Method of Measurement of Building and Civil Engineering Works, Part XII: Plastering and Pointing
1976 Edition

IS 1200 Part 12 (1976) focuses exclusively on the measurement methodology for plastering and pointing and does not specify materials or finishes. For material specifications, refer to related Indian Standards such as IS 1661 for cement plaster, IS 2542 for lime plaster, and IS 7320 for gypsum plaster. These codes provide detailed information on mortar compositions and finishing techniques.

Openings up to 0.5 m² require no deductions or additions in measurement. For openings greater than 0.5 m² and up to 3 m², deductions depend on plastering on faces: if both sides have identical plastering, deduct the area from one face only; if plastering differs, deduct from the face with the smaller reveal width or split equally if reveals are equal; if only one face is plastered, deduct fully if the plastered side has a smaller reveal. Door frames equal to or projecting beyond wall thickness require full deductions on each plastered face. No additions are made for reveals or jambs.

Plastering on lathing must be measured separately from other plastering, specifying the number of coats and thickness for each. The length is measured between walls or partitions prior to plastering, and height from floor or skirting to ceiling, deducting any cornice or cove depths. Wood and steel laths themselves are measured separately following their respective IS 1200 parts. This provides clear quantification for plaster over lathing frameworks.

Moulded cornices and coves are quantified in square metres by multiplying their length by their girth. Ribs and mouldings on ceilings are measured as cornices, with deductions from plastering if their width or girth exceeds 15 cm. Decorative features such as architraves and cornices on pilasters or openings are measured independently as isolated widths or areas depending on their dimensions, ensuring no overlap with general plaster measurements.

Pointing is measured separately for each surface type, such as walls, floors, or roofs, and for different masonry materials like brick, tile, or stone. The measurement unit is square metres. It is essential to specify the pointing material type and proportion, and matching mortar shades should be recorded separately. This approach guarantees precise measurement and proper cost allocation for pointing on diverse surfaces.

Raking out joints can be measured either as a separate item in square metres or included within the main plastering or pointing item descriptions. Removing existing plaster must be measured separately in square metres. These tasks are considered preparatory work and included in item descriptions unless otherwise specified, ensuring clarity and preventing double counting.

Dimensions should be recorded in the consistent sequence of length, breadth/width, and height/depth/thickness. Linear measurements are rounded to the nearest 0.01 meter, and areas to the nearest 0.01 square meter, following IS 2-1960 rounding rules. Wall plaster length is measured between walls or partitions before plastering, and height from floor or skirting to ceiling, subtracting any cornice or cove depths. Decorative elements with widths up to 30 cm are measured in running meters, while larger widths are measured in square meters. These practices ensure uniform and precise measurements.