The structure of information
cross-referencing will not be sufficient to prevent disaster.
This aspect, however, lies outside the scope of the present
book which must concern itself only with the adequate
documentation of technical decisions made at an earlier
stage. In RIBA Plan of Work terminology, the decisions
belong to stage E; their documentation belongs to stage F.
The plan of work
Since what we shall be looking at is in effect a series of
disciplines, and since the plan of work is the overriding
discipline into which the working drawing process is
integrated, it is probably worthwhile reminding ourselves
of it at the outset. Table I of the outline plan of work is
given here in its entirety.
Frequent reference to the plan of work will be made in
this book, for it is important that stage F production
drawings should be seen in the context of the whole
architectural process, forming the vital link between the
designer’s intention and the builder’s execution of it. The
successful implementation of many of the techniques to
be dealt with here will depend upon proper procedures
having been carried out at earlier stages, whilst the
whole raison d’ êtreof the drawing set lies in the stages
following its production.
The users
There are many users of a set of drawings and each
may put it to more than one use. Unless the set is to be
redrawn expensively to suit the ideal requirements of
each, priorities must be established and compromises
accepted. Consider the following functions of a set of
drawings (the list is by no means exhaustive).
It forms for different people and at different times:
a basis for tendering (‘bidding’ in USA)
a contractual commitment
a source for the preparation of other documents
a statement of intent for the purpose of obtaining
statutory consents
a framework for establishing nominated sub-
contractors or suppliers
a source for the preparation of shop drawings
a shopping list for the ordering of materials
a construction manual
a model for developing the construction programme
a supervising document
a record of variations from the contract
a base document for measurement of the completed
works and preparation of the final accounts
a base document for defects liability inspection
a record of the completed structure
a source of feedback.It will be noted that the majority of these uses involve
the contractor and clearly his needs are paramount, if
only for the purely legal reason that it is he who will be
contractually committed to the employer to build what
the architect tells him to. They may be separated into
three main activities and any drawing method must
satisfy all three if it is to prove viable.Activity 1: The procurement of all necessary materials
and components. For this the contractor will need
the following information in a form in which it can be
identified readily and extracted for ordering purposes:A specification of the materials to be used, which can be
referred back simply to the drawings and the bills of
quantities.
Drawings and schedules of all components which he is to
provide (doors, windows, etc.) and which constitute
measured items in the bills of quantities.
Drawings and schedules from which outside
manufacturers’ products may be ordered and which
provide design criteria against which manufacturers’
shop drawings may be checked.