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

Cyn_march@cox.net

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