How do you abbreviate plumbing?

Answer 1

Historically, abbreviations were used frequently in construction documents as part of standard practice. They were part of the drawing symbology, but led to errors of interpretation by contractors. Since today, CADD drawing text is fast to input and is legible, abbreviations are strictly prohibited unless they are absolutely necessary due to space limitations, or they increase readability, such as in schedules.

If you use abbreviations, you should follow these rules:

1. Use upper case lettering, without periods
2. Do not use spaces within an abbreviation
3. Use same abbreviations for singular or plural

The abbreviations listed below are compiled from Architectural Graphic Standards, 1912, 1951, and 1956, Time Saver Standards, 1966, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Drafting Standards, 1986, Holabird & Root Drafting Standards, 1987, Nagle Hartray & Associates Standards, 1989, Murphy/Jahn Office Reference Manual, 1973, Braun/Skiba Standards Manual, 1990, Recommended Standards on Production Procedures (the so-called "POP Manual"), Northern California Chapter AIA, 1980, Graphic Communication in Architecture, William J. O'Connell, 1972, Interior Graphic and Design Standards, S.C. Reznikoff, 1986. Note that there are many differences between abbreviation standards between firms as well as between authors.