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4 Tips for Reading Blueprints Begin with the title block. The title block is the first piece of information you’ll see in construction site plans. Study the plan legend. Find the blueprint’s scale and orientation. Look for notes from the architect.
What does it mean to read a blueprint?
Blueprints are 2-dimensional architectural design drawings that indicate the size of a planned building, the materials to be used in its construction, and the placement of its features. Learning to read blueprints is essential not only for construction workers but also for the people who hire architects to draft them.
Why is it important to know how do you read blueprints?
The ability to read and interpret blueprints is a useful skill for inspectors in order to gain an accurate understanding of the architect’s intent, and to be able to interpret the building’s specifications properly. Blueprints, known generically as “plans,” show the construction details of a completed structure.
How do you read design drawings?
How to Read a Technical Drawing Start by looking at the Title Block on each drawing. Drawings generally include the front, side and top of the object being designed. Parallel projections include orthographic drawings: flat, multi-view drawings of the subject.
Why do you use a blueprint?
A blueprint is a reproduction of a technical drawing or engineering drawing using a contact print process on light-sensitive sheets. It was widely used for over a century for the reproduction of specification drawings used in construction and industry.
How do you read CAD drawings?
Reading CAD drawings is a lot easier than you think. Look at the legend. The legend or key, usually located near the lower right-hand corner of the drawing, should explain all of the symbols on the drawing. Look at the title block. Read the notes. Pay attention to lines.
Why is a blueprint essential?
A blueprint enables you to design with the big picture in mind. In this way, you can ensure you reach every milestone and build consistency throughout the curriculum — even when faced with uncertainty in the project.
What are the lines on a blueprint called?
Dimension lines (see Figure 1-7) are short, solid lines that indicate the distance between two points on a drawing. They terminate or end in arrowheads at each end, and are broken to insert the dimension.
What are the 5 parts of a blueprint?
The main sections of a blueprint are: Title Sheets and Site Plans. Floor Plans. Elevations and Sections. Details and Schedules. Structural Drawings. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Drawings.
How do you read and understand engineering drawings?
The title block contains information such as: Name and address of the company or agency who prepared or owns the drawing. Part number and description. Material. Mass. Finish. General tolerances. Projection details. Scale used in the drawing.
What are the two types of drawing?
There are two types of drawings. The first is a drawing done without instruments, known as a sketch. The second is a drawing done with instruments, known as a final drawing. Sketch Final drawing Artistic drawings convey an idea, feeling, mood or situation.
How do you read first and third angle drawings?
The difference between first and third angle projection is in the position of the plan, front and side views. In third angle, what you see from the right would be drawn on the right. In first angle, the view from the right would be projected through and drawn on the left.
What information goes on a blueprint?
Most blueprints usually include the following elements: Title sheet. Site plans. Floor plans. Detail images. Sections and elevations. Structural drawings. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Line types.
What is blueprint drawing?
Blueprints are drawings that architects use to plan new buildings. While architects today use computers to create building drawings, originally, the printing process created white lines on blue paper.
What is example of blueprint?
A blueprint is defined as a copy of a building or engineering plan, reproduced with white lines on a blue background, or detailed plan of action. An example of a blueprint is a construction worker’s diagram of building plans for a new home.
What does blueprints look like?
A blueprint used to consist of white lines on a blue background. A more recent process uses blue lines on a white background. The term “blueprint” is usually used to describe two printing methods, the blueprint and the diazotype. Blueprinting is the older method, invented in 1842.
How do I check my engineering drawings?
The typical self-check tools and processes for engineering drawings are as follows: On-Screen Check – a lightweight review to identify obvious issues or deficiencies. 2D Drawing Checklist – a general list of features which must be on a drawing. PDF Output Check. Printing Check. Adobe DC Check.
How do you read House blueprints?
Here are some general tips to remember when reading your new home blueprints: They are drawn to scale. Pages are typically in the order of when they’ll be constructed. The foundation plan shows specifications of the design you selected. Floor plans will show details and room dimensions for each floor being built.
What do symbols on blueprints mean?
Material symbols are used to represent materials or contents on floor plans, elevations, and detail drawings. Different symbols may be used to represent the same item on these drawings. The outline of the drawing may be filled in with a material symbol to show what the object is made of.
How do you read an architect drawing?
Start in upper left corner and work way across page so as not to miss any details. Read the plan cover sheet. This contains important project information like the project name, architect, contact information, project information and the date. It might also include a drawing of the finished product.
What are the three basic elements of a blueprint?
Blueprints are documents that contain three major elements: the drawing, dimensions, and notes. The drawing illustrates the views of the part necessary to show its features. Together, the extension and dimension lines on the drawing indicate dimensions and specific tolerance information of each feature.
What do dotted lines on a blueprint mean?
A dotted line indicates architectural details within interior space, such as a tray or coffered ceiling; they may be called out in writing on the plan, too. A narrow rectangle composed with dotted lines typically indicates a beam in the ceiling.
