The Value of Quantity Surveyors and

the Global Demand for the Profession

www.picqs.org ● +63 2 310 1073 ● 2F Herald Bldg, 61 Muralla St, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines ● admin@picqs.org
 CONTENTS 2 21

WHAT IS A QS?
HISTORY OF QS 01
VALUE OF A QS
04
. ROLE OF QS IN
THE PROJECT 02
LIFECYCLE OPPORTUNITIES
05 OF QS AND ITS
Aenean lacinia bib
DEMAND
sed consecte
COMPETENCIES OF
QS 03
ENTRY TO THE QS
06 WORLD

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 1

 MENTIMETER 2 21

QUANTITY SURVEYING
=
COST ESTIMATING?

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 2

 MENTIMETER 2 21

HOW MANY
COMPETENCIES
ARE THERE IN
QUANTITY
SURVEYING?

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 3

 QS COMPETENCIES 2 21

18 QS 6%
ONLY
COMPETENCIES
CLIENT CARE

CONFLICT
BUSINESS AVOIDANCE
PLANNING AND DISPUTE
DESIGN RESOLUTION
ECONOMICS
HEALTH AND
DATA AND COST
SAFETY
MANAGEMENT PLANNING
(COST
QUANTIFICATION
CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING)
AND COSTING OF
TECHNOLOGY
WORKS

ETHICS
FINANCIAL AND
TENDERING AND
PROJECT
PROCUREMENT
REPORTING
TEAM
WORKING, CONTRACT ACCOUNTING
DIVERSITY AND PRACTICE PRINCIPLES
INCLUSION

SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATIONS

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 4

 WHAT IS A QUANTITY SURVEYOR 2 21

CSA M&E
ENGINEER ENGINEER

FINANCIAL GEODETIC
ENGINEER/
QUANTITY LAND
SURVEYOR SURVEYOR/
QURVEYOR
CONTRACTUAL

PROJECT
ARCHITECT
MANAGER

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 5

 A QUANTITY SURVEYOR COULD BE A….. 2 21
CAREER PATH IS VAST HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER

DISAPPEARING PROFESSION

• Cost Consultant
• Cost Manager
• Contract Advisor
• Construction
Economist 01 05
COST COMMERCI
PLANNER
02 04 AL
MANAGER
BIM QS ARBITRATOR
MANAGER
03
CONTRACT
ADMINISTRAT
OR
ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 6
 WHAT IS A QUANTITY SURVEYOR 2 21

A Quantity Surveyor is a construction professional whose main expertise

is primarily to carry out an estimate, project cost control and quantity take
off but whose duties also include commercial, risk and contract
management to ensure that the party he works for gets the best value for
money and to allow for a smooth project flow from inception to
completion. He can be a Quantity Surveyor working for a Contractor, a
Consultant or the Client.

Source: PICQS website

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 7

 HISTORY OF THE QS IN THE PHILIPPINES 2 21

1982 1990s 1997 201 2016

1
Davis Demand for DLS Founding of Establishment
Langdon & QS services introduced Philippine of the
Seah (DLS) rapidly their own Institute of Philippine
set up an increased Standard Certified Institute of
office in within the Method of Quantity Built
Manila for the private Measurement Surveyors Environment
new Asian sector for the (PICQS), Inc., (PIBE), Inc.
Development Philippines. QS national as the first QS
Bank association of technical
the school in the
Philippines. Philippines.

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 8

 RIBA PLAN OF WORK (2020)

Stage 7 Stage 0

Stage 1
Stage 6
ROLE
OF THE
Stage 5
QS Stage 2

Stage 4 Stage 3

THE QUANTITY SURVEYOR IS A KEY CONTRIBUTOR

TO THE PROJECT
 Our TRADITIONAL ROLE in the Project Life Cycle
FEASIBILITY DESIGN TENDER CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION POST -
COMPLETION
Stage 0 – Stage 1 – Stage 2 – Stage 3 – Stage 4 – Stage 5 –
Stage 6 - Stage 7 – In
Strategic Briefing Concept Spatial Technica Manufacturing
Handover Use
Definition Stage Design Design l Design and Construction

THE QS IS A MUST HAVE PROFESSION

 OUR ADDITIONAL ROLE IN THE VARIOUS STAGES 2 21

Specialist Role Specialist Role DIGITAL Role

Reinstatement Cost
Insurance Valuation
Assurance

Risk management Capital Allowances

Bank Loan
Dispute Resolution
Monitoring

Quantum Support Project Controls

5D BIM

EMERGING ROLE OF THE QS

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 11
 What are the QS CORE COMPETENCIES 2 21

PROCUREMENT CONTRACT
AND PRACTICE
TENDERING
QUANTIFICATION
AND FINANCIAL
COSTING OF REPORTING
WORKS

DESIGN
ECONOMICS
AND COST CONSTRUCTION
PLANNING TECHNOLOGY

QS
CORE
COMPETENCIES
CONTRACT COMMERCIAL
ADMINISTRATION MANAGEMENT

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 12

 What are the QS MANDATORY COMPETENCIES 2 21

CLIENT
CARE
CONFLICT
BUSINESS AVOIDANCE
PLANNING AND DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
DATA ETHICS HEALTH AND
MANAGEMENT SAFETY

TEAM
WORKING,
DIGITAL ACCOUNTING
DIVERSITY PRINCIPLES
AND
INCLUSION
SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATIONS

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 13

 What are the QS FUTURE COMPETENCIES 2 21

Data
Analytics

5D BIM for Project and Tax

Cost Construction Depreciation
Management Management Services

Sustainable Dispute
Advisory Resolution

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 14

 MENTIMETER 2 21

HOW MANY % OF THE

CIVIL ENGINEERING
SUBJECTS IS RELEVANT
TO QUANTITY SURVEYING

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 15

ONLY 15% of CE SUBJECTS IS
RELEVANT TO QS

• Solid Mensuration
• Communication
• Engineering Economy
• Civil Engineering Lawand Contracts
• Quantity Surveying (Cost Estimating)
• Construction Materials & Specifications

79 12 28 •
•
Ethics
CAD
• Construction Technology
• Engineering Management
• Construction Methods
• Project Management

CE QS
 WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A QS 2 21

IN
REQUIRED VALUED
DEMAND

QS is one of the
Every Quantity most in demand
construction Surveyors are profession in the
project requires a being valued as Philippines and
Quantity key part of globally
Surveyor construction
management
.

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 17

 WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A QS IN BIM? 2 21

The QS is involved in the The QS becomes the BIM

early stages of the design QS Manager ensuring the
and acts as an optimizer Value of QS is model is cost-ready
throughout project life not about data
cycle
extraction

The QS is the one well The QS has a key role in

versed about Standards Data Analytics and
such as SMMs, IPMS and Benchmarking
ICMS .
. The QS will be the auditor of BIM,
the digital model and documents

THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BE A QS

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 18

 WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES OF QS IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE? 2 21

270M 13.5%
9 Billion new of world
population homes
output

Urbanization is a key 270 million new homes will Construction is one of

challenge of this century. By be needed in China and the largest industrial
2050 the planet’s population India alone by 2025. sectors and will account
will be over 9 billion for over 13.5% of world
output by 2025.

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 19

 TOP 5 GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET IN 2030

5
2 1 $ 680 BN
$ 2.6 TN $ 4.1 TN 5M workers
6M workers 55M workers

3
$ 1.5 TN 4
51M workers $ 708 BN
7.2M workers
GLOBAL
CONSTRUCTION
OUTPUT WILL GROW CHINA, INDIA, US
to U$ 17.5TN IN 2030 ACCOUNTS FOR 57% OF
GLOBAL GROWTH
 WHAT IS THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET OF THE PHILIPPINES? 2 21

626B 130T

2018 2030
PHILIPPINE CONSTRUCTION ROADMAP OF THE PHILIPPINES 2020 - 2030

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 21

 WHAT IS THE DEMAND FOR QS?

AUSTRALIA

Quantity
surveyors are on
the Shortage
Occupation List.

There is a
severe skills
shortage
CANADA UK
Quantity Quantity
surveyors are surveyors are
on the Medium
on the Federal
Skilled Worker
and Long-term NZ
Strategic Skills
Program List List (MLTSSL).
Quantity
surveyors are
on the Long
Term Skill
Shortage List
CHINA SKILLS SHORTAGES
US SKILLS SHORTAGES
SAUDI SKILLS SHORTAGES

26,000 ACTIVE
PROJECTS AT
$ 2.5 TN
MALAYSIA SKILLS SHORTAGES

SINGAPORE SKILLS SHORTAGES

HK SKILLS SHORTAGES
 ENTRY TO THE QS WORLD 2 21
Practice as
7 Professional
(MPICQS)

Get Certified through the

5 PICQS APC or other global
QS professional bodies

Work in a QS firm
3 and be PICQS
Technical Member

Know the Industry,

Study QS subjects
1 and be a PICQS
Student Member

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 27

 HOW TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL QS? 2 21

P3T PIC QS Think Tank Trainings as

essi
Level 1 - Knowing
MP

APC PIC QS APC Program for Beginners

PAP 1
Level 2 - Application

Guidance and Monitoring Program

STRUCTURED GAMP Level 3 – Advising
TRAINING
PROGRAM
PIC QS APC Program for C andidates
PAP 2 Level 4 - Presenting

PIC QS Mentor League Assessment

PMLA Mentoring

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 28

 PICQS IS GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED 2 21
as
essi
• PICQS is an Associate
Member of the PAQS MP
(Pacific Association of
Quantity Surveyors)
along with other
organizations namely:
AIQS (Australia), CIQS
(Canada), HKIS (HK),
SISV (Singapore), RISM
(Malaysia), CECA
(China), BSIJ (Japan),
IQSSL (Sri Lanka),
NZIQS (New Zealand),
ASAQS (South Africa),
IQSI (Indonesia), PUJA
(Brunei)

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 29

 PICQS IS PART OF THE ASEAN QS 2 21
as
essi
• PICQS, RISM, SISV, PUJA
AND IQSI ARE THE MP
FOUNDING MEMBER
ORGANIZATIONS TO
FORM THE ASEAN QS

• THAILAND, CAMBODIA,
LAOS, VIETNAM AND
MYANMAR ARE
OBSERVER MEMBERS

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 30

 PICQS PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITIES/SCHOOLS 2 21
Develop QS as
Modules
essi
MP
Regulate QS
Modules Teach QS
Modules

Accredit QS
Modules

UP PUP DLSU RTU

TIP NU UST MAPUA

PIBE UE UNC BU
UCEM

ICEC Accredited PICQS leading the way, the certified way 31

 THANK YOU

www.picqs.org ● +63 2 310 1073 ● 2F Herald Bldg, 61 Muralla St, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines ● admin@picqs.org 32
INTERPRETATION OF TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
AND SPECIFICATIONS
 INTRODUCTION
• TECHNICAL CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
o Views and Projections
o Project Phases and Drawing Stages
o Sets of Drawings
- Civil Engineering Drawings
- Structural Drawings
- Architectural Drawings
- Mechanical Drawings
- Electrical Drawings
- Plumbing / Sanitary Drawings
- Fire Protection Drawings

• TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
 INTRODUCTION
• Technical construction drawings - used to communicate the architectural
and engineering design of a construction project.

• Types of technical construction drawings:

Pictorial drawings and Orthographic projections
 INTRODUCTION
• Reading technical construction drawings – gathering of information from a
drawing which involves two principal elements: Visualization
and interpretation.
 INTRODUCTION
• Orthographic Projections - First Angle and Third Angle Projections
 INTRODUCTION
• Pictorial Projections

• Perspective Projections
 INTRODUCTION
ACTIVITY 1.3 – First Angle Drawing
 INTRODUCTION
• Construction drawings – different views of the building (floor plans, elevation) are
obtained using orthographic projections

1. Plan view – top view of the building

- taken at different levels throughout the building
- may require multiple plan views to illustrate construction details

a. Floors plan
b. Foundation plan
c. Framing plan
d. MEPF plans
 INTRODUCTION
2. Elevations - orthographic exterior views of the building showing features
- designated as front, right, left, rear
- may also be identified by the plan direction that the elevation
faces ie. West elevation
- interior elevations
(where foundation and basement are in hidden lines)
 INTRODUCTION
3. Sections - drawings showing inside of a cabinet, wall, roof structure
- are views showing the building / object as if it were cut apart
- an imaginary “cut” through a wall or other feature to show clearly
the construction details
 INTRODUCTION
4. Details/ Detailed Drawings

-due to scale used certain drawings need to be shown in large

scale illustration to provide information necessary for construction
- maybe shown at the same sheet of plan or referenced by detail
and sheet number
-prepared for complex building components and unusual
construction ie. such as arch, cornice, structural steel connection or
a retaining wall.
 INTRODUCTION
• A schedule - normally lists the item, an identification mark, size, number required,
and any other useful information.

Different type of schedules include: beam schedule, door schedules, window

schedules, lighting fixture schedules, room finish schedules, equipment schedule
 INTRODUCTION
Project Phases and Drawing Stages;

1. Schematic Design Phase ➢ Schematic / Concept Drawings

2. Design Development Phase ➢ Design Development Drawings
3. Design Finalization Phase ➢ Bid Drawings /For Bidding
4. Contract Documents Phase ➢ Contract Drawings
5. Construction Phase ➢ Construction Drawings
6. Project Completion Phase ➢ As-Built Drawings
• Type of drawings (Sheet Nos)

Civil (C-1, C-2, etc) Structural (S-1, S-2, etc),

Architectural (A-1, A-2, etc) Mechanical (M-1, M-2, etc)
Electrical (E-1, E-2, etc) Plumbing (P-1, P-2, etc).
Civil Engineering Drawings includes;
• Site plans
• Utilities
• Easements
• Grading
• Landscape details
• Contour lines
• Walks
• Driveways
• Property lines
• Building setbacks
• Utility locations
Structural drawings includes;

• Foundation
• Structural steel
• Building support system
• Roof framing system
• Structural sections and details
• Stair details, sections and elevations
• Structural framing plans
(ie roof, floors, walls)
• Schedules (ie column, beams)
• Structural drawings
• Structural drawings

INTRODUCTION
Architectural drawings includes;
• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Building sections
• Door and window schedules
• Room finishes
• Floor and Ceiling finishes
• Walls types and finishes
• References for the location of
additional sections and details
• Built-in cabinets
• Detailed or spot drawings
 INTRODUCTION

• The Floor plan is an important drawing

because it provides the most important information
and acts as a reference for the location of additional
sections and details. The floor plan shows floor
finishes, walls, doors, stairways, built-in cabinets,
and mechanical equipment.
• Architectural drawings
f
• Architectural drawings
• Architectural drawings
• Architectural drawings
f
INTRODUCTION
• Architectural drawings
• Architectural drawings
• Architectural drawings
• Architectural drawings
• Architectural drawings
• Architectural drawings
 INTRODUCTION

Mechanical drawings includes;

• Heating system
• Ventilating system
• Air conditioning system
• Equipment and panel schedules

HVAC Equipments:
• Fan Coil Unit
• ACCU
• Pressurization Fan
• Exhaust Fan
• Jet Fan
• Mechanical drawings
• Mechanical drawings
 INTRODUCTION

Electrical drawings includes;

• Electrical wiring
• Lighting plan
• Reflected ceiling plan
• Panel or load schedules
• Riser diagrams
• FDAS
• Electrical drawings
Electrical drawings
Electrical drawings
Electrical drawings
 INTRODUCTION

Plumbing drawings includes;

• Hot and cold water systems
• Sewage disposal system
• Location of plumbing fixtures
• Riser diagrams (water distribution)
• Plumbing drawings
• Plumbing drawings
• Plumbing drawings
 INTRODUCTION

Fire Protection drawings includes;

• Automatic fire sprinkler system

• Fire protection equipment
• Riser diagrams
(afss, floor control valves)
• Fire pump room
• Fire Protection drawings
• Fire Protection drawings
Explain the ROLE of DRAWINGS
in relation
to Project Specifications,
Contract Documentation,
Quantities,
And construction.
What is the relationship
between
Technical Drawings and
Specifications?
 INTRODUCTION
• Technical Specifications – describe the materials and
workmanship required for a development. They do not include cost, quantity or
drawn information, and so need to be read alongside other information such as
quantities, schedules and drawings.

• It compliments the drawings by describing the quality of materials, systems, and

equipment; workmanship on site and off-site fabrication; and installation and
erection.

• It should not overlap or duplicate information otherwise it may cause, confusion,

contradiction or misunderstanding. (unless word for word which is also redundant)
 INTRODUCTION
Classification of Specifications

➢ Performance Specifications
➢ Prescriptive Specifications

• Having a prescriptive specification when a contract is

tendered gives the client more certainty about the end
product, whereas a performance specification gives
suppliers more scope to innovate and adopt cost effective
methods of work, potentially offering better value for money. ;
 INTRODUCTION
• Typically, performance specifications are written on
projects that are straight-forward and are well-known building
types, whereas prescriptive specifications are written for
more complex buildings, or buildings where the client has
requirements that might not be familiar to suppliers and where
certainty regarding the exact nature of the completed
development is more important to the client.
• An exception to this might be a repeat client such as a large
retailer, where a specific, branded end result is required and
so whilst the building type is well known, the specification is
likely to be prescriptive.
• Most projects will involve a combination of performance
and prescriptive specifications.
 INTRODUCTION
Examples

• external cladding - items crucial to the design will be specified

prescriptively
• service lifts – maybe specified by performance (no. of stops,
passengers/ load )

Other Specification Types;

1. Proprietary Specification
2. Descriptive Specification
3. Performance Specification
4. Reference Standard
ie. Elevator by Mistubishi
ie. composition of mortar
ie. Acoustic wall (Noise
Reduction Coefficient)
ie. ASTM, ANSI, Local Agencies
 Pre-2012Divisions
MASTERFORMAT 2004EDITION
Same as MasterFormat 2014, except the following:
Division 40 — Process Integration
SPECIFICATIONS MASTERFORMAT 1995EDITION
Before November 2004, MasterFormat was composed of 16 Divisions:
Construction Specification Institute Division 1 — General Requirements
- founded in 1948 Division 2 — Site Construction
- to address the organization of specifications Division 3 — Concrete
into a numbering system Division 4 — Masonry
- In 1963, they published a format for construction Division 5 — Metals
specifications, with 16 major divisions of work Division 6 — Wood and Plastics
-In 1975 CSI publication used the term Division 7 — Thermal and Moisture Protection
MasterFormat until 1995 Division 8 — Doors and Windows
Division 9 — Finishes
- 2004, MasterFormat expanded from
Division 10 — Specialties
16 to 50 divisions, reflecting innovations in the
Division 11 — Equipment
construction industry and expanding the coverage
Division 12 — Furnishings
to a larger part of the construction industry
Division 13 — Special Construction
- Revised editions were published in 2010, 2011, Division 14 — Conveying Systems
- 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Division 15 — Mechanical (Ex. Plumbing and HVAC)
Division 16 — Electrical
MASTERFORMAT 1988EDITION
Same as MasterFormat 1995 except the following:
Division 2 — Sitework
SPECIFICATION EXAMPLE
SPECIFICATION EXAMPLE
 Explain the ROLE of
SPECIFICATIONS in relation
to Quantities,
Quality of Work,
Contract Documentation,
And Payment to Contractors.
ENDOF PRESENTATION
 INTERPRETATION OF
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
AND SPECIFICATIONS
READING MEASURING TOOLS

Planimeter - also known as a

platometer, is a measuring instrument
used to determine the area of an
arbitrary two-dimensional shape
(Wikipedia)
READING MEASURING TOOLS
- Scales
(Metric Or English units)
 READING MEASURING TOOLS
- Scales
(Metric Or English units)

Electronic scaling tools

- (ie. Scalemaster II or Sclaex Planwheel)
- can perform linear, area and volume measurements for
easy and accurate estimating
- Wireless and/or interface with spreadsheets and
softwares
- Some with built-in calculator –add and subtract measures
- Increase accuracy and decreases measuring time
READING MEASURING TOOLS
- Scales
(Metric Or English units)
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
 TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
OBJECT LINES – used mainly to define the shape and size of a structure or object
 TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
DASHED LINES – may represent hidden surfaces or intersection of an object
in a floor plan, it may represent features that lie above the plane of drawing
in remodeling job, it may represent an existing structure
in new construction, it may represent future expansion plan
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
 TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
CENTER LINES
 TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
EXTENSION LINES
DIMENSION LINES
 TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
PHANTOM LINES
(Arrow Head)
 TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
PHANTOM LINES
(Dot Head)
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
TECHINICAL DRAWING LINES AND SYMBOLS
SCALE READING AND DIMENSIONING

A drawing that shows a real object with accurate

sizes reduced or enlarged by a certain amount
(called the scale).

Blueprint drawings are typically drawn in

1:20, 1:50 or 1:100 (SI-units)

Ratios
• To scale an SI drawing (SI International System
of Units), multiply the measurement on the
drawing with the denominator, where the
denominator is the number after the colon.
 SCALE READING AND DIMENSIONING
A dimension is a numerical value expressed in
appropriate units of measurement and used to
define the size, location, orientation, form or
other geometric characteristics of a part.

www.msamc.org/assets/unit09_dimensions_in_engineering_drawings
SCALE READING AND DIMENSIONING
A dimension is a numerical value expressed in
appropriate units of measurement and used to
define the size, location, orientation, form or
other geometric characteristics of a part.
SCALE READING AND DIMENSIONING
Commonly Used Drawing Scales • Location Plot Plans
• Details • 1:80
• 1:1 • 1:100
• 1:5 • 1:200
• 1:10 • Location Plat Plans
• 1:20 • 1:500
• Component Drawings, Assembly • Block Plan, City Maps and larger
• 1:20 • 1:1000
• 1:10 • 1:1250
• 1:5 • 1:2500
• Floor Plans, General Arrangement (GA) • Ordnance Survey Maps
• 1:40 • 1:100000
• 1:50 • 1:50000
• 1:25000
• 1:10000
INTERPRETATION OF TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
AND SPECIFICATIONS
 Adjacent properties
Boundary length
easement
North point

Existing trees
Contour lines
Contour level Cloths hoist
Block identification
path
Boundary length
Existing fence Proposed building
boundary
Finished floor level
offset
driveway Angle of boundary
setback intersection
Location of
verge
power connection crossover
datum
Road identification
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• Features of plot drawings – a plot drawing is usually called a plot plan or a site plan. It is a view
from above the property that shows the location of the building on the lot. Many features as listed
below may be shown on the plot plan:

1. Lot and block number or address

2. Bearing (direction) and length of property lines
3. North Arrow
4. Dimensions of front, rear and side yards
5. Location of other accessory buildings (carport, garage, etc.)
6. Location of easement setbacks
7. Location of utilities (gas, electric, water and sewage)
8. Elevations at the various locations
9. Trees and shrubs to be retained
10. Grades and topography of the site
PLOT DRAWINGS
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• North Arrow – the north arrow indicates the north direction and will help to visualize the structure. If the
walls of the building are not parallel to the compass direction, a “plan north” may be designated. The Plan
north will be slightly different from the true north. A plan north is provided so that there is a reference
direction aligned with the building.
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• Property lines – lines outlining the building plot are called property lines. The length and bearing
(direction) of each property line is identified on the plot plan. Bearing is expressed as degrees east or west
or north or south and given in degrees, minutes and seconds.
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• Contour lines – contour lines are lines that identify the ground elevation. All points along a contour line
are at the same elevation. The elevation of the line is listed.
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• The interval between contour lines (the change in the vertical distance) can be any convenient distance
such as 1m, 5m or 10m. If the interval is too small, there will be too many contour lines and the drawing will
become crowded and hard to interpret. If the interval is too large, some detail will be lost. Contour lines that
are far apart indicate a gradual slope of the land and lines that are close together indicate a deep slope.
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• The elevation on a particular plot are referenced to a local permanent marker of known elevation,
such as a survey marker plate, a fire hydrant or a manhole cover.

• Topographic features – the topography (location and elevation of features) is often displayed on the plot
plan. Topographic features include natural objects such as trees or shrubs and human made objects.

• Plot plans should also include a list of symbols used to identify features. This is called a “legend”.
PLOT DRAWINGS
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• Common Topographical symbols
 PLOT DRAWINGS
• Building location – an outline of the structure is shown on the plot plan. Often the elevation of the first
floor is also included. The distances from the property lines to the building are shown. Most local building
codes specify a minimum distance between the building and the property lines. This distance is called a
“setback distance”. This distance can also be shown on the plot plan. The connections between the
main utility lines and the building are shown on the plot plan. Underground pipes and cables are
shown as dashed lines. These lines are identified on the drawing using abbreviations defined in the
legend.
STRUCTURAL
DRAWINGS
 Structural Plans

DRAWING INDEX, ABREVIATIONS,

LEGENDS & SYMBOLS
Structural Plans
Structural Plans
Structural Plans

CONSTRUCTION NOTES
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans

STANDARD DETAILS
Structural Plans
Structural Plans
 Structural Plans

Rebar orientation

Rebar diameter and spacing

Finish Grade Level

elevation

depth
Structural Plans
Foundation Drawings
Structural Plans
Foundation Drawings
Structural Plans
Foundation Drawings
 Structural Plans
Thickness of slab
Rebar φ Rabar arrangement
Rebar spacing

Schedule code
Structural Plans
Foundation Drawings
 Structural Plans
Foundation Drawings

• Waterproofing foundations – waterproofing of foundation walls is needed in areas where soil and
climatic conditions demand protection from underground water.

Drawings for a foundation to be waterproofed will have a heavy black line on the exterior wall with a note
indicating location. A layer of crushed rock or gravel is laid below the floor area. This layer is then
covered with a heavy plastic vapour barrier to keep the dampness in the ground from transferring to
the slab.

• Mat foundations - A mat or raft foundation is a single combined footing for an entire building unit.
 Structural Plans
For Blow up detail
Structural Plans
Framing Plans/ Drawings
Structural Plans
Framing Plans/ Drawings
 Structural Plans
Framing Plans

• Beams - beam is a structural member which

spans horizontally between supports and
carries loads which act at right angles to the
length of the beam. They are small in cross-
section compared with their span. The width
and depth of a typical beam are “small”
compared with its span. Typically, the width
and depth are less than span/10.
Structural Plans
 Structural Plans

Bottom Bars
Top Bars
Bar φ
# Bars
Structural Plans
Beam Schedule
 Structural Plans
Column Schedule
• Columns - A column can be defined as a
vertical structural member designed to
transmit a compressive load. A Column
transmits the load from ceiling/roof slab and
beam, including its own weight to the
foundation. Hence it should be realized that
the failure of a column results in the collapse
of the entire structure.
Structural Plans
Framing Plans/ Drawings
Structural Plans
Framing Plans/ Drawings
Structural Plans
Slab Schedule/ Detail
 Structural Plans
• A reinforced concrete RC element (say column)can be defined as a structural member with a steel
frame (reinforcement bars) composed of concrete that is been designed to carry loads.

• A girder is a support beam used in construction. It is the main horizontal support of a structure which
supports smaller beams.

• The oldest is the beam and girder system, whose form was derived from wood ... construction: slabs
rest on beams, beams rest on girders.

• The most common reinforced masonry beam is a lintel. Lintels are beams that support masonry over
openings
Structural Plans
Roof Framing Plan
Structural Plans
Roof Framing Plan
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Trusses – a beam of given strength, without intermediate supports below, can support a given load over only a
certain maximum span. If the span is wider than this maximum, the beam must have intermediate supports,
such as columns. Sometimes it is not feasible to install intermediate supports. In these cases, a truss may be
used instead of a beam.

A truss is a framework consisting of two horizontal members joined together by a number of vertical and/or
inclined members to form a series of triangles. The loads are applied at the joints. The horizontal members
are called the upper or top chords and lower or bottom chords. The vertical and/or inclined members that
connect the top and bottom chords are called web members.
Structural Plans
Truss Details
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The cross section of a wide flange beam (WF) is in the form of the letter H. Wide flange shapes are used as
beams, columns, truss members and in any other applications where their shape makes their use desirable.

Beams – a beam is identified by its nominal depth, in inches and weight per foot of length.
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The cross section of a wide flange beam (WF) is in the form of the letter H. Wide flange shapes are used as
beams, columns, truss members and in any other applications where their shape makes their use desirable.

Beams – a beam is identified by its nominal depth, in inches and weight per foot of length.
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Channels – a cross section of a channel is similar to the squared letter C. Channels are identified by their
nominal depth and weight per foot. Channels are principally used in locations where a single flat face without
outstanding flanges on a side is required. However, the channel is not very efficient as a beam or column when
used alone. But the channels may be assembled together with other structural shapes and connected by rivets
or welds to form efficient build ups.
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Angles – the cross section of an angle resembles the letter L. Angles are identified by the dimensions in
inches of their legs. Angles may be used single or in combinations of two or four angles to form members.
Angles also are used to connect main members or parts of members together.
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Tees – a structural tee is made by slitting a standard I or H beam through the center of its web, thus forming
two T-shapes from each beam. A rolled tee is a manufactured shape.
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Zee – these shapes are noted by depth, flange width and weight per linear foot.
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Plates – plates are noted by width, thickness and length
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Projecting structural shapes