What are Coordination Drawings?
Coordination drawings are used in the building industry (MEP), where many different disciplines, HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, etc. and companies work in the same space. Coordination is necessary, as steel fabrication has to share the same space as the Masonry Building, such as stairs, structural frames, etc.
Coordinating needs to be done between the architect, structural engineer, steel fabricator, and many other disciplines, such as curtain wall designer.
It has to take place at a top level. Otherwise, a successful installation will only be down.
Here are some standard terms you may hear about coordination drawings:
- Coordinated Shop Drawings
- Assembly Drawing
- Composite Drawings
- Building Information Modeling
- Sheet Metal Detailing
- 2D Coordination
- 3D Coordination
- Sheet Metal Shop Drawings
- BIM coordination
- 3D MEP Drafting
- Above Ceiling Coordination
Coordination drawings, often referred to as coordination diagrams or coordination sets, are an essential part of construction and design projects, especially in fields like architecture, engineering, and construction. These drawings help ensure that different aspects of a project fit together seamlessly and function as intended. Here are some advantages of coordination drawings:
- Conflict Resolution: One of the primary benefits of coordination drawings is their ability to identify and resolve conflicts or clashes between different building systems or components. For example, they can highlight instances where structural elements intersect with mechanical or electrical systems. By catching these conflicts early, projects can avoid costly rework and delays.
- Improved Collaboration: Coordination drawings facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors. These drawings serve as a common reference point, ensuring that all parties are on the same page and understand how different elements should interact.
- Cost Savings: By identifying conflicts and issues before construction begins, coordination drawings can help prevent costly errors. This proactive approach minimizes the need for redesign and rework, ultimately saving time and money on the project.
- Enhanced Safety: Coordination drawings help ensure that safety requirements are met, as they can highlight potential hazards or conflicts that might compromise the safety of the building or its occupants. This contributes to a safer construction process and a safer final structure.
- Clarity and Precision: These drawings provide a level of detail and precision that can be difficult to achieve with written specifications alone. They offer a visual representation of how different systems will be installed and interact with one another, reducing ambiguity and interpretation errors.
What kind of Coordination Drawings do we offer?
Smaller or bigger projects need coordinated shop drawings. The truth is, they always have. AUSTRALIAN DESIGN & DRAFTING SERVICES asks “how fast we can get shop drawings” for small projects. Most subcontractors say the same thing: “I don’t know why they ask for shop drawings; they never have in the past”, and then the next question is “How much are they going to cost?” Also, the cost is a bit complicated; we need to look at the project, the spec, and the requirements. The GC may not have specific requirements on smaller jobs, and it all boils down to whether you want available shop drawings or drawings to appease the spec.
We provide MEP coordination drawings and fabrication and coordinated drawings. We do not simply overlay everything on CAD and present the result.
We get all parties involved to gain the latest data. Based on the information, we request site visits and coordination meetings to rectify any clashes.
We usually go through the following process:
- Establish all parties involved
- Carry out Overlays in 2D & 3D CAD and check for clashes
- Coordinate with all parties to remove any clashes
- Contact parties and obtain the latest drawings
- Drafting Design Tools and Software
- Submit Coordinated Drawings for Approval
Drafting Design Tools and Software
Our Expert Engineers & Drafters are versatile, using any software that your process might require. We successfully managed Drafting and Design projects involving software such as AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Solidworks, Revit Architecture, Architectural Desktop, Microstation, and 3D Studio Max.