}, I agree that the Structure gets built 1st before installing the finishes. if (extra_params === undefined) imageUploadFields: extra_params, success: function(data, status, xhr) CKEDITOR.replace(el , { He learned to build and weld while working on the farm with his grandad, and after earning a degree in Welding and Materials Engineering, he spent the next 10 years working in the heavy construction building everything from robots to ships to offshore oil . Here's a typical architecture drawing with a smattering of abbreviations and their actual meanings. $("a.arc_reply_comment").show(); $("#arc_comment_" + data.id + ">.Top>.Right>.CommentModerate>ul>li>.HidingAction").html(co.hide.text).attr("rel", 25).attr("original-title", co.hide.title); Our GC actually get super pissy when dimensions are not to grids tho. While SSL refers to the level at the top surface of the structural slab. title: 'Chat Answer', Periods. { Architecture AFF abbreviation meaning defined here. var windowheight = $(window).height(); $('#StickyBanner').removeClass('fixed'); 5. "subheading": { if(e.isDefaultPrevented()) selector = $(".CommentBanner").length ? minHeight: 200, $("").insertAfter($(point)); Home Construction Glossary AFF / Above Finish Floor, Definition of AFF / Above Finish Floor in Construction. { "figcaption": { setTimeout(function(){ $(el).redactor({ 3. else if (data.status == 'unblock') } }); { But in fact, each diagram in an architectural package is a simple concept, and blueprints are a set of diagrams that stack those concepts on top of one another. I hear you Non, about sequencing, but: I always give horizontal dimensions to FACE of wall not structure, because I care about the finish space/clearance and I figure the contractor is better at subtracting gyp board thickness/stud actual dimensions than I am as s/he uses them all day. //forcePasteAsPlainText: true, The acronym AFF indicates that a vertical dimension should be taken from the top of the final finish flooring installed. title: 'Chat Question', success: function(data, status, xhr){ Clear up any confusion by learning the different basic architectural abbreviations for drawings. @non sequitur, I worked as a CA also :) so are you saying that when you determine the bldg 1st floor level from the street level ,as required by code, you basically used or reference with SSL? $(referrer).find('.animate').remove(); "pullquote-left": { $.modal.close(); $('head').append( link ); $("#temp-loader").remove(); plugins:'a11yhelp,basicstyles,bidi,blockquote,button,clipboard,colorbutton,colordialog,dialogadvtab,div,enterkey,entities,filebrowser,find,flash,font,format,forms,horizontalrule,htmldataprocessor,iframe,image,indent,justify,keystrokes,link,list,maximize,newpage,pagebreak,pastefromword,pastetext,popup,preview,print,removeformat,resize,save,smiley,showblocks,showborders,sourcearea,stylescombo,table,specialchar,tab,templates,toolbar,undo,wysiwygarea,wsc,archinect', TYP is simply an abbreviation for "typical.". var prev = $(point).attr("prev"); alert(json.message); All rights reserved. customConfig : '', { } $(textarea).focus(function() }); return false; $("a.arc_reply_comment").show(); Jen, floors don't have to align to street level. Mike. 4. where piping serving existing fixture to be removed also serves fixtures that are to remain, piping toolbarCanCollapse: false }); if(data > '') $('.menu').click(checkMenuDelay); $(user_html).find(".UserName").css("display", "inline"); { title: 'Caption', extra_params = false; An Approved for Constriction (AFC) means that d rawings and d ocuments are reviewed and approved by authorities of internal and external organisations including the client team members for the construction. type: 'POST', $(el).ckeditor(function() {}, { { data: {id: id, arc_token: window.arc_token}, Read a reflected ceiling plan using this concept. alert(json.message); 194.163.132.5 e.preventDefault(); var modal_data = []; $(touch + ">.Top>.Right>.CommentModerate>ul>li>.BlockingAction").html(co.block.text).attr("rel", "block").attr("original-title", co.block.title); $('#arc_new_comment').html(data); Most architects and engineers will use this designation as a universal identification, understanding that the majority of individuals that are involved in construction will understand and follow. success: function(result, status, xhr) $(el).ckeditor(function() {}, { allowedContent: 'p br b i ol ul li strong em center; a[*]{*}(*); img[*]; iframe[*]', A general note applies generally and is not called out with flags. modal_data = co['unblock']; } minHeight: 200, It's added to a note that applies throughout the drawing and saves you from pointing to each instance. function arc_editor(el) { Architectural drawing Tips. dwg or . args: ['blockquote', 'class', 'pullquote-left', 'toggle'] OneSignal.push(function() $("#featured_comments_section #arc_featured_comment_" + data.id + " .arc_reply_comment").remove(); Your email address will not be published. "pullquote-right": { { args: ['blockquote', 'class', 'pullquote-right', 'toggle'] "subheading": { $(container).append('

'); /* }, $(document).ready(function(){ }else{ 4. articles. { type: 'POST', } }, A Request For Information is sent from the general contractor to the architect (usually) and is just what it sounds like. }); Exterior grids can be a PITA to measure from in the field. resize_enabled: true, }, So that you won't be in the dark when you look at your architectural plans, find out some of the basic measurement and technical . Our list of the top reference books for architects. CKEDITOR.instances[el].destroy(); success: function(data, status, xhr){ $('head').append( link ); Typically, the contractor needs information to complete a detail, or order something. A skin disease persisted in mean for 6.7 years. title: 'Quote Right', url: '/flag_comment', $(document).ready(function() data: {user_id: id, ban_close: 1, arc_token: window.arc_token}, height: 300, } Contemporary Art . This is especially important when meeting ADA requirements and building codes. True, the surveyor who set the levels in the site, sets his point/ stakes based on the structural levels but this is not the case in design. 1. I don't think I've ever used FFL. If you enjoy reading our blog as much as we enjoy writing it, that just makes our day! function checkMenuDelay() imageUpload: function(image, json) args: ['blockquote', 'class', 'pullquote-center', 'toggle'] You need to consider the sequencing of construction when establishing your levels. }, $(parent_node).find(".BottomReply").remove(); }, } Menu. data = $.parseJSON(data); { title: 'Quote Centered', Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. }*/ When you start a design and putting that in working drawings, architects use FFL as the basis in designing a structure structure or the interior space. For me, all floor finishes must be at the same level to eliminate awkward transition strips or ramps between 2 different materials. }); var _qevents = _qevents || []; $("html, body").animate( MT Copeland offers video-based online classes that give you a foundation in construction fundamentals with real-world applications. data: { reaction: reaction, comment_id: comment_id, action: action, arc_token: window.arc_token }, $("html:not(:animated),body:not(:animated)").animate({ scrollTop: destination-0}, 300 ); I am an architect. return false; We also earn commissions from qualifying purchases at GBES.com. How is AFF used in construction? [1] 2. $("#arc_comment_" + data.id).prev('.HiddenLine').remove(); window.location.reload(); // what the y position of the scroll is callbacks: To save space on blueprints and simplify information sharing, designers use a set of abbreviations and acronyms. //plugins:'a11yhelp,basicstyles,bidi,blockquote,button,clipboard,colorbutton,colordialog,dialogadvtab,div,enterkey,entities,filebrowser,find,flash,font,format,forms,horizontalrule,htmldataprocessor,iframe,image,indent,justify,keystrokes,link,list,maximize,newpage,pagebreak,pastefromword,pastetext,popup,preview,print,removeformat,resize,save,smiley,showblocks,showborders,sourcearea,stylescombo,table,specialchar,tab,templates,toolbar,undo,wysiwygarea,wsc,vimeo,youtube', { Above Finish FloorAFF - Above Finish Floor. }, After spending a couple of years working with industry leading builders in Austin, Jordan and his wife Veronica struck out on their own to form Smith House Co. }, 700); extra_params = false; Architectural drawing acronyms. function arc_comment_head_actions(suffix) indentUnit: 4 lineNumbers: true, OneSignal.init( Privacy Policy. Architects mostly deals with the design. "subheading": { disableNativeSpellChecker: false, function detectOverlapping() { Blueprints and building plans that are drawn by architects and engineers are technical drawings. }); } $('head').append( link ); This means that everything from the bathroom to the courtyard needs to be drawn to scale and considered carefully. $(image).replaceWith('

'); else if(status == 'unblock') "Architecture is the scientific art of making structure express ideas. A license agreement allows you to use the artist copyrighted material for a set period . pasteBlockTags: ['ul', 'ol', 'li', 'p'], { pasteInlineTags: ['strong', 'br', 'b', 'em', 'i'], if (data.status == 'ignore'){ Above Finished Floor. Them, and if you have a timid personality, youre often likely to assume you know what an acronym means instead of asking. elem.type = "text/javascript"; Commonly used abbreviations and acronyms on blueprints. Yes! He also said that this all depends on the policy of an office or a firm. How the whole structure interior and exterior would look and function. $.ajax({ } { title: 'Caption', resize_enabled: false, If your priority is making the contractor not have to think, use SSL. else */ imageUpload: '/redactor/upload', */ $(point).html(co.feature.text).attr("rel", 30).attr("original-title", co.feature.title); Materials are also often abbreviated such as gypsum (Gyp. $(parent_node).find(".ReplyComments").append($(data).html()); And, if there is a topic that you wish we would cover, let us know! //toolbar: [['Bold', 'Italic', 'BulletedList', 'Link', 'Image', 'Youtube', 'Vimeo' ]], } else Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions args: ['p', 'class', 'chat-answer', 'toggle'] Click to reveal lineNumbers: true, Read the text and ignore the dimensions and relative relationships of what is drawn. { { height: 300, args: ['h3', 'class', 'subheading', 'toggle'] args: ['blockquote', 'class', 'pullquote-center', 'toggle'] var reaction = $(this).attr('rel'); */ } link.attr({ type: 'text/css', rel: 'stylesheet', href: '/css/archinect.iphone.css?1', }); toolbarCanCollapse: false Construction blueprints, also called construction plans or drawings, are full of abbreviations and acronyms to save space and neaten the overall appearance of the presentation. title: 'Chat Question', What is a typical detail? return false; To read and understand blueprints properly, it is important to have a thorough knowledge of all the line types. resize_enabled: true, The following is a list of abbreviations found on a typical set of construction drawings designed to help you interpret information on your blueprints. linkShowAdvancedTab: false, return false; HVAC - Heating, ventilation and air conditioning, ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992, AIA - American Institute of Architects or the American Insurance Association, AISC - American Institute of Steel Construction, ANSI - American National Standards Institute, ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers, ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials, IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, ISO - International Organization for Standards. codemirror: { He learned to build and weld while working on the farm with his grandad, and after earning a degree in Welding and Materials Engineering, he spent the next 10 years working in the heavy construction building everything from robots to ships to offshore oil rigs before transitioning to residential construction. args: ['h3', 'class', 'subheading', 'toggle'] On the other hand, for new constructon, I do both - CL of stud and show finish to finish wall dimension for areas where certain clearances are required. 100'-0" is a vestige of the CAD Old Days. All of the code requirements regarding minimum and maximum heights and clearnces are based on the finishes and not from the SSL ( Top of Slab) or SFL (Top of floor screeding or concerete topping). } { As much as feasible, we try and pull out as many acronyms as possible in our drawings. Not accounting for these additional layers could result in items installed at the incorrect height. else function arc_editor_423_admin(el, extra_params) { if (!$(data).find(".arc_ajax_comment").length) $('.arc_reply_comment_box').html(data); T.O.STEEL/B.O.DECK etc to describe structure. var username = $(".comment_user_" + data.id + " .UserName").clone(); function arc_editor_feature_423(el, extra_params) }); "figcaption": { But in construction, there could be several reference points from which a vertical dimension could be taken. The list of abbreviations used in a set of architectural drawings varies from office to office. } There is not right or wrong. 3. $('.TooltipUserstat').livequery(function(){ Next to the File name box, click the All Visio Files dropdown, and then select AutoCAD Drawing. (function($) } Now that youve mastered the architectural arts, you might want to give electrical abbreviations a try, especially when you talk with the electrician. A change in dimension due to the point of referenece during installation usually ask a change directive. type: 'POST', else if(status == 'block') //disableObjectResizing: true, codemirror: { removePlugins: 'liststyle,tabletools,contextmenu', Most of these abbreviations are standard across the trades. If you see a note saying 8'-0" AFF , it means that whatever is being referenced is 8 feet and zero inches above the surface of the finished floor (whatever you walk on, e.g. $(parent).find('.rating-count[rel=' + key + ']').html(value).show(); or G.F.I. A.F.F. plugins: ['source', 'imagemanager'], } Homes and buildings must meet certain standards, guidelines and specifications. { var animation_clone = ''; Based on this, I try to note the drawings clearly that way, and reserve any reference to "finish(ed) floor" for details where it actually matters - then make it very, very clear on the detail that I am pointing to the floor finish, not the slab. args: ['p', 'class', 'figcaption', 'toggle'] Items to consider when you read a floor plan are abbreviated, such as not to scale (N.T.S.). Performance & security by Cloudflare. data: {id: id, arc_token: window.arc_token}, $("#arc_comment_" + data.id).hide().removeClass("FeaturedComment BlockedComment"); { }); $("form.arc_ajax_comment .CommentForm").hide(); }); else if(status == 'flag') }); $(image).replaceWith('

'); } } args: ['p', 'class', 'figcaption', 'toggle'] }, { Architecture and Structural Engineering dual major, Selling Predesigned Home Plans. { A ceiling height of 8' is not a true 8' at a granite floor finished area compared to the ceiling height at the exposed cement finish area.