CONQUAS9
CONQUAS9
CONQUAS9
CONQUAS®
THE BCA
CONSTRUCTION QUALITY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
Copyright @ 2017 by the Building and Construction Authority, Singapore. All rights
reserved. No part may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without
permission in writing from the publisher.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
presented in this publication, neither the Authority nor its employees or agents can
accept responsibility for any loss or damage incurred in connection with the use of
the contents.
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................ 1
2.0 CONQUAS......................................................................................... 3
APPENDICES
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Apart from site inspection, the assessment also includes tests on the
materials and the functional performance of selected services and
installations. These tests help to safeguard the interest of building
occupants in relation to safety, comfort and aesthetic defects which
surface only after sometime.
2.0 CONQUAS
Note : (i) In general, projects with central cooling system having cooling tower, chiller
system, etc. are classified under CAT A. Otherwise, it will be classified under
CAT B. Appendix 5 provides a guide with listing of buildings under the various
categories.
(ii) For Public Housing with a combination of Sold and Rental Flats, the project
will take the Category of the flat type where the number of units is more than
50% of the total units.
2.4 Sampling
As it is impractical to assess all elements in a building, CONQUAS uses
a sampling system for the assessment. The sampling system, which is
based on the gross floor area of the building, will ensure that the
assessment adequately represents the entire building.
The scoring will be done on the works that are inspected for the first
time. Rectification and correction carried out after the assessment will
not be re-scored. The objective of this practice is to encourage
contractors "doing things right the first time".
* Steel welding test is applicable if structural steelwork cost is more than 20% of the
total structural work cost.
Note:
a) The computed number of elements to be checked must be evenly distributed
throughout all the block(s) in the entire project. They should also as far as possible
cover the different types of structural elements.
b) *Applicable if structural steelwork cost is more than 20% of the total structural
work cost.
Note:
a) Assessment for internal wet area waterproofing process will be waived and points
allocated automatically if the appointed contractor for such works is accredited under
the SCI (Singapore Concrete Institute) Accreditation Scheme for Waterproofing
Specialist Contractors.
b)*Project Qualified Person to declare the results of the self-testing carried out by the
project.
Finishing 4.8
Alignment & Evenness 2.8
Floor 16 points Crack & Damages 4.8
Hollowness 2.0
Jointing 1.6
Finishing 4.0
Alignment & Evenness 1.9
Internal Wall 16 points Crack & Damages 7.2
Hollowness 1.6
Jointing 1.3
Finishing 1.2
Alignment & Evenness 1.2
Ceiling 6 points Crack & Damages 1.8
Roughness 1.5
Jointing 0.3
Joint & Gap 0.6
Alignment & Evenness 0.6
Door 6 points Material & Damages 1.5
Functionality 1.8
Accessories Defects 1.5
Joint & Gap 0.6
Alignment & Evenness 0.6
Window 6 points Material & Damages 1.5
Functionality 2.4
Accessories Defects 0.9
Joint & Gap 0.6
Alignment & Evenness 1.2
Component 6 points Material & Damages 2.4
Functionality 0.9
Accessories Defects 0.9
Joint & Gap *1.5
Alignment & Evenness *1.5
M&E Fitting *15 points Material & Damages *4.5
Functionality *6.0
Accessories Defects *1.5
*Illustration refers to CONQUAS Category B projects only. For projects in other categories, weightages at
defect level will be distributed in similar proportions
Finishing 4.8
Alignment & Evenness 2.8
Floor 16 points Crack & Damages 4.8
Hollowness 2.0
Jointing 1.6
Finishing 2.5
Alignment & Evenness 1.2
Internal Wall 10 points Crack & Damages 4.5
Hollowness 1.0
Jointing 0.8
Finishing 2.0
Alignment & Evenness 2.0
Ceiling 10 points Crack & Damages 3.0
Roughness 2.5
Jointing 0.5
Joint & Gap 0.7
Alignment & Evenness 0.7
Door 7 points Material & Damages 1.75
Functionality 2.1
Accessories Defects 1.75
Joint & Gap 0.7
Alignment & Evenness 0.7
Window 7 points Material & Damages 1.75
Functionality 2.8
Accessories Defects 1.05
Joint & Gap 0.6
Alignment & Evenness 1.2
Component 6 points Material & Damages 2.4
Functionality 0.9
Accessories Defects 0.9
Joint & Gap *1.5
Alignment & Evenness *1.5
M&E Fitting *15 points Material & Damages *4.5
Functionality *6.0
Accessories Defects *1.5
* Illustration refers to CONQUAS Category B projects only. For projects in other categories, weightages at
defect level will be distributed in similar proportions
CAT A CAT B
Commercial CAT C CAT D
Locations Industrial Public Landed
Housing Non-Housing
Institution Housing Properties
Others
Principal 60% 40% 60% 40% 40%
(a) Link-way / Shelter - 10m length section per sample and minimum 2 samples
(b) Apron & Drain - 10m length section per sample and minimum 2 samples
(c) Roadwork & Carpark - 10m length section per sample and minimum 1 sample
(d) Footpaths & Turfing - 10m length section per sample and minimum 2 samples
(e) Playground - 1 location
(f) Court - 1 location
(g) Fencing & Gate - 10m length section per sample and minimum 1 sample
(h) Swimming Pool - 10m length section per sample and minimum 1 sample
(i) Club House - 1 location
(j) Guard House - 1 location
(k) Electrical Substation - 1 location
Each item in the External Works will be assessed separately and all the
locations listed above must be assessed where applicable.
Under the material & functional tests, self-testing items like field window
water-tightness test for 25% of windows and 100% wet area water-
tightness test (including flat roof) are set as pre-requisites and based on
declaration by the project Qualified Person (QP).
Design/ Material
Formula
Choice
External Facade
(Precast or System Precast/System Formwork/Cladding area x 1 point
Formwork or Total area of facade
Cladding Facade)
Internal Wall
Partition (Drywall or Drywall/Precast Panel Partition area x Allocated point*
Precast Panel Total area of internal partition (Excluding wet areas)
Partition)
Note:
a)"-" means that no assessment on that M&E elements is required.
b)* project QP to declare the results of the performance testing carried out by the
project.
The assessment of Basic M&E Fittings will be carried out during the
Internal Finishes assessment.
Minimum Samples 35 25 10 10
Maximum Samples 70 50 20 20
Note:
1. Both employer and employee must declare the personnel was deployed for the
minimum duration as specified.
2. Where required, additional documents and records shall be furnished for verification.
Bonus points are given to projects using better buildable designs which
facilitate higher quality achievement.
Bonus points are given to the project according to the quality rating
achieved under the QM tiered rating scheme.
QM MERIT 0.5
* Bonus point is subject to weightage for Architectural Works.
This is to allow for fine-tuning of score for any valid negative feedback,
received during a project‘s defect liability period e.g. major workmanship
issues that are surfaced or reported questionable/ unacceptable
practices, etc.
A project may not be issued the CONQUAS score if less than 90% of the
required internal finish samples were assessed.
Scenario 1:
Project Type - Commercial (CAT A)
Structural System - Reinforced Concrete system with 31%
precast concrete volume and steelworks at
75% to 25% cost ratio
Roofing System - Flat Roof
Nos of Toilet - 10 nos (100% Prefabricated Bathrooms
supplied by an Accredited Precaster)
External Wall - Cladding system
Internal Wall - Brick wall
(A)
(B)
Area of Works/Component Actual (A) X (B)
CAT A
Score
Structural Works 93.5 10% 9.35
Architectural Works 73.8 75% 55.35
M&E Works 84.5 15% 12.68
Certified QM/CONQUAS - - 1.0
Personnel
Total Score 100% 78.38
CONQUAS Score 78.4
Scenario 2:
Project Type - Private Housing (CAT B)
Structural System - Reinforced Concrete system with 25%
precast concrete volume and steelwork cost
ratio less than 20%
Roofing System - Flat Roof
Precast System - PPVC system (70% coverage) accepted by
BIP & accredited under the PPVC MAS and
supplied by a SCI Accredited Precaster
Toilets - 70% Prefabricated Bathrooms supplied by an
Accredited Precaster (including bathrooms
within PPVC modules)
External Wall - Precast system
Internal Wall - Drywall
(A) (B)
Area of Works/Component Actual CAT B (Private (A) X (B)
Score Housing)
Structural Works 92.6 10% 9.26
Architectural Works 77.8 85% 66.13
M&E Works 84.5 5% 4.23
Certified QM/CONQUAS - - 1.0
Personnel
Total Score 100% 80.62
CONQUAS Score 80.6
Item* Standards
1 Formwork
1b Alignment, plumb and 1) Tolerance for departure of any point from its position:
level 10mm
2b Anchorages & lap lengths 1) Required lap length not less than that specified
Item* Standards
3a Dimension for elements / 1) Tolerance for cross-sectional dimension of cast in-situ and
opening for services precast elements: +10mm / -5mm
2) Tolerance for opening: +10 for size and ±25mm for location
3b Alignment, plumb and 1) Tolerance for departure of any point from its position:
level ±10mm
Item* Standards
5) No cracks or damages
4 Precast Specific
Requirements
4a Lifting points/inserts 1) Tolerance for position: ±20mm from centre line location in
drawing
4d Cast-in steel 1) Tolerance for position of cast-in steel items: ±6mm from
items/welded & bolted centre line location in drawings
connections
Item* Standards
5 Structure Quality
5a Concrete Cube test 1) For every pour of concrete, test cubes results at 28 days
must satisfy the passing criteria as specified in the contract.
The summary of test reports (Form A) must be endorsed by
the project’s structural Qualified Person (QP)
5b Reinforcement (Rebar) 1) To pass the tensile strength test for all the reinforcement
bars used as according to the contract specifications. The
summary of test reports (Form A) must be endorsed by the
project’s structural QP
2) All the welded steel fabric used to comply with the contract
specifications.
Item* Standards
6 Non-destructive testing
6a Ultra Pulse Velocity test 1) To conduct NDT using ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) to
for Concrete Uniformity check the degree of uniformity of hardened concrete
4) Method as per SS 78
4) Method as per SS 78
For the assessment of concrete cube test results, the percentage of points shall be awarded based
on the percentage of non-compliance as tabulated in the table below:
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met.
Item* Standards
1 Main member/Partial
assembled component
1a Physical dimensions 1) Cross sectional tolerance should not be less than the
structural steel specifications or approved plan
1c Welding 1) Weld size, length and profile shall meet the structural steel
specifications and drawings
Item* Standards
2 Metal decking
2a Type and condition 1) Correct type and thickness of metal decking used
3 Erection tolerances
3b Column position 1) The position in plan of a steel column at the base shall not
deviate from the specified position by more than 10mm
along either of the principal setting out axes
3c Beam level 1) Maximum deviation of level at each end of the same beam:
±5mm
3d Beam position 1) Beams shall not deviate from their specified positions
relative to the column to which they are connected by more
than 5mm
Item* Standards
5 Welding test reports# 1) Reports for all critical welding joints from the specified
contract requirements must be submitted
# For test records, the following table would be used to determine the points awarded:
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met.
Item* Standards
1 Condition of tendons & 1) All pre-stressing strands and wires should comply with the
anchorages specified standards and requirements and be free from
loose rust, oil, tar, paint and any foreign objects
2 Installation of sheathing 1) Sheathing properly secured and protected and free from
damage or puncture
3 Stressing & Grouting 1) Tendon ducts clean and free from foreign objects and
process tendon free moving in the duct
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met.
Item* Standards
1 Floors
4) Hollowness / Delamination
• No hollow sound when tapped with a hard object
• No sign of delamination
5) Jointing
• Consistent skirting thickness
• No visible gap between wall & skirting
3) Joints are aligned and consistent with skirting and wall tiles
Item* Standards
Item* Standards
2 Internal Walls
2a General 1) Finishing
• No stain marks
• Consistent colour tone
• No rough / patchy surface
4) Hollowness / Delamination
• No hollow sound when tapped with a hard object
• No sign of delamination
5) Jointing
• Straightness of corners and joints
2b Plaster Finish 1) Surface evenness (not more than 3mm over 1.2m)
2c Tiled Finish 1) Tile joints aligned and with consistent joint size
Item* Standards
2g Pre-cast concrete 1) Alignment with adjacent planks not more than 3mm
planks
4) No warpage
5) No cracks
4) No exposed aggregate
Item* Standards
3 Ceilings
4) Roughness
• No rough surface
5) Jointing
Consistent, aligned and neat
3b Skim Coats / Boarded 1) Not patchy, with no pin holes and with no trowel marks
Ceiling
Item* Standards
4 Doors
4) Functionality
• Ease in opening, closing and locking
• No squeaky sound during swinging the leaf
5) Accessories Defects
• Lock sets with good fit and no stains
• No sign of corrosion in ironmongery
• No missing or defective accessories
Item* Standards
5 Windows
4) Functionality
• Ease in opening, closing and locking
• No sign of rainwater leakage
• No squeaky sound during swinging the leaf
5) Accessories Defects
• Lock sets with good fit and aligned
• No sign of corrosion
• No missing or defective accessories
• Countersunk screws levelled and flushed. No over-
tightened screws
• Stainless steel screws at hinges for swing window
Item* Standards
4) Functionality
• Functional, secured and safe
5) Accessories Defects
• No missing accessories
• No sign of corrosion
• No visible damages / defects
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
1 Construction
5) Chokage / Ponding
• No sign of chokage and ponding
6) Construction
• No sign of leaking
• Proper dressing for any protrusion
• Neat & secured installation of fixtures
2) No rust or stains
Item* Standards
6) No paint defects
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
2) Staining / Painting
• No visible stain marks
• Good paint works
3) Cracking / Damages
• No visible damage / defects
4) Jointing / Alignment
• External features visually in alignment
• Corners of wall maintained at right angles and straight
• Consistent joint width, neat & aligned
3 Tiled Finish 1) Tile joints aligned and between 2-4mm wide unless
specified
4) No efflorescence
Item* Standards
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
2) Drain Cover
• level and do not jolt or rock
• Gaps between drain covers and side of drain between
5-10mm wide
• Drain grating properly painted
3) Apron 1
• Bitumen joints with neat edges and sufficient length
• No ponding
5) Inspection Chamber
• Inspection chambers are level with surrounding without
depression and with tolerance of
• Covers to be level with frames
Item* Standards
2) Road Surface
• No ponding
• Road painting according to drawings; dimensional
tolerance of 5mm
• Gaps between aeration slabs properly filled up with
sand
• Aeration slabs stable and not broken
4) Road Sign
• Provided according to specifications
• Firm and secured at base – with footing if required
• Metal parts below ground are corrosion treated
2) Turfing
• No depression or bald patches
• Turfing done evenly, no dead grass or weeds
5) Other Fixtures
• as per Internal Finishes - Components
Item* Standards
Item* Standards
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
3 Wet Area Water- 1) No sign of leakage after ponding wet areas over a
tightness test (i.e. minimum period of 24 hrs.
Bathrooms, toilets &
flat roof)
For the assessment of the field window water-tightness test, the number of points shall be
awarded based on the percentage of non-compliance as tabulated in the table below :
9 0%
(15-x)* 9/15 0% < x < 15%
0 ≥ 15%
For the assessment of the wet area water-tightness test, the number of points shall be awarded
based on the percentage of non-compliance as tabulated in the table below :
5 0%
(2-x)* 5/2 0% < x < 2%
0 ≥ 2%
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met.
Item* Standards
1 Embedded Conduits
No Visible Damage
2 Main Cables
No Visible Damage
3 Surface Conduits
Item* Standards
No Visible Damage 8) Conduits and accessories properly painted
No Visible Damage
5 Distribution Board
No Visible Damage
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
1 Ductwork
Location & Installation 1) Location and ductwork installed according to approved shop
drawings
No Visible Damage
2 Fire-Rated Ducts
Location & Installation 1) Location and ductwork installed according to approved shop
drawings
No Visible Damage
3 Flexible Ducts
Location & Installation 1) Location & installation as per approved shop drawings
No Visible Damage
4 Flexible Connectors
No Visible Damage
Item* Standards
5 Dampers
No Visible Damage
6 Fire Dampers
No Visible Damage
Seal Penetration 5) Proper sealant of wall or roof opening after pipes are fixed
No Visible Damage
Item* Standards
8 Air-Con Comfort
Air Flow 2) Room airflow rate not exceeding 0.25 m/s or according to
specification
Relative Humidity 3) Room relative humidity not more than 60% or according to
specification
Location & Installation 1) Unit location & pipe layout installed as per approved shop
drawings
No Visible Damage
10 Pump
Location & Installation 1) Location & pipe layout installed as per approved shop
drawings
No Visible Damage
Item* Standards
11 Cooling Tower
Location & Installation 2) Name plate installed with manufacturer's name, serial
number and model number
12 Pipework
including Chilled water, Hot
water, Steam, Condenser
water, Condenser drain,
Cold Water make-up,
water treatment and
refrigerant 1) Pipe works installed as per approved shop drawing &
specifications
Paints & Support 2) Pipe work provided with drains at each low point and
automatic air vents with manual isolating valve at each high
point
Fire Stop 3) Fire stop for passage of pipes at opening for fire resistant
walls and floor
No Visible Damage
13 Chiller
Location & Installation 1) Location & pipe layout installed as per approved shop
drawing
Item* Standards
No Visible Damage
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
4) Landing valve painted red for wet riser / yellow for dry riser
No Visible Damage
2 Sprinkler
Location & Installation 1) Location, sprinkler and pipe layouts and sizes installed as
per approved shop drawings
No Visible Damage
Item* Standards
3 Fire Alarm
Location & Installation 1) Location of fire alarm panel, break glass & bell is correct
Fire Alarm Zoning Diagram 5) Fire Alarm Zoning diagram provided near panels / sub-
panels
No Visible Damage
4 Hosereel
No Visible Damage
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
1 Concealed Pipes
Location & Installation 1) Pipes properly supported, bent without distortion, kink and
damage
3) Proper joints
No Visible Damage
2 Exposed Pipes
Location & Installation 1) Location of pipes installed and labelled as per approved
shop drawing
Clearance 10) Do not cause obstruction / pose safety hazard at public area
No Visible Damage
Item* Standards
3 Water Tank
Location & Installation 1) Location, type & capacity as per approved shop drawing and
specification
Location & Installation 1) Location & type as per approved shop drawing
No Visible Damage
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
Item* Standards
4) Functionality
• Functional and safe
5) Accessories Defects
• No missing accessories
• No visible damage / defects
3) No leakage at joints
2) No leakage at joints
Item* Standards
3) No chipping or cracks
3 M&E Fittings e.g. power point, telephone point, air-con diffuser, fan coil
unit, lighting, smoke alarm, sprinkler heads, CCTV camera,
etc.
2) No stains
* An item is deemed to have failed if any one of the standards is not met
In General : All types In General : All types HDB Public Housing Bungalow
Cluster Housing
e.g. e.g.
Bank Condominium
Office Building Apartments
Shopping Complex School
Hotel Factory
Supermarket Warehouse
Airport
Hospital Mixed Development
University without Central Cooling
Regional Library
Conference Hall
Arts and Cultural Centre
Mixed Development
with Central Cooling
Note: The above is only meant to be a general guide in determining the Category of project. The
actual grouping might vary depending on the project details in the application. For instance, a
mixed development building project, i.e., one with commercial and residential components in
the development, where the residential GFA > 50% of the total GFA, is categorized as category
B (housing).