Schack Institute of Real Estate

Reading and Interpreting Construction Drawings
Lecture 1 – Introduction / Project Framework

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Introduction

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Course Overview

The ability to read Construction Drawings (“blueprints”) accurately is a required skill in the construction industry.
This course covers Contract Documents (drawings and specifications) for reinforced concrete, steel, wood frame, and masonry construction, as well as some mechanical and electrical construction.
Topics include: scale, floor plans, elevations, sections, details, symbols, schedules, specifications, and abbreviations for architectural and engineering drawings.

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Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to help you to:
Understand how to navigate a set of Construction Documents including Specifications.
Become familiar with multi- disciplinary documents, including Structural, Mechanical,
Electrical, and Plumbing.
Gain a foundation in plan review exercises, plan checking, estimating, and sketching.
Clarify the differences between the as-built world vs. what something looks like on paper.

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What is and isn’t a “Blueprint”?
Who uses them?
Why do we use them?

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Blueprint
Reproduction of a technical drawing using a contact print process on light-sensitive sheets Characterized by light colored lines on a blue background, a negative of the original
Typically printed on paper
Sometimes printed on imitation vellum or polyester film (Mylar)

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Blueprint

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Blueprint

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Whiteprint/Blueline
Document reproduction produced by using the diazo chemical process which results in blue lines on a white background

Contact printing process which accurately reproduces the original in size, but cannot reproduce continuous tones or colors
Replaced the blueprint process because the process was simpler and involved fewer toxic chemicals
A blueline print is not permanent and will fade if exposed to light for weeks or months

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Whiteprint/Blueline

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Xerography
Dry photocopying technique invented by Chester Carlson in 1938
Originally called electrophotography
Later renamed xerography—from the Greek roots ξηρός xeros, "dry" and -γραφία graphia, "writing“
Uses no liquid chemicals
Creates image by distributing an electrostatic charge over a drum
Availability of large-format machines in the 2000s led to abandonment of blueline technology 11

Xerography

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Xerography

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Terminology
Blueprints
Bluelines
Prints
Plans (“Plan Review”, “it’s on the plans”)
Drawings
Construction Drawings
Construction Documents
????

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Definition of Construction Documents
The written and graphic documents prepared or assembled by the A/E for communicating the design of the project and administering the contract for its construction (CSI)
Construction Documents vs. Contract Documents
Two major groups of documents:
Bidding Requirements

Contract Documents

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Purpose of Construction Documents
Communicate to the owner in detail what the project involves
Establish contractual obligations of owner, contractor and architect
Establish responsibilities of construction manager (CM) and other administering parties
Communicate to the contractor quantities, qualities and relationships
Used by contractor to solicit bids from subcontractors
Basis for obtaining regulatory and financial approvals

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Three basic types of information
Legal and contractual (General and Supplementary condition)
Procedural and administrative (Division 1)
Architectural and construction (Construction drawings and specifications)

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Roles

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Roles
Developer
Owner
Architect
Engineers
Sustainability Consultant
Tenant
Contractor
Commissioning Agent
Building Manager

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Roles (AIA)

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Phases of a Typical Construction Project

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Project Phases
Pre-Design
Master Planning
Site Analysis
Schematic Design
Design Development
Construction Documents
Bidding and Negotiations
Construction Administration

Postconstruction Services

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Project Life Cycle (CSI)

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Project Life Cycle/Roles (CSI)

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