Best Practices for Project Management, Design, and Construction of ...

Site Plans
If the project involves outside (exterior) electrical work, then it should be clearly shown in the site
plan documentation. Based upon the complexity of the project, the site plan should be developed
into multiple documents such as:
o
o
o
Site Plan – Electrical Power
Site Plan – Lighting
Site Plan – Low Voltage Systems
Floor Plans
It is recommended to follow the architectural floor plan nomenclature for sheet order and sheet
numbering in order to simplify the logical sequence of cross-coordination with all trades
(disciplines). Traditionally, the floor plans provide the documentation of the architectural features
as a shaded background and the electrical devices are prominently shown on top of these
locations.
Enlarged Drawings
The drawings that contain a significant amount of information require much more space to clearly
communicate the scope of work. These drawings tend to be the ¼” scale or larger, in order to
show exact placements and or intent. In addition, these drawings may comprise several
elevations to demonstrate the intent.
Organization and Approach
The electrical drawings represent work that is closely coordinated with many other disciplines
such as architectural, structural, mechanical, and plumbing. The need to have very well
coordinated drawings is especially important with respect to mechanical and plumbing
equipment. Reflected ceiling plans are another key coordination effort. Many of the design issues
that arise from plan review are from non-concurrent referenced plans such as a reflected ceiling
plan or mechanical plan indicating fire/smoke damper locations, for example.
Based on many experiences, the last minute little changes from one discipline cause large issues
for another discipline.
Drawing Content
The electrical drawings should reflect the clear scope of work and the application of separate
systems on their own drawings will provide better definition of the intended work. Examples of this
are as follows:
Sheet Description:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Electrical Title Sheet, Drawing Index
Schedules, Notes, Lighting Schedules
Site Plan – Electrical
Site Plan – Lighting
Site Plan – Low Voltage / Communication
Floor Plan – Electrical
(OSHPD Best Practices) Page 54 DRAFT FINAL, Sept. 2011