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CONSTRUCTION DRAWING

Information notes

CONSTRUCTION DRAWING
AN INTRODUCTION
Much of the information in this handout is relevant to both hand drawn and
computer generated drawings. Even when the information is produced on the
computer, at some stage the information is almost inevitably printed out onto
a sheet of paper in order that those who do not have access to a computer
can still retrieve the information. A paper copy of a drawing is used, for
example, pin to a wall whilst a project is on site. The other advantage of a
paper copy is that the information can be looked at a larger scale not many
computers have a screen that is A1 size.
Paper copies of drawings are often needed to archive. Upgrades to computer
programmes, or new computers, and/or operating systems can result in
difficulties retrieving a drawing produced on an earlier version of a computer
programme. For example the way the computer reads the line thicknesses
can vary, resulting a reduction in the quality and subtly of the drawing. Text
can also be difficult on CAD drawings when they are opened in a different
version.
The purpose of construction drawings is to convey information. They are not
an artistic creation in their own right. An artist will create a drawing which can
be interpreted in different ways, to allow us to see the world in new and
different ways. It would be extremely undesirable to have construction
drawing which can be interpreted in different ways by different people at
different times. Ideally everyone seeing the drawing will interpret it the same
way, so that when the information is eventually translated into reality, nobody
seeing the finished scheme will say I did not think it would look like this this
is not what I wanted.
There are two types of drawing produced by the designer, namely
presentation drawings and technical drawings. The former are used to
convey the information to the client and/or user of the building. They are less
interested in the materials used to construct the walls and that the work
complies with all the finer aspects of, for example the Building Regulations.
Presentation drawings convey the feel of the proposed scheme and show, in
a pictorial way the room layouts, elevations etc.
Presentation drawings should explain how the project will look and how the
spaces and the relationship between the spaces will produce a scheme that
will be a pleasure to exist in. They should be able to persuade a client that
your scheme is fantastic and that they should produce the funding
immediately and instruct you to proceed with the proposal forthwith.
Competition entries are good examples of this type of proposal and examples
are often available on the internet. Albeit it some of them are a somewhat
avant guarde and difficult to understand.

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Technical drawings have a different function, they will be used by contractor
and those enforcing the relevant regulations to translate the ideas of the
designer into physical reality. They need to contain all the detailed
information on the materials, the dimensions, and the construction, in fact all
the information to translate the scheme from concept to physical reality. It is
very rare that 3D drawings are used for this purpose.
Which ever way the original drawings are produced, hand drawn or computer
generated it is common that multiple copies are required: for the client, the
contractor and many others involved in designing and implementing any
scheme. In the past dyeline copies were made but the most common method
these days is the large photocopy. These can be obtained at selected art or
stationary or photocopying shops. It is also possible to order prints from
internet companies.
Standard Paper Sizes
All architectural and design drawings should be produced sheets based on
the International Paper Sizes.
The basis of the size series is a sheet whose sides are in ratio of 1 to the
square root of 2 (1:414).
This means that however many times the sheet is folded in halves, the subdivisions always have their sides in the same ratio, which facilitates
enlargement or reduction of printed matter, diagrams and drawings by
photographic means. The drawings can also be folded to accompany
standard A4 letters and application forms.
The series starts with the largest size A0 down to the smallest A7. The sizes
are as follows:
A0
841 x 1189mm
A1
594 x 841mm
A2
420 x 594mm
A3
297 x 420mm
A4
210 x 297mm
A5
148 x 210mm
A6
105 x 148mm
A7
74 x 105mm
Note that all these are trimmed sizes.
Most drawings are produced on the paper sizes A1, A2 and A3.
A0 is used by Utilities Companies and some structural engineers. But if you
want to produce them you will need either a large drawing board which will
take up a lot of space or a large print machine to print out the CAD drawings.

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It is difficult to include sufficient information on A4 sheets at a large enough
scale. So unless the drawing is just to show a small detail, A4 is NOT an
appropriate paper size for most architectural and design drawings.
If drawings are to be presented as part of an A4 sized report, A3 size
drawings will easily fold out of the report and give far more information that
an A4 sheet.
Equipment
There is an almost unlimited amount of expensive, desirable drawing
equipment available. So this handout only covers the basic drawing
equipment and those items underlined are the essential items for this course.
T square

For drawing horizontal lines at right angels to the edge of the

drawing board (or kitchen/dining table). The alternative to a T
square is a parallel motion drawing board, such as those in the
university drawing office M2-18 which also draw horizontal
lines.

Set square

45, 30/60 degree, or adjustable, for drawing angled or vertical

lines. Used on the horizontal edge of the T square/parallel
motion rule. There is a wide variety of prices, but the
inexpensive ones are perfectly acceptable, provided they are of
a reasonable size.

Pencils

Mechanical propelling pencils in a selection of thicknesses are

the most commonly used. The pencil leads are graded H=hard,
B=black, F=fine. A selection of different grades are required.
Traditionally H or 2H are used to produce technical drawings. In
particular the initial construction lines. Some people prefer
normal pencils, in which case a pencil sharpener is required.

Pens

Traditionally ink pens are used which produce lines of preset

size. The smallest is 0.1 up to 0.8 or thicker. In order to produce
attractive drawings pens producing thin, medium and thick line
thicknesses are required. It is possible to purchase set with
many pen sizes, but most draftsmen never use more that
perhaps a maximum of four. Nowadays it is possible to obtain
good felt or rollerball alternatives.

Compasses For drawing circles or parts e.g. quadrants for door swings.
Stencils
For lettering and drawing shapes.
Drafting tape For attaching paper to the drawing board. Drafting tape is more
expensive and slightly less adhesive than masking tape. As
masking tape sticks the paper more firmly, care is needed to
avoid damaging the corners of the paper when removing it.

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Scale rule

This is an absolutely essential piece of equipment which

enables you to measure to scale. There are two types of scale
rule commonly available: the architectural and the engineering
scale. Architectural scales are used in construction and design.

Eraser

There are many different types available, and personal

preference will play a part, but a good eraser will remove the
pencil lead without leaving a mark or damaging the surface of
the paper.

Measurement
ALL measurement within our industry is in S.I.Metric.
Only metres and millimetres are used
Centimetres are never used.
In theory Imperial measurements are not used, however some products are
conversions from the original imperial sizes and many tradesmen remain
bilingual. For example referring to 2 x 4 (inch) x 2 (metres) long piece of
timber.
Scale
This allows us to reduce the size of our designs so that they fit on the paper.
The reduction needs to be proportional in all dimensions.
A scale of 1:10 means 1mm = 10mm.
The object is reduced to 1/10th of its size.
Typical building scales are:
1:5
1:10
1:50
1:100
1:200
1:500
1:1250
1:2500
The SCALE must ALWAYS be shown on the drawing. If more than one scale
is used, they must all be shown on the drawing.
Lines
Lines are the main means of conveying information on a drawing.
It is generally sufficient to use 3 types of line:

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Ink Lines
Thick
Medium
Thin

Primary detail
Secondary detail and lettering
Setting out, additional detail, hatching

Pencil Lines
Thick/Dark
Medium/Medium
Thin/Faint

Primary detail
Secondary detail and lettering
Setting out, additional detail, hatching

The majority of lines will be continuous, but broken lines are also used to add
additional information.

Getting Started
Regardless of the eventual medium, drawings are always started using a
hard pencil with faint lines. These will allow you to set out the drawing on the
paper. These construction lines are often left on the final drawing albeit very
faintly as they are often regarded as attractive. They can add a layer of
craftsmanship/art to the drawing.
The thick/dark lines are always added last as they are more difficult to erase
and, in the case of pencil are more prone to smudge!