What is As-Built Drafting?
As-built drafting is critical in Plant Design Engineering and any engineering project. As-built drawings are the final set of drawings produced at the end of an engineering project, including all changes made to the original drawings. They typically include modifications, field changes, design changes, extra works, and any changes approved and implemented during the construction and commissioning phases, as well as handwritten notes and sketches explaining the changes.
The Importance of As-Built Drafting
As-built drawings show how the final construction was carried out and the existing conditions “as-is,” as opposed to designs or proposed conditions. As-built drafting is an important process for those who use the finished product because it provides a legacy of what was actually built and also aids in knowledge transfer of all aspects of the plant, especially when employees are replaced due to attrition.
There are numerous advantages to using As-Built Drafting and having updated drawings of your facilities. As-built drawings contain vital information such as the location and sizes of all components, concealed elements, pipe and duct routing, terminal unit locations, and control system sensor locations, among other things. As a result, they can ensure that future renovation projects are more efficient and completed on time by allowing for confident planning of plant expansion, additions, modifications, and plant turn-a-rounds.
As-built drafting is essential for meeting Process Safety Management and Process Hazard Analysis requirements. It effectively contributes to employee emergency preparedness within plant facilities by illustrating safety concerns and potential hazards present in the facility, as well as showing equipment lists and shutdown switches and keys.
Different types of drafting services
- Plan drawings:
In the building and engineering industries, plan drawings are the most prevalent as-built drafts.. These detailed maps of the project provide an aerial view of various aspects of the building design by cutting through walls. They show other elements such as windows, fixtures, stairs, furniture, and appliances in addition to the rooms and walls of the building design.
- Section drawings
Section drawings, like plan drawings, provide an inside look at the house. However, rather than showing an aerial view, it shows all the details from the side. This means that the view provided by these drawings appears to be a vertically cut room from top to bottom. They are ideal for displaying floor heights as well as any other unique features or aspects of the design.
- Exterior drawings
Exterior drawings, also known as elevation drawings, are visual representations of a building’s exteriors. They provide important information about materials, heights, textures, and the space between different elements.
