²) (Clause 4.1).
• Separate Measurement: Each type of door/window leaf is measured separately. For combined types, either:
  • Measure as a clubbed item, or
  • Measure different portions separately, divided at the center of the separating rail (Clause 4.1).
• No Extra Measurement: No additional width or labor is measured for rebated or splayed meeting stiles (Clause 4.1.I).
• Trellis Work: Doors/windows with trellis work are measured along with trellis (Clause 4.4.3).
• Vertical Sliding Windows: Cased frames are measured in running meters along the outer edge (Clause 4.8).
• General Scope: Covers measurement methods for woodwork and joinery in buildings (Clause 1.1).

Summary Table of Measurement Units

flowchart TD
    A[Doors & Windows] --> B[Measure Leaves in m²]
    A --> C[Multiple Types?]
    C -->|Yes| D[Measure Separately or Clubbed]
    B --> E[No extra for Rebated/Splayed Stiles]
    A --> F[Trellis Work Included]
    A --> G[Cased Frames Measured in m]

This concise approach ensures uniformity and clarity in measurement for tendering and billing purposes.

IS 1200 Part 21 – Boarding: Key Points & Specifications

Measurement & Description (Clause 1.2)

• Boarding is measured in square metres (m²).
• Specify finished thickness for:
  • Roof boarding
  • Weather boarding
  • Shelves, fittings, racks, bins, almirah linings, etc.

Weather Boarding (Clause 4.2.6)

• State width, thickness, and lap of boards.
• For feather-edged boarding, thickness = maximum thickness.

Special Cases

• Curved surfaces (Clause 4.2.4): Measure narrow width boarding separately; include joint splay.
• Boarded floors (Clause 4.2.5): Describe:
  • Width of boards
  • Jointing method
  • Nailing method
  • If floors are finished or polished, state it explicitly.

Typical Specification Table for Weather Boarding

Formula for Area of Boarding

[ \text{Area (m}^2) = \frac{\text{Total board length (m)} \times \text{Board width (m)}}{1} ]

(Sum all boards, adjust for laps and joints as per the type)

flowchart TD
    A[Boarding Types] --> B[Roof Boarding]
    A --> C[Weather Boarding]
    A --> D[Shelves & Linings]
    C --> E[Specify Width, Thickness, Lap]
    D --> F[Specify Thickness & Area]
    B --> G[Specify Thickness & Area]

Summary: Always specify thickness, width, lap (for weather boarding), and joint/nailing method. Measure in m² including allowances for laps and joint splay on curved surfaces.

IS 1200 Part 21 - Trellis Work Measurement Summary

• Measurement Unit:
  Trellis work is measured in square metres (m²).

• Details to Record:

  • Size of laths (width and thickness)
  • Spacing between laths (centre to centre)

• Types of Trellis:

  • One-way trellis (laths in one direction)
  • Two-way trellis (laths crossing at right angles)
    Measure these separately.

• Openings:
  Doors and windows formed within trellis work are included in the trellis measurement.

• Supports:
  Posts, rails, stiles, braces, and door/window frames are measured separately (not included in trellis area).

Typical Specifications (General Practice)

Measurement Formula for Trellis Area

[ \text{Area (m}^2) = \text{Length (m)} \times \text{Height (m)} ]

• Exclude posts and framing widths from this area calculation.

flowchart TD
    A[Trellis Work] --> B{Type}
    B --> C[One-way Trellis]
    B --> D[Two-way Trellis]
    A --> E[Measure Area (m²)]
    A --> F[Include Doors/Windows]
    A --> G[Supports]
    G --> H[Posts]
    G --> I[Rails]
    G --> J[Stiles & Braces]
    H & I & J --> K[Measured Separately]

Summary: Measure trellis area in m² with lath sizes and spacing; separate one-way and two-way; include openings; measure supports separately.

IS 1200 Part 21: Shoring and Strutting Timbers - Key Points

Measurement & Specifications

• Volume Measurement: Shoring and strutting timbers measured in cubic metres (m³) including:

  • Bolts, wedges, dog-spikes, nails
  • Assembly (putting together, erecting)
  • Maintenance during use
  • Striking and removal (Clause 4.5)

• Labour Measurement (Clause 3.16): Measured separately in numbers for:

  • End shaping (endi, splayed, rounded, wrought)
  • Pointed/rounded ends and mitred intersections
  • Rafter feet with splayed/moulded ends
  • Notches ≤15 cm girth (thickness stated)
  • Boring holes (diameter & depth)
  • Square holes (size & depth)

• Additional Labour (Clause 3.14): Measured in square metres or running metres for:

  • Notching >15 cm girth
  • Circular cutting

Timber Dimensions (Clause 2.4.1.1)

• Dimensions measured to nearest 2 mm.

Summary Table for Timber Measurement

If needed, design checks for timber strength or load capacity follow IS 883 or IS 401 for structural timber properties.

flowchart LR
    A[Shoring & Strutting Timber] --> B[Measured in Cubic Metres]
    B --> C[Includes bolts, nails,

IS 1200 Part 21 – Staircase Components: Key Formulas & Specifications

• Measurement of Treads and Risers (Clause 4.7.2):
  Area (m²) = Length of tread × (Exposed width of tread + Rise)
  This accounts for the horizontal tread and vertical riser surfaces.

• Inclusions in Measurement (Clause 4.7.3):

  • Housing of treads, risers, fliers, winders
  • Labour for cross-tonguing, cross-grooving, cross-rebating, framing, gluing, wedging, blocking

• Balusters (Clause 4.7.13):

  • Count and describe by size
  • Include framing/housing at ends

• Measurement Method (Clause 4.7):

  • Staircases measured separately, either detailed (4.7.1–4.7.16) or omnibus with tread area in m²

Summary Table for Staircase Components Measurement

flowchart TD
    A[Start] --> B[Measure Tread Length]
    B --> C[Measure Exposed Width of Tread]
    C --> D[Measure Rise (Step Height)]
    D --> E[Calculate Area = Length × (Width + Rise)]
    E --> F[Include Winders & Risers]
    F --> G[Add Labour for Housing & Joinery]
    G --> H[Enumerate Balusters with Sizes]
    H --> I[Complete Staircase Measurement]

This approach ensures comprehensive and standardized measurement of staircases per IS 1200 Part 21.

IS 1200 Part 21 — Trap Doors: Key Points

• Measurement:
  Trap doors are measured extra-over the relevant door/window item (Clause 4.10). This means trap doors are treated as additional items beyond standard door/window measurements.

• Description & Enumeration:
  Trap doors must be described and enumerated separately to account for their specific construction and fixing method (Clause 4.10).

• Measurement Units:
  Door and window leaves, including trap doors, are measured in square metres (Clause 4.1).

• No Extra for Rebates:
  No additional width or labor is measured for rebated/splayed meeting stiles in doors/windows (Clause 4.1.I).

• Inclusions in Description:
  For wooden components like trap doors, all labor such as cross-tonguing, cross-grooving, cross-rebating, framing, gluing, wedging, and blocking must be included (Clause 4.7.3).

Summary Table for Trap Doors Measurement

flowchart TD
    A[Trap Door] --> B[Measured Extra-Over Door/Window]
    B --> C[Area in m²]
    A --> D[Description & Enumeration]
    A --> E[Labor Included]
    E --> F[Cross-tonguing]
    E --> G[Cross-grooving]
    E --> H[Cross-rebating]
    E --> I[Framing & Gluing]
    E --> J[Wedging & Blocking]

This ensures accurate quantification and costing per IS 1200 Part 21.

IS 1200 Part 21: Pelmet Boxes Measurement & Specifications

• Clause 4.11:

  • Pelmet boxes are measured in running metres (linear length).
  • Measurement is along the sides and face planking of the pelmet box.

• Measurement Method:

  • Measure the total length of the pelmet box edges where the sides and face planking are fixed.
  • No area or volume measurement is used, only linear length.

• Related Notes:

  • For turned work (Clause 4.12), measurement is also in running metres but includes stating the girth (circumference).
  • For cased frames of vertical sliding windows (Clause 4.8), measurement is along the outer edge in running metres.
  • Boarding related to pelmets (Clause 1.2) is measured in square metres with thickness specified, but this applies to boarding, not pelmet boxes directly.

Summary Table for Pelmet Boxes

flowchart LR
    A[Pelmet Box] --> B[Measure length along sides]
    A --> C[Measure length along face planking]
    B & C --> D[Sum lengths in running metres]
    D --> E[Final measurement for billing]

Key Point: Pelmet boxes are quantified by linear measurement along their visible edges, facilitating straightforward estimation and billing.

IS 1200 Part 21: Turned Work Measurement & Specifications

Key Points from the Code:

• Turned Work Measurement (Clause 4.12):
  Measure in running metres along the length, stating the girth (perimeter) of the turned piece.

• Labour Measurement (Clause 3.16):
  Labour for turned work like splayed, rounded, wrought ends, pointed ends, notches (≤15 cm), boring holes, and cutting square holes must be measured separately by numbers.

• Tolerances (Clause 3.8):
  Allow a tolerance of ±1.5 mm for each wrought face unless otherwise specified.

Practical Notes:

• Girth Calculation:
  For circular turned work, girth = π × diameter.
  For non-circular, measure perimeter of cross-section.

• Running Metres:
  Length of the turned piece along its axis.

Summary Table:

flowchart LR
    A[Turned Work] --> B[Measure Length (Running Metres)]
    A --> C[State Girth (Perimeter)]
    A --> D[Labour Items Measured Separately]
    D --> E[Notches ≤15 cm]
    D --> F[Boring Holes]
    D --> G[Cutting Square Holes]

This concise framework ensures accurate measurement and specification for turned woodwork per IS 1200 Part 21.

IS 1200 Part 21 - Sundries: Key Points

Scope (Clause 4.13)

Sundries include detailed description and measurement of:

• Wardrobes & cupboards
• Draining boards
• Plate racks
• Curtain brackets
• Towel rails
• Toilet fixtures
• Back boards to cisterns
• Small fittings (door/window stops)

Measurement & Description

• Include all keys, wedges, dowels, pins for joints, and clenching of nail heads (Clause 3.6).
• Shoring/strutting timbers measured in cubic meters including bolts, wedges, nails, erection, and removal (Clause 4.5).
• Cubical contents rounded to the nearest 0.001 m³ (Clause 2.4.3).

Practical Notes:

• Enumerate each sundry item fully.
• Include fixing accessories and hardware in measurement.
• Use precise volume and count measurements as applicable.

Example Table for Sundries Enumeration

flowchart LR
    Sundries --> Wardrobes
    Sundries --> DrainingBoards
    Sundries --> PlateRacks
    Sundries --> CurtainBrackets
    Sundries --> TowelRails
    Sundries --> ToiletFixtures
    Sundries --> BackBoards
    Sundries --> SmallFittings

This ensures comprehensive, standardized measurement and billing of sundry items per IS 1200 Part 21.

IS 1200 Part 21: Rounding and Measurement Tolerances Summary

• Rounding Off:
  Follow IS 2-1960 for rounding rules.

  • Cubical contents rounded to nearest 0.001 m³ (Clause 2.4.3).
  • Final values rounded as per IS 2-1960 standard.

• Measurement Units:
  Use decimal system for all measurements (Clause 2.4).

• Tolerance for Woodwork Faces:
  Unless otherwise specified, allow a tolerance of ±1.5 mm per wrought face (Clause 3.8).

Key Specifications:

Notes:

• Measurements are net and fixed in position as per clauses 2.4.1 & 2.4.1.1 (not detailed here).
• Tolerances apply unless specifically mentioned otherwise.

flowchart TD
    A[Measurement Taken] --> B{Is value final?}
    B -- Yes --> C[Rounding as per IS 2-1960]
    C --> D[Apply tolerance ±1.5 mm per face]
    B -- No --> E[Continue Measurement]

This ensures consistent, precise measurement and reporting of woodwork and joinery in civil and building works.