002 - Understanding Planning Drawings a Guide to Architectural Plans

Introduction

​Planning drawings are essential tools in architecture, construction, and urban planning. They provide detailed visual representations of proposed projects, helping stakeholders understand and evaluate the design, structure, and functionality of buildings or developments. This blog post will cover the details of a standard planning drawing, explain the international standard BS8888, and offer guidance for homeowners who are encountering these plans for the first time.

The Standard

ABS8888 Standard of Drawings:
BS8888 is the British Standard for technical product documentation. It outlines the requirements for creating clear and precise drawings that ensure effective communication among all parties involved in the design and construction process.
 
What BS8888 Entails:
This standard specifies the principles for dimensioning, tolerances, and symbols used in technical drawings. It ensures consistency and accuracy, which is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings and errors during construction.
 
What Drawings Should Be Included as Standard:
Site Plan: Shows the building's footprint, surrounding infrastructure, and landscaping.
Floor Plan: Illustrates the layout of rooms, walls, doors, and windows at a particular level.
Elevation Drawings: Depicts the exterior views of the building from all sides.
Section Drawings: Provides vertical cut-through views of the building, showing internal structures.
Detail Drawings: Focuses on specific components or assemblies like windows, doors, and staircases.
 
General Line Types in Planning Drawings:
Solid Lines: Represent visible edges and outlines.
Dashed Lines: Indicate hidden elements not visible in the current view.
Dotted Lines: Often used for centre-lines or to show future additions.
 
Colour Schemes and Shading:
Colour Schemes: Used to differentiate between various materials or elements.
Shading: Indicates different textures, depths, or materials to provide a clearer understanding of the drawing.

An Elevation drawing 

Main Details You Will Find

Types of Doors Displayed on Plan Drawings:
Swing Doors: Shown with an arc indicating the swing direction.
Sliding Doors: Represented with parallel lines indicating the door path.
 
Different Types of Walls:
Internal Walls: Solid lines or single lines, often with hatching for insulation.
External Walls: Thicker lines with additional detailing for insulation and materials.
Party Walls: Special hatching or annotations to show shared walls between properties.
 
Furniture Blocks:
Furniture blocks are simplified representations of furniture to illustrate how spaces can be used. They are often self-explanatory but may include symbols for specific items like sinks, toilets, and kitchen units.
 
Annotations and Writing:
Annotations provide additional information about the design, such as material specifications, construction methods, and notes for the builder. Writing includes labels, dimensions, and other textual details that clarify the drawing.
 
Dimension Lines:
Dimension Lines: Indicate the measurements of walls, windows, and other elements.
Extension Lines: Extend from the dimension points to the object being measured.

Furniture Block ​

What to Look for When Viewing Plans for the First Time

​The Date of the Drawings:
Ensure the plans are up-to-date and reflect the current requirements and regulations. Outdated plans may not meet current standards or accurately represent the proposed project.
 
The Scale of the Drawings:
Check the scale to ensure the measurements are accurate. Common scales include 1:50, 1:100, and 1:200. Understanding the scale helps in accurately interpreting the dimensions and spatial relationships.
 
Types of Shading:
Different shadings indicate various materials and depths. Understanding the shading can help in visualizing the texture and material composition of the building elements.
 
Room Dimensions:
Verify that the room dimensions match your requirements. This includes checking the size and layout of each room to ensure they meet your needs and expectations.

Conclusion 

​Understanding planning drawings is a vital skill for anyone involved in the construction and design industry. These drawings are not just technical documents; they are the blueprints that bring architectural visions to life. By familiarizing yourself with the various components and learning how to interpret them, you can effectively communicate your ideas, ensure compliance with regulations, and contribute to the successful realization of any building project.
 
Whether you are an aspiring architect, a seasoned professional, or simply someone looking to renovate their home, mastering the art of reading planning drawings will empower you to turn concepts into reality.

About the Author 

Luke Brooks 
Business Operating Officer 
BTEC Designing the Built Environment 
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering

​Luke Brooks brings an essential fresh perspective to our team. A graduate of Wilmington Grammar School, Luke studied Designing the Built Environment, specialising in hand-drawn floor plans to BS8888 standards and receiving training in Revit. Luke furthered his studies at Stone Lodge School, delving into engineering and gaining a high-level understanding of A-level mathematics and machine work. 

Luke joined SilverTeal in January 2023 at 17 whilst balancing work with his studies, and contributed to a fantastic building project in Zanzibar, Africa, during the summer of 2023. With a keen eye and understanding for services and laws within the industry, Luke enriches our team with his creativity, enthusiasm and technical prowess.  ​