A field sketch for a clarification: drawing a clear, located review question
The foreman finds a drain route crossing the planned footing location. A telephone description leaves the consultant unsure which line and level are involved. The coordinator needs a sketch that explains the condition without proposing an unreviewed structural alteration as the answer.
Draw only the information needed to locate and understand the question: current references, relevant plan or section, checked dimensions and the precise decision requested. Label observed, assumed and proposed information differently, then attach the sketch to the project's clarification process. A clear sketch can support a focused answer, but cannot guarantee a one-word response. It is not an approved construction detail merely because the contractor prepared it.
Show the question and its limits on one page
- Locate the condition. Give the floor, room, grid or other recognized reference and relevant drawing revision. Include orientation where it helps. A close-up without location makes the reviewer reconstruct the site; a whole floor full of unrelated routes hides the specific question.
- Show the useful view. Use plan, section or both as needed, with only the relevant existing and intended work. State whether the view is schematic or to a checked scale. Distinguish what was observed from a route copied from a drawing or still awaiting confirmation.
- Add the dimensions that matter. Record the source and basis of measured information, with uncertainties visible. Obtain measurements only through safe access and the proper site process. Do not enter an excavation or disturb concealed work simply to make the sketch look complete.
- Write a precise review question. Identify what needs clarification and the affected work. Label a contractor suggestion as proposed and route technical decisions to qualified people. Avoid a forced choice between two unreviewed changes when the designer may need another solution or more evidence.
- Number, issue and retain the answer. Give the sketch a stable attachment ID and link it to the RFI or required process. Keep the response and revision together. Communicate the resulting authorized instruction to the crew; do not pin the unanswered sketch up as permission to build.
Common mistakes
- Mixing assumed and measured dimensions without labels.
- Offering two unsafe or unreviewed choices as the only answers.
- Letting a question sketch become the crew's construction instruction.
Checklist
The clarification sketch check
- Location and current reference.
- Useful plan or section.
- Observed and assumed information distinguished.
- Safe measurements and stated uncertainty.
- Precise question and proposal status.
- Attachment, response and instruction linked.
Check your understanding
The consultant replies to your sketch, but the crew still has the original unanswered copy. What should happen next?
