Using Engineer and Architect Scales
NOTE: When PRINTING this document, be sure the pull down
menu next to “Print Scaling” in the Print Dialog window is set
to “None”. This will ensure the sample drawings will measure
accurately.
Introduction
Using and interpreting information from engineer
(civil) and architect scales is an important fire protection
engineering skill. Construction and fire protection
equipment drawings must be interpreted with a high
degree of accuracy.
Student Performance Objective
Given an architect or engineer scale and a set of scaled
drawings, you will be able to select the correct scale (tool)
and interpret dimensions with 100 percent accuracy.
Enabling Objectives
1) You will be able to identify the difference between
engineer (civil) and architect scales.
2) Using a scale, you will be able to measure objects
shown on civil engineering plans and architectural
renditions of buildings and structures.
3) You will be able to interpret the results of the
measurements.
Scales
Before they are built or assembled, roads, water mains,
structures, and fire protection systems are designed
in accordance with nationally recognized standards.
The design concept is transferred to a set of plans
(drawings) that provide a two- or three-dimensional
representation of the project.
Since
it would be impractical
to create full-size drawings for these
objects, they are reduced to a manageable size (scale)
so they can be studied. A set of plans may include a
variety of different scales, depending upon what
objects are being rendered. The selected scale normally
is found in the title block in the lower right hand corner
of the drawings, but may be found anywhere on the
plans. You may find more than one scale on a single
sheet when there are “details,” parts of the objects that
are enlarged for clearer explanation.
In order to interpret the size of what the renderings
represent, the plan reviewer must use a tool called
a “scale.” The word “scale” is used synonymously
to represen