WORKING DRAWINGS HANDBOOK, Fourth Edition

Component, sub-component and assembly drawings

The first, aimed at establishing the adequacy of the
individual assembly detail, is a series of questions:

1 Is the chosen method of construction sound, particu-
larly with regard to:
 possible movement
 water or damp penetration
 condensation
 cold bridging.
2 Has it been adequately researched, particularly if
non-traditional methods or the use of proprietary
products, are involved?
3 Is it reasonable to ask someone to construct it?
Figure 3.13—taken from a real but anonymous detail
and calling for an improbably dexterous plasterer—is
an example of the sort of thing that can occur when
this question isn’t asked.
4 What happens to the construction in plan (if the detail
happens to be a sectional view) or in section (if the

detail happens to show a plan view?)

5 Is the result going to be acceptable visually, both

inside and outside?

6 Does the information concerned give rise to any

possible ambiguity or conflict with other information

given elsewhere?

These questions are self-evident and the conscientious

detailer should have them constantly in mind from the

outset of the detailing. They are noted here because it is

probably better to pose them once more, formally, on

completion of the series of details, than to have to worry

about them at random in the small hours of the morning

at some later date.

The second check list, aimed at determining the

completeness of assembly detailing throughout the

building, is more capable of precise definition. The

objective is to cover the building comprehensively,

identifying those aspects which merit the provision of

assembly information about them. A logical progression

is essential and a suitable vehicle is readily to hand in

CI/SfB Table 1 (see Chapter 1), for not only does this

provide an analysis of the building in elemental form but

it also affords a framework within which the necessary

details, once they are identified, may be presented.

It should be noted here that almost all the assembly

detailing with which the architect will be concerned is

confined to the primary and secondary elements,

sections (2-) and (3-) of CI/SfB Table 1. (The range of

built-up fittings inherent in section (7-) should in general

be regarded as components rather than assemblies.)

Nevertheless, the exercise should be undertaken

comprehensively.

The important things to note about assembly drawings

are these:

1 The scale must be appropriate to the complexity of

the construction being detailed.In practice this will

3.12 Assembly detail from Willis Faber and Dumas
Head Office Building. (Architects Foster Associates)