As-built drawings are the final set of drawings that include all changes made to the original construction plans. They are created during the construction process and serve as a record of modifications made. As-built drawings inform future repairs, renovations, and comply with safety regulations.
As-built drawings are the final set of drawings produced upon completion of a construction project. They include all changes made to the original construction drawings, including notes, modifications, and any other information the builder chooses to include. While original drawings are typically produced using computer-aided design (CAD) software, as-built drawings usually contain handwritten notes, sketches, and modifications.
To understand how as-built drawings are created, it helps to understand the construction drawing development process. A project owner or developer will hire an architect or engineer to design the proposed building. These design professionals will use the owner’s ideas and requirements to create construction drawings for the project. Once the owner has approved these plans, they are submitted to the local permitting agency for building permits. This final set of plans is often known as a “permit set” or “100% construction drawings.”
When the builder begins work on the project, he will use the construction drawings to lay out the walls, install ductwork, run electrical wiring, and construct the rest of the building. During this process he may come across unforeseen conditions that require elements to be installed differently from how they are shown on the plans. For simple changes, he will often fix the problem himself and note the changes on his set of building plans. With more significant issues, however, the builder should contact the architect or landlord for direction.
The manufacturer will typically send an explanation of the problem in the form of a Request for Information (RFI). When the architect or owner replies, he can send a sketch, a completed drawing or simply a written directive. The builder will use this response to address the issue and also include the changes on his as-built drawings. Throughout the project, the owner may also issue other formal requests for changes to construction documents. The builder will also include these changes on the as-built drawings as a record of the owner’s claims.
On larger projects, all major contractors and subcontractors can maintain their own set of as-built drawings. This allows the electrician, plumber, drywall contractor and other professionals to make changes without breaking work to track down a single set of floors. At the end of the project, all as-built sets are combined into one complete set for delivery to the project owner. Most construction contracts include a requirement for as-built drawings, but it’s a good practice to provide these plans even when they’re not required.
As-built drawings perform several important functions. They can inform the owner of locations for wiring, plumbing, and other hidden components to facilitate repairs and maintenance. They are also useful for future renovations and can be used as a basis for creating renovation plans at a later date. Your local government or licensing agency may also require a copy of the as-builts to show the locations of sprinkler pipes, fire alarms and other safety devices.
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