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as-built drawing
5

as-built drawing

as-built drawing

(OP)
when a contract says to do as-builts what does it mean.

RE: as-built drawing

It means to go back and check over the whole job, then make sure the drawings match what was actually done.  This will document adjustments made in the field.

RE: as-built drawing

jeraldg:

nothing is ever built as designed.  The "As-Built" is just what it implies, as you construct what you designed, you note the changes on the drawings that you used for design and when the project is complete, these revised drawings become "As-Builts."  I would be careful using the term "As-Built" as it can be a problem in court cases.  The preferred word of the day is now "Record Drawing."

Bob

RE: as-built drawing

I understand it to mean "when the job is finished, revise the documentation to include all the little modifications that took place during construction and commissioning" (ie the final revision as the job has been built).

However, my last project manager took it to mean "re-issue the contract documentation when the programme says issue as-builts" even if the job hasn't been built yet and the unforseeable modifications having been forseen yet. This has led to versions 1, 2, and 3 of the final revision!

RE: as-built drawing

Like others stated, nothing ever gets built exactly per the permitted drawings.  As field adjustments are made during construction, contractor would "mark-up" on the permit set that they use in the field.  There are RFI's that gets issued with responses from the designers.  Once the job is all done, owner may request the designers to issue an "as-built" drawing (at a fee).  The designers incorporate all of the field mark-ups as well as RFI responses etc that are changed from the permit set.  This is an as-built drawing.

Many designers use the term existing drawing and as-built drawing as being the same.  They are not.  Existing drawing could be an as-built but not necessarily.  Chances are, it is just a permit set the contractor used to build.

At least this is true in structural engineering (plans for building/bridge structures).

RE: as-built drawing

I agree with BobPE, be careful with the term.
I can see "as built" used in construction/civil work, but not engineering design.
IMO, the term "as built" is a cop-out in design engineering. Some engineers like to design and build a product a ship it, then turn around and have someone else document it. That way it is out of their hands from that point. I have been thru it many times.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ371-376
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-1091
FAQ559-716

RE: as-built drawing

Chris

It's not always a copout.  It depends on the approved scope of services being executed by the Engineer.  In many cases, the Client disbands the design team ASAP to keep a lid on the costs.  Then once the facilities are constructed they engage a Drafter, usually at cheaper sell-rates than the Engineer's own drafters, to backdraft the design drawings from the Contractors' mark-ups.

RE: as-built drawing

dbuzz,
  I believe Chris was refering more to the machine design side of engineering, when drawing changes which should have been made in the design process are put aside until the item is shipped.  You can not properly inspect a part or assembly if the drawing changes are not noted.  I agree with him that this is a poor way of documenting this type of design.
  He does state that he "can see 'as built' used in construction/civil work".  Different animals.

RE: as-built drawing

I think most know the intended meaning of "as built",  but here's an example where it became complicated:

A Gulf Coast shipyard was issued a contract to complete the contruction of 9 vessels started, but not completed by another shipyard (I don't recall why the shift occured, but that's not germane to this example).  Of the 9 vessels, the 1st was essentially complete, the rest ranged from pieces to a collection of parts and material. The contract issued stated to make all vessels as the 1st (sort of "as-built").    

However, the contract also referenced standard ABS and Coast Guard rules and regulations.  

The conflict should be obvious - the 1st vessel did not meet basic requirements, yet the shipyard's contract stated to make all vessels like the first.  A classic case of an impossible spec!

We eventually got the vessels completed AND certified,  but not without a lot of negotiation and change-orders.  

Just remember - you may not know what the "as built" really is.



  

RE: as-built drawing

Just a small side note on "As-Builts"...

After a few legal actions occurred, it is no longer a good idea to label what are known as "As-Built" or "As Constructed" with either of those terms. The accepted term these days is "As Recorded". From a legal standpoint, unless everything on an "As Built" drawing is exactly correct you open yourself up to liability. If you use the term "As Recorded" then you just have to show that you modified the drawings in accordance to the measurements you took to be safe.

David Dietrich
KMK Consultants Ltd
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

RE: as-built drawing

Isn't *every* document "as recorded"?

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: as-built drawing

HgTX,
Only if it is "as recorded". Otherwise, the dwg is created first before the part is made ... therefore it is not "as recorded". So, no not *every* document is "as recorded".

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ371-376
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-1091
FAQ559-716

RE: as-built drawing

In aerospace, it is typical to provide your customer with an As-Built List. Similar to a Parts List but it shows the current revision of the applicable drawing and the revision of the part at the time of build. The reasoning is that you may have a valid reason to change in the middle of production but may elect to not rework parts in process. The As-Built gives a historical record of what is in that unit, usually traceable by serial number.

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