All about Carpentry

1. WEB SCRIPT
Sector: Construction
Qualification: Carpentry NC II
Unit of Competency: Lay out reference line
Module Title: Laying out reference line
Learning Outcomes:
This module covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes for establishing reference lines
in preparation for layout.
Developer/s: Jeanelle A. Samson
TITLE Laying out reference line
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module you must be able to:
1. Prepare materials and tools
2. Locate the offset line established by the line and grade/ surveyor
3. Establish the required reference lines
INTRODUCTION
This module covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes for establishing
reference lines in preparation for layout.
LESSON 1 Prepare materials and tools
TOPIC 1 Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry
OSHA requires that many categories of PPE meet or be equivalent to standards
developed By Department of Labor and Employment. DOLE has been preparing safety
standards, when the first safety standard was approved to protect the heads and eyes
of industrial workers. Employers should inform employees who provide their own PPE
of the employer's selection decisions and ensure that any employee-owned PPE used in
the workplace conforms to the employer's criteria, based on the hazard assessment.
GUIDELINES GOVERNING OSH in the CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY known as Department
Order No. 13 series of 1998 Otherwise Guidelines Governing Occupational Safety and
Health in the Construction Industry
Objectives
 To ensure the protection and welfare of workers employed in the construction
industry
 To ensure protection and welfare of the general public within and around the
immediate vicinity of any construction worksite as well as the promotion of
harmonious employer- employee relationships
 To take into consideration industry practices and applicable gov’t. requirements
Construction Safety and Health Programs
 Safety and Health Committee
 Safety Policies
 Penalties and Sanction
 Orientation, Instruction and Training
 Waste Disposal
Personal Protective Equipment

2. All employers must provide personal protective equipment for all employees
needing such equipment. All other persons entering the construction site must wear
the necessary protective equipment. PPE, is designed to provide protection from
serious injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical,
electrical, mechanical, or other hazards. Careful selection and use of adequate PPE
should protect individuals involved in chemical emergencies from hazards effecting the
respiratory system, skin, eyes, face, hands, feet, head, body, and hearing.
There are some PPE Selection and it used according to OSHC Standards, such as:
1. Hard Hat - are required at most construction sites, where workers are at risk
of injury from falling objects, electrical shock, falls, splash back, and a variety
of other workplace hazards.
2. Safety Shoes - Employees who face possible foot or leg injuries from falling or
rolling objects or from crushing or penetrating materials should wear
protective footwear
Gloves - Potential hazards include skin absorption of harmful substances,
chemical or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts,
punctures, fractures and amputations.
Working Clothes - Whether you're a construction worker you need apparel
that fits well, provides solid protection and won't fall apart after a few weeks
on the job.
Construction Safety Signages
Mandatory provision of safety and warning signs are reiterated not only for
the protection of workers, but also the public in general. Signs should conform with
the standard requirements of the OSHS.
 Usage of PPE Falling/ falling objects
 Explosives and flammable substances
 Tripping or slipping hazards
 Toxic or irritant airborne contaminants/substances
 Electrical facility
 Dangerous moving parts of machines
 Fire alarms/ fire fighting
 Instructional signs
Safety Inspection
Safety Inspection is a systematic way of identifying potential workplace hazards
before they cause a health and safety problem. Inspections are needed because nothing
is completely risk-free...
Purposes of Safety Inspection
 Eliminate Hazards
 Assess Effectiveness of OSH Program
 Display Visible Management Commitment to Safety
 Establish Accountability
 Identify Training Needs
 Fulfill Legal Obligations
General Safety and Health Measures
 Basic rights and duties of workers
 Emergency procedures
 Good housekeeping

3.  Welfare and first-aid facilities
 Care and use of PPE
 Personal hygiene and health protection
 Safety and health rules and regulations
Tool Box Meeting (TBM)
a 10-15 minute on-the-job safety and health awareness meeting focusing
usually on the current activities of the group to keep everybody informed and alert on
work-related accidents and illnesses and their causes.
Benefits of a TBM
 It addresses actual safety and health concerns on the job or in the site
 It provides good opportunity for supervisors to know the mental and physical
conditions of workers
 It also provides good opportunity for management to communicate its
commitment to safety
 It contributes to the training and education of workers
 It prevents the recurrence of previous accidents
 It is a proven technique in inculcating safe work habit
TOPIC 2 Tools, Materials and Equipment for Laying Out BuildingLines
It is important to know that the name and proper use of each of the various tools
we need in our works. In addition, application on their proper care and maintenance will
give you the following advantages: efficiency of the work, quality speed and
accomplishment and accuracy.
A. Tools and Equipment
Construction Pencils
(Carpenters Pencil) For more accurate
marking and a longer-lasting point, they can easily
be sharpened to a chisel-point.
Claw Hammer
Although this
tool is basically for
nailing and extracting
nails, it has also been
widely used over the
years by using the side of
the head as an
alternative to the
wooden mallet. The claw
is also used for a limited amount of leverage work, such as separating
nailed boards, etc.

4. Water Hose Level
It is used to determine the horizontal
levelness of a particular object.
Spirit Level
This is an essential tool for plumbing and leveling operations. When checking
or setting up a level or plumb position, be sure that the bubble is equally settled
between the lines on the vial for accurate readings.
Plumb Bob
It is a cone shaped metal
suspended on a string used to check
the verticalness of a particular
object.
Nylon String
It is used to indicate the sides of the
building.
Pull-Push rule
This is essential for fast, efficient measuring on site work. For this type of
carrying-rule, sizes vary between 2 m and 10 m. Models with lockable, power-return
blades and belt clips, one of 3.5m and one of 8m length are recommended.

5. Try Square
It is used like the steel square but in small
works.
Steel Square
It is a L-shaped with one arm forming a
perfect right angle to the other. It is used to check the squareness of a corner.
Ripping/Wrecking Bar
This is used to pull out
long nails. This may be straight
or gooseneck. It has a nail slot
for pulling out spikes and
wedging apart nailed boards.

6. Ax or Hatchet
An ax or hatchet is used during the
staking out operation to sharpen the ends
of batter board posts and corner stakes.
Crosscut Saw
This is for cutting timber across the
grain. When crosscutting, the saw should be at an appropriate angle of 45° to the
timber.
Bolo
It is used to cut pegs for stake-out.

7. Sledge hammer
A sledge hammer or maul is needed
to sink corner stakes or batter board posts.
Engineer’s Transit or Leveling Instruments
The engineer’s transit or leveling
instrument is used to establish a proper
reference or grade line from which the builder may builder may build up or down with
consistent accuracy as to vertical level.
B. MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
1. TIMBER - Trees or wooded land considered as a source of wood.
Timber sawed into boards, planks, or other structural members of stan
dard or specified length.
2. LUMBER - Lumber varies greatly in structural characteristics. A
carpenter must learn about lumber so that he can choose the most
suitable material for each job.
Lumber according to moisture content:
a. Rough Lumber- wood sawed from timber.
b. Season Dry- natural way of dying a lumber in which woods are
naturally stock over the other with spacer and let air circulation flow
naturally.
c. Kiln Dry- the lumber is processed to dry by means of oven until
reached the moisture required.
Lumber according to dress surface:
a. S4S- all sides are plane or dress.

8. b. S2S- two sides are plane or dress.
Uses of Lumber
1. FRAMES. Building frames are the wood forms constructed
to support the finished members of a structure. These
include posts, girders (beams), scabs, joists, subfloors, sole
plates, girts, knee braces, top plates, and rafters. Heavy
frame components, such as beams and girders, are made
by combining several pieces of framing materials.
2. WALLS. The exterior wall of a frame structure usually has
three layers: Sheathing, building paper, and siding.
sheathing and siding lumber are normally softwood, which
is with solid knots, no voids. Siding is either vertically or
horizontally applied. Theater construction may limit
available material to lap siding for both horizontal and
vertical surfaces. For local procurement, there are several
types of drop and bevel siding, which is applied horizontally.
2. Standard sizes and dressed sizes of Lumber
Nominal Size (In Inches) Dressed (In Inches)
1x3 ¾ x2 ½
1x4 ¾ x3 ½
1x6 ¾ x5 ½
1x8 ¾ x7 ¼
1x10 ¾ x9 ¼
1x12 ¾ x11 ¼
2x2 1 ½ x 1 ½
2x4 1 ½ x 3 ½
2x6 1 ½ x 5 ½
2x8 1 ½ x 7 ¼
2x10 1 ½ x 11 ¼
2x12 1 ½ x 11 ¼
3x8 2 ½ x 7 ¼
3x12 2 ½ x 11 ¼
LESSON 2 Locate the offset line established by the line and grade/ surveyor
TOPIC 1 Interpretation of Plans and Details
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
Generally, construction or “working drawing” furnish enough information for
the builder to complete an entire project and incorporate all three main groups of
drawings-architectural, electrical, and mechanical.
Normally, construction drawings include the detail drawings, assembly
drawings, bill of materials and specifications.
Figure 1 illustrates the conventional symbols for the more common types of
material used on structures. Figure 2 shows the more common symbols used for doors
and windows. Study these symbols before proceeding further in this chapter.
Figure 1. Conventional symbols of material used on structures.

9. Figure 2. Architectural symbols for doors and windows
A. Site Development Plan
Shows the contours, boundaries, roads, utilities, trees,
structures and any other significant physical features on or near the
construction site. The locations of proposed structures are shown in
outline.

10. B. Floor Plan
An architectural or structural plan that shows scale diagram of a room or
building drawn as if seen from above.
C. Elevations
The front, rear, and sides of a structure as they would appear projected on
vertical planes, are shown in elevations. Studying the elevation drawing gives you a
working idea of the appearance and layout of the structure.

11. D. Foundation Plan
Plane view of structure. That is, it looks as if it were projected into a
horizontal plane and passed through the structure.
E. Framing Plans
Shows the size, number, and location of the structural members (steel
or wood) that make-up the building framework.

12. F. Sectional Views
Provide important information about the height, materials, fastening
and support systems, and concealed features of a structure.
G. Details
Provide important information about the height, materials, fastening
and support systems, and concealed features of a structure.
TOPIC 2 Building line layout
Laying out a building line is the process of locating the places where the foundations of
the building are to stand. This is done by establishing lines representing the sides of the
building and any other lines needed in locating the position of all foundations. The
process explained here refers to buildings with or without masonry foundations.
A building is laid out by following these operations:
1. Establishing the orientation line.
2. Temporary staking out of corners.
3. Setting up the batter or reference boards.
4. Laying out the sides of the batter boards.
5. Squaring the layout lines.
6. Locating the places for the foundations.

13. 7. Marking the places for the excavations needed for the foundations.
Orienting a Building. --- Before a building can be laid out, the builder must find
out how the new building is to be oriented. Orienting a building means determining how
it is to be erected in relation to existing building, to the sun, to the direction of the
prevailing wind, to the road, and to the terrain. The purpose of orienting a building is to
make it comfortable, useful, and beautiful.
The orientation is to be decided by the owner of the building with the
suggestions of either the designer or the builder. The orientation is indicated in the
location plan for the building. The location plan shows the direction in which the building
is to face, how far it is going to be from the boundary, and how its sides will be related
to the boundaries of the lot, to the road, and to existing buildings.
Generally, buildings are constructed parallel to or in line with existing buildings,
parallel to the roads, or in a north-to-south or east-to-west direction.
If there is no plan to follow, the owner of the building and the builder will have
to make on-the-spot decisions on how the building is to be oriented. After this is done,
the builder can start establishing the orientation line.
Orientation Line The orientation line is the line representing one side of the
building to be erected, and it is based on how the building is to be oriented.
An orientation line is established by means of these operations:
1. Orienting a building in line with existing buildings.
2. Orienting a building parallel to an existing building.
3. Orienting a building parallel to a road.
4. Orienting a building going north-south, east-west, or in any angle to the
north-south direction.
1. Orienting a building in line with existing buildings. (See Fig. 1) The following
procedure is involved in orienting a building in line with existing buildings:
a. Determine the building with which the new construction is to be
made in line.
b. Along the side of this building, stretch a string extending to the site
of construction.
c. Drive stake 1 and 2 to anchor the line. It is very important that the
stakes do not move. The side of the new building should fall
between these stakes.
d. This line is now the orientation line.
Fig 1. Orienting a Building in Line with Existing Building
2. Orienting a building parallel to an existing building. This is done by simply
making one side of the new building equally distant from the side of the existing
building. If the new building is to be made parallel to an opposite building, Fig.
2, the procedure is to measure equal distance A and B representing the distance

14. between the two buildings. Be sure that the lines of the measurement are
square to the base side. Fig 3 shows the correct and the wrong ways to do this.
Fig 2. Orienting a Building Parallel to an Existing Building. Distance A and B are Equal,
and Square to Side C.
Fig 3. Right and Wrong Way of Making Lines Parallel.
On the other hand, if the new building has to be parallel but not directly
opposite to an existing building, the procedure would be as follows (See Fig 4):
a. Stretch line CD along the side of the existing building.
b. At two points along line CD, stretch lines A and B square to line CD.
c. Measure equal distance along lines A and B. Start to measure where the
lines intersect. The distance measured should be the distance of the new
building from the existing building.
d. Stretch line 3 through points E and F. Line 3 is parallel to the side of the
building because it is equally distant to any point.

15. e. Line 3 is now the orientation line representing one side of the new
construction. This Procedure is establishing parallel lines can be applied to
similar problems.
Fig 4. Orienting a Building Parallel but not Directly Opposite to an Existing Building.
3. Orienting a building parallel to the road. ---The following is the procedure to
follow when orienting a structure to make it parallel to a road:
a. Establish a line along the middle or edge of the road, whichever is more
convenient.
b. Make the orientation line parallel to the reference line on the road.
Follow the procedure in making parallel lines given above.
4. Orienting a building going north-south, east-west, or in any angle to the north-
south, direction. Fig. 5--- A proposed building can be made to face in any
direction with the aid of an ordinary compass. The compass is laid on a piece of
board on the ground and then a string is stretched along the degree desired, fig.
5. Be sure that there is no metal near the compass to attract its hand. This string
is the orientation line and should be firmly tied to stake.
It is very important to anchor the orientation line to strong stakes which
do not move. Otherwise, the line will change its position. The place of the string
on the two stakes should be marked with a nail or saw kerf. This is done to
ensure the return of the string to its former place when it is removed.
Fig 5. Orienting a Building with a Compass.

16. Temporary Staking Out. It is necessary to temporarily lay out the sides of the building
on the ground in order to locate the corners. This may not be an accurate layout, but
the purpose is to give an idea of how the building will sit on the lot and to have a basis
for erecting the batter boards. Any desired changes in the position of the building should
be made at this time when liable work is involved.
Fig 6. Staking Corners of a Building
LESSON 3 Establish the required reference lines
TOPIC 1 Setting Batter boards
BATTER BOARDS
 This is a horizontal board place at the corner and at the sides of
the proposed building wherein the final layout of the building
takes place.
 This are temporary framework used to assist in locating corners
when laying out a foundation.
 Batter-board posts are made from 2x4 or 4x4 wood, Corner
Stakes are made from 2x2s wood, and batter boards are made
from 1x4 or 1x6 pieces.
Determining the Final Grade Line. Where there is a need to level or fill in the present
ground line, the final grade level should first be determined. The purpose is to be sure
that the top of the foundation will not be lower than the grade line.
A grade stake, the height of which is the final grade, should be driven into one
corner of the proposed structure. This will serve as a guide for leveling and as a basis for
determining the height of the foundation.
The leveling or filling in of the present ground may be done before or after the
layout. This depends upon the amount of leveling or filling, then it should be done before

17. the laying out. If little leveling is needed, it is done after the layout or after the
foundations are in place as there are batter boards or foundations to be used as guides
in leveling.
Ground Line and Grade Line Differentiated. The ground line is the natural contour of
the ground, and the grade line is the levelness of the ground after filling or leveling.
Erecting a Batter Boards. Batter boards are the horizontal boards placed at corners and
at the sides of the projected building where the final layout takes place. The reference
for the foundations is marked on these boards.
After staking the corners of the building, the next step is to erect the batter
boards. Two types of batter boards are (1) batter boards for the foundation posts and
(2) batter boards for the foundation walls. The first type may be either joined continuous
pieces surrounding the site of foundation, or individual piece for each of the foundation.
For foundation walls, they are either single or double batter boards fig 9, and 10, which
are placed at corners.
A common practice among builders is to use some of the lumber of the building
frames for batter boards and their posts. Boards having one straight side are selected
from the 2x2s or 2x4s for batter boards. The posts are cut in such lengths so that they
can later be used for studs or ceiling joists.
The batter boards should be set as high as the desired height of the foundation.
In construction with different heights of foundation posts, the tallest foundation is set
as the height of the batter boards.
In many cases, the shape of the building is not exactly square or rectangular. It
may be combination of the square and the rectangle, or it may be in the form of an L, a
U, or a T. In the average building, one that is not so big, the batter boards are made to
form either a rectangle or a square to enclose the construction. If the branch of the
building is long, then the batter boards will have to follow the shape of the building.
Fig 8. Batter Boards Around Building Site

18. Fig 9. Establishing Level Marks at Posts for Batter Boards
Fig 10. Single Batter Board
Fig 11. Double Batter Boards

19. Steps in Erecting Continuous or Full-Batter Boards. Follow these steps when setting up
continuous or full-batter boards:
1. Determine the height of the foundation at any of the four corners of the
proposed building, preferably where the grade stake is.
2. At this corner, drive a stake as high as the desired height of the foundation, fig.
7.
3. Drive in or set posts for the batter boards 3 or more feet from the corners and
along the sides. (See fig.8.) Drive in the posts firmly. Align these posts with a
string.
4. Move the height of the foundation from the stake to the corner post of the
batter board, fig.7. This is done by stretching a string, leveled with a plumb level,
from the stake to the post.
5. From the mark on this post, stretch out a string, going around the corner of the
building and passing at the sides of the batter board posts.
6. Level this string with a plumb level. Stretch the string tight. Sight the string, and
to make it straight, place a support where it sags. Start leveling from the corner
where the height of the foundation is established. If the lines do not meet at the
starting corner, then there is a need to recheck the levelling.
7. Mark the batter board posts along the line just leveled. These marks are the
places for the top of the batter boards.
8. Nail the batter boards in place, the straight side up and at the marks on the
posts. Fig.8 shows the completed batter boards surrounding the site of the
construction.
For building with foundation walls it is not necessary to surround the
site with batter boards. Only single or double boards are sufficient for laying out,
figs. 10 & 11. Other methods for establishing the level marks for the batter
boards involved the use of (1) a straight piece of board and plumb level, (2) a
water level, and (3) the farm level or surveyor’s transit. The straight board and
level are used to make level marks from post to post. The water level is a fast,
accurate tool for leveling. The leveling can be done at corner posts or at every
post. The farm level and surveyor’s transit is not a common tool among average
builders and hence its use will not be discussed here.

20. Laying Out the Foundation Lines. ---The final laying out is done on the batter boards.
Before the builder can start the layout, he has to decide which among the building lines
he is going to use. Whatever line he uses can help him locate the other lines easily. The
following lines may be used in laying out the building:
1. Line representing the outer side of the foundation. This line is used in the layout
to indicate the face of a foundation consisting of masonry wall. It is called an
ashlar line.
2. Line representing the true length of the sides of the proposed building. This line
usually indicates the outer side of the posts. Some builders use this line in the
layout. But using this line alone complicates the placing of the forms for the
foundation posts because (1) forms for the corner posts will be marked for the
sides of the posts, (2) the intermediate forms along the sides will be marked for
the side and center of the post, and (3) other foundations will be marked at their
center.
3. Line representing the side of the building passing through the center of the
foundation. This line also indicates the center of the post because posts are
usually placed at the center of their foundation. This line does not represent the
true length of the sides. It is shorter at one width of the post because in the
laying out, ½ of the width of the post is subtracted from both ends of the line.
TOPIC 2 Squaring Lines
A. The 6-8-10 Method
After extended lines are in place, measure line EF for a distance of 6
feet. Measure line EG for a distance of 8 feet. Adjust the lines (Y and X) until FG
equals 10 feet. Multiples of 6-8-10 may be used for large layouts; for example,
12-16-20 for a layout 50 feet by 100 feet. For accuracy, never start with a
measurement of less than 6 feet.
B. The Diagonal Method
If the layout is rectangular, cutting the rectangular from opposing
corners, will form two triangles as shown below. If the rectangle is perfect, these
lines will be equal in length and the corners perfectly square. If lines are not
equal in length, adjust the corners by moving the lines right or left until they and
are equal.