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BCGCM2001B Read and interpret plans and specifications
Introduction
This unit specifies the competency required to read and interpret plans and specifications relevant to General Construction operations.
The unit includes the identification of types of plans and drawings and their functions, the recognition of commonly used symbols and abbreviations, the identification of key features and specifications on a site plan, the comprehension of written job specifications and the recognition of document status and amendment detail.
With kind permission of Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
with kind permission of Lend Lease.
Key terms and concepts
Types of structures could include:
- road construction
- multi-storey buildings
- bridges and towers
- details of an article to be manufactured
Why do we have plans?
People who may have an interest in plans for proposed
structures
What will the plans show the interested parties?
What types of plans do I need to be familiar with?
Why do we have plans?
- Plans show all people interested in the proposed structure what it will look like when completed, and how it will be constructed.
People who may have an interest in plans for proposed structures:
- the client and the lending body
- local council (they must approve the application before the project can proceed)
- various supply authorities, for example, water, sewerage and drainage
- electrical and gas and cable supply companies
- builders and sub-contractors wanting to quote on the project
- the client and the lending body
- engineers
- carpenters
- bricklayers
- concreters
- painters (dry wall & wet wall plasterers)
- real estate agents
- neighbours
- kitchen manufacturers
- landscapers
- various material or product suppliers
- e.g. windows & doors, timber etc
- environmental agencies
- mechanical service installers, e.g. air conditioning, fire alarms
- may also have an interest
- excavation contractors plasterers (gyprockers)
- surveyors
- electricians
- roof & floor tilers
- plumbers
- form workers
- police, fire brigade
- bathroom and mirror suppliers
- roads & traffic authority
What will the plans show the interested parties?
They will:
- show the location of various features on the site and illustrate details about the building e.g. construction details for specific trades people
- show the height, position and bulk of the building so that council can determine compliance to its codes.
- allow builders and trades people to prepare written quotations. Remember written quotations (quotes) or contracts should only relate to approved building plans. An estimate should be given prior to council approval.
- provide the surveyor with the details “to set out�
- illustrate to trades people the structure to be built.
What types of plans do I need to be familiar with?
Location plan
Site or Block Plan
Floor Plans
Elevations
Sections
Detailed Drawings
Specifications
A Title Block
Waste Management Plans, Site Management Plans
Landscape Plans
Shadow Diagrams
Bracing Schedules
Location Plan
A location plan may be required if it is a big development so that the relative location of the site in a particular street is clear. It will show lot numbers, deposit plan numbers and a north point, using various scales but usually 1:5,000.
Location Plan
Reproduced with kind permission of CITB 
.
Site or Block Plan
A Site or Block Plan is usually drawn at 1:500 and gives the following information.
Reproduced with kind permission of CITB .
Features to look for on plans.
- A datum is a reference point of known or assumed height to which all other site levels will refer.
- Plan page number, client’s name, project address, scales used, name and reference numbers of draftsperson and the date the plans were drawn.
- Features that must be preserved e.g. trees, rocks, existing structures
- Contours may also be imposed on a plan or may be noted separately. These show the fall in the land, are usually related to the datum and usually spaced at 500mm horizontal intervals for a single building development, while still showing the north point.
- The term “Reduced level� e.g. (RL 100.000) may also be seen. This may indicate finished floor, ceiling, eave and roof apex in relation to the datum
- Distance from the boundaries to the building’s outer walls or “footprint� -mostly of interest for council and neighbours. Most councils have a code or specifications for the distances between the building and the side, front and rear boundaries. The distance from the front boundary to the building is referred to as the front building line.
- Driveways, stormwater drainage, paths, easements and right of carriage (right of use) may also be shown.
Floor Plans
Reproduced with kind permission of CITB
- These are horizontal sections through the building viewed from above. They can be drawn at various scales, but usually 1:100.
What do floor plans identify?
- Floor level - e.g. ground, garage, first floor etc.
- Room names and their internal sizes.
- Width of openings and thickness/type of walls, - e.g. brick, timber.
- Overall dimensions of the building, cupboards, halls and spaces.
- Position of fixtures - e.g. for wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchen and laundries, the position the bath, shower, toilet, cupboards, basins should be indicated.
- Type of floor covering may also be shown.
Elevations
Reproduced with kind permission of CITB
An elevation is a view you see when standing in front of that wall. It may be multi-storey or single-storey, usually drawn to a scale of 1:100. This scale can vary.
Most councils require an elevation from each side of the proposed development and the view is indicated by north, south, east or west - e.g. If the wall is on the west side of the house, it is the west elevation.
Elevations indicate:
- finish to external walls and;
- size of windows, doors and balconies.
Sections
Reproduced with kind permission of CITB.
What is a section?
It is a vertical view (“slice�) through the building. The direction of section lines or arrows is usually shown on the plan to help interpret the sectional view.
Sections may be required to indicate:
- overall height of the building
- position of piers, beams, openings etc.
- floor to ceiling heights
- distance between finished floor and existing ground levels or proposed ground levels
- construction details
- scales same as plan.
Detailed Drawings
Detailed Drawings are used to illustrate the particular method of construction or finish required - e.g. structural steelwork, concrete work, brickwork. They are usually drawn at scales that are easy to read (1:20, 1:5) .
Specifications
Specifications set out the minimum standards or codes necessary to obtain relevant sizes for all structural components.Specifications may also detail the fixtures and fittings. It will not indicate utilities such as water or electricity.
A Title Block
A Title Block is a section of information on a plan. It shows:
- date drawn
- site address
- number of sheet (page) in relation to others
- name of sheet
- name of client
- builder’s name
- scales used
- date of amendments
- draftsperson’s name
- glossary of terms
Glossary of Terms (Read Interpret Plans)
NOTE:
The Australian Architectural Standards details must be used to indicated items,
dimensions, products and names on plans.
Projections, standards & abbreviations
Click on the following examples which are reproduced with the kind
permission of CITB
Symbols PDF
Hatching PDF
Abbreviations 1 PDF
Abbreviations 2 PDF
Architectural conventions 1 PDF
Architectural conventions 2 PDF
Architectural conventions 3 PDF
Waste Management Plans, Site Management Plans
Waste Management
Plan Demolition Waste PDF
Waste Management Plan PDF
On going management of waste PDF
D.C.P. for Site
Environmental Management Plan
(Reproduced with kind permission of Sutherland Shire Council)
- These plans show how the
site will be established or “set up�. They indicate plans for the
management of deliveries, storage of materials and the storage and
eventual removal of waste.
Environmental issues such as the control of surface runoff, using cattle grids, silt fences, wash down areas and the protection of trees or any other significant feature can also be indicated environmental site plans .
Landscape Plans
These may be required for building or development approval indicate the extent, type and potential height of flora to be planted.
Here is a typical landscape plan - TIF image (800kB)
Shadow Diagrams
These indicate the amount of shadow cast by the proposal on adjoining properties. They are sometimes required by the approving authority.
Bracing Schedules
These indicate the type, position and amount of fixing required when installing bracing to timber frames. They are mainly drawn up by the frame supplier, however engineers, draftspersons and builders may also become involved. Approving authorities now require these schedules more often.
Click on Hudsons timber frame bracing schedule PDF
Assessment requirements
It is essential that you can:
- identify and understand various types of drawings
- identify dimensions, symbols, abbreviations and key features
- identify title panel and reference date (i.e. up-to-date copy of drawings) and
- indicate a sound understanding of the purpose of specifications in accordance with work orientation.
Method of Assessment
- Assessors gather different types of evidence about your level of competency. If you are working one-to-one with a supervisor, evidence may be gathered more regularly. If you are working in a team, the evidence gathered may be more indirect; for example, colleagues may be consulted or the final task observed.
- More than one competency may be determined at the same time. This is known as an integrated project work.
- Assessment evidence may be gathered at various stages of the project work in accordance with assessment criteria as outlined in the syllabus.
In the workplace
Plans need to be viewed at the site regularly to determine the correct position, size and finish of:
- buildings
- walls
- fixtures
- rooms
- roofs
- driveways, paths, parking areas and
- landscaping.
Plans also need to be protected from damage, weather and misuse on the worksite.
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