Chapter 17 Floor Plan Dimensions and Notes PDF

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CHAPTER 17 Floor Plan Dimensions and Notes I N T R O D U C T I O N (20 mm) apart. The minimum recommended spac- Dimensions provide the measurements used for construction. ing of dimensions is shown in Figure 17-2. Confirm Dimensions are found on all types of architectural drawings and the recommende...

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CHAPTER 17

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Dimensions provide the measurements used for construction. Dimensions are found on all types of architectural drawings and are presented using lines, numerical values, and symbols, or notes and specifications. Drawings must include all the dimensions needed for construction, so workers do not have to guess about the size and location of features in the building. It can be a challenge to decide what dimensions are needed, to determine the best dimension placement, and to locate dimensions in a manner that keeps the drawings uncluttered and easy to read. This chapter provides you with the dimensioning systems and techniques used to meet these objectives.

ALIGNED DIMENSIONS 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 read from the bottom or right side of the sheet. Dimension numerals are typically centered on and placed above the solid dimension lines. Figure 17-1 shows a floor plan that has been dimensioned using the aligned dimensioning system. A dimension line is a line showing the length of the dimension, terminating at the related extension lines. Extension lines are lines showing the extent of the dimension and start with a small space from the feature being dimensioned and extend past the last dimension line.

FLOOR PLAN DIMENSIONS You should place dimensions so the drawing does not appear crowded. However, this is often difficult because of the great number of dimensions that must be placed on an architectural drawing. When placing dimensions, space dimension lines a minimum of 3/8" (10 mm) from the object and from other dimension lines. If there is room, 1/2" (13 mm) is preferred. Architectural drafters often use 1" (26 mm) or more if space is available. Other drafters place the first dimension line 1" (26 mm) away from the plan and space additional dimensions equally 1/2" (13 mm) or 3/4" 360

(20 mm) apart. The minimum recommended spacing of dimensions is shown in Figure 17-2. Confirm the recommended dimension line spacing with your office or instructional standards. Regardless of the distance chosen, be consistent so dimension lines are evenly spaced and uniform throughout the drawing. Figure 17-2 also shows the recommended 1/16" (1.5 mm) space between the start of the extension line and the floor plan or feature being dimensioned. Notice the extension lines extending 1/8" (3 mm) past the last dimension line. Extension and dimension lines are drawn thin and dark so they do not detract from the overall appearance and balance of the drawing. Dimension lines terminate at extension lines with dots, arrowheads, or slash marks that are each drawn in the same direction (see Figure 17-3). The U.S. National CAD Standard recommends slash marks or filled arrowheads. The type of dimension line terminators should be the same throughout the drawing; however, slash marks are common on dimension line terminators and filled arrowheads are used on leaders for notes as described later in this chapter. Dimension numerals are drawn 1/8" (3 mm) high and are centered above the dimension line with a 1/16" (1.5 mm) space between the dimension line and the value. For all lengths over 12", the dimension units used are feet and inches. Inches and fractions are used for units less than 12". Foot units are followed by the symbol ('), and inch units are shown by the symbol ("). For example, 14'–6" means 14 feet and 6 inches. Metric dimensions are given in millimeters (mm), as discussed later in this chapter; however, metric sizes vary, depending on hard or soft conversion. Soft conversion is the preferred method, which is explained in Chapter 16 and again later in this chapter.

PLACING EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS The overall dimensions on frame construction are given to the outside of the stud frame of the exterior walls. The reason for locating dimensions on the outside of

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FIGURE 171 Aligned dimensions on a floor plan. Courtesy Alan Mascord Design Associates, Inc.

the stud frame is that the frame is established first, and windows, doors, and partitions are usually put in place before sheathing and other wall-covering material is applied. Another construction option is for the exterior dimensions to be to the outside face of the exterior sheathing. This depends on the preferred construction method. Figure 17-4A shows an example of the

construction used where the exterior dimension is to the outside face of studs. Compare this with the outside face of the sheathing in Figure 17-4B. Your floor plan dimensioning practice is the same either way. The contractor determines the actual construction method. Stud frame is the vertical construction members of a woodor steel-frame wall, where the individual members,

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DIMENSION LINES

EXTERIOR DIMENSION FACE OF STUDS

APPROXIMATELY 1/8"

16'-0" 10'-0"

6'-0" SPACE DEPENDS UPON AVAILABLE ROOM 3/8" TO 1"

EQUAL SPACE 3/8" MINIMUM

5'-0"

5'-0" INTERIOR EXTENSION LINES, TO CENTER OF FEATURE

STUDS 1/16"

EXTERIOR EXTENSION LINE, ASSUMED TO OUTSIDE FACE OF STUDS OR SHEATHING, SEE FIGURE 17-4.

SHEATHING

SIDING FOUNDATION WALL

FIGURE 172 Recommended spacing of dimension lines, and dimensioning terminology.

FACE OF SHEATHING

A

called studs, are usually placed between bottom and top plates that are spaced every 16" or 24" apart. The first line of dimensions on the plan is the shortest distance from the exterior wall to the center of the windows, doors, and to the interior partitions. The second line of dimensions generally gives the distance from the outside walls to the interior partitions. The third line of dimensions is usually the overall distance between two exterior walls (see Figure 17-5). This method of applying all dimensions eliminates the need for workers to add dimensions at the job site and reduces the possibility of error. The three dimensioning methods commonly used by architectural offices to dimension floor plans are center line, face-of-stud, and face-of-finish-material.

EXTERIOR DIMENSION

STUDS SHEATHING

SIDING FOUNDATION WALL

B FIGURE 174 (A) An example of the construction used when exterior dimensions are to the outside face of studs. (B) Construction used when exterior dimensions are to the outside face of sheathing.

DIMENSION LINE 10'-0" EXTENSION LINE

5'-0"

5'-0"

1/8 45°

CENTER-LINE EXTENSION LINE

FREEHAND SLASH ALL IN THE SAME DIRECTION 1/8"

10'-0"

A THICK SLASH IS COMMON ON MANY MANUAL AND CADD DRAWINGS

SOME COMPANIES USE A DOT TO END DIMENSION LINES

TO 3/16" 5'-0"

5'-0" 1/16

FREEHAND ARROWHEAD

CADD ARROWHEADS MAY BE FILLED OR UNFILLED

FIGURE 173 Methods for terminating dimension lines. The slash mark and filled arrowhead are options recommended by the U.S. National CAD Standard.

Chapter 17: Floor Plan Dimensions and Notes

FACE OF STUD

363

FACE OF STUD

FACE OF STUD

9'-4 1/4" 3'-10 1/4" DOOR CENTER LINE

WINDOW CENTER LINE

Using the Center-Line Dimensioning Method The center-line dimensioning method places dimensions from the outside face of exterior stud walls to the center of interior partitions, and to the center of doors and windows. An overall dimension is placed as the last dimension. This traditional dimensioning method is shown in Figure 17-5.

Using the Face-of-Stud Dimensioning Method The traditional method of floor plan dimensioning has been from the outside face of studs to the center of partition walls, windows, and doors. More recently, architectural offices have been dimensioning to face of stud for locating interior partitions. This technique establishes where the structure of the wall is laid out. Interior wall surfaces and finishes are not typically dimensioned on floor plans, but are shown in the details. Using CADD, building component sizes are drawn accurately, for example, a 2 × 4 stud actually measures 1 1/2" × 3 1/2". Interior dimensions are to the face of the stud not the center of the stud, because dimensioning to the center splits the stud in half, giving fractional dimensions. Partition center-line and fractional dimensions require field calculations that are difficult to perform and are not generally followed by builders. Typically, when dimensioning to a face of the stud, the selected side is personal preference or an office standard. Generally, you start on one side of the building at the corner, and then pick an interior partition stud face. Then all of the dimensions in the string are consistently established to the same side throughout the plan. This technique can vary depending on the features being dimensioned. For example, dimensions can be between inside stud faces where it is important to dimension the

10'-7 3/4" 5'-4 3/4"

DOOR CENTER LINE

WINDOW CENTER LINE

FACE OF STUD

INTERIOR PARTITION CENTER LINE

FIGURE 175 Placing exterior dimensions from the outside face of exterior studs to the center of interior partitions, and the center of doors and windows.

FACE OF STUD

FIGURE 176 Placing exterior dimensions from the outside face of exterior studs to the face of studs at interior partitions, and the centers of doors and windows.

open width of an area such as the partitions between a bathtub, shower, or hallway. Some companies dimension the width of the stud, such as 3 1/2", but this is unnecessary information that can be covered in a general note that indicates stud sizes, or in sections and details. The face-of-stud dimensioning method places dimensions from the exterior face of studs, to the interior face of studs, and to the centers of doors and windows as shown in Figure 17-6.

Using the Face-of-Finish-Material Dimensioning Method The face-of-finish-material dimensioning method is typically not used in new construction. This method can be used in remodeling projects where interior dimensions are commonly related to the existing face of finish material. Dimensions to doors and windows are still given to their center lines (see Figure 17-7).

FACE OF STUD

9'-3 3/4" 3'-9 3/4"

FACE OF STUD

10'-8 1/4" 5'-5 1/4"

DOOR CENTER LINE

WINDOW CENTER LINE

FACE-OF-FINISH MATERIAL

FIGURE 177 Placing exterior dimensions from the outside face of exterior studs to the face of finish material at interior partitions, and the centers of doors and windows. This method can be used when dimensioning remodeling projects where measurements are established from existing finish material.

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PLACING INTERIOR DIMENSIONS Interior dimensions locate all interior partitions and features in relation to the face of exterior wall studs. Any of the dimensioning methods (center line, face-ofstud, or face-of-finish material) can be used for placing interior dimensions. In an effort to simplify construction and minimize field calculations, the face-of-stud method is most commonly used for new construction. Figure 17-8 shows some common interior dimensions. Notice how the dimensions relate to the face of exterior wall studs. The interior partition dimensions are given to the face of studs and can be consistently given to the same side throughout the plan. Another option is to dimension the face of studs between an opening, such as the opening framed for a bathtub, or the width of a water closet compartment as shown in Figure 17-8. When dimensioning interior features, be sure to provide workers with enough dimensions to build the house. The contractor should not have to guess where a wall or feature is located, nor should workers have to use a scale to try to locate items on a plan. Stub walls are walls that do not go all the way across a room, and are dimensioned by giving their location

INDICATES TO NEXT FEATURE

to a stud face and their length. Windows and doors are dimensioned to their centers, unless the location is assumed. Look at Figure 17-8 again for examples of dimensioning interior features.

STANDARD FEATURE DIMENSIONS Some interior features that are considered to be standard sizes may not require dimensions, even though providing dimensions is generally a good idea to help reduce construction errors. Figure 17-9 shows a situation in which the drafter elected to omit the depth of the pantry because it is directly next to a refrigerator, which has an assumed depth of 30" (760 mm), and near a base cabinet that is typically 24" (600 mm) deep. The refrigerator width should be given because there are many different widths available. The base cabinet is not dimensioned, because such cabinets are typically 24" (600 mm) deep. When there is any doubt, it is better to apply a dimension. The refrigerator and other appliances can be drawn with dashed lines or marked with the abbreviation NIC (not in contract) if the unit is not supplied according to the contract for the home’s construction. Follow the practice of the office where you work. Other situations in which dimensions can be assumed are when a door is centered between two walls as at the end of a hallway, and when a door enters a room and the minimum distance from the wall to the door is assumed. See the examples in Figure 17-10. Some dimensions can be provided in the form of a note for standard features, as seen in Figure 17-11. The walls around a shower need not be dimensioned when a note, 36" (900 mm) square shower, defines the inside dimensions. The shower must be located and actual product dimensions verified during construction. One of the best ways to learn how experienced drafters lay out dimensions is to study and evaluate existing plans. Metric dimensions can vary depending on hard or soft conversion, as discussed in Chapter 16 and later in this chapter.

BASE CABINET

PANTRY

FIGURE 178 Placing interior dimensions. Dimensions are placed from the face of exterior studs to the face of studs at interior partitions, and to the centers of doors and windows. Dimensions can be placed to establish an opening between the face of interior studs, such as for the width of a bathtub, water closet, or hallway.

REF 36 X 30

FIGURE 179 The dimension for the location of a feature such as the depth of a pantry can be assumed when it is next to a base cabinet with a known common depth.

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3" MINIMUM GARAGE DOOR OPENING

DOOR CENTERED IN HALLWAY, ASSUMED

MINIMUM DISTANCE DOOR TO WALL, ASSUMED

FOUNDATION PLAN

A FIGURE 1710 Assumed location of features without dimensions given, such as a door centered in a hallway, or a door located a common minimum distance from a wall or partition.

FLOOR PLAN

B

36" 䡺 SHOWER

LEADER LINE CURVED FREEHAND OR WITH IRREGULAR CURVE, OR STRAIGHT. CENTER AT BEGINNING OR END OF NOTE. TERMINATE WITH ARROWHEAD.

FIGURE 1711 Standard features can be dimensioned with a specific note.

GARAGE DOOR OPENING

FLOOR PLAN

C

OMITTING DIMENSIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE FOUNDATION The foundation is the system placed on the ground and used to support the building. Detailed foundation information is provided in Chapter 33 through Chapter 35. Certain features shown on the floor plan are established on the foundation plan. For example, the garage door openings are formed as a cutout in the foundation wall. The dimensions provided in the foundation plan determine the location and size of the garage door opening as shown in Figure 17-12A. The garage door opening dimensions can be omitted on the floor plan as shown in Figure 17-12B, because garage door location and size dimensions are given on the foundation plan. Some offices prefer to dimension the finish garage door openings as a reference as shown in Figure 17-12C. Another common practice is to dimension the center line of the garage door for reference as shown in Figure 17-12D.

FLOOR PLAN

D FIGURE 1712 (A) Dimensions are placed on the foundation plan to locate features that are cut into the foundation wall, such as a garage door. (B) The floor plan representation of the garage door can be left undimensioned when the dimensions are given on the foundation plan as in (A). (C) Finish opening dimensions, to a feature such as a garage door, can be given on the floor plan, even when the rough opening dimensions are provided on the foundation plan. (D) Location dimensions, to a feature such as a garage door, can be given on the floor plan, even when the rough opening dimensions are provided on the foundation plan.

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DIMENSIONING ARC AND CIRCULAR FLOOR PLAN FEATURES

LEADER LINE

Arc and circular floor plan features that originate from the foundation do not require floor plan dimensions, although providing reference dimensions on the floor plan is a good idea. Other arc and circular floor plan features are dimensioned on the floor plan by giving location and radius or diameter dimensions. A radius is the distance from the center of an arc or circle to the circumference. The diameter is the distance across an arc or circle passing through the center. The circumference is the distance around the perimeter of a circle. An arc floor plan feature, such as an arc wall, can be dimensioned giving the overall dimensions to the face of studs as shown in Figure 17-13A, or by locating the center and giving the radius using a leader line as shown in Figure 17-13B. The R preceding the radius dimension in Figure 17-13B is the abbreviation for radius. A leader line is a line that connects a note to the feature being identified. A leader line starts at the center of the beginning or end of the note and points to the feature. The start of a straight leader line has a small horizontal shoulder where the leader begins at the note and has a filled arrowhead or slash mark where it is connected to the feature. Architectural leader lines can also be drawn using a curved line (see Figure 17-13 and Figure 17-14). The note is drawn using 1/8" (3 mm) high text. This type of note is referred to as a specific note, because it dimensions a specific feature on the drawing. Specific notes are described in more detail later in this chapter. A group of circular features, such as columns, is dimensioned on the floor plan using coordinate or angular dimensions. Coordinate dimensions provide horizontal and vertical location dimensions to the center of the circular features as shown in Figure 17-14A. The size of the circular features are dimensioned with a diameter symbol (Ø) preceding the diameter value. The number of features is given followed by the multiplication symbol (×) with a space between the number of features and the diameter symbol as shown in Figure 17-14. Angular dimensions are given by locating the center of the circular feature patt...