Just caught a basic dimensioning mistake on a set of prints from a big firm

I was reviewing some shop drawings for a steel frame job, and the main elevation had the column spacing at 30 feet, but the detail callouts added up to 31. It's a simple math check, but if it got to the floor, the whole layout would be off. I've seen this same kind of slip on three different projects this year. How do you guys handle your final checks before you stamp a set?

3 comments

3 Comments

rodriguez.mia3h ago

Ugh, that's the worst. I mean, I literally print the plans and trace a highlighter over every single dimension on one sheet, then check the math with a calculator next to me. Did that last month on a foundation plan and caught a footing that was off by a foot because two detail dims didn't match the overall. It's boring but it's the only way I trust it.

maxl931h ago

Totally get that need to double check everything yourself. I see it all the time with car repair manuals having wrong torque specs or missing steps. Makes you wonder how much stuff in the world is built on little errors that nobody caught. Your method is slow but it's the only way to be sure, because trusting the first draft is how mistakes get made.

ray_sullivan1h ago

Just a foot? That's a huge error.