Construction Drawing Sets used for building a structure?-Part-1

Construction drawing sets can be defined as a set of plans, details, and guidelines governing the overall building construction process. These drawings include layouts, aesthetics, placement, topography, installation, etc. To a great extent, construction drawings are responsible for seamless approvals and project execution. Therefore, it is essential to get the construction drawings approved by the building commission before the construction begins.

Construction drawings provide intricate details of a building with different drawings used in the construction process. Apart from the technical details, these drawings are also essential for project approval. They are the basis for the construction process and assure adherence to the building standards and codes.

Since construction requires a comprehensive drawing set with every bit of detailing across multiple disciplines, a uniform collaboration between Architects, Structural Engineer, MEP Engineers, etc., is mandatory. Detailed drawing sets consisting of layouts, plans, sections, elevations, shop details, etc., need to be delivered accurately to labourer’s onsite.

What are construction drawings?

Construction Drawing Services provide details about all construction project phases, from the design to the actual construction process. It provides details about the dimension, wall thickness, material specification, furniture placement, lighting, sections, etc., of every building unit. Architects submit the construction drawings, which the planning commission board gets approved. After reviewing, these drawings are evaluated and approved for construction.

Construction Drawing consists of the following drawings:-

Block Plan / Vicinity Plan

A block plan gives the site or building layout in the surrounding area laid out on a map drawn to scale. In addition, it provides details of the roads, boundaries, etc., that are essential to understanding the construction site.

Cover Sheet

The cover sheet lays out project information documents such as the general scope of work, a site plan with a general condition of the worksite, plans that show fire protection and accessibility. It lists the project name, drawing index, building permit information, key plan and general notes. All the project stakeholders’ names, and contact details are included in the sheet and the facility manager in charge.  

Site Plan

A site plan is a drawing that shows information about the site’s topography, landscape utilities, and site work for an existing or new building. It is a map of the construction site, essential for planning applications. It contains information about existing structures on or near the construction project, such as roads and buildings. The topographical elements include foliage and changes in land elevation. In addition, the site plan gives a close preview of the area after construction, such as drainage systems or alterations in topography.

Site plan drawings play an essential role in identifying the building’s location on a big construction site. Drawings such as site boundary, details of surrounding area or structures, location or position of the building, parking area location or capacities, existing roads, footpaths, etc., before the planning of the building.

Foundation Plan

Foundation drawing is one of the most important plans in the documentation process. It consists of main grids to be followed throughout the project. It shows all types of foundations used in the project with specific dimensions and a table with their names and specifications (LxBxD).

Floor Plan

Floor plans are the detailed and precise layout of floor areas. Floor plans depict what a construction project would look like if a section plane is put across the floor plan at a height just above the sill level. Floor plans include dimensions of the interiors and exterior walls, type of each room, material specification, stairs, and their direction. One of the most important types of construction drawing is floor plans. It is vital for a site engineer.

Schedules

Schedules are drawings that show additional information and are presented in tables that go beyond the details found in the floor plans. Window and door schedules provide the additional information which the contractor will need to install items such as the different types of windows and doors used in a building, their locations, hardware and finish schedules to be used with each of them. 

Reflected Ceiling Plan

The RCP graphically shows the ceiling treatment and grid, placement of new light fixtures, aesthetic features of cornice and those light fixtures which needs to be removed or relocated. The light fixture legend and switch locations are included in this plan. These plans might be more complex than others.

Detailed Drawings

Detailed drawings are drawings of any geometric structure that has to be constructed. They are more detailed and pay attention to any construction project’s intricate designs and details. Detailed drawings are created for door frames, staircases, material connections, etc.

Section Drawings

Section drawings are those drawings that depict a part or whole structure in a portion. Sections include floor height, details of floors, walls, sill, beam, lintels, and staircase. Section drawings are important for details of the inside component and its materials.

Elevation Drawings

Elevation drawings offer multi-sided views of the exterior components. It helps understand the relative surface, internal markings, and height of different components to each other. These drawings contain information on the openings, size, and shape of the external surface and height. Drawing of elevation show what a building’s exterior and façade should look like. It also reflects the door tags, window tags, storefront details, and finishing tags. A detailed table or legend is provided with the tag name or number and its specifications. Façade elements are detailed per the project’s LOD and client’s requirements.

Working Plan

A drawing includes the information of horizontal dimensions of the building, such as the thickness of walls, clear spaces inside the building, and column locations. It helps in fabricating the construction material and overall design with ease. Working plan drawings are also known as production drawings. It conveys functional information to the workers and engineers on site. In this stage, 4 layer dimension is provided for the exterior, and LxB is derived for the interior to avoid uncertainty.

The working plan describes the materials, assembly of various parts, dimensions, and other information required during the process. It also includes additional information or infographics on meeting those sets of requirements.

General Note

It is an overview of all codes, procedures, abbreviations, etc., required to guide the work done on the construction site. General Notes include concrete mix, details for other Structural Steel Drawings, length and construction types of each component, mapping forms, legends, etc.

Excavation Drawings

Excavation drawings are considered civil engineering drawings that describe the dimensions and positions for the excavation process before the actual building work begins. It includes details like tunneling, shafts, soil removal, grid plans, etc., required to start the groundwork. These drawings show the footing excavation dimension, column position, footing plan, and grid lines of a column.

Finished Drawings

Finished drawings show the final details of each component, such as flooring pattern, painting colour, false ceiling shape, plastering texture, and elevation design. These drawings include a more detailed plan of the building after the whole structural and architectural framework has been set up. It is essential for the aesthetic and functional value of the building.

Finished drawings display minute specification for the construction project and focus more on the design elements, which includes:-

• Floor patterns
• Plaster
• Wall paint and textures
• Woodwork
• Motifs and designs
• False ceilings
• Tile patterns

In the above article, we have looked at construction drawings, how are they developed and different construction document sets used for constructing a building. We will talk about electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire-fighting drawings in the upcoming article.