Basic Construction Drawing Interpretation

Overview

The construction industry relies on various types of documents to create a clear understanding of rights and responsibilities with respect to a construction contract. One of those types of documents is what are commonly known as the plans.

Unlike other contract documents, construction drawings are graphic in nature and are meant to portray the building showing the location, sizes, and relative various components to one another. By interpreting these drawings, owners, prime contractors, trade contractors, and other key stakeholders will understand how the building is to be constructed and how it should look upon completion.

Understanding how to navigate and interpret these documents is a crucial skill that everyone in the construction industry must possess.

Details

• Date: January 13 & 14, 2026
• Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Member Cost: $360 plus HST + fees
• Non-Member Cost: $390 plus HST + fees
• Format: Virtual
• CPD Category: Active

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand and interpret most types of construction drawings.
2. Define common drawing interpretation terminology and nomenclature.
3. Identify the common components of a title block.
4. List the common order of most construction drawings.
5. Differentiate between plan views, cross sections, elevations, and details.
6. Interpret items shown using two dimensional drawings as three-dimensional objects by navigating between views.
7. Discuss the relevance of varying line weights and types.
8. Understand the principles and benefits of using orthographic projection vs perspective.
9. Differentiate between scales in both imperial and metric systems of measure.
10. Understand dimensioning and elevations in both imperial and metric systems of measure.
11. Differentiate between nominal and actual dimensioning, as well as hard and soft metric to imperial conversions.
12. Interpret common symbols and abbreviations.

About Ralph Lembcke

Ralph Lembcke, P. GSC. holds a certificate in Construction Engineering Technology and Management from Fanshawe College, a teaching certificate from St. Clair College and a Professional Gold Seal certification from the Canadian Construction Association. His career has taken him from estimator to project manager, from self-employed contractor to a 30-year career as a professor with the Donald J. Smith School of Building Technology at Fanshawe College in London, where he still teaches part-time. Contact Ralph anytime at rlembckeassociates@gmail.com

Cancellation Clause

Cancellation by course participant:

A full refund will be provided to registrants who provide a minimum of two(2) business days cancellation notice prior to the start of the course. The course participant will also have the option of transferring their ticket to a different course start date, depending on availability.

Cancellation by Instructor:

Decisions on course cancellations will be made prior to the course start date, early registration is recommended. If you register for a course that is canceled by the instructor, you will receive a full refund.