BPC/VBA Building Design (Draftsperson) Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Occupant load calculation

Divide floor area by the occupant load factor for the use (e.g., 9.3 m²/person for offices). This determines egress width, exits, and sanitary fixture counts.

Travel distance limit

Maximum distance from the most remote point to an exit, measured along the path of travel. Typically 60 m in sprinklered buildings, 45 m unsprinklered; confirm local code.

Remote exit separation

The distance between two required exits must be at least half the diagonal of the floor area, or a minimum specified distance, to prevent both being blocked by one fire.

Accessible ramp slope

Maximum gradient 1:12 (8.33%). Provide landings at top, bottom, and every 9 m of run; handrails on both sides at 865–965 mm above finished floor.

Allowable building area

Base area from code table multiplied by occupancy factor, sprinkler increase (up to 200% if fully sprinklered), and frontage increase. Height limits checked separately.

Drawing line weights

Cut elements 0.7–1.0 mm, visible edges 0.35–0.5 mm, hidden lines 0.25 mm, grid lines 0.18 mm. Hierarchy improves readability and distinguishes depth.

Scale notation

1:100 means 1 mm on paper represents 100 mm in reality. Always use written dimensions; never scale from drawings because of reproduction distortion.

Sheet numbering convention

Discipline prefix plus two-digit sequence (A-101 architectural, S-201 structural). Revisions clouded with delta symbol and revision number; title block on right edge.

Door schedule content

Lists door tag, size, type, fire rating, hardware set, glazing, and frame material. Cross-referenced to plan tags and detail sheets for complete specification.

Concrete cover requirements

Minimum cover: 20 mm slabs, 40 mm beams/columns exposed to weather, 50 mm cast against earth. Protects reinforcement from corrosion and fire.

Brick masonry quantities

Standard brick 215×102.5×65 mm with 10 mm mortar joint. Approximately 60 bricks per square metre of single-leaf wall; add 5% waste.

Roof pitch minimums

Sheet metal 1:80, concrete tiles 1:60, asphalt shingles 1:12. Underlayment lapped 100 mm horizontally, 150 mm vertically to shed water.

Thermal transmittance U-value

U = 1/R, where R is thermal resistance. Lower U means better insulation. Typical targets: wall ≤ 0.35 W/m²K, roof ≤ 0.25 W/m²K in temperate climates.

Waterproofing upturn heights

Membrane turned up 150 mm at walls, 300 mm at shower recesses. Fall 1:80 to drains. Flood test for 24 hours before covering.

Beam depth rule of thumb

Simply supported steel beam depth ≈ span/20; concrete ≈ span/12. Verify deflection limits L/360 for floors, L/240 for roofs.

Service void coordination

Allocate ceiling void ≥ 400 mm for ducts, 150 mm sprinkler, 100 mm electrical. Resolve clashes before tender; no structural cutting without engineer approval.

Sprinkler head spacing

Maximum 4.6 m between heads and 2.3 m from walls for light hazard. Maintain 150 mm clearance below ceiling; pipe slope 1:500 to drain.

Fire stopping penetrations

Seal all service penetrations through fire-rated walls and floors with tested systems. Integrity rating must equal the element penetrated.

Site coverage and plot ratio

Site coverage = footprint ÷ site area × 100%. Plot ratio = gross floor area ÷ site area. Both limited by zoning; typical coverage 40–60% residential.

Building setbacks

Minimum distances from property boundary to building line: front 3–6 m, side 1.5–3 m, rear 3 m typical residential. Confirm local planning scheme.

Solar orientation principle

Long axis east–west maximises north/south daylight. North glazing gives consistent light; south needs shading to control summer heat gain.

Stormwater detention

Impervious surfaces increase runoff. Provide detention volume equal to post-development minus pre-development runoff for the design storm; size soakaway by infiltration rate.

Accessible parking bay

Minimum 3.7 m wide, or 2.4 m bay plus 1.2 m shared aisle. Gradient ≤ 1:50; accessible route to entrance with slope ≤ 1:20.

Measurement rules for openings

Under NRM2/SMM7, no deduction for openings less than 0.5 m² in walls. Measure net dimensions in m, m², m³, nr, kg.

Quantity takeoff waste allowance

Add 5–10% to net quantities for cutting and breakage. Concrete volume = plan area × thickness; formwork measured as contact area.

Retention in construction contracts

Typically 5% of each interim payment held. Half released at practical completion, remainder after defects liability period (often 12 months).

Critical path float

Float = late start − early start. Critical activities have zero float; any delay extends the programme. Monitor milestones at design freeze, tender, completion.

Variation order pricing

Documented instruction to change scope. Priced using BOQ rates where applicable, otherwise fair valuation. Time impact assessed separately.

Professional duty of care

Exercise reasonable skill and care of a competent professional. Document advice in writing; avoid conflicts of interest; maintain confidentiality.

Drawing copyright

Drawings remain the author's intellectual property. Client receives licence for the specific project; reuse for other projects requires permission.

RFI protocol

Request for Information: numbered, dated, with response deadline. Minutes issued within 5 working days; decisions recorded to avoid disputes.

Professional indemnity insurance

Cover for negligence claims. Maintain for statutory period (6–12 years); disclose claims history; cooperate with insurer in defence.