1. Blueprint Reading and Care

2. Blueprints Set of drawings that are used by:
Homebuilders
Architects
Engineers
Contractors
Provide universal language for all trades and cultures
Blue reading: process of interpreting the drawing

3. Architectural Drawings
Describe the physical form
Site (plot) shows where the building is on the property
Floor plans: show walls and divisions for each floor
Elevation: outside faces of the building
Vertical cross sections: many to show perspective of the plans

4. Mechanical Drawings Show the mechanical systems of the builiding:
Plumbing plans
Plumbing schedules
Plumbing detail
Heating, ventilating, air conditioning

5. Electrical Drawings
Show the wiring of the equipment and all supporting part:
Electrical site plan
Power and lighting plans
Electrical details
Electrical schedules

6. Plot or Site Plan The view of the structure from a birds’ eye view.
Shows location of building on site including:
Roof view
Property lines
Roads
Railroad tracks
Topography layout
Power lines
Shrubbery walkways
Driveways utilities

7. Symbols
Symbols are used to abbreviate materials and instructions for builders.
It is impossible to have the drawing and all instructions without some sort of process.
This is used through different shading and lettering that is universal
Symbols of your field should be memorized since they may affect your area of construction.

8. Symbols, cont. Symbols are used to indicate: Example: Location
type of material
Example:
Types of material
Location of fixtures , outlets, switches

9. Basic Construction Symbols

10. Abbreviations Save time and space on drawings
Unlike symbols, abbreviations can vary even within the same set of plans.
Abbreviations are clarified on a table or legend on a cover sheet of the blueprint set.

11. Property Lines Shows the whole piece of property under construction
Extra heavy, two dashes with one long dash

12. Object Lines
Heavy continuous line that shows the outline of a structure or an object.
The outline of objects such as:
Rooms
Doors
Windows

13. Hidden Lines Medium weight evenly dashed, short lines
Used to show objects, edges or surfaces that are not in view.
Usually are pictured items that are in other parts of the drawing like elevation or sectional views.

14. Break Lines Used to show an object has not been drawn in its entirety.
Used to save space
Long breaks shown by as zigzag
Short breaks shown with regular lines separating the two parts of an object.

15. Dimensions Lines
Dimension lines are thin lines used to indicate the distance between two points.
Measurements are written on or above the dimension line
250 feet 3”
Note to students that the short break is also pictured in this example.

16. Center Lines
Indicate the center of symmetrical objects like doors, windows, columns

17. Leader or Reference Lines
Used to connect a note or label to an object.
Leader lines: tie notes to an area
Extension lines: used with dimension lines
May be straight, angled, curved usually ends in arrowhead. 3’ 1 1
Point out the difference between the reference line and the extension lines in the picture above.

18. Types of Lines Center: line to indicate the center of the object
Short Break lines: used to conserve space and to allow for larger plans to be added in smaller spaces. Used on repetitions.
Long break: separate external and internal structures with broken out sections

19. What Type of Line?
Look at the figure below. What type of lines are shown?
What is the function of the pictured lines?
250 feet 3”

20. Basic Blueprint Reading
What Type of Line?
3. Look at the figure below. What type of lines are shown? 4. What is the function of the pictured lines? 1 1
Surface

21. Proper Handling of Plans and Drawings
Never write on a plan unless you have been authorized to make changes
Keep plans clean and free of oil and dirt
Keep plans in a roll and never fold plans
Do not lay sharp objects on plans
While in use, keep plans in a safe place away from weather
When not in use, store in clean dry place

22. Quick Check for Understanding
Why do contractors use symbols for blueprints instead of writing it all out?
Explain why contractors use a universal set of symbols for all blueprints?

23. Important notes about blueprints
Remember your blueprint will have all the necessary information needed to build the structure.
Visualize your structure.
Learn common symbols needed and know where to reference symbols that are not common.