“Intro to Blueprint Reading” Building Plan Vocabulary

Vocabulary Blue Print Set of Prints Scale Floor Plan

Blueprint A blueprint is a reproduction of a drawing A “true” blueprint was a drawing that had white lines on a “blue” background. Printing technology does not use that same process anymore but rather reproduces drawings on white paper. Therefore, the term blueprint, is the same as a reproduced drawing even though it is no longer “blue”.

Set of Prints Building trade blueprints represent a “set” of drawings that detail every element of the building process for that project. These drawings are called “working drawings”. Some of the different parts to this “set” of drawings are plot plans, floor plans, elevation plans, and details

Scale Plans are often referred to as “scale drawings”. Scale is the numerical reduction of an actual building or object. Plans are drawn to a specific ratio of that reduction as it relates to the actual size Residential floor plans are typically drawn to 1/48 scale or ¼ in. = 1 ft.

Floor Plan The part of a “set” of building plans that shows uses an overhead view outlining the size of the building and its rooms. The floor plan will typically show the door and window location, interior partition walls, stairs and any other detail that can be shown from that view; including some electrical and plumbing details.

Occupation Architect Draftsman General Contractor

Architect An architect is an individual who designs buildings and assists in their construction An architect works closely with the owner and the builder in interpreting the various features needed in a particular structure The architect incorporates architectural artistry, structural engineering, and practical building expertise in coming up with his design.

Draftsman The draftsman is the individual who does the actual physical drawing associated with a set of plans. The draftsman is knowledgeable in various types of drawing techniques used in plan development Nowadays, the draftsman uses computer technology to do most of the drawing for a particular plan.

Drawing Tools T-Square Triangle---30-60-90------45-45-90 Drafting Board Architects Rule Protractor French Curve

T-square A “T” shaped straight edge primarily used for horizontal line drawing. A “T” square is used with various tools to create the other lines on a set of plans.

Triangle A triangular shaped tool used to draw vertical lines and various angles on a set of plans. The triangle comes as a 45 degree triangle or as a 30-60 degree right triangle

Drafting Board A board or table used specifically to do plan drawings. Used in conjunction with the other drafting tools, it gives the individual a clean and accurate surface to create excellent drawings.

Architects Rule The “architects rule” is a type of ruler that has a variety of “scales” on each of its sides Depending on the “scale” of a drawing, you can use the specific “scaled” side of the architects rule and determine the “actual” measurement of an object on a drawing

Protractor The protractor is a “half” circled instrument used to draw and determine angles on a particular drawing. The protractor is divided into 180 degrees. The protractor is used in mathematics to determine the degree of a particular angle

French Curve The “french” curve is a tool used in drawing that has a variety of “s” shaped curves on it The “french” curve is used to add the curved elements to a particular drawing design