Chapter 17

Floor Plan Dimensions and Notes

Introduction• Dimensions

– Provide measurements used for construction– Found on all types of architectural drawings – Presented using lines, numerical values, and

symbols, or notes and specifications– Drawings must include all dimensions needed

for construction

Aligned Dimensions• Aligned dimensioning

– Most common dimensioning system– Dimensions placed in line with dimension lines – Read from bottom or right side of sheet– Extension lines show the extent of dimension

• Start with a small space from feature being dimensioned and extend past last dimension line

Floor Plan Dimensions

Placing Exterior Dimensions

Placing Interior Dimensions

Standard Feature Dimensions

Omitting Dimensions Established by the Foundation

• Foundation: – System placed on the

ground and used to support the building

• Certain features on floor plan are established on foundation plan

Dimensioning Arc and Circular Floor Plan Features

• Features originating from the foundation do not require floor plan dimensions– Referencing dimensions on the floor plan is a

good idea– Other features are dimensioned by location

and radius or diameter dimension

Common Sizes of Architectural Features

• All walls, edges of brick, and brick fireplaces are thick lines– All other lines are thin

• Refer to text for dimensions of:– Room components– Plumbing fixtures and appliances– Doors and windows

Masonry Veneer on the Floor Plan

• Masonry veneer– Application of thin

(4") masonry to the exterior of a wood-frame structure

• Can also be applied to interior frame partitions’

Concrete Block and Structural Masonry Construction

• Concrete block– Can be used to

construct exterior or interior walls

Solid Concrete Construction on the Floor Plan

• Residential construction, mostly limited to: – Foundations– Basements– Subterranean homes

• Construction:– Concrete is poured into forms which mold the

mixture

Solid Concrete Construction on the Floor Plan (cont’d.)

Floor Plan Notes and Specifications

• Specific notes relate to specific features– Include:

• Window and door schedule• Room names and appliance labels• Tub, shower, and spa labels• Fireplace or solid fuel–burning appliance labels• Stair and closet labels• Access, firewalls, and floor lines

Floor Plan Notes and Specifications (cont’d.)

• General notes apply to features on the entire drawing– Commonly lettered in

field of the drawing

Designing Floor Plans Using Standard Construction Modules

• Material conservation and construction labor simplification is important to consider– Standard inch construction modules are 12",

16", and 24"• When possible, design the overall building and

major projections using these modules

Using Metric Dimensions• Unit of metric measure commonly used is

the millimeter (mm)– Meters (m) are used for large site plans and

civil engineering drawings– Hard conversions

• Typical inch units converted directly to metric

– Soft conversions• Product is manufactured directly using metric units

Using Metric Dimensions (cont’d.)• Placing metric dimensions on a drawing

– All dimensions specified with dimension lines are in millimeters

• Millimeter symbol is omitted

– When more than one dimension is quoted• Millimeter symbol is placed only after the last

dimension

Using Metric Dimensions (cont’d.)• Rules for writing metric symbols and

names– Unit names are lowercase– Use vertical text for unit symbols

• Use lowercase text except for proper names

– Leave a space between a numeral and symbol• Do not leave a space between a unit symbol and

prefix

Using Metric Dimensions (cont’d.)• Rules for writing metric symbols and

names (cont’d.)– Do not use the plural of unit symbols– Use the plural of spelled-out metric

measurements– Do not mix unit names and symbols– Millimeters (mm) are assumed