Module 2 of 7
Scales, Grids, Dimensions and Symbols
The measurement and reference language every drawing speaks: what 1:100 really means, how grid lines give every element an address, how to read dimensions and levels without mixing FFL and SSL, and how symbols, hatches and tags carry meaning you can bill against.
After this module you can
You can locate any element by grid, convert drawing measurements confidently, and read levels and tags without mixing FFL and SSL.
- 2.1 Scales: What 1:100 Really Means and When Not to Scale1:100 is a conversion contract between paper and site. Learn to convert both ways, catch resized prints, and know the one situation where scaling off a drawing is banned.7 min read
- 2.2 Grid Lines: How Every Element Gets an AddressA grid turns 'the column near the lift' into 'C4, 300 off grid F'. Learn to read grid bubbles, verify chained dimensions, and set out members by grid-plus-offset.7 min read
- 2.3 Dimensions, Levels, FFL and SSL Without ConfusionFFL is where your foot lands; SSL is where the concrete stops. The gap between them - 50 to 150 mm of finishes - is where doors grind, ramps fail and bills get disputed.8 min read
- 2.4 Symbols, Hatches and Line Types That Carry MeaningA drawing says brick, concrete, slope, hidden edge and centreline without words - through hatches, line types and symbols. Learn to read them, always through the sheet's own legend.7 min read
- 2.5 Door-Window Tags and SchedulesD2, W3, SE - tags compress a full specification into two characters. Learn to resolve them through legends and schedules, count openings for the BOQ, and settle plan-vs-schedule conflicts.7 min read