Understanding As-Built Drawings and Why They Matter

Good documentation is a foundation for success in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Of all the documents used in the field, as-built drawings stand out as particularly valuable records. They capture the reality of what was built—the final picture of a project's completion. This guide will explore the nature, importance, and creation of these important drawings.

As-built drawings, which you may also see called record drawings, are construction documents that have been revised to accurately represent all changes made during construction. Initial plans represent the intended design, but modifications are often made along the way. These could be customer requests, necessary adjustments, or other changes. As-built drawings fix the inaccuracies that these changes introduce into the original plans.

Several features are included in as-built drawings that make them such important documents:

• Accurate dimensions reflecting the final construction
• Detailed notes explaining changes from the original plans
• Updated specifications for any changed materials
• The exact location of electrical conduits, plumbing, and structural supports
• Verification signatures from contractors, engineers, or architects

Several other drawings are used during the construction process. These distinct elements should not be confused with as-built drawings:

• Design drawings show what was intended to be built
• Shop drawings show details for specific components
• Construction drawings provide instructions for builders

Each serves a purpose during the construction process, but only as-built documents reflect the final state of construction.

These drawings provide project owners with a record of the true state of their investment. The as-built drawing for a project:

• Creates a verifiable record of compliance with project requirements
• Documents approved deviations from the original plans
• Establishes a baseline for measuring future changes
• Facilitates proper project closeout and final payment processes

During the lifecycle of the building, several repairs or additions will likely be performed. As-built drawings help here by providing contractors with easy access to the information that they need:
Maintenance teams can locate hidden systems without destructive investigation.
Renovation designers have access to accurate starting conditions.
Building system upgrades can be designed with knowledge of the starting state.
Troubleshooting becomes easier with accurate system documentation.

As-built drawings also serve several risk management and compliance roles. The small investment in comprehensive documentation offers these benefits:

• Demonstrating regulatory compliance to building officials
• Supporting insurance documentation requirements
• Reducing liability by documenting approved changes
• Documenting evidence in the case of disputes
• Providing accuracy for building management and emergency planning

Given the importance of as-built drawings, care must be taken to ensure the final result is as accurate as possible. This involves using the correct tools and following best practices.

For modern construction companies, a mixture of traditional and technological resources goes into the creation of as-built drawings:

• Laser measuring devices for precise measurements
• Digital cameras for photographic documentation
• Mobile tablets with annotation capabilities for taking field notes
• Cloud-based document management systems for version control
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) software for 3D documentation
• Traditional measuring tools for easy access in all conditions

Given that the as-built drawing must reflect every change, the creation of the documentation must be an ongoing process. Doing so eliminates the common problem of trying to remember all changes from memory. Incorporate these steps into your process:

• Implement a change documentation process from the project start.
• Delegate clear responsibility for marking changes on designated drawing sets.
• Conduct regular reviews of marked-up drawings before concealing elements.
• Take and date photographs of all buried or concealed elements.
• Have all team members use consistent notation methods.
• Verify all dimensions and locations before finalising the drawings.

Electrical systems deserve special attention. Not only are they complex, but they're also concealed, vital for safety, and will likely be modified at some point during the life of the building.
Electrical systems require particular attention in as-built documentation:

• Document the exact routing of conduits and raceways.
• Record panel schedules as they're actually implemented.
• Make note of wire sizes, types, and colour coding schemes.
• Include the locations of junction boxes and access points.
• Document any load balancing or circuit modifications.
• Verify and record the model numbers and ratings of all equipment installed.

As-built drawings require extreme precision. No matter how accurate the measurements and documentation are, the drawings will fall short when they are printed at an inferior quality. Thankfully, high-precision, large format prints are now possible in-house.

At one time, printing large documents like as-built drawings required construction professionals to rely on third-party printing services. Now, large format printers bring that capability right into the office. The machines allow for:

• Full-scale drawings with accurate dimensional verification
• Colour printing with great readability and clearly communicated information
• High-resolution output to capture fine details for future reference
• Durable media options to guarantee that important documents last
• Consistent output for accuracy across multiple prints

HP makes the highest-quality large format printers on the market. Options like the HP DesignJet series offer several major benefits:

• Precision printing capabilities capture all of the fine details in a drawing
• WiFi connectivity allows direct printing from field devices
• Cloud integration streamlines workflow from documentation to printing
• Water-resistant inks protect documents when in the field
• Energy-efficient operation aids in sustainability goals

As-built drawings are one of the most important deliverables in a construction project. They provide a bridge between the design intent and the reality of construction. The accurate record they provide benefits multiple stakeholders throughout a building's lifecycle. To get the highest quality out of your as-built drawings, consider taking advantage of HP's DesignJet Promo for a great deal on a quality plotter.