BASIC BLUEPRINT READING
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SUBJECTS
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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DRAWING BASICS
ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS
PNEUMATIC/HYDRAULIC DRAWINGS
PIPING AND PI&D DRAWINGS
CIVIL AND ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
MACHINE DRAWINGS
DRAWING BASICS
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Objectives
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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Define basic industrial drawing structure
Define line types
Define types of drawings
Purpose of Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Drawings are used to convey information about a
wide range items such as:
Architectural building layouts
Electrical wiring
Pneumatic or Hydraulic layouts
Location of equipment
How to assemble equipment
Details of equipment
Types of Drawings
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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Civil
Architectural
Structural
Mechanical
Plumbing
Piping
Pneumatic/Hydraulic
Electrical
Engineering Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A general engineering drawing can be divided
into the following five major areas or parts.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Title block
Grid system
Revision block
Notes and legends
Engineering drawing (graphic portion)
Drawing Sizes
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Drawings come in a alphabetical list of sizes for A to F
with D size being the most typical
A – (letter)
Metric
A4 (210 x 297)
A3 (297 x 420)
8 ½ by 11inches
B - 11 by 17inches
A2 (420 x 594)
C - 17 by 22 inches
A1 (594 x 841)
D - 22 by 34 inches
E - 34 by 44 inches
F - 28 by 40 inches
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sizes
A0 (841 x 1189)
Title Blocks
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Title blocks are the beginning point of a drawing
information.
XYZ
COMPANY
Revision Blocks
The revision block notes any changes made
to a drawing
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Throughout a drawing the revision listed in the
revision block may be indicated by a symbol near the
modified portion of the drawing such as:
A
Parts Lists
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Parts Lists are called Bill of Materials. It is a list
of the material that is used to build the item that
is
Scales
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Drawing scale is a relationship of the size or
distance of the item on a drawing to the real
item.
For example a scale of ¼” = 1’ means a
measurement of ¼ inch (the quote symbol “ is a
shorthand for inches) on the drawing equals 1
foot ( the apostrophe symbol ‘ is shorthand for
feet) of the real world item.
Grid System
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A drawing grid system allows a specific point
on a drawing to be referenced or found.
1
2
3
4
5
6
A
B
C
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This point on the drawing is B-3
Basic Lines
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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Object lines
Hidden lines
Cutting plane lines
Centerlines
Extension lines
Dimension lines
Leaders line
Phantom lines
Basic Blueprint Reading
Object Line
The object line is a heavy, dark line which identifies
the visible edges of the drawn object or the surface
of an object.
Hidden Line
Basic Blueprint Reading
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The hidden line is used to show features or edges
of an object that is not visible. It is a broken line of
medium thickness.
Center Line
Basic Blueprint Reading
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The center line is used to locate the center of
features. It is usually a fine, broken line made of
alternating short and long dashes.
Dimension Line / Extension Line
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Dimension Lines are used to show the extent of
a dimension.
Extension Lines are use to extend a point from
an object.
Extension Line
Dimension Line
Phantom
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Phantom lines are used to represents the outline
of an adjacent part.
The also are used to show an alternate position
of a given part
Phantom
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Leader
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A leader is a fine line used to define a point or area. It
may have a note, dimension value or a number at the
end of it
Grind Surface
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Cutting Plane Line
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Cutting plane lines are used to indicate where an imaginary cut is
made through the object. If it is labeled the section may be redrawn
in detail in another part of the drawing.
A
A
Basic Blueprint Reading
Break Lines
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Break lines are uses to terminate a view to
 Short Break Line
conserve drawing space and avoid congestion.
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Break lines are also used to separate internal
and external features with broken-out sections
Basic Blueprint Reading
Break Lines Example
The break line is being used to show a part
reduced in length on the drawing to conserve
space.
3”
250 feet
Section Lines
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Section lines are used where a surface is
illustrated as cut.
It normally is used in a sectional view.
The lines are normally drawn diagonally.
Dimensioning Systems
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Different systems of dimensioning are generally
used
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Fractional inch
Decimal inch
SI Metric
Fractional Inch Dimensioning
Basic Blueprint Reading
2 Dia
21/32 Dia
3/16
1/2
1 9/16 Dia
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Decimal Inch Dimensioning
Basic Blueprint Reading
2.00 Ø
.656 Ø
.19
.50
1.56 Ø
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Metric Dimensioning
Basic Blueprint Reading
Ø 50
Ø 16.5
5
13
Ø 40
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Abbreviations
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Abbreviations are used to help reduce clutter and
simplify drawings. A table is included in the drawing.
BOT
BOTTOM
MH
MANHOLE
R
RADIUS
C/C
CENTER TO CENTER
MIN
MINIMUM
REF
REFERENCE
CMP
CORRUGATED METAL PIPE
N
NORTH
R/W
RIGHT OF WAY
CONC
CONCRETE
NC
NOT IN CONTACT
SCH
SCHEDULE
DIA
DIAMETER
NTS
NOT TO SCALE
SF
SQUARE FEET
E
EAST, ELECTRICAL
OC
ON CENTER
SQ
SQUARE
EL
ELEVATION
O.D.
OUSIDE DIAMETER
STA
STATION
FG
FINISH GRADE
OHW
OVERHEAD WIRES
T
TELEPHONE
H
HORIZONTAL
PL
PROPERTY LINE
TYP
TYPICAL
HP
HIGH POINT
POB
POINT OF BEGINNING
UNO
UNLESS NOTED
OTHERWISE
IE
INVERT ELEVATION
POE
POINT OF ENDING
INV
INVERT
PP
POWER POLE
Drawing Legends
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Legends are
boxes drawn on
the drawing to
illustrate some of
the common or
uncommon
symbols used.
Isometric Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Isometric drawings are designed to show a three
dimensional view of an object.
Perspective
Perspective is a method of drawing things as the
eye sees them.
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Vanishing point
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Orthographic Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Orthographic projection shows the drawn object
from different views
Top
view
Left side
Right side
Front
Bottom
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Projection view
Rear
Single Line Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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The single line format represents all electrical lines,
plumbing, air lines, hydraulic lines and
piping, regardless of size, as single line.
System equipment is connected to the lines are
represented by simple standard symbols.
By simplifying connections and equipment
as single lines allow the system's equipment and
instrumentation relationships to be clearly understood by
the reader.
These types of drawings are also called Schematics.
Civil
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Civil drawings are used to represent construction
on the earth or ground areas.
Civil drawings are sometimes called:
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site plans
plot plans
survey plans.
They will show contours of the earth, building
locations, construction features, utilities, etc.
Contour Lines
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Contour lines are used in drawings called
topographic maps and are used to identify physical
features which uses contour lines to join points of
equal elevation (height) and thus show valleys and
hills, and the steepness of slopes. The elevation or
height is a number drawn along the line.
180
160
140
120
110
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Architectural
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Architectural drawings or plans are used to
illustrate the design of a project.
They include items such as:
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Working drawings
Structural drawings
Floor plans
Elevation drawings
Section drawings
Flow diagrams
Gridlines
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Gridlines refers to the letters and numbers, such
as A-1, which identifies the columns of a building
in a drawing.
C
B
A
1
Column A-1
2
Column symbol
3
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Mechanical
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Mechanical drawings are the plans for objects
such as motors, assemblies for equipment, etc.
There are many types of drawings associated
with mechanical drawings such as:
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Exploded view
Detail
Assembly
Basic Blueprint Reading
Example Mechanical Detail
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Basic Blueprint Reading
Example Assembly Drawing
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Basic Blueprint Reading
An Exploded View
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Plumbing/Piping
Basic Blueprint Reading
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These types of drawings are similar to
pneumatic/hydraulic schematics.
36.00
40.00
TEE
PIPELINE
Valve
TANK
Single Line Plumbing Example
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Single Line Drawing
A Single line plumbing drawing example
Basic Blueprint Reading
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36.00
40.00
TEE
PIPELINE
Valve
TANK
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Basic Blueprint Reading
Orthographic Piping Drawing
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P&ID
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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Piping and Instrumentation Drawings
These drawings are similar to plumbing but are
intended to illustrate the complete piping system
and the controlled process flow of material.
All the equipment, pipelines, valves, pumps,
instruments and the controls to operate the
process are illustrated. They are not drawn to
scale.
Example P&ID
Basic Blueprint Reading
FROM FUTURE MAIN
VAPOR RECOVERY UNIT
SLUG
CATCHER
CS
CONTACTOR
H.P. BULK
SEPARATOR
COALESCING
FILTER NO. 1
FILTER
SEPARATOR
PRODUCTION FROM
SATELLITES (TYP.)
TEST
SEPARATOR
FILL FROM CIS
TRANSPORTER
HYDROCYCLONES
(TYP. 2)
FRESH CIS PUMPS
(TYP. 2)
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FRESH CIS
CHARGE PUMPS
(TYP. 2)
FRESH CIS TANK
Electrical
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Electrical drawings are also single line drawings
or schematics that uses symbols for various
electrical equipment.
They are usually drawn in a style called a ladder
diagram.
Another form of drawing is a wiring diagram
which illustrates the wiring in a orthographic or
pictorial style.
Example Ladder
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Ladder schematics or diagrams are drawn with
the circuit between two vertical lines, usually the
power that supplies the circuit, thus each line
creates a “rung” to the ladder.
115 VAC
L1
Pushbutton
L2
Pilot Light
L
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Example Wiring Diagram
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Electrical wiring diagrams draws the single lines
from each device exactly as it would be wired.
Electrical Schematics
Electronic schematics use symbols for each
component found in an electrical circuit.
Basic Blueprint Reading
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R4
Q2
Q1
D1
C2
T1
R2
R1
L1
C3
-
+
C1
R3
-
+
VGG
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Summary
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Review Objectives
Question and Answer Session
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RETURN TO MAIN MENU
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Basic Line Symbols
Basic Blueprint Reading
Line
Dashed
Chain
Line
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Spring
Working line, pilot
supply, return, electrical
Pilot control, bleed,
filter
Enclosure of two
or more functions
in one unit
Electrical line
2
10
12
3
1
Circle Shapes
Basic Blueprint Reading
Circles
energy conversion units
measuring instrument
mechanical link
roller
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Squares and Rectangles
Basic Blueprint Reading
Square
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control component
connections perpendicular
to sides
Square at
45o
conditioning apparatus
connections to corners
Rectangle
cylinders and valves
Squares and Rectangles
Basic Blueprint Reading
Rectangles
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piston
certain control
methods
Basic Symbols
Basic Blueprint Reading
Semi-circle
Capsule
Double line
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rotary actuator, motor or
pump with limited angle
of rotation
pressurised reservoir
air receiver, auxiliary
gas bottle
mechanical
connection
piston rod, lever,
shaft
Functional Elements
Basic Blueprint Reading
Triangle
Spring
Arrow
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Direction and nature of fluid,
open pneumatic or filled
hydraulic
Long sloping indicates
adjustability
Functional Elements
Basic Blueprint Reading
Arrows
Straight or sloping path and flow
direction, or motion through a
device
Tee
Restriction
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Closed path or port
Basic Blueprint Reading
Functional Elements
Curved arrows are
used to illustrate
rotary motion
Shaft rotation
both
Seating or connection
used in check valves
and connectors
60
clockwise from right hand
end
Functional Elements
Basic Blueprint Reading
Temperature
Opposed
solenoid
windings
Operator
Prime mover
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Indication or control
size to suit
M
Electric motor
M
Fittings
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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If standard symbols for fittings like tees, elbows, crossings are not
shown on a drawing, they are represented by a continuous line.
A circular symbol for a tee or elbow may be used when necessary
to show piping coming toward or moving away from the viewer.
Pipe Line Without
Flanges
Pipe
Going
Away
Pipe
Coming
Towards
Pipe Line with flanges
connected to ends
Rear
view
flange
Front
view
flange
Single Line example
Basic Blueprint Reading
CROSS
UNION
GLOBE VALVE
Y-FITTING
ELBOW
CAP
PLUG
TEE
COUPLING
(JOINT)
CHECK VALVE
REDUCER
ELBOW
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GATE VALVE
45°
ELBOW
Pictorial Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Pictorial or double line drawings present the
same type information as a single line, but the
equipment is represented as if it had been
photographed.
This format is rarely used since it requires
much more effort to produce than a single line
drawing and does not present any more
information as to how the system functions.
Pictorial example
Orthographic Pipe Drawing
Basic Blueprint Reading
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CROSS
CAP
GLOBE
VALVE
TEE
COUPLING
(JOINT)
ELBOW
65
Y-FITTING
PLUG
CHECK
VALVE
UNION
REDUCER
GATE
VALVE
45°
ELBOW
Common Piping Symbols
Comparison
Basic Blueprint Reading
Pictorial
90°
Elbows
Straight Tee
Reducing Tee
Sanitary Tee
P-Trap
66
Gate Valve
Symbol
Valves
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Valves are used to control the direction, flow rate,
and pressure of fluids
GATE VALVE
CHECK VALVE
CONTROL VALVE
PLUG VALVE
BALL VALVE
BUTTERFLY VALVE
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GLOBE VALVE
P&ID’s
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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The piping of a single system may contain more than a single
medium.
For example, although the main process flow line may carry water,
the associated auxiliary piping may carry compressed air, inert gas,
or hydraulic fluid.
Also, a fluid system diagram may also depict instrument signals
and electrical wires as well as piping.
The following slide shows some commonly used symbols for
indicating the medium carried by the piping and for differentiating
between piping, instrumentation signals, and electrical wires.
Process and Instrumentation
Drawings P&ID’s
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Basic Blueprint Reading
1.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
These process flow diagrams include:
Pipe line numbers and directions
Pipe specifications and line sizes
All equipment
All valves
All Instrumentation with controlling devices
Lines
MAJOR PROCESS LINES - PIPE
Basic Blueprint Reading
MINOR PROCESS LINES
PROCESS TUBING
HYDRAULIC LINES
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT SIGNAL
ELECTRICAL LEADS
PNEUMATIC LINES (GAS OR AIR)
INSTRUMENT CAPILLARY TUBING
70
Basic Blueprint Reading
Valve Symbols
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Valve Normally
Open
Valve Normally
Closed
Needle Valve
Normally Open
Needle Valve
Normally Closed
Ball Valve
Normally Open
Ball Valve
Normally Closed
Globe Valve
Normally Open
Globe Valve
Normally Closed
Gate Valve
Normally Open
Gate Valve
Normally Closed
Butterfly Valve
Two Valve
Manifold
Blind Flanged
Generic Valve
Note: the generic valve is
commonly used on drawings with
the valve state noted next to it
N.C.
Balloon Labeling
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A control valve may serve any number of functions within a
fluid system. To differentiate between valve uses, a balloon labeling
system is used to identify the function of a control valve.
The first letter used in the valve designator indicates the parameter
to be controlled by the valve.
For example:
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F = flow
T = temperature
L = level
P = pressure
H = hand (manually operated valve
FC
Flow Control
Valve
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CIVIL AND ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING
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Objectives
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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Define Topographical Maps
Define Contour Maps
Define Geology and Mining Terms
Define Site Plans Drawings
Define Floor Plans
Define Elevation Drawings
Define Structural Drawings and symbols
Topographical Maps
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Maps which describe in detail local features of
the earth’s surface, either natural or man-made,
are called topographic maps (or drawings).
Data taken from surveys are used to build these
drawings.
Surveying is the actual measurement of
distances, elevations, and directions on the
earth’s surface.
Contours
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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Most topographical maps are drawn as contours.
Contours are lines drawn on a map to show
points of equal elevation; that is, all points on a
single contour line have the same elevation.
A contour interval is the vertical distance
between horizontal planes passing through
successive contours as illustrated in the following
slide..
Example Contours Map
Basic Blueprint Reading
Control Points
77
Contours
Relative
Elevations
Profile
Contours Continued
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Contours may be plotted through the use of patterns of
distribution of points of recorded elevation.
A popular pattern is the checkerboard or grid survey as
illustrated in the next slide.
Line are established at right angles to each other,
dividing the survey into squares of appropriate size and
elevations are determined at the corners of the squares
Basic Blueprint Reading
Example Grid Contour Map
Contour
Elevation
Grid
79
Topographical Map Symbols
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Along with contour lines maps have many basic symbols to illustrate
land features and objects. The following are but a few examples.
Highway
Railroad
Railroad Bridge
Telephone Line
Power Line
80
Highway Bridge
Suspension Bridge
Dam
Site or Layout Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Layout drawings are also called general plans and profile
drawings. T
They provide the necessary information on the location,
alignment, and elevation of the structure and its principal
parts in relation to the ground at the site.
They also provide other important details, such as the
nature of the underlying soil or the location of adjacent
structures and roads.
Basic Blueprint Reading
Example Site Drawing
82
Example Symbols
Basic Blueprint Reading
Earth-rough grade
83
Concrete
Paving
Gravel
Earth-finish grade
Floor Plans
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Floor plans includes:
Basic Blueprint Reading
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84
thicknesses, and character of the building walls on
that particular floor
the widths and locations of door and window
openings
the lengths and character of partitions
the number and arrangement of rooms
the types and locations of utility installations
Floor Layout Example
Basic Blueprint Reading
Door Symbol
85
Window Symbol
Elevation Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Elevation drawings are closely related to the floor
plans of a building.
These drawings are of vertical views of the
building, usually of the outside walls.
Front Elevation
86
Side Elevation
Structural Drawings
Basic Blueprint Reading
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Architectural and structural drawings are
generally considered to be the drawings of steel,
wood, concrete, and other materials used to
construct buildings.
Beams
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A beam is identified by its nominal depth, in inches and weight per
foot of length.
The cross section of an American Standard beam (I) forms the
letter I. These I-beams, like wide-flange beams, are identified by
nominal depth and weight per foot
or
S
Symbols
88
Top
End
Front
Channels
A cross section of a channel is similar to the squared letter C.
Channels are identified by their nominal depth and weight per foot
Basic Blueprint Reading
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C
Symbols
Top
End
Front
89
or
Angles
Basic Blueprint Reading
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The cross section of an angle resembles the
letter L. Angles are identified by the dimensions
in inches of their legs, as L 7 x 4 x 1/2.
L
Top
Front
90
Symbol
End
Tees
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A structural tee is made by slitting a
standard I- or H- beam through the center of
its web, thus forming two T-shapes from
each beam. In dimensioning, the structural
tee symbol is preceded by the letters ST.
ST or T
Top
Symbols
91
Front
End
Members
Basic Blueprint Reading
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The main parts of a structure are the load-bearing
structural members that support and transfer the loads on
the structure while remaining in equilibrium with each
other.
The places where members are connected to other
members are called joints.
The total load supported by the structural members at
a particular instant is equal to the total dead load plus
the total live load.
Vertical Members
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Basic Blueprint Reading
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93
Columns are high-strength vertical structural members; in
buildings they may be called pillars.
A pier in building construction may be called a short column. It
could rest on a footing or it may be simply set or driven in the
ground. In bridge construction a pier is a vertical member that
provides intermediate support for the bridge superstructure.
The vertical structural members in light-frame construction are
called studs. They are supported on horizontal members called
sills or sole plates, and are topped by horizontal members called
top plates or stud caps.
Corner posts are enlarged studs located at the building corners.
Horizontal Members
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A horizontal load-bearing structural member that spans
a space and is supported at both ends is called a beam.
A member that is fixed at one end is called a cantilever.
One type of steel member is actually a light truss and is
called an open-web steel joist or a bar-steel joist.
Trusses
Basic Blueprint Reading
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A truss is a framework consisting of two
horizontal (or nearly horizontal) members joined
together by a number of vertical and/or inclined
members to form a series of triangles.
Trusses