Reviewing the Plans & Making Preparations

Plan review will save you time and energy, and make your work more productive. If you are framing a house with a plan you have used before, then you have already done the review. But if you are framing a new house design or, particularly, a multi-unit or commercial building, then it becomes very important to review the plans. Here are some of the most common ways of reviewing plans:

1. Study the plans. Sit down with the plans and figure out how the building is put together. Read the specifications. Most often they

are standard and you can skim through them, but make sure to note anything that is new or different. Know enough about the new material so that you can understand the architect’s explanations. If you can’t figure it out, ask the framing contractor, superintendent, or architect about that particular element. If you are on a large job where the specifications come bound by themselves, you should know that they are probably organized under the Construction Specification Institute’s (CSI) MasterFormat. Under this system, rough carpentry is listed in Division 6 as 06 10 00. This section contains the basic specification information about framing this job.

2. Make a list of questions. While you are studying the plans, have a pad of paper and pencil handy so you can write down any questions. Go over these questions with the superintendent at the pre-start job site review meeting. Often, getting a question answered or a problem solved before the job begins saves an interruption in the framing. Even a little thing like the architect missing a dimension on the plans can cause a delay. If the superintendent okays scaling the missing dimensions, there won’t be a problem; but if you need verification on missing dimensions, it’s best to get them before you begin.

3. Highlight the plans. It’s a big help to highlight easy-to-miss items on your plans. Use the same color highlights on all jobs so that it becomes easy to identify items for you and your crew. An example would be: Orange-Hold-downs Pink—Shear walls Green—Glu-lam beams Blue—Steel Yellow—Special items

Highlighting the plans

4. Establish framing dimensions. Most rough openings are standardized, but because of exceptions and differences in floor covering, it’s important to go over the rough openings before the job begins. The information sheets that follow can be used for reviewing these dimensions with the superintendent.

There is a sheet for 885/в" studs and one for 92s/8" studs. These can be adjusted for different size studs. Go over each item with the superintendent or whoever is in charge of the job. Ask him/her to review the sheet and indicate that you will be using the rough­opening dimensions listed unless you are instructed differently. Note that 885/8" studs are standard because with a 4 x 8 header, they leave a standard 82%" door opening. Note, too, that 92s/8" studs work with a 4 x 12 header.

(See "Standard Framing Dimensions” sheets.)

These sheets apply to residential framing. Commercial framing is not so standardized. Note that the use of hollow metal (H. M.) door and window frames is common in commercial framing. The frames are usually 2" in width. Rough openings (R. O.) for H. M. frames would typically be 2" for the frame plus W" installation space. As an example, a 3′-0" door would have an R. O. width of 3′-4%", which is made up of 3′-0" for the door opening, 4" for the frames on each side, and W for the W" installation space on each side. The R. O. height would be 7′-2W", which would be made up of the 7′-0" for the door opening, 2" for the frame, and W" for installation space.

Tape the plans. Plan deterioration can be a problem, particularly at the end of a job. Use the same set of plans when possible so they include your highlighting and any changes that you have marked. When possible, request water-resistant print paper for the plans. If you’re in a rainy area or season, this will keep the lines from running. Plastic covers are made to cover plans, but they can make it difficult to turn the pages. Clear plastic adhesive covering can be used, but then you can’t write on the plans to note changes. A good system is to use clear plastic wrapping tape to tape the edges of the plans. This treatment usually provides the stability to make it through the job while still allowing for notes written on the plans.

Taping the plans