CHAPTER

19
Scales
OBJECTIVES After completing this chapter, the student will be able to:

identify the scale used on a construction

drawing.

read an architects scale.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

scale the amount of reduction

or enlargement of an object
that is drawn other than the
actual size; also a device used to
measure objects that are drawn
proportionately smaller or larger.

268
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 CHAPTER 19 Scal es 269

I S CALE D RAWINGS
n this chapter, the term scale is used in two
ways. It is used to refer to the amount of
Because construction projects are too large to be
reduction or enlargement of a drawing to
drawn full size on a sheet of paper, everything must
make it fit the page or show the necessary de- be drawn proportionately smaller than it really is.
tails. It also is used to mean a tool for measur- For example, floor plans for a house are frequently
drawn 1/48 of the actual size. This is called draw-
ing drawings that are done to scale. Nearly all ing to scale. At a scale of 1/4" 5 1'-0", 1/4 inch on
construction drawings are drawn to scale and the drawing represents 1 foot on the actual build-
ing. When it is necessary to fit a large object on a
are smaller than actual size. You will need to un- drawing, a small scale is used. Smaller objects and
derstand the conventional scales used to make drawings that must show more detail are drawn to
a larger scale. The floor plan in Figure 191 was
construction drawings, and you will need to be drawn to a scale of 1/4" 5 1'-0". The detail drawing
able to read the tools used to measure scaled in Figure 192 was drawn to a scale of 3" 5 1'-0",
drawings. Both are covered in this chapter. to show the construction of one of the walls on the

Courtesy of Kurzon Architects.

FIGURE 191 Portion of a floor plan with a firewall.

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270 SECTION 5 P r in t R e a d in g

5/ " FR GYP. BD. EACH SIDE

8

2 3 4 @ 16" O.C. 2 3 6 PLATES & SILL

8" (TYP) 6" BATT INSUL

FIGURE 192 Detail (plan at firewall).

floor plan. The scale to which a drawing is made is would represent 1 foot. Engineers scales are not
noted on the drawing. The scale is usually indicated generally used on building plans.
alongside or beneath the title of the view.
Building plans are drawn using an architects scale
(Fig. 194). The following discussion of how to read an
architects scale is presented to ensure an understanding
R EADING AN of the scales used on drawings. The triangular scale in-
cludes 11 scales that are frequently used on drawings.
A RCHITECT S S CALE
Full Scale
The device used to measure drawings made to scale
is also called a scale. Engineers use an engineers 3/32" 5 1'-0" 3/16" 5 1'-0"
scale. The engineers scale is graduated in tenths. 1/8" 5 1'-0" 1/4" 5 1'-0"
For example, the edge of the engineers scale resting 3/8" 5 1'-0" 3/4" 5 1'-0"
on the paper in Figure 193 would be used to make 1/2" 5 1'-0" 1" 5 1'-0"
a drawing where 1 inch represents 40 feet. The 4 is
1" 5 1'-0" 3" 5 1'-0"
1 inch from the 0, and each of the small graduations

FIGURE 193 Engineers scale. FIGURE 194 Architects scale.

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 CHAPTER 19 Scal es 271

FIGURE 195 Architects triangular scale showing -inch and 1/8-inch scales.

FIGURE 196 Architects triangular scale showing 1-inch and 3-inch scales.

Two scales are combined on each face, except markings 3, 6, and 9. These markings represent the
for the full-size scale, which is fully divided into measurements of 3 inches, 6 inches, and 9 inches at
sixteenths. The combined scales work together be- the 1" = 1'-0" scale. Between the 0 and the 3 are
cause one is twice as large as the other, and their two long marks representing 1 inch and 2 inches.
zero points and extra divided units are on opposite Between each of these marks are shorter marks
ends of the scale. dividing the inches into four parts. The space
between each of the shortest marks represent quar-
The fraction, or number, near the zero at each
ters of an inch. Reading from the 0 to the 3, read
end of the scale indicates the unit length in inches
each line as follows: , , , 1, 1, 1, 1, 2,
that is used on the drawing to represent 1 foot of
2, 2, 2, and 3 inches.
the actual building. The extra unit near the zero
end of the scale is subdivided into twelfths of a foot All necessary dimensions should be shown on the
(inches) as well as fractions of inches on the larger drawings. Measuring a drawing with an architects
scales. or engineers scale is a poor practice. At small scales,
it is especially difficult for the drafter to be precise,
To read the architects scale, turn it so that the
and any tolerance introduced during drafting can
1/4-inch scale lays flat against the table or paper.
be amplified by trying to use a scale to measure a
The scale is divided on the left from the zero toward
drawing.
the 1/4 mark so that each line represents 1 inch.
Counting the marks from the zero toward the 1/4
mark, you will find that there are 12 lines marked
on the scale. Each one of these lines is 1 inch on the
1/4" = 1'-0" scale. S UMMARY
The fraction 1/8 is on the opposite end of the Engineers scales are discussed briefly in this chapter
same scale (Fig. 195). This is the 1/8-inch scale and primarily, so you will know the difference between
is read in the opposite direction. Notice that the them and architects scales. The drawings used to
divided unit is only half as long as the one on the construct buildings are almost always drawn with
1/4-inch end of the scale. Counting the lines from architects scales. The small numeral or fraction at
zero toward the 1/8 mark, there are only 6 lines. the end of the scale, outside the graduated portion,
This means that each line represents 2 inches at the indicates the inches or fraction of an inch that rep-
1/8-inch scale. resents 1 foot.
Now look at the 1-inch scale (Fig. 196). Although it is useful to learn to read an archi-
The divided unit is broken into twelfths of a foot tects scale, you should not use it to determine final
(inches) and also fractional parts of an inch. Read- building dimensions. Those dimensions should be
ing from the zero toward the 1 mark, notice the given on the drawing.
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272 SECTION 5 P r in t R e a d in g

REVIEW QUESTIONS

What are the dimensions indicated on

the scale in Figure 197?

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

FIGURE 197

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 CHAPTER 19 Scal es 273

ACTIVITIES

SCA LES
What scales are used for the following
views of the house in the drawings in
Appendix B?
1. Floor plan
2. Plot plan
3. Front elevation
4. Typical wall section

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.