Mechanical systems drawing

Mechanical systems drawing is a type of technical drawing that shows information about heating, ventilating, and air conditioning;^[1] it is a powerful tool that helps analyze a complex system.^[2] These drawings are often a set of detailed drawings used for construction projects; it is a requirement for all HVAC work. They are based on the floor and reflected ceiling plans of the architect. After the mechanical drawings are complete, they become part of the construction drawings, which is then used to apply for a building permit. They are also used to determine the price of the project.^[1]

Sets of Drawings (United states)

General Arrangement Drawing

The general arrangement shows all necessary information: overall dimensions, installation details, overall weight/mass, weight of sub systems, and service supply details.^[3]

Arrangement Drawing

Arrangement drawings include information about the self-contained units that make up the system: table of parts, fabrication and detail drawing, overall dimension, weight/mass, lifting points, and information needed to construct, test, lift, transport, and install the equipment. These drawings should show at least three different orthographic views and clear details of all the components and how they are assembled.^[3]

Assembly Drawing

The assembly drawing will typically include three orthographic views of the system: overall dimensions, weight and mass, identification of all the components, quantities of material, supply details, list of reference drawings, and notes. Assembly drawings show in detail how certain component parts are assembled.^[3]

Detail Drawing

In a detail drawings, components used to build the mechanical system is described in some detail to show that the designer's specifications are met: relevant codes, standards, geometry, weight, mass, material, heat treatment requirements, surface texture, size tolerances, and geometric tolerances.^[3]

Fabrication Drawings

A fabrication is made up of many different parts. A fabrication drawing has a list of parts that make up the fabrication. In the list, parts are identified (balloons and leader lines) and complex details are included: welding details, material standards, codes, and tolerances, and details about heat/stress treatments.^[3]

Sets of Drawings (United Kingdom)

Tender Drawings

Drawings produced to enable those tendering to interpret the design and to submit a tender for executing all or any part of the Works as defined elsewhere.

Sketch Drawing

Line diagrams and layouts indicating basic proposals, location of main items of plant, routes of main pipes, air ducts and cable runs in such detail as to illustrate the incorporation of the engineering services within the project as a whole.

Schematic Drawing

A line diagram describing the interconnection of components in a system. The main features of a schematic drawing are as follows.

A two dimensional layout drawing with divisions to show the distribution of the system between building levels. Or an isometric style layout indicating the distribution of systems across individual floor levels. The drawing is not necessarily constructed to scale.
Includes all functional components which make up the system,i.e. plant items, pumps, fans, valves, strainers, terminals, electrical switchgear, distribution and components.
Symbols and line conventions in accordance with industry standard guidance.
Label the drawing with appropriate pipe, duct and cable sizes where these are not shown elsewhere.
Indicate components which have a sensing and control function and show the links between them, eg. building management systems, fire alarms and HV controls.
Identify the major components indicated on the schematic drawing so that their whereabouts in specification and on other drawings can be easily determined.

Detailed Design Drawing

A drawing showing the intended locations of plant items and service routes in such detail as to indicate the design intent. The main features of detailed design drawings should be as follows:

Plan layouts to a scale of at least 1:100.
Plant areas to a scale of at least 1:50 and accompanied by cross-sections.
The drawing will not indicate the precise position of services, but it should be feasible to install the services within the general routes indicated. It should be possible to produce co-ordination drawings or installation drawings without major re-routing of the services.
Represent pipework by single line layouts.
Represent ductwork by either double or single line layouts as required to ensure that the routes indicated are feasible.
Indicate on the drawing the space available for major service routing in both horizontal and vertical planes.

Installation Drawing

A drawing based on the detailed drawing or co-ordination drawing with the primary purpose of defining that information needed by the tradesmen on site to install the works. The main features of installation drawings should be as follows:

Plan layouts to a scale of at least 1:50, accompanied by cross-sections to a scale of at least 1:20 for all congested areas.
A spatially co-ordinated drawing, i.e. no physical clashes between the system components when installed at the scaled-off positions shown on the drawing.
Make allowance for inclusion of all supports and fixings necessary to install the works.
Make allowance for the service at its widest point for spaces between pipe and duct runs. Allow for insulation, standard fitting dimensions and joint widths on the drawing.
Make allowance for installation details provided from shop drawings.
Make allowance for installation working space; space to facilitate commissioning and space to allow on-going operation and maintenance in accordance with the relevant health and safety requirements.
Make allowance for plant and equipment including those which are chosen as alternatives to the designers specified option.
Provide dimensions where the positioning of services is considered to be important enough not to leave to the tradesmen on site.
Plantroom layouts to a scale of at least 1:20, accompanied by cross-sections and elevations to a scale of at least 1:20

Record Drawing, or As Installed drawing

A drawing showing the building and services installations as installed at the date of practical completion. Generally the record drawing is a development of the installation drawing. The main features of the record drawings should be as follows.

Provide a record of the locations of all the systems and components installed including pumps, fans, valves, strainers, terminals, electrical switchgear, distribution and components.
Use a scale not less than that of the installation drawings.
Have marked on the drawings the positions of access points for operating and maintenance purposes.
The drawings should not be dimensioned unless the inclusion of a dimension is considered necessary for location.

Builderswork Drawing

Design stage

A drawing to show the provisions required to accommodate the services which significantly affect the design of the building structure, fabric and external works. Also drawings (and schedules) of work to be carried out by building trade, and required to be costed at the design stage eg. plant bases.

Installation stage

A drawing to show requirements for building works necessary to facilitate the installation of the engineering services (other than where it is appropriate to mark out on site). Builder's work drawn information to be provided shall include:

Details of all bases for plant formed in concrete, brickwork or blockwork to a scale of not less than 1:20
Details of all attendant builders work, holes, chases, etc for conduits, cables and trunking etc and any item where access for a function of the installation is required to a scale of not less than 1:100
Details of all purpose made brackets for supporting service or plant/equipment to a scale of not less than 1:50
Details of all accesses into ceilings, ducts, etc at a scale of not less than 1:50
Details of all special fixings, inserts, brackets, anchors, suspensions, supports etc at a scale of not less than 1:20
Details of all sleeves, puddle flanges, access chambers at a scale not less than 1:20

Details to Include

Size, type, and layout of ducting
Diffusers, heat registers, return air grilles, dampers
Turning vanes, ductwork insulation
HVAC unit
Thermostats
Electrical, water, and/or gas connections
Ventilation
Exhaust fans
Symbol legend, general notes and specific key notes
Heating and/or cooling load summary
Connection to existing systems
Demolition of part or all of existing systems
Smoke detector and firestat re-ducting
Thermostat programming
Heat loss and heat gain calculations
Special condition^[1]

Job Outlook

About 80,000 jobs are held by mechanical drafters in the United States of America during 2008. From 2008 to 2018, mechanical drafting hiring rate is expected to neither increase nor decrease. It is encouraged to either take two additional years of training in drafting school after high school or attend a 4-year college/university to develop better technical skills and gain more experience with CADD (computer-aided design).^[4]

Income of Mechanical Drafters in 2008

Lowest 10% made $29,390.
Highest 10% made $71,340.
Middle 50% made between $36,490 to $59,010.
Median: $46,640.^[4]

ADDA-Certification

The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) has developed a Drafter Certification Test. The test assesses the drafter's skill in basic drafting concepts: geometric construction, working drawings, and architectural terms and standards. The test is administered periodically at ADDA-authorized sites.^[4]

Regulations in Canada

Mechanical system drawings must abide to all of the following regulations: the National Building Code of Canada, the National Fire Code, and Model National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings. For residential projects, The National Housing Code of Canada and the Model National Energy Code of Canada for Houses must also be followed. These drawings must also adhere to local and provincial codes and bylaws.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Building in Canada. The Requirements before Any Construction Project Begins", Building in Canada, Retrieved on 2011-01-29.
^ "System Diagram", MindTools", Retrieved on 2011-01-31.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Mechanical Drawing", Roymech 05 February 2011. Retrieved on 2011-01-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition", Drafters, Retrieved on 2011-02-12.