Drawing Abbreviations

Drawing abbreviations, also known as drawing symbols or abbreviations, are standardized shorthand notations used in engineering and technical drawings to convey information quickly and clearly.  These abbreviations help streamline the communication of complex ideas, dimensions, materials, processes, and other details found in engineering and architectural drawings.  They are essential for ensuring accuracy, consistency, and understanding among professionals working in various industries.

• Tags: Design Abbreviations

Abbreviations commonly found in drawings

A

• ACTR - acturator
• AG - above ground
• AG - above grade
• ALLOW - allowance
• AB - anchor bolt
• APPROX - approximate
• AVG - average

B

• BBE - bevel both ends
• BBL - barrel
• BC - begin curve
• BC - bolt circle
• BE - bevel end
• BE - buttweld end
• BF - blind flange
• BFG - bevel for weld
• BFW - boiler feed water
• BG - below ground
• BG - below grade
• BL - blower
• BLD - blind
• BLDG - building
• BLE - bevel one end
• BLR - boiler
• BM - bench mark
• BOC - bottom of concrete
• BOL - bottom of line
• BOP - bottom of pipe
• BOP - blow out preventer
• BOT - bottom
• BSE - bevel small end
• BTFLV - butterfly valve
• BV - ball valve
• BW - butt weld or buttweld
• BWF - butt weld fitting or buttweld fitting

C

• C-C - center to center
• CA - corrosion allowance
• CB - catch basin
• CB - compact body
• CCC - cold cut and weld
• CE - consulting engineer
• CG - casing gas
• CHE - chemical engineer
• CHEM - chemical
• CI - cast iron
• CL - centerline
• CMP - corrugated metal pipe
• COL - column
• CP - control panel
• CPLG - coupling
• CPVC - chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
• CR - control room
• CRSN - corrosion
• CS - carbon steel
• CS - cast steel
• CTR - center
• CV - check valve
• CW - continous weld

D

• DI - ductile iron
• DIP - ductile iron pipe
• DR - drain
• DSAW - double sumberged arc weld
• DWG - drawing

E

• EC - end curve
• EE - electrical engineer
• EI - electronic interface
• ENCL - enclosure
• EOP - end of pipe
• ELEC - electric
• ELECDR - electric drive
• ELECT - electrical
• ELECTC - electronic control
• ELEK - electronic
• ELMCH - electromechanical
• EMD - electric power drive
• ER - electrical resistance
• ERW - electric resistance weld
• ES - electronic switch
• EVM - electronic voltmeter
• EW - each way
• EW - electric weld
• EXPF - expander flange

F

• F-F - face to face
• FB - full body
• FBF - full barrel flange
• FC - fail close
• FCS - forged carbon steel
• FDN - foundation
• FF -  flat face
• FG - fuel gas
• FLG - flange
• FLTR - filter
• FLTR - filtration
• FND - foundation
• FO - fail open
• FOB - flat on bottom
• FOE - flange one end
• FOT - flat on top
• FPT - female pipe thread
• FST - forged steel
• FSTNR - fastener
• FTG - fitting
• FW - field weld
• FW - fillet weld

G

• GALV - galvanizeed
• GLV - globe valve
• GND - ground
• GR - grade
• GSKT - gasket
• GV - gate valve

H

• HACR - Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• HBF - heavy barrel flange
• HE - head
• HE - heat exchanger
• HEX - heat exchanger
• HO - hot oil
• HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
• HVACR - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• HW - hot water

I

• INSUL - insulate
• INSUL - insulation

J

• JB - junction box

L

• LACT - lease automatic custody transfer
• LC - locked closed
• LDR - ladder
• LM - list of materials
• LJF - lap joint flange
• LO - locked open
• LO - lube oil
• LP - low pressure
• LR - long radius
• LWNF - long weld neck flange

M

• MATL - material
• MB - machine bolt
• ME - mechanical engineer
• MECH - mechanical
• MH - manhole
• MI - malleable iron
• MIN - minimum
• MJ - mechanical joint
• ML - material list
• MK - mark
• MW - manway

N

• NC - normally closed
• NO - normally open
• NOM - normal
• NTS - not to scale

O

• OC - on center
• OD outside diameter
• OR - outside radius
• ORFF - orifice flange
• OUT - outlet

P

• PBE - plain both ends
• PD - pressure drain
• PE - plane end
• PE - professional engineer
• PG - produced gas
• PL - plate
• PNL - panel
• PO - produced oil
• PO - pump out
• POC - pump of controller
• POC - point of connection
• POE - plain one end
• PRV - pressure relief valve
• PS - pipe support
• PT - point
• PV - plug valve
• PV - pressure vessel
• PVC - polyvinyl chloride

R

• RAD - radius
• RE - registered engineer
• RF - raised face
• REDCF - reducing flange
• REINF - reinforcing
• REPAD - reinforcing pad
• REV - revision
• RF - raised face
• RTJ - ring type joint
• RTJF - ring type joint flange
• RV - relief valve

S

• SAF - safety
• SAW - submerged arc weld
• SCHED - schedule
• SCR - screw
• SCR'D - screwed
• SE - safety engineer
• SE - system engineer
• SECT - section
• SKT - socket
• SMLS - seamless
• SOC - socket
• SOF - slip-on flange
• SP - spare
• SR - short radius
• SRPT - support
• SS - stainless steel
• STD - standard
• SUCT - suction
• SW - salt water
• SW - socket weld
• SWF - socket weld fitting
• SWF - socket weld flange
• SYS - system

T

• TBE - thread both end
• THRD - threaded
• THRDF - threaded flange
• TK - tank
• TOC - top of concrete
• TE - thread end
• TLE - thread large end
• TO - threads only
• TOE - thread on end
• TOP - top of pipe
• TOS - top of steel
• TOS - top of steel
• TP - tie in point
• TPI - threads per inch
• TRHF - threaded flange
• TSE - thread small end
• TURB - turbine
• TW - thermowell

V

• V - valve
• V - vessel
• VAC - vacuum
• VERT - vertical
• VSL - vessel

W

• WLD - welded
• WLDR - welder
• WLDS - weldess
• WNF - weld neck flange
• WT - weight
• WW - waste water

X

• XFMR - transformer