Sections in building design
In terms of design, the term ‘section’ typically refers to a view of a structure as though it has been sliced in half or cut along another imaginary plane, which is generally, but not always a vertical plane. This is represented as a ‘section drawing’ or ‘sectional drawing’. This can be useful when designing or representing structures such as buildings as it gives a view that passes through spaces such as rooms and also through the building fabric, and this can reveal relationships between the parts of the building that might not be apparent on plans or elevations.
For more information, see Section drawing.
In a wider sense, 'section' can also refer to a specific part of a document, regulation, standard or agreement. For example, Section 50 agreement, Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, a planning obligation (section 106), and so on.
It can also be used in relation to a section engineer, the role of which is to lead a team of site engineers, usually on civil engineering and infrastructure projects. They are responsible for all engineering matters related to a project or specific part of a project, such as a road or tunnel. For more information, see Section engineer.
It may also refer to work sections, that is, parts of construction works. For example, NRM2 lists work sections for work section breakdown structures, used to prepare some types of bills of quantities. For more information, see Work section bill of quantities.
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