The Importance of As-Built Drawings
Learn The Importance of As-Built Drawings with National Drafting.
As-built drawings are defined as drawings created, planned-out and submitted by a contractor after completing a project. Due to some specific unavoidable issues arising during the construction process, the contractor brings necessary changes to the original plan or drawings.
As-built drafting services show all the minor and major modifications made by the contractor to the original plan to provide an exact rendering of the project. The preparation and use of as-built drawings come into play after the initial phase of the project.
The drawing also shows all the variations in shape, materials, locations, dimensions, and specifications from the original drawing. These drawings can be saved as a future reference to study the changes that emerge throughout the building process.
The Features of As-Built Drawings
The changes made to the original drawings are necessary to achieve success at the completion of the project. Some of the important features of as-built drawings are:
As-built drawings are prepared either during the development process or after the completion of the project. It gives an idea about the actual visual of the project being developed.
The changes during the development process are marked in the original drawing or plan in some sort of red ink that can finally assist in preparing as-built drawings.
The changes from the original plan are explained in writing with the date, along with all variations in the design, materials and location. Photos and maps showing before and after a change occurrence can assist as-built drawings and help in avoiding future confusions.
Before drafting an as-built service, drawing scale, fix the colour code, and formats to develop accurate drawings. For example, red is used to indicate removed items, green is used to represent added items, and for special instructions and details, blue colour can be used as well. Inconsistency in defining changes and alterations can provide unclear as-built drawings.
The as-built plans for small projects are completed using pen and paper. For large projects, typed documents, software and drawing plans are used to track and record the changes at the site.
Abbreviations are not used in as-built drawings to ensure that everyone looking at the plan understands the construction activity.
The scale of as-built drawing is similar to that of the original drawing to compare and understand it without errors.
The Importance of As-Built Drawings
As-built drawings are essential in construction projects for the following reasons:
As-built drawings provide accurate details about the changes performed at any interim stage of the development. It facilitates easy visualisation of the notice complications, upcoming steps, and early solving of issues.
As-built drawings provide details of installations to the owners and clients to help them with any future modifications of the structure.
As-built drawings are valuable documents that provide future buyers with a clear idea of what is sold and purchased. It also forms a foundation to conduct future modifications.
Who Creates As- Built Drawings?
Designers and Engineers prepare the original drawing plan which serves as a base level as-built drawing. However, final changes are made by the contractors as they are more aware of all the alterations made during the construction process.
A contractor must record all the changes made on the original drawing and is fully accountable for the actual construction. A systematic record of changes in the form of as-built drawings can help to avoid future disputes.
What Subcontractors Need to Know About As-Built Drawings
While subcontractors aren’t directly involved in creating as-built drawings, they must keep specific detailed notes about any changes to specifications or materials during their work, so they can be incorporated into the plan.
When making a change to the original drawing or specifications, you must record the exact changes, including dimensions, sizing, materials used, and installation notes. To ensure your notes are clearly communicated, try to avoid using abbreviations, and follow any pre-established colour coding. For example, red for removed items, green for added items, and blue for other changes.
Changes during the development process are inevitable, but collaborating closely with the general architect, contractors, and crew to create accurate as-built drawings will ensure that the full scope of your work is captured and recorded.
Applications of As-Built Drawings In Construction
New Construction
Contractors will face various challenges when constructing a new building that existed only on paper and will need to change their building plans and drafting services in response. These as-built drawings document the changes as they occur during development so that an accurate drawing of the building is available when it is finished.
Renovation/Remodelling
It is important to have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the current state of the project before embarking on a renovation project. As a result, for an effective and safe renovation, working with current drawings is critical.
Maintenance
Small modifications and updates will be made over the life of a building. The construction workers of a building are responsible for updating as-built drawings to represent any improvements to the structure, ensuring that a correct drawing of the structure is available at all times.
Contact National Drafting For More Information
National Drafting are Sydney’s as-built drafting specialists. If you are planning a project, renovating, building or in need of an as-built drawing for any other purpose, be sure to contact the as-built specialists today!