St Helens High School
Building Construction
The use of many terms and symbols is necessary for
the reading of architectural plans. Knowing the types
of plans used and their dimensions is a must in the
construction of any structure. This PowerPoint will
cover terms, symbols, dimensions, and types of plans
used in basic construction.
Architectural Drawing
Cutting Plane
Detail Drawing
Dimensions
Elevation Drawings
Plans
Scale
Specifications
Working Drawings
Provides the instructions necessary for the construction
of a building.
 An imaginary view of a plane cutting through a solid
object to reveal the interior. This can also be called a
sectional view.
 A separate accurately made drawing showing a small
part of a structure in detail.
 Placed on the working drawing to represent the actual
measurement of a completed structure.
 Views of building walls made as though the observer
were looking straight at each wall.
 A section of a house cut through at about window
height and looking straight down. Each floor of a
structure uses a separate floor plan.
 States the reduction or enlargement in size that
structures are drawn to. The most common scale used
for house plans is ¼” = 1’
 A document including the
quality and type of
materials needed, and the
methods of fabrication as
intended by the architect
for the construction of a
structure.
 A set of plans giving all information necessary for the
construction of a structure from start to finish.
 Construction plans are almost entirely made up of
specific symbols, each indication a material used in
the structure. To know what materials go where, the
accurate identification of these symbols is a must.
This next list includes a few common symbols.
 The construction of a house requires a number of
different kinds of drawings to see the work through to
completion. These include a plot plat, a foundation of
basement plan, floor plans, and elevation drawings. In
addition, drawings which show electrical, plumbing,
heating, and air conditioning layouts are also included.