Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 8 Building Layout 155
marked in feet, inches, and eighths of an inch. Survey-
ors, on the other hand, require a tape graduated in feet
and decimal parts of a foot. See Figure 8-2B.
While they can perform the same task of accurately
measuring short distances, measuring tapes differ from
tape measures in that they are used to measure long
distances. They are far bulkier and more cumbersome
than tape measures. Measuring tapes require the user
to crank a handle in order to wind the tape back in.
8.3 Establishing Building Lines
Laying out a building means locating the outside cor-
ners of its foundation, then marking them with wooden
stakes. A nail or screw driven into the top of the stake
will more precisely mark the corner of the building.
Building lines are the lines marking where the walls
of the structure will be. These lines must conform to
setback requirements on distance of the structure from
boundary lines of the property.
Once the property lines are known and marked
by a surveyor, the building lines can be found by
measuring distances with a tape. See Figure 8‑3.
A The Stanley Co.
1
2
3
4 1uni2033
2uni2033
B Keuffel &Esser
Figure 8‑2. Measuring tape. A—Long tapes for layout use are made in lengths of up to 300′. B—Measuring tapes are
made with different systems and graduations. 1. Metric. 2. Feet and decimal graduations. 3. Feet, inch, and eighth-inch
graduations. 4. Feet and inches with feet repeated at each inch mark.
Street
10uni2032 10uni2032
10uni2032
20uni2032
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 8‑3. A simple rectangular structure can be laid out by
taking measurements, using lot lines as reference points.
Chapter 8 Building Layout 155
marked in feet, inches, and eighths of an inch. Survey-
ors, on the other hand, require a tape graduated in feet
and decimal parts of a foot. See Figure 8-2B.
While they can perform the same task of accurately
measuring short distances, measuring tapes differ from
tape measures in that they are used to measure long
distances. They are far bulkier and more cumbersome
than tape measures. Measuring tapes require the user
to crank a handle in order to wind the tape back in.
8.3 Establishing Building Lines
Laying out a building means locating the outside cor-
ners of its foundation, then marking them with wooden
stakes. A nail or screw driven into the top of the stake
will more precisely mark the corner of the building.
Building lines are the lines marking where the walls
of the structure will be. These lines must conform to
setback requirements on distance of the structure from
boundary lines of the property.
Once the property lines are known and marked
by a surveyor, the building lines can be found by
measuring distances with a tape. See Figure 8‑3.
A The Stanley Co.
1
2
3
4 1uni2033
2uni2033
B Keuffel &Esser
Figure 8‑2. Measuring tape. A—Long tapes for layout use are made in lengths of up to 300′. B—Measuring tapes are
made with different systems and graduations. 1. Metric. 2. Feet and decimal graduations. 3. Feet, inch, and eighth-inch
graduations. 4. Feet and inches with feet repeated at each inch mark.
Street
10uni2032 10uni2032
10uni2032
20uni2032
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 8‑3. A simple rectangular structure can be laid out by
taking measurements, using lot lines as reference points.