This program teaches you how to read and interpret construction blueprints across every major discipline. You start with residential drawings and the fundamentals of how a full set of construction documents fits together, then move into mixed-use commercial projects like hotels, retail spaces, and parking structures. From there you dig into the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that bring a building to life, and finish with the structural drawings that hold everything up, from foundations and footings to steel framing and connections.
Along the way you learn to decipher the symbols, notes, scales, schedules, and technical details that make up professional construction documents, and you see how different plan sets connect for permitting and construction. The training is hands-on and built around real projects, taught online with live support from expert instructors at an accredited institution. By the end you can confidently navigate a complete set of drawings and apply that knowledge to estimating, project planning, coordination, and the day-to-day work that happens in the field, with an industry-recognized certificate to show for it.
By completing this course, you will have developed expertise in:
Interpret a complete set of construction documents and understand how individual drawings, scales, and sheets relate to one another.
Read residential plans with confidence, including title sheets, floor plans, elevations, building sections, schedules, and details.
Break down mixed-use commercial drawings for projects like hotels, retail spaces, and parking structures, including occupancy and egress plans.
Identify and analyze mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, from HVAC and lighting layouts to plumbing and riser diagrams.
Interpret structural drawings, including general notes, inspection requirements, foundations, footings, slabs on grade, and steel framing.
Analyze structural details and sections, including steel connections, weld symbols, bolt schedules, and rebar layouts.
Recognize the symbols, abbreviations, legends, schedules, and technical notes used across professional construction documents.
Apply your blueprint knowledge to cost estimating, project planning, permitting, and on-site coordination.
Course Curriculum
Residential Blueprint Reading Course Online
Topic 1: Blueprint Reading Basics
Welcome to the Course (1m 43s)
Symbols (8m 7s)
Doors and Windows (5m 17s)
Dimensions Part 1 (3m 22s)
Dimensions Part 2 (5m 58s)
Standard Views (3m 22s)
Construction Document Set Organization (4m 13s)
Stairs (7m)
Paper Size (3m 23s)
Scale (5m 46s)
Topic 2: Title Sheet & Floor Plans
Title Sheet (10m 14s)
Floor Plan Part 1 (6m 28s)
Floor Plan Part 2 (5m 11s)
Floor Plan Part 3 (4m 1s)
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Schedules
Interior Elevations Door and Window Schedules (6m 5s)
Building Sections and Roof Plan (3m 42s)
Building Elevations (3m 47s)
Topic 4: Wall Sections & Details
Wall Sections (5m 53s)
Details and Hardscape (3m 40s)
Topic 5: Structural Drawings
Structural Drawings Part 1 (4m 46s)
Structural Drawings Part 2 (4m 36s)
Structural Drawings Part 3 (4m 12s)
Structural Drawings Part 4 (3m 50s)
Topic 6: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
Mechanical Drawings (3m 51s)
Electrical Drawings (5m 49s)
Plumbing Drawings Fixtures (2m 39s)
Plumbing Drawings Domestic Water and Gas Lines (2m 34s)
Plumbing Drawings Isometrics (2m 47s)
Plumbing Drawings Waste Lines (3m 51s)
Topic 7: Title Sheet
TS1 Title Sheet Part 1 (6m 19s)
Title Sheet Part 2 (1m 55s)
TS1 Title Sheet Part 3 (5m 37s)
TS1 Title Sheet Part 4 (4m 20s)
Topic 8: Architectural Site Plans
TS2, TS3 and T24 Sheets (4m 24s)
Architectural Site Plans AS1 and AS2 (3m 54s)
Architectural Site Plans AS2 (2m 6s)
Topic 9: Floor Plans
Floor Plans Overview (1m 59s)
Floor Plans Level 1 Part 1 (2m 57s)
Floor Plans Level 1 Part 2 (4m 1s)
Floor Plans Sections (2m 39s)
Floor Plans Level 2 (3m 3s)
Floor Plans Scale (2m 53s)
Floor Plans Level 2 Part 2 (3m 12s)
Floor Plans The Deck (2m 38s)
Floor Plans Level 3 (2m 59s)
Topic 10: Building Sections & Elevations
Building Sections Part 1 (4m 15s)
Building Sections Part 2 (3m 35s)
Building Sections Part 3 (1m 15s)
Building Elevations (3m 57s)
Topic 11: Interior Elevations & Roof Plan
Interior Elevations Part 1 (2m 56s)
Interior Elevations Part 2 (2m 10s)
Roof Plan (3m 28s)
Topic 12: Details, Schedules & Electrical
Details Part 1 (3m 3s)
Details Part 2 (4m 3s)
Details Part 3 (3m 27s)
Door and Window Schedule (2m 10s)
Electrical Drawings (2m 3s)
Instructor Thoughts (2m 17s)
Commercial Blueprint Reading Course Online
Lesson 1: Foundation Walls and Basement Columns
Welcome to the Course (1m 9s)
Symbols (8m 7s)
Doors and Windows (5m 17s)
Dimensions Part 1 (3m 22s)
Dimensions Part 2 (5m 58s)
Standard Views (3m 22s)
Construction Document Set Organization (4m 13s)
Stairs (7m)
Paper Size (3m 23s)
Scale (5m 46s)
Topic 2: Cover Sheet & Floor Plan
Architectural Cover Sheet (9m 59s)
Architectural Sheet Index (4m 3s)
Architectural Abbreviations (4m 30s)
Architectural Floor Plans 01 (8m 27s)
Architectural Floor Plans 02 (5m 42s)
Architectural Floor Plans 03 (4m 17s)
Topic 3: Elevations, Sections & Wall Types
Architectural Reflected Ceiling Plans (4m 6s)
Architectural Building Elevations (6m 7s)
Architectural Building Axonometrics (1m 15s)
Architectural Building Sections (3m 5s)
Architectural Wall Sections (7m 21s)
Architectural Interior Walltypes 01 (5m 54s)
Architectural Interior Walltypes 02 (3m 50s)
Architectural Interior Walltypes 03 (3m 27s)
Topic 4: Enlarged Drawings & Occupancy/Egress
Architectural Enlarged Unit Plans A (7m 15s)
Architectural Enlarged Bathroom Plans (7m 29s)
Architectural Enlarged Lobby Drawings (2m 20s)
Architectural Door Schedule And Door Types (3m 46s)
Architectural Enlarged Stair Plans And Sections (5m 54s)
Architectural Elevator Drawings (4m 57s)
Architectural Enlarged Elevator Drawings (4m 20s)
Architectural Parking Lot Striping Plans (3m 6s)
Architectural OccupancyEgress 01 (12m 33s)
Architectural OccupancyEgress 02 (5m 8s)
Topic 5: Interior Design & Civil
Interior Design Finish Schedule (1m 16s)
Interior Design Ceiling Wall Finish Plan (2m 6s)
Interior Design Millwork Details 01 (3m 31s)
Interior Design Millwork Details 02 (6m 29s)
Civil Demolition Plan (2m 59s)
Civil MetesBounds (8m 48s)
Civil SitePlan (4m 32s)
Civil GradingDrainagePlan (3m 30s)
Civil UtilitiesPlan (3m 14s)
Civil Details (2m 51s)
Civil Landscape Plan (2m 16s)
Topic 6: Structural
Structural Structural General Notes (4m 29s)
Structural Structural 3D View (2m 42s)
Structural Foundation Plan (3m 30s)
Structural Structural Framing Reinforcement (2m 59s)
Structural Structural Sections Details (6m 18s)
Structural Foundation Schedule Details (6m 55s)
Structural Schedule Sections Details (6m 5s)
Structural Slab Sections Details (3m 26s)
Structural Sections Details (3m 46s)
Topic 7: Mechanical
Mechanical M Abbreviations Legend Notes (1m 34s)
Mechanical Mechanical Plan 01 (2m 27s)
Mechanical Mechanical Plan 02 (7m 12s)
Mechanical Mechanical Plan 03 (1m 21s)
Mechanical Mechanical Guest Room Plan (2m 3s)
Mechanical Mechanical Schedules (3m 15s)
Mechanical Mechanical Details (58s)
Topic 8: Electrical
Electrical Electrical Notes Legends (2m 7s)
Electrical Power Plan 01 (3m 25s)
Electrical Power Plan 02 (1m 42s)
Electrical Power Plan 03 (2m 10s)
Electrical Lighting Plan (3m 6s)
Electrical GuestRoom Plan (3m 15s)
Electrical Power Lighting Partial Plan (1m 24s)
Electrical Electrical Riser (3m 46s)
Electrical Electrical Schedules (1m 47s)
Electrical Electrical Details (2m 48s)
Topic 9: Plumbing
Plumbing Legend Notes (1m 32s)
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 01 (4m 12s)
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 02 (3m 45s)
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 03 (1m 40s)
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 04 (3m 15s)
Plumbing Plumbing Plan 05 (2m 26s)
Plumbing Guest Room (1m 47s)
Plumbing Enlarged Laundry (3m 35s)
Plumbing Riser Designation Areas (1m 18s)
Plumbing Sanitary Riser (4m 8s)
Plumbing Partial Plans And Risers (3m 53s)
Plumbing Schedules (3m 8s)
Plumbing Details (2m 27s)
Topic 10: Technology & Project Specifications
Technology Legends Symbols (1m 22s)
Technology Technology Plans 01 (2m 35s)
Technology Technology Plans 02 (3m 35s)
Technology Technology Plans 03 (1m 42s)
Technology Guestroom Plans (2m 57s)
Technology Details (3m 44s)
Technology Coax Cable Riser Diagrams (2m 35s)
Specifications Standard Specifications Format (5m)
Specifications Standard Specifications Part 01 (1m 59s)
Specifications Standard Specifications Part 02 (3m 18s)
Specifications Standard Specifications Part 03 (2m 6s)
Closing Instructor Thoughts (1m 51s)
MEP Blueprint Reading Course Online
Lesson 1: MEP Systems Fundamentals
Course Overview (1m 7s)
What Does MEP Mean? (4m 19s)
MEP Systems (6m 27s)
MEP in Construction (4m 21s)
Lesson 2: Mechanical Blueprint Reading Basics
Mechanical Overview (5m 16s)
Mechanical Legend & General Notes Part 1 (10m)
Mechanical Legend & General Notes Part 2 (7m 59s)
Symbols & Abbreviations Part 1 (5m 6s)
Symbols & Abbreviations Part 2 (4m 7s)
Lesson 3: HVAC Systems & Air Distribution Plans
HVAC Mechanical Set (7m 50s)
Mechanical Schedule Part 1 (4m 13s)
Mechanical Schedule Part 2 (2m 43s)
Air Design & Ductwork Part 1 (2m 43s)
Air Design & Ductwork Part 2 (7m 4s)
Air Design & Ductwork Part 3 (5m 31s)
Hydronic Systems Part 1 (5m 46s)
Hydronic Systems Part 2 (4m 41s)
Mechanical Roof Plan (2m 56s)
Enlarged Mechanical Plans (3m 4s)
Mechanical Plan View (3m 12s)
Mechanical Isometric View (7m 8s)
Mechanical Sections (8m 2s)
HVAC Conclusion (2m 38s)
Lesson 4: Electrical & Lighting Blueprint Reading
Electrical Overview (2m 57s)
Electrical Legend & General Notes Part 1 (6m 37s)
Electrical Legend & General Notes Part 2 (4m 18s)
Electrical Symbols (7m 21s)
Electrical Site Plan (4m 20s)
Electrical Power Plan (9m 14s)
Electrical Roof and Fire Plans (5m 31s)
Enlarged Electrical Room & Kitchen Plans (6m 9s)
Electrical Power Riser Plans Part 1 (7m 20s)
Electrical Power Riser Plans Part 2 (4m 14s)
Fire Alarm Riser Diagram (3m 47s)
Fire Alarm Annunciator Panel Plan (2m 49s)
Electrical Schedules (5m 35s)
Electrical Details (2m 56s)
Roof Lightning Protection System (3m 27s)
Lighting Plan (6m 12s)
Lesson 5: Plumbing Systems & Riser Diagrams
Plumbing Overview (3m 42s)
Plumbing Legend & General Notes (8m 6s)
Plumbing Symbols Part 1 (3m 52s)
Plumbing Symbols Part 2 (7m 8s)
Plumbing Floor Plans Part 1 (6m 32s)
Plumbing Floor Plans Part 2 (5m 5s)
Plumbing Roof Plan (1m 15s)
Enlarged Plumbing Plans (7m 52s)
Domestic Water Riser Diagram (2m 56s)
Plumbing Riser Diagram Part 1 (3m 27s)
Plumbing Riser Diagram Part 2 (6m 27s)
Gas & Storm Riser Diagram (4m 11s)
Plumbing Schedule (4m 29s)
Plumbing Details (5m 34s)
Structural Blueprint Reading Course Online
Lesson 1: Structural Plan Fundamentals
Structural Basics (11m 59s)
Structural Notes (14m 17s)
Structural Standards (11m 20s)
Inspection Overview (11m 47s)
Inspection Types (12m 7s)
Structural Testing (9m 48s)
Lesson 2: Foundations and Slabs
Foundation Layout (7m 21s)
Structural Schedules (6m 34s)
Wall Footings (8m 5s)
Foundation Details (9m 20s)
Slabs on Grade (8m 10s)
Lesson 3: Structural Framing Systems
Framing Overview (10m 47s)
Steel Identification (5m)
Joist Systems (9m 56s)
Framing Coordination (11m 16s)
Bearing Plates (4m 51s)
Penthouse Framing (15m 10s)
Roof Framing (26m 41s)
Long Span Joists (13m 32s)
Lesson 4: Details, Connections & Sections
Structural Details (4m 2s)
Concrete Details (9m 22s)
Wall Reinforcement (8m 46s)
Masonry Support (8m 17s)
Retaining Walls (8m 22s)
Steel Connections (3m 24s)
Composite Framing (6m 30s)
Structural Sections (6m 21s)
