5. Construction Drawings & Specifications

Question 1

For construction drawings, what is the most effective way to communicate large amounts of complex information in a small space?

A. schedules
B. power plan
C. key plan
D.CMP Chart

Answer 1

A. schedules

Explanation: Schedules are a very efficient way to communicate a large amount of complex information in a relatively smalls space.

Question 2

You are specifying for a health care system who will be using a solution-dyed antimicrobial carpet in a custom pattern and colors for use in some of the corridors.
What type of specification should you use?

A.reference
B. descriptive
C. Masterspec
D. proprietary

Answer 2

B. Descriptive

Explanation: In this scenario, the specification must meet both performance and design criteria, without mentioning trade or brand names (proprietary). The best type of specification is a descriptive spec.

Question 3

What type of specification would be the best to include in the bid documents to ensure your client’s concerns are addressed?

A. proprietary specification
B. descriptive specification
C. base - bid specification
D. performance specification

Answer 3

C. base - bid specification

Explanation: Because a base-bid spec is a type of prescriptive spec and basically an expanded proprietary spec, it ensures the designer truly understands the difference as well as the concerns of the client.

Question 4

What does the phrase “or approved equal” mean in a specification?

A. the interior designer and client can permit the substitution of an alternate product if they feel it is better than the one specified.
B. the contractor may propose a substitution, but it must be approved by the interior designer
C. the client must agree to the use of a product selected by the contractor
D. an alternative product may be bid on by the contractor if he or she is sure it provides the same quality as the product

Answer 4

B. the contractor may propose a substitution, but it must be approved by the interior designer

Explanation: Both the interior designer and client must agree to the use of a contractor-selected product. The alternative product must be reviewed and approved by the interior designer, not just the contractor. The intent of the “or approved equal” language is to permit equal products, although sometimes the alternative does turn out to be better than the one specified.

Question 5

Your client has indicated that they would like to incorporate a sustainable rooftop garden and water collection system in the redesign of their office building.
What drawing would you need to begin work on this feature?

A. as built plan
B. site plan
C. exterior elevation
D. reflected ceiling plan

Answer 5

B. site plan

Explanation: A site plan is a view of a building as seen from directly above, showing the roof of the building, as well as the surrounding yards, walks, driveways, and other features

Question 6

What does a section detail show in addition to the cut plane?

Answer 6

This type of detail drawing also shows a partial elevation in that it indicates what is beyond the main view plane.

Question 7

What is an open dimension and why it is used?

Answer 7

This is an undimensioned distance in a string dimension on a floor plan. It is used to accommodate any slight variation caused by the distance being established by other dimensions or existing construction.

Question 8

What are the four most common schedule types for interior design projects?

Answer 8

The most common are for finishes, doors, kitchen equipment and millwork.

Question 9

What is a match line?

Answer 9

This term is used to describe where two portions of a large floor plan drawn on two sheets would be joined if combined on one large sheet.

Question 10

How can the interior designer verify that an outlet is a dedicated outlet?

Answer 10

The interior designer can look at the electrical engineer’s power plan to determine if this type of outlet is on a separate circuit.

Question 11

What does a reflected ceiling plan show?

Answer 11

This drawing type shows all items that are part of the ceiling, elements that touch the ceiling, and elements that penetrate the ceiling.

Question 12

In regard to construction drawings, what does an elevations show?

Answer 12

This type of drawing shows vertical dimensions and the configurations and finishes of wall surfaces.

Question 13

What is a title block?

Answer 13

This is the area of a drawing sheet that contains identifying information about the project as well as information specific to that particular sheet.

Question 14

For a large commercial remodeling project, where is a demolition plan typically placed in the drawing set?

Answer 14

This plan is placed before the construction plan for large commercial remodeling projects.

Question 15

What are two ways to show partition types on a construction floor plan?

Answer 15

Flag notes and patterns can be used to show these on a construction floor plan.

Question 16

Why are enlarged floor plans used?

Answer 16

These are used to show construction elements, dimensions, and other annotations that could not be shown on a small-scale plan.

Question 17

What is shown on the reflected ceiling plan that is also shown on the fire protection plan?

Answer 17

Sprinklers are shown on this plan as well as on the fire protection plan.

Question 18

What does a typical floor plan show?

Answer 18

This type of drawing shows the overall configuration of a building (or portion of an interior under contract). It includes all partitions, doors, and other fixed elements and gives dimensions, notes, and references to elevations and details drawn elsewhere.

Question 19

What are construction drawings?

Answer 19

These are detailed drawings the contractor uses to construct a project and describe the extent of the work and the locations, dimensions and relationships of the various construction elements.

Question 20

What type of gypsum wallboard must be used for fire rated partitions?

Answer 20

Type X gypsum wallboard

Question 21

What is a schedule?

Answer 21

This is a presentation of information in tabular format with rows and columns of data.

Question 22

What is the purpose of an approved equal type of specification?

Answer 22

This is used to state a desired product in a specification section but allow for possible alternates submitted by the contractor.

Question 23

What surfaces are typically shown on a finish schedule?

Answer 23

Floor, base, wall, and ceiling materials

Question 24

How is a finish plan different from a finish schedule?

Answer 24

Finish plan consists of a separate floor plan with notations indicating wall, base and floor finishes. Finish schedule consists of a tabular listing of finishes using room numbers to identify the rows of the schedule.

Question 25

What system was created to standardize the organization and writing of specifications, and what group developed it?

Answer 25

The Master Format system was developed by the Construction Specifications Canada to accomplish this.

Question 26

Individual specification sections of the CSI MasterFormat system are divided into three parts. What broad subjects do these three parts cover?

Answer 26

Part 1, General
Part 2, Products
Part 3, Execution

Question 27

In regard to electrical drawings, what is a home run?

Answer 27

This is a graphic element on an electrical drawing that uses arrowheads to indicate that the line joining lights or power outlets is connected to a particular circuit breaker in a particular electrical panel box.

Question 28

What is a project manual?

Answer 28

This is a bound book that contains:

• technical construction specifications
• contract forms
• general and supplementary conditions of the contract
• bidding requirements
• supplemental bid forms

Question 29

What is detailing in interior design?

Answer 29

This is the process of determining a design’s technical requirements - that is, how the individual components will fit together and exactly how they will look.

Question 30

What is used to fit a cabinet tightly to an irregular wall?

Answer 30

A scribe piece is used for this.

Question 31

How would the interior designer determine what circuit a particular outlet is connected to?

Answer 31

The interior designer would look at the home run designations on the electrical engineer’s power plan to determine this.

Question 32

Why is the term “reflected” used for a reflected ceiling plan?

Answer 32

This term is used to indicate that this plan has the same orientation as the construction plan.

Question 33

In addition to location, a typical construction floor plan shows what two pieces of information for partitions?

Answer 33

The thickness and type of partition are shown on this drawing.

Question 34

How is the MasterFormat system organized?

Answer 34

This system for standardizing specifications is organized into major subgroups and individual divisions within each subgroup.

Question 35

What distinguishes reveal overlay cabinetry from other types of cabinetry?

Answer 35

With this type of cabinet construction, the edges of adjacent drawer and door fronts are separated (rather than being very close together) to distinctly show the face frame behind.

Question 36

What should be included on the furniture plan to refer to detailed furniture information?

Answer 36

Code numbers that refer to a furniture schedule or furniture specifications can be included on this plan.

Question 37

What is sometimes shown on a furniture plan in addition to furniture and furniture key notes?

Answer 37

Electrical and telephone outlets are sometimes shown on this interior designer’s drawing.

Question 38

Under what circumstances would the electrical engineer develop a telephone/ communication plan separate from a power plan?

Answer 38

When a project has a large number of electrical outlets, computer outlets, telephone jacks, and other communication outlets the electrical engineer would provide these two separate plans.

Question 39

Who is responsible for coordinating the reflected ceiling plan with the electrical engineer’s lighting plan?

Answer 39

The interior designer is responsible.

Question 40

When producing construction drawings for a house remodeling, what type of plan would probably not be necessary?

Answer 40

Demolition Plan

Question 41

In regards to construction drawings, what is layering?

Answer 41

This is the method of placing different information on separate levels in a CAD system when creating a construction drawing.

Question 42

What should be included on the reflected ceiling plan to refer to more detailed luminaire information?

Answer 42

Code numbers that refer to a luminaire schedule should be included on this plan.

Question 43

At what scale should the reflected ceiling plan be drawn?

Answer 43

This plan should be drawn at the same scale at the construction floor plan.