CONSTRUCTION
DRAWING
OCCUPATIONAL SAFET Y AND FUNDAMENTALS
Unit 5
INTRODUCTION
 Construction drawings/blueprints are drawings used to
represent a structure before the build
 Today most prints are created by computer -aided drafting
(CAD)
 These drawings can be used to represent drawings,
commercial drawings, landscaping, and industrial drawings
 The drawings include specs which are the specification of the
detail of what is being built.
 When a building is being built the print is what is approved
before ground is broken for construction.
COMPONENTS OF CONSTRUCTION
DRAWINGS
 Five basic parts of construction drawing:
oTitle block
oBorder
oDrawing area
oRevision block
oLegend
 Six major types of drawings:
oCivil
oArchitectural
oStructural Mechanical
oPlumbing
oElectrical
*Sometimes fire protection is included in the drawings
TITLE BLOCK
 Components:
-
Company logo
Sheet title: Identify the project
Date: the date that the drawing was checked
“Drawn By”
Drawing number
Scale: ratio of the size of the object as drawn to the object’s
actual size
- Revision block: include the date of revisions needed, initials
of person making revision, and any information needed
BORDER, DRAWING AREA, AND LEGEND
 The border is a clear area that is a half inch around the edge
around the drawing area
 The drawing area is the information for the construction
project:
- Floor plan
- Elevations
- Sections
- Details
 The legend includes identification of these lines and other
symbols are found in the legend. The legend is not included in
every print
CONSTRUCTION DRAWING T YPES:
CIVIL PLANS
 Civil Plans: an aerial view of the site.
 It shows the contours of earth represented by contour lines.
 The plan also includes any plants, walks, driveways or utilities
on site.
 The dimension of the property is also included.
CONSTRUCTION DRAWING T YPES:
ARCHITECTURAL PLANS
 Architectural plan shows the design of the project, it also
includes specs such as what specific elements will be used.
These elements include exact windows, doors, or tables
 Floor plan: also known as the plan view, shows an overhead
view of the lay out
 Includes interior and exterior walls, doors, stairways, and any
equipment that will be in the house
 Roof plan: the view of the roof from above the building
 Elevation drawings: show the side view of the building
including all the heights
 Section Drawings: show how the structure is built, materials
to use, and how the building fits together
 Detail Drawing: this is a zoomed in view of the dif ferent
components of the architectural plan that shows detail.
CONSTRUCTION DRAWING T YPES:
STRUCTURAL PLANS
 The structural plan is the engineered drawings that are created
to support the architectural plan.
 Part 1: General Notes:
- This part of the plans includes materials needed, requirements
to follow, and can include any other specification for the building
such as the strength of the concrete being poured.
 Part 2: Foundation Plan:
- This shows the lowest level of the building. It includes concrete
footing, slabs, and foundation walls. This plan also shows the
under layer of each floor plan
 Part 3: Materials Used:
- This is a list of materials used for walls, framing, roof, or joints
 Part 4: Structural set of Drawings:
- These are the visuals that show the exact plan and layout of the
structure such as walls, beams, and support columns
CONSTRUCTION DRAWING T YPES:
MECHANICAL PLANS
 These plans are engineered plans for motors, pumps, piping
systems, and equipment
 These plans usually include a series of notes that talk about all
the specific elements that will be incorporate into the building.
 A mechanical legend is also commonly included to define
symbols used on the plan.
 Piping and Instrumentation Drawings (P&ID) are schematic
diagrams of a complete piping system that show the lay out and
the direction of flow. Equipment and all controls needed are also
included in these drawings.
 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plans are also
incorporated. These plans require gas, oil, or steam piping
system and include the system equipment and elements.
CONSTRUCTION DRAWING T YPES:
ELECTRICAL PLANS
 Electrical plans show the supply and distribution of power
throughout the structure.
 These plans include:
- Electric meter
- Distribution panels
- Switchgear
- Convenience outlets
- Special outlets
 These plans can also include special notes about the specifics
such as transformers, breakers, and motor control centers
 Electrical plans can also include lighting plans
CONSTRUCTION DRAWING T YPES:
PLUMBING/PIPING PLAN &
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN
 Plumbing and piping plans are engineered plans showing the
layout for the plumbing system that supplies hot and cold
water throughout the house.
 Part of the plumbing plan is the plumbing isometric which
depicts the plumbing system.
 This plan will also include the flow of water and the
temperature of the pipe lines.
 Fire protection plans show the piping, values and switches
that make up the sprinkler system. This will also label where
the smoke alarms are throughout the building
SPECIFICATION, REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION, AND SCALE
 Specification: written statements that the architectural and
engineering firm provides to the contractors that define the
needs of the work being done. It is also used to make any
clarifications of the build. Specifications are important so
that architects and owners can make sure that all
compliances are being met to standards.
 Request for Information (RFI): this is used to clarify any
discrepancy in the plan. The RFI is submitted to the
superintendent who then gives it to the general contractor and
lastly the final viewer engineer.
 Both specification and request for information need to be
referred to when interpreting the drawings.
 Scale tells the size of the drawn object compared to the
actual size of the object. The scale can usually be found in the
title block.
LINES OF CONSTRUCTION:
 Dimension Line: These lines can show how the structures
move, such as doors, and those lines have arrows to show
direction
 Leaders and Arrowhead: identify the location of particular
parts of the drawing. These can be paired with words,
abbreviations, symbols and key notes
 Hidden Lines: These lines show parts of the structure that are
not visible in the drawing. Sometimes the items referred to by
the hidden lines are shown in other pictures
 Property Lines: shows the land boundaries
 Cut Lines: These lines on the drawing show cross -section
views
 Center Lines: center lines show the center of objects such as
columns or lighting fixtures.
ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS
 Abbreviations and symbols are used to keep the drawings
from becoming too cluttered by words.
 Each of the trades has its own set of symbols.
 The abbreviations are used to reference construction terms.
 When writing abbreviations the letters always need to be in
capital letters. In addition, somewhere within the packet
(typically on the title sheet or within the introduction) a
legend needs to be included for others to reference.
 Symbols are used to show what materials are being used in
the project. These symbols also vary based on trade. Symbols
are not standardized so many have some variations even
within the same trade. The specifications can include a
reference for symbols.
USING GRIDLINES
 Gridlines are used to locate items that are on the map.
 Rows can be labeled by numbers, and columns numbered by
letters or vice versa. However the numbering and lettering
always start in the upper left hand corner of the drawing.
 Each of the squares are referred to as bays.
 To avoid confusion sometimes numbers 1 and 0 are omitted
and letters I, O, and Q are omitted as well.
 When referring to a specific point you would say the window in
F-9 or a doorway in M-6.
B-1
Can you name this bay?
?
DIMENSIONS
 Dimensions are the part of the drawing showing the size and
place of objects that will be built or installed into the
building.
 The dimension measurement is usually written in the middle
of the line of the object itself.
TRADE TERMS
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Architect
Architectural Plans
Beam
Blueprints
Civil Plans
Computer-Aided Drafting
(CAD)
Construction Drawings
Contour lines
Detail Drawings
Dimension line
Dimensions
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Electrical Plans
Elevations (EL)
Elevation drawing
Engineer
Fire Protection Plan
Floor Plan
Foundation Plan
Heating, ventilating and
conditioning (HVAC)
TRADE TERMS
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Hidden Line
Isometric Drawing
Leader
Legend
Mechanical plan
Not to Scale (NTS)
Piping and instrumentation
drawings
Plumbing
Plumbing plans
Request for Information (RFI)
Roof Plan
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Scale
Schematic
Section Drawing
Specification
Structural plans
Symbol
Title block
PROJECT ASSIGNMENT
Now that you have the knowledge you
will be creating your very own
drawings!
Look at the Blueprint Project Packet
for all the details and step by step
instructions!