Abbreviations Used in Construction Industry - Part 6 (T to Z)

Dear Readers, 

This is the continuation of Part 5 and the final segment of construction industry acronyms. Construction management is a highly specialized field that necessitates the use of specific acronyms and abbreviations to facilitate clear communication and efficient management of complex projects. Construction estimating abbreviations play a vital role in calculating the costs of materials, labor, and equipment required to successfully complete a project.

In the realm of construction project management, acronyms play a crucial role streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency among project managers, contractors, and other stakeholders.

351) TA – Technical Advisor.

352) TB – Tie Beam.

353) TBC – To be Confirmed.

354) TCP – Traffic Control Plan – It is a crucial document utilized in the construction industry to ensure the safe and efficient management of traffic in and construction sites. It comprises a comprehensive set of drawings and specifications detailing how traffic will be controlled during various phases, employing signage, signals, pavement markings, and barricades.

355) TIG – Tungsten Inert Gas and is technically called gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

356) Thk. – Thick.

357) TLT – Toilet.

358) TOB – Top of Beam.

359) TOC – Top of Concrete.

360) TOS – Top of Slab / Steel.

361) TOW – Top of Wall.

362) TPI – Third Party Inspection / Inspector.

363) TQM – Total Quality Management.

364) TST – Total Station Theodolite. 

365) TYP. – Typical. In plans and drawings, the term “TYP.” indicates that a particular characteristic or detail applies to the same elements on the same page, view, or drawing. The term is analogous to “ditto.”

366) UB – Universal Beam.

367) UC – Universal Column.

368) UL – Upper Level.

369) UNO – Unless Noted Otherwise.

370) UOM – Unit of Measurement.

371) UPS – Un-interrupted Power Supply.

372) U/S – Underside.

373) UT – Ultrasonic Test.

374) UTS – Ultimate Tensile Strength. The maximum stress a material subjected to a stretching load can withstand without tearing.

375) UV – Ultra Violet.

376) VAT – Value Added Tax. 

377) VE (Value Engineering) – A process for improving the value of a construction project while reducing costs.

378) VI – Visual Inspection.

379) VO – Variation Order.

380) VOC – Volatile Organic Compound – This is an organic chemical with a high vapor pressure at room temperature. VOCs are usually responsible for the Odor of scents, perfumes, and pollutants. Some VOCs are harmful to humans and the environment. In the context of indoor air quality, these compounds may not be acutely toxic but can have long-term impacts on health.

381) VR (Virtual Reality) – The Use of Technology to Create an Immersive, Computer-Generated Experience.

382) Water Management – The Management and Control of Water in a Construction Project, Including Drainage and Runoff.

383) WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) – A Hierarchical Breakdown of a Project into Smaller, More Manageable Components.

384) W&C – Wrapping & Coating.

385) WIP – Work in Progress.

386) Wldr. – Welder.

387) WLL – Working Load Limit.

388) WMF – Wire Mesh Fence.

389) WO – Work Order.

390) Workforce Management – The Process of Managing and Coordinating the Construction Workforce.

391) WP’s / WI’s – Work Procedures / Method Statements / Work Instructions. It is used to prepare before commencement of execution / works.

392) WPQR – Welding Procedure Qualification Record

393) WPS – Welding Procedure Specification.

394) WQT – Welder Qualification Test.

395) WRM – Weekly Review Meeting.

396) WTP – Water Treatment Plant. 

397) WWF – Welded Wire Fabric – Sometimes called welded wire mesh, this is a grid of uniformly placed wires that provides flexural strength in concrete slabs, similar to rebar.

398) XRD – X-Ray Diffraction.

399) Yield Strength – it is the measurement of the amount of force that can be exerted on a material before it permanently deforms. Another name of yield strength is “Elastic Limit”.

400) ZOI – Zone of Influence.

Overtime (OT) for Construction Works

Dear Readers,

Construction Industry is the major employment creator for the (manpower) workforce. It is directly linked with country growth and infrastructures development. To meet the project schedule, extended working hours are the integral part of construction activities. 

If work time exceeds the fixed hours, employees be entitled to overtime payment rules for such hours or part of hour. This is paid at a higher rate than regular working hours. Also an Employee can work different work shifts according to their working hours, if available. But, the essential point is that employee need to be productive and complete their tasks then only overtime will be considered.

There are several laws in India which govern the maximum overtime hours allowed in India and also provide for an overtime calculation formula in India. Based on the industry one works for, the overtime payment rules vary. Some workplace may be governed by the central laws while the other might be a subject of state laws. Knowing employee rights may empower the working class.

In Construction Industry practice 11 hours daily work time inclusive of overtime and excluding lunch break. a person is entitled to be paid overtime wages twice his ordinary rate of wages in case he/ she is required to work for more than 9 hours a day or more than 48 hours in a week. The wages mentioned here is equivalent to the basic wages along with allowances, but does not include any bonus or other overtime wages. In case a worker is paid on a ‘piece rate’ basis, time rate will be calculated on the basis of previous month and the amount of overtime wages will be calculated accordingly. 

In any case, the overtime payment rules do not regard the gross salary. But if there is no statutory obligation and the employer wishes to reward the hard-working employees voluntarily, overtime payment rules in India do not restrict the same. In such a case, whether overtime is paid on basic or gross in India is the employer’s choice.

Know Your GST Identification

Dear Readers,

Wish You a Happy May Day - 2025

The GST number, known as GSTIN, stands for Goods and Services Tax Identification Number. GST is a comprehensive indirect tax on Goods and Services in India. It is a 15-digit tax identification number issued by the government of India to registered taxpayers. Any individual, company, or partnership firm registering under GST is assigned this identification number.

GSTIN consists of 15 digits. These are 15 alphanumeric characters, each has a specific purpose. First 2 digits represent the state of registration. Next 10 characters represent the PAN number of the GSTIN holder. Next is a digit which shows the number of registration against a single PAN number in a state. Next is Z which is common for all. In the end it's either an alphabet or a number which is a check digit.

First 2 digits : State Code of India

3-12 alphanumeric characters : PAN of Person / Company/ Service 

13 digit : Number of registrations in a single state

14 alphabate : Z, common for all

15 alphabet or number: Check sum digit.

State Codes.

To Know more about PAN Card click Here

Rate Analysis for Construction Works (Part-2)

 Dear Readers,

This is continuation of my previous post. 

Basic Components of Rate Analysis is L+M+P and OHP shall be added further. 

        L = Labour

        M = Materials 

        P = Plant & Machinery

        OHP = Over Head & Profit

Let us discuss about calculation of Labour cost. Labour cost always denoted in the name of Man Day cost " MD Cost". Man Day Costs consists of ABW, Over time charges and Terminal Benefits. While calculating labour wages, we should always consider the terminal benefits. It is directly linked with basic wage.

        For Labour wages, it is always preferring to consider minimum wages declared by state government or central government, which is followed by the particular project.

        Generally, government declare / revise the minimum wages every six months. 

  Labour wages are categorized as follows

     High Skilled (Millwright Fitter, Fabricator, Foreman, IBR Welder etc.,)

     Skilled (Fitter, Carpenter, Mason, Grinder, Gas Cutter, Rigger etc.,)

      Semi-Skilled (Khalasi, Driller, Asst. Fitter etc.,)

      Un Skilled (Helper, Male Coolie etc.,)

        Generally, wage hike will be 3% subject to inflection and other government factors

Based on the above factors wages to be considered in rate analysis. (If the duration is more than six months, take the average wages consider the wage revision)

If the particular work duration is 20 months, then it may take two revisions

Consider 3% revision on basic wages every time and take the average of 3 rates.

If the privilege rates are higher than government minimum wages, then you may consider market rate and workout the average.

From the above example it is noticed that present rate of High skilled rate is Rs. 338.96, However, for rate analysis purpose we may consider Rs.349.23.

To determine the labor cost, it is essential to understand the Average Basic Wages (ABW) and Terminal Benefits

To know more about ABW Click Here.

To Know more about Terminal Benefits, Click Here

Abbreviations Used in Construction Industry - Part 5 (Q to S)

 Dear Readers, 

This is continuation of Part-4. Successful project delivery includes both written and oral communication is more important. For communication it is mandatory to understand the acronyms and terms used in construction industry. 

291) QA – Quality Assurance – Quality assurance is the overall process. It is the term used in both manufacturing and service industries to describe the systematic efforts taken to assure that the product delivered to customer meet with the contractual and other agreed upon performance, design, reliability, and maintainability expectations of that customer.

292) QC – Quality Control. It is part of the QA process. It's the actual testing and checking of the product. QC focuses on the product to find defects that remain after development.

293) Qlty. – Quality.

294) QMS – Quality Management System.

295) Qty. – Quantity. 

296) QS – Quantity Surveyor.

297) QSC – Quantity Survey Codes.

298) QSPC – Quick-Setting Portland Cement.

299) Quality Assurance – The Process of Verifying that a Construction Project Meets Quality Standards.

300) Quality Control – Ensuring A Construction Project Meets Quality Standards.

301) RCA – Root Cause Analysis. Also called as a Fishbone Analysis. 

302) RCC – Reinforced Cement Concrete.

303) R&D – Research & Development

304) RE – Resident Engineer – In construction, an RE is an engineer who supervises fieldwork on behalf of an owner, client, or design consultant.

305) REBAR (Reinforcing Bar) – This is the reinforcing steel (as opposed to structural steel) that is embedded in structural concrete to allow a member to resist tension, flexing, bending, and torsion.

306) Recon. – Reconciliation.

307) RFI (Request for Information) – A Document Used to Request Clarification or Additional Information from a Contractor or Supplier.

308) RFI (Request for Inspection) – It is Inspection call notice of the works/ Products.

309) RFP (Request for Proposal) – A Request for a Detailed Proposal from a Contractor or Supplier for a Specific Project or Product.

310) RFQ (Request for Quotation) – A Request for a Price Quote for Materials or Services in a Construction Project.

311) RH – Relative Humidity.

312) RHS – Right Hand Side. 

313) Risk Management – The Process of Identifying and Mitigating Potential Risks in a Construction Project.

314) RMC – Ready Mix Concrete, often abbreviated as RMC, is a type of concrete that is manufactured in a batch plant according to a set engineered mix design. This ready-mix concrete definition emphasizes that it is produced under controlled conditions and then delivered to a construction site in a ready-to-use state.

315) RND – Record Notes of Discussion.

316) ROO (Roof Overhang) – The part of a roof that extends beyond the exterior walls of a building.

317) Roofing – The Material and Components Cover the Roof of a Building.

318) RT – Radiography Test (X-ray test).

319) RTR – Reliability Test Run. 

320) Safety – The Measures Taken to Prevent Accidents and Injuries on a Construction Site.

321) SAW – Submerged Arc Welding.

322) SCBL – Sub-Contractor Bill.

323) SCC – Special Contract Clauses. It is always superseding the GCC.

324) Schedule – A Timeline for a Construction Project That Outlines Key Milestones and Deadlines.

325) Schedule Of Values – A Document that Outlines the Distribution of Construction Project Payments.

326) SCM – Supply Chain Management.

327) Site Logistics – The Planning and Coordination of Construction Site Activities to Ensure Efficiency and Safety.

328) Site Preparation – The Preparation of a Construction Site for the Start of Construction.

329) SLI – Safe Load Indicator, it is a device installed in mobile or portal crane to alert the operator if load exceeds the safety measure of crane.

330) Smart Building – A Building Equipped with Advanced Technology to Optimize Energy Efficiency and Comfort.

331) SMAW – Shielded metal arc welding. also known as manual metal arc welding (MMA or MMAW), flux shielded arc welding or informally as stick welding

332) SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) – A documented procedure for a routine task in construction.

333) SOR (Schedule of Rates) – A Document that Outlines unit rates and scope quantities.

334) SOW (Statement of Work) – A Document that Outlines the Scope, Deliverables, And Timeline of a Construction Project.

335) SPT – Standard Penetration Test.

336) SQ. CM – Square Centi meter.

337) SQ. FT – Square Feet.

338) SQ. IN – Square Inches.

339) SQM – Square Metre.

340) SS – Stainless Steel.

341) SSD (Site Specific Data) – Data specific to a construction site, such as soil conditions, topography, and utility locations.

342) Stakeholder Analysis – The Process of Identifying and Evaluating the Interests and Influence of Stakeholders in a Construction Project.

343) Stakeholder Management – The Process of Managing and Communicating with All Stakeholders Involved in a Construction Project.

344) Std. – Standard.

345) Stl – Steel.

346) Strl – Structural. 

347) Subcontractor (S/c)– A Company or Individual Who Performs Work for a Contractor on a Construction Project.

348) Submittal – Documentation or Materials Submitted for Review and Approval in a Construction Project.

349) Sustainability – The Practice of Designing and Constructing Buildings and Infrastructure in an Environmentally Responsible Manner.

350) SWL – Safe Working Load. It is defined as the maximum safe load that the lifting equipment can lift, move, suspend, and lower down to the ground without any problem of breaking.

Rate Analysis for Construction Works (Part-1)

Dear Readers,

Wish You a Happy Republic Day 2025.

Rate analysis plays a crucial role in the construction industry and is considered an art. Preparing a rate analysis is not as simple as collecting quotations from other agencies, which is the usual practice in the industry. If you are experienced with similar projects, you may be aware of the pitfalls; however, if you lack familiarity, others may mislead you, which could erode your profit margin.

What is mean by Rate Analysis? What is the purpose and What are the advantages? Let us Discuss.

 

To establish the price of a specific item, the elements influencing its cost are meticulously examined before setting its final rate. This procedure for ascertaining an item's pricing is known as rate analysis.

It is based on scientific assessment of inputs of Labour, Material, Consumables, Plant and Machinery in various items of work normally encountered in projects.

The rate of particular item of work depends on the following:

        Specifications of works and material about their quality, proportion and constructional operation method.

        Quantity of materials and their costs.

        Cost of labours and their wages.

        Operation Cost & Hire charges of P&M

        Location of site of work and the distances from source and conveyance charges.

        Overhead and establishment charges

        Profit

Rate Analysis- Purpose

        To work out the actual cost of per unit of the items.

        To work out the economical use of materials and processes in completing the particulars item.

        To work out the cost of extra items which are not provided in the contract bond, but are to be done as per the directions of the department.

        To revise the schedule of rates due to increase in the cost of material and labour or due to change in technique.

        The rates of Materials and Labour are changing from place to place, therefore the rates of different items of work also changes from place to place

        Rate Analysis are required before commencement of Work

        It is a guide to cross check with actuals during execution. 

Rate Analysis- Advantages

        

To assess various quantities of Labour, materials, machinery, money and to effect economy by using alternatives and to optimize the resources

        To compare the costs with sanctioned amount and to take action for regularization of excess/ less cost

        To assess the rates payable for deviations, extra items of work to the sub-contractor

        To work out the budget and cash flows at various stages of the work and arranging interim/ final payments

        To detect irrational rates quoted by sub-contractors

        To serve as basic data in case of disputes that may arise at a later stage

Basic Requirements for Rate Analysis

        Scope of Subcontract

        Brief scope of Work

        Duration of Work

        Minimum Wages of Labour

        Rate and frequency of labour wage revision 

        Proportionate element of terminal benefits such as bonus, gratuity

        Overtime requirement

        ABW (Average Basic Wages) and MD (Man day) rate 

        Cost of Materials & Consumables including its wastages

        Hire Charges of Plant & Machinery

        Operating Cost of Plant & Machinery

        Productivity of resources

Special Points to be considered for Rate Analysis. Following points are considered while preparing Rate analysis:

        Landing Cost of Material:

                Cost of materials includes the supplier’s price, transportation, loading/ unloading, haulage to site, handling for incorporation into the work, wastages/breakage/pilferage, storage charges, deterioration on storage, returning of empty bags/ cases and taxes and other incidentals.

        Specification of Materials:

                Generally, the basic materials shall conform to the relevant Indian standards. 

                Where no such standards exist the relevant British/ American standards in so far as they are applicable could be followed.

         Existing Labour Union Activities:

                Terminal benefits of workmen

                Privilege wages for workmen Vs Minimum Wages

        Scope of Statutory Compliance

                PF Compliance

                Insurance policy

        Percentage profits & overhead charges:

                Sub Contractor profit normally varies from 5 to 10%. 

                Overheads vary from 3 to 7 ½%. 

                The total element of overheads and profit shall not normally exceed 17 ½% on estimated rates. This should be restricted to 10% if paid bills/ days work is considered.

Will be Continued....

Abbreviations Used in Construction Industry - Part 4 (M to P)

Dear Readers, 

This continues from Part-3. For both seasoned professionals and newcomers, grasping construction management acronyms, construction estimating abbreviations, and construction project management acronyms is crucial for industry success.

Understanding a list of construction abbreviations is crucial. Recognizing these abbreviations is the initial step in learning to read construction blueprints.

221) M-Book – Measurement Book. It is used for work certification of executed quantity.

222) Mat’l – Material used for Construction.

223) Material Management (MM) – The Process of Managing and Coordinating the Delivery of Materials to a Construction Site.

224) M/c – Machine. Hand tool machines used for grinding, drilling, cutting operations.

225) MD – Man-Days is the cumulative product of no. of persons involved in work & no. of days they worked each. Generally, in construction involving labour, man days is very important feature to estimate amount work force needed and to quantify that.

226) MDL – Master Document / Drawing List. It is targeted at the following User Project Roles: Document Controllers (DC) with Owner's PM Team, Consultants, Contractors, and Specialist Contractors. Design Managers and their key review team members who will oversight design and shop drawings review & approval.

227) Mediation – A Form of Alternative Dispute Resolution Where a Neutral Third Party Facilitates Negotiations Between Disputing Parties.

228) MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, And Plumbing) – The Systems and Components of a Building That Provide Heating, Cooling, Electrical Power, and Plumbing.

229) MIG – Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is an arc welding process that uses a continuous solid wire electrode heated and fed into the weld pool from a welding gun.

230) MIS – Management Information System. It is a planned system of the collecting, processing, storing and disseminating data in the form of information needed to carry out the functions of management. The term usually refers to business operations not engineering.

231) MM – Man Month. It is similar to Man Day but calculated per month.

232) MOH – Materials on Hand. This refers to materials that have been purchased specifically for a project. In construction, this typically refers to materials that have been procured, but not yet installed. Physical Stock.

233) MoU – Memorandum of Understanding. It is a nonbinding agreement that states each party's intentions to take action, conduct a business transaction, or form a new partnership. This type of agreement may also be referred to as a letter of intent (LOI) or memorandum of agreement (MOA).

234) MP – Monthly Plan. It shows the monthly target and in line with the project schedule.

235) MPCS – Management Planning and Control System.

236) MPR – Monthly Progress Report.

237) MPT – Magnetic Particle Test.

238) MRC – Material Receipt Certificate.

239) MRM – Monthly Review Meeting.

240) MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) – A Document That Provides Information About the Hazards of a Chemical Substance.

241) MQP – Manufacturing Quality Plan. It is a basic test requirement during manufacturing process.

242) MTC / MTR – Material Test Certificate / Material Test Report.

243) MTO – Material Take-Off.

244) N/A – Not Applicable.

245) NCR – Non-Conformance Report / Non-Conformity Report.

246) NDA – Non-Disclosure Agreement.

247) NDCT – Natural Draft Cooling Tower.

248) NDT – Non-Destructive Test.

249) Negotiation – The Process of Discussing and Reaching a Mutually Agreed-Upon Resolution in a Construction Project.

250) NOC – No Objection Certificate.

251) N/S or F/S – Near Side or Far Side. It is used in structural fabrication drawing.

252) NTP – Notice to Proceed – This is a formal letter from an owner or director to a contractor or consultant to start work. It is usually the official start of contract time.

253) NTS – Not to Scale. “Not to scale" means the drawing is larger or smaller than real.

254) O2 – Oxygen gas.

255) O.C. – On Center – In dimensional callouts, on-center indicates the spacing between the center of an item or component and adjacent items or components, such as reinforcing steel, columns, footings, rails, etc. It’s the same as C.C. or “center-to-center.” It is distinct from “clear spacing.”

256) OH – Over Head. 

257) O&M – Operations & Maintenance.

258) OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer. 

259) OPC – Ordinary Portland Cement.

260) OPEX – Operational Expenditure.

261) OSBL – Outside Battery Limit. It is the barricading of work limits.

262) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) – A Federal Agency Responsible for Establishing and Enforcing Safety Standards in the Workplace.

263) OSL – Overhead Slab Level.

264) PAC – Plasma Arc Cutting. An arc cutting process using a constricted arc to remove the molten metal.

265) Paving – The Process of Laying Down a Surface for a Road, Parking Lot, Or Other Surface Area.

266) PAW – Plasma Arc Welding. An arc welding process that uses a constricted arc between a non-consumable electrode and the weld pool

267) PBG – Performance Bank Guarantee.

268) PCC – Portland Cement Concrete.

269) PD – Project Director, who holds end to end responsibility of that project.

270) P&ID – Piping and Instrumentation Diagram.

271) Plumbing Services – The Provision of Plumbing Services for A Construction Project.

272) P&M – Plant & Machinery. (Construction Equipment's)

273) PM – Project Manager, who manage the execution of Project.

274) PMG (Project Management Group) – The Planning, Execution, And Closing of Construction Projects Within Budget, Timeline, And Scope.

275) PMP (Project Management Professional) – A professional designation for project managers.

276) PO – Purchase Order. It is (PO) a legally binding document that confirms a business's intent to buy goods or services from a supplier.

277) P&OD – Personal and Organization Development. 

278) PPC – Portland Pozzolana Cement. PPC is a type of blended cement comprising Portland clinker, pozzolana particles and gypsum in certain specific proportions.

279) PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) – Equipment Worn to Minimize Exposure to a Variety of Hazards.

280) PQP – Project Quality Plan. sometimes referred to as a quality management plan, quality assurance plan or project quality management plan, is a project-specific quality plan that describes the activities, standards, tools and processes necessary to achieve quality in the delivery of a project

281) PR – Purchase Request. A purchase requisition is an internal document used by a department or individual within an organization to request the acquisition of goods or services. It is essentially a formal request.

282) Pre-Construction Services – Services Provided Before the Actual Construction Process Begins, Such as Design and Planning.

283) Procurement – The Process of Acquiring Materials, Equipment, And Services for a Construction Project.

284) Project Scope – The Defined Boundaries of a Construction Project, Including What is and is not Included in The Work to be Performed.

285) Project Stakeholder – An Individual or Organization that has an Interest in the Outcome of a Construction Project.

286) PRV – Pressure Relief Valve or Pressure Reducing Valve. A relief valve or pressure relief valve (PRV) is a type of safety valve used to control or limit the pressure in a system.

287) PTW – Permit to Work. A PTW system is a formal written system used to control and execute certain types of jobs safely, which are identified as potentially hazardous.

288) PVC – Price Variance (Price Escalation). The Contractor shall be reimbursed or shall refund to the Corporation as the case may be the variation in the value of the work carried out from time to time, depending on whether the prices of material and labour as a whole rise or fall.

289) PWD – Public Work Department. PWD is an Indian government agency responsible for building and maintaining public services, such as public government construction, highways, bridges, public transportation, drinking water sources, etc.

290) PWHT – Post Weld Heat Treatment. It reduces the levels of tensile residual stresses in a joint.