CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGSLove Them
Or Hate Them
But You Better Understand Them!
February 16, 2011 Presentation to the
Institute of Real Estate ManagementBy
Cynthia Alexander March, AIA, CMAAOwner/Construction Manager
March & Associates
“I’m paying designers & contractors so WHY DO I NEED TO UNDERSTAND
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS?”1. You know your building, building standards & lease
requirements better than the designers2. CDs are the basis of the contract
with the General Contractor 3. No Drawings are perfect. You can catch mistakes
before they are built (read “Save Time & Money”) 4. You are going to manage and take care of the
space long after the contractor is paid and gone!
TOOLS TO HAVE ON HAND TO HELP WITH YOUR REVIEW
Red Pen !CCoolloorreedd MMaarrkkeerrs s // HHiigghhlliigghhtteerrssSticky-notes or stick-on tabsRulerCopier
A Big Clear Table w/ Good Lighting & a Comfortable ChairSchedule a couple of Uninterrupted Hours
A Building Engineer (especially for MEP dwgs)Magnifying Glass (optional – I need this one!)
Types of Drawings
PLANSREFLECTED CEILING PLANS
ELEVATIONSSECTIONSDETAILS
DIAGRAMSSCHEDULES
SPECIFICATIONS
Construction Drawings: Typical SetSpace Plan (Not part of the CDs but the basis for everything!)
Architectural DrawingsCover SheetSpecificationsDemolition PlanPartition Plan Reflected Ceiling PlanPower & Communications PlanFinish PlanSchedules –
Door ScheduleHardware SchedulePartition Schedule
Elevations, Sections & Details
Phasing, AV, IT, Kitchen or Security Plans
MEP Engineering Drawings
Mechanical Cover Sheet & SpecificationsDemolition PlanNew Work PlanDetails & Schedules including Riser Diagrams &
Equipment Schedules
ElectricalCover Sheet & SpecificationsDemolition PlanElectrical PlanElectrical Lighting PlanElectrical HVAC PlanDetails & Schedules including Riser Diagrams &
Equipment Schedules
PlumbingCover Sheet & SpecificationsDemolition PlanNew Work PlanDetails & Schedules including Riser Diagrams &
Equipment Schedules
Fire AlarmStructural
Mechanical Plan
Elec Plan HVAC Elec Plan Elec Lighting Plan
Fire AlarmPlumbing
Finish Plan
Partition Plan Reflected CeilingPower & Communications
SPACE PLAN
Doors & Hardware
SPACE PLAN
REVIEW
DESIGN REVIEW
FINAL REVIEW
Cover Sheet
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWING
Basic Information for the Permit ReviewKey PlanDrawing ListBuilding Information/Code AnalysisTitle BlockSymbols & Abbreviations (Sometimes these are on a
separate sheet)
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
KEYPLAN TITLE BLOCKDRAWING LISTPROJECT DATA
IS THE ADDRESS CORRECT?
IS THE TENANT’S NAME SPELLED CORRECT?
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
DOES THE LIST MATCH THE DRAWINGS YOU RECEIVED?
USE GROUP
FIRE SUPRESSION SYSTEM
NUMBER of STORIES
AREAS
BUILIDNG OWNER
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION CHECK CONSTRUCTION TYPE TO BASE BUILDNG DRAWINGS!
DO THE AREAS MATCH THE LEASE?
THIS INFORMATION IS USED BY THE PERMIT REVIEWER!
PROJECT NAME & ADDRESS
OCCUPANT LOAD OCCUPANT LOAD IS BASED ON THE AREAS AND USE GROUP
REST ROOMS
EXITS
AREA OF WORK
EXIST ACCESS PATH OF TRAVEL
PROJECT NAME & ADDRESS
ISSUE DATES
SHEET TITLE
DRAWING SCALE
SHEET NUMBER
DESIGNER’S NAME, ADDRESS & PHONE #
THIS INFORMATION IS USED BY THE PERMIT REVIEWER!
PROJECT NAMEBldg NameStreetSuite #City, State ZIP
ABBREVIATIONS & SYMBOLS
Make a copy of the
symbols or tag the sheet
for quick reference
when you’re reviewing the other sheets
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
SYMBOLS
Make a copy of the
symbols or tag the sheet
for quick reference
when you’re reviewing the other sheets
SPECIFICATIONS
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
READ THE GENERAL CONDITIONSDOES IT REFERENCE YOUR BUILIDNG RULES?DOES IT WORK WITH YOUR BUILDNG REQUIREMENTS
TYPICALLY PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONSIF SPECIFIC PRODUCTS OR MANUFACTURER’S ARE LISTED DO THEY MATCH THE REST OF THE DRAWINGS?
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address------------
Project Name & Address
Demolition Plan
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWING
Objects to be demo’dNotes telling the GC what to do with the demo’d items
(There could also be instructions in the specifications)
It should show demo’d outlets either here or on the Power & Communications Plan.
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
KEYED NOTESGENERAL NOTES
DEMO WALLS –DASHED LINES
EXISTING WALLS TO REMAIN UNCHANGED -SOLID, FILLED IN LINES
PLAN NOTES SHOW SPECIFIC WORK
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
Partition Plan
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWING
Wall LocationsWall Type SymbolsDoor LocationsDoor & Hardware Symbols Elevation SymbolsMaybe Section & Detail SymbolsMillwork Locations
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
PARTITION PLAN
SHEET LEGEND
KEYED NOTES
GENERAL NOTES
DETAIL SYMBOL
MILLWORK
ELEV SYMBOL
ALIGNSYMBOL
WALL TYPESYMBOL
KEY NOTESYMBOL
DOOR & HARDWARE SYMBOL
DIMS ARE “FACE TO FACE”
ROOM NAME & NUMBER
HOW IS THE PUBLIC CORRIDOR AFFECTED?
Door & Hardware Schedules
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWING
Door ScheduleDoor size, material, finish, frame
Hardware ScheduleHardware NotesDoor TypesFrame Types (Jamb, Head & Sill details)Security Scope of Work
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
DOOR TYPES
DOOR NOTES
DOOR SCHEDULE
HARDWARE SCHEDULE
HARDWARE NOTES
FRAME DETAILS –HEADS, JAMBS, SILLS
“Match Building Standard”Avoid whenever possible
“Match Building Standard”Avoid whenever possible
Notes Clarifies Scope of Work
between GC and Security Sub
Lockset Function!
Reflected Ceiling Plan
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWING
Light Fixture LayoutLight fixture Schedule Ceiling Types and LocationsCeiling FinishesLegend for Light Fixture Types & Ceiling Types
Arch’s RCP plans typically don’t show switching except at special areas, diffusers or sprinklers. These details are typically only shown on the MEP Engineering drawings.
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
LIGHT FIXTURE SCHEDULE(COMPARE TO SCHEDULE ON ELEC LIGHTING PLAN)
GENERAL NOTES
KEYED NOTES
SHEET LEGEND!
WHAT’S ABOVE
THE GYP. BD. CLG.?
DO YOU NEED
ACCESS PANELS?
DOES THIS MATCH THE REST OF THE PUBLIC CORRIDOR?
Power & Communications Plan
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWINGOutlet Locations (new & existing)
ElectricalTelephoneIT/DataAV
Base Feeds/Power Poles for Systems FurnitureJunction BoxesEquipment Schedule Special RequirementsThe wiring for the outlets is on the Engineering Plan
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE
GENERAL NOTES
KEYED NOTES
SHEET LEGEND!
WHAT’S ON THE FLOOR UNDER NEW FLOOR OUTLETS?
SHOWS SYSTEMS FURNITURE
Finish Plan
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWING
Finish Locations forWall FinishesBase FinishesFloor Finishes
Finish ScheduleFinish Specifications
Ceiling finishes are typically shown on the Arch’s RCP but the specifications are on the finish schedule
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
FINISH SCHEDULE
GENERAL NOTES
KEYED NOTES
SHEET LEGEND!
WALL FINISH
FLOOR FINISH
WHAT’S IN THE AFFECTED PUBLIC CORRIDOR AREA?
EXAMPLE OF WHAT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM FINISH FOR BLDG MGMT
Elevations & Details
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWING
Elevations show what the wall or item looks like and often include:
Section SymbolsFinish Notes
Sections show how a wall or item are constructedNote drawings are still “design” intent. The GC and
their subs, especially millwork, sometimes alter the construction in their shop drawings.
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
Mechanical Plans
WHAT’S ON THIS DRAWINGMechanical Symbols/Legend &AbbreviationsMechanical Specifications
Mechanical DemolitionMechanical Equipment & Duct Work in the plenum
overlaid on the Architect’s RCPVentilation Calculations
Mechanical Equipment SchedulesMechanical Riser DiagramsMechanical Details
ARCHName & Address----------
MEP EngName & Address
----------
ProjectName & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATONS MECHANICAL SYMBOLS
MECHANICAL ABBREVIATIONS
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
GENERAL NOTES
COLOR THE PLAN SO YOU CAN
UNDERSTAND IT AT A GLANCE!
KEYED NOTES VENTALATION CALCULATIONS
RETURN AIR
RETURN TRANSFER AIR DUCTS
SUPPLY AIR
SUPPLIMENTAL HVAC UNIT
RETURN TRANSFER AIR DUCTS
HOW DOES AIR FLOOR ON THE
WHOLE FLOOR?TENANT SPACE
TO TENANT SPACE TO MAIN
RETURN?
MAIN FLOOR RETURN
DEMO
MAIN SUPPLY DUCTS
SLAB to SLAB WALL
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU!
Cynthia Alexander March, AIA, CMAAOwner/Construction Manager
March & Associates703-254-8344
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATONS ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
ELECTRICAL ABBREVIATIONS
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
GENERAL NOTES
KEYED NOTESLIGHT FIXTURE SCHEDULE
COMPARE THIS PLAN TO THE ARCH’S REFLECTED
CEILING PLAN
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
GENERAL NOTESKEYED NOTES
COMPARE THIS PLAN TO THE
ARCH’S POWER & COMMUNICATIONS
PLAN
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
COMPARE THIS PLAN TO THE MECHANICAL PLAN
GENERAL NOTES
KEYED NOTES
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
PANEL SCHEDULES
RISER DIAGRAM
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
PLUMBING SYMBOLS & ABBREVIATIONS
PLUMBING FIXTURE SPECIFICATIONS
PLUMBING DETAIL & & ABBREVIATIONS
PLUMBING FIXTURE CONNECTION SCHEDULE
PLUMBING GENERAL NOTES
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
PLUMBING RISER DIAGRAMS
PLUMBING SUPPLYPLUMBING DRAINS
COLOR THE PIPES TO FOLLOW THE
PATH AT A GLANCE
GENERAL NOTESKEY NOTES
Includes Back Flow PreventorsAre Drain Primers Needed?
Avoid HWHs in Plenum
Are the existing main valves in good condition or do they need to be replaced?
ARCH Name & Address
-------------
MEP ENGName & Address
-------------
Project Name & Address
GENERAL NOTESKEYED NOTES
SYMBOLS LIST