CDT Drawing Conventions & Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard scale most commonly used for architectural floor plans in U.S. construction documents?
- 1"=10'-0"
- 1/8"=1'-0" or 1/4"=1'-0" (Correct answer)
- 1/16"=1'-0"
- 3"=1'-0"
Correct answer: 1/8"=1'-0" or 1/4"=1'-0"
Architectural floor plans are most commonly drawn at 1/8"=1'-0" for large buildings or 1/4"=1'-0" for smaller buildings to show the overall layout clearly.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a drawing revision cloud and delta symbol?
- To indicate a new drawing sheet added to the set
- To highlight areas of a drawing that have been changed in a revision and identify the revision number (Correct answer)
- To mark the location of a construction change directive on the drawing
- To show where a section cut passes through the building
Correct answer: To highlight areas of a drawing that have been changed in a revision and identify the revision number
A revision cloud outlines the changed area on a drawing and a delta (triangle) with the revision number identifies when the change was made, providing a clear audit trail of drawing revisions.
Question 3: On a door schedule in construction documents, what information is typically included?
- Door hardware manufacturer pricing and lead times
- Door mark, size, material, frame type, hardware set, fire rating, and remarks (Correct answer)
- Contractor installation sequence and phasing plan
- Door rough opening structural header sizes only
Correct answer: Door mark, size, material, frame type, hardware set, fire rating, and remarks
A door schedule organizes all door information in tabular form including each door's mark number, dimensions, material, frame type, hardware set designation, and any special requirements like fire ratings.
Question 4: What does 'NTS' mean when noted on a construction drawing?
- Not To Spec — indicating the detail deviates from specifications
- Not To Scale — indicating the drawing is diagrammatic and dimensions should not be scaled from it (Correct answer)
- Note To Subcontractor — a field instruction to a specific trade
- No Transfer Section — indicating the detail is not transferable to other projects
Correct answer: Not To Scale — indicating the drawing is diagrammatic and dimensions should not be scaled from it
NTS (Not To Scale) warns the reader that the drawing is schematic or diagrammatic and that actual dimensions should be taken from labeled dimensions, not by scaling the drawing.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a room finish schedule in construction documents?
- To specify the HVAC supply and return locations in each room
- To document the floor, base, wall, and ceiling finishes for every room in the project (Correct answer)
- To calculate the required lighting levels per room occupancy
- To list the furniture specified for each room by the interior designer
Correct answer: To document the floor, base, wall, and ceiling finishes for every room in the project
A room finish schedule tabulates the floor, base, wall, and ceiling finishes (materials, products, colors) for every room, coordinating finishes across the project.
Question 6: In construction drawings, what does an interior elevation drawing show?
- The building's exterior facade from street level
- A flat orthographic view of an interior wall showing cabinets, fixtures, heights, and finishes (Correct answer)
- A cross-section through the building's structural system
- A reflected view of the ceiling grid and light fixtures
Correct answer: A flat orthographic view of an interior wall showing cabinets, fixtures, heights, and finishes
An interior elevation is an orthographic projection of an interior wall surface showing the heights, locations, and design of cabinets, counters, fixtures, and wall finishes.
CDT Drawing Conventions & Standards 2
What is the standard scale most commonly used for architectural floor plans in U.S. construction documents?