Source: AIA Knowledge Resources Team
Summary
The meanings of as-built drawings, record drawings and measured drawings can be confusing and misapplied, and the AIA receives many queries about the definitions and use of these terms in contemporary practice.
As-Built Drawings: As-built drawings are prepared by the contractor. They show, in red ink, on-site changes to the original construction documents
Measured Drawings: Measured drawings are prepared in the process of measuring a building for future renovation or as historic documentation. They are created from on-site measurements.
Record Drawings: Record drawings are prepared by the architect and reflect on-site changes the contractor noted in the as-built drawings. They are often compiled as a set of on-site changes made for the owner per the owner-architect contract.
The Terms in Practice
The earliest written account we found of any of these three terms is in a 1952 edition of Architectural Graphics by C. Leslie Martin. Which defined “measured drawing” similarly to the current definition: “The measured drawing gives a description of some detail, element of architecture or building.” Martin did not mention either of the other two terms in this publication.
More than 20 years later, early editions of the Dictionary of Architecture & Construction, edited by Cyril M.Harris, defined “measured drawings” and “record drawings” in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions, the 1st being published in 1975. Those definitions, too, are in line with today’s definitions.
Changes in Architect’s Handbook
The 13th edition of the Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP), published in 2001, defined “as-built drawing” differently than did the 12th edition (1994). Under “as-built drawings,” the 12th edition said only “see record drawings,” whereas the 13th edition lists separate definitions.
The forthcoming 14th edition of the AHPP states, “As-built drawings should not be confused with record drawings, ” and defines both as-built and record drawings similarly to the definitions given at the beginning of this Best Practice document.
Drawings of existing buildings are often needed for construction projects. There are basically three types of drawings and they are different in design methods and intent of use. These types of plan drawings fall into one of three categories: as-built, record, and measured drawings.
During and after building construction sometimes there are changes in construction from the design drawings from which they are to be built. Documenting changes from architect drawings are what the general contractors shows on an as-built drawing. Contractors walk through a building and make a new drawing or redline the original to show to reflect its layout accurately as-is. This is an as-built drawing.
Record drawings are the architects extension of contractors as-built drawings. Meaning the red-lined and or newly created drawings of the construction changes made by the contractor are redrawn by the architect and submitted in the construction document set as noted changes.
Construction documents: Architect’s original plans that detail the construction process.
Record drawings: Reflect the final design of the building constructed, showing changes made onsite.
Measured drawings are of existing buildings and structures. Plans are created and drawn from existing buildings in the current conditions. A site visit is needed to measure and document the existing condition of a building typically drawn in a cad program.
Although all three types of drawings are different, they’re equally important for architects, contractors, and property owners and developers. Typically used for:
Renovations
Real Estate Evaluations
Fire Safety
and more.....
Our as-built drawing services, create accurate to scale drawings to help inform design solutions.