ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING INFORMATION

ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLS The drawing of an architectural working drawing requires a knowledge of the sym­

bols and terms commonly used in the design and construction industry. All architectural

working drawings must communicate in a clear and concise manner to the builders.

In order to simplify the details on a drawing and to speed drawing time it is neces­

sary to use architectural symbols. Many symbols are designed to approximate the ap­

'pearance of an item, or the material from which it is constructed (Fig. 1 ). Some

symbols however, may have no graphic resemblance to the material or item that they

are to represent (fig. 2 ).

riel ~

Fig. 1 Some architectural symbols are similar to the item they represent

Fig. 2 Some architectural symbols have no similarity to the item they represent

SYMBOL CONVENTIONS

The American Institute of Architect (AlA) and the American National Standard In­

stitute (ANSI) have each set standard conventions for architectural symbols. Since

many new and different types ,of construction materials, appliances and fixtures are con­

tinually being developed and IJsed in construction, many architectural drafters will use

symbols of their own design and show their meaning in a legend or symbol chart on the

drawing. While there are some different symbols being used, there is an overall accep­

tance of the AlA and ANSI symbol conventions.

As a general rule when a symbol is not clear or a new type of material is to be noted

on a drawing, a notation should be used with the symbol (Rg. 3 ,). This Will clarify the

communication to the builders. It must be remembered that architectural working draw­

ings must be read by many persons in the building trades. Everything must be clear so

no guess work will be involved with the design, ordering of materials or construction

phases.

z: Rg. 3 For clarity, if it is needed, I use a notation with the symbol ~ DOUBLE THERMAL PANES

RULES FOR DRAWING SYMBOLS

1. Always use drawing instruments. Never draw the symbols freehand on a working

drawing. Use anarchitectural drawing template to increase the speed and clarity of the

symbols (Fig. 4 ). Be certain that the template figures are the same scale as your

drawing's scale.

2. The location of the symbol on the working drawing is closely approximated. If an

exact location is required, dimensions must be added to the symbol on the drawing

(Fig. 5 ).

3, Symbols are not drawn to the exact size of the actual item. The general size of the

architectural symbols will vary with the scale of the drawing. The symbol should be of

convenient reading size, It should 110t be too small or large (Fig. 6).

4. Material symbols need not cover the full surface as shown in figure 7

Repetitious drawing symbols need not be completely drawn.

5. Have references for architectural symbols available.

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Fig. 4 Use an architectural template for the drawing of symbols

Fig. 5 Add dimensions if exact locations are required

SCALE TOO GOODSMALL SCALE

SCALE TOO LARGE

CEDAR SHINGLES

'1,6' VERTICAL SIDING

Fig.. 7 Symbols for surface cover materials need not cover the entire surface

Fig. 6· Good symbol proportions are important for architectural working drawings

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWJNG INFORMATION SHEET

PLUMBING SYMBOLS

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WINDOW SYMBOLS

5WINGINC, WINDOWS

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DOOR SYMBOLS °

DOU8LE: I-IUNe, WINDOW SLJOINe, WINDOW

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ARCHITECTURAL DRAWII~-.J

VARIOUS ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLS Abbreviation, plan symbol, elevation and pictorial

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BUILDING MATERIAL SYMBOLS:

SECTION SECTION SECTION SECTION NAME ABBRV SYMBOL ELEVATION NA"'E ABBRV SYMBOL ELEVATiON NAME ABBRV SYMBOL ELEVATION NAME ABBRV SYMBOL ELEVATION

COM CUT STONE, CTSTNCOMMON WELDED WWM EARTHBRK ASHLAR ASHBRICK WIRE MESH Sl~~I~ ~I~rr

FC CUT STONE, CT STNFACE ROCKFAB RKFABRICBRKBRICK _I~ ~[~~I.u - -.-T'ln

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~I-CERAMICCEMENT CEMSNDSOUND CER TlSTEEL STl TILELId I[:.;::<\:>'iliINSULATION. INS ~I-

CRK TERAZZO TER TERRA-COTTACORK TC TlCST IRCAST IRON CONCRETE CONC TILEINSINSULATION Imlmm ElrnHE~ 1l1li

- CONC ,.: .. :t.~ I STCONCRETEPLST,~~" STRUCTURALBRS PLASTERBRASS & BlK '1:: :10'1':~~~'$ BLOCK CLAY TilE Cl TLWLBRZ WALL ~1[[3d .:' .•.:.';:J..i:.;J.BRONZE m'!rnHE --~

r'~I '1 IPLSTPLASTER I I i CAST CSTALUMINUM Al BLK BLOCK BlK [1:::1:1:1'] ~~~Ll SCALE I TL

BLOCK :::: ....:::-",.'.> ~ 1111R 1l1li ~III:I:I - PLASTER ~PlSTSHT CINDER CIN GLAZED IGLZ FACWALL AND Wl& :'~"J';"V: 11",':":':"jSHEET METAL BLOCK ::.';~<I'lt FACE HOLLOW HOl TlMrL METALJ~ BLK .';".:.::~.\.:;. .. : . : .' :: .. ·.~.;:·;il~ ~ TILEMT lTH ~~IFLASHING} ~ 1111LATHEFLASH

TERRA·PLASTER TC TERRA·COTTA ~COTTA BLOCK TCWALL AND BLOCKREINFORCING ~1~=1 LARGE BlK BLKREBAR ~~~ '1~ I [22]CHANNEL SMALLCHNSTD ~ '::.:::'-::.':::::'. igil ~iI

STEEL BARS II I f:(:);:'<~:;,lSCALEL~ t:=--=--:=j STUQS ==;; SCALE

")LlANCE AND FIXTURE SYMBOLS DOOR SYMBOLS --",,__,1

NAME ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIAL NAME ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIAL SYMBOL . SYMBOL

NAME ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIAL NAME ABBRV . SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIAL SYMBOL SYMBOL ~COAOlAN AWN •

IHTEllIOA HINGED DOOR HOUOWCOllE

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SANITATION FACILITY SYMBOLS WINDOW SYMBOLS

NAME ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIALNAME ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIAL NAME ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIAL NAME ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIALSYMBOLSYMBOL SYMBOL SYMBOL

,LWnDRY OOUBL£·HUNG::~:u.: ::., Olio{ ~"o,'"~ Wlt!DOW HOPPER ~~ \Q1 --=l ~ ~r 'MNDOW

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ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING INFORMATION SHEET

FLOOR-PLAN DIMENSIONING

Dimensions show the builder the width and length of the building. Dimensioning architectural drawings differ from dimensioning mechanical drawings in many ways. The DIMENSIONING system most commonly used in architectural drafting is known as aligned dimensioning. With this system, dimensions are placed in line with the dimension lines and are read from the bottom or right side of the sheet. Dimension numerals are centered on and placed above the solid dimension lines:

41'_0"

15'-0. "

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BASEMENT F-LOOQ. PLAN

ALIGNED DIMENSIONING ON A FLOOR PLAN

RULES FOR DIMENSIONING 1. Architectural dimension lines are unbroken lines with dimensions placed above the line.

2. In drawing plans, feet and inch marks may be omitted as a general rule, (Do not omit dash).

a. Dimensions over l' are expressed in feet and inches.

b. Dimensions less than l' are shown in inches.

3. A slash is often used with fractional dimensions to conserve vertical space.

4. Dimensions should be placed to read from the right or from the bottom of the drawing.

5. You should place dimensions so that the drawing does not appear crowded.

a. Space dimension fines a minimum of 3/8" from the object and from each other.

b. If there is room, it is preferred to start the first dimension line 1/2" from the plan.

6. Be consistent so that dimension lines are evenly spaced (regardless of distance chosen).

7. Dimension lines terminate at the extension lines with dots, arrowheads, or slash marks.

8. Dimension numerals are drawn 1/8" high with the aid of guidelines.

9. Line and arrowhead weights are the same as those used in dimensioning mechanical drawings.

10. Overall building dimension are placed outside the other dimension Jines.

a. The first line of dimensions on the plan is the smallest distance from the exterior wall the

the center of windows, doors and partition (interior) wails.

b. The second lines of dimensions generally gives the distance from the outside walls to the

partition (interior) walls.

c. The third fine of dimensions is usually the overall distance between the two exterior walls.

, -~

:91-0 II / IO'-O~

~ tS"OIl 17'-0 11

! .,- INTERIOR 1 SP/lDE DEPENDS ! EXTENSION UPON ,iWlIILABLE LINES, TO I

,900fVI 3/8 " TO 1" CENTER OF FEATURE -"., 1/1?"~

- '­ -

,-- .,\PPRO)(IIV1ATELY 1/8"

;/v ~ L/- EQUAL SP/\CE1f 3/8" iVll NIMU M

EXTERIOR EXTENSIOf\1 L1IIJE, -- ASSUMED TO OUTSiDE FACE OF STUDS

DIMENSION LINE SPACING

11. Room sizes may be shown by stating width and length.

12. When an area to be dimensioned is too small for the numerals, they are placed outside the

extension lines.

13. Window and door sizes may be shown directly on the door or window symbol or may be indexed

to a door or wirldow schedu Ie.

14. Curved leaders are sometimes used to eliminate confusion with other dimension lines.

15. When an area is too small for an arrowhead, dots may be used to indicate the dimension limits.

16. When the space is small, arrowheads may be placed outside the extension lines.

17. A dot with a leader refers to the large area noted.

18. Dimensions that cannot be seen on the floor plan or those too small to place on the object are

placed on leaders for easier reading.

19. In dimensioning stairs, the number of risers is placed on a line with an arrow indicating the

direction (up or down).

20. Windows, doors, pilasters, beams and areaways are dimensioned to their centerlines.

21. Use abbreviations when symbols do not show clearly what is intended.

22. Sub-dimensions must add up to overall dimensions (14'-0" + 12'-0" = 26'-0").

23. Architectural dimensions always refer to the actual size of the building regardless of the scale of

the drawing.

24. Aligned dimensions are placed in alignment with an angled wall or feature.

OPEN ARROWHEADS

CLOSED ARROWHEADS

PERPENDICULAR LINES

SLASH LINES

..... TRIANGLES ~ v

CIRCLES

..... "­

'" v

DOOR CENTERED IN HALLWAY, ASSUMED

F=~~ 3" MINIMUM II

-------r!'­

i\illNIMUM DISTANCE DOOR TO WALL ASSUMED I

DIFFERENT STYLES OF ARROWHEADS

~EADER LINE CURVED FREEHAND OR WITH IRREGULAR CURVE, OR STRAIGHT. CENTER AT BEGINNING OR END OF NOTE. TERMINATE WITH ARROWHEAD.

36"* S~OWER

COMMON SIZES OF ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

1. Base cabinets generally are not dimensioned as they are typically 24" deep.

2. Closet poles are generally 15" from the back wall and are dashed lines.

3. Closet shelves are solid lines 12" from the back wall.

4. Room components: -exterior walls: 6" -exterior unheated walls (garage, shop): 4" -Interior: 4" -Interior plumbing wall (ie..toilet): 6" -Hallway: 36" minimum wide -entry hallways: 42 - 60" -bedroom closets: 24" minimum depth; 48" length -linen closets: 14-24" deep (not over 3D") -Washer/dryer space: 36" deep; 5'-6" long minimum -Stairways: 36" minimum wide; 10.5" tread(typical); 11 '-4" total run

5. Plumbing:

-Bathroom sink: 19" x 16" (oval); provide 9" from edge to wall and about 12" between two sinks; 36" minimum length

-Kitchen sink: 32" x 21" for a double, 42" x 21" for a triple -Laundry sink: 21" x 21" -Shower: 36" square; 42" square; or a combination of 36", 42", 48" and 60" for fiberglass; any size for

ceramic tile -Toilet space: 30" wide (minimum), 24" clearance in front - Washer/Dryer: 2'-4" square (approXimately)

6. Appliances:

-Forced air unit: gas- 18" square (minimum) with 6" space all around (can NOT go under the stairs) ; electric- 24" x 30" (same space reqUirements as gas)

- Water heater: gas- 18-24" diameter (can NOT go under the stairs) -Refrigerator: 36" wide space; approximately 27-30" deep; 4" from wall, 4" from the base cabinet. -Stove/cooktop: 30" x 21" deep -Built-in oven: 27" x 24" deep -Dishwasher: 24" x 24"

-Trash compactor: 15" x 24" deep; near sink, away from stove

-Broom/pantry: 12" minimum x 24" deep, increasing by 3" increments -Desk: 30" x 24" deep (minimum); not within the work triangle -Built-in vacuum: 24" x 30" diameter

7. Doors: -Entry: 36" x 6'_8"; 42" x 8'-0"

-Slider or French: 5', 6', 8' (double); 9', 10' (triple); 12' (four panel) -Garage, utility, kitchen and bedrooms on custom houses: 2'-8" -Bedrooms and bathrooms of nice homes: 2'-6"

-Bathroom closets: 2'-4" -Garage: 8' x 1', 9' x 8', 16' x l' and 18' x l'

8. Windows:

- Living, family: 8' - 10' -Dining: 6' - 8' -Bedrooms: 4' - 6'

-Kitchens: 3' - 5' -Bathrooms: 2' - 3' -Sliding: 4', 5' 6' 8' 10' 12' -Single hung: 24", 30", 36" 42" -Casement: same as sliding -Fixed awning: 24", 30", 36" 42", 48" -Fixed sliding: 24", 30", 36" 42", 48" -Picture: 4', 5', 6', 8' -Bay: 8' - 10' total; sides- 18-24" wide

SOME METHODS OF DIMENSIONING FLOOR PLANS ,. Method B is preferred for this class (deviation will require teacher approval)

A

B·

*/n summary, a floor plan must be completely dimensioned to ensure that the house will be constructed precisely as designed. Many construction mistakes result from errors in architectural drawing, and most of those errors are in dimensioning! One of the best ways to learn how experienced drafters layout dimensions is to study and evaluate existing plans.

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NAME _ ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING WORKSHEET: MEASUREMENT

MEASURING A FLOOR PLAN MAKE ALL MEASUREMENTS WITH SCALE: 1/4"= 1'-0". SUB DIMENSIONS MUST TOTAL CORRECTLY.

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