What makes building layout plans crucial in construction?

A building layout plan depicts the floor plan of a property on the ground level. It shows the ground plan of the structure and accurately identifies its position and orientation. After the completion of a conditional survey, a building layout is created. During construction, the building layout serves as a guide. After the layout has been finalised, construction may begin. 

 

Building layout plan: Why is it important?

Having a building plan is crucial with the rising complexity of building projects. 

• The building plan identifies all the positions of the structure’s walls, columns, foundations, and other structural elements.
• Even minor errors can incur increased expenses. A layout plan ensures that things are systematically planned and mistakes are avoided.
• Depending on your jurisdiction, some states also need building layout drawings and standards before issuing permits. 
• A building plan aids in the planning of future upgrades and refurbishment. 
• A construction layout is also essential to acquire an already-built property.

 

Building layout plan: Essential terminology

The most prevalent building layout vocabulary words are listed below:

 

Temporary benchmark (TBM)

A temporary benchmark is a fixed place of known elevation that serves as the arbitrary starting point for the initial level of work. It is generally on the first floor. And this is the starting point for any planning effort.

TBMs are generally associated with permanent installations like manhole covers or securely driven posts. After locating the TBM, a peg or steel angle is used to mark the location. All designs should clearly show the TBM, and all measurements should be metres to three decimal points.

 

Baseline

The baseline is the building line from which all the layout work begins. Frequently, the baseline intersects the building line, which serves as the project’s boundary line. Existing highways or municipal authorities often determine the construction line. The baseline delineates the property limits, and you may quickly identify the corners of your project using it.

 

Horizontal controls 

After establishing the baseline, you’ll need to create horizontal controls to assist you in designating all other particular spots. It is critical to have a large number of horizontal controls so that not all of them must be removed if one is removed. The horizontal controls are constantly aligned with particular difficulties on-site and aid in swiftly locating the plan’s points on the ground.

 

Vertical controls

Vertical control points are often defined in relation to predefined datum levels. These datum levels are frequently wood poles embedded in concrete. It could be a road or a neighbouring geographical feature. During the levelling process, horizontal and vertical controls are often created using theodolite or equivalent surveying devices.

You may now create the plan of your structure after calculating these spots. Any modifications should be stated in the drawings to minimise misunderstanding. Many things can go wrong if the building plan is not appropriately considered. 

 

Building layout plan: What happens if it’s not properly planned?

Unwanted small spaces

Inadequate planning might result in undesired little areas in structures that could have been utilised for other purposes. It may result in fewer parking places in the parking lot. It can also limit office space, particularly in commercial buildings, reducing turnover from what might otherwise be a good facility. Unwanted tiny areas are expensive because they result in wasted space and poor consumer comfort.

 

Delays

Delays are among the most typical difficulties in construction, and they can be caused by failing to adhere to the building pattern. An incorrectly completed layout must be demolished, and the process must be restarted from the beginning. Every day you are late increases your project’s unfactored resources and labour expenses.

It can cause difficulty with project scheduling right from the start. Delays raise project expenses and harm your company’s reputation. When you have several projects, delays in one project might affect others, and some delays are significant enough to cause a project to fail.

 

Damaged materials 

Failure to adhere to the plan may result in material and fixture damage because the areas are too large or too tiny to suit their intended purpose. Labour expenditures may also be incurred for repairs, fixture removal, or rebuilding. Damaged materials cause the structure to need more materials than was initially anticipated.

 

Loss in profits

All of the variables mentioned above contribute to a project’s decreased profitability. A project that does not begin on time or consumes resources such as materials and labour expenses impacts a company’s profit margin.

In a competitive market, a firm that spends more than it makes may struggle to exist. Unacceptable customer deliveries can also result in contract termination and a loss of revenue and reputation.

 

Sustainability risk

A poorly planned building layout can bring sustainability and health and safety problems for a project if it is severe. A construction firm with many failed projects is unlikely to survive, as failed projects can lead to insolvency or possibly the closure of a construction organisation.

 

FAQs

What exactly is a building layout plan?

A site layout plan, also known as a block plan, depicts a precise layout of the whole site and the connection of the proposed works to the property's boundaries, local roadways, and neighbouring structures.

What exactly is a general layout plan?

A general arrangement (GA) or structural layout is a drawing that clearly shows the positioning of structural components of a building, such as columns, beams, floor slab panels, etc., to design the structure.

What are the five layout design elements?

The essential parts of any visual design are the elements of design, which include shape, colour, space, form, line, value, and texture.

 

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com