Floor plan abbreviations and symbols

House plans like floor plans, site plans, elevations and other architectural diagrams or blueprints are generally pretty self explanatory - but the devil's often in the details. It's not always easy to make an educated guess about what a particular abbreviation or symbol might mean.

To help make things a bit easier, we've put together a cheat sheet to explain many of the more common abbreviations and symbols:

 

House plan abbreviations

ABBREVIATION	MEANING
AB	Air brick
AL	Aluminium
AP	Acoustic plaster
ASPH	Asphalt
AT	Acoustic tile
B	Basin
BAL	Balustrades
BC	Book case
BHD	Bulkhead over
B/I	Built-in
BK	Brick
BV	Brick veneer
BWK	Brickwork
C	Cooker
CAB	Cabinet
CBD / CPD	Cupboard
CD	Clothes dryer
CF	Concrete floor
COL	Column
CORR	Corrugated
CR	Cement render
CT	Ceramic tile
CW	Cavity wall
D	Door
DG	Double glazing
DH	Double hung (windows)
DP	Downpipe
DPC / DPM	Damp-proof course / damp-proof membrane
DW	Dishwasher
FA	Floor area
FB	Face brick
FCL	Finished ceiling level
FFL	Finished floor level
FL	Floor level (note: the floor level is provided as a figure relative to a datum, or universal reference point)
FW	Floor waste
GM	Gas meter
GPO	General purpose outlet (i.e. power point)
HTR	Heater
HW	Hot water unit
INSUL	Insulation
KIT	Kitchen
LIN	Linen cupboard
LINO	Linoleum
LVR	Louvres
M	Meter
MSB	Master switch board
O	Oven
PBD	Plasterboard
R / REFRIG	Refrigerator
RL	Reduced level
RS	Roller shutter
RWH	Rainwater head
RWP	Rainwater pipe
RWT	Rainwater tank
SC	Stop cock
SD	Sewer drain
SD	Sliding door
SHR	Shower
SS	Stainless steel
TC	Terra cotta
TEL	Telephone
TRZO	Terrazzo
TV	Television
U/G	Underground
U/S	Underside
V	Vinyl
VENT	Ventilator
VP	Vent pipe
W(number)	Window - Basix window number
WB	Weatherboard
WC	Water closet
WM	Washing machine
WR	Wardrobe

 

Plan view: annotations

SYMBOL	MEANING
	Job datum level - indicates the altitude at a specific point, relative to a universal reference point known as a 'datum'.
	Special area reference - a reference to a separate diagram detailing a special area (numbers indicate which diagram)
	Elevation reference - a reference to an elevation diagram (numbers indicate which diagram)
	Section reference - a reference to a separate section diagram (numbers indicate which diagram)
	Detail reference - a reference to a detail diagram (numbers indicate which diagram)
	Window and door references - a reference to specific windown and door diagrams (numbers indicate which diagrams)
	Graduated scale - used to indicate the size and scale of objects and structures in the diagram
	Compass - shows the orientation of the plan diagram and the structures it depicts
	Title block - provides details about the project, the specific plan revision you're looking at, the architect or designer, the date etc.

 

Plan view - general

SYMBOL	MEANING
	Window
	Single-swing door (90 degrees)
	Single-swing door (180 degrees)
	Single double-acting door
	Pocket / cavity door - a sliding door that slides into the wall cavity
	Exposed sliding door
	Bifold / concertina doors centred on a track
	Bifold / concertina doors fixed to one side on a track
	Ramp - arrow points upwards
	Stairs - arrow points upwards
	Fall / drainage - arrow points downwards, towards floor waste / drain.
	Archway
	Lintel
	Access hatch
	Recessed object - an object recessed into a particular wall or surface.
	Surface-mounted object - an object mounted directly on a wall or surface.
	Free-standing object - an object not connected to the adjacent wall or surface.
	Object mounted over - an object mounted over the area shown.
	Object sittting above the plane of the depicted section - a surface mounted object sitting higher than the plane of the diagram.

 

Plan view - fittings

SYMBOL	MEANING
	Bathtub
	Shower stall - lines in the centre of this diagram indicate drop for drainage.
	Basin
	Vanity with basin
	Toilet
	Bidet
	Sink with two bowls
	Sink with one bowl
	Double tub or trough
	Single tub or trough
	Hotplates

 

Elevation view - doors and windows

SYMBOL	MEANING
	Right-side hinged window
	Side pivoted window
	Top and bottom pivoted window
	Top hinged window
	Bottom hinged window
	Horizontal sliding window with fixed sash
	Vertical sliding sash window
	Left hinged door
	Double doors hinged at left and right jambs