Maintaining As-built Drawings & Models for Large Retail Chains

 Large retail chains with a global presence strive for consistency across their outlets and using as-built drawings can help them achieve that goal. Using retail design drawings and 3D architectural visualisation services along with the as-built drawings can help retailers represent their brand convincingly and consistently. 

Just what are as-built drawings?

A vital part of construction projects, as-built drawings are the final revised set of drawings submitted by a contractor when the project is concluded. These set of drawings show great detail, including dimensions, geometry and the placements of all structural, architectural and MEP (M&E) components, such as walls, doors, windows and building engineering components, in the project. 

As-built drawings typically consist of the following features: 

• Modifications and their explanations (why and how they were made) 
• Dates in the corner of all as-built drawing sheets
• If hand-written, the handwriting must be clear and brief 
• Using the same scale as the original drawings or recreating them on different sheets
• Using primary colours to code items that are added, deleted or modified

Why do we need as-built drawings?

As-built drawings are used to replicate the project the way the contractor built it, identifying any and every change or modification made during construction. The final sets generally include shop drawing changes, field changes, design changes, approved and impromptu changes made. While recording as-built drawings, the changes made can be visualised and may even affect the rest of the project. 

It is vital that every project site has a minimum of one set of completed as-built drawings. While recording changes, the following must be ensured: 

• Changes recorded should have the exact details or additions, along with the original information, such as sizes, dimensions, materials, installation details, etc.
• If changes are changed, they should also be included in the as-built drawings or as-built documentation and clearly demarcated.

Every project has its complications, as they involve the orchestration of a range of components, processes and functions. Each part must align according to the design, and this may not be possible in every instance due to external factors, human error, unavailability or shortage of specific components, etc. Skilled contractors will adapt, adjust and modify to any deviations from the original design that may crop up.  

As-built drawings, also known as record drawings, are part of the concluding process of construction management. This is useful for the future, as they can be used to ensure a successful project lifecycle, following the initial construction phase. 

Each project stakeholder benefits from as-built drawings in a different way. 

• Contractors are able to clearly visualise the future steps, when as-built drawings record modifications made during the initial construction stages, making it easier to be aware of complications created by the modifications and solve any challenges that may arise.
• Clients and retail building owners benefit when the owner decided to make any changes to the building or if any damages or issues arise sometime in the future, as records of all installations and components are clearly recorded.
• Future buyers of the property can have a detailed record of what they are buying and can use it for future development, reconstruction, renovation or modification.

In the current scenario, software does not only take care of the modifications previously noted by hand, but it can perform project management functions, such as version tracking, document monitoring and the validation of permissions.

So, why do large retail chains need as-built drawings and models?

The one-word answer would be ‘consistency’. Retail chains need to maintain consistency in brand design, including the general floor layout, wherever possible. Regardless of the country, certain global brands (for example, a well-known burger or coffee retail chain comes to mind) present a uniform look and feel in terms of colours, layouts and general ambience. This consistency can be maintained, improved or modified by using as-built drawings from the first country-specific project, so that all further outlets in the country can learn from and adjust their design accordingly. It can also be used as a basis for design in other countries.

Consistent branding, with images, messages, in-store shelving and layouts, etc., can be maintained with the right software tools used to create retail layout designs. Using Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology has proved to be useful in this regard, especially with the Revit platform. Retail chains can benefit significantly from the use of 3D BIM modelling with Revit BIM to visualise, design and modify their retail layout designs. During construction, any changes to the original design can be updated easily.  

To communicate a retail chain’s experience online, high definition imagery and videos can be created. Any changes to design in the future can be reflected using up-to-date as-built drawings and models.

As-built drawings for large retail chains typically include: 

• Floor Plans
• Exterior Elevations
• Roof Plans
• MEP Systems
• Electrical Plans
• Reflected Ceiling Plans (RCP)
• Interior Elevations
• Sections
• Inventory and Merchandise Mapping
• Furniture, Fixture & Equipment (FF&E)
• 360 Degree Photos
• Virtual Walk-throughs

Ultimately, using as-built drawings is a win-win situation for all concerned. It only remains for retail chains to find the right BIM services partner to provide reliable retail building design services that can easily be updated to include changes and then be maintained as as-built drawings. When BIM modelling services become unaffordable and difficult to find locally, many Western firms look overseas for their BIM outsourcing needs.

XS CAD has valuable experience providing retail store building design services, BIM modelling services and 3D architectural visualisation services for global firms.  Our range of services for retail store planners or mixed-use building planners include architectural BIM, generating construction drawings, as-built drawings, MEP BIM, 3D rendering services (CGIs) and walk-throughs.  

For further details, contact press@xscad.com