Blueprint Reading Course Online
This introductory blueprint reading course brings together VDCI's residential and commercial drawing instruction. Students learn how a construction document set is organized and how symbols, legends, scales and notes communicate a project. Coursework connects title sheets, site plans, floor plans, elevations and related drawings so learners can follow information across a real plan set.
What's included
- 30 hours of project-based instruction
- 154 training videos
- Instruction from a licensed architect
- Bonus one-on-one training session
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Instruction at an ACCET-accredited school
- 3 CEUs
- Quizzes
Overview
A 30-hour introduction combining VDCI's residential and commercial blueprint reading courses. It covers how construction documents are organized, how drawings relate to one another, and how to interpret symbols, legends, and notations.
Students work through title sheets, site plans, floor plans, elevations, structural drawings, and MEP layouts, along with the construction details, sections, and schedules attached to them, across both residential and commercial projects. VDCI also offers this course in Spanish.
Who this course is for
Tradespeople, contractors, drafters, architectural and engineering interns, and project supervisors who need to interpret residential and commercial drawings on the job.
Tuition & enrollment
Enroll with Virtual Design and Construction Institute, the course provider.
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Preview the course
Watch free previews and explore the lessons included with enrollment at VDCI.
Residential Blueprint Reading Course Online
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Welcome to the Course
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
1:43
Learn how to understand and read blueprints for residential construction.
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Symbols
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
8:08
Identify and follow symbols on floor plans to locate detailed information in schedules and other drawings.
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Enrollment required
Doors and Windows
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
5:17
Analyze and interpret floor plan drawings to understand door and window configurations.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 1
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
3:23
Discussing dimensions on architectural and engineering drawings, including the use of extension lines, dimension lines, indicators, and dimension text.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 2
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
5:58
Study the dimensions provided in the building plan to understand the layout and measurements accurately.
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Enrollment required
Standard Views
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
3:23
Explain the differences between floor plans, building elevations, building sections, wall sections, and details.
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Enrollment required
Construction Document Set Organization
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
4:13
Organize a set of blueprints or construction documents in a specific order for submission to regulatory agencies.
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Enrollment required
Stairs
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
7:01
Analyze different stair drawings to understand their layout and configuration.
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Enrollment required
Paper Size
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
3:23
Identify standard paper sizes for architectural drawings in an engineering office: eight and a half by eleven, eleven by seventeen, twenty-two by thirty-four, and thirty by forty-two.
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Enrollment required
Scale
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
5:47
Draw architectural blueprints using various scale factors to accurately represent dimensions in different parts of a building.
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Title Sheet
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
10:00
Review the construction documents for one residence, including architectural drawings, structural drawings, mechanical drawings, and plumbing drawings for plan one.
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Floor Plan Part 1
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
6:28
Examine the first floor plan for the residence, focusing on the dimensions, scale, and symbols.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plan Part 2
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
5:12
Take a virtual tour of the house from the garage to the master bedroom, showcasing key features and details such as double doors, bedrooms with closets, Jack and Jill bathrooms, and interior elevation symbols for further details.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plan Part 3
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
4:01
Explain finished material legend for different rooms in the building.
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Interior Elevations Door and Window Schedules
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules
6:05
Review and analyze the interior elevation sheet, focusing on key elements such as cabinet door details, door and window schedules, and glazing specifications.
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Building Sections and Roof Plan
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules
3:42
Review and analyze the building sections and roof plan details for accurate representation and keynotes consistency.
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Enrollment required
Building Elevations
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules
3:47
Review the building elevations sheet to understand the keynotes, plate elevations, and details provided for each element in the drawing.
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Wall Sections
Topic 4: Wall Sections & Details
5:54
Review wall sections and details to understand building components and construction details.
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Details and Hardscape
Topic 4: Wall Sections & Details
3:40
Examine details and hardscape plans on sheets 9-1 and 9-2, referencing window sill conditions and dimensions for construction.
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Structural Drawings Part 1
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
4:47
Reviewing structural notes and calculations submitted by the structural engineer for appropriate design and load-bearing requirements for the building construction project.
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Structural Drawings Part 2
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
4:36
Show foundation details, reinforcing bar bending schedule, and framing details in structural engineering drawings.
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Enrollment required
Structural Drawings Part 3
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
4:13
Review the foundation plan, noting the structural grids, detailed sections, and dimension anchoring for effective communication and coordination during construction.
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Enrollment required
Structural Drawings Part 4
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
3:50
Examine the structural drawings with details referencing other information within the set.
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Mechanical Drawings
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
3:52
Examine MEP mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings with schedules, symbols, and details for installation purposes.
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Electrical Drawings
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
5:49
Review and analyze the electrical drawings for the project, focusing on symbols, abbreviations, lighting fixture schedule, and construction notes.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Drawings Fixtures
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
2:40
Plumbing drawings include fixtures, connections, and venting details for various plumbing elements like sinks, toilets, and tubs, as well as corresponding piping sizes and descriptions in the fixture schedule and legend.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Drawings Domestic Water and Gas Lines
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
2:35
The plumbing drawing shows domestic water and gas lines branching to different fixtures like bathtub, sink, toilet, oven, range, forced air unit, dryer, and hot water heater.
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Plumbing Drawings Isometrics
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
2:47
Isometric drawings show the layout of domestic water and gas lines in the house, indicating how the pipes should be installed above ceilings and dropping down as needed.
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Plumbing Drawings Waste Lines
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
3:52
Review the detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings, including symbols, abbreviations, code requirements, schedules, and plan drawings presented in residential and commercial projects, with isometrics for clarity and installation.
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TS1 Title Sheet Part 1
Topic 7: Title Sheet
6:20
Review the title sheet TS 1.0 of the residential project in San Diego County for building permit and regulatory agency requirements.
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Title Sheet Part 2
Topic 7: Title Sheet
1:56
Include fire notes, general notes, vicinity map, and other required information on the title sheet cover for regulatory compliance.
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Enrollment required
TS1 Title Sheet Part 3
Topic 7: Title Sheet
5:38
Review the site plan for the house, noting the property lines, setbacks, and meets and bounds information, illustrating the dimensions and angles of the property boundaries.
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Enrollment required
TS1 Title Sheet Part 4
Topic 7: Title Sheet
4:21
Review the site plan with dimensions, setbacks, and fuel modification zone.
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TS2, TS3 and T24 Sheets
Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans
4:24
Include regulatory agency-required information, such as general notes, fire protection notes, storm water quality notes, and mechanical notes in the construction documents, along with construction specifications and nailing schedules to adhere to building code requirements.
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Architectural Site Plans AS1 and AS2
Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans
3:54
Continue with the architectural site plan, showcasing more detailed information and keynotes for regulatory agencies to understand the property layout and topography, with enlarged plans on sheets AS1 and AS2.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Site Plans AS2
Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans
2:06
Revise documents to address regulatory agency checklist items by adding necessary information and annotations, ready for resubmission.
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Floor Plans Overview
Topic 9: Floor Plans
1:59
Review the floor plan documents for a house with three floors, including the basement/ground level, first floor, and second floor, with the orientation of the house correctly aligned on the site and garage entrances indicated on the plans.
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Floor Plans Level 1 Part 1
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:57
Zoom in on the house plan to show garage doors, mudroom, elevator, stairs, and guest room/bonus area with keynotes indicating specific details and revisions.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Level 1 Part 2
Topic 9: Floor Plans
4:01
Explain dimensions and construction details in a building drawing.
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Floor Plans Sections
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:39
Examine the symbols on the floor plan and refer to corresponding sections in the document for more detailed information.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Level 2
Topic 9: Floor Plans
3:04
Zoom back to the previous page to see the steps leading up to the butler's pantry, living room, and guest quarters with a feature wall and deck.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Scale
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:54
Review and analyze the basement plan on sheet A2.2, noting key revisions, scale considerations, and wall representations for accurate documentation.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Level 2 Part 2
Topic 9: Floor Plans
3:13
Examine building sections and interior elevations for detailed information on room layouts and materials.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans The Deck
Topic 9: Floor Plans
2:38
Zoom in to the deck area and observe the standard stud walls, French doors, and detail callouts referencing other images in the set for more information.
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Enrollment required
Floor Plans Level 3
Topic 9: Floor Plans
3:00
Review the floor plans and proceed to the building sections for further analysis.
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Building Sections Part 1
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
4:16
Examine building sections on sheet A4.1 for detailed vertical dimensions and datum symbols, referencing specific detail sheets for enlarged information.
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Building Sections Part 2
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
3:35
Trace information across a set of drawings by referencing building section indicators, images, keynotes, and symbols to understand the construction details effectively.
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Enrollment required
Building Sections Part 3
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
1:15
Review the building sections and keynotes provided on the pages to understand the information conveyed.
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Building Elevations
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
3:58
Review the building elevations for consistency and accuracy, ensuring all dimensions and keynotes are properly referenced.
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Interior Elevations Part 1
Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan
2:56
Review and analyze interior elevations to understand the layout and design of the project.
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Interior Elevations Part 2
Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan
2:11
Specify window dimensions and glazing type for bid and energy calculations, excluding interior finish details.
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Enrollment required
Roof Plan
Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan
3:28
Review and analyze the roof plan for sheet A6.1.
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Details Part 1
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
3:04
Review and organize office details from various libraries, including standard, construction-specific, and project-specific details.
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Details Part 2
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
4:04
Detail pages in architectural drawings present information at different scales to best communicate important details for construction.
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Enrollment required
Details Part 3
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
3:28
Reviewing and incorporating project-specific details from standard libraries to enhance construction documentation.
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Door and Window Schedule
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
2:10
Analyze the Title 24 page and present door and window schedules to the regulatory agency for energy efficiency calculations and procurement purposes.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Drawings
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
2:04
Review and interpret the electrical sheets in the construction documents for a custom residential project to understand layout and requirements for regulatory compliance during construction.
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Enrollment required
Instructor Thoughts
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
2:17
Complete the Blueprint Reading for Residential Construction course.
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Commercial Blueprint Reading Course Online
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Welcome to the Course
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
1:09
Study a seven-story mixed-use commercial project for commercial construction, reviewing architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, and plumbing plans, along with interior design and technology drawings, and project specifications.
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Symbols
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
8:08
Identify and interpret symbols on floor plans.
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Enrollment required
Doors and Windows
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
5:17
Analyze floor plan details for doors and windows.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 1
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
3:23
Discussing dimensions in architectural and engineering drawings, including the use of extension lines, dimension lines, indicators, and dimension text, as well as differences in representation between architect and engineer drawings.
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Enrollment required
Dimensions Part 2
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
5:58
Study and analyze the dimensions of the building to understand the measurements and layout effectively.
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Enrollment required
Standard Views
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
3:23
Differentiate between floor plans, elevations, building sections, wall sections, and details in architectural drawings.
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Enrollment required
Construction Document Set Organization
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
4:13
Organize blueprints in a sequence from general notes to engineering drawings, including site plan, floor plan elevation sections, enlarged sections, detail drawings, interior elevations, and engineering drawings.
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Enrollment required
Stairs
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
7:01
Examine stair drawings to understand layout and spatial relationship.
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Enrollment required
Paper Size
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
3:23
Utilize standard paper sizes in architecture engineering contracting offices, including 8.5 by 11, 11 by 17, 22 by 34, and 30 by 42 for various printing needs.
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Enrollment required
Scale
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
5:47
Study and apply architectural scale factors for accurate blueprint design.
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Architectural Cover Sheet
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
10:00
Examine the cover sheet for key project details, including project name, address, professionals involved, revisions, and building codes.
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Architectural Sheet Index
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
4:04
Review and follow the sheet index page for organizational guidance.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Abbreviations
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
4:31
Review architectural abbreviations, symbols, sheet identification, material legend, and general notes to understand construction document conventions.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Floor Plans 01
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
8:27
Examine floor plan details, including key plan, structural grids, dimensions, wall patterns, and room sections.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Floor Plans 02
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
5:42
Review and analyze the sheet for structural grid consistency and detailed information inclusion.
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Architectural Floor Plans 03
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
4:18
Examine building sections, floor plans, and dimensions in the drawing.
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Architectural Reflected Ceiling Plans
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
4:07
Review the Reflected Ceiling Plan drawing for public areas, identify ceiling types, heights above the finished floor, and lighting fixtures.
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Architectural Building Elevations
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
6:08
Examine building elevation drawings to understand materials, dimensions, and design details.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Building Axonometrics
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
1:15
Examine building axonometrics modeled in Revit software, showcasing detailed construction documents and design enhancements.
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Architectural Building Sections
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
3:06
Review the building section sheet with axonometric, key plan, and building section details, including column grid, room names, and pochade walls, along with references to wall sections on adjacent pages.
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Architectural Wall Sections
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
7:21
Examine detailed wall sections with keynotes and material annotations, showing specific construction elements at a larger scale than building sections.
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Architectural Interior Wall Types 01
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
5:55
Review the enlarged plans and sections for stairway number two, focusing on key dimensions, materials, and details at each level of the building.
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Architectural Interior Wall Types 02
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
3:51
Study the interior wall types and sections drawing to understand the different wall configurations and materials used.
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Architectural Interior Wall Types 03
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
3:27
Review the detailed floor plan layout, noting key indicators for wall types, fire ratings, ADA clearances, structural grid lines, and building sections.
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Architectural Enlarged Unit Plans A
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
7:15
Reviewing and analyzing detailed guest room suite drawings, including floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, electrical plans, furniture plans, axonometrics, and interior elevations.
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Architectural Enlarged Bathroom Plans
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
7:30
Review enlarged public restroom drawings including floor plan, interior elevations, cabinetry, and fixtures.
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Enrollment required
Architectural Enlarged Lobby Drawings
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
2:21
Study the enlarged lobby space plan drawing showing wall sections and elevation views.
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Architectural Door Schedule And Door Types
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
3:47
Review the door schedule to identify details such as room number, door type, fire rating, width, height, material, head and jam details, and hardware set numbers for each door.
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Architectural Enlarged Stair Plans And Sections
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
5:55
Examine enlarged plans and sections for stairway number two depicting details and dimensions on each level of the building.
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Architectural Elevator Drawings
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
4:58
Analyze the Passenger and Service Elevator plans and elevations for dimensional consistency and referencing.
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Architectural Enlarged Elevator Drawings
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
4:21
Reviewing and detailing the elevator plans, reflected ceiling plans, and elevations to ensure accurate representation in construction documents.
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Architectural Parking Lot Striping Plans
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
3:07
Review the striping plan for parking part B, highlighting the designated paths of travel, ADA parking requirements, column grids, and parking spot dimensions.
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Architectural Occupancy/Egress 01
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
12:34
Explain egress plans and occupancy load calculations in a San Diego building renovation.
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Architectural Occupancy/Egress 02
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
5:08
Summarize means of egress and occupancy load drawings for a specific office suite in a building, focusing on safety and building code compliance.
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Interior Design Finish Schedule
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
1:17
Review the finish schedule for the interior design drawings, identifying tags, specifying items, determining materials, and establishing sources for procurement.
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Interior Design Ceiling Wall Finish Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:07
Summarize the Lobby Level, Ceiling, and Wall Finish Plans in Interior Design Drawing ID 102, detailing the extent of finishes and specifying materials for different areas of the lobby and public spaces.
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Enrollment required
Interior Design Millwork Details 01
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
3:32
Review millwork details for half of the registration desk in the lobby, including section cuts, dimensions, and elevations.
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Interior Design Millwork Details 02
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
6:30
Review and analyze the millwork drawings for the bar area.
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Civil Demolition Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:59
Review the civil engineering demolition plan drawing, noting key items like property lines, demolition legends, notes on removal of various elements, spot elevations, construction site extents, and entrance location.
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Civil Metes and Bounds
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
8:48
Civil engineers use decimal units and surveyor's angles to create site plans with precision and accuracy.
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Civil Site Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
4:33
Examine the site plan drawing for building footprint and parking layout details.
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Civil Grading and Drainage Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
3:30
Review the Civil Sheet C4.1 Grading and Drainage Plan, focusing on keynotes, spot elevations, and water management on the project site.
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Enrollment required
Civil Utilities Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
3:15
Review the Utilities Plan drawing showing water systems and sanitary systems, noting connections, layouts, and key details for reference.
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Civil Details
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:51
Examine the civil site details in drawing C6.2, focusing on various sections and elements like curbs, walls, structures, and elevations for a parking garage.
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Civil Landscape Plan
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
2:17
Review LS.1 landscape plan drawing showing plant schedule, symbols, codes, quantities, and areas for trees, shrubs, ground covers, and flowers with plants to be removed.
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Structural Structural General Notes
Topic 6: Structural
4:30
Examine the structural engineering drawings for specific design criteria and load requirements, including dead loads, live loads, wind loads, foundations, reinforced concrete, structural steel, and post-installed anchors.
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Structural Structural 3D View
Topic 6: Structural
2:42
Create 3D models of structures using programs like Revit for collaborative analysis and visualization by the construction team.
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Enrollment required
Structural Foundation Plan
Topic 6: Structural
3:31
Review foundation plan details, including footing sizes, elevations, control joints, and slab details.
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Structural Structural Framing Reinforcement
Topic 6: Structural
2:59
Review page S105B for the Level 2 Hotel Framing and Reinforcing Plan, focusing on the structural details of the concrete slab and reinforcing bars, including the expansion joint, rebar configurations, and grid dimensions.
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Structural Structural Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
6:18
Review sheet S202 for typical sections and details, noting that all drawings are not to scale with consistent text size and clear instructions for construction details.
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Structural Foundation Schedule Details
Topic 6: Structural
6:55
Review sheet S-301, focusing on the foundation schedule and details, including spread footing sizes, reinforcement spacing, column and beam details, rebar placements, and slab dimensions, for accurate construction execution.
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Structural Schedule Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
6:05
Review beam schedule, sections, and details in sheet S401, analyzing dimensions, reinforcing, and placement of rebar and stirrups for beams and columns.
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Structural Slab Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
3:26
Review sheet S-503 for slab sections and details, focusing on balcony, pour strip, transitions at the ramp, shear walls, openings, suspended CMU masonry wall, and tenons at ramp.
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Structural Sections Details
Topic 6: Structural
3:46
Review the structural drawings, focusing on sheet S604, Sections and Details, for analysis and detailing.
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Mechanical M Abbreviations Legend Notes
Topic 7: Mechanical
1:34
Review the Mechanical Abbreviations, Legends, and Notes page for important details on ductwork, equipment, piping, and graphical standards. Pay specific attention to the Ductwork Legend and Abbreviations for key symbols like air registers and return air grills.
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Mechanical Mechanical Plan 01
Topic 7: Mechanical
2:28
Revit was used to model the project in 3D, allowing for efficient resolution of duct placement and clear organization of information in the mechanical drawing.
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Mechanical Mechanical Plan 02
Topic 7: Mechanical
7:13
Examine the detailed mechanical system layout on the floor plan for various areas of the building, including the pool, guest suites, bathrooms, fitness area, and meeting rooms.
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Mechanical Mechanical Plan 03
Topic 7: Mechanical
1:21
Detailing the mechanical features of Level 4 in Area A of the building, including ducting, fire smoke dampers, airflow into the guest rooms, and fire detectors.
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Mechanical Mechanical Guest Room Plan
Topic 7: Mechanical
2:04
Review the mechanical guest room plans focusing on suite types, noting key features such as vertical conditioning units, air supply and return, passive ventilation systems, and thermostat locations.
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Mechanical Mechanical Schedules
Topic 7: Mechanical
3:16
Reviewing the mechanical schedules reveals detailed information about fan coil units, condensing units, ERUs, and other HVAC components based on specific manufacturer models such as Trane and Aeon.
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Mechanical Mechanical Details
Topic 7: Mechanical
0:59
Review mechanical detail sheet for project-specific and manufacturer-provided details on filling voids, back drafts, fire stops, and exhaust pipes through walls.
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Electrical Electrical Notes Legends
Topic 8: Electrical
2:08
Review electrical notes and legends including lighting fixtures, fire alarm system legends, electrical symbol legends, and abbreviations provided by the engineer, among other content.
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Electrical Power Plan 01
Topic 8: Electrical
3:25
Review the power plant building layout, highlighting the electrical connections and panel box locations.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Plan 02
Topic 8: Electrical
1:43
Review the power drawing for the hotel area to identify junction boxes and electrical wiring details for different locations.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Plan 03
Topic 8: Electrical
2:11
Review the power drawing for consistency and clarity, noting the key elements such as power notes, fire alarm details, junction boxes, outlets, and electrical panel connections within guest suites and shared corridors.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Lighting Plan
Topic 8: Electrical
3:07
Review lighting drawing showing different light fixtures in various areas, including lobby, meeting rooms, corridors, trellis, egress hall, and bathrooms, with no dimensioning of fixtures.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Guest Room Plan
Topic 8: Electrical
3:16
Review electrical guest room plans, noting circuitry, fixtures, keynotes, junction boxes, outlets, smoke detectors, and fire alarm details for various suite types.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Power Lighting Partial Plan
Topic 8: Electrical
1:25
Review power and lighting partial plans for the building, focusing on electrical stations, panels, and data stations.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Electrical Riser
Topic 8: Electrical
3:47
Study the electrical riser drawing to understand the organization and distribution of the electrical system in the building, starting from the bottom with utility transformers and power distribution.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Electrical Schedules
Topic 8: Electrical
1:48
Review electrical schedules to identify circuits plugged into panel boxes in the building, noting circuit numbers, breaker numbers, KVA load factors, and total KVA demand for each panel.
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Enrollment required
Electrical Electrical Details
Topic 8: Electrical
2:49
Review standard electrical details for project scope and size, focusing on specific requirements for accessibility and safety compliance.
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Plumbing Legend Notes
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:32
Review and reference plumbing legends and notes to understand the symbols used in plumbing drawings.
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Plumbing Plumbing Plan 01
Topic 9: Plumbing
4:12
Review underground plumbing drawings to understand the sanitary and stormwater systems, tracing various pipe sizes and connections leading to a main manhole for waste disposal.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 02
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:45
Review the P1 parking plumbing drawings, noting the keynotes legend and general notes, highlighting the relationship between the lines coming down to feed into sanitary and storm lines, identifying various pipes and their functions, and emphasizing the need to pay attention to detail and the legend for clarity.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 03
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:40
Analyze plumbing floor plan for hotel guest suites on level one, highlighting piping layout, legend, and 3D models in Revit.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 04
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:15
Examine plumbing drawing on level 4 showing storm drains and sanitary drains with keynotes and general notes.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 05
Topic 9: Plumbing
2:26
Review the plumbing drawings for the roof to identify roof drains, gas lines, mechanical systems, and architectural scuppers for water control.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Guest Room
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:47
Examine plumbing guest room plans for higher-end suites, focusing on hot and cold water lines and drain configurations.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Enlarged Laundry
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:35
Examine the plumbing plan for the laundry area showing gas lines, sanitary connections, and riser diagrams.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Riser Designation Areas
Topic 9: Plumbing
1:18
Review the riser designation area drawing for Part B of the building to prepare for the subsequent riser diagrams.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Sanitary Riser
Topic 9: Plumbing
4:08
Show risers for area B, sections F and F1 depicting 3D grease waste, public restrooms, and sanitary risers with labeled traps, ventilation, and clean outs.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Partial Plans And Risers
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:54
Review the plumbing partial plans riser diagram for the public bathroom on the first level of the hotel.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Schedules
Topic 9: Plumbing
3:09
Review plumbing schedules for water heater, sump pump, fire pump, jockey pump, domestic water booster pump, circulation pump, storage tank, gas pressure regulator, grease trap, plumbing specialties, and plumbing fixtures.
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Enrollment required
Plumbing Details
Topic 9: Plumbing
2:28
Examine plumbing details for key information and components to understand how they fit together and function.
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Technology Legends Symbols
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:23
Examine the legends and symbols page of the technology systems drawings to understand the information presented, including mounting heights and raceway details.
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Technology Technology Plans 01
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:36
Review the building technology drawing for part B of the building down in the parking lot, focusing on conduits, connections, access points, card readers, and intercom stations for a comprehensive understanding.
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Enrollment required
Technology Technology Plans 02
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
3:36
Reviewing the lobby level technology drawings for audiovisual and security features.
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Enrollment required
Technology Technology Plans 03
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:43
Summarize the technology drawings for the third level, showing common space information and individual guest suites with details such as IT closets, telecom backboards, racks for voice data terminations, wireless access points in corridors, and ADA two-way communication for wheelchair access.
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Enrollment required
Technology Guestroom Plans
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:57
Examine guest room technology drawings for cabling and raceway keynotes, noting cable quantities and locations for voice, data, and TV connections.
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Enrollment required
Technology Details
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
3:45
Review the cabling and construction details sheet, identifying keynotes and symbols for different technology cablings and installations.
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Enrollment required
Technology Coax Cable Riser Diagrams
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:36
Review the coax cabling riser diagram and understand the distribution of coax cables throughout the building.
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Enrollment required
Specifications Standard Specifications Format
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
5:01
Discuss the organization of project specifications using Master Format, which categorizes construction requirements, products, and activities into 48 divisions for communication and coordination among industry professionals.
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Enrollment required
Specifications Standard Specifications Part 01
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:59
Review the specifications document, focusing on the general section, references codes, quality assurance, warranties, and project conditions.
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Enrollment required
Specifications Standard Specifications Part 02
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
3:19
Detailing approved products for concrete applications, including concrete cleaning, patch repair, overlays, casting, accessories, pigmentation, and coatings.
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Enrollment required
Specifications Standard Specifications Part 03
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
2:06
Summarize project specifications into three sections: general, product, and execution, covering topics like installation, examination, coordination, field quality control, final cleaning, protection, and maintenance.
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Enrollment required
Closing Instructor Thoughts
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
1:51
Complete the course completion survey and provide feedback to help improve future courses.
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Curriculum
What you'll learn
- Understanding construction document organization and drawing relationships
- Interpreting blueprint symbols, legends, and notations
- Analyzing title sheets, site plans, floor plans, and elevations
- Reading structural drawings, including foundation and framing plans
- Navigating MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) layouts
- Understanding construction details, sections, and schedules
- Applying blueprint reading skills to residential and commercial projects
Course outline
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Residential Blueprint Reading Course Online 10 hours
Learn the fundamentals of blueprint reading for residential construction, from understanding drawing types to interpreting complex construction documents, to gain a solid foundation for your career in the construction industry.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the inter-relationship between the drawings included in a set of Construction Documents (blueprints).
- Analyze different drawings and see how scale is presented throughout a set of Construction Documents.
- Evaluate the similarities between all sets of blueprint construction documents submitted for building permits.
- Recognize the need for consistency in presenting information in all types of Construction Documents in this online blueprint reading course.
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Commercial Blueprint Reading Course Online 20 hours
Gain the skills to read construction blueprints for mixed-use commercial projects, including hotels, retail spaces, and parking structures, with an emphasis on interrelationships between drawings and how 3D models simplify construction documents.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical plans used in mixed-use commercial construction projects
- Learn to read and interpret industry-standard symbols, notations, legends, and technical details across construction documents
- Evaluate how different drawing sets relate to one another when submitted for building permits
- Work hands-on with real-world commercial construction drawings and documentation
- Apply blueprint knowledge to cost estimating, project planning, and maintaining on-site accuracy during construction
Course Reviews
Is this course right for you?
It is a practical starting point for tradespeople, contractors and design staff who need to read drawings on the job. Choose the broader blueprint reading certificate if you also need dedicated instruction in MEP and structural plans, beyond the residential and commercial foundation.