Symbols on architectural drawings
This article catalogues some of the more commonly used symbols on architectural drawings and designs.
[edit] Add to the list by clicking the 'Edit this article' button.
|
1 gang light switch |
|
2 gang light switch |
|
2 gang 2 way light switch |
|
Adjustable recessed spotlight |
|
Automatic air vent |
|
Bath |
|
Blockwork |
|
Boiler flue |
|
Brick |
|
Category 5 break tank |
|
Compressor |
|
Concrete |
|
Consumer unit |
|
Dimmer switch |
|
Door (plan) |
|
Double switched wall socket |
|
Double switched wall socket above worktop level |
|
Ethernet socket |
|
Expansion vessel |
|
Filter |
|
Flexible hose |
|
Floor tiles |
|
Flow restrictor |
|
Glass |
|
Hardcore |
|
Hardwood |
|
Incline (steps, stairs or ramp) with arrow head at the higher side |
|
Insulation |
|
Isolation valve |
|
Lamp |
|
Lockshield valve |
|
Mechanical fan vent |
|
Microbubble coalescent material |
|
Non return valve |
|
North point |
|
Passive vent |
|
Paving |
|
Pendant light |
|
|
Plywood |
|
Pressure sensor |
|
Pump |
|
Radiator |
|
Rainwater outlet |
|
Recessed downlight |
|
Recessed spotlight |
|
Roof tiles |
|
Rubble |
|
Safety valve |
|
Sand |
|
Sawn timber |
|
Shaver socket |
|
Shingles |
|
Shower tray |
|
Single switched fused spur |
|
Single switched wall socket |
|
Sink |
|
Soil vent pipe |
|
Solenoid valve |
|
Stairway with arrow head at the higher side |
|
Stone |
|
Stonework |
|
Telephone point |
|
Temperature sensor |
|
Test point |
|
Thermostat |
|
Towel rail |
|
Tree (existing) |
|
Tree (proposed) |
|
Tree - to be removed |
|
Tundish |
|
TV aerial |
|
Wall light |
|
Wash basin |
|
wc |
|
Weight sensor |
|
Window (elevation) showing direction of opening - point of triangle indicates hinged side |
|
Window (plan) |
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Architect.
- Common mistakes on building drawings.
- Common spelling mistakes in the construction industry.
- Drawings.
- Drawing board.
- Hatching.
- How to draw a floor plan.
- Manual drafting techniques.
- Notation and units on drawings and documents.
- Paper sizes.
- Scale drawing.
- Technical drawing pen sizes.
- Techniques for drawing buildings.
- Types of drawing.
- Visualisation.
- Working drawing.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.
Great start, but it would be really helpful if people would add more.