This certificate brings together everything you need to confidently read and understand commercial construction drawings. You’ll start with the fundamentals of architectural blueprints, learning how to navigate full drawing sets for projects like office buildings, retail spaces, and hospitality developments. From there, you’ll move into Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing plans, gaining clarity on how HVAC systems, electrical layouts, and plumbing drawings are organized and how they work together within a complete set of construction documents.
The program wraps up with a focused look at structural drawings, including foundations, slabs, framing systems, and key construction details that show how a building is supported. By the end of the program, you won’t just recognize each discipline’s drawings, you’ll understand how they connect across a project. This well-rounded approach strengthens your ability to communicate with project teams, catch potential conflicts early, and contribute with greater confidence on commercial construction projects from start to finish.
By completing this course, you will have developed expertise in:
Interpret how architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings fit together within a complete set of commercial construction documents.
Read and analyze foundation plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, and detailed drawings to understand overall building design and construction intent.
Identify and interpret standard construction symbols, legends, schedules, notes, and abbreviations used across commercial blueprint sets.
Navigate MEP drawings, including HVAC layouts, electrical power and lighting plans, and plumbing systems, with confidence.
Understand structural plans such as general notes, footings, slabs, steel framing, and key connection details that define how a building is supported.
Apply blueprint reading skills to improve coordination, reduce errors, and communicate more effectively with project teams throughout the construction process.
Course Curriculum
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)
