Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

REPORT 191 PROGRAMMES

SYLLABUS

Quantity Surveying

N5

SUBJECT CODE: 2050004

Implementation: May 2021

1
Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

CONTENTS PAGE

1. General aims 3

2. Specific aims 3

3. Pre-requisite 3

4. Duration 3

5. Evaluation 3

6. Learning content 3

7. Promotional mark of students 3

8. Weighing of modules 4

9. Module 1: Construction processes 5

10. Module 2: Roles and responsibilities of quantity surveying 6-7

11. Module 3: Measurements of

3.1 Sub-structure (Foundation) 8

3.2 Basements 9

3.3 Garden/ Fence Wall 10

3.4 Reinforced concrete structures 11

3.5 Plumbing and drainage 12

3.6 Timber roof construction 13

3.7 Timber window 14

3.8 Door measurements 15-16

3.9 Levelling of uneven ground 17

12. Module 4: Cost estimate 18

2
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

1. General aims

To provide students:

 With the skill to be able to fit in the necessary knowledge, understanding,

abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent
practicing quantity surveyor.
 With the preparation required for careers in construction management
and/quantity surveying.
 The ability to make contribution to the economy and national development.

2. Specific
 To acquire in-depth knowledge to promote measuring skills necessary for the
success of all quantity surveying processes.

3. Pre-requisite
 A student must have passed quantity surveying N4.

4. Duration
 Full-time: 7.5 hours. This instructional offering may also be offered part-time.

5. Evaluation
 Evaluation is conducted continuously by means of term tests. ICASS marks of
40% as well as a minimum examination mark of 40% are required to pass the
minimum instructional offering.

6. Learning content
 WEIGHTING: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analysing, Evaluating
and Creating of learning content are important aspects in determining a
student’s knowledge and understanding of the learning content of the
instructional offering.

Remembering Understanding Applying Analysing Evaluating Creating

10 - 15 20 - 25 20 - 25 30 - 35 10 -15 0-5

7. Promotional Mark for student

 ICASS 40%
External Exam 60%

3
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

MODULES WEIGHTING

1. Construction process.
20

2. Roles and responsibilities of quantity surveying. 20

3. Measurement of
3.1 Foundation
3.2 Basements
3.3 Garden/Fence Wall
3.4 Reinforced concrete structures
3.5 Plumbing and drainage
3.6 Timber roof construction 60
3.7 Timber window
3.8 Door opening measurements
3.9 Levelling of uneven ground
3.10 Cost estimate

Note: The examiner will choose anyone of these sub-modules

for assessment purpose.

TOTAL 100

4
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Module 1: Construction Processes

General Aim

On completion of this module, the student should be able to comprehend and have a
sound knowledge of Quantity Surveying and Construction processes.

LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student must be able to :

Building contracts.  List and explain the following building

contacts, including their advantages and
disadvantages:
o Lump sum contracts
o Labour only contract
o Cost plus contract
o Bill of quantities contract
o Define the schedule of rate

Methods of Tendering  List and explain the following tendering

method, including their advantages
and disadvantages:
o open tendering
o selective tendering
o negotiated tendering
 Explain what a nominated supplier is
and nominated sub-contractor.

Specifications (contract document)  Define specifications

 Explain the role of specifications
 Describe the use of specifications

Contract documents  Describe what the construction

documents are.
 Explain the purpose of construction
documents
 Know how to prepare a contract
document.

Module 1 –Construction processes

5
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Module 2: Roles and responsibilities of quantity surveying

General Aim
On completion of this module the student should be able to describe duties and
responsibilities of a quantity surveyor

LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT
The student must be able to:

Duties of a quantity surveying  Explain the duties of a quantity

surveyor from inception of a project to
the appointment of a main contractor
 Explain the duties of a quantity
surveyor from the appointment of a
main contractor to the finalisation of
the final account
 List the duties of a quantity surveyor
during pre-contract when working for a
contractor
 List the duties of a quantity surveyor
during post-contract when working for
a contractor.

Interim valuations and final account - Describe the valuation for interim
certificate
- Prepare the interim valuation for the
FIRST up to THIRD partial payment
based on the following:
a) Contract period
b) Completion of all earthwork
(100% complete)
c) Percentage of Concrete and
masonry work completed
d) Amount allowed for plumbing
and drainage
e) Value of unfixed material on
site and 10 % retention
- List the items that should be included
when preparing interim valuation
- Prepare final account for final
payment due to the contractor based
on give data

6
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

- Discuss retention fund

- Explain the step that should be
followed when drafting interim
valuation and final account

Variations and variation accounts  Explain the difference between a

variation and variation order
 Describe the nature of variations
 List the causes of variation order
 List the effects of variation order

Module2 –Roles and responsibilities of Quantity Surveying

7
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Module 3:

Sub-module 3.1: Measuring (Foundation)

General Aim

The module aims to enable the student to further understanding of construction technology
and interpretation of construction drawings.

LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student must be able to:

Measurement of foundation Measure using the following specification,

note: (size varies)

Earthwork : Clean the building site

beyond the external brick walls. Excavated
soil must be used for filling.
Concrete : Size varies
Masonry : Ordinary brickwork built in
1:4 cement mortar and the full description of
the type of brick.
Waterproofing: Damp-proof sheeting
reference must be laid between the hard-core
filling and the concrete surface bed
&

 Prepare measurements of sub-

structure up to the underside of
surface bed using the following
foundation take-off list:-
- Site clearance
- Risk of collapse
- water
- Concrete footing
- Foundation wall
- Backfilling
- Hard-core
- Waterproofing and facings
Prepare square, abstract and bill from the
measured items.

Sub-module 3.1 –Measuring (Foundation)

8
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.2: Measuring (Basement)

General Aim

The module aims to enable the student to be able to demonstrate the creation of working
space.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT
The student must be able to:

Foundation basement • Measure the basement foundation using the

following specification, note (size varies)

Earthwork : the site to be cleared 2meters

from the base wall
- Excavation is in ordinary earth
- Excavated soil can be used for filling
- Excess soil must be carted away to a
dumping site approximately 10 kilometres
from the building site.
- Allow 1m ‘working space’ horizontally from
the external half brick skin wall

Concrete: 25 Mpa (varies)

Brickwork: Local stock bricks

: 1:4 cement mortar
: face bricks externally
&
Prepare measurement of basement from the
following take-off list:-
 Site clearance
 Bulk excavation
 Risk of collapse and water
 Basement trench
 Concrete footing and concrete wall
 Working space
 Basement wall and half brick wall
 Backfilling and hard-core
 Waterproofing
 Facings
 Internal plaster
 Grano screed, Grano skirting
 Asphalt membrane (horizontal and
vertical) waterproofing
Prepare
- squaring, abstracting and billing from
the measured items.

Sub-Module 3.2 – Basement

9
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.3: Garden /Fence wall

General aim

On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate the measurement of
Fence/Garden wall.

LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student must be able to:

Measure Garden/fence wall Measure using the following specification,

note (size varies)
Earthworks: -
- Clean the site (1,500 metres or
1500mm)
- Excavation in soft soil
Concrete: -
- 15 mpa
Masonry: -
- Ordinary bricks built in stretcher bond
- Face brick on both sides, two course
below ground level
- 1:4 cement mortar
Precast concrete: -
- coping size 430 x 150 mm
Carpentry and joinery: -
76 x 110mm solid timber door frame
&
Prepare measurement of fence/garden wall
from the following take-off list:-
 Site clearance
 Excavation
 Risk of collapse
 Water
 Concrete footing
 Concrete coping
 One and half brick wall
 Backfilling
 Damp proof coarse
 Facings
 Plaster
Prepare square, abstract and bill from the
measured items.

Sub-Module 3.3 –Garden / Fence wall

10
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.4: Reinforced Concrete Structure

General aim
On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate the measurement of
concrete columns, slabs and beams
LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT
The student must be able to:

Reinforced concrete structure • Measure using the following specification,

measurements note (size varies)
Earthworks: -
- Clean the site (2metres) size varies
all around the concrete structure
- Excavation in soft or firm soil
Concrete: -
- 25Mpa for slabs and beams
- 30 Mpa for bases and columns
- The height of the columns is
measured from the top of the
concrete bases to the underside of
the beams.
Steel Reinforcement: - Allow a provisional
sum of R30 000 (Amount may vary).

&
Prepare measurement of concrete columns,
slabs and beams from the following take-off
list:-

 Site clearance
 Excavation
 Risk of collapse
 Water
 Concrete in bases
 Concrete in beams and slabs
 Concrete columns
 Formwork in bases
 Formwork columns
 Formwork to slabs and beams
 Working space
 Provisional sums

Prepare square, abstract and bill from the

measured items.

Sub-module3.4 – Reinforced concrete structure

11
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.5: Plumbing and Drainage

General aim

On completion of this module, the student should be able to describe the traditional system
using manhole and to measure plumbing and drainage.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT
The student must be able to:

Plumbing and Drainage measurements Measure using the following specification,

note (size varies)
- Excavation in soft or firm soil
- 15 Mpa mass concrete
- Plaster bricks
- 1:4 cement mortar
- 100 mm Diameter UPVC pipes
- 100 mm Diameter PVC vent pipe with
plain bend below ground level
- 100 x 100 x 100 mm heel T-Junction.
- 100 mm plastic vent cover
- 100 mm head and gulley P-trap
- 650 x 450 mm cast iron cover and
frame
- The distance from the ground level to
the roof level is 2.4m
- Allow for testing of the sewer system
- Allow for a provisional sum of
R15000 (Amount varies) for the
municipal sewer connection.
What are the features of the traditional
manhole drainage system?
How is drainage work measured?
Carry out the measurement of Plumbing and
Drainage systems which include the
following take off list:

 Manhole (in number) and vent pipe,

pipe in ground including all extras,
pipe work must be measured from
the inside of the manhole as required
by Method B in the standard system
of measuring work.

Sub-module3.5 – Plumbing and drainage

12
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.6: Timber roof construction

General aim

On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate how to measure a
lean to roof construction, a roof with a gable end and a hip end, a bolted or nailed trusses
and prefabricated trusses.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT
The student must be able to:

Roof measurement 
Measure using the following specification,
note (size varies
Carpentry and Joinery: -
 All timbers are Sawn South African
Pine
 Wrought (smooth) all exposed
timbers
 114 x 38 mm wall plate
 Treat wall plate with oil
 200 x 30mm Timber fascia and barge
boards
Painting: -
 Knot, prime, and paint all exposed
timbers.
Metalwork: -
 10 mm Diameter mild bolts with one
nut and two washers
 Mild steel timber connectors between
timbers.
Roof covering: -
 Plain cement roof tiles 265 x 165 mm
laid to 60 mm lap on 38 x 38 mm
battens
 Timber battens and approved
insulation below battens
250 mm half round ridge and hip tiles.
&
Prepare measurement of timber roof
structure from the following take-off list:-
 Wall plate and treatment
 Hip rafter and roof coverings
 Fascia’s and barge board
 Full \ half trusses and jack trusses
 Sprockets

Sub-module3.6 – Timber roof construction

13
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.7: Timber Window

General aim

On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate how timber windows
are measured and how glazing sizes are calculated.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT
The student must be able to:

Measurement of Window. 
Measure using the following specification,
note (size varies
Carpentry and Joinery: -
- All timbers to be Meranti
Painting: -
- Prime back for frame
- Two coats clear varnish to exposed
timber surfaces
Ironmongery: -
- Brass hinges, two per fanlight and
three per sash
- Brass stay and fixing pin to sash and
fanlight.
Glazing: -
- 3 mm thick clear float glass.
 State the different categories for
measuring glazing.
 Calculate glazing sizes from the
given drawing.
 Define construction joint
 Define expansion joint
&
Prepare measurement of timber window
from the following take-off list:-

Frame: Stiles ,head ,sill ,transom, mullion,

priming, vanish, fanlights and sash:

Varnish
Glazing
Ironmongery

Sub-module3.7 –Timber & casement window

14
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.8: Door opening measurement

General aim

On completion of this module the student should be able to interpret door drawing and
demonstrate the measurement of door openings formed in cavity walls.

LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student must be able to:

Measuring of door opening

Measure using the following specification, note
(size varies)
Concrete: -
- 15Mpa and 100 mm surface bed
Masonry: -
- Ordinary brickwork
- Face brickwork externally
- 114 x 75 mm prefabricated lintels
Carpentry and Joinery: -
- 2032 x 813 x 44 mm Meranti three panel
door
- 110 x 76 mm solid Meranti door frame
- 75 x 19 mm timber skirting internally
Plastering: -
- 19 mm thick plaster
- 25 mm thick cement mortar screed.
Floor covering: -
- Vinyl floor tiles
Ironmongery: -
- 100 x 45 mm brass butt hinges
- Three lever mortise door lock and
furniture
- Stainless steel door anchors (three both
sides of the frame)
- 40 mm weather bar
Painting: -
- Two coats clear vanish on All exposed
timber surfaces
- Prime coat to backs of the frame
- Two coats PVA paint to plaster surfaces.

&

15
Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Prepare measurement of door opening from the

following take-off list:-

Measure different types of doors, frame

and adjustments using the following take
off list
- Door
- Paint to door
- Door frame
- Paint to door frame
- Ironmongery
Adjustment: -
- Deduct wall
- External facings and facings to reveals
and head
- Internal plaster and paint to reveals and
head
- Concrete in threshold
- Build cavities solid

Sub-module3.8 –Door opening measurement

16
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Sub-module 3.9: Levelling of uneven ground

General aim

On completion of this module the student should be able to demonstrate the method used to
measure open faced bulk excavation and calculations of average depths areas.

LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student must be able to:

Open faced bulk excavations.

Measure using the following specification, note
(size varies)
-Excavation in firm ground
-Excess material to be carted away
-Allow 10% for soft rock and 5% for hard
rock
- The spot levels provided are in relation
to a datum level of 80,000 m (level may
vary)
- The area must be leveled to a level of
75,500 m (level may vary)
- Calculate average depth of an uneven
ground.
- Calculate waste collection of the areas
&
Prepare measurement of levelling of uneven
ground from the following take-off list:-
 Excavation,
 Cart away
 Compaction
 Soft rock
 Hard rock

Sub-module 3.9 –Levelling of uneven ground

17
 Syllabus: Quantity Surveying N5

Module 4: Cost estimate

General Aim

On completion of this module the student should be able to understand the principles
involved in both pre and post contract cost management processes associated with building
projects.

LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student must be able to:

 Explain the difference between cost, price

Cost management and value from differing perspectives
associated with building project
 List and explain four major step of cost
management in construction
 Discuss the process followed by the
building contractor in preparing a
competitive bid for the building work.

Module 4 – Cost Estimate

Compiled by: Ms Elizabeth Mdiniswa

Mr Masilo Aaron Makhwiting
Mrs Lizzy Nephawe

18