LESSON

Floor Plan

A Floor Plan is a sketch of a structure showing a top view profile. It shows the
connections between rooms, spaces and other physical attributes at one layer of a
structure.

Dimensions are usually shown between the walls to project the room sizes and
wall length and width. The Scale is used to illustrate the floor plan in small details,
it means that each element in the sketch is proportional to the actual measurement.
In common practice, a 1:100M is used for residential establishment, this simply
means that the actual measurement are 100 times bigger than it is viewed on the
floor plan. So, 1cm on the floor plan is equivalent to 100cm or 1M in its actual size.
It is therefore, important to have an accurate dimension of the floor plan in
estimating bill of materials needed.

This also drawn to illustrate other details that includes fixtures like beds, sofa,
dining table, kitchen, sink, lavatory, etc.; This is also used for Electrical Layout,
which indicates lighting and power outlets and other electrical details such as:

A. Location of lighting outlets where it should be installed

B. Location of switches which will control a particular lighting fixtures
C. Types and ratings of lighting fixtures and switches
D. Location of power outlets for small appliance loads where it should be installed
E. Location of power outlets for special appliance loads where it should be
installed
F. Types and ratings of power outlets
G. Outlets that are connected to a branch circuit
H. Location of panel board, electric meter and service entrance

Basic Guidelines in Preparing Floor Plan

In planning for electrical layout the guidelines stated in the PEC is strictly
observed, hence the preference of the owner is also considered. The number of lighting
loads, convenience outlet, special purpose outlets and other electrical connections
should be promptly identified and provision for future expansion is also indicated to
avoid overloading and to avoid electrical fire incidents. It is why careful planning,
computation of loads and materials specification should be on the national electrical
code standards.

1. A lighting outlet (L.O.) should be installed in every room or area, usually it is

located at the center to provide direct lighting.
2. L.O. are connected by a line and group in such case where connection will be
the shortest.
3. A switch to control light is located near the door opening or wherever
convenient to place it.
4. A curve arrow is used to indicate the switch of a particular L.O.
5. A power outlet (C.O.) should be installed in every room or
area, usually it islocated at a wall where an appliance is
expected to be placed.
6. Limit the number of C.O. to 8 in one circuit, if there are more than 8 C.O’s
connect it in another circuit.
7. C.O. are connected by a line and group in such case where
connection will bethe shortest.
8. A weather proof type or ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) type of C.O.should be used for damp or wet
location.
9. It is advisable to have 2-branch circuit for L.O. and C.O.
10. Special Purpose Outlet (S.P.O.) should be circuited
individually. S.P.O’s are airconditioning unit, electric range,
electric motors and other similar unit with a continuous
loading.
11. Panel board is centrally located in the building to make
the circuiting muchshorter, or in a place where it is easily
accessible.
12. Service entrance and electric meter generally installed
outside the building atthe property line wall or electric post
for easy access to the meter reader.