It is dimensioned to the centerline of the wall. However, too few dimensions can produce a lot of guesswork and increase the chances for error in the field and in coordination between subcontractors.Īll dimensions in this floor plan are to the face of a stud, except for the wall between the closets. An overdimensioned plan allows the builder little freedom to make field adjustments or substitute cost-saving techniques. A good guideline for dimensioning falls somewhere between these two approaches.

However, if only a few key dimensions are shown, the builder is trusted to determine exact locations of interior components. A very detailed and dimensioned plan gives the builder little room for deviation from the original design. The actual number of dimensions on a plan is dependent upon how much latitude the designer affords the contractor.

Buildings, structural framework, rooms, and fixtures are dimensioned in decreasing size order. For example, this part of the plan is referenced as area 6 and enlarged on sheet A4.ĭimensions on a floor plan generally locate the framework of the building, such as the face of these 2x4 studs.ĭimensioning is done in a hierarchical manner. In some cases, however, the centerline of the wall might be located and dimensioned.Ī portion of a floor plan can be keyed with a symbol to a larger, more detailed plan that is drawn elsewhere. This dimensioning technique gives the exact location of the studs, columns, and beams and is generally placed to the face of these.

Generally, elements such as walls are dimensioned to the frame, as the builder first erects this and then adds the finishes to it. In fact, most designers add a note on the drawing that says, 'do not scale drawing, follow written dimensions.' In such cases, the floor plan is slightly out of true scale, but this is acceptable because the written dimensions are the controlling factors.

Sometimes after a plan is drawn accurately to a scale, its reproduction causes a slight enlargement or reduction of the drawing. A floor plan is carefully dimensioned to ensure that items such as walls, columns, doors, windows, openings, stairs, and other particulars are correctly located for construction.

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