Construction Drawings and Details

Question 1

Name five forces that a building should resist.

Answer 1

Gravity, Snow, Wind, Seismic, Hydrostatic Pressure. In addition the building needs to resist LL and DL and forces induced by building movement.

Question 2

Who is responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public?

Answer 2

The architect

Question 3

Name three areas of safety under the influence of the architect.

Answer 3

Structural Safety, Fire Safety, and Safety with Human contact.

Question 4

This person must coordinate the efforts of the design team to ensure they work fits within the overall design and construction project.

Answer 4

The architect.

Question 5

How do details work with construction trade sequence?

Answer 5

The best details are those that allow for construction to proceed directly from one trade to another in a timely fashion. Organizing the detailing of a building to allow for clear divisions of labor can minimize interference and potential conflict.

Question 6

Define Tolerance

Answer 6

The allowable variance from a given line, dimension, or size.

Question 7

What is the major negative of specifying a tighter tolerance than the industry standard?

Answer 7

Tighter tolerances usually require better materials, more time, more labor, or a combination of all three often resulting in a higher cost.

Question 8

Define Clearance

Answer 8

A clearance is a gap or space design to allow for the construction or installation of a material, construction element, or piece of equipment.

Question 9

Name the three major cost elements of buildings.

Answer 9

Materials, Labor, and Equipment

Question 10

Name 5 considerations for moisture control

Answer 10

The permeability and durability of the material, Joints, Capillary action, Outlets (Weep holes), and Sealants

Question 11

What is the standard sequence of construction drawings (working drawings)?

Answer 11

Title and Index, Civil, Site/Landscape, Architectural, Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, others

Question 12

What is the order for architectural drawings?

Answer 12

Demo plan, floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, roof plans, exterior elevations, interior elevations, building sections, wall sections, exterior details, interior details, and schedules

Question 13

What do the drawings show?

Answer 13

The drawings show the general configuration, size, shape, and location of the components of construction.

Question 14

What information does the site plan contain?

Answer 14

Vicinity, property lines, existing structures, landscaping, fencing, roads, streets, drainage, right of way

Question 15

What is a benchmark?

Answer 15

A fixed elevation point from which all other elevations on the site and building are referenced.

Question 16

What are control points?

Answer 16

Fixed points establishing the horizontal measurements to be used. They are established by a surveyor and there are often primary and secondary systems.

Question 17

Where would I find wall configurations, dimensions, detail references, room names, and door tags?

Answer 17

Floor Plan

Question 18

What disciplines are coordinated on RCPs?

Answer 18

Electrical, Lighting, Mechanical, Fire Protection, and others

Question 19

Where would I find major elements such as grade lines and building facades?

Answer 19

Exterior elevations

Question 20

Name two types of dimensions found on exterior elevations:

Answer 20

Floor to floor heights and opening heights.

Question 21

Where would you find the footing and foundation plans?

Answer 21

Structural drawings.

Question 22

Name some common elements that building departments look for:

Answer 22

Indicate the location, configuration, use, and extent of proposed work. The drawings must show all means of egress, the number of occupants per floor, and rooms/spaces must be indicated.