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1
Reading Construction
Drawings
1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 Retention of Drawings or

Sketches

Construction drawings are necessary in most spheres

of the building industry, as being the best means of
conveying detailed and often complex information
from the designer to all those concerned with the job.
Building tradespeople, especially carpenters and joiners, should be familiar with the basic principles
involved in understanding and reading drawings correctly. Mistakes on either side in design or interpretation of the design can be costly, as drawings form a
legal part of the contract between architect/client and
builder. This applies even on small jobs, where only
goodwill may suffer; for this reason, if a non-contractual
drawing or sketch is supplied, it should be kept for a
period of time after completion of the job, in case any
queries should arise.

A simple sketch supplied by a client in good faith to a

builder or joinery shop for the production of a replacement casement-type window, is shown in Figure 1.1(a).
The clients mistake in measuring between plastered
reveals is illustrated in Figure 1.1(b). Retention of the
sketch protects the firm from the possibility of the
clients wrongful accusation.
Another important rule is to study the whole drawing carefully and be reasonably familiar with the
details before starting work.
The details given in this chapter are based on the
recommendations laid down by the British Standards
Institution, in their latest available publications entitled
Construction drawing practice, BS 1192: Part 1: 1984,
and BS 1192: Part 3: 1987. BS 1192: Part 5: 1990,
which is not referred to here, is a guide for the structuring of computer graphic information.

300

950

1100

CH001

(a)
950

( b)

Figure 1.1 (a) Clients sketch drawing

(b) Horizontal section showing clients
mistake

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Reading Construction Drawings

1:100

500

1:50

500
1m

0
250

500

250

750

1:20

500

750

1m

100

300

5m

250

500

2m

500

700

900

1:10

1m
50

100

25

50

200

300

400

500 mm

1:5

75

100

200 mm

1.1.2 Scales Used on Drawings

Parts of metric scale rules, graduated in millimetres, are
illustrated in Figure 1.2. Each scale represents a ratio of
given units (millimetres) to one unit (one millimetre).
Common scales are 1:100, 1:50, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5 and 1:1
(full size). For example, scale 1:5 one-fifth (-51) full
size, or 1 mm on the drawing equals 5 mm in reality.
Although a scale rule is useful when reading drawings, because of the dimensional instability of paper,
preference should always be given to written dimensions found on the drawing.

1.1.3 Correct Expressions of

Dimensions
The abbreviated expression, or unit symbol, for metres is
a small letter m, and letters mm for millimetres. Symbols
are not finalized by a full stop and do not use a letter s
for the plural. Confusion occurs when, for example, 3-12
metres is written as 3.500 mm which means, by virtue
of the decimal point in relation to the unit symbol, 3-12
millimetres! To express 3-12 metres, it should have been
written as 3500 mm, 3.5 m, 3.50 m, or 3.500 m. Either
one symbol or the other should be used throughout on
drawings; they should not be mixed. Normally, whole
numbers should indicate millimetres, and decimalized
numbers, to three places of decimals, should indicate
metres. Contrary to what is taught in schools, the construction industry in the UK does not use centimetres.
All references to measurement are made in millimetres
and/or metres, i.e. 2 cm should be expressed as 20 mm.

1.1.4 Sequence of Dimensioning

The recommended dimensioning sequence is illustrated in Figure 1.3. Length should always be given
first, width second and thickness third, for example

Figure 1.2 Common metric scales

Figure 1.3 Dimensioning sequence A B C

900 200 25 mm. However, if a different sequence

is used, it should be consistent throughout.

1.1.5 Dimension Lines and Figures

A dimension line with open arrowheads for basic/
modular (unfinished) distances, spaces or components
is indicated in Figure 1.4(a). Figure 1.4(b) indicates the
more common, preferred dimension lines, with solid
arrowheads, for general use in finished work sizes.
All dimension figures should be written above and
along the line; figures on vertical lines should be written, as shown, to be read from the right-hand side.

1.1.6 Special-purpose Lines

Figure 1.5: Section lines seen on drawings indicate
imaginary cutting planes, at a particular point through
the drawn object, to be exposed to view. The view is
called the section and is lettered AA, BB and so on,
according to the number of sections to be exposed. It
is important to bear in mind that the arrows indicate
the direction of view to be seen on a separate section
drawing.

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Orthographic Projection
323

300

(a)

200

CH001

(b)

C
A

Figure 1.4 Dimension lines

(a) Open arrow-head (unfinished)
(b) Solid arrow-head (finished)

D
E

C
Horizontal sections

Vertical sections

E
Staggered section

Figure 1.5 Section lines

Figure 1.6 Hidden detail or work to be
removed

Figure 1.6: Hidden detail or work to be removed, is

indicated by a broken line.
1.300

(a)

(b)

Figure 1.7(a): End break-lines (zig-zag pattern) indicate that the object is not fully drawn.

Figure 1.7 Break lines

Figure 1.7(b): Central break-lines (zig-zag pattern)

indicate that the object is not drawn to scale in length.

Figure 1.8 Centre or axial line

Figure 1.8: Centre or axial lines are indicated by a thin

dot-dash chain.

1.2 ORTHOGRAPHIC
PROJECTION
1.2.1 Introduction
Orthography is a Latin/Greek-derived word meaning
correct spelling or writing. In technical drawing it is
used to mean correct drawing; orthographic projection, therefore, refers to a conventional drawing
method used to display the three-dimensional views
(length, width and height) of objects or arrangements
as they will be seen on one plane namely the drawing surface.
The recommended methods are known as firstangle (or European) projection for construction drawings, and third-angle (or American) projection for
engineering drawings.

1.2.2 First-angle Projection

The box in Figure 1.9(a) is used here as a means of
explaining first-angle projection (F.A.P.). If you can
imagine the object shown in Figure 1.9(b) to be suspended in the box, with enough room left for you to
walk around it, then by looking squarely at the object
from all sides and from above, the views seen would be
the ones shown on the surfaces in the background.

1.2.3 Opening the Topless Box

In Figure 1.9(c) the topless box is opened out to give
the views as you saw them in the box and as they
should be laid out on a drawing. Figure 1.9(d) shows
the BS symbol recommended for display on drawings
to indicate that first-angle projection (F.A.P.) has been
used.
Note that when views are separated onto different
drawings, becoming unrelated orthographically,
descriptive captions should be used such as plan,
front elevation, side elevation, etc.

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Reading Construction Drawings

Vertical planes
FE

FE

SE.L/H
SE.R/H

RE SE.L/H
RE

SE
Plan

Front

Plan

Horizontal plane

Figure 1.9 (a) Theory of first-angle orthographic

projection (SE side elevation, FE front elevation,
RE rear elevation, R/H right-hand side, L/H lefthand side)

Side elevation R/H

Front elevation

Figure 1.9 (b) Example object

Side elevation L/H

Rear elevation

Vertical planes

Horizontal plane
Plan

Figure 1.9 (c) First-angle projection

Figure 1.9 (d) F.A.P. symbol

Horizontal plane

Vertical planes

Side elevation L/H

Plan

Front elevation

Figure 1.9 (e) Third-angle projection

Side elevation R/H

Rear elevation

Side

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Oblique Projections

1.3 OBLIQUE PROJECTIONS

There are three variations of oblique projections.

1.3.1 Cavalier Projection

Figure 1.9 (f) T.A.P. symbol

1.2.4 Third-angle Projection

This is shown in Figure 1.9(e) for comparison only. This
time the box has a top instead of a bottom; the views
from the front and rear would be shown on the surface
in the background, as before, but the views seen on the
sides would be turned around and seen on the surfaces in
the foreground; the view from above (plan) would be
turned and seen on the surface above. Figure 1.9(f )
shows the BS symbol for third-angle projection (T.A.P.).

Shown in Figure 1.10(b) with front (F) drawn true to

shape, and side (S) elevations and plan (P) drawn at
45, to a ratio of 1:1:1. Drawn true to scale by this
method, the object tends to look mis-shapen.

1.3.2 Cabinet Projection

Shown in Figure 1.10(c), this is similar to cavalier
except that the side and plan projections are only
drawn to half scale, i.e. to a ratio of 1:1:-12, making the
object look more natural.

1.2.5 Pictorial Projections

1.3.3 Planometric Projection

Figure 1.10: Another form of orthographic projection

produces what is known as pictorial projections, which
preserve the three-dimensional view of the object.
Such views have a limited value in the make-up of
actual working drawings, but serve well graphically to
illustrate technical notes and explanations.

Shown in Figure 1.10(d), this has the plan drawn true

to shape, instead of the front view. This comprises verticals, lines on the front at 30 and lines on the side
elevation at 60. It is often wrongly referred to as
axonometric.

1.3.4 Perspective Projections

1.2.6 Isometric Projection

This is probably the most popular pictorial projection
used, because of the balanced, three-dimensional
effect. Isometric projections consist of vertical lines and
base lines drawn at 30, as shown in Figure 1.10(a).
The length, width and height of an object thus drawn
are to true scale, expressed as the ratio 1:1:1.

1
30

30

1
2

45

30

60

P
P

P
S

S
F

(a) Isometric

1
45

Figure 1.11: Parallel perspective, shown in Figure

1.11(a) refers to objects drawn to diminish in depth to
a vanishing point.
Angular perspective, shown in Figure 1.11(b) refers
to an object whose elevations are drawn to diminish
to two vanishing points. This is of no value in pure
technical drawing.

(b) Cavalier

F
(c) Cabinet

Figure 1.10 Pictorial projections (F front, P plan, S side elevation)

(d) Planometric

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Reading Construction Drawings

VP

VP

123456789

VP

1:10

= Rise of stair

dia (or ) = Diameter

(a) Parallel perspective

(b) Angular perspective

Figure 1.11 Perspective projections (VP vanishing point)

1.3.5 Graphical Symbols and

Representation
Figure 1.12: Illustrated here are a selection of graphical symbols and representations used on building
drawings.
Figure 1.13: On more detailed drawings, various
materials and elements are identified by such sectional
representation as shown here.
To help reduce the amount of written information
on working drawings, abbreviations are often used. A
selection are shown here:
BMA bronze metal antique
DPC damp-proof course
DPM damp-proof membrane

ffl

= Finished floor level

c/c

= Centre to centre

= Rise of ramp
= Centre line

CL
GL

= Ground level
= North point

Figure 1.12 Graphical symbols and representations

EML expanded metal lathing

par planed all round
PVA polyvinyl acetate
T&G tongue and groove
bdg boarding
bldg building
cpd cupboard
hbd hardboard
hwd hardwood
ms mild steel
swd softwood

1.3.6 Window Indication

Figure 1.14: Windows shown on elevational drawings
usually display indications as to whether a window is
fixed (meaning without any opening window or vent)

Brickwork

Topsoil

Blockwork

Stone

Concrete

Hardcore

Plywood

Wood (sawn)

Subsoil

Insulation

Screed/plaster/render

Wood (planed)

Figure 1.13 Sectional representation of materials

W2
Top hung
W8

Horizontal
pivot

W7

Vertical
pivot

W6

W5

Sliding

Fixing

W4

Sliding

W3

Bottom hung

W1

Side hung

W9

Tilt and turn

Figure 1.14 Opening/fixed window indication numbered clockwise round the exterior of the building

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Oblique Projections

Sliding door

Single swing

Double doors
single swing
Double doors
double swing

Single door
double swing

Figure 1.15 Plan view of door indication

or opening (meaning that the window is to open in a

particular way, according to the BS indication drawn
on the glass area).

1.3.7 Door Indication

Figure 1.16 Revolving doors

1.3.9 Site Plans

Figure 1.18: Site plans locate the position of buildings
in relation to setting-out points, means of access, and
the general layout of the site; they also give information on services and drainage, etc.
MH2

Figure 1.17: Block plans shown on construction drawings, usually taken from Ordinance Survey maps, are to
identify the site (e.g. No. 1 Woodman Road, as illustrated) and to locate the outline of the building in
relation to its surroundings.

G
1.500

11

MH3
SVP

No. 1
WOODMAN
ROAD

1315

MH1
6.250

WOOD

MAN

5.600

1 3

ROAD

1.3.8 Block Plans

8.750

Figures 1.15 and 1.16: Doors shown on plan-view

drawings are usually shown as a single line with an
arrowed arc indicating their opening-direction, as
illustrated. Alternatively, the 90 arrowed arc may be
replaced by a 45 diagonal line, from the door-jambs
edge to the doors leading edge. Figure 1.16 is the
indication for revolving doors.

LOFTS

ROAD

45 47

CH001

14

Figure 1.18 Site plan (scale 1:200)

1.3.10 Location Drawings

Figure 1.17 Block plan (scale 1:1250)

These are usually drawn to a scale of 1:50 and are used

to portray the basic, general construction of buildings.
Other, more detailed, drawings cover all other aspects.