CAI-NJ May 2021

READ PLANS... from page 16.

a checkerboard), which is usually located at the bottom of the plans to understand the relative size of a plan. In addition to scale, most plans will have an ornate, north-pointing arrow to orient the viewer with respect to direction. Read the wording of the north arrow to determine if the plan is drawn to “true north” (which would be relative to the Earth’s actual magnetic orientation), or “project north” (which would just give a direction relative to the project improvements). Know the Difference Between a Map and a Plan A map is prepared by a land surveyor and simply serves as a reference to show existing buildings, amenities or land features. The plans are prepared by a Professional Engineer. Plans provide information on what is to be built and to what specifications. The Engineer’s plans will also reference what products and materials should be used. As to not favor a specific brand or manufacturer, “X Brand” or “approved equal” term is often used. This allows a builder to use prod- ucts of the same structural requirements and integrity but not CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 20

If you want to know what currently exists on your site, you will need to refer to an “as-built plan.” There are multiple types of plans in a set that generally refer to each building trade’s scope of work. Some exam- ples are architectural, civil site work, mechanical/engineer- ing/plumbing (“MEP”), landscaping, storm drainage and utility plans. Site engineers will always measure to the 100th of a foot (.01) while architects and other trades within the building structures typically measure in whole feet and inches. Plans are drawn to “scale”, which is a proportional enlargement or reduction from real life so that the depicted structure or component will fit on an actual plan sheet. Some typical scales that appear on engineering plans are 1 inch = 50 feet or 1 inch = 100 feet. Architectural plans might use a different scale, such as one-half inch = 1 foot. Do not always rely on the written numbers of the scale as they may have been enlarged or reduced by a copy machine. Always refer to the graphic scale (a symbol that looks like

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