College of Engineering and Architecture

Urdaneta Campus
Department of Architecture

BT 113
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 03

TITLE: ARCHITECTURAL WORKING DRAWING

DG NO: MT- 01
Date Given: 09-13-23
Date Due: 9-27-23
Date Submitted: 09-25-23

Submitted on time Late submitted

SINOHIN, LYKA, D.
20-UR-1259/ ARCHI 3A

Ar. Manuel V. Manzano Jr, UAP

Instructor

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 Table of contents

Working Drawings and Building Codes 3

Working Drawing Deliverables 7

Types of Working Drawings 14

Technology and Working Drawings 21

Using Architectural Details 22

Getting the Building Permit 23

Architectural Drawing Industry Standards 25

Designing for Safety 32

References 33

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Architectural working drawing
Objectives:
1. to understand the definition of architectural drawing and its background
2. to identify the types of architectural working drawing
3. to learn how to draft architectural plans

Introduction
The use of drawings as a means of communication is as old as man's existence. It is a well
known fact that drawing is a universal language allowing communication between people
regardless of language barriers. This exchange of ideas and shape description is commonly
referred to as the graphic language.
It is through the use of the graphic language that we transfer our ideas from our minds and
verbal discussions to visual conceptions recognizable by others. Within the realm of the graphic
language there exist many types of drawings, which may range from the simple freehand idea
sketches to the technical set of working drawings required by industry .
The working drawings are a complete set of drawings such that the object represented can
be built from it alone without additional information. In architecture and the construction industry,
these drawings are divided into two basic classifications: residential and commercial. The two
have certain common design, construction, and application of material techniques, but for the most
part they are different.
The working drawings for residential buildings are many times dictated by geographical
location. Thus a variety of methods and applications have developed. It was due to this fact that
this study, dealing with one particular method of making residential working drawings, was
developed.
The residence selected for use as the sample plan was designed, constructed and placed
for sale on the competitive market, thus proving the practical application 2 of the working drawings
used to construct this residence. Shown in Figure 1-1 is a photograph of the completed residence.

Photograph of Completed Sample Residence

FIG. 1-1

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Background of the study

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/w/images/thumb/a/ad/Workingdrawing.jpg/763px-
Workingdrawing.jpg

What are working drawings?

Working drawings provide dimensioned, graphical information that can be used; by

a contractor to construct the works, or by suppliers to fabricate components of the works or
to assemble or instal components. They may
include architectural drawings, structural drawings, civil engineering
drawings, mechanical drawings, electrical drawings, and so on.

Traditional working drawings consist of two-dimensional orthogonal projections of

the building or component they are describing, such as plans, sections and elevations. These may
be drawn to scale by hand, or prepared using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

However, increasingly, building information modelling (BIM) is being used to create three-
dimensional representations of buildings and their components for construction. This may be
described as a virtual construction model (VCM) and can comprise a number of
different models prepared by different members of the project team.

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 NB Roles in construction projects: analysis and terminology, by Hughes, W. and Murdoch,
J. R, published in 2001 by the University of Reading, suggests that working drawings is: ‘A term
that used to be common but seems to have fallen into disuse, describing information produced
by designers for builders.’

How should working drawings be prepared?

Working drawings may include title blocks, dimensions, notation and symbols. It is
important that these are consistent with industry standards so that their precise meaning is clear
and can be understood. Specification information can be included on working drawings or in a
separate specification, but information should not be duplicated as this can become contradictory
and may cause confusion.

The scale at which drawings are prepared should reflect the level of detail of
the information they are required to convey. Different line thicknesses can also be used to provide
greater clarity for certain elements.

It is important that the purpose of the drawings and the people that will use them are
considered. Working drawings might be prepared for; statutory approvals,
for contractors to plan the construction works, to provide instructions on site, for
the procurement of components, for the preparation of shop drawings, for
the appointment of subcontractors and so on.

Drawings must be structured carefully so that they convey necessary information to carry
out particular parts of the works. To give greater clarity, they may be separated into packages, so
that information is specifically tailored to separate parts of the works, specific components, or
separate suppliers or trades.

It may be necessary to produce some packages earlier than others, for example, for items
with long manufacturing times such as switchgear, chiller units, lifts, escalators or
bespoke cladding systems, or for front-end construction such
as service diversions, demolition, setting
out details, underground drainage, piling and groundworks.

Working drawings may be updated when the works are complete to show ‘as
constructed’ information, reflecting changes to the works that may have occurred during
the construction process.

The quality of working drawings is extremely important. Unless it is prepared and co-ordinated
properly, there will be disputes and delays on site, and costs will be incurred. Common problems
with working drawings include:

 Poor co-ordination of information.

 Errors and omissions.
 Information not getting to the right people.
 Poor presentation.
 Using out of date information.

Carefully prepared working drawings can be very beautiful and the very best have been
exhibited as works of art.

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Who prepares working drawings?

Responsibility for the preparation of working drawings will depend on the

selected system of procurement and the chosen form of contract. On traditional
contracts (and management contracts and construction management contracts), working
drawings may be produced by a consultant team, working for the client.

Some specialist elements of working drawings may be produced by specialist contractors,

co-ordinated by the lead designer. On other forms of contract, such as design and build,
responsibility for preparing and co-ordinating working drawings may lie with the main contractor.

Building Permits
The completed blueprints must also be submitted to the local building department to ensure
that the proposed design is in compliance with all regulatory agency requirements, including those
set by the zoning, fire, health, and other departments. A building permit will only be issued after
the drawings are checked and approved by the various departments.
Almost all new construction (commercial, civic, industrial, residential, etc.) and renovation
require a building permit. In order to obtain a permit, a complete set of construction drawings is
required. Only in the case of minor changes to an existing building will a permit not be required.
Examples of minor changes would include minor repair or painting. For residential projects, such
as a renovation or addition to an existing building, a building permit will be required. All structural
work must comply with applicable code standards.
A building permit is a document that states that approval from the local building department
has been given to proceed with construction or demolition. This document is numbered and
recorded at the local building department. The permit(s) must be posted in a visible location on the
construction site. It is unlawful to start construction or demolition before a permit is issued. This
document is necessary for all new construction, additions or renovations of both residential and
commercial projects. An application is made at the building department in the city, town, or
municipality in which the work is to take place.
A complete set of construction documents can be large—30 or more drawings, or small—
10 to 15 drawings—depending on the size and type of project. A shopping mall would require
many drawings, whereas a small residence would require fewer. Today almost all construction
drawings are produced.

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 https://www.northernarchitecture.us/building-codes/images/3002_61_100-good-for-construction-
drawing.jpg
Figure 6.1 A and B. Computer-generated renderings of a building exterior and floor plan (source:
Archiform Ltd.). C. Hand-drawn office-lobby interior with mahogany paneling (source: Kubba
Design). on computers. One reason is that CAD software is faster and results in greater drawing
accuracy, consistency, correctability, and easier storage.

Construction drawings are considered to be legal documents, and everyone involved in the
project— owner, architect/engineer, and general contractor—all use these drawings as their
source of information. But in order to produce a comprehensive set of construction drawings,
knowledge of design and building methods are necessary.

The types of drawings discussed in this chapter are essentially construction drawings,
including architectural drawings, structural drawings, mechanical drawings, electrical diagrams,
details, and shop drawings. Construction drawing is any drawing that furnishes the information
required by the craftspeople to rough in equipment or erect a structure.

Working drawings and deliverables

Architecture firms offer a variety of services to their clients, ranging from predesign and
planning, project design, and construction management to operations and management for the
completed building. In this article, we will discuss the entirety of the project delivery process and
the fees and deliverables associated with them.

Executive Summary
The first phase is schematic design, in which the architect and client discuss project goals
and requirements, and develop a basic schematic for the work. The second phase is design
development, in which the architect creates the project drawings and specifies detailed design
elements and major building systems. The majority of the services performed by architects—
typically accounting for two-thirds of firm billings—is for project design. Next the architect prepares
the construction documents for the project, which include much more detailed and specific plans—
including material specifications—sufficient for a contractor to develop a construction bid. These
plans are then submitted to contractors for their bids. At the conclusion of the bidding and
negotiation phase, the client evaluates contractor estimates, selects the winning bid, and awards
the construction contract. The final phase is construction administration, in which the architect’s
role is to work with the contractor and owner to ensure that the project is built as specified in the
plans and construction documents, and consistent with the design intent.
Billings by Phase of Design
Architectural service billings are typically back-loaded, meaning fiscal arrangements are
made ahead of time but paid off as a large portion of activity has occurred. In the project delivery
process, the greatest share of billings is incurred during the last three phases. The schematic
design and design development phases together typically account for just over one-third of total
billings, even though they often account for a larger portion of the length of the design and
documentation phases. The construction documents phase alone accounts for 40 percent of
project fees, on average. The final two phases, bidding and construction administration, typically
account for slightly less than one-quarter of billings. In the diagram below, you can see this
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breakdown as explained in the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index 2014 White Paper "Designing the
Construction Future."

Length of the Design and Documentation Phases

For the majority of projects, the design and documentation phases (schematic design to
construction documents) last less than nine months. However, because there are few typical
design projects, there is a tremendous amount of variation in terms of the duration of the design
and documentation phases. There are many factors that can affect the length of this phase of a
project. Having a public (as opposed to private) client or designing larger, more complex projects
are two major factors cited by architecture firms as having the greatest potential to increase the
project design time. Projects that are retrofits or rehabilitation (as opposed to new construction)
and buildings with a proposed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
certification are also factors with the potential to increase the design time. On the other hand,
more collaborative project delivery processes such as design/build, construction management,
and integrated project delivery can result in projects that have shorter overall project schedules
than projects using a traditional design/bid/build project delivery method. Again from the AIA’s
Architecture Billings Index, we see (image below) the distribution, in months, of length of time to
complete the design and documentation phases for the typical architecture firm.

On average, nearly half of architecture firm billings are from projects where the design and
documentation phases last less than six months, and two-thirds of billings are from projects where
the design and documentation phases last less than nine months. Just a small share of
architecture firm billings is from projects where the design and documentation phases last for more
than two years. These estimates will be used to estimate the average duration in the breakdowns
below.

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The Project Delivery Process
Pre-Design Phase
According to the AIA, programming –or pre-design (PD) – isn’t an official or required phase of
design, but rather a responsibility of the owner. Depending on the project's ease of design or
restrictive parameters, some projects can leap directly into the schematic design phase (ex. gas
stations). The aim here is to gather all the information needed to begin the project. No drawings or
designs are created during programming. Instead, you focus on defining the design scope of
work and begin discussions around budget and schedule. While not technically part of the
design phases, it can help ensure the project runs as smoothly as possible. The client answers
questions about their wants, needs, and problems. If more planning is required, Architects may
also conduct additional research, analysis, and surveys to best understand the limitation and
opportunities of the site. Then they'll discuss the most appropriate path moving forward based on
the architect's discovery and recommendations.
 Goal: Uncover important information, identify potential roadblocks, and define what a
successful end result looks like.

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  Billings: 0.0% of Architectural Fees. Firms can either make it an add-on service if the
project has already been awarded or the base of project pursuits, absorb the costs in the
pursuit of the project.

 Duration: No data has been collected to estimate the duration of predesign. Turnaround is
based on the complexity of the design scope.

 Deliverables: Program of Requirements, the exact format will vary by firm but likely a
catalog, tabulation, or summary of all the information collected.

Another reason predesign is not an official phase of design is that it is usually an absorbed cost
of the architecture firm. Firms attempting to win work from a new client, do so by demonstrating
their services and project skills in this stage. Work done in pursuit of winning competitions, RFP
(Request for Proposals), RFQ (Request for Qualifications), and any other outbound marketing
efforts fall under this umbrella. For some growing firms, profits from awarded projects are used to
cover the costs of active and unsuccessful project pursuits. According to the 2021 AIA's
Technology, Culture, & the Future of the Architectural Firm publication, 60 percent of firms
prioritize winning more new clients in the next 3 years, and one-third plan to incorporate more
outbound efforts to do so. This makes optimizing predesign, one of the most potentially profitable
phases when it comes to business growth.

Schematic Design Phase

Schematic design (SD) tends to be an architect's favorite stage because most of us explore
many ideas in this phase in order to achieve the best possible design solutions. During the
schematic design phase, an architect consults with the owner to determine project goals and
requirements. The team takes what was agreed upon and translates it into architectural and
spatial designs. Deliverables include the estimated square footage(s) of each usage type(s) and
any other elements that achieve the project goals. To get to the final schematic design, an
architect commonly develops study drawings, documents, or other media that illustrate the
concepts of the design and include spatial relationships, scale, and form for the owner to review.
This is also where the majority of early-stage analysis is conducted like site analysis, orientation
and massing studies, Window-to-Wall Ratios comparisons, benchmarking, and more. Zoning
requirements or jurisdictional restrictions are discovered and addressed in this phase. Before
moving into the next phase, an estimated project cost based on the overall project volume is also
conducted.
 Goal: Create a basic design for the shape and size of the space.

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  Billings: 15% of Architectural Fees (Range from 10-25%)

 Duration: Two-thirds of firms will take under 3 Months for this phase, with 5 percent of
architecture firms taking over 12 months.

 Deliverables: Schematic design often produces a site plan, floor plan(s), sections, an
elevation, and other illustrative materials; computer images, renderings, or models.
Typically the drawings include overall dimensions, and a constructioncost is estimated.
Note: The contract may actually spell out what is to be delivered.

Schematic designs are about laying the groundwork upon which more rigid components like
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing rely on.
Design Development Phase
The name appropriately describes this stage of design: it develops – from the schematic
concept into a more refined and articulated architectural idea. Design development (DD) services
use the initial design documents and take them one step further. This is where we develop the
details by diving deeper into finishes, materiality, and system integration. This phase is also where
we focus heavily on coordination. Each discipline, including Structure, Landscape, MEPs
(mechanical, electrical, plumbing), will need to provide a drawing set to the architect including
plans, sections, diagrams, details, and reference sheets. Accompanying the DD drawing set will
be a draft project manual that includes an outline of the project specifications; more on
specifications in the CD phase. The more developed documentation provided at this phase of
design, the more successful later phases tend to be with the least redesigns. These documents
may also be used as part of the approval process for early building permits and can serve as a
basis for cost prediction in bidding, essentially providing the basis for an estimate for construction.
 Goal: Refine and develop the design with more details and specifications.

 Billings: 20% of Architectural Fees (Range from 10-25%)

 Duration: Two-thirds of firms will take under 3 Months for this phase, with 5 percent of
architecture firms taking over 12 months.

 Deliverables: Design development often produces floor plans, sections, elevations, door
and window details, and outlines material specifications with full dimensions. This drawing
set also includes structural drawings, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) drawings,
civil engineering drawings, and landscape architecture drawings. Other consultants such as
acoustics, fire protection, and envelope may provide drawings and documents as well.

The level of detail provided in the DD phase is determined by the owner’s request and the
project requirements. The DD phase often ends with a formal presentation to, and approval by, the
owner.
Construction Document Phase
The next phase is construction documents (CDs). This phase entirely revolves around
producing the final drawing set and project manual that will be the binding contract between the
Architect, the Contractor, and the Owner. In the CDs, all the building practices coordinate to turn
the design into something buildable and safe to inhabit. Good construction documents provide the
Contractor with the most comprehensive understanding of the Architect’s intent. These documents
will precisely describe every facet of the design and how it will be built. Some of the most arduous
tasks occur here, such as spec writing. Technical specifications (specs) are written descriptions of
the materials, products, and workmanship used to construct a building, as well as the standard
and performance of related services. Typical 100% CDs will include hundreds of pages of
architectural drawings and specifications with sections dedicated to Architecture, Structural,
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Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Landscape Architecture, and Civil. Once CDs are satisfactorily
produced, the architect sends them to contractors for pricing or bidding if part of the contract. This
phase results in the contractors’ final estimate of project costs. Last the CD set is also used to
obtain a building permit.
 Goal: Create even more detailed and comprehensive drawings and get documents
submitted to local authorities.

 Billings: 40% of Architectural Fees (Range from 35-50%)

 Duration: Two-thirds of firms will take under 3 Months for this phase, with 5 percent of
architecture firms taking over 12 months.

 Deliverables: The construction document phase produces a set of drawings that include all
pertinent information required for the contractor to price and build the project. Required
components of the CD set includes:

o Architectural plan, section, elevation, and details. General building and zoning code
analysis, life safety plans, and accessibility and sustainability standards. Civil grading
and utility plans. Landscape plans, sections, and details. Structural plans,
calculations, and details. Plumbing diagrams, details, and schedules. Locations and
sizes of all mechanical equipment. Power calculations and locations of all power
outlets, sources, light fixtures, and switches.

Embrace revisions but use analysis to mitigate them

As you progress, changes are bound to happen. The CD phase tends to see the most design
revisions. Here are the top 3 reasons:
1. Finding conflicts in the micro details. The design of a building is incredibly complex, human
error is inevitable so make sure to coordinate early and often to prevent as many
misalignments as possible.

2. Going over budget. 80% of projects go over budget. Sometimes this is due to unforeseen
events beyond human control, other times it is the result of poor communication.
Preparation and planning can help reduce some of the most costly errors.

3. Failing to meet project goals. Whether it's meeting local code compliancy or meeting the
owner-contracted requirements, incorporating analysis early to stay on track to hit your
targets is key.

Coordination of the specifications and drawings allows for accurate bids, and in turn, affords a
more seamless construction process.
Bid or Negotiation Phase
Out of all the design phases, the bidding phase is rather simple – the goal is to find a
construction company to build the project. Typically as part of the contract services of the
architect, they will be responsible for guiding their client to the best construction company based
on their qualifications and price. There are two different types of bids: a negotiated bid and a
competitive bid. The negotiated bidding process is more relaxed, as you are only dealing with one
contractor. With this type of bid, the client or the architect selects a preferred contractor and works
with that contractor to develop a cost and proposal for the construction. A competitive bid is where
you have several contractors competing against one another for the project. The first step of this
phase is the preparation of the bid documents to go out to potential contractors for pricing. For
some projects that have unique aspects or complex requirements, the architect and owner elect to
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have a prebid meeting for potential contractors. After bid sets are distributed, both the owner and
architect wait for bids to come in. The owner, with the help of the architect, evaluates the bids and
selects a winning bid. Any negotiation with the bidder of price or project scope, if necessary,
should be done before the contract for construction is signed. The final step is to award the
contract to the selected bidder with a formal letter of intent to allow construction to begin.
 Goal: Select a construction company to build the project

 Billings: 5% of Architectural Fees

 Duration: 1 Month. Typically, contractors take about three weeks to put together a bid.
Once you receive all the bids it’s time to pick a contractor.

 Deliverables: The first deliverable is a bid document set that includes an advertisement for
bids, instructions to bidders, the bid form, bid documents, the owner-contractor agreement,
labor and material payment bond, and any other sections necessary for successful price
bids. A final deliverable is a construction contract. Once this document is signed, project
construction can begin.

Usually, cost is the most important factor during the bidding phase. This is where the accuracy
and completeness of your construction documents come into play. If the bids are all similar in cost,
give yourself a pat on the back – you did your job well!
Construction Administration Phase
During the construction phase, the architect provides construction oversight. Contract
administration (CA) services are rendered at the owner’s discretion and are outlined in the owner-
architect construction agreement. Different owner-architect-contractor agreements require different
levels of services on the architect’s part. CA services begin with the initial contract for construction
and terminate when the final certificate of payment is issued. New to the mix are subcontractors,
who undertake the work that a General Contractor (GC) cannot do but for which the contractor is
responsible for. This is usually done to mitigate project risks or lower costs as subcontractors are
usually specialists in one area like Electrical or HVAC. While most construction schedules are set
to begin from the signing of the contract, often, the actual, on-site construction work for each of the
individual parties hired to work on the project may not begin until they receive a Notice to
Proceed from the party that hired them.
The architect’s core responsibility during this phase is to help the contractor and sub-
contractors to build the project as specified in the CDs as approved by the owner. Questions may
arise on site that requires the architect to develop architectural sketches: drawings issued after
construction documents have been released that offer additional clarification to finish the project
properly. Different situations may require the architect to issue a Change in Services to complete
the project. In order for a completed building to receive its final certificate of occupancy from the
local authority, the building must closely match the construction documents submitted and any
changes of services, and pass a final building inspection.
 Goal: Present the client with their dream space, on time and within budget.

 Billings: 20% of Architectural Fees (Range from 20-30%)

 Duration: No data has been collected to estimate the duration of bidding and negotiations

 Deliverables: Progress photos, field reports, unexpected change orders, and a punch list.
Final delivery is a successfully built and contracted project.

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Types of working drawings

What Is an Architectural Drawing?

An architectural drawing can be a sketch, plan, diagram or schematic. Whatever form it
takes, the architectural drawing is used to communicate detailed information about what’s being
built. These technical drawings are made by architects according to a set of standards, such as
the view, which can be a floor plan, section or another perspective of the building, sheet sizes,
units of measurement and scales, annotation and cross-referencing.
In the past, these construction drawings and specifications were done with ink and paper.
Copies were made by hand, which took a lot of time and effort. This led to drawing on tracing
paper and, with the development of the computer, almost all architectural construction drawings
are done on computer-aided design (CAD) software.
There are many types of architectural drawings, most of which are a combination of words
and pictures. They all communicate precise details on the style and aesthetics of the construction
project. Various types of blueprints are used in vertical constructions, such as architectural,
structural, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical and plumbing, fire protection
plans, etc.
Whatever the output of the construction project, the construction diagram is a necessary
step that leads to the construction project plan. Project management software is essential to move
from architectural drawings to viable project plans. ProjectManager is award-winning project
management software that has powerful Gantt charts that organize your tasks, link all four
dependencies to avoid costly delays and even filter for the critical path. Once your plan is
complete, set a baseline to compare the planned effort against your actual effort to help you stay
on track. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

ProjectManager turns architectural drawings into actionable construction plans

What Is the Purpose of Architectural Drawings?
The purpose of architectural drawings is to communicate the design and layout of a
structure that’s to be built or remodeled. These construction drawings are used by architects,
builders, engineers and other construction professionals working on the project. In fact, the
architectural drawings are important to all project stakeholders.
Another reason for architectural drawings is that they’re used for getting building permits,
zoning approvals and other regulatory requirements. Construction projects cannot break ground
until they’ve been legally approved. They must follow code and safety regulations and the
construction drawings allow regulators to determine if the plans meet these standards.
Engineers use architectural drawings to work on mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP)
features in the building or structure. It allows them to understand the space and figure out how
they’ll put their systems within the building. Contractors also use these building drawings to

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understand what building materials they’ll need as well as other requirements. It helps them
with estimating costs and creating a budget for the project.
Architectural drawings have many purposes, from understanding the space in depth to
convincing clients of the viability of the project. It gives everyone a better sense of the scope of the
project and helps in the process of construction. The importance of construction drawings cannot
be underestimated.

Site Plan
This is an aerial view of a building and the property that surrounds it. These can include
buildings that are nearby as well as infrastructure, such as roads. This architectural drawing is
important in that it shows where the building is to be erected in context to the property boundaries.
There can also be details about landscaping, driveways, patios and other design elements.

From stock.adobe.com.
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Floor Plan
The floor plan is the interior drawing of the building. They can include specific design
elements, such as electrical or plumbing systems to detailed measurements between the walls,
doors and windows of the building. There are usually surface area calculations for each room on
the floor. The floor plan is going to inform the project estimate. These plans used to be 2-D
drawings, but are increasingly being made in 3-D.

From stock.adobe.com.
Cross-Sectional Architectural Drawings
A cross-section architectural drawing is a 2-D rendering that serves to illustrate the various
visible and hidden elements in the building. A cross-section is a view of an object as if part of it
was sliced off to review the inside. This is done to the building along a vertical place allowing
viewers to look in. This helps show how the building is put together, such as how walls need to be
built, how windows fit into those walls and the structural transitions from one floor to another.

From stock.adobe.com.
Structural drawings or construction drawings
A structural drawing, a type of engineering drawing, is a plan or set of plans and details
for how a building or other structure will be built. Structural drawings are generally prepared by
registered professional engineers, and based on information provided by architectural drawings.
The 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

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mechanical systems. The structural drawings communicate the design of the building's structure to
the building authority for review. Structural drawings are also included with a proposed building's
contract documents, which guide contractors in detailing, fabricating, and installing parts of the
structure.

Construction drawing
Construction drawing is the general term used for drawings that form part of the production
information that is incorporated into tender documentation and then the contract documents for
the construction works. This means they have legal significance and form part of
the agreement between the employer and the contractor.
The main purpose of construction drawings is to provide a graphic representation of what is
to be built. Construction drawings should be concise and coordinated to avoid, wherever possible,
ambiguity and confusion. Delays and misunderstandings can be minimised by
properly coordinating the drawings. For more information, see Document control.
Specifications will detail the materials, standards, techniques, and so on required to carry
out the works. Construction drawings provide the graphical representation, indicating the
arrangement of components, detailing, dimensions, and so on. They may sometimes contain
some of the information set out in specifications, but this should be avoided if possible, by referring
to specifications rather than duplicating information. Where there is a crossover, care must be
taken to ensure proper co-ordination so there is no confusion. If there is a disparity between the
two, the specifications will tend to take precedence over the drawings.
A complete set of construction drawings tends to comprise floor plans, elevations, sections,
and detail drawings, that together provide a complete representation of the building. On
many projects, each major trade will have separate trade drawings, e.g. electrical, plumbing, and
so on.

https://mohankumar.construction/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/structural-Drawing.jpg
Electrical drawing

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 Electrical drawings, sometimes referred to as wiring diagrams, are a type of technical
drawing that provide visual representation describing electrical systems or circuits. They are used
to explain the design to electricians or other workers who will use them to help install
or repair electrical systems.
A set of electrical drawings on a project might include:
 A site plan which shows the location of the building and any external wiring.

 Floor plans which show the positions of electrical systems on each floor.

 Wiring diagrams which show the physical connections and layout of electrical circuits.

 Schedules and other information.

Electrical drawings for buildings tend to include the following details:

 How the electrical wires and other parts of the system are interconnected and switched.

 Where fixtures and other components connect to the system.

 Incoming power lines and their voltage, size, capacity and rating.

 Power transformers and their winding connection and means of grounding.

 The main switches, fused switches and tie breakers.

 Equipment such as batteries, air conditioning, solar panels, generators, and so on,
including their voltage and size.

They typically feature complex symbols and annotation to represent and explain components of
the system.

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Plumbing and Sanitary Drawings
This type of technical drawing illustrates the system for pumping water in and out of the
building. Equipment, pipes, pumps, and drains, the nature and size of sinks to the location of gas
are carefully illustrated in a drawing. Plumbing construction drawings also indicate the position of
sanitary, piping for water supply system, fixtures, and the process to connect every accessory.
Read this article on how to save thousands of dollars a year with digital blueprints.

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 https://i.pinimg.com/736x/57/25/d3/5725d321b239fcae84de70ea379bb56a.jpg
Roof plan
A roof plan is a graphical representation or a scaled drawing of a planned roof construction
containing dimensions and measurements of the whole roof structure, including plan, size, extent,
shape, design, and positioning all materials, for instance, drainage, valleys, heating and
ventilation, slopes, and many more. It is considered as the crucial part of the initial planning phase
necessary for the construction of the new roof. A roof plan is also vital for any repair, fixtures,
installations, renovations, or additional work being executed on an existing roof. In this article, we
will break down the importance of roof plans in the construction of any building structure.

https://temp.civilengi.com/projects/small/2018/01/original/sloping_roof_roof_plan_detail_drawing_i
n_dwg_file._07082018023846.png
Finishing Drawing
This drawing illustrates the finishing details and appearance of the building. Construction
Finishing drawings include every type of components of the building, such as painting colors,
flooring pattern, plastering texture, elevation design, and false ceiling shapes.

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 https://www.northernarchitecture.us/construction-drawings/images/3019_67_313-finishing-
drawings-construction.jpg
WHAT ARE TECHNICAL DRAWINGS?
Also referred to as ‘engineering drawings’, technical drawings are incredibly detailed
diagrams of how a building works and/or is constructed. A technical drawing bridges the gap
between the design element and practicality of building something. Essentially, they act as
universal instructions for engineers, builders, electricians, plumbers, or developers. All the
aforementioned professionals can see from the technical drawing where they are to build or install
various elements.
In our case, architectural drawings depict every aspect of the proposed construction. They
visualize ideas and concepts as a coherent plan. In turn, this helps to identify the supplies and
labor required for the project.

ARE THEY HAND-DRAWN OR CAD?

Like most industries, digitization is commonplace. In times gone by, most architects and
engineers would have drawn plans by hand. This was a time-consuming practice, so the advent of
computer aided design (CAD) software revolutionized the industry. Since the arrival of CAD,
drafting is much easier, reaches a higher degree of accuracy, and is less time-consuming.
Moreover, as opposed to keeping several large-scale drawings on a drawing board, CAD allows
the drafting of multiple projects on the computer. Equally, it is far easier to display finished designs
in 3D.

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CAD software has changed the way the world works, particularly in the engineering and
architectural industries. It has replaced traditional drafting and design methods like pen and paper,
allowing industries to plan, simulate and produce their new ideas in a single program. We’re going
to take a look at the role of CAD in the architecture industry, highlighting how CAD has
revolutionized the intricacies of the planning, design and evaluation processes.

CAD programs are used across a huge number of different industries. As a result, a vast array of
specialized programs have had space to flourish; each focusing on the needs of its specific
industry. This constant evolution is particularly evident in architecture with the introduction
of Computer-Aided Architectural Design (CAAD). While CAD refers more generally to the
design process, CAAD programs cater specifically to the architectural industry. They have
specialized databases of building parts and construction knowledge, and support the creation
of architectural objects.
These programs allow those in the architectural industry to turn their concepts into detailed
designs, and even allow for 3D visualizations and simulations.

Detail Architectural Drawings

This type of architectural drawing is made up of many, smaller cross-section drawings as
well as close-up views of parts of the building. They provide detail, especially about how pieces of
the building are put together. For example, they might show how reinforced concrete beams are
assembled or custom designs, such as roof eaves and window openings.

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 From https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/architectural-drawings-minimalist-details.

Building permit
A building permit is an official approval issued by the local government agency that allows
you or your contractor to proceed with a construction or remodeling project on your property. It is
intended to ensure that the project plans to comply with local standards for land use, zoning, and
construction. These standards are intended to ensure the safety of current and future owners and
occupants and to provide enforcement of zoning and land-use policies.
Specific issues that the building permit process may address include structural integrity of
the framing work, zoning, sanitation, water, and sewer lines, fire protection, and electrical service.
When Is a Building Permit Needed?
Not all home construction and renovation projects require a building permit. In most cases,
simple repairs and replacements can be performed by professional contractors or homeowners
without applying for a permit. However, any project that involves additions or major changes to
your home's structure or its mechanical systems usually require you to apply for an appropriate
permit from the local building department. If you are hiring a contractor to perform the work, he
usually will handle the permit process for you, factoring in the costs of the permit to his bid. If you
are doing the work yourself, it is your responsibility to apply for the permit. Be aware that your
building department may require that some types of work be done only by licensed professionals.
Work on gas lines, for example, may be forbidden to homeowners in some communities.
The requirements for permits vary widely from region to region, though, and the only way
you can tell for sure if a permit is required is to call your local building office and describe the work
you want to do. Some regions may require permits for almost every type of work, even building a
landscape fence. The decision to require a permit or not often depends on an assessment of the
relative risk the work poses to current and future residents of the house.
The Building Permit Process
If you are planning to do the work yourself, the process of obtaining a building permit usually
goes something like this:

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 1. Contact your local building office and describe the project you want to do. If a permit is
required, an application form will be provided to you that outlines the requirements for
applying for a building permit. Some jobs may require multiple permits. A major remodeling
project, for example, might require a carpentry/construction permit, an electrical permit, and
a plumbing permit.

2. Prepare the permit application, including whatever additional materials may be required.
Construction projects may require drawings of the work you plan.

3. Submit the building permit application and pay whatever fees are required. The licensing
office will issue you an official permit certificate.

4. As you begin work, post the building permit certificate as required. This may mean taping
the permit to a door or window near where the work is being done.

5. At the designated points during the work, call the inspection office to arrange for an
inspector to visit the worksite and review the quality of the work. If the inspector orders any
changes to the work, complete these changes, and have the inspector return to review the
work again.

6. Once the inspector approves the work, you no longer need to display the permit certificate.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURING A BUILDING PERMIT IN THE PHILIPPINES

The following are the requirements for securing a building permit:
\Properly filled-up application forms duly signed and sealed by engineers concerned:
 Building Permit Forms (5 copies)

 Electrical Permit Forms (3 copies)

 Sanitary Permit Forms (3 copies)

1. Five (5) complete sets of Detailed Plans

2. For construction of two-storey building:

 Structural Design Analysis — signed and sealed by Civil Engineer at every page

1. For construction of more than two-storey building:

 Boring and Plate Load Test

 Seismic Analysis

1. Proof of Property

 Photocopy of Transfer Certificate if Title (TCT)

 Photocopy of tax Declaration of Property-lot (Certified True Copy) — 5 copies

 Photocopy of Current Tax Receipt (5 copies)

1. If property is not registered under the name of the applicant:

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  Submit 5 copies of any of the following:

 Contract of Lease

 Contract of Sale

 Affidavit of Consent of the Lot Owner for the construction of building/house

 Deed of Absolute Sale

1. Permit Billboard (0.60 X 0.90 Plywood with the following contents):

2. Bill of Materials and Specification (5 copies) — signed and sealed by an engineer or an

architect at every page

3. Locational Clearance

4. Photocopy of PTR # and PRC license of all concerned engineers and architects

5. Clearance from the DPWH if the construction is located along National Highway

6. DOLE Clearance

PROCEDURES OF SECURING A BUILDING PERMIT IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. Get a Requirements-Checklist and application forms from your municipal’s office (Office of the
Building Official).
2. Go to the Office of the Building Official and submit the papers. They will tell you then where
to go next, in this case Assessor’s Office. If you’re in the city hall, they usually have windows
where you have to submit each folder of each set of forms. But in the provinces, each section are
usually close to each other if not on the same unit.
3. You will be issued Acknowledgement Slip which bears the date of the status of your
application. It’s usually around 10 working days.
If your application is approved and in compliant with the National Building Code, you’ll be given
an Order of Payment to pay the necessary building permit fees.
4. Present the Order of Payment at the Treasurer’s Office and pay the fees. Fees range from
P6,000 and above depending on the your construction size, municipality location and the
assessment plan. Fees in the provinces are usually cheaper than in the cities.
5. Photocopy the OR (Official Receipt) and bring a copy to the Office of the Building
Official releasing section.
6. After 5 working days, go back to the releasing section of the Office of the Building
Official and claim your building permit.
Drafting Standards
Through the 1980s and 1990s the architectural industry produced a legion of CAD drafters,
who produced everything from presentation drawings to construction documents. This new breed
of architectural drafter, however, could do only what the computer would allow him or her to do.
The CAD drafters were controlled by the new tool, rather than using the new tool to their
advantage. The reason was that the new tool would not only draw the floor plan, but would also
dimension it to tolerances the industry could not hold. It would, for example, dimension a masonry
structure to what was drawn rather than to the required block modules for masonry units. And this
was just a minor difficulty. Model-making skills (for real models) were being lost. For the drafter
constantly working in virtual model space, the concept of real scale in a real world began to
diminish.

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 Frequently, CAD drafters could format a presentation only if it had been done by a
computer. As the profession looked to the educational institutions to provide skilled employment
for employees, requests of the potential employers were for CAD drafters. Today, the requests are
for CAD drafters who can draft manually, sketch, and communicate architectural design concepts
in buildable, realistic construction documents. Manual drafting produces the eye-hand connection
needed in designing or producing freehand drafted drawings for subordinates to draft on a
computer. Thus, it becomes imperative to learn manual (hand) drafting before attempting to draft
on the computer (CAD). To do otherwise produces a disconnect between eye and hand.

Sketching
Sketching is the process of developing eye-hand coordination that aids in the design
process. The designer can accurately maintain the proportions that are so essential in design.
Initially, all elements are sketched, from the design of a structure to a specific architectural detail.
This is a way of conveying to the CAD drafter the ideas you are trying to deliver to the men and
women in the field. Details, in particular, need to be resolved before the plans, elevations, and
building sections are drafted, as they will dictate the shape and configuration of structural
components. The decor around a window, the form of a guardrail, and the connection of a column
to a roof are but a few conditions exemplifying the control that can be exercised in the freehand
detailing process. Any new idea for assembly needs to be sketched (freehand) and studied before
it is hard-lined manually or drafted on the computer. These detail sketches (design sketches) are
then sent to the drafter to draw formally. This ability to sketch and communicate puts the employee
at a management/supervision level, not at the design level. When we refer to freehand detail,
scale is still used, especially at critical intersections. It is a thing of beauty to see an architect or
senior designer freehand a detail (often without a scale), with his or her command of proportion
and ability to draw in scale without a scale. Such designers begin to trust their own instincts when
sketching, in reference to scale and proportion.
Lines and Line Quality
Basically, lines can be broken down into three types: light, medium, and dark. Each of these
types can be broken down further by variation of pressure and lead.
Light Lines
The lightest lines used are usually the guidelines drawn to help with lettering height. These
lines should be only barely visible and should completely disappear when a diazo print is made.
Darker than guidelines but still relatively light are the lines used in dimension and extension lines,
leaders, and break lines.
Medium Lines
Medium-weight lines are used in object and center lines, and in the dashed type of line
used for hidden or dotted lines.
Dark Lines.
The darkest lines are used for border lines and cutting plane lines, major sections, and details.
Choosing Line Quality
Line quality depends on the use of that particular line. An intense line is used to profile and
emphasize; an intermediate line is used to show elements such as walls and structural members;
and a light line is used for elements such as dimensioning and door swings. Another way to vary
line quality is to increase the width of the line. A thicker line can represent the walls on a floor plan,
the outline of a building on a site plan, or the outline of a roof on a roof plan.
Hidden or Dotted Lines
Hidden or dotted lines are used to indicate objects hidden from view. Solid objects covered
by earth, such as foundations, can be indicated with hidden lines. This type of line can also depict
future structures, items that are not in the contract, public utilities locations, easements, a
wheelchair turning radius, or the direction of sliding doors and windows.

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Designing for Safety
Designers can make decisions that significantly reduce the risks to safety and health during
the construction stage and during subsequent use and maintenance. They are therefore a key
contributor to construction health and safety.
As a designer you can directly influence safety. Designers must take account of the General
Principles of Prevention when preparing designs. The Principles of Prevention are a hierarchy or
risk elimination and reduction.
The General Principles of Prevention are set out in descending order of preference as follows:
1. Avoid risks.

2. Evaluate unavoidable risks.

3. Combat risks at source.

4. Adapt work to the individual, especially the design of places of work

5. Adapt the place of work to technical progress.

6. Replace dangerous articles, substances, or systems of work by non-dangerous or less

dangerous articles, substances, or systems

7. Use collective protective measures over individual measures

8. Develop an adequate prevention policy

9. Give appropriate training and instruction to employees.

As a designer you can directly influence safety. Some of the well-proven ways of reducing risk
include:Choosing the position and design of structures to avoid or minimise risks from known site
hazards, including:
 buried services, including gas pipelines, overhead and underground power lines

 traffic movements to, from, around, and adjacent to the site

 contaminated ground (for example by using driven rather than bored piles)

Designing out or minimising health hazards, for example:

 specify/permit the use of materials known to be less hazardous, e.g. low solvent adhesives
and water-based paints

 avoid processes that create hazardous fumes, vapours, dust, noise or vibration, including
disturbance of existing asbestos, cutting chases in brickwork and concrete, unnecessary
breaking down cast in-situ piles to level or scabbling concrete

 specify the use of easy to handle materials

 design block paved areas to enable mechanical handling and laying of units

 design access areas to accommodate work-at-height equipment.

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References:
Working drawings for residential building. Retrieved from:
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/sf268651t
TimesProperty Team (2022). Working Drawing: Types And What Is Included In It?. Retrieved
from: https://timesproperty.com/news/post/what-is-working-drawing-blid2369
Northern Architecture (2023). The Construction Drawings set. Retrieved from:
https://www.northernarchitecture.us/building-codes/the-construction-drawings-set.html
Malsam, W. (2023). 8 Types of Architectural Drawings. Retrieved from:
https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/types-of-architectural-drawings
Contruction drawing. Retrieved from:
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Construction_drawing
Electrical Drawing. Retrieved from: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Electrical_drawing
Roof plans. Retrieved from: https://www.innodez.com/roof-
plans/#:~:text=A%20roof%20plan%20is%20a,%2C%20slopes%2C%20and%20many%20more.
Types of Construction Drawings Used in Commercial Construction. Retrieved from:
https://esub.com/blog/5-types-of-construction-
drawings/#:~:text=Finishing%20Drawing%3A,design%2C%20and%20false%20ceiling%20shapes.
Everything You Need to Know About Technical Drawings. Retrieved from:
https://www.maidenheadplanning.co.uk/news/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-
technical-
drawings#:~:text=Technical%20drawings%20are%20one%20of,and%20the%20mechanics%20of
%20construction.
Bethany (2017). How Industries Use CAD: Architecture. Retrieved from:
https://www.scan2cad.com/blog/cad/industries-use-cad-archit
How to Get a Building Permit in the Philippines. Retrieved from:
https://medium.com/@seembu/how-to-get-a-building-permit-in-the-philippines-f4ae3684c06d
Beneke, J. (2022). What is a Building Permit?. Retrieved from: https://www.thespruce.com/what-
is-a-building-permit-1398344
Wakita, Osamu A.The professional practice of architectural working drawings / Osamu A. Wakita,
Richard M. Linde.—3rd ed.p. cm.ISBN 0-471-39540-4 (alk. paper) 1. Architecture—Designs and
plans—Working drawings. I. Linde, Richard M. II. Title.NA2713 .W34 2002720′.28′4—dc21
2002003719 Printed in the United States of America.10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Designing for safety. Retrieved from:
https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/construction/designing_for_safety/

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