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CHAPTER 4
BLUEPRINT READING AND
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
Blueprints, sometimes called prints, are
reproduced copies of mechanical or technical
drawings. Drawing or sketching is the
universal language used by engineers,
technicians, and skilled tradesmen.
The term reading print is defined as the
ability to interpret the ideas of others
expressed on drawings and sketches. This
chapter has been developed to give you
some insight into the preparation and use of
blueprints.
DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTION
DRAWINGS
Drawings are generally categorized
according to their intended purposes as
follows:
l Preliminary drawings
l Presentation drawings
l Shop drawings
l Working drawings
PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS
A building project may be broadly
divided into two major phases: the design
p h a s e a n d t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n p h a s e.
Preliminary drawings are prepared by the
A and E (architects’ and engineers’) firm
during the design phase to promote building
development. These drawings are used for
exploring design concepts between the
designer and the user (customer), making
material selection, determining preliminary
cost estimates, and as a basis for preparing
the finished working drawings.
PRESENTATION DRAWINGS
Presentation drawings show the proposed
building or facility in an attractive setting in its
natural surroundings at the proposed site. Since
presentation drawings are actually used to sell an
idea or a design, your only contact with such
drawings will be as a cover sheet for a set of
construction drawings.
SHOP/WORKING DRAWINGS
After approval has been given for construction,
the shop and working drawings are developed.
Throughout your career, you will hear these
drawings referred to as construction drawings,
prints, or plans. Basically, these terms are all
correct; they can be used interchangeably.
As mentioned earlier, the construction
drawings are developed from the preliminary
drawings. With the collaboration of the designer
or the architect and the engineer, both the
materials to be used and the construction methods
to be followed are decided. The engineer
determines the loads that the supporting
(structural) members will be required to bear and
then designs the mechanical systems for the
structure; for example, heating, power, lighting,
and plumbing.
You will find the construction drawings, the
specifications, and the bill of material (BM) your
chief source of information during the construction
phase of the project.
BLUEPRINT READING
There are several reasons for having
construction drawings and why you need
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