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1
Reading Construction
Drawings
1.1 INTRODUCTION
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 join-
ers, should be familiar with the basic principles
involved in understanding and reading drawings cor-
rectly. Mistakes on either side – in design or interpret-
ation 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.
950
300
1100
1.1.1 Retention of Drawings or
Sketches
A simple sketch supplied by a client in good faith to a
builder or joinery shop for the production of a replace-
ment casement-type window, is shown in Figure 1.1(a).
The client’s 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
client’s wrongful accusation.
Another important rule is to study the whole draw-
ing 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 structur-
ing of computer graphic information.

(a)

950

Figure 1.1 (a) Client’s sketch drawing

(b) Horizontal section showing client’s
( b) mistake
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2 Reading Construction Drawings

1:100 500 500

0 1m 2 3 4 5m

1:50 250 500 750 250 500 750 250 500

0 1m 2m

1:20 100 300 500 700 900

0 1m

1:10 50 100 200 300 400 500 mm

0

1:5 25 50 75 100 200 mm

0 Figure 1.2 Common metric scales

1.1.2 Scales Used on Drawings B

Parts of metric scale rules, graduated in millimetres, are

illustrated in Figure 1.2. Each scale represents a ratio of A
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 draw- C
ings, because of the dimensional instability of paper,
preference should always be given to written dimen-
sions found on the drawing.
Figure 1.3 Dimensioning sequence ⫽ A ⫻ B ⫻ C

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 con-
struction 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 illus-
trated in Figure 1.3. Length should always be given
first, width second and thickness third, for example
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 writ-
ten, 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 A–A, B–B 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 3

323 300 Figure 1.4 Dimension lines

(a) Open arrow-head (unfinished)

200
(a) (b) (b) Solid arrow-head (finished)

C D
A A E

C D
B B E

Horizontal sections Vertical sections 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 Break lines

Figure 1.7(a): End break-lines (zig-zag pattern) indi- Figure 1.7(b): Central break-lines (zig-zag pattern)
cate that the object is not fully drawn. 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 projec-
tion, 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 draw-
ing surface.
The recommended methods are known as first-
angle (or European) projection for construction draw-
ings, 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 sus-
pended 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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4 Reading Construction Drawings

Vertical planes
FE FE
SE.L/H
SE.R/H RE SE.L/H
SE RE
Front
Side
Plan 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 ⫽ left- Figure 1.9 (b) Example object
hand side)

Side elevation R/H Front elevation 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
Plan

Side elevation L/H Front elevation Side elevation R/H Rear elevation

Figure 1.9 (e) Third-angle projection

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Oblique Projections 5

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 ver-
ticals, lines on the front at 30º and lines on the side
elevation at 60º. 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.
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.

1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1 1
1 2

30° 30° 1 45° 1 45° 30° 60°

P
P
P
P
S S
F S S F
F F

(a) Isometric (b) Cavalier (c) Cabinet (d) Planometric

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

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6 Reading Construction Drawings

123456789 1:10
VP VP VP = Rise of stair = Rise of ramp
dia (or ∅) = Diameter CL = Centre line
ffl = Finished floor level GL = Ground level

c/c = Centre to centre = North point

(a) Parallel perspective (b) Angular perspective

Figure 1.12 Graphical symbols and representations

Figure 1.11 Perspective projections (VP ⫽ vanishing point)

EML ⫽ expanded metal lathing
par ⫽ planed all round
PVA ⫽ polyvinyl acetate
1.3.5 Graphical Symbols and T&G ⫽ tongue and groove
Representation bdg ⫽ boarding
Figure 1.12: Illustrated here are a selection of graph- bldg ⫽ building
ical symbols and representations used on building cpd ⫽ cupboard
drawings. hbd ⫽ hardboard
Figure 1.13: On more detailed drawings, various hwd ⫽ hardwood
materials and elements are identified by such sectional ms ⫽ mild steel
representation as shown here. swd ⫽ softwood
To help reduce the amount of written information
on working drawings, abbreviations are often used. A
selection are shown here:
1.3.6 Window Indication
BMA ⫽ bronze metal antique Figure 1.14: Windows shown on elevational drawings
DPC ⫽ damp-proof course usually display indications as to whether a window is
DPM ⫽ damp-proof membrane 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 W7 W6 W5 W4 W3 W1

Horizontal Vertical Sliding Fixing Sliding Bottom hung Side hung

pivot pivot

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 7

Sliding door Single swing Double doors

single swing
Single door Double doors
double swing 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

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-jamb’s
edge to the door’s leading edge. Figure 1.16 is the
indication for revolving doors.
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 informa-
tion on services and drainage, etc.

MH2 MH3
1.3.8 Block Plans
SVP G
Figure 1.17: Block plans shown on construction draw- G
ings, usually taken from Ordinance Survey maps, are to 1.500
identify the site (e.g. No. 1 Woodman Road, as illus-
trated) and to locate the outline of the building in
relation to its surroundings.
8.750
No. 1
WOODMAN
ROAD
ROAD

G
1 3 11 MH1
1315
5.600

WOOD 6.250
MAN
ROAD

14
LOFTS
45 47

Figure 1.18 Site plan (scale 1:200)

1.3.10 Location Drawings

These are usually drawn to a scale of 1:50 and are used
to portray the basic, general construction of buildings.
Figure 1.17 Block plan (scale 1:1250) Other, more detailed, drawings cover all other aspects.