Volume 3 – Section 2

Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Contents

MANUAL OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR ROAD WORKS: VOLUME 3

SECTION 2: NOTES FOR GUIDANCE ON THE METHOD OF MEASUREMENT FOR ROAD WORKS

Contents

Introduction

Chapters I, II and III

Item Coverage
Extra Over Items
Remove from Store and Re-erect/Re-install/Relay
Hard Material
Testing
Modification and New Materials

Chapter IV

Series 100 Preliminaries

Definitions
Temporary Accommodation
Permanent Accommodation
Vehicles for the Employer’s Personnel
Communications System for the Employer’s Personnel
Operatives for the Employer’s Representative
Information Board
Traffic Safety and Management
Temporary Diversion for Traffic
Recovery Vehicles
Progress Photographs
Road Sweeping and Cleaning
Emergency Services
Facilities for Local Authority, Public or Private Utility Undertakers
and Other Contractors

March 2011 1
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Contents

Series 200 Site Clearance

Site Clearance
Take Up or Down and Set Aside for Re-use or Remove to Store Off Site

Series 300 Fencing and Environmental Noise Barriers

Fencing, Gates and Stiles
Remove from Store and Re-erect Fencing Gates and Stiles
Walls and Environmental Noise Barriers
Series 400 Safety Barriers and Pedestrian Guardrails
Definition
Safety Barrier System
Terminals
Delivery of Materials and Equipment for Maintenance Purposes
Temporary Safety Barriers
Pedestrian Guardrails and Handrails
Anti-Glare Screens

Series 500 Drainage and Service Ducts

Definitions
Drains, Sewers, Piped Culverts and Service Ducts (excluding Filter Drains,
Narrow Filter Drains & Fin Drains)
Filter Drains
Fin Drains and Narrow Filter Drains
Connections
Chambers and Gullies
Headwalls and Outfall Works
Small Headwalls
Soft Spots and Other Voids
Supports Left in Excavation
Drainage and Service Ducts in Structures (including Reinforced Earth
Structures and Anchored Earth Structures)
Filling to Pipe Bays and Verges on Bridges
Renewal, Raising or Lowering Covers and Gratings on Existing Chambers
and Gullies
Remove from Store and Reinstall Chamber Covers and Gully Gratings and
Frames
Grouting up of Existing Drains, Sewers, Piped Culverts and Service Ducts
Excavation in Hard Material
Backdrop Chambers

March 2011 2
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Contents

Series 600 Earthworks

Definitions and Measurement General
Excavation
Excavation in Hard Material
Processing of Unacceptable Material Class U1
Deposition of Fill
Disposal of Material
Imported Fill
Compaction of Fill
Geotextiles
Soft Spots and Other Voids
Disused Sewers, Drains, Cables, Ducts, Pipelines and the Like Occurringat
Formation or Sub-formation Level; Disused Basements,
Cellars and the Like and Gullies
Supports Left in Excavation
Topsoiling and Storage of Topsoil
Grass Seeding and Turfing
Completion of Formation and Sub-formation
Lining of Watercourses
Clearing of Existing Ditches
Ground Improvement – Establishment of Dynamic Compaction Plant
Ground Improvement – Dynamic Compaction
Gabion Walling and Mattresses
Crib Walling
Filling and Caps to Mine Working, Well, Swallow Hole and the Like
Ground Anchorages – Ground Anchorage Plant
Ground Anchorages
Ground Anchorages – Waterproofing Anchorage Boreholes
Instrumentation and Monitoring – Boring Plant
Instrumentation and Monitoring – Boring Holes
Instrumentation and Monitoring – Instrumentation
Instrumentation and Monitoring – Instrument Hut or Cabinet
Instrumentation and Monitoring – Monitoring Equipment
Ground Water Lowering
Trial Pits
Breaking Up and Perforation of Redundant Pavement
Perforation of Redundant Slabs, Basements and the Like

March 2011 3
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Contents

Series 700 Pavements

Sub-base
Pavement
Regulating Course
Surface Treatment
Tack Coat
Cold Milling (Planing)
Reinstatement of Paved Areas
Repairs to Existing Concrete Carriageway

Series 800 Not taken up

Series 900 Not taken up

Series 1000 Not taken up

Series 1100 Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas

Kerbs, Channels, Edgings and Combined Drainage and Kerb Blocks
Additional Concrete for Kerbs, Channels,
Edgings and Combined Drainage and Kerb Blocks
Remove from Store and Relay Kerbs, Channels, Edgings and
Combined Drainage and Kerb Blocks
Footways and Paved Areas
Remove from Store and Relay Paving Flags and Blocks
Steps

Series 1200 Traffic Signs and Road Markings

Traffic Signs
Remove from Store and Re-erect Traffic Signs
Road Markings
Retroreflecting Road Studs
Remove from Store and Re-install Retroreflecting Road Studs
Traffic Signals Installations
Pedestrian Crossings
Permanent Bollards
Node Markers
Reflective Markers

Series 1300 Road Lighting Columns and Brackets

Road Lighting Columns, Brackets and Wall Mountings
Remove from Store and Re-erect Road Lighting Columns,
Brackets and Wall Mountings

Series 1400 Electrical Work for Road Lighting and Traffic Signs
March 2011 4
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Contents

Locating Buried Road Lighting and Traffic Signs Cable

Cabling
Cable Joints and Terminations
Feeder Pillars
Earth Electrodes

Series 1500 Motorway Communications

Locating Buried Communications Cable
Communications Cabling
Communications Cable Joints and Terminations
Communications Equipment
Remove from Store and Re-install Communications Cabling and Equipment
Loop Detector Installations
Site Records
Stage 2 Commissioning of Cable

Series 1600 Piling and Embedded Retaining Walls

Piling Plant
Precast Concrete Piles
Cast-in-place Piles
Reinforcement for Cast-in-place Piles
Steel Bearing Piles
Proof Loading of Piles
Steel Sheet Piles
Embedded Retaining Wall Plant
Diaphragm Walls
Secant Pile Walls
Contiguous Bored Pile Walls
Reinforcement for Embedded Retaining Walls
King Post Wall Plant
King Posts
Reinforcement for King Post Piles
King Post Walling

Series 1700 Structural Concrete

In Situ Concrete
Precast Concrete
Surface Finish of Concrete – Formwork
Surface Finish of Concrete – Patterned Profile Formwork
Steel Reinforcement for Structures
Reinforcement for Reinforced and Anchored Earth Structures
March 2011 5
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Contents

In Situ Post-tensioned Prestressing for Structures

Series 1800 Steelwork for Structures

Fabrication and Erection of Steelwork
Fabrication of Steelwork
Erection of Steelwork
Miscellaneous Metalwork
Corrugated Steel Buried Structures
Metal Facing Units for Reinforced Earth Structures

Series 1900 Protection of Steelwork Against Corrosion

Protective System

Series 2000 Waterproofing for Structures

Waterproofing
Surface Impregnation and Coatings of Concrete
Removal of Existing Waterproofing

Series 2100 Bridge Bearings

Bearings

Series 2200 Parapets

Parapets

Series 2300 Bridge Expansion Joints and Sealing of Gaps

Bridge Deck Expansion Joints
Sealing of Gaps

Series 2400 Brickwork, Blockwork and Stonework

Brickwork
Blockwork and Stonework
Remove from Store and Relay Brickwork, Blockwork and Stonework

Series 2500 Structures Designed by the Contractor

Structures Designed by the Contractor

Series 2600 Not taken up

Series 2700 Watermains, Utilities and Accommodation Works

Watermains
Connections
Pipe Fittings
Valves and Penstocks
Chambers
March 2011 6
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Contents

Thrust Blocks

Series 2800 Trenchless Installation of Road Drainage & Service Ducts

Scope
Definitions
Establishment and Removal of Plant
Drain and Service Ducts
Lateral Connections to Pipes to be Replaced by On-line Replacement
Series 2900 CCTV Survey of Road Drainage Systems
Scope
CCTV Survey of Highway Drainage Systems

March 2011 7
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Introduction

Introduction

The Method of Measurement for Road Works

(MMRW) has been based upon the Specification
for Road Works (SRW) and the NRA Road
Construction Details (RCDs).

March 2011 1
Volume 3 - Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Introduction

March 2000 6
Volume 3 – Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works
Chapters I, II and III
1 Item Coverage
Item coverages in the MMRW ensure that the
Contractor knows the items of work to be covered by
the rates and prices he inserts against the appropriate
items in the Bill of Quantities. However, coverages
relative to the base item description are not normally
included, for example cement in concrete, nor are
those contingently and indispensably necessary to
enable the work item to be completed satisfactorily,
for example nuts and bolts in safety barrier systems.
Similarly general obligations are not separately
covered, for example obligations set out in the
Conditions or covered in the Preambles to Bill of
Quantities. The basic item coverages closely match
the Specification for Road Works and the NRA Road
Construction Details. Hence if changes are introduced
into the Specification the item coverages have to be
reviewed to ensure that they accurately relate to the
revised Specification. Changes to the Specification
should not be introduced on the drawings in the
Contract although revised drawings may reflect
revisions to the Specification in which case reference
to the drawings should be incorporated in the
Specification. Conversely item coverages should not
be extended to include items of work which are not
specified or not shown in the NRA Road Construction
Details.
Item coverages often refer to item coverages set out in
one or more other Series. The complete item coverage
therefore embodies all such references despite those
references appearing to be unconnected with the
original item in some cases.
2 Extra Over Items
Extra Over (EO) items shown in the MMRW are
applied to a base item where a significant additional
burden is placed upon the Contractor to undertake
extra work of much the same nature as the work
covered by the base item. The quantities to be billed
for the EO items must be in respect of work included
with the quantities for the base item. Consequently the
item coverage in respect of the quantities for the EO
item comprises a summation of that for the base item
and the EO item.
3 Remove From Store and Re-erect/Re-install/Relay
The items for remove from store and re-erect, re-
install, relay include items which have been removed
to store off Site designated by the Employer's
Representative and items which have been set aside
by the Contractor as required by the Contract.
March 2011
Chapters I, II and III
4 Hard Material
Excavation in Hard Material occurs in the item
coverage for several items of work, for example,
fencing, safety fencing, traffic signs and road
markings, road lighting and electrical work. The
Contract should contain information known to the
compiler about the existence and extent of Hard
Material and this should include existing buried roads
and the like. This would not relieve the Contractor of
his obligations under the Conditions. Hard Materials
is measured extra over normal excavation for
earthworks and drainage and guidance is given under
Series 600.
5 Testing
Table NG 1/1 lists tests and the frequencies with
which they should normally be undertaken. The
compiler has to decide which of those tests are to be
undertaken by the Contractor and those for which the
Contractor is to provide samples for the Employer's
Representative to carry out tests. Those tests to be
undertaken by the Contractor have to be scheduled in
Appendix 1/5 of the Specification. The Contractor
will then be deemed to have included the value of
those tests in his rates and prices. Testing is covered
by Preamble 2(vii) to the Bill of Quantities and no
items should be included in the Bill of Quantities for
testing. Where additional types or numbers of tests are
ordered by the Employer's Representative they should
be paid for under the provisions contained within the
Conditions of Contract except where they relate to
tests applicable to goods or materials put forward by
the Contractor when reasonable tests should be called
for at the Contractor’s expense to ensure conformity
with the Specification. (See also SRW Clause 105)
The provision and delivery of samples to be tested by
the Employer's Representative is covered by Preamble
2 (vii) to the Bill of Quantities.
6 Modification and New Materials
The item coverage applicable to removing from store
and re-erecting/re-installing/relaying various materials
includes for modification and new materials to the
extent that the requirements are detailed in the
Contract. Modification and new materials of which
the Contractor was not informed at the time of tender
are not covered by this item coverage.
1
Volume 3 – Section 2 Chapter IV – Series 100
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Preliminaries

Chapter IV
Series 100: Preliminaries
1 Privately and Publicly Owned Services and a) Specific Locations – These may include those
Supplies where in the opinion of the Employer’s
Representative the diversionary work is likely to
Particulars of the services and supplies affected by the
be complicated, expensive, or its impact on or
Works and any preliminary arrangements for
disruption of the Works is likely to be
alterations by the owner or authority responsible
substantial. The description should include the
should be detailed in Appendix 1/16 of the
appropriate reference from Appendix 1/18 of the
Specification but not included in items in the Bill of
Specification.
Quantities, apart from any works for the alterations
which are to be provided by the Contractor, for
b) Omnibus Item – This should include all
example ducts. Charges by the owner or authority
diversions of a minor nature scheduled in
responsible for these alterations will be paid by the
Appendix 1/18 of the Specification. The single
Roads Authority after scrutiny by the Employer’s
omnibus item should not include in its
Representative. Any alterations to services and
description the references from Appendix 1/18 of
supplies required for the Contractor’s temporary
the Specification. Separate omnibus items should
works, diversions and the like are the responsibility of
always be provided for all diversions proposed
the Contractor and are deemed to be covered by the
by the Contractor.
rates and prices in the Bill of Quantities.

2 Maintenance of Roadways 5 Damage to the Roadway

Appendix 1/17 of the Specification specifies those
maintenance functions which will be the responsibility
of the Contractor within defined physical limits and
time periods.
The work scheduled in this Appendix is covered by
the rates and prices inserted by the Contractor in the
Bill of Quantities.
The responsibility for repairing damage to roadways
rests with the Contractor unless stated otherwise in
Appendix 1/17 or 1/18. The compiler should check
that the Conditions require the Contractor to insure
and indemnify the Employer against loss, damage and
claims and if so, this is covered by Preamble 2 (vii) to
the Bill of Quantities.

3 Contraflows (Traffic Safety and Management)

There are three possible methods by which
contraflows can be planned and designed:

a) full proposals drawn up by the Employer’s

Representative;

b) outline proposals drawn up by the Employer’s

Representative and completed by the Contractor;

c) full proposals drawn up by the Contractor.

Requirements under methods (a) or (b) should be

scheduled in Appendix 1/17. Method (c) will be
deemed as Contractor’s temporary works to be
included in the contraflow item.

It is recommended that the contraflow item is always

included when traffic management is required thus
allowing for Contractor’s proposals as described in
method (c) above.

4 Temporary Diversion for Traffic

The MMRW allows for temporary diversions for
traffic to be measured as follows:

March 2011 1
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 200
Site Clearance
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

Series 200: Site Clearance

1 Obstructions Above Ground Level
The various Group I, Feature 3 items of site
clearance measured separately are to be
referenced on the site clearance drawings and
listed in Appendix 2/1.

The referencing of items for site clearance can

include consolidated references such as - "a
house with adjoining garage and outbuildings"
provided that full identification is given in, or
cross referenced in, Appendix 2/1.

2 Take Up or Down
Take up or down and set aside for re-use should
only be used for those materials or items that
are required to be stored on Site by the
Contractor prior to re-use. Take up or down and
remove to store off Site is appropriate to those
materials or items which are required to be
taken off Site to a store designated and
described in the Contract. These requirements
should be detailed in Appendix 2/3 of the
Specification including the distance to the
store.

3 D a m a g e to Items
Item coverage includes for replacing items
damaged in the process of taking up or down
a n d s e t t i n g aside or storing. It is t h e
Contractors responsibility to ascertain at the
time of tender the extent of any damage which
may occur a n d to m a k e t h e a p p r o p r i a t e
allowance in his rates and prices.

March 2000 11
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 200
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Site Clearance

March 2000 12
Volume 3 Section 2 Chapter IV – Series 300
Notes for Guidance on Method of Measurement for Road Works Fencing & Environmental Noise Barrier

Series 300: Fencing

1. Temporary Fencing
The Specification requires the Contractor to
erect temporary fencing in all situations
where he does not provide permanent
fencing immediately. To comply with the
Specification, Health & Safety regulations
and the Contract Conditions the contractor
has the choice of a range of specified types
of fencing. This temporary fencing is not
shown on the drawings nor is it included in
the Bill of Quantities. However, should
some specific temporary fencing be required
by the Employer then this should be shown
on the drawings in the Contract and
included in the Bill of Quantities.

2. Concrete Foundations or Longer Posts

Items are provided in the MMRW for
concrete footings to timber posts. These are
only measured where such a requirement is
identified in Appendices 1/15 or 3/1 of the
Specification.
Footings in all other circumstances,
including those for all posts other than
timber, shall be deemed to be included
within the fencing item to which they
relate.
Locations where longer posts are required
should also be identified in Appendices 1/15
or 3/1, a specific Type reference should be
given, and reference made in item
descriptions.

January 2009 13
Volume 3 Section 2 Chapter IV – Series 500
Notes for Guidance on Method of Measurement for Road Works Drainage and Service Ducts

Series 500: Drainage and Service Ducts

1 Tabulated Billing
The billing of pipe runs of varying
diameter and specification with their
attendant adjustment items produces a
lengthy Series 500 bill. It is suggested
that a tabulated method is used as shown
in the example overleaf. This method will
reduce the repetition of item descriptions.
This method can also be extended to
manholes and chambers.

Where non-standard or small quantities

exist they would be best billed in the
traditional manner.

2 Drainage and Service Ducts in Structures

The extent of the quantities included in
the item for drainage and service ducts to
a structure and their interface with non-
structural drainage should be clearly
shown on the drawings. The quantities
making up this item should either be
scheduled in an appendix or on a drawing
of the structure.

3 Alternative Types of Pavement

There is no requirement to provide
separate drainage Bills of Quantities
corresponding with each alternative Type
of Pavement. Measurement of drainage
must be based upon the thinnest
construction permitted for any of the
alternative Types of Pavement
irrespective of the Type of Pavement
chosen by the Contractor.

January 2009 17
Volume 3 Section 2 Chapter IV – Series 500
Notes for Guidance on Method of Measurement for Road Works Drainage and Service Ducts

Tabulated Drainage Example

1. Drains and Sewers

Item Description Unit Quantity Rate €

A mm interna] diameter drain or sewer
specified trench and bedding type or design
group 'B' in trench depth to invert exceeding
2 metres, but not exceeding 4 metres,
average depth to invert 'C metres
Adjustment on this item for variation greater
than 150mm above or below the average
depth of'C metres per 25mm of variation in
excess of 150mm. Rate per metre 'D' (not to
be extended)

‘A’ ‘B’ ‘C’ ‘D’

dia trench and ave. adjust.
bedding type depth rate
or design
group
21 150 A 2.625 m 54
22 225 E 2.950 m 18
23 300 C 2.875 m 78
24 450 H 3.275 m 157

2 Chambers

Item Description Unit Quantity Rate €

Specified chamber type ‘A’ with ‘B’, ‘C’ and
frame depth to invert exceeding ‘D’ metres
but not exceeding ‘E’ metres.
‘A’ ‘B’ ‘C’ ‘D’ ‘E’
chamber cover cover depth range
type grade type min. max.
76 C D400 cover 1 3 no 10
77 C C250 cover 1 3 no 60
78 D D400 cover 3 5 no 70
79 D C250 cover 3 5 no 55

January 2009 18
Volume 3 - Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works
Series 600: Earthworks
1 General
The Engineer should retain the obligations for
the classification, sampling and testing of
e a r t h w o r k s m a t e r i a l s . Where, following
consultation with the NRA, the Engineer
decides that the Contractor should have the
obligations in respect of classification of
earthworks materials then these obligations
include sampling and testing in accordance
with the directions given in the Contract. The
Contractor has overall responsibility to provide
acceptable earthworks materials as defined in
the Contract both when classification and
determination of acceptability is done by the
Engineer and when it is done by the Contractor.
If the Contractor opts to process unacceptable
material to render it acceptable for use in the
Works (as opposed to when the Engineer has
specified that this should take place) then
m e a s u r e m e n t shall be as though the
unacceptable material had been disposed of
and acceptable material of the class rendered
acceptable, imported. If the Contract requires
t h a t unacceptable material is processed to
render it acceptable then that material is
measured as t r e a t m e n t of unacceptable
material Class Ul and then considered to be
acceptable material arising from the Site.
2 P r o c e s s i n g Materials
When the Engineer decides to assess and
designate material within the excavation which
can be processed into acceptable material for
general fill or selected fill, he should state the
class or classes of acceptable material with
which the processed material must comply.
The class of the processed material should be
specified and the location of its excavation
should be shown on the Drawings and
referenced.
The sequence of measurement items is as
follows:
i) Excavation of unacceptable material Class
Ul (in cutting etc).
ii) Extra over excavation for excavation in
Hard M a t e r i a l in c u t t i n g and other
excavations.
hi) Processing of unacceptable material Class
Ul to acceptable material stated class or
classes.
March 2000
Chapter IV - Series 600
Earthworks
iv) Deposition of acceptable m a t e r i a l (in
embankments etc).
v) Compaction of acceptable material (in
embankments etc).
The e a r t h w o r k s schedules may require
additional i t e m s u n d e r t h e fill sections
depending on Specification and deposition
requirements.
3 Compaction and D e p o s i t i o n of Fill
The volume of m a t e r i a l m e a s u r e d in
Compaction of Fill should include t h e
quantities measured in Imported Fill and
Deposition of Fill.
T h e q u a n t i t y of m a t e r i a l m e a s u r e d in
Deposition of Fill should relate only to the
acceptable material arising from t h e Site
including material so arising as unacceptable
b u t required to be processed to become
acceptable and not that measured in Imported
Fill
4 Geological Terms
Excavated material which comes within the
definition of acceptable material should be
billed as stated in the MMRW/LSID and not
described by a geological term or common
name eg. chalk.
5 Alternative Types of Pavement
Where the Contract provides for alternative
Types of Pavement a separate Earthworks Bill
of Quantities is required to correspond with
each a l t e r n a t i v e Type of Pavement. T h e
tenderer is required to price and extend the
Earthworks Bill which applies to each Type of
Pavement.
6 Capping
The material required and detailed in the
Contract for use as capping may be obtained
from various specified classes of material. This
material should not be billed as "capping"
material but should be as described in the
MMRW and LSID u n d e r t h e a p p r o p r i a t e
feature classification for acceptable material.
7 Hard Material
This note gives general guidance on the way
Hard Material should be dealt with when
included in contract documentation.
19

Volume 3 - Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works
The definition of Hard Material in the MMRW
has evolved over a period of time and it should
not be changed. The inclusion of the definition
in contract documentation effectively excludes
all other forms of definition. The aim is to
achieve consistency of approach throughout the
country. There are two parts to the definition
and in general they should be compatible.
The excavation of Hard Material has been
recognised in t h e MMRW as w a r r a n t i n g
measurement as extra over normal excavation
because of the relative cost of the removal of
such material.
Hard Material is defined for measurement
purposes only, in C h a p t e r I Definitions,
paragraph 1 (i) as one or both of the following:
i) material so designated in the Preambles to
Bill of Quantities;
ii) m a t e r i a l which r e q u i r e s the use of
blasting, b r e a k e r s or splitters for its
removal but excluding individual masses
less than 0.20 cubic metres.
Sub-paragraph (ii) of the definition outlines the
means of determining the volume of Hard
Material when circumstances preclude the use
of s u b - p a r a g r a p h (i). These circumstances
should be rare. At the time of tender the
Contractor is told in the documents what
material is to be expected and he is deemed to
have s u p p l e m e n t e d this by inspection in
accordance with Clause 11 of the Conditions of
Contract. At the time of tender the Engineer
should designate which strata or deposits are
to be measured as being Hard Material; bound
materials in existing pavements and the like
will always be H a r d Material. In bulk
earthworks, materials which in the Engineer's
judgment may reasonably be removed by using
conventional r i p p e r s , t a k i n g into account
factors such as the location and extent of the
excavation, the size of the project and other
limitations, should not be designated as Hard
Material.
If the material found during the course of
construction is t h a t which was shown at the
time of tender, or could be ascertained by
inspection in accordance with Clause 11, then
a d m e a s u r e m e n t should follow t h e s a m e
designations irrespective of the actual hardness
of the material. If the material found in the
course of construction is not as described in the
tender documents or apparent by inspection,
the Contractor may raise a claim under Clause
12 of the Conditions of Contract. It will then be
for the Contractor to demonstrate that the
m a t e r i a l could not reasonably have been
March 2000
Chapter IV - Series 600
Earthworks
foreseen and t h a t extra costs h a d arisen,
according to the terms of that Clause.
Difficulties can arise when t h e extent of
designated strata is not clear. Soils are widely
variable and the interface between strata can
be indistinct: fragmented H a r d M a t e r i a l s
might gradually merge with other soils for
example. The points to which the
measurements of Hard Material strata are
t a k e n may then be a s c e r t a i n e d by the
application of sub-paragraph (ii) above. At the
time of tender the Engineer has to make a
judgment regarding the extent of designated
strata. In the course of construction a similar
j u d g m e n t will be required based upon
observations in the field. Hard Material is only
measured separately in Series 500: Drainage
and Series 600: Earthworks. It is not likely
that the application of sub-paragraph (ii) above
will cause problems of measurement under
Series 500. Drainage excavation usually will be
done with backhoes appropriate to the size of
t h e trench a n d it is unlikely t h a t t h e
Contractor would use other plant unless it was
essential. The extent of the designated strata
therefore should be apparent from performance
and only a limited amount of judgment would
be required. In bulk earthworks the position
might not be so clear. For example, the
Contractor might be excavating by means of
scrapers and in areas where designated Hard
Material strata are shown the scrapers might
be augmented by other plant; the extent to
which such plant is actually used would not
show the limit of the Hard Material strata and
the Engineer would have to give a decision on
the extent of the designated strata.
Preamble 13 to the Bill of Quantities sets out
three methods of designating Hard Material for
measurement purposes:
a) designated strata
b) designated deposits with limits shown on
the Drawings
c) existing pavements, footways, paved areas
and foundations.
The selection of (a) or (b) above is achieved by
applying professional judgment to borehole
data and other sources of information to
d e t e r m i n e those identifiable s t r a t a a n d
deposits which are likely to create significant
costs relative to t h e excavation of other
materials in the Works. It is intended that the
results of this judgment should be included in
the Contract.
20
 Chapter IV - Series 600
Volume 3 - Section 2 Earthworks
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

The compiler should ensure that only one
method of designation is used for any
particular material. Once a strata or deposit
has been designated as Hard Material it is not
subject to reclassification. Conversely, the fact
that a material similar to that designated as
Hard Material in a deposit within defined
limits shown on the Drawings, may be found
elsewhere does not indicate that it will be
measured as Hard Material in the other
location.
Designation of material as Hard Material is for
measurement purposes and is not intended to
indicate that the material has any particular
level of strength, bearing capacity or other
characteristic.
Where Hard Material is designated by
reference to named s t r a t a alone the total
quantity excavated from within those strata is
subject to admeasurement. Where deposits are
designated by limits shown on the Drawings
that volume is measured and paid for as Hard
Material. For both methods of designation the
material actually excavated may not fall within
the definition of Hard Material as set out in
s u b - p a r a g r a p h KiXii) of C h a p t e r 1. Hard
Material designated under Preamble 13(c) ie.
existing pavements, footways, paved areas and
foundations is subject to admeasurement but
excluding any unbound materials within the
pavement, footway, paved area, or foundation.
10 Ground Water Lowering
This item is for use when the Engineer has
either designed the method of de-watering or
specified the reduced water level. It is not
intended for the normal Site drainage as
specified under General Requirements (Clause
602 of SRW).
11 Trial P i t s
The item for excavation of trial pits should be
used for specific trial pits specified in the
Contract or ordered by the Engineer during the
currency of the Works. It is not intended for the
various testing and sampling required by the
Contract and scheduled in Appendix 1/5 or 1/6.
Trial pits excavated for the sole purpose of
classification of earthworks materials are not
to be m e a s u r e d as these are covered by
Preamble 2(vii) to the Bill of Q u a n t i t i e s ;
however, the extent of sampling should be
defined in the tender documents.
12 Perforation of Redundant Slabs,
B a s e m e n t s a n d the Like
The location and extent of perforation required
should be detailed in Appendix 2/1.

Notwithstanding the means of designating

Hard Material, care must be taken to ensure
t h a t the q u a n t i t y inserted in the Bill of
Quantities is consistent with the information
made available to the Contractor.

8 Crib Walling, Reinforced Earth Structures

and Anchored Earth Structures
When designed by the Contractor, these struc-
tures are to be measured under Series 2500.
The references throughout Series 600 to these
s t r u c t u r e s are included only to allow the
Contractor to produce the priced schedules of
quantities required by Preamble 16 to the Bill
of Quantities.

9 Typical Earthworks Schedules

The schedules shown overleaf illustrate infor-
mation to be provided by the Engineer and
incorporated in the Contract. The sub-division
of the schedules should be based on substantial
changes in the type of construction or at major
physical obstructions. For example a sub-
division may be appropriate in the roadworks
schedule where a major cut/fill interface is
reached or where an area of embankment is to
be surcharged.

March 2000 21
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 600
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Earthworks

Total Fill Material

Capping
<b O

Fill to Gabions

Capping

Starter Layer

Starter Layer
(Coarse)

Starter Layer
(Below Water)

-.5
Fill to Landscape Areas

Environmental Bunds,
Screening Mounds

On Sub-base, Capping, etc.

1
Strengthened Embankments

Embankments, etc

to ~
11
« C
c O
P -

a ,5
I
i
I
Processing of Class Ul

E.O. Hard Material

Ibtal Excavation other than Class 5A

(including processed Ul materiall

Below Earthworks
Outline

Above Earthworks
Outline

Below Earthworks
Outline

Above Earthworks
Outline

Total Acceptable other

than Class 5A (to include
processed Ul material)

Below Earthworks
Outline

Above Earthworks
S J Outline
O CJ

March 2000 22
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 600
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Earthworks

CC
Total Fill Material
co
Cohesive
Selected

7H

t-
Above corruaged steel buried structures CN

CO
Fill to Structures <N
i
z
CD Above Structural Foundations

Above corruaged steel buried structures ai

to IN

Surround to corrugated steel buried structures m

CD
CO
kJ
CO Below corrugated steel buried structures CO
CO
Selected Granular

6K

Below corrugated steel buried structures

©
Anchored Earth
CO
3
Reinforced Earth 2
Fill

CO
Anchored Earth
CO

Reinforced Earth

Drainage Layer to Anchored Earth

-
cc Drainage Layer to Reinforced Earth 2

•*
Specified

Fill to Structures
6B

Above Structural Foundations 2

CO
Specified

Fill to Structures
1C
General

Abovp Structural Foundations

o
Other than 1C

On Bridges
or 6B

Fill to Structures 05

Above Structural Foundations CO

STRUCTURES
greater than 2m

Each Retaining
Appropriate:

Each Culvert
Each Bridge

Sub-Totals
Structure

TOTALS
List as

span

|
Processing of Class Ul t-

E.O. Hard Material CO

Total other than Class 5A (including processed Ul material) m

Total
Excavation

Unacceptable

B IN
Acceptable

-
March 2000 23
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 600
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Earthworks

March 2000
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 700
Notes for Guidance on Method of Measurement for Road Works Pavements

Series 700: Pavements

1 Joints
The item coverage in Series 700 Pavements
encompasses all cutting back to existing
surfaces and the forming of all temporary and
permanent joints. The Contractor is to allow in
his price for any specified joints, for access and
the costs of any temporary joints.
2 Alternative Types of Pavements
Where the Contract provides for alternative
Types of Pavement a separate Pavements Bill
of Quantities is required to correspond to each
Type of Pavement. The tenderer is required to
price and extend the Pavements Bill, which
applies to each Type of Pavement.
3 Tack Coats
A tack coat should only be measured as a
separate item when the Contractor requires a
separate or additional tack coat to be applied to
an existing surface prior to the construction of
the following course or treatment. When it is
an integral part of a group or Type of Pavement
it is included within the item coverage.
Attention is drawn to Paragraphs 20 to 24 of
Series 700 in which the tack coats are
measured.
4 Repairs to Existing Concrete
Carriageways
The locations and areas of thin bonded repairs
should be shown on the drawings in the
Contract.
5 Regulating Course
It is recommended that where a significant
quantity of regulating material is anticipated
to be required, as in motorway widening
schemes, the regulating course be measured in
cubic metres. Measurement by tonnage will
only be used exceptionally where there will be
significant difficulties in measuring the area.
6 Lower Base and Upper Base
The terms lower base and upper base shall be
applied only when the base is specified to be
constructed with two different materials.

December 2010 1
 Chapter IV - Series 800
Volume 3 - Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road

Series 800
SERIES 800 is not t a k e n up

March 2000
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter- IV - Series 800
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

March 2000 28
 Chapter TV - Series 900
Volume 3 - Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

Series 900
SERIES 900 is not taken up

March 2000 29
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 900
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

March 2000 30
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 1000
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

Series 1000
SERIES 1000 is not taken up

March 2000
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 1000
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

March 2000 32
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 1100
Notes for Guidance on Method of Measurement for Road Works Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas

Series 1100: Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas

1 Steps
The measurement of steps in this Series is
intended for isolated steps and landings (e.g.
steps to communications cabinets in cutting
slopes). The compiler should define on the
drawings in the Contract the extent of the
steps and landings and each complete set of
steps and landings is measured individually at
each individual location. Steps and landings
incorporated in a structure should be measured
in accordance with the appropriate Series of
the MMRW.

____________
December 2010 1
Volume 3 – Section 2 Chapter IV – Series 1200
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Traffic Signs and Road Markings

Series 1200: Traffic Signs and Road Markings

SERIES 1200 is not taken up

March 2011 1
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 1300
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Road Lighting Columns and Brackets

Series 1300
S E R I E S 1300 is n o t t a k e n up

March 2000 37
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 1300
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Road Lighting Columns and Brackets

March 2000 38
 Chapter TV - Series 1400
Volume 3 - Section 2 Electrical Work for Road Lighting
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works and Traffic Signs

Series 1400: Electrical Work for R o a d L i g h t i n g

a n d Traffic Signs
1 Location of Cables
The measurement of quantities for locating
buried cables should only be applied to those
cases where the Engineer requires a length of
cable to be located and should not be applied to
the situation where an end or particular point
has to be found to facilitate a connection or
joint. The latter is covered by Preamble 2(vii) to
the Bill of Quantities and various references
within item coverages. The limits of areas
within which the locating of buried cables is
required should be shown clearly.

2 Earth Electrodes
The exact number of electrodes required is
d e t e r m i n e d according to t h e results of
resistivity surveys on the soils which will be in
contact with the electrodes. Such surveys
c a n n o t be done at t e n d e r stage where
electrodes are to be installed on embankments
or in the bottoms of deep cuttings and it is
suggested that the quantities billed in such
cases are marked "provisional".

March 2000 39
 Chapter TV - Series 1400
Volume 3 - Section 2 Electrical Work for Road Lighting
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works and Traffic Signs

March 2000 40
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 1500
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Motorway Communications

Series 1500: Motorway Communications

1 TV Monitoring to Motorways, Other Roads
and Temporary Diversions for IVaffic
Work which requires either temporary or
permanent TV monitoring to motorways or
other roads and which will by its nature be
Contract-specific, should be billed in
accordance with the various Series of the
Method of M e a s u r e m e n t a n d the overall
principles of the Method of Measurement. For
TV monitoring in connection with works of a
temporary nature such as traffic diversions a
separate item within Series 100 should be
billed rather than extending the item coverage
for traffic diversions, or traffic safety and
management. The Method of Measurement for
these items should be prepared by the compiler
in accordance with the General Principles of
MMRW In the case of permanent works, new
bill i t e m s should be raised following the
principles of Series 1500 and other relevant
Series.

2 Location of Cables
Attention is drawn to the note for guidance on
Series 1400.

3 Application to Non-Motorway Schemes

Where non-motorway schemes involve elements
of communications equipment then the rules in
this Series may still be used, however the title
and references to "Motorway Communications"
should be amended to "Communications". This
should be achieved by a general note at the
s t a r t of Amendments to Chapter IV

March 2000 41
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 1500
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Motorway Communications

March 2000 42
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 1600
Notes for Guidance on Method of Measurement for Road Works Piling and Embedded Retaining Walls

Series 1600: Piling and Embedded Retaining Walls

1 Casings and Linings
Casings and linings are to be regarded as
temporary unless the Contract states
specifically that they are to be left in place.
2 Steel Bearing Piles
If it is anticipated that the final lengths of the
steel bearing piles may differ from those
originally required in the Contract then items
for lengthening or shortening should be
included. In the case of cutting or burning off
surplus, the number admeasured should be of
those piles reaching a set at a length shorter
than originally required and accepted by the
Employer. The item for cutting or burning off
surplus piles applies to both steel bearing piles
and lengthened steel bearing piles.
Anchorages for embedded retaining walls
should be measured in accordance with the
units, measurement and itemisation set out in
Series 600 (paragraphs 122 to 133) expanded
as necessary.
6 King Post Walls
King Post Walls are most often based as
temporary upholding works and measurement
is only required in other cases where they
form part of the permanent Works. In
situations where temporary King Post Walls
are designed by the Employer consideration
should be given to include a Special
Preliminaries item.

3 Embedded Retaining Walls

For diaphragm walls, if other shapes in plan
other than T-shaped or L-shaped are required
by the design (e.g. U-shaped), the wording of
paragraph 63 of Series 1600 may need to be
amended as a departure. In cases where the
shape is more complex it may remove
uncertainty if the developed length is also
indicated on the relevant contract drawing.

Where an embedded retaining wall is required

to have a finishing thickness, such as a brick
panel, this work should be separately
measured in accordance with the units,
measurement and itemisation set out in the
relevant Series of the Method of
Measurement. The cleaning and treatment of
the embedded retaining wall face is included
in the item coverage in paragraphs 65, 69 and
73 of Series 1600 and need not be separately
measured.

4 Instrumentation for Piles and Embedded

Retaining Walls
Instrumentation for piles and embedded
retaining walls should be measured in
accordance with the units, measurement and
itemisation set out in Series 600 (paragraphs
134 to 158) expanded as necessary.

5 Propping and Anchorages for Embedded

Retaining Walls
Props for embedded retaining walls should be
measured in accordance with the units,
measurement and itemisation set out in the
relevant series of the Method of Measurement.

____________
December 2010 1
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 1700
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Structural Concrete

Series 1700: Structural Concrete

1 Curved Formwork
The items for curved formwork in paragraph
13, Group II, Features 5, 6 and 7 are to be used
for any formwork that is required to produce a
p e r m a n e n t curved finish to t h e concrete.
Formwork curved or hogged in construction
before the placement of concrete and designed
to achieve a permanent flat finish shall not be
measured as curved. Formwork required to
produce curved falls and cambers is measured
as curved formwork.

2 F i n i s h e s to Concrete
Unformed finishes (Ul to U5 etc.) should not
be measured. They are covered by the item
coverage in paragraph 4 of Series 1700.

3 U n d e r b r i d g e s and Footbridges
When underbridges up to 8 m span and
footbridges are designed by the Contractor they
are to be measured under Series 2500.

March 2000 45
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 1700
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Structural Concrete

March 2000 46
 Chapter IV - Series 1800
Volume 3 - Section 2 Steelwork for Structures
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

Series 1800: Steelwork for Structures

1 Miscellaneous Metalwork
Items such as cattle grids, culvert grilles and
the like should be included under the above
heading. Many items will be contract-specific
and should be included using the principles of
the MMRW

2 Surface Preparation
It should be noted t h a t in the case of
w e a t h e r i n g steel, blast cleaning after
fabrication is a surface preparation and is
included within the item coverage of paragraph
26, Series 1800.

March 2000 47
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 1800
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Steelwork for Structures

March 2000 48
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 1900
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Protection of Steelwork Against Corrosion

Series 1900
SERIES 1900 is not taken up

March 2000 49
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 1900
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Protection of Steelwork Against Corrosion

March 2000 50
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 2000
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Waterproofing for Structures

Series 2000: Waterproofing for Structures

1 Additional Protective Layers
The Specification r e q u i r e s an additional
protective layer, in the form of a red tinted
bituminous protection, to be laid on those areas
of any waterproofing system that are to be
overlaid with hot rolled surfacing materials.
The Drawings should show these areas and
also other ai-eas that are to be provided with
other types of additional protective layers, such
as a protective concrete screed. These
protective layers are included in the item
coverage for waterproofing a n d are not
measured separately.

March 2000 51
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 2000
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Waterproofing for Structures

March 2000 52
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 2100
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Bridge Bearings

Series 2100
SERIES 2100 is not taken up

March 2000 53
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 2100
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Bridge Bearings

March 2000 54
 Chapter IV - Series 2300
Bridge Expansion Joints
Volume 3 - Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works and Sealing of Gaps

Series 2300
SERIES 2300 is not taken up

57
March 2000
 Chapter IV - Series 2300
Volume 3 - Section 2 Bridge Expansion Joints
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works and Seeding of Gaps

March 2000 58
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 2400
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Brickwork, Blockwork and Stonework

Series 2400: Brickwork, Blockwork a n d

Stonework
1 General
The item coverage applicable to removing from
store and relaying brickwork, blockwork and
stonework includes for replacing items
damaged during removal, cleaning,
transportation and modifications. The
requirements for this work and the expected
recovery of second hand materials should be
detailed in the Contract. Modifications of which
the Contractor was not informed at the time of
tender are not covered by this item coverage.

March 2000 59
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter TV - Series 2400
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Brickwork, Blockwork and Stonework

March 2000 60
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 2500
Notes for Guidance on Method of Measurement for Road Works Structures Designed by the Contractor

Series 2500: Structures Designed by the

Contractor
1 Designated Outlines
The selection of the Designated Outlines on the
drawings in the Contract should be carefully
considered by the compiler. Each Outline
should be sufficiently large to include the
Employers non-proprietary design (where
appropriate) and all the possible options the
Contractor may put forward in accordance with
the design specification. The main requirement
for the Designated Outline is that it should be
clearly defined and fully enclosing.
However, where possible the Outline should
exclude common items such as pavements,
kerbing, safety barriers, service ducts, cables,
headwalls and the like. Where these features
cannot be excluded from the Designated
Outline a schedule should be provided to list
the features which pass through or into the
Designated Outline but which are to be
excluded from the lump sum item and included
in the Roadworks or other Bill. Such items
should not integral parts of the structure to be
designed. The extent of the work excluded from
the lump sum item should be clearly shown
and scheduled
2 Foundations
The item for a footbridge or small span
underbridge designed by the Contractor should
include the foundations necessary for the
structure. The compiler should therefore
ensure that the Designated Outline is
sufficient to enclose such foundations.
3 Alterations Outside the Designated Outline
Any alterations or variations to the Works
outside Designated Outlines or to existing
works as a consequence of the Contractor’s
designs are not to be included in any
measurement. See Preambles to Bill of
Quantities.
4 Detailing of Designated Outlines
Details of the various options for structures to
be designed by the Contractor should be shown
in Appendices 1/10 (A) and (B) of the
Specification.

December 2010 1
Volume 3 - Section 2 Chapter IV - Series 2600
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

March 2000 04
 Chapter TV - Series 2600
Volume 3 - Section 2
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works

Series 2600
S E R I E S 2600 i s n o t t a k e n u p

March 2000
 Chapter IV - Series 2700
Volume 3 - Section 2 Accommodation Works and
Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Road Works Works for Statutory Undertakers

Series 2700: Accommodation Works a n d Works for

Statutory Undertakers
1 General
Where accommodation works and works for
privately and publicly owned services and
supplies are known prior to tendering they
should be billed in accordance with Chapter III
and with the various Series of the MMRW It
might be appropriate to insert provisional
quantities as provided for in Chapter I. If
neither of these options can be used and
accommodation works and works for privately
and publicly owned services and supplies are
anticipated but cannot be defined then a
Provisional Sum may be included in the Bill of
Quantities.

March 2000 65