ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING

INFORMATION

ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLS
The drawing of an architectural working drawing requires a knowledge of the sym
bols and terms commonly used in the design and construction industry. All architectural
working drawings must communicate in a clear and concise manner to the builders.
In order to simplify the details on a drawing and to speed drawing time it is neces
sary to use architectural symbols. Many symbols are designed to approximate the ap
'pearance of an item, or the material from which it is constructed (Fig. 1 ). Some
symbols however, may have no graphic resemblance to the material or item that they
are to represent (fig. 2 ).

riel
~

Fig. 1 Some architectural symbols are similar

to the item they represent
Fig. 2 Some architectural symbols have no
similarity to the item they represent
SYMBOL CONVENTIONS

The American Institute of Architect (AlA) and the American National Standard In
stitute (ANSI) have each set standard conventions for architectural symbols. Since
many new and different types ,of construction materials, appliances and fixtures are con
tinually being developed and IJsed in construction, many architectural drafters will use
symbols of their own design and show their meaning in a legend or symbol chart on the
drawing. While there are some different symbols being used, there is an overall accep
tance of the AlA and ANSI symbol conventions.
As a general rule when a symbol is not clear or a new type of material is to be noted
on a drawing, a notation should be used with the symbol (Rg. 3 ,). This Will clarify the
communication to the builders. It must be remembered that architectural working draw
ings must be read by many persons in the building trades. Everything must be clear so
no guess work will be involved with the design, ordering of materials or construction
phases.

z:~

I
DOUBLE THERMAL PANES

Rg. 3 For clarity, if it is needed,

use a notation with the symbol

RULES FOR DRAWING SYMBOLS

1. Always use drawing instruments. Never draw the symbols freehand on a working
drawing. Use an architectural drawing template to increase the speed and clarity of the
symbols (Fig. 4 ). Be certain that the template figures are the same scale as your
drawing's scale.
2. The location of the symbol on the working drawing is closely approximated. If an
exact location is required, dimensions must be added to the symbol on the drawing
(Fig. 5 ).
3, Symbols are not drawn to the exact size of the actual item. The general size of the

architectural symbols will vary with the scale of the drawing. The symbol should be of
convenient reading size, It should 110t be too small or large (Fig. 6).
4. Material symbols need not cover the full surface as shown in figure 7

Repetitious drawing symbols need not be completely drawn.

5. Have references for architectural symbols available.

/
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/
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/
/

6'-6' HT

La'
4 '-0'

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Fig. 4 Use an architectural template

for the drawing of symbols
Fig. 5 Add dimensions if exact
locations are required

SCALE TOO
SMALL

GOOD
SCALE
CEDAR SHINGLES

SCALE TOO
LARGE

Fig. 6
Good symbol proportions are important
for architectural working drawings

'1,6'

VERTICAL SIDING

Fig.. 7
Symbols for surface cover materials
need not cover the entire surface

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWJNG
INFORMATION SHEET

PLUMBING SYMBOLS

8ECESSE-D
BATI--l TUB

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lC -1T
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BT

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W,ATEI1 CLOSET

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BATH TUB

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COUNTE"

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LAVATO~Y

LAV

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WINDOW SYMBOLS

DOU8LE: I-IUNe,

WINDOW
DWW
L

SLJOINe, WINDOW
5LO WOw

5WINGINC,
WINDOWS
SWG, WOW

.-J

WOPPe~

AWNIN<; WINDOW
AWN WOW

ron

WINDOW

WOP WOW

JALOUSIE:- WINDOW
JAL WOW

ra.

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~
FIXE-D WINDOW
FX WOW

SQUD.~c BAY
WINDOW
SQ BAy wow

BAY WINDOW
BAy WOW

DOOR SYMBOLS

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INT~~IO~ ~OO""

DOUBLE
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ARCHITECTURAL DRAWII~-.J

VARIOUS ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLS

Abbreviation, plan symbol, elevation and pictorial

.t'

BUILDING MATERIAL SYMBOLS:

NAME

ABBRV

SECTION
SYMBOL

ELEVATION

NA"'E

COM
BRK

~I~

WELDED
WIRE MESH

FACE
BRICK

FC
BRK

_I~

FABRIC

FAB

FIREBRICK

FRB

~I.~

UOUID

laO

GLASS '.

GL

COMPOSITION
SHINGLE

COMP
SH

COMMON
BRICK

.,

GLASS
BLOCK

STRUCTURAL
GLASS

Gl

BLK

STRUC
Gl

ml~
\~

FROSTED
GLASS

STEEL

CAST IRON

BRASS &
BRONZE

ALUMINUM

FRST
Gl

STl

CST IR

BRS
BRZ

~~~'$

Al

SHT
SHEET METAL
IFLASHING}

MrL
FLASH

REINFORCING
STEEL BARS

REBAR

,~~"

1l1li

R 1l1li
J~

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L~

WWM

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~ II'j ':J<::J,:,'I

t:=--=--:=j

SECTION
SYMBOL

ABBRV

RIOGID
INSULATION
SOLID

RDG
INS

LOOSE-FILL
INSULATION

INS

QUILT

OlT

NAME

ELEVATiON

Sl~
~I.u
I ~-- -~
~ ~f}~~
I~
E31~

mlam

IF

"""'';-'''''-1
MM I [1[
;1::7;I'/J;~"d
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,-\''') ~f--

...

~I~

ABBRV

EARTH

MARBLE

MARB

GRAVEL

GV

FLAGSTONE

FlG ST

CINDERS

CIN

CUT SLATE

AGR

RANDOM
RUBBLE

AGGREGATE

CONC

fS{yj

CEMENT

CEM

LId I[:.;::<\:>'ili

CONCRETE

PLASTER
WALL

PLST
WL

~1[[3d

CONCRETE
BLOCK

CONC
BlK

PLASTER
BLOCK

PLST
BLK

STUQS

CHNSTD

'::.:::'-::.':::::'.

I CT SlT

--

TER
CONC

~~~ '1~
~ I [22]

SECTION
SYMBOL

ELEVATION

~I~
~[~
-

TERAZZO
CONCRETE

PLASTER
WALL AND
CHANNEL

CT STN
RGH

SD

Imlmm

~~

CTSTN
ASH

SAND

CRK
INS

PlST
Wl&
MT lTH

CUT STONE,
ASHLAR

CUT STONE,
ROUGH

CORK
INSULATION

PLASTER
WALL AND
METAL
LATHE

ABBRV

RK

~I-

~III:I:I

NAME

ROCK

SND
INS

I I '1 Ii

ELEVATION

rr

SOUND
INSULATION.

SECTION
SYMBOL

[:.:..;,::\~{{ltj

'1::..:.'
: 10'1':
.:'
;:J..i:.;J.

LIMESTONE

LM ST

CERAMIC
TILE

CER Tl

TERRA-COTTA
TILE

TC Tl

-CAST
BLOCK

STRUCTURAL
CLAY TilE

ST
Cl TL

--~

r'~

[1:::1:1:
:::: ....:::-",.'.>

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BlK

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TL

--CINDER
BLOCK

TERRA
COTTA BLOCK
LARGE
SCALE

:'~"J';"V: 11",':":':"j
~

GLAZED
FACE HOLLOW
TILE

igil

TERRACOTTA
BLOCK
SMALL
SCALE

CIN
BLK
TC
BlK

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RUB

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I

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BLK

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m'!rnHE
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1111
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")LlANCE AND FIXTURE SYMBOLS

DOOR SYMBOLS
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NAME
NAME ABBRV SECTION
SYMBOL

ELEVATION PICTORIAL

ABBRV . SECTION
SYMBOL

NAME

c.>,,~~

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w._

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w'"
~.

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ABBRV

LWnDRY

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SECTION
SYMBOL

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ELEVATION PICTORIAL

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HINGEODOOR
saUD CORE

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ACTION
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IIYl'ASSING

ABBRV SECTION
SYMBOL

::.,

ELEVATION PICTORIAL

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GAAA.aEOOOFl

__________

DOORS

l1ARAGEOOOII

ill

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SUDIN!)

POCKET

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IIIF<lLDING

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OR

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FRENCH

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NAME

OOUBLHUNG

Wlt!DOW

H01IIlONTAl
SUOINQ

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A.....HINO
IMNOOW

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OHW

SECTION
SYMBOL

ELEVATION PICTORIAL

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"-~I~ll

NAME

HOPPER

o4li-eAV
lVINOOW

DOUBLEHUNG

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SWiNGINO

CASEMENT
W1~DOW

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SECTION
SYMBOL

ELEVATION PICTORIAL

.,,,

BARo".lw:

ABBRV

'MNDOW

CASEMENT
"MNDOW

~
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~ 0 ~

ABBRV

iIrL

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seCTIONAL

.........................

GAfl.A.l1EDOOR

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SUDINl]

1IW.1lf'\.

WINDOW SYMBOLS

DVTCHOOOII

OJ~

:~

NAME

EXTERIOR

00,"

AWN

HINGED DOOR

SANITATION FACILITY SYMBOLS

NAME

ELEVATION PICTORIAL

HOUOWCOllE

~ ~

:rnrA~
,~.lrt ~
\J

--

-,--,-~

~~~

:ECU

ABBRV SECTION
SYMBOL

~COAOlAN

IHTEllIOA

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w"'

NAME

ELEVATION PICTORIAL

:EI:=Lt~

,:E: -=:Rt~

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ABBRV SECTION ELEVATION PICTORIAL

SYMBOL .

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING
INFORMATION SHEET
FLOOR-PLAN DIMENSIONING
Dimensions show the builder the width and length of the building. Dimensioning
architectural drawings differ from dimensioning mechanical drawings in many ways.
The DIMENSIONING system most commonly used in architectural drafting is known
as aligned dimensioning. With this system, dimensions are placed in line with the
dimension lines and are read from the bottom or right side of the sheet. Dimension
numerals are centered on and placed above the solid dimension lines:

41'_0"
15'-0. "

eo'_O

7/-f.p#

uOAO

BcTOM

C
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/0

//

;,

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~ ~

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;,

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B'_!#

If..'_f..pJl

'L\/~O"

BASEMENT

F-LOOQ. PLAN

ALIGNED DIMENSIONING ON A FLOOR PLAN

:1

RULES FOR DIMENSIONING

1. Architectural dimension lines are unbroken lines with dimensions placed above the line.
2. In drawing plans, feet and inch marks may be omitted as a general rule, (Do not omit dash).
a. Dimensions over l' are expressed in feet and inches.
b. Dimensions less than l' are shown in inches.
3. A slash is often used with fractional dimensions to conserve vertical space.
4. Dimensions should be placed to read from the right or from the bottom of the drawing.
5. You should place dimensions so that the drawing does not appear crowded.
a. Space dimension fines a minimum of 3/8" from the object and from each other.
b. If there is room, it is preferred to start the first dimension line 1/2" from the plan.
6. Be consistent so that dimension lines are evenly spaced (regardless of distance chosen).
7. Dimension lines terminate at the extension lines with dots, arrowheads, or slash marks.
8. Dimension numerals are drawn 1/8" high with the aid of guidelines.
9. Line and arrowhead weights are the same as those used in dimensioning mechanical drawings.
10. Overall building dimension are placed outside the other dimension Jines.
a. The first line of dimensions on the plan is the smallest distance from the exterior wall the
the center of windows, doors and partition (interior) wails.
b. The second lines of dimensions generally gives the distance from the outside walls to the
partition (interior) walls.
c. The third fine of dimensions is usually the overall distance between the two exterior walls.
,-- .,\PPRO)(IIV1ATELY 1/8"

:9 -0 II
1

;/
v

SP/lDE DEPENDS
UPON ,iWlIILABLE
,900fVI 3/8 " TO 1"

~
L/1

IO'-O~

tS"OIl
! .,- INTERIOR
EXTENSION
!

17'-0

'

--

LINES, TO
I
CENTER OF
FEATURE -".,

11

1/1?"~

DIMENSION LINE SPACING

EQUAL SP/\CE
3/8" iVll NIMU M

EXTERIOR EXTENSIOf\1 L1II JE,

ASSUMED TO OUTSiDE
FACE OF STUDS

11. Room sizes may be shown by stating width and length.

12. When an area to be dimensioned is too small for the numerals, they are placed outside the

extension lines.

13. Window and door sizes may be shown directly on the door or window symbol or may be indexed
to a door or wirldow schedu Ie.
14. Curved leaders are sometimes used to eliminate confusion with other dimension lines.
15. When an area is too small for an arrowhead, dots may be used to indicate the dimension limits.
16. When the space is small, arrowheads may be placed outside the extension lines.
17. A dot with a leader refers to the large area noted.
18. Dimensions that cannot be seen on the floor plan or those too small to place on the object are
placed on leaders for easier reading.
19. In dimensioning stairs, the number of risers is placed on a line with an arrow indicating the
direction (up or down).
20. Windows, doors, pilasters, beams and areaways are dimensioned to their centerlines.
21. Use abbreviations when symbols do not show clearly what is intended.
22. Sub-dimensions must add up to overall dimensions (14'-0" + 12'-0" = 26'-0").
23. Architectural dimensions always refer to the actual size of the building regardless of the scale of
the drawing.
24. Aligned dimensions are placed in alignment with an angled wall or feature.

F=~~

OPEN ARROWHEADS
CLOSED ARROWHEADS
PERPENDICULAR LINES
SLASH LINES

.....

'"

"
v

.....

TRIANGLES

3" MINIMUM II

-------r!'

CIRCLES

DOOR CENTERED

IN HALLWAY, ASSUMED

i\illNIMUM DISTANCE
DOOR TO WALL ASSUMED

DIFFERENT STYLES OF
ARROWHEADS
36"*

~EADER
WITH

S~OWER

LINE CURVED FREEHAND OR

IRREGULAR CURVE,

OR

STRAIGHT.

CENTER AT BEGINNING OR END OF NOTE.

TERMINATE WITH ARROWHEAD.

COMMON SIZES OF ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

1. Base cabinets generally are not dimensioned as they are typically 24" deep.
2. Closet poles are generally 15" from the back wall and are dashed lines.
3. Closet shelves are solid lines 12" from the back wall.
4. Room components:

-exterior walls: 6"

-exterior unheated walls (garage, shop): 4"

-Interior: 4"

-Interior plumbing wall (ie..toilet): 6"

-Hallway: 36" minimum wide

-entry hallways: 42 - 60"

-bedroom closets: 24" minimum depth; 48" length

-linen closets: 14-24" deep (not over 3D")

-Washer/dryer space: 36" deep; 5'-6" long minimum

-Stairways: 36" minimum wide; 10.5" tread(typical); 11 '-4" total run

5. Plumbing:
-Bathroom sink: 19" x 16" (oval); provide 9" from edge to wall and about 12" between two sinks; 36"
minimum length
-Kitchen sink: 32" x 21" for a double, 42" x 21" for a triple
-Laundry sink: 21" x 21"
-Shower: 36" square; 42" square; or a combination of 36", 42", 48" and 60" for fiberglass; any size for
ceramic tile
-Toilet space: 30" wide (minimum), 24" clearance in front

- Washer/Dryer: 2'-4" square (approXimately)

6. Appliances:
-Forced air unit: gas- 18" square (minimum) with 6" space all around (can NOT go under the stairs) ;
electric- 24" x 30" (same space reqUirements as gas)
- Water heater: gas- 18-24" diameter (can NOT go under the stairs)
-Refrigerator: 36" wide space; approximately 27-30" deep; 4" from wall, 4" from the base cabinet.
-Stove/cooktop: 30" x 21" deep
-Built-in oven: 27" x 24" deep
-Dishwasher: 24" x 24"
-Trash compactor: 15" x 24" deep; near sink, away from stove
-Broom/pantry: 12" minimum x 24" deep, increasing by 3" increments
-Desk: 30" x 24" deep (minimum); not within the work triangle

-Built-in vacuum: 24" x 30" diameter

7. Doors:
-Entry: 36" x 6'_8"; 42" x 8'-0"
-Slider or French: 5', 6', 8' (double); 9', 10' (triple); 12' (four panel)
-Garage, utility, kitchen and bedrooms on custom houses: 2'-8"
-Bedrooms and bathrooms of nice homes: 2'-6"
-Bathroom closets: 2'-4"

-Garage: 8' x 1', 9' x 8', 16' x l' and 18' x l'

8. Windows:

- Living, family: 8' - 10'

-Dining: 6' - 8'

-Bedrooms: 4' - 6'

-Kitchens: 3' - 5'

-Bathrooms: 2' - 3'

-Sliding: 4', 5' 6' 8' 10' 12'

-Single hung: 24", 30", 36" 42"

-Casement: same as sliding

-Fixed awning: 24", 30", 36" 42", 48"

-Fixed sliding: 24", 30", 36" 42", 48"

-Picture: 4', 5', 6', 8'

-Bay: 8' - 10' total; sides- 18-24" wide

SOME METHODS OF DIMENSIONING FLOOR PLANS

,. Method B is preferred for this class (deviation will require teacher approval)

*/n summary, a floor plan must be completely dimensioned to ensure that

the house will be constructed precisely as designed. Many construction
mistakes result from errors in architectural drawing, and most of those
errors are in dimensioning! One of the best ways to learn how
experienced drafters layout dimensions is to study and evaluate existing
plans.

NAME

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING

WORKSHEET: MEASUREMENT

MEASURING A FLOOR PLAN

MAKE ALL MEASUREMENTS WITH SCALE: 1/4"= 1'-0".

SUB DIMENSIONS MUST TOTAL CORRECTLY.

~-~

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-- -,......-+>---

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KITCHEN

LJ
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LIVING

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