Chapter B1 – Interprets Project Drawings
Key Competencies
The NOA for Carpenter (2013) identifies the required competencies (skills) for the task of interpreting project drawings. These are:
Use drafting instruments such as protractors and scale rulers to determine measurements from project drawings
Locate information such as details, elevations, sections, door and window schedules and other locations for layout
Relay drawing information to co-workers or others using sketches
Recognize conflicts within a set of project drawings taking into consideration the priority of different drawings such as structural, architectural, electrical and mechanical drawings
Visualize two-dimensional information into a three-dimensional space
Identify grid lines to determine the distances and locations of key building components for layout (NOA, p. 23).
This outcome will primarily focus on blueprints, specifications and building codes for residential and commercial projects.
Various documents are used throughout the construction process. These include national building, electrical and fire codes as well as municipal codes. An architect or draftsperson will rely on these codes for the creation of the construction documents the carpenter will use. These include blueprints and specifications. Traditionally, blueprints were sets of two-dimensional drawings. However, software allows for building information modeling systems to be utilized which include not only the blueprints and specifications but also scheduling and costing information.
Blueprints contain a plot plan, elevation drawings, floor plans, framing plans as well as schedules, details and section views which contain the information needed to complete the project. Specifications are documents which contain high level detail regarding the type and quality of materials and installation processes to be used to complete the project. Specifications will detail who (owner, architect, general contractor, subcontractor, supplier) is responsible for what parts of the project.