Introduction

Technical drawings also known as ‘engineering drawings’ are the means of communications and convey technical
information of plant and equipment clearly and concisely. It describes three-dimensional objects through the
medium of two-dimensional paper. The process of producing technical drawings, and the skill of producing those, is
often referred to as ‘drafting’. Technical drawing is normally accepted as legal document and is frequently being
used for regulatory approvals. Clarity is the essential aspect of the technical drawings. These are prepared either
manually or with the aid of computer and are printed in standard size of paper.

Technical drawings carry a ‘title block’ in the right bottom corner for their identification. The title block includes (i)
title of the drawing, (ii) type of drawing, (iii) drawing number and revision number, (iv) date of the preparation, (v)
scale of the drawing, (vi) measurement unit, (vii) name of the organization who prepared the drawing, (viii) name of
persons who prepared and approved the drawing, and (ix) any other information which is needed for the drawing
identification.

The different types of technical drawings are described below.

General layout drawing: A ‘general layout drawing’ is normally prepared in plan-view. It describes (i) entry gates and
plant boundary, (ii) plant approach roads, (iii) location of the plant, equipment and facilities, (iv) provides the
linkages between the plant equipment and facilities, (v) road and rail movements, (iv) conveyors and pipeline
routings, (vi) critical and regulatory clearances if required, (vii) location of chimneys and stacks, and (viii) green belts.
The drawing is usually prepared to the scale with building dimensions.

Layout drawing: A layout drawing depicts design development requirements. It is similar to a detail, assembly, or
installation drawing, except that it presents pictorial, notational, or dimensional data to the extent necessary to

convey the design solution used in preparing other engineering drawings. It normally does not establish item
identification.

This type of drawing is not generally used to fabricate equipment. However, a detailed layout drawing is sometimes
used for this purpose. A layout drawing is drawn to scale with sufficient accuracy and completeness for its intended
use. It can also be used as an interim assembly drawing for development equipment.

General arrangement drawing: A general arrangement (GA) drawing depicts the physical relationship of significant
items using appropriate projections or perspective views. Reference dimensions are to be included in GA drawing.
The GA drawing does not establish item identification. It is prepared to convey a general description of the
configuration and location of significant items. It is not normally used to control design.

Detail drawing: A detail drawing provides the complete end-product definition of the part or parts depicted on the
drawing. A detail drawing establishes item identification for each part depicted thereon. It is either a mono detail
drawing or a multi detail drawing.

A mono detail drawing defines a single part. It is prepared to provide maximum clarity in defining the part. It
describes all features of the part which include configuration, dimensions, tolerances, materials, mandatory
processes, surface texture, protective finishes and coatings, and markings.
A multi detail drawing defines two or more uniquely identified parts in separate views or in separate sets of views on
the same drawing. It is a single drawing prepared to describe parts usually related to one another. A multi detail
drawing is to be used cautiously. The same revision status applies to all details on a multi detail drawing and hence a
change to one detail of the drawing can affect the associated records of all other details (material control data,
manufacturing planning, and microfilm etc.).

Assembly drawing: Assembly drawing defines the configuration and contents of the assembly or assemblies depicted
thereon. It establishes item identification for each assembly. Where an assembly drawing contains detailed
requirements for one or more parts used in the assembly, it is a detail assembly drawing. Attached parts (bolts, nuts,
and washers etc.) required to mount assemblies in next higher assemblies or on foundations are included in the
parts list of the drawing which define the attachment (usually the higher level assembly or installation drawing).

Erection drawings: An erection drawing provides information for properly positioning and installing items relative to
their supporting structure and adjacent items. This information includes dimensional data, hardware descriptions,
and general configuration information for the installation site.

Process flow diagram: The purpose of process flow diagram (PFD) is generally

(i) to show the plant design basis indicating feedstock, product and main streams flow rates and operating
conditions, (ii) to identify the scope of the process, (iii) to show graphically the arrangement of major equipment,
process lines and main control loops, and (iv) to show utilities which are used continuously in the process.

Piping and instrument drawing: A piping and instrumentation diagram/drawing (P&ID) is a detailed diagram in the
process plant which shows the piping and vessels in the process flow, together with the instrumentation and control
devices. It is the primary schematic drawing used for laying out a process control installation. It is a diagram
which shows the interconnection of process equipment and the instrumentation used to control the process.
Normally a standard set of symbols is used to prepare drawings of processes.

Control drawings: Control drawing is that drawing which is used for the control of certain activities. There are six
categories of control drawing as follows:

1.procurement control drawing. It provides criteria for performance, acceptance, and identification of supplier items
by disclosing the engineering design characteristics required normally for control of interfaces and to ensure
repeatability of performance.

2.vendor Item drawing. It provides an engineering description and acceptance criteria for purchased items. It
provides sufficient engineering definition for acceptance of interchangeable items within specified limits. It is used
to provide engineering requirements for a purchased item. It is not the intent of a vendor item drawing to portray a
complete design disclosure. This drawing discloses sufficient information to ensure identification and re-
procurement of interchangeable items.

3.source control drawing. It provides engineering description and acceptance criteria for purchased items which
need design activity imposed qualification testing and exclusively provide performance, installation, and
interchangeability characteristics specifically required for the critical applications. It establishes item identification
for the controlled items. It is used to provide a means of establishing engineering requirements for the selection,
qualification testing, and acquisition of an item, and documentation to assure interchangeability of specified items.
4.design control drawing. It discloses the basic technical information and performance requirements necessary for
a contractor to complete the detailed design required to develop and produce an item. The drawing in itself does
not provide complete design for which a detailed design drawing is needed.

5.interface control drawing. It depicts physical and functional interfaces of related or co-functioning items. It does
not establish item identification. This drawing controls one or more of the interfaces such as mechanical, electrical,
interconnections, configuration, installation, operational sequence requirements, and system switching etc.

6.identification cross reference drawing. It is an administrative type drawing which assigns unique identifiers which
are compatible with automated data processing systems, item identification specifications, and provides a cross
reference to the original incompatible identifier. It does not specify any engineering or design requirements beyond
those already contained in the drawings, and specification etc. governing the original item.

Mechanical schematic diagrams: The mechanical schematic diagram depicts mechanical and other functional
operation, structural loading, fluid circuitry, or other functions using appropriate standard symbols and connecting
lines. It is a design information drawing. It is made when operating principles cannot be readily determined from a
study of the assembly drawing.

A mechanical schematic diagram symbolically depicts elements of the unit, assembly, or system involved and
displays the relation of each element by interconnecting lines. The elements are usually arranged functionally, or
they are arranged as in their assembly or installed position. Loading diagrams for hoists and slings, flow diagrams for
hydraulic or pneumatic control valves, and simple unit flow diagrams, etc. can often be combined with the assembly
or installation drawing. Hydraulic or pneumatic system diagrams, complicated rigging diagrams, and complex
mechanical function diagrams etc., normally require separate drawings.

Civil drawing: Civil drawing is used for specifying the shape and position of the civil foundation. The drawing provides
the detailer with the layout and sectional information required to specify the length, shape and number of each
type of reinforcing bar.

Reinforcement drawing is part of civil drawing. It fully describes and locates all reinforcements in relation to the
finished surface of the concrete and to any holes or fixings.

Structural drawing: A structural drawing is a type of technical drawing which depicts the design and working
drawings for building as well as technological structures. It includes a plan or set of plans for the building or other
structures. Structural drawings are primarily concerned with the load- carrying members of a structure. They outline
the size and types of materials to be used, as well as the general demands for connections. They do not address
architectural details like surface finishes, partition walls, or mechanical systems. The structural drawings guide in
detailing, fabricating, and installing parts of the structure.

Electrical and electronic diagrams: Electrical and electronic diagrams depict the elements or functions of electrical or
electronic items using standard symbols and connecting lines or data in tabular form. These diagrams do not depict
items to scale. They are design information drawings. The types of electrical and electronic diagrams are as follows:
 1. functional block diagram. It depicts the functions of the major elements of a
circuit, assembly, and system etc. in simplified form. It is prepared to illustrate
the functional relationship of major elements of an assembly, and system etc. It
includes major circuit functions depicted by single lines, rectangular blocks, and
explanatory notes or text.

2. single line diagram. It depicts the course of an electric or electronics circuit, or system of circuits, and the
elements thereof using single lines, symbols, and notes. A single line diagram conveys basic information about the

operation of the circuit, but omits much of the detailed information usually shown on schematic diagrams. The
single line form of presentation provides for (i) simplified diagrams of complex circuits and (ii) diagrammatic
representation of systems in which a single line represents a multi- conductor circuit. It includes

(i) connections of major elements of a circuit

shown in the most direct path and logical sequence, and (iii) electrical characteristics which are essential to an
overall understanding of the system.
3.schematic diagram. It depicts the electrical connections and functions of a specific circuit
arrangement without regard to the physical shape, size, or location of the elements. It is
prepared to show the detailed design of a circuit and to assist in tracing the circuit and its
functions. It can be prepared for any level of assembly and can include one or more levels. It
includes (i) symbolic representation of each element in the circuit with the symbols
interconnected to depict circuit paths, (ii) reference designations, (iii) values for such items as
resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and (iv) standard type designations for such items as
semiconductor devices, microcircuits, and electron tubes etc.

4. connection diagram or wiring diagram. It depicts the general physical arrangement of electrical connections
and wires between circuit elements in an installation or assembly. It shows internal connections but may include
external connections which have one termination inside and one outside the assembly. It contains the details
necessary to make or trace connections involved. It is prepared to show the connection of wires and circuit elements
at any level of assembly or installation. It includes (i) physical relationship of circuit elements and their connections,
(ii) items identified by reference designations, (iii) clearly identified terminal arrangements, (iv) wires numbered for
reference, and (v) wire and termination descriptions.
5. interconnection diagram. It depicts only external connections between assemblies, units, or higher-level items. It
is prepared to show the interconnections between

units, sets, groups, and systems. It is prepared either as a wiring type diagram which shows each wire, or as a cabling
type diagram which primarily shows cables but can also include wires. It does not necessarily show physical
relationship.

6. wiring list. It consists of tabular data and instructions necessary to establish wiring
connections. The wiring list is a form of connection or interconnection diagram. It is
normally prepared for one or more related assemblies. It includes (i) location
identification and termination methods for each end of wire, (ii) a description of each
wire (e.g., type, size, and color etc.), (iii) connection of items with wire leads, (iv)
material

(wire, and sleeving etc.) and process requirements for connections, (v) reference to associated assembly drawing,
connection diagram, interconnection diagram, or wiring harness drawing.
7.logic circuit diagram. It depicts the logic functions of a system at any level of assembly. It is
prepared to (i) illustrate logic functions, and (ii) facilitate circuit analysis and diagnosis of
equipment problems. It includes (i) logic functions depicted by logic symbols connected by
lines which represent signal paths, and (ii) pin numbers, test points, assembly boundaries,
and non-logic functions necessary to describe the physical and electrical aspects of the
circuit.

Special application drawings: Special application drawings are of several types. These are described below.

1.wiring harness drawing specifies the engineering requirements and establishes item identification for a wiring
harness (a group of individually insulated conductors, including shielded wires and coaxial cables, held together by
lacing cord or other binding). It is prepared as either a detailed or simplified drawing.

2.cable assembly drawing depicts an electrical cable assembly of defined length and establishes item identification
for that assembly. It is prepared to describe power, signal, radio frequency, audio and general purpose electrical
cable assemblies including both single-run and branched cables.

3.Printed board drawing sets consist of those drawings which define the configuration of printed wiring or printed
circuit boards and assemblies. They establish requirements for assembly and test. A typical drawing set includes an
assembly drawing, schematic diagram, master drawing, and may include an artwork master.

4.microcircuit drawing specifies the engineering requirements and establishes item identification for a microcircuit.
It is prepared to establish the physical and functional characteristics necessary to ensure microcircuit
interchangeability.

5. un-dimensioned drawing represents the shape and other design features of an object at a precise scale
predominantly without dimensions. It is prepared to describe items which can be fabricated by use of the patterns
to produce the item or to produce a tool for use in fabricating the item.

6. kit drawing identifies an item or group of items with instructions for their use. It does not necessarily define
a complete functional assembly. It is prepared when it is desired to identify all of the items required to perform a
specific operation in kit form.

7. pipe bend drawing establishes, by pictorial or tabular description or a combination thereof, end product
definition for a single, multi-plane, pipe or pipe assembly along with the identification for the bent pipe or pipe
assembly. It is prepared to specify complete requirements and configuration of rigid or semi-rigid piping for direct
use in forming on a draw bending machine. It is prepared as a detail, assembly, or detail assembly drawing.

8. matched set drawing defines items which are matched and for which replacement as a matched set is
essential. It is prepared when the required dimensions, tolerances, or other characteristics of items can only be
specified in terms of the matched relationship. This includes items which are interchangeable only as a set because
of special requirements for machining, electrical characteristics, performance, etc.

9. contour definition drawing contains the mathematical, numeric, or graphic definition required to locate and
define a contoured surface. It does not establish item identification for the items described thereon. It is prepared to
define complex surface geometry which cannot be conveniently included in the detail drawings of an item.

10. computer program drawing describes the design details, establishes item identification, and provides for
control of the software it represents. Three types of drawings are generally used. Computer program listing drawing
is prepared to document operational computer programs / software. It provides design details and establishes item
identification for the computer program. It identifies the master source code, object code, or both, for the computer
program in human readable form. The drawing specifies the media materials, marking requirements, and the
applicable specifications. The type of software tools (computer, assembler, and compiler etc.) required to produce
the object code from the source code is also specified. The computer program assembly drawing contains computer
generated load maps of computer programs with multiple components / subprograms. It lists each subprogram and
specifies the media materials, type of equipment required to produce the computer program, marking requirements,
and applicable specifications. It establishes item identification for the assembly process. The computer program set
drawing groups two or more individual computer programs into a set for handling convenience. It consists of a
parts list which identifies the computer programs and applicable notes. It establishes item identification for the set.

Modifying drawings: Modifying drawing types (altered item, selected item and modification drawings) are not used
for items made from raw or bulk materials, items purchased in bulk lengths (extrusions, channel nuts, and hinges
etc.), or such semi-processed items as blank panels, castings, and electronic equipment drawers etc.

1.altered item drawing describes the physical alteration of an existing item under the control of another design
activity. The drawing type permits the required alteration to be performed by any competent manufacturer
including the original manufacturer, the altering design activity, or a third party. It establishes new item
identification for the altered item.

2.selected item drawing defines refined acceptance criteria for an existing item under the control of another design
activity which requires further selection, restriction, or testing for such characteristics as fit, tolerance, material (in
cases where alternate materials are used in the existing item), performance, reliability, etc., within the originally
prescribed limits. This drawing establishes new item identification for the selected item.

3.modification drawing describes changes to items after they have been delivered. When required for control
purposes, the drawing requires re- identification of the modified item. The drawing is prepared to add, remove, or
rework items to satisfy the user’s requirements or to incorporate mandatory changes in delivered equipment. A
modification drawing is not a substitute for existing drawing types used to produce the item prior to modification.
Engineering changes are incorporated into the latter drawing types to the extent that future production is to reflect
the modifications.