Types of Drawings Found on Site

Drawings serve as the blueprints used to guide construction works on-site. They are typically graphical representations in 2D, and they primarily convey the designs and instructions for contractors while also serving as repositories of information for complete buildings.

Drawings are prepared by various professionals appointed on a project, such as architects, engineers, suppliers, and contractors.

Types of Drawings

1. Design Drawings: These are employed in the early stages of a project to communicate ideas and demonstrate the ability of the design teams to undertake the design. They can also be used for tendering purposes and for implementing client briefs. Design drawings can be categorized as ‘Schematic/Conceptual designs’ or ‘Tender drawings.’ They are prepared by professionals such as architects, structural engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, interior designers, and landscape designers.
2. Detail Drawings: These provide detailed descriptions of objects and structures, such as buildings, large bridges, or even tunnels. They are more detailed and pay attention to the intricate designs of the project to be constructed. They usually indicate dimensions, tolerances, symbols, and specific information.
3. Construction Drawings: These are the drawings incorporated into tender and contract documents for construction purposes. They are often the approved drawings that form part of the agreement between the client and contractor. They are typically concise and well-coordinated to avoid ambiguity and confusion.
4. Floor Plans: These are developed by architects to show the layout of rooms within buildings or entire buildings as seen from above. Architectural floor plans are made irrespective of whether they are utilized for the construction of a home, shop, or commercial projects. These drawings are used by engineers to create electrical, lighting, and plumbing plans.
5. Sectional Drawings: These depict a part of the structure as if it has been sliced along a particular plane. They are often depicted on floor plans or elevation drawings as dotted faint dashes with similar letters on both ends, such as C-C. They can also be generated by 3D modeling software to provide a perspective.
6. Elevation Drawings: These are developed by architects to help understand the particular facing of a building. They also indicate the height of the building and external objects such as doors, windows, facades, claddings, and railings.
7. Electrical Drawings: These are created by electrical engineers to provide an in-depth account of all electrical connections, outlets, fixtures, switches, fans, lighting, and all other electrical installations. They assist in understanding wiring layouts, load capacities, conductor sizing, and other information. Electrical drawings encompass all aspects of electrical and electronics engineering, including data, fire detection, building management systems, solar systems, intruder alarm systems, etc.
8. Mechanical and Plumbing Drawings: These are developed by mechanical engineers to indicate and mark the locations for water piping, foul water piping, tap positions, water outlets, heating and ventilation systems. They also include air conditioning, fire-fighting systems, and fire-fighting plans. Some mechanical drawings are often represented in isometric views to better illustrate components such as ventilation systems and drainage.
9. Shop Drawings: These drawings are primarily prepared by manufacturers, suppliers, and fabricators to demonstrate how prefabricated components should be installed. They take design drawings and specifications and develop them to show how the component can be incorporated and manufactured to comply with design requirements. Some of the components for which shop drawings can be prepared include vertical transport systems, building services equipment, appliances, windows, storage cabinets, data installations, etc.
10. As-Built/Record Drawings: These are prepared by contractors during the completion of the project to reflect what has actually been built. This is because often during construction, changes are introduced over time, and clients require these changes to be recorded. They are generally marked up on the design drawings and indicated as As-Built for submission to the client and maintenance teams.
11. Site Plan: An aerial view of the construction site over a wide area, often showing the full extent of the area under development.
12. Block Plan: This is a broader representation of the structure or building being constructed in relation to other adjoining roads, buildings, boundaries, or survey maps.

These drawings are essential tools for architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals involved in the construction industry, ensuring that projects are executed accurately and efficiently.