Introduction to Building Drawing

Overview

Before a building is to be constructed a complete project is assembled providing the builder with all necessary information for building every part of the building. These building projects include various plans that all give different but important information about the building to be constructed. In this unit you will be introduced to the types of building drawings necessary for a building project. You will be introduced to the basics of architectural standards and the importance of international, regional and local standards for architecture. You will also be introduced to the basic principles of entrepreneurship in architectural service and products.

Learning Objectives

After you have completed this unit, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the importance of BSI, ISO, CUBiC, Local Standards in interpretation and preparation of building drawings;

2. Understand and implement the proper application of scales to building drawings;

3. Identify the various types of Building drawings;

4. Discuss the purpose of each type of building drawing and,

5. Understand the basic principles of entrepreneurship.

Section 1 - Standards

Building drawing plans are necessary to give the builder all necessary information for the construction of the building. Plans are also necessary to create cost estimates for the construction including labor and material costs. Before a building can be build the project has to be approved by a governing body in the country, state or city where the building will be built. In addition to the local standards that must be followed to have a building approved for construction, international standards are also followed in planning and drafting buildings.

Important agencies and standards

BSI – BSI stands for “British Standards Institution.” This governing body develops and distributes standards for various products and services including architectural products in the United Kingdom. They also supply certification affirming that a business functions within their standards. The BSI creates standards for products in areas such as Quality Management, Environmental Management, Health and Safety, Product Safety and Performance. BSI standards have been adopted, whether in their original form or in varied forms, internationally. For example, ANSI and DIN (The American standards body and the German standards body respectively) both publish BSI standards. Following BSI standards allows your work to be easily translated internationally.

ISO – ISO stands for “International Standardization Organization.” It is an international organization consisting of members from 165 national standard bodies. ISO’s standards are authorized once there is consensus among its members. ISO has established drafting standards for paper sizes, line types, dimensioning and labelling, and essentially every part of the drafting process.

CUBiC – CUBiC Stands for Caribbean Uniform Building Code. This standard is regional and is important because it takes into account Caribbean specific building difficulties, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, and provides structural standards to lessen the impact of such difficulties on buildings. Many of the Caribbean countries use this code to develop their own national codes.

Local Codes - Every country has national/Local codes for building taking into account specific conditions that are important to building structure and safety. These codes take into account things like climate, soil types, seismic activity, available landmass and road networks, zoning, etc. The local codes for each country will vary slightly. The codes for The Commonwealth of Dominica may be found at the following links:

https://physicalplanning.gov.dm/requirements/legal-documents  https://physicalplanning.gov.dm/requirements/planning-and-building-guide https://physicalplanning.gov.dm/images/MINmin%20prop%20Section%201.pdf

Section 2 - Scales in building drawing

The drawings in building drawings represent structures that are much larger than the paper they are to be drawn upon. However, the drawings need to accurately depict the relationships and ratios between the components of the building, so as to allow for accurate planning, interpretation and execution of the building construction. Scales are used to keep the proportions of the real-world building and the drawn plans accurate to each other to a very high precision. The most common scales used in building drawing are 1:20, 1:50 and 1:100.

The scales are represented in ratios with the first number representing the paper dimensions and the second number representing the real-world dimensions. For instance, scale 1:50 means that every 1 unit length on paper is equal to 50 unit lengths in real life. A Line drawn to a length of 40mm on paper at scale 1:50 represents a real-world distance of 2000mm. Using scales allow us to represent large structures on small paper while keeping real world proportional ratios. People interpreting a plan may measure lengths on a plan and use those lengths to construct the real-world building.

Calculating real world lengths based on scaled distances.

To calculate the real-world length from a paper length you simply divide the ratio (as a fraction) by the paper length.

Example:

What is the real-world distance represented by a line of length 65mm drawn to a scale of 1:50?

Real world distance = scaled length ÷ scale ratio

= 65mm ÷ 1/50

= 65mm × 50/1

= 3,250mm

Calculating scaled distances based on real world lengths.

To calculate the scaled or paper distance to represent a real-world length you simply multiply the ratio (as a fraction) by the real-world length.

Example:

What would be the length of a line used to represent a real-world distance of 8000mm on a paper at scale 1:20?

Scaled distance = Real world distance × scale ratio

                        = 8000mm × 1/20

= 8000mm/20

= 400mm

A scale rule is a tool used for engineering and architectural drawing. The measurements on the scale rule are given in real world lengths so that the drafter does not have to do any conversions.

Assignment 1

1. Explain how BSI standards and ISO regulations are important considerations for a mechanical engineer developing a new product for the consumer market.

2. State 3 examples of Building codes set for architecture in the Caribbean by CUBiC. 

3. Find the following parts of the local codes for Dominica:

   1. The recommended floor area ratios for

      1. Residential construction

      2. Commercial construction

      3. Industrial construction

      4.  Community facilities construction

   2. Building Setbacks

      1. For general construction

      2. For construction in congested areas

      3. From roads and streets

   3. Minimum Areas and Dimensions of the following habitable rooms:

      1. Living rooms

      2. Bedrooms

      3. Kitchen

      4. Living/Dining room

      5. Lavatory (Water Closet (W.C,), bath & basin)

      6. Lavatory (W.C., Shower & basin)

Assignment 2

1. Calculate the real-life measurements in meters for the following paper measurements:

   1. 75mm @ scale 1: 50

   2. 14cm @ scale 1:100

   3. 12cm @ scale 1:20

   4. 120mm @ scale 1:25

   5. 58mm @ scale 1:100 

      
      

2. Calculate the on-paper dimensions in mm for the following real-life measurements:

   1. 8m @ scale 1: 20

   2. 60cm @ scale 1:5

   3. 8m @ scale 1:100

   4. 15m @ scale 1:50

   5.  15000mm @ scale 1:20

      
      

3. State:

   1. the length of 1 inch (“) in mm to the nearest mm.

      
      

   2. Therefore, state the approximate length of one foot (‘) in mm If one foot is equal to 12 inches.

      
      

   3. State the approximate mm measurement of

      1. A 6” block

      2. An 8” Block

      3. A 2” piece of lumber

Section 3.1 - Types of building drawings

Site plans: A site plan in building drawing is a comprehensive architectural document that outlines the proposed development of a plot of land. It is essentially a detailed map that includes the location of buildings, roads, utilities, and landscaping features in relation to the property boundaries. This plan is crucial for architects, engineers, and builders as it provides a bird's-eye view of the entire site, detailing how the structures will be oriented and interact with the surrounding environment. It is used not only for design and construction but also for obtaining necessary building permits, ensuring compliance with zoning laws, and serving as a historical record of the property's development. A well-crafted site plan is a vital tool in the planning and execution of any construction project, providing clear guidance on the layout and spatial relationships of the site's features.

Location Plans: The location plan (which is sometimes called a site location plan) lets everyone know exactly where you’re proposing to carry out your development. It will show quite a large area around the development site. In a town, a location plan might be at a scale of 1:1,250. In a rural area, with fewer roads, buildings or natural features, you might need to show more of the local area using a smaller scale, say 1:2,500, to let people find the site easily.

Floor plans: Essentially, the floor plan of a building is a horizontal section through the window openings and doorways. The floor plan shows the possible openings of doors, windows and all walls. The floor plan enables the workman to know how many rooms a building should contain, the sizes of the rooms, and the overall building dimensions. In multi-story buildings each floor has its own plan, and these are designated as ground floor plan, first floor plan, second floor plan, etc.

Foundation Plan: A foundation is the element of an architectural structure which connects it to the ground, and transfers loads from the structure to the ground. Foundation plans let the contractor know exactly what type of foundation should be placed on a site.

Elevations: Elevations of a building are orthographic projections of the building. They show external views of the building.

Sectional Elevations and Sectional details: Sections of a building, obtained with the aid of vertical cutting planes, serve to show the construction of certain elements of the building: for example, floor heights, elevations (levels) of the floors, landings, windows and so on. Sectional details focus on specific parts of a sectional elevation to show greater construction details of that part. Examples of sectional details are eave details and foundation details.

Section 4 - Principles of entrepreneurship

What is entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit. It involves creating or extracting economic value, often through innovation and new ideas.

Who is an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurs are individuals who organize, manage, and assume the risks of a business venture with the goal of generating economic value.

Comparing Entrepreneurship and Wage Employment:

Definitions

Entrepreneurship: The process of starting and running your own business. This involves taking on financial risks in exchange for the potential for profit.

Wage Employment: Working for a company or organization in exchange for a regular salary or hourly wage. Employees typically receive benefits like health insurance and paid time off.

Importance

Entrepreneurship: Drives innovation, creates new jobs, and fuels economic growth. Entrepreneurs bring new ideas and products to the market, which can benefit consumers and society.

Wage Employment: Provides a stable income, structure, and benefits for individuals. Employees contribute their skills and knowledge to the success of organizations.

Characteristics of Entrepreneurship

• Risk-Taking: Entrepreneurs often take significant financial risks to start and grow their businesses.

• Profit-Oriented: Earnings are derived from the business’s profits after covering all expenses.

• Flexibility: Entrepreneurs have control over their schedules and business operations.

• Innovation: Successful entrepreneurs are often creative and innovative, constantly seeking new opportunities.

• Leadership: They need strong leadership skills to manage their teams and drive the business forward.

• Financial Management: Effective money management and financial literacy are crucial for sustaining and growing the business.

  
  

Characteristics of Wage Employment

• Two Parties: Involves an employer and an employee.

• Contractual Nature: Employment is typically based on a contract that outlines the terms and conditions of the job.

• Fixed Income: Employees receive a regular wage or salary, which is often stable and predictable.

• Limited Financial Risk: Employees do not bear the financial risks of the business.

• Defined Roles: Employees have specific tasks and responsibilities assigned by their employer.

• Job Security: Continuity of employment depends on the terms of the contract and the employer’s business stability.

In essence, entrepreneurship offers the potential for high rewards but comes with significant risks. Wage employment provides stability and security, but with a limited earning potential.  The best choice for an individual depends on their personality, risk tolerance, and career goals.

Principles of Entrepreneurship:

Small Business Planning:

This involves creating a roadmap for your business's success. A good plan outlines your business idea, target market, competitive analysis, financial projections, marketing strategy, and operational procedures. It helps you:

• Identify potential problems and opportunities before you launch.

• Secure funding from investors or lenders.

• Track your progress and make adjustments as needed.

  
  

Goal Setting:

Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) is crucial for entrepreneurial success. This provides direction, focus, and a sense of accomplishment.

• Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.

• Measurable: Establish metrics to track your progress.

• Achievable: Set realistic goals that challenge you but are attainable.

• Relevant: Goals should align with your overall business vision.

• Time-bound: Set deadlines to hold yourself accountable.

  
  

Value Creation:

Entrepreneurship is all about creating value for your customers. This means offering a product or service that solves a problem, fills a need, or improves their lives in some way.

• Identify customer needs: Conduct market research to understand your target audience and what they value.

• Develop a unique selling proposition (USP): What makes your offering different and better from the competition?

• Focus on customer satisfaction: Deliver excellent customer service and build strong relationships.

Product Marketing:

This involves creating awareness and interest in your product or service. Effective product marketing strategies include:

• Identifying your target market: Who are you trying to reach?

• Developing a compelling brand message: What story are you telling about your product?

• Utilizing various marketing channels: This could include social media, content marketing, advertising, and public relations.

Sales and Promotion:

Once you've created interest, you need to convert that interest into sales. Sales and promotion strategies focus on:

• Developing strong sales techniques: This includes effective communication, negotiation, and closing deals.

• Creating sales funnels: The process of guiding potential customers towards a purchase.

• Running promotions and discounts: Incentivize customers to buy your product.

• Building a strong sales team: Hire and train salespeople who can effectively represent your brand.

By effectively implementing these principles, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of success in the competitive business world.

Preparing a small business plan

Identification of the Service or Product

The first step in writing a small business plan is to clearly define the service or product you will be offering. This includes:

Elements and Format of a Small Business Plan

A well-written small business plan typically includes the following elements:

By including these essential elements and following a clear format an entrepreneur can create a compelling small business plan that will help them secure funding, attract partners, and achieve their business goals.

Project:

Complete the SBA Business Plan