Reading Blueprints?

[MAK]

Anybody have any suggestions on how to learn to read blueprints better. I am somewhat weak in that area and my job responsibilities are about to change. My employer has no problem with them but he does not have very much time to teach me what I should know. I was hoping for a website or a book or something I could study. I took some electrically related classes a while back but they just glossed over reading prints. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[iwire]

Are we talking 'blue prints' like we use in construction or blue prints that we use for machine wiring?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I just did a quick search. Here is a 10 week online class for construction blueprints.

 

[MAK]

Are we talking 'blue prints' like we use in construction or blue prints that we use for machine wiring?

For construction. Sometimes it takes me longer than I think it should to locate the information I am looking for.

 

[cadpoint]

What R U ????'n @

What R U ????'n @

Go to your local library, via the I-Net or in person and search accordingly.
I would go get any architectural drafting book, even a mechanical drafting book

Just remember that your looking at or into a flat plan and that object's and the line work that they represent mean something.
Thus one has to remember the difference of a "X" plain measurement, one shouldn't forget to add a "Y" measurement to complete a home-run.
There no implied elevation looking a flat plane.

Be it as simple as a wall, doorway, or window. something on a drawing usually means something, weither its important to the reader is the question!

A floor plan is what's up to 2' (technically), AFF.
An arrangement plan is from 2' to ceiling
A ceiling plan is from the ceiling Line and up and looking UP, not down.

On smaller drawings of house plans you could get the full imprint of all three as listed above. Large jobs they segregate it to the individual type of electrical applications, power and lights.

Be sure to read all the Notes and Specifications that are on the drawings!
Hope that Helps, get a library card ...

 

[MAK]

Go to your local library, via the I-Net or in person and search accordingly.
I would go get any architectural drafting book, even a mechanical drafting book

Just remember that your looking at or into a flat plan and that object's and the line work that they represent mean something.
Thus one has to remember the difference of a "X" plain measurement, one shouldn't forget to add a "Y" measurement to complete a home-run.
There no implied elevation looking a flat plane.

Be it as simple as a wall, doorway, or window. something on a drawing usually means something, weither its important to the reader is the question!

A floor plan is what's up to 2' (technically), AFF.
An arrangement plan is from 2' to ceiling
A ceiling plan is from the ceiling Line and up and looking UP, not down.

On smaller drawings of house plans you could get the full imprint of all three as listed above. Large jobs they segregate it to the individual type of electrical applications, power and lights.

Be sure to read all the Notes and Specifications that are on the drawings!
Hope that Helps, get a library card ...

Yes that does help. Thanks

 

[walkerj]

Do you mean the electrical and mechanical sections or the architectural?

I have the most problems with architectural stuff but usually just on poorly done drawings.

Most electrical drawings are just "connect the dots" or each device has it's designated circuit number next to it.

Or, you can upload the digital plans here and we can help you read them

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Max,

A good place to start is by looking at the drawings for the project that you are working on, this will show how the drawings relate to the floor plans. Usually the first drawing of the set is General Electrical notes & legend, it shows all the symbols used on the drawings. The set should have a one-line diagram showing all the large pieces if equipment that needs an electrical connection with wire, conduit & breaker sizes. Next the floor plans should show power devices (outlets, motors, tel/comm) & lighting plans show light fixtures with switch locations, typically on seperate sheets. Also read the specs they usually relate to the type of wiring methods used inside the facility (Commercial -MC Cable, Industrial - Rigid Conduit, Residential - Romex). And keep using this forum to ask questions as you have - Great place where everyone is an expert, I think! Good Luck!

 

[ItsHot]

Also remember that most all blueprints are never correct!:-?

 

[peter d]

Also remember that most all blueprints are never correct!:-?

And that "blue prints" are no longer blue.

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Also remember that most all blueprints are never correct!:-?

Also cut as many corners as possible so the the installation is not what the engineer asked for on the drawings, then tell him that the drawings were incorret!

 

[ItsHot]

Also cut as many corners as possible so the the installation is not what the engineer asked for on the drawings, then tell him that the drawings were incorret!

I take it you are speaking from experience!:grin:

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

I take it you are speaking from experience!:grin:

Yea I guess Iv'e seen my share of corners being trimed

 

[ItsHot]

Yea I guess Iv'e seen my share of corners being trimed

You know that is why Wendy's hamburgers are square! Dave Thomas said "he would cut no corners"!:smile:

 

[cadpoint]

Do you mean the electrical and mechanical sections or the architectural?

I have the most problems with architectural stuff but usually just on poorly done drawings.

Most electrical drawings are just "connect the dots" or each device has it's designated circuit number next to it.

Or, you can upload the digital plans here and we can help you read them

I've just never been around Bad Stuff and Try to stay away from the Bad Stuff!

In General (let me go long on this statement) All the disciplines are in it for themselves, the size and scope of a project will dictact what your looking at!

If large, its coordinated better and that includes if its a AEC firm verse a MEP firm. Again back to who's got the Ball in Hand, most all work will have the architect in control, not allways but day-in day out, it's the wall that the AEC drew that the MEP will use.

ARCH and Mechanical, recspectively.

Even small Jobs the work is shown and even coordinated by both or either discplines but the walls door and windows Minus Code Requirements, is consistantly the same. IE someone notice they didn't meet som code.

"Engineered drawings" are presented to meet the code, why questions of construction may arise,
why don't you want to build what 's on the drawings?
And account for that and throw in everything else as an add alternate, or not at all and pick-up up as additional services!

 

[cadpoint]

Forgot about this Book!

Forgot about this Book!

There use to exist a student version of "Architectural Graphic Standards" put out by the AIA, that's very inexpensive, and that same book in earlier versions are also on-line. The active price of current additions (#11) is high

But
If you want to understand how it's put together by looking at technical drawings, and relate (to Architecture) to what you might get to look at in the field, this book in any version is it! They cover just about ever facet of alot of structures, if your into books and great looking line work, which ususally show the details and finish prodoct... This is coffee table or point of reference materal.

 

[MAK]

There use to exist a student version of "Architectural Graphic Standards" put out by the AIA, that's very inexpensive, and that same book in earlier versions are also on-line. The active price of current additions (#11) is high

But
If you want to understand how it's put together by looking at technical drawings, and relate (to Architecture) to what you might get to look at in the field, this book in any version is it! They cover just about ever facet of alot of structures, if your into books and great looking line work, which ususally show the details and finish prodoct... This is coffee table or point of reference materal.

You are right it is a very expensive book new. Thanks for the reference.