Guide to Understanding Building Drawings

By Afroz Civil

Building drawings are essential documents that communicate the design, dimensions, structure, materials, and technical services of a building. This guide provides a complete understanding of how to read building drawings effectively from both architectural and structural perspectives.

1. Understanding Dimensions & Scale

Dimensions

Dimensions represent width, height, depth, and spacing between elements.
Architectural drawings use dimensions to locate rooms, doors, windows, and finishes.
Structural drawings use them to fix foundation sizes, reinforcement cover, beam spans, and slab thickness.

Scale

Drawings are scaled representations of real objects.
Architectural drawings typically use:

1:100 for plans
1:50 for detailed layouts
Structural drawings often use:
1:20 for reinforcement detailing
1:10 for complex joints or connections

2. Important Abbreviations Used in Drawings

Includes architectural, structural, MEP, reinforcement and level-related abbreviations.

3. Cross-Referencing Drawings

Correct drawing reading requires coordination between:

Architectural plans and Structural layouts
Beam-depth vs. ceiling height
Door/window positions vs. beam/column alignment
Plumbing lines vs. slab thickness and beam depth
Electrical conduit vs. reinforcement

Additional Critical Points (Architectural + Structural):

Ensure architectural grid matches structural grid exactly.
Confirm column locations align with wall thicknesses.
Check sunken slab areas for toilets and balcony spaces.
Validate parapet and handrail heights from architectural elevations.
Ensure headroom clearance underneath beams as per architectural requirements.

4. Step-by-Step Method to Read Drawings

Architectural Reading Sequence (Added Points)

✔ Understand the room layout and circulation
✔ Check door swings & opening directions
✔ Confirm window sill, lintel, and head heights
✔ Study hatch patterns showing material (tiles, RCC, brickwork, glass)
✔ Verify furniture placement to ensure sufficient space

Structural Reading Sequence (Added Points)

✔ Identify footing type (isolated, combined, raft)
✔ Check slab thickness and reinforcement direction
✔ Understand beam schedule (dimensions + reinforcement)
✔ Read column schedule (sizes + reinforcement)
✔ Check structural notes for:

Concrete grade
Steel grade
Cover requirements
Lapping zones
Development length

5. Types of Building Drawings

Expanded with deeper architectural and structural points.

A. Architectural Drawings – Design & Space Planning

Architectural drawings define the building’s appearance, layout, and user experience.

Additional Architectural Points (Very Important):

Room sizes designed per NBC standards
Placement of natural light and ventilation openings
Finish schedules (tiles, paint, false ceiling)
Sectional details showing floor-to-floor height
Door & window schedules with frame material
Staircase design (tread, riser, handrail)
Toilet and kitchen working dimensions
Exterior façade treatment materials

B. Structural Drawings – Load Transfer & Stability

Structural drawings ensure the building is safe, stable, and durable.

C. MEP Drawings – Functional Services Coordination

Added architectural + structural coordination points:

Ensure MEP routing does not cut through major structural members
Verify slab openings for pipes and ducts
Confirm that beam bottom level does not obstruct service ducts
Check firefighting pipe routing along corridors & shafts

D. Working / Shop Drawings – Execution Accuracy

These are construction-level drawings.

Additional Important Points:

Exact reinforcement bending shapes
Fabrication schedules with bolt locations
Anchorage length for steel members
Brick bat coba/terrace waterproofing details
Aluminium/steel frame installation details

E. As-Built Drawings – Final Verified Layout

Additional points include:

All site changes reflected
Actual reinforcement used
Location of concealed wires, pipes, and ducts
Revised slab slopes and drainage routes

6. Practical Tips (Enhanced for Architecture & Structure)

Architectural Tips

Verify orientation (north direction) before marking
Ensure minimum clear space around doors and furniture
Check toilet fall and slope direction
Confirm tile direction/layout before fixing
Maintain uniform sill/lintel height

Structural Tips

Ensure correct cover blocks are used (20/25/40 mm)
Confirm lapping zones as per structural notes
Check bar marking before cutting steel
Validate shuttering dimensions with drawing
Keep beam bottom and slab thickness uniform

Conclusion

Understanding building drawings requires knowledge of dimensions, scales, abbreviations, cross-referencing, and different drawing types.
This refined guide now includes all missing architectural and structural points, helping engineers ensure accuracy, safety, and flawless execution on site.

Watch How To Read Construction Drawings :

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A.) Basic Level Drawing Package Includes:

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Floor plans
Elevations
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Symbols
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3) Architectural + Structural Drawings (Combined PDF)

Full coordinated drawing set for better understanding

4) Cross-Referencing Drawing Files

Includes:

Architectural plan
Structural slab reinforcement plan
Beam level, ceiling level, and interior reference drawings

5) Floor Plan, Notes & Legends

Room names
Grid lines
Levels
Service zones

6) Elevation & Section Drawings

Complete exterior and interior building understanding.

7) Detail Drawings

Flooring details
Kitchen counter
Ramp details
Grating details

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Footing layout
Column reinforcement
Section details

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B.) Advance Level Drawing Package Includes:

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a.) Architectural Drawings

Site Plan
Floor Plans
Elevations
Sections
Landscape layout
Toilet layouts
Staircase details
Ramp details
Architectural Details PDF – Part 01
Architectural Details PDF – Part 02
How to prepare & maintain a Drawing Register (PDF + Excel)

b.) Structural Drawings

Foundation plan & footing details
Column layout plan
Framing plan
Beam reinforcement plan
Slab reinforcement plan
Staircase reinforcement details
Structural load calculation sheet
Full structural drawing set
“How to create & maintain structural drawing register” guide

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HVAC drawings
Electrical layouts
Plumbing layouts
Fire-fighting drawings

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Standard RCC details
Construction guidelines
Structural notes
Work method references

g.) Shop Drawings

Fabrication drawings
Joinery details
Prefab assembly instructions

h.) Door & Window Schedule

i.) Main Gate Drawing

j.) Rolling Shutter Details

k.) Handwash Details

l.) Grating Details

2.) PEB (Pre-Engineered Building) Drawings

Pile cap layout & details
Pedestal layout
Anchor bolt details
Cross-sections & structural components

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Road plan
Road, pavement & plinth projection details

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Multiple real-project drawing sets
Road works
Building works
Mixed-use development drawings

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