WORKING DRAWINGS HANDBOOK, Fourth Edition

Working Drawings Handbook

and two were of type B (3.2). There is an attractive
simplicity about this view.

It could be argued with equal justification, that we had in
fact a single component, consisting of an assemblage of
fixed lights, opening lights, coupling mullions and brick
infill panels. The component, in fact, is everything held
within the overall pre-cast concrete frame (3.3). This
approach too has its attractions.

The correct procedure, however,

will be to regard the whole assembly

as consisting of two window

components (3.4).

The key determining factor here is the

supply of the component. It is

reasonable to make the window

manufacturer responsible for supplying

the pressed metal mullions, but not for

supplying the brick panel—and if he is

to provide the coupling mullions, then

it is rash and unnecessarily intrusive

for the architect (inexperienced in this

field) to take responsibility for the

assembly junction between light and

mullion. One of the problems

associated with an increasingly

factory-oriented building technology is

ensuring a satisfactory fit when two

components of different manufacture

come together on site. Treating

the component as embracing the

coupling mullions at least puts one

aspect of the problem squarely on the

shoulders of the manufacturer, who is

best equipped to deal with it.

This principle may be extended with

advantage. If doors and frames are

treated as two separate components

the responsibility becomes that of the

architect to ensure that the door meets

the frame with the correct tolerances.

If, however, the component is regarded

as the complete doorset, then

dimensional considerations apply only

to the overall size of the frame and it is

the joiner who ensures that door and

frame fit one another. This is not

passing the buck. Rather, it is putting

3.1 How many window components in this assembly?

3.2 Six window components?