Module 5.2

NCCER Module 00105

Copyright © 2015 by NCCER, Alachua, FL 32615. Published by Pearson. All rights reserved.

Introduction to Construction Drawings

Session Two

Identifying Drawing Elements; Dimensions
and Drawing Scales; Using Scales

Open Ended

What are some drawing elements?

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

Objectives

When trainees have completed this session, they
should be able to do the following:
1.

Identify and describe various types of construction
drawings, including their fundamental components
and features.
c.

Identify and explain the significance of various
drawing elements, such as lines of construction,
symbols, and grid lines.

d.

Identify and explain the use of dimensions and
various drawing scales.

e.

Identify and describe how to use engineer’s and
architect’s scales.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

Performance Task

1.

Using the floor plan supplied with this module:

• Locate the wall common to both interview rooms.
• Determine the overall width of the structure

studio.

• Determine the distance from the outside east wall

to the center of the beam in the structure studio.

• Determine the elevation of the slab.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.3.1 – Lines of Construction

This legend is sometimes referred to as the alphabet of

lines. Line style can provide a lot of information to the user.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.3.2 – Abbreviations

Abbreviations are necessary due to the limited space
available on drawings. Note that capital letters are
always used.

Open Ended

What are some abbreviations you know that are related to construction?

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.3.2 – Symbols

There are literally thousands of possible symbols that
can be found on drawings. Although some symbols are
common to more than one craft, many are unique to a
particular craft.

Always use the legend; do not assume that the

symbols will always mean the same thing!

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.3.3 – Gridlines

Gridlines on drawings are used in the same way they
are used on a common map—to refer to a specific
location or area. Gridlines are generally created by the
alignment of supporting columns, as shown here.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.4.1 – Dimensions

Always take great care when making measurements,
and be certain that you are measuring to the correct
point. This can be challenging when the drawings have
been reduced in size.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.5.1 – Architect’s Scale

Triangular scales, or tri-scales, are the most popular
because they reduce the number of scales that
need to be available. Drawing scales often differ
from page to page in the same set of plans;
having one scale instead six is far more convenient.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.5.1 – Reading an Architect’s Scale

As shown here, an architect’s scale for inches and feet
breaks the scale increment value, such as 3/8",
into twelve equal parts to represent inches.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.5.2 – Metric Scales

Metric scales are always calibrated in units of 10 —
the basis for the metric system.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

1.5.2 – Engineer’s Scales

Since it can accommodate large measurements, the
engineer’s scale is often used on civil drawings. It is
also broken into multiples of 10, like a metric scale.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

Wrap Up – Trade Terms (1 of 3)

Architect – A qualified, licensed person who creates and
designs drawings for a construction project.

Architect’s scale – A specialized ruler used in making or
measuring reduced scale drawings. The ruler is marked
with a range of calibrated ratios for laying out distances,
with scales indicating feet, inches, and fractions of
inches. Used on drawings other than site plans.

Dimension line – A line on a drawing with a
measurement indicating length.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

Wrap Up – Trade Terms (2 of 3)

Engineer – A person who applies scientific principles
in design and construction.

Engineer’s scale – A straightedge measuring device
divided uniformly into multiples of 10 divisions per inch
so that drawings can be made with decimal values. Used
mainly for land measurements on site plans.

Hidden line – A dashed line showing an object
obstructed from view by another object.

Leader – In drafting, the line on which an arrowhead is
placed and used to identify a component.

Module 00105 – Introduction to Construction Drawings

Wrap Up – Trade Terms (3 of 3)

Metric scale – A straightedge measuring device divided
into centimeters, with each centimeter divided into 10
millimeters. Usually used for architectural drawings and
sometimes referred to as a metric architect’s scale.

Not to scale (NTS) – Describes drawings that show
relative positions and sizes only, without scale.

Next Session…

Laboratory: Reading
Construction Drawings

Review the complete module to prepare
for the upcoming laboratory and practice
session.