Layout of Construction Drawings 113
A shop drawing is needed to ensure that it will fit into the structure and that the structure will accommo-
date it. Approval of the shop drawings usually precedes the actual fabrication of the components. With
shop drawings the architect or designer is able to check the quantity of other components that subcon-
tractors propose to furnish.
The Construction Drawings Set.
The transition from approved preliminary design/concept drawings to full-blown construction documents
is very significant because it signifies the completion of one phase—that of making design decisions—
and the beginning of a new phase—the production of construction documents, which is essential to the
implementation of the project.
Construction drawings are sometimes referred to as “working drawings” or “production drawings.”
These drawings provide all the required information, both graphic and written, about the project. The in-
formation provided will be specific to every aspect of the proposed project. Preparing construction draw-
ings represents the final step in the design process. The completed drawings become a “set” incorpo-
rating all the modifications made by the designer during the process of transition from the
schematic-design to the working-drawings phase. Included in the construction drawing set will be de-
tailed information regarding the building envelope, structural and mechanical systems, furniture, equip-
ment, lighting, outlets, demolition, and so on. This information is explained through floor plans, interior
or exterior elevations and sections, mechanical and electrical drawings, and detail drawings. Detailed
specifications are also typically included.
The construction drawings and specifications are also used for pricing the project. Two or more gen-
eral contractors are usually provided with the same set of documents to bid on. This facilitates fairness
in that each contractor shares the same information and no one has any more or less information than
his or her counterpart has when pricing.
Building Permits.
The completed blueprints must also be submitted to the local building department to ensure that the pro-
posed design is in compliance with all regulatory agency requirements, including those set by the zon-
ing, fire, health, and other departments. A building permit will only be issued after the drawings are
checked and approved by the various departments.
Almost all new construction (commercial, civic, industrial, residential, etc.) and renovation require a
building permit. In order to obtain a permit, a complete set of construction drawings is required. Only in the
case of minor changes to an existing building will a permit not be required. Examples of minor changes would
include minor repair or painting. For residential projects, such as a renovation or addition to an existing build-
ing, a building permit will be required. All structural work must comply with applicable code standards.
A building permit is a document that states that approval from the local building department has
been given to proceed with construction or demolition. This document is numbered and recorded at the
local building department. The permit(s) must be posted in a visible location on the construction site. It
is unlawful to start construction or demolition before a permit is issued. This document is necessary for
all new construction, additions or renovations of both residential and commercial projects. An applica-
tion is made at the building department in the city, town, or municipality in which the work is to take place.
A complete set of construction documents can be large—30 or more drawings, or small—10 to 15
drawings—depending on the size and type of project. A shopping mall would require many drawings,
whereas a small residence would require fewer. Today almost all construction drawings are produced