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10.4 Construction Documents: Construction Plans

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NCIDQ Interior Design Qualification Exam

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 About the NCIDQ Exam 1.2 Eligibility & Application Routes 1.3 Test-Taking Strategies & Item Types 1.4 The 2026 NCIDQ Blueprint Overview

2 Study Planning, Codes & Logistics

2.1 Building a Study Plan 2.2 Codes & Reference Standards Overview 2.3 Fees, Schedule & Logistics

3 IDFX: Existing Conditions

3.1 Existing Conditions: Initial Code Analysis 3.2 Existing Conditions: Evaluating the Building

4 IDFX: Pre-Design

4.1 Pre-Design: Site Analysis 4.2 Pre-Design: Best Practices of Design 4.3 Pre-Design: Project Research & Development 4.4 Pre-Design: Determining Design Intent

5 IDFX: Programming

5.1 Programming: Validating the Project Program 5.2 Programming: Programmatic Diagrams 5.3 Programming: Determining User Needs

6 IDFX: Space Planning & Preliminary FF&E

6.1 Space Planning: Completing Space Plans 6.2 Space Planning: Creating Initial Drawings 6.3 Preliminary FF&E: Identifying Finish Materials 6.4 Preliminary FF&E: Identifying Significant FF&E

7 IDFX: Schematics

7.1 Schematics: Refining Design Intent 7.2 Schematics: Performing Code Review 7.3 Schematics: Visualizing Design

8 IDIX: Codes & Life Safety

8.1 Codes & Life Safety: Performing Code Review 8.2 Codes & Life Safety: Life Safety & Occupancy Plan

9 IDIX: Integration & FF&E

9.1 Integration: Integrating Equipment & Building Systems 9.2 Integration: Developing Finish Plan & Specifications 9.3 Integration: Developing Furniture Plans & Specifications

10 IDIX: Construction Documents

10.1 Construction Documents: Details & Sections 10.2 Construction Documents: Elevations 10.3 Construction Documents: Demolition Plans 10.4 Construction Documents: Construction Plans

11 IDIX: RCP & Consultant Coordination

11.1 Construction Documents: Reflected Ceiling Plans 11.2 Consultant Coordination: Coordinating Consultant Drawings & Specs 11.3 Consultant Coordination: Power, Data & Communication Plans 11.4 Consultant Coordination: Signage & Wayfinding

12 IDIX: Construction Specifications & Schedules

12.1 Construction Specifications & Schedules: Developing Construction Specifications 12.2 Construction Specifications & Schedules: Developing Schedules

13 IDPX: Feasibility Studies

13.1 Feasibility Studies: Identifying Project Stakeholders 13.2 Feasibility Studies: Managing the Project Team 13.3 Feasibility Studies: Evaluating Project Feasibility & Due Diligence

14 IDPX: Scheduling, Budgeting & Contracts

14.1 Scheduling & Budgeting: Managing the Project Schedule 14.2 Scheduling & Budgeting: Managing the Project Budget 14.3 Contracts & Procurement: Facilitating the Procurement/Bid Process 14.4 Contracts & Procurement: Managing Proposals & Contracts

15 IDPX: Approvals, Permitting & Construction Process

15.1 Approvals & Permitting: Obtaining Project Approvals 15.2 Approvals & Permitting: Participating in the Permit Process 15.3 Construction Process: Facilitating the Construction Process 15.4 Construction Process: Participating in Change Management

16 IDPX: Site Observation & Project Close-Out

16.1 Project Closeout & Evaluation: Performing Site Visits 16.2 Project Closeout & Evaluation: Conducting Project Close-Out

17 Final Review: Synthesizing the NCIDQ & Exam-Day Readiness

17.1 Synthesizing the Three Sections 17.2 Common Pitfalls & High-Yield Topics 17.3 Exam-Day Readiness & Final-Week Plan

10.4 Construction Documents: Construction Plans

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Every partition on a construction plan is keyed to a wall-type schedule via a type symbol; fire-rated partitions must have the rating visible on the plan for plan reviewers and building inspectors.

Door symbols on plans show type (single, double, pocket, bifold, sliding) and swing direction via an arc from the hinge point to the open position; accessible doors require 32" minimum clear opening and 34"-48" AFF hardware height.

The accessible route must be continuous and unobstructed: 36" minimum clear width, 60" diameter turning space, and doors that do not swing into required clear floor space at accessible toilet rooms per A117.1 604.3.

Enlarged plans (typically 1/2"=1'-0" or 1"=1'-0") show critical areas — toilet rooms, kitchens, server rooms, entry vestibules — where standard-scale plans cannot convey sufficient dimensioning.

General notes apply sheet-wide; key notes are numbered and location-specific, flagged at the point of reference with text listed in a legend on the same sheet.

Last updated: August 2026

Why Construction Plans Matter

The construction plan (sometimes called the new-work plan) is the primary drawing showing all new construction — partitions, doors, fixtures, and finishes — laid out on the floor plate. It is the contractor's primary reference for building the interior. On the IDIX exam, construction plans test the designer's ability to communicate partition types, door symbols, accessible routes, clearances, and note conventions accurately and unambiguously.

Partition Types and the Wall Schedule

Every partition on a construction plan is keyed to a wall-type schedule . The plan shows the wall with a type code (e.g., "A," "B-1," "C") and the schedule provides the assembly details:

  • Wall Type Plan Symbol Assembly Rating Use
  • A A 5/8" Type X, both sides; 2-1/2" studs 1 hr Corridor, tenant separation
  • B-1 B-1 Double 5/8" Type X; 3-5/8" studs 2 hr Exit enclosure, shaft
  • C C 1/2" gyp, both sides; 2-1/2" studs Non-rated General office partition
  • D D CH-stud shaft wall 1-2 hr Area separation

The plan drawing shows each wall with the type symbol in a hexagon or circle at the wall midpoint. The contractor reads the symbol, looks up the type in the schedule, and builds that assembly. Fire-rated partitions are always noted on the plan — the rating must be visible to the plan reviewer and the building inspector.

Door Symbols and Swing

Doors on construction plans use standard symbols to indicate type and swing:

  • Door Type Plan Symbol Swing Indication
  • Single door Rectangle with arc Arc shows swing direction (into/out of room)
  • Double door Two rectangles with arcs Two arcs, one per leaf
  • Pocket door Rectangle sliding into wall pocket Arrow or note indicates slide direction
  • Bifold door Hinged rectangles folding V-shape indicating fold direction
  • Sliding door Rectangle parallel to wall Arrow indicating slide direction

The swing direction is shown by an arc from the hinge point to the door's open position. The arc indicates whether the door swings into or out of the room — critical for accessibility (doors must not swing into the required clear floor space at an accessible toilet room per A117.1 Section 604.3, except at a single-occupant room where the door may swing inward if the turning space is beyond the door swing). The door number (e.g., 101, 102) is keyed to the door schedule , which provides the size, material, fire rating, hardware, and frame type.

Loading diagram... Door Symbols on Construction Plans

Accessible Route

The construction plan must show the accessible route — the continuous, unobstructed path connecting all accessible elements and spaces. Key requirements:

  • Clear width : 36" minimum (32" minimum clear opening at doorways per A117.1 404.2.3)
  • Turning space : 60" diameter circle or T-shaped space in rooms requiring a turn
  • Surface : stable, firm, slip-resistant; changes in level ≤1/4" vertical, 1/4"–1/2" beveled at 1:2 max slope
  • Doors : 32" clear opening minimum; hardware 34"–48" AFF; opening force ≤5 lbf (interior)
  • Passing spaces : every 200 ft on routes less than 60" wide, a 60"×60" passing space is required

On the plan, the accessible route may be shown with a dashed line and arrow or simply implied by the continuous accessible path. The designer verifies that no element (a planter, a piece of furniture, a column) obstructs the required width.

Clearances

The construction plan must maintain required clearances at fixtures, doors, and accessible elements:

  • Element Required Clearance Reference
  • Door maneuvering (forward, pull side) 60" deep × door width + 18" latch side A117.1 404.2.4
  • Door maneuvering (forward, push side) 48" deep × door width A117.1 404.2.4
  • Wheelchair space at fixtures 30" × 48" minimum A117.1 305
  • Water closet centerline to side wall 16"–18" A117.1 604.2
  • Accessible stall width 60" minimum A117.1 604.8.1.1
  • Lavatory knee clearance 27" min height, 30" min width, 19"–25" min depth A117.1 606.2
  • Enlarged Plans

Enlarged plans (also called large-scale plans or detail plans) show critical areas at a larger scale — typically 1/2"=1'-0" or 1"=1'-0" instead of the standard 1/8"=1'-0" or 1/4"=1'-0". Areas requiring enlarged plans:

  • Toilet rooms — fixture dimensions, grab bar locations, clearances, turning space
  • Kitchens / break rooms — countertop layout, appliance clearances, accessible reach ranges
  • Server rooms / IDF closets — rack clearance, cable tray routing, HVAC
  • Entry vestibules — door sequences, mat well, accessible route

The enlarged plan references the general plan with a match line or callout indicating where the enlarged area is located.

General Notes vs Key Notes

Construction plans use two types of notes, and the distinction matters:

General notes apply to the entire sheet or project. They appear in a block on the drawing, typically in the upper-left or lower-right corner. Examples:

  • "Verify all existing conditions before proceeding with new work."
  • "All dimensions to face of stud unless otherwise noted."
  • "Coordinate all penetrations through rated assemblies with firestopping details."

Key notes (also called keyed notes or specific notes) are numbered notes that apply to a specific location on the plan. They appear as a numbered flag (e.g., 1, 2, 3) at the specific point, with the text listed in a legend on the same sheet. Examples:

  • Note 1: "Provide 1-hr rated partition — see wall type A on sheet A-101"
  • Note 2: "Existing door to remain — refinish to match new"
  • Note 3: "Provide firestopping at all penetrations — see detail 7/A-501"

Both general and key notes must be coordinated with the specifications to avoid conflicts. If a note contradicts a specification, the specification typically governs per the General Conditions.

Exam Scenario

A typical IDIX construction-plan question shows a partial plan with a door symbol and asks the candidate to interpret the swing direction or identify the clearance deficiency. For example: a door swings into an accessible single-occupant toilet room, and the required turning space is within the door swing. The correct answer identifies that the door may not swing into the required turning space per A117.1 Section 604.3, unless the turning space is provided beyond the door swing. The designer must either reverse the door swing or relocate the turning space.