Quantity Surveying N4 Study Guide

Quantity Surveying N4 Study Guide

General Overview

  • Title: National Certificate in Civil Engineering N4 - Quantity Surveying N4 Study Guide
  • Provider: CTU Training Solutions
  • Course Duration: Full-time: 7.5 hours per week; part-time options available.
  • Evaluation: Continuous assessments (term tests, class tests) with Integrated Continuous Assessment (ICASS) and external DHET exams.

Table of Contents

  1. Aim
  2. Course Objective
  3. Duration
  4. Subject Level Focus
  5. Assessment
    • Internal Assessment
    • External Assessment
  6. Learning Content
    • Modules Overview
    • Module Details
  7. Typical Examination Questions
1. Aim
  • Equip students with knowledge to manage cost estimations for civil engineering projects.
2. Course Objective
  • Acquire in-depth cost estimation and measurement skills through standard measurement documentation.
3. Duration
  • 7.5 hours per week (full-time).
4. Subject Level Focus
  • Recognition of student's knowledge across various cognitive levels: recall, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
5. Assessment
Internal Assessment
  • Continuous assessments are conducted to prepare students for final examinations.
  • Minimum requirements: 40% in ICASS term marks and external exams.
  • Types of internal assessments include quizzes, tests, observations, discussions, etc.
  • Specific assessments to complete before final exams:
    • Test 1: 30% of total marks
    • Test 2: 70% of total marks
External Assessment
  • Registration with DHET is mandatory to take external examinations.
  • Examination is conducted in July and November annually.
  • The question paper is prepared, marked, and moderated externally.
6. Learning Content
  • Modules with specified weightings:
    • Module 1: Quantity surveying in construction industry (20%)
    • Module 2: Office procedures for Bill of Quantities (10%)
    • Module 3: Recording of measurements (10%)
    • Module 4: Measurement of structures (40%)
    • Covers sub-structure, super-structure, roof-structure, and openings (doors, windows, plain openings).
    • Module 5: Working Up (10%)
    • Module 6: Price analysis and estimating (10%)
7. Typical Examination Questions
  • Examples include calculating cost estimations, measuring foundations, and interpreting tender documents.

Module 1: Quantity Surveying in Construction Industry

General Aim
  • Understanding the role and duties of quantity surveying in construction.
Learning Content
Definitions
  • Quantity Surveying: A profession focused on cost management and budget oversight in construction projects, from planning to completion.
  • Quantity Surveyor: A professional managing construction costs and contracts, ensuring accurate financial estimates and documentation.
Important Qualities of a Good Quantity Surveyor
  • Clarity in communication, knowledge of construction materials, precision in calculations, and visualization skills.
Duties of a Quantity Surveyor
  • Pre-contract Work: Services before contract signing (estimates, budgets).
  • Post-contract Work: Services from commencement to completion (final account settlement).
Types of Building Contracts
  • Lump-sum, Labour-only, Cost-plus, Bill of quantities contracts.
Standard System of Measuring Building Work
  • Issued by the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors.
  • A guide for creating uniform Bills of Quantities used in construction tenders.

Module 2: Office Procedures Related to Production of Bill of Quantities

General Aim
  • Understanding office procedures linked to producing Bill of Quantities.
Key Terms in Quantity Surveying
  • Circular Work: Circular forms of construction.
  • Measured Net: Actual measurements for tendering processes.
  • Variation Order: Adjustments to tender prices.
  • Interim Money / Retention Fund: Funds to retain until project completion.
  • Taking Off: The process of measuring quantities from drawings.
Receiving and Preparing Drawings
  • Procedures for checking dimensions and ensuring accuracy.
  • Importance of documenting errors or queries and maintaining a register for drawings received.
Measurement Lists and Query Lists
  • Essential for ensuring all necessary spatial elements are accounted for before construction.

Module 3: Recording of Measurements

General Aim
  • Development of measurement skills according to established rules.
Key Procedures
  • Trade-by-Trade vs. Group Method: Approaches to recording measurements.
  • Practical applications of dimension papers: describing and quantifying work accurately.
  • Types of dimensions: mean girth, centerline measurements.
Techniques for Measurement
  • Rules for jotting down measurements, using terms, and avoiding duplications through bracketed records or dotting.

Module 4: Measurement

4.1 Sub-structure Measurement
  • Focuses on foundational elements, site clearance, and excavation.
  • Excavation Procedures: Proper classification and measurement of different soil types and materials consequential for estimating.
Key Definitions
  • Site Clearance: Removal of obstructions (e.g. stumps, roots).
  • Excavation: Movement or displacement of soil/rock.
  • Concrete Types: Specifications and measurements for different concrete applications.
4.2 Super-structure Measurement
  • Covers elements built above foundations, including walls and roofing processes.
4.3 Measurement of Roof-structure
  • Methods and materials for roofing, including timber types and roofing covers.
4.4-4.6 Measurements of Doors, Windows, and Plain Openings
  • Definitions and specifics related to measurements of structural openings in buildings, including allowance for different finishes and adjustments.

Module 5: Working Up

General Aim
  • Understanding the compilation of measurements into clear billing documents.
Steps in Working Up
  1. Squaring: Calculating total amounts from dimensions.
  2. Abstracting: Organizing similar measurements into summary forms.
  3. Billing: Writing out bills based on abstracts for tender purposes.

Module 6: Price Analysis and Estimating

General Aim
  • Develop estimation skills for construction projects, including materials and labor costs.
Key Tasks
  • Calculate productivity rates, construction costs, and material estimates using formulas and established rates.

Typical Examination Questions Examples

  • Students should be prepared to handle a range of questions from detailed calculations in construction to definitions of industry-specific terms.
Conclusion
  • These study notes provide a comprehensive guide for students covering objectives, assessment criteria, module content, and practical applications relating to Quantity Surveying N4 at CTU Training Solutions.