Lines and Line Quality

Basically, lines can be broken down into three types: light, medium, and dark.

Light Lines. The lightest lines used are usually the guidelines drawn to help with
lettering height. These lines should be only barely visible and should completely
disappear when a blue print is made. Darker than guidelines but still relatively light are
the lines used in dimension and extension lines, leaders, and break lines.

Medium Lines. Medium-weight lines are used in object and center lines, and in the
dashed type of line used for hidden or dotted lines.

Dark Lines. The darkest lines are used for border lines and cutting plane lines, major
sections, and details.

Choosing Line Quality. Line quality depends on the use of that particular line. An
intense line is used to profile and emphasize; an intermediate line is used to show
elements such as walls and structural members; and a light line is used for elements
such as dimensioning and door swings. Another way to vary line quality is to increase
the width of the line. A thicker line can represent the walls on a floor plan, the outline
of a building on a site plan, or the outline of a roof on a roof plan.
Hidden or Dotted Lines.
Hidden or dotted lines are
used to indicate objects
hidden from view. Solid
objects covered by earth, such
as foundations, can be
indicated with hidden lines.
This type of line can also
depict future structures, items
that are not in the contract,
public utilities locations,
easements, a wheelchair
turning radius, or the direction
of sliding doors and windows.
Arrowheads. Different types of arrowheads are used in dimensioning. The top
one is used architecturally more for leaders than for dimension lines. The
second one with the tick mark is the arrowhead most prevalently used in our
field. The dot is used in conjunction with the tick mark when you are
dimensioning two systems. For example, the dot can be used to locate the
center of steel columns, and the tick mark can be used to dimension the
secondary structure within a building built of wood. The final wide arrowhead
is used as a design arrowhead in many offices.
Material Designation Lines. Material designation lines are used to
indicate the building material used. For example , cross-hatched lines
between the parallel lines that represent the wall thickness. These
diagonal lines represent masonry.
Dimension Lines.
Material Indication
SYMBOLS
SYMBOLS
CHECKLIST: SITE IMPROVEMENT PLANS

1. Property lines, with bearings, corner angles, and all markers; location of
lot [political subdivision], street names, lot number, and all pertinent
data regarding the lot

2. Building location, zoning setback lines, easements, clearing line, ground

floor elevation, bench mark[s], grades at building, dimensions of
building, dimensions of other features or buildings, dimensions of all
overhangs or extended features beyond the building line, and [in dotted
lines] the layout of any planned additions

3. All utility lines, on the property or in the adjacent streets: electric, water,
sewer, gas, and telephone

4. All existing paving, whether to remain or be removed: new paving,

parking lots, parking stall bumpers, stripping, drives, walks, steps,
platforms, terraces, signs, flagpoles, playfields, equipment [both
mechanical and playfield], drinking fountains, light standards, and curbs
or walls [decorative]
CHECKLIST: SITE IMPROVEMENT PLANS

5. Fences, structural retaining walls, areaways, and pools

6. Existing structures, foundations, or cellars; trees, shrubs, both those to

remain and those to be removed;

7. Structures to be relocated and any underground voids of various

descriptions

8. Storm drainage on both paved and unpaved areas; catch basins and yard
drains

9. Contours, existing and new; contour elevations

10. Legend showing all symbols and materials used on the plan

11. Contract limits; note items not in contract [NIC]

CHECKLIST: SITE IMPROVEMENT PLANS

12. Name and address of surveyor who supplied survey for site
improvement plan

13. Location and log of test boring holes; legend of log symbols

14. Temporary facilities; roads, fences, toilets, offices, and sheds

15. Material storage areas for use by various contractors

16. Areas for on-site parking

CHECKLIST: FLOOR PLANS / ENLARGED FLOOR PLANS

1. Fully coordinated dimensions; overall dimensions; opening locations,

features of the building, masonry, and column center-lines; make sure
that each room and partition is located and sized.

2. Room names and numbers and finish information, if applicable;

reference to large-scale details.

3. Floor elevations, floor covering patterns, mat recesses, changes in

elevation and materials, ramps, curbs, bases, and gutters.

4. Wall material symbols, furred spaces [for pipes and ducts], recesses,
openings, panels; locate wall features and attachments.

5. Ceiling heights, changes in height, breaks, bulkheads, tile patterns;

locate diffusers, lights, and other ceiling appliances; include skylights
and monitors.
CHECKLIST: FLOOR PLANS / ENLARGED FLOOR PLANS

6. Door marks and swings; show thresholds and saddles, special door
features, and refer to details.

7. Windows, showing layout, swings, and mullions; interior glass in doors,

partitions, and borrowed lights.

8. Show plumbing fixtures, stalls, floor drains, and reference to large-scale

layouts and details.

9. Show stairs and stairwell dimensions, number of risers, and direction of

travel; include handrails and references to largescale details.

10. Fire extinguishers and cabinets, access panels, drinking fountains,

expansion joints, folding partitions, gratings and pit covers, ladders,
scuttles, lockers, shelving, special trenches, cornerstones, corner guards,
barriers, bumpers, convector enclosures, telephone booths, roof leaders
[downspouts], part-high walls, chalkboards, tack boards, folding and
coiling grilles and grates, and railings.
CHECKLIST: FLOOR PLANS / ENLARGED FLOOR PLANS

11. Equipment and cabinet layout for laboratories, science rooms, home
economics units, arts and crafts studios, and shops; equipment that
requires special footings.

12. Plans for kitchen and equipment for special functions.

CHECKLIST: CEILINGS (REFLECTED CEILING PLANS)

1. Remember the principle of the reflected plan [the floor is a mirror; draw
the plan as if you were looking down into it].

2. Show all features of the ceiling materials, wall faces and profiles,
exposed beams, and other construction.

3. Show all light fixtures, anemostats [diffusers], access panels, skylights,

drapery pockets and tracks, trim around columns, and similar items.

4. Check clearance of structure and duct work and coordination of all

mechanical items; show all borders, trim cornices, control joints, coves,
changes in ceiling height, bulkheads, structural supports, piers, columns,
and sprinklers.

5. Show the ceiling pattern desired, with proper dimensioning; coordinate

with building features or window mullions as desired.
CHECKLIST: ROOF PLANS

1. All necessary building dimensions; overhangs, canopies, and roof

surfaces.

2. All dimensions to walls, column centerlines, or other permanent

features.

3. References to large-scale details.

4. Indicate drainage of roof; slopes to drains, high and low points, saddles,
frogs, and crickets; drains and leaders, scuppers, and gutters.

5. Indicate materials of roof and cornices as well as parapet walls; note

type of coping on walls.

6. Show all roof-mounted mechanical equipment, scuttles, smoke vents,

access panels and doors, and vents.
CHECKLIST: ROOF PLANS

7. Show special paved areas, fences, railings, stacks or chimneys,

bulkheads, and fire walls that extend above the roof surface.

8. Locate and properly reference ladders, splash blocks, stairs, penthouses

[for equipment and elevators], ridges, valleys, eaves, special lighting,
flagpoles, snow guards, and lightning rods.
CHECKLIST: EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS

1. Key plan, if necessary, to indicate North arrow and locations.

2. Materials; notes and indications.

3. Show all window and door openings; dimension heights that relate to
floor line; type of opening by correct designator: do not draw in every
detail of similar openings; operable portions of windows [casement,
hopper, or projected].

4. Indicate column lines, floor lines, horizontal brick courses [do not
include vertical brick jointing], and grade elevations.
CHECKLIST: EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS

5. Show ladders, louvers, railings, vents, roof slope diagrams, downspouts,

boots, access openings, splash blocks, gutters, chimneys, sidewalk levels,
curbs, ramps, ridges, eaves, decks, and penthouses; also parapet walls,
trenches [to be left open], beams, footings [dotted line below the grade
line], finished grade line [heavy line weight] showing the ground
adjacent to the building; water outlets [hose bibbs, siamese
connections, and fire hydrants], fresh air intakes, meter boxes, section
lines [for wall sections], projections or recesses in the building, and
raised or sunken areas; panels, pilasters, columns, signs, cornerstones,
awnings, electrical fixtures and outlets, dormers, gables, hoods,
canopies, balconies, flashing, counterflashing, roof scuttles, roof
features [skylights, crosses, ventilators, snow guards, flagpoles], gates,
fencing, parking blocks, bumpers at loading docks, clocks, and plaques.

6. Check dimensions thoroughly with plan, finish grade with site plan,
details with their reference system, and all similar features of the
building; indicate fascia cover spacing and any other special features
that must be included.
CHECKLIST: EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS

7. Describe foundation system's isolated footings, stepped footings, and so

on.

8. Give dimension spacing for control and expansion joints in all materials
requiring it [which can be seen in the elevation].

9. Show the profile of the building; materials that overlap and project
beyond wall surfaces; also items above the roof line.

10. Check drawings with all other disciplines for proper coordination as
often as possible; prevent errors from reaching the field.
CHECKLIST: INTERIOR ELEVATIONS

1. Items of concrete and masonry; height and width of bases, sleepers,

facings; mat recesses in slab size, depth, and edge strips; all exposed
construction with correct profiles referenced to floor and column lines
and other major features.

2. Wood and millwork; except when stock items are used, the following
should be fully detailed: cabinets, countertops, doors, drawers, shelving,
chalkboards [complete with tray, tack strips, map hooks], display cases,
lockers, recesses for telephones, wardrobes, and all items of trim.

3. Metal catwalks, ladders, handrails, nosings, pass windows, shutters

[rolling].
CHECKLIST: WALL SECTIONS

1. Show all materials in their proper location and thickness, all “cut”
material strongly outlined.

2. Indicate proper symbology for all materials; standard or noted symbols;

symbols must be clear even at small scale.

3. Identify all materials and use proper notes and no specification wording;
use the same terminology as the specifications for each item.

4. Fully dimension sections vertically and horizon tally; use complete

dimensions from bottom of footing to top of section; dimension to easily
recognized locations [top of masonry, etc.].

5. Coordinate section with column lines or building lines whenever

possible.
CHECKLIST: WALL SECTIONS

6. Use a scale adequate to provide the information required; a small scale

can destroy communication.

7. If one section is similar to another, with only slight changes, do not

redraw the entire section; use a similar outline, add the new features,
and refer by note to the other section.

8. Tie the section in to the cross-reference system by number or

designator; use descriptive titles when necessary.
CHECKLIST: BUILDING SECTIONS

1. Show complete vertical dimensions; tie major features of the building

together.

2. Identify the section and coordinate with the cross-referencing system.

3. Because of lack of scale and complete data, indicate materials only in

general terms; that is, concrete block, concrete, brick, wood beam, steel
column.

4. Show interior features, lightly and in general terms [not a lot of detail];
indicate all wall outlines, doors and frames, cabinetwork, and similar
items.

5. Locate mechanical items: water coolers, louvers, fire extinguishers

cabinets, and so on.

6. Check all finishes with room finish schedule.

CHECKLIST: DETAILING

Questions to ask:

• What do I need to show at this location [the primary focus]?

• What must I include/show [to convey all pertinent information]?

• What would be "nice" for me to show [added information]?

• How much do I show [overall area of detail]?

• What is the best view to use? Can this be combined with other
information for a better, more informative drawing?

• What should I show in the background [for reference]?

• What scale should I use for highest clarity?

• How does this relate to other surrounding details?

CHECKLIST: DETAILING

Questions to ask:

• Am I trying to show too much?

• What can/should I leave out?

• Is it too complex?

• Is it clear; confusing?

• What line weights are appropriate?

• What material symbols are necessary?

• What the best locations for notes/dimensions?

• What needs to be cross-referenced?

CHECKLIST: WINDOW DETAILING

1. Show all sizes and elevations; operable portions; head, jamb, and sill
details.

2. Detail actual installation of windows; coordinate by drawing the window

with all applicable wall conditions.

3. Consider the need for the following: screens, frame reinforcing, washer
bolts, shades, access for washing, fit of adjacent equipment inside the
building.

4. Indicate weather-stripping, thickness and type of glass [in general

terms].

5. Finishes of frame material, caulking and sealing, interior closures and

trim.

6. Include all necessary blocking and construction that makes the opening
ready for the unit.
CHECKLIST: STAIR DETAILING

1. Check building requirements.

2. Check required loading, dimensions, and clearances.

3. Material indications, width of tread, number of risers, height of risers,

direction of travel, handrails and trim, grade elevations of landings [and
floor or levels served], structural coordination, and features of the stairs,
railing anchorage, and general stair construction.

4. Extra attention should be given to the following for exterior stairs: pitch
of tread [to drain water], side walls and buttresses, ramps, tread finish
[nonslip], watertight handrail anchors, tight jointing for veneered stairs
[stone-on concrete, etc.].