Blue Print Reading

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Blue Print Reading

• Grimsby Secondary School

2
Foundation Plan

• The foundation, or basement plan of a house is
  drawn to include all construction requirements up
  to the first floor. Looking at this plan and
  starting at the floor joist you would expect to
  find the following information

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Foundation Plan

• overall dimensions of the foundation
• size and direction of floor joist, and position
  of bridging
• size and location of the main beam supporting
  the joist and secondary beams
• location of supporting post/columns and
  independent footings under beam
• location of basement windows
• foundation and footing sizes and shapes
• stairwell and chimney requirements
• the location of partitions, doors and fixed
  equipment in the basement area. Mechanical and
  electrical installations may be shown as well

4
Floor Plan

• The main floor plan(s) for a multi-level home
  continues on from where the foundation plan
  stops. From the first floor joist it continues
  up to the floor joist of the succeeding floor or
  to the ceiling joist, depending on the style of
  home, showing the interior construction of the
  home looking at the floor plan, information found
  on this plan includes the following

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Floor Plan

• overall dimension of the home, and all
  dimensions in relation to partitions, windows
  and doors
• shape and arrangement of rooms
• position of doors and windows.
• location of fixed utilities such as kitchen
  cupboards, bathroom utilities, closets
• necessary electrical and mechanical information
• size and dimension of the second floor joist or
  ceiling joist

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Elevation Views

• Elevation views are those blueprints which show
  the exterior of the home. They are also
  two-dimensional drawings which show the length or
  width and height. There are generally four
  elevation views known as the front, rear, right
  and left side views. Any one view will show the
  exterior as you face it in its finished form.
  Information found on the elevation views include

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Elevation Views

• type and size of window units
• exterior finish of the home
• grade level around foundation
• type of shingles used
• type and location of chimney and fireplace
• elevation views may show any irregularities in
  the footing or foundation. An example of this
  would be in the stepped system used in footing
  under the foundation wall of a multi-level home
• venting system used in the attic area
• type and position of exterior steps

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Sectional Views

• Sectional views are those portions of the
  blueprint which show a vertical cut through the
  home. This is used to show the interior
  construction of the various structural parts of
  the building which cannot be shown by elevations
  or plan views. The location of the section can be
  found on the floor plan and is generally noted as
  cross-section A-A. This system of identification
  allows the carpenter to see exactly where the cut
  occurs and clarifies for him or her the
  architects intent.