Schedules, Diagrams

Based on National CAD Standard 3.1 PDF pages 410-417 (see also PDF pages 239-329)

Schedules

Schedules contain tabulated fields of data, and may be placed in the drawings or specifications. They are often keyed both to and from the drawings, depending on the information contained within. Schedules must have at least three columns. The following notes are from the "Schedules Module" of the NCS (PDF pages 239-329):

Schedules may contain text only, or text plus graphic symbols;
Must have heading (typically the top row); and at least 3 columns: at a minimum, these include a "column identifying an item (Mark), a column for the description of an item (Item Description), and a column for indicating some notable characteristic (Distinguishing Feature).

Heading

Mark Item description Distinguishing feature
Note that a table with only 2 columns is considered a list;
Use consistent terms and abbreviations within schedule and in similar schedules; use short titles and abbreviations;
If placed on drawing sheets, format to fit into drawing area modules;
In a schedule with many columns, it is sometimes useful to repeat the "mark" column on the right side of the schedule;
A "Notes" column is often included for special remarks about a particular item; notes may be written out, or keyed with numbers to a "notes legend" next to the schedule (see PDF page 249);

A schedule may have more complex hierarchical relationships, with main- and sub-headings, as shown schematically below:

A
B	B		B			B	B
	C	C	C	C	C
D	E	E	E	E	E	E	E

In the schematic schedule above, the various hierarchical levels are as follows:

Heading

Subject or title

Column identifier

Subject titles for the various column lines

Column sub-identifier

More detailed subject titles for the various column lines

Row identifier

Mark, or other identifying element, used as a reference on drawings

Cell description

Find specific information here corresponding to column and row identifiers

For examples of room finish schedules, see PDF pages 253-254;
It is possible to link schedule and drawing information with CAD programs: in such cases, the programs create and modify schedules with appropriate attributes as information is added to the drawings (e.g., door and window schedules).
One strategy for determining where schedules should be placed is to put those with changeable information (e.g., wall finishes) in the specifications, and those with relative permanence in the drawings (e.g., doors, partitions).
The NCS includes a "Schedule Content Checklist" as Appendix A, PDF pages 261-280; and numerous examples of "Schedule Formats" as Appendix B, PDF pages 281-329.

Diagrams

Diagrams are usually graphic representations that may be more schematic than other representations (e.g., sections, or 3-D views). In other cases, they may be indistinguishable from plans or sections in form: they are called "diagrams" because they may be more generic in their content (e.g., a partition plan, as shown below) and because they may not b drawn precisely to scale.

See also PDF page 417 for additional information on partitions and wall-type identifiers.

Door and frame types are like diagrams in that they may be somewhat schematic, and may not be drawn to scale. They may represent doors of different dimensions and/or materials; the exact qualities of the door are then distinguished by reference to the schedule. It is common for the door schedule, door/frame types, and door/frame details to be on the same page; in other cases, the schedule may be placed in the specifications.