Using Engineer and Architect Scales

NOTE: When PRINTING this document, be sure the pull down

menu next to “Print Scaling” in the Print Dialog window is set
to “None”. This will ensure the sample drawings will measure
accurately.

Introduction

Using and interpreting information from engineer

(civil) and architect scales is an important fire protection
engineering skill. Construction and fire protection
equipment drawings must be interpreted with a high
Since
degree of accuracy.
it would be impractical
to create full-size drawings for these
Student Performance Objective objects, they are reduced to a manageable size (scale)
so they can be studied. A set of plans may include a
Given an architect or engineer scale and a set of scaled variety of different scales, depending upon what
drawings, you will be able to select the correct scale (tool) objects are being rendered. The selected scale normally
and interpret dimensions with 100 percent accuracy. is found in the title block in the lower right hand corner
of the drawings, but may be found anywhere on the
Enabling Objectives plans. You may find more than one scale on a single
sheet when there are “details,” parts of the objects that
1) You will be able to identify the difference between are enlarged for clearer explanation.
engineer (civil) and architect scales.
2) Using a scale, you will be able to measure objects In order to interpret the size of what the renderings
shown on civil engineering plans and architectural represent, the plan reviewer must use a tool called
renditions of buildings and structures. a “scale.” The word “scale” is used synonymously
to represent the tool and the size reduction in the
3) You will be able to interpret the results of the
drawing. The scale tool provides a quick method for
measurements.
measuring the object and interpreting its eventual size
when finished.
Scales

Before they are built or assembled, roads, water mains, Selecting the Correct Tool
structures, and fire protection systems are designed
in accordance with nationally recognized standards. Traditional scales are prism-shaped tools that look
The design concept is transferred to a set of plans similar to the rulers you may have used in elementary
(drawings) that provide a two- or three-dimensional school. There are two types of drafting scales used in
representation of the project. design and construction:


1. Engineer, or civil, scales, such as 1˝ = 10´ or 1˝ = 50´, • The scale marked “16” is a standard ruler.
are used for measuring roads, water mains, and • You must learn to read both from left to right,
topographical features. The distance relationships and right to left. Note in the example below, the
also may be shown as 1:10 or 1:50. numbers on the 1/8-inch scale increase from
left to right. The numbers on the 1/4-inch scale
2. Architect scales, such as 1/4˝ = 1´-0˝ (1/48 size) or
increase from right to left.
1/8˝ = 1´-0˝ (1/96 size), are used for structures and
buildings. They are used to measure interior and • Note that the “0” point on an architect scale
exterior dimensions such as rooms, walls, doors, is not at the extreme end of the measuring
windows, and fire protection system details. line. The numbers “below” the “0” represent
fractions of one foot.
Other scale tools include flat scales and rolling scales.
1/8 1/4
Rolling scales have the advantage of being able to 0 4 8 12 92

measure travel distances easily, an important feature 46 44 42 2 0

when evaluating means of egress.

3. Engineer scales have the following dimensional

1. Look closely at the dimensions shown on the faces relationships:
of the tools.
1 inch = 10 feet 1 inch = 40 feet
• Architect scales have numbers that run 1 inch = 20 feet 1 inch = 50 feet
incrementally both from left to right and from 1 inch = 30 feet 1 inch = 60 feet
right to left. A whole number or fraction to the
left or right of the number line indicates the 30

scale those numbers represent.

0 2 4 6 8 10

• Engineer scales have numbers that run

incrementally from left to right. The whole • When using the engineer scale, you must
number to the left of the number line indicates multiply the value you identify by 10.
the scale those numbers represent. • The small lines between the whole numbers
represent individual feet, so a point that falls
2. Architect scales use fractions and have the following two marks to the right of the whole number 4 is
dimensional relationships: interpreted as 42 feet.
3/32 = 1 foot 1/4 = 1 foot 3/4 = 1 foot
3/16 = 1 foot 3/8 = 1 foot 1 inch = 1 foot Using the Tool and Interpreting the Results
1/8 = 1 foot 1/2 = 1 foot 1½ inches = 1 foot
You should never use your scale to draw lines. It should
be used only for measuring.


1. Identify the scale shown on the plans by the If the object’s end point does not align exactly with
architect, engineer or fire protection contractor a corresponding foot mark, slide the scale right or
(i.e., 1/8 = 1 foot; 1:40). left until the fractional mark aligns, then take your
2. Select the object you wish to measure, and select reading. Translate the fraction into inches (e.g., the
the appropriate architect or engineer scale (tool). 1/2 mark equals 6 inches, the 3/4 mark equals 9
inches).
3. Align your scale tool with the selected scale to
verify they match. During blueprint reproduction, Example No. 3:
the image size may be adjusted to fit the paper so it
may not represent precisely the scale the designer Using the same line, measure the distance using a
intended to use. 3/8-inch to 1-foot scale. Lay the “0” at the left end
of the scale on the left end of the line.
4. Correctly align the “0” with one end of the object
as a starting point, and identify the object’s end
point. The corresponding number on the scale tool You will see that the right end of the line falls
represents the object’s length when built. between 10 and 11 feet. Slide the scale to the right
until the 10 foot mark aligns with the right end of
Example No. 1: the line.
The drawings state that the scale is 1/8 inch equals Now, look at the marks on the left end of the line,
1 foot. Using your architect scale, select the face of left of the “0.” The left end of the line corresponds
the tool with the 1/8 mark in the upper left-hand to the ninth mark left of the “0,” which in this case
corner. Lay the “0” point at the extreme left end represents 9 inches. Thus, in a scale of 3/8 inch to 1
of this line, and read the corresponding value at the foot, this line represents an object 10 feet, 9 inches
right end of the line. long.

You should see the value “32” on your scale. Given Example No. 4:
a 1/8-inch scale, this line represents a 32-foot long Use the same line, but this time you are measuring
object. a “water main” and the plans show a scale of 1 inch
Example No. 2: equals 20 feet. Use the engineer scale to measure
this water line.
Using the same line, measure the distance using a
1/4-inch to 1-foot scale. In this example, you will lay
the “0” end of the tool on the right end of the line. Lay the engineer scale marked “20” on the left end
of the line. The right end of the line should align
with the number “8”. Remember to multiply that
The left end of the line should correspond to the value by 10 to get an answer of “80 feet.”
“16” on your scale. This line represents a 16-foot
long object even though the line on the paper is the
same length as the one above: that is the influence Try the activities on the next pages to test your new
of “scale.” skills. The answers are found on the last page.


1. Measure the height and width of this rectangle. The scale is 1/4 inch equals 1 foot.

Height: feet Width: feet

2. Measure the exterior dimensions of this rectangle. The scale is 1/8 inch equals one foot.

Height: feet Width: feet

3. In scale, how far apart are these two rectangles?

55 feet


4. This drawing represents the plan view of a bulk tank facility. The scale is 1:60. What are the tank diameters in
feet?

Tank No. 1 Tank No. 2

Tank No. 3

Tank
No. 5 Tank No. 6
Tank No. 4

Tank No. 1 =_________feet Tank No. 4 =_________feet

Tank No. 2 =_________feet Tank No. 5 =_________feet

Tank No. 3 =_________feet Tank No. 6 =_________feet

5. Given the above information, how far apart at their nearest edges are Tanks 1 and 6, measured in a straight
line?

6. This drawing represents the floor plan of a small office. Given a scale of 3/32 = 1 foot, how long in feet is the
exit access corridor?

Office Rest
(Typical) Room

Exit Access Corridor


Scale versus Dimensions

While using a scale tool is an important skill, there are times when the fire inspector must rely on other
information.

When drawings are prepared with dimensions written on the plans, the written dimensions always take precedence
over scaled measurements.

During blueprint reproduction, the image size may be adjusted to fit the paper, so it may not represent precisely the
scale the designer intended to use. If the image was adjusted just a small amount, its accuracy would be in doubt.
Therefore, the dimensions written on the plans should be used.

Example
A fire sprinkler contractor submits drawings with the branch lines marked as follows:

8´6˝

You apply your scale to verify the dimensions, and discover the sprinklers are 10 feet apart based on your scale.
How do you reconcile the difference?

The correct answer is 8 feet, 6 inches, because the written dimensions always take precedence over scaled
measurements. In this example, you likely would obtain inaccurate scaled dimensions anywhere on the
drawings when using your scale tool.


Activity answers

(Note: Your answers may be slightly different from these due to margins of error among scale tools.)

1. Height = 5 feet, width = 21 feet, 6 inches

2. Height = 12 feet, width = 33 feet, 4 inches

3. Using the engineer scale tool, you must first establish which scale was selected. By rotating the scale tool until
you align it with a known dimension (55 feet), you will see that the selected scale is 1 inch = 50 feet. Applying
the scale tool to the outer edges of the rectangles reveals they are spaced 70 feet apart.

4. Tank No. 1 = 105 feet Tank No. 4 = 44 feet

Tank No. 2 = 90 feet Tank No. 5 = 32 feet
Tank No. 3 = 99 feet Tank No. 6 = 62 feet

5. 86 feet

6. 53 feet