Harvard University

University Planning Office

CAD Standards

Facility and Construction Documentation

INTRODUCTION

1.   &n 333i85d bsp;   ELECTRONIC FILE QUALITY ASSURANCE CHECKLIST

2.   &n 333i85d bsp;   CAD DRAWING PRODUCTION

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; FILE FORMAT and SETUP

Electronic File Format

Scale, Units and Tolerances

Fonts and Text Styles

Block

Title Block

Use Disclaimer

Policy on Model Space and Paper Space

Policy on External Reference Files

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; LAYERING

Standard Layer List

Name Formatting

General Rules about Uses

Attributes (Colors, Pens, Linetypes)

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; FILE NAME CONVENTIONS

Building and Floor Identification Codes

Discipline Identification Codes

Drawing Type Codes

Drawing Numbers

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; POLICY on CAD FILE TRANSLATION

Full AutoCAD Compliance

Translation Testing Recommended

The University Planning Office revised this document in the spring of 2006. It represents the third major revision of Harvard's CAD standards. Prior versions were published in 1999, 1996 and 1994. The revisions in this edition focus on requiring facility documentation drawings prior to capital project closeout, a use disclaimer, a new layout standard, and electronic file qualities.

The purpose of this document is to serve as a tight specification for producing and delivering CAD drawings for facility documentation projects and construction projects. The guidelines are intended to ensure the successful use and control of CAD/GIS systems and data throughout Harvard.

Before a capital project can be closed out and final payment from Harvard University rendered, all specified materials must be submitted to the appropriate Harvard project manager or representative in accordance with production standards and special instructions described throughout this document. See also the publication Capital Projects Closeout Requirements (available at upo.harvard.edu) for the list of closeout requirements.

A signed copy of the Electronic File Quality Assurance Checklist found in section one of this document must also be submitted with CAD drawings and scans being delivered during the closeout phase of CAPS projects. When an Electronic Quality Assurance Checklist has been signed and submitted, the vendor (architect, engineer, contractor, etc.) is assuring that all materials adhere to the standards and guidelines set forth in this document.

The layering standard outlined herein is a slightly modified version of the 1997 American Institute of Architects CAD Layer Guidelines. However, please note that Harvard follows its own guidelines for naming and organizing CAD files, instead of following the 1997 AIA recommendations in these areas.

Please direct any questions or comments about this document to the address below.

Harvard University Planning Office

573 Holyoke Center

1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138.

tel: 617-496-4434

email: [email protected] and [email protected]

CAD drawings delivered upon closeout of a CAPS project must be accompanied by submission of the following checklist. When a checklist has been signed and submitted, the vendor (architect, engineer, contractor, etc.) is assuring that all materials adhere to the standards and guidelines set forth in this document.

FILE FORMAT AND SETUP

Electronic File Format

Scale, Units, & Tolerances

Fonts and Text Styles

Blocks

Title Blocks

Policy on Model Space and Paper Space

Policy on External Reference Files (XREFs)

LAYERING

Standard Layer List

Layer Name Formatting

General Rules about Naming and Uses

Layer Attributes (Colors, Pens, Linetypes)

CAD & TIFF FILE NAME CONVENTIONS

Building and Floor Identification Codes

Discipline Identification Codes

Drawing Type Codes

Drawing Numbers

POLICY ON CAD FILE TRANSLATION

Full AutoCAD Compliance

Translation Testing Procedures (if applicable)

POLICY ON TIFF FILE TRANSLATION

Scan at 600 dpi

Files must be uncompressed

Signature of Accountable Vendor Representative__________ ______ ____ _______

Phone Number __________ ______ ____ __________ ______ ____ __­_

Date __________ ______ ____ __________ ______ ____ ___________

Electronic File Format

Facility documentation drawings and construction project drawings must be submitted to Harvard University in full compliance with AutoCAD 2004 software (file extension = .DWG). Throughout this document, the use of the name AutoCAD always implies "AutoCAD 2004" unless otherwise noted.

Scale and Units

All CAD drawing models should be drafted at full scale in architectural units, such that one drawing unit equals one inch.

Tolerances

For Facility Documentation Drawings

Typically it is required that exterior building dimensions recorded within CAD drawings must reconcile to within 1 inch of actual building dimensions as measured in the field, and interior building dimensions must reconcile to within 1/2 inch of actual field dimensions. However, individual project specifications may vary. Please confirm dimension error tolerances for each project with your Harvard client representative.

For Construction Drawings

Tolerances for construction drawings are implicit within professional service contracts.

Fonts & Text Styles

For Facility Documentation Projects

Only font ROMANS.shx is approved for use, unless otherwise agreed by the requesting Harvard client representative. Any text style using this font would be allowed.

Dimensions, labels and notes, when requested as part of the project, should not appear larger than 1/4" or smaller than 1/8" height on printed drawings, and drawing titles should not appear larger than 1/2" height on printed drawings.

For Construction Projects

Text styles and fonts may vary, but the use of font ROMANS.shx for most applications is desirable. Special fonts which are not packaged with AutoCAD are not allowed. Dimensions, labels and notes, should not less than 1/8" height on printed drawings

Blocks

Harvard is currently not imposing the use of any particular block definitions or block libraries. However, Harvard requires that the following general rules be employed when handling block entities:

1. All entities within a block must be created on layer 0.

2. Drawing entities translated into AutoCAD blocks from non-AutoCAD systems must revert to layer 0 when exploded within AutoCAD.

3. File translation from non-AutoCAD systems which result in wall blocks within AutoCAD are unacceptable.

Title blocks

Each CAD file submitted to Harvard should have only one title block. If using paper space, the title block should be placed with its lower left hand corner point inserted at a coordinate location of (0,0,0). Depending on the purpose of the drawing, facility documentation or construction, the drawing's title block should contain certain essential information that Harvard needs to store and retrieve each drawing in its library.

Title Blocks for Facility Documentation Drawings

Each Harvard faculty or department may have its own title block that it would like to see matched with drawings of facilities that it owns. Specifications for these title blocks will vary. See your Harvard client for exact title block specifications. A generic Harvard University title block template is available for use if there is no other available.

Title Blocks for Construction Drawings

Consulting architects and engineers must use the Harvard University title block template or a modified version provided by your Harvard client.

List of Faculties/Departments with available title blocks:

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Harvard University - generic title block

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Allston Development Group

At minimum, these title blocks should contain all of the information listed below.

Project Information:

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Firm Name - representing the drawing author

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Project Name - as specified by Harvard

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Building Number - as specified by Harvard

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Building Name - specify only if the project name does not include this information already, and the project is building specific

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Project Number - assigned by the Vendor

Drawing Information:

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Drawing Title - indicating the drawing content, e.g. floor plan, section, detail, etc.

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Drawing Number

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Date of Drawing - original drawing date including significant revision dates

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; Drawing Scale - representing the intended plot scale of the drawing with title block

·   &n 333i85d bsp;   &n 333i85d bsp; North Arrow

Policy on Model Space and Paper Space

Harvard requires that each CAD file submitted as a project deliverable contains only one drawing model with one title block, using either of the following setup methods. Note that some Harvard faculties or departments that contract with Preferred CAD Vendors to provide facility documentation drawings may express a preference for one method to be used instead of another. In this case, please see your Harvard client representative for specific preferences.

Method #1 -- Model Space Only. Both the drawing model and the drawing's title block are contained in the same model space environment within a single CAD file. The paper space environment is not used.

Method #2 -- Model Space and Paper Space Combined. Each CAD file is set up to contain only one title block in paper space which references the building model contained in model space.

Use Disclaimer

All construction documents must include the following disclaimer (already placed on the Harvard border template): "Warning: This document may contain sensitive security information and therefore must be treated as a confidential document. The information contained in this document must be maintained in a confidential manner to prevent compromising homeland security as provided in Section 214 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. No part of this document shall be reproduced, released or distributed without the express written permission of Harvard University.  Unauthorized reproduction, release or distribution may result in civil penalty or other action by Harvard University."

Policy on External Reference Files (XREFs)

Harvard will not accept the submission of any CAD drawing deliverable which contains references to external source drawing files. All externally referenced data sources that were used during the CAD drawing production phase should be inserted and retained as a block within a single drawing file, including the title block, upon project completion and prior to drawing delivery to Harvard. The resulting self-contained drawing file is an acceptable deliverable to Harvard.

Harvard has adopted most of the layer name and use rules recommended by the CAD Layer Guidelines published in 1997 by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA recommendations which have been adopted by Harvard are included in this section. Where noted, Harvard has supplemented the AIA guidelines with its own rules and standards, as necessary. A copy of the AIA guideline may be obtained by calling the AIA/Rizzoli bookstore toll-free at 1-888-272-4115 and asking for item #R809-97 (CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition).

Standard Layer Listing

This section contains a partial list of AIA recommended layers to be used when producing facility documentation drawings and construction drawings for Harvard University, along with special layers identified for institutional space management purposes.

Core layers identified below by a diamond symbol (u) are to be used by Preferred CAD Vendors producing facility documentation drawings. Depending on the requesting Harvard faculty or department, the core layer list and attributes of core layers may vary somewhat from project to project. In this case, see your Harvard client representative for preferences. Core layers should also be used as the basis for construction drawings, supplemented as necessary by other layers in the standard listing.

If necessary for construction drafting purposes, please refer to the Master Layer List in the 1997 AIA CAD Layer Guideline, pages 16-23, for additional layer names. If the Master Layer List is not sufficient, new layer names may be added using the formatting rules described in the next section entitled Layer Name Formatting, and as defined by the 1997 AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, pages 13-15.

Layer Name Formatting

As recommended by the 1997 AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, layer names may be as short as six characters (discipline code + major group) or as long as sixteen characters (discipline code + major group + minor group + status). Here are the four examples of acceptable formula variations, with explanations of formula variables found below:

Discipline Code:

The discipline code is a two-character field with the second character either a hyphen or a user-defined modifier. The predefined discipline codes are the same for both layer names and file names. For a complete list of discipline codes, see Naming Construction Drawings under File Name Conventions.

Major Group:

The major group designation is a four-character field that identifies the building system, such as doors, walls, windows, etc. Although most major groups are logically associated with specific discipline codes, it is possible to combine major group codes with any of the discipline codes. For example, A-WALL or I-WALL.

Minor Group:

This is an optional, four-character field for further differentiation of major groups. For example, partial height walls (A-WALL-PART) might be differentiated from full height walls (A-WALL-FULL). The following common modifiers defined by the AIA can also be used in the minor group field:

IDEN identification tags example: A-DOOR-IDEN

PATT cross hatching, poche example: A-WALL-PATT

If necessary, the minor group field may also be defined by the user, allowing additional layers to be added to accommodate special project requirements. However, this should only be done after checking the Master Layer List in the 1997 AIA CAD Layer Guidelines to see if any of the predefined layer names in that list would meet the special project requirements.

Status Field:

The status field is an optional four-character designator that differentiates new construction from remodeling and existing to remain. It is only needed when phases of work must be differentiated, and can be used in place of or in addition to a minor group designation, such as A-WALL-NEWW or A-WALL-FULL-NEWW. In either case, the status field is always the last four-characters of the layer name. Defined values for this field as defined by the AIA are as follows:

NEWW new work

EXST existing to remain

DEMO existing to demolish

FUTR future work

TEMP temporary work

MOVE items to be moved

RELO relocated items

NICN not in contract

PHS1-9 phase numbers (1-9)

General Rules about Names and Uses

Layer uses are generally implied by the layer name. However, the following explanation of certain layer use rules should be noted.

Status Field / Dominant Phase Rule:

This rule pertains to the use of the status field in naming layers for construction projects, and is defined by the 1997 AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, page 14. It states that layers representing the dominant phase of a project can be represented without a status field. For example, in a small remodeling project, NEWW would indicate new construction, while layers without status fields would indicate parts of the existing building to remain. Conversely, a remodeling project consisting of mostly new construction might use EXST to indicate "existing to remain" building systems while all layers without a status field designator would represent new construction.

Annotation and Title Blocks:

These rules also come from the 1997 AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, which define annotation as comprising text, dimensions, title block and sheet borders, detail references and other elements on CAD drawings that do not represent physical aspects of a building. Annotation is designated by the major group ANNO, which can be combined with any discipline code. Types of annotation are designated below (asterisk represents any discipline code):

*-ANNO-DIMS dimensions

*-ANNO-KEYN keynotes

*-ANNO-LEGN legends and schedules

*-ANNO-NOTE notes

*-ANNO-NPLT construction lines, nonplotting information, viewports

*-ANNO-REDL redlines

*-ANNO-REVS revisions

*-ANNO-SYMB symbols

*-ANNO-TEXT text

*-ANNO-TTLB title blocks and sheet borders

Annotation can be placed in both model space and paper space (see Policy on Model Space and Paper Space). Dimensions, symbols and keynotes would typically be placed in model space. Legends, schedules, title blocks, and sheet borders would typically be placed in paper space. The same layer names would be used in both cases.

Elevations, Sections, and Three-Dimensional Drawings:

Per the 1997 AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, special groups of layers within each discipline are defined for elevations, section, details, and three-dimensional views. Defined layer groups are as follows (asterisk represents any discipline code):

*-ELEV elevations

*-ELEV-IDEN component identification numbers

*-ELEV-OTLN building outlines

*-ELEV-PATT textures and hatch patterns

*-SECT sections

*-SECT-MBND materials beyond section cut

*-SECT-MCUT materials cut by section

*-SECT-PATT textures and hatch patterns

*-SECT-IDEN component identification numbers

*-DETL details

*-DETL-IDEN component identification numbers

*-DETL-MBND material beyond section cut

*-DETL-MCUT material cut by section

*-DETL-PATT textures and hatch patterns

AIA guidelines further recommend that the minor group ELEV can be added to any major group layer (A-WALL-ELEV, A-DOOR-ELEV, etc.) to identify information only seen in 3D views. This facilitates integrating three-dimensional CAD models with two-dimensional plans, as shown by this example:

A-WALL walls in plan view

A-WALL-ELEV wall surfaces in 3D view

Harvard Defined Layers and Discipline Category:

Harvard has defined a short list of layers designated for space management uses which should be employed in conjunction with facility documentation projects. These layers need not be used for construction projects. All Harvard defined layers can be found appended to the partial AIA layer list included with this document under the discipline code U (for University).

Core Layers:

Approximately 25 core layers have been identified by a diamond symbol (u) in the Standard Layer Listing for use by Preferred CAD Vendors producing facility documentation drawings. These layers may also be use for producing construction drawings, when applicable. Depending on the Harvard faculty or department requesting facility documentation drawings, the core layer list and attributes of core layers may vary somewhat from project to project. In this case, see your Harvard client representative for preferences.

Attributes

Many of the layers found in the partial AIA layer list in the Standard Layer Listing have been assigned specific attribute values by Harvard according to the following categories: color, pen weight, and linetype. Attributes that have not been pre-defined by Harvard may be assigned at the discretion of the user.

Linetypes

The default linetype of each layer is typically CONTINUOUS unless otherwise specified.

Colors

Harvard recommends the use of specific colors for core layers and annotation layers only (see the previous section regarding the definition of core layers). The color assignment of these layers can be found in the Standard Layer Listing. All other layers must have their colors assigned at the discretion of users.

As a general rule for all projects, drawing entities should assume the color property of the layer on which they reside. This means that the color of individual entities should be assigned 'by layer' as opposed to 'by entity.' Entities which have been translated from non-AutoCAD based CAD systems often fail to meet this requirement.

Color specifications for facility documentation projects may vary according to the preferences of Harvard faculties or departments requesting drawings. In this case, see your Harvard client representative for additional instructions.

Pen Weight

The following chart shows pen weight assignments which should maximize the printed clarity of drawings conforming to the color assignments of Harvard's core layers. Other pen weights must be assigned at the discretion of each user.

Preferred CAD vendors producing facility drawings should consult your Harvard client representative for preference variations.

As explained in the following section entitled Policy on Model Space and Paper Space, Harvard requires that each CAD file submitted as a project deliverable contain only one drawing model with one title block. This policy allows each CAD file produced for either a facility documentation project or a construction project to be named according to the conventions outlined below. Without counting the file extension, CAD file names must not exceed 8 characters in length.

Naming Facility Documentation Drawings (primary method)-

CAD files produced by Preferred CAD Vendors which typically contain drawings of existing facility conditions should be named according to the following formula:

Building ID Code.

The standard Harvard building identification code (also referred to as ROOT) assigned by Harvard Real Estate Services is normally a five digit number. The first digit (always a zero) is dropped to make a four digit number. The fifth position should be an underscore character. Please contact your Harvard representative for the standard building identification codes that pertain to your project.

Floor ID Code.

The standard floor identification code follows a two digit numbering system. Floors above or at grade are numbered sequentially in ascending order, starting with 01, 02, 03, etc. Floors that are below grade are numbered in descending order prefaced by a minus sign and excluding the leading zero, starting with -1 (basement), -2, (sub-basement), -3, etc.

Naming Facility Documentation Drawings (secondary method)-

Facility documentation drawings related to a specific building industry discipline or depicting a specific type of drawing other than a typical existing conditions floor plan may be named using either one of the formulas below. When using these formulas, the building ID codes and the floor ID codes should follow the same rules described above, and the discipline code and drawing type codes should be assigned according to the values listed in the following section for use with construction drawings.

-- or --

Naming Construction Drawings -

It is suggested that architects, engineers and contractors use the file naming convention shown below, which follows the Naming Model Files section of the 1997 American Institute of Architects' CAD Layer Guidelines document. (Important Note: Do NOT use the AIA recommendation Naming Sheet Files, as Harvard requests that titleblocks and model files be contained within a single AutoCAD drawing file upon final delivery of project files to Harvard. See section entitled Policy on Model Space and Paper Space for further explanation.)

Discipline Codes:

Drawing Type Codes that apply to all disciplines (where *- represents any discipline code):

Drawing Type Codes (specific to a particular discipline):

Drawing Number.

The drawing number is the number of the drawing as it falls into a sequential set. If there are five architectural floor plans in the set, then the first drawing is A-FP01.dwg and the fifth drawing is A-FP05.dwg

Error-free AutoCAD Drawing Deliverables:

Harvard University recognizes that many of its construction and facility documentation service providers do not use the same CAD systems as the University. However, the University expects that service providers who work with non-AutoCAD file formats will submit DWG formatted CAD files upon project closeout that are fully compliant with all of the standards outlined herein, and which have no significant loss of drawing entities or project data that can result from standard CAD file translation procedures.

All DWG files and CAD drawing entities submitted at the end of a project must be able to be manipulated using standard AutoCAD drafting procedures. Non-compliance with this policy may result in the rejection of CAD files submitted at project closeout in addition to delayed rendering of final project payment. DXF files will not be accepted at project closeout as a substitution for DWG CAD file deliverables.

Translation Testing Recommended:

For firms translating their native CAD file format into AutoCAD format also concerned about delivering error-free CAD files to Harvard upon project closeout, it is strongly recommended that thorough file translation testing be conducted before the drawing development phase of the project . This will assure early detection of file conversion issues, if any, and allow for corrective measures to be taken before the project closeout period.