Blueprint Reading for the Building Trades
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Introduction | Table of Contents | Preview A Chapter

Every construction “pro” has to know how to read and understand construction documents, blueprints, and schedules. This manual explains how. You’ll find it an excellent too, whether you’re a student, apprentice, craftsman, technician, or engineer. The author guides you, step by step, in the simplest terms, through all the practical details of construction documents, using the real-life examples:

• Why drawings and specs are necessary

• Layouts of structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings

• Symbols used for materials, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC

• Finding dimensions by scaling orthographic projections

• Interpreting sectional views

• Following diagrams: plumbing, HVAC, and schematics

• Understanding schedules

• Site plans and scaling them for dimensions

Every chapter ends with a question and answer section you can use to check your knowledge. When you’ve finished this book, you’ll be able to understand and follow and construction document.

John Traister has worked in the construction industry for thirty years. Starting as an apprentice, he eventually formed his own electrical contracting company, which he operated successfully for many years. His work included designing and installing electrical systems in a broad spectrum of residential and commercial buildings. Now a writer, he has shared his construction knowledge in 75 technical books and over 300 articles in trade journals and national publications.