How to Read a Reflected Ceiling Plan

A reflected ceiling plan (RCP) is a drawing, which shows the items that are located on the ceiling of a room or space. It is referred to as a reflected ceiling plan since it is drawn to display a view of the ceiling as if it was reflected onto a mirror on the floor. This way the reflected ceiling plan has the same orientation as the floor plan associated with it. It is as if the ceiling was see-through and you could see right through it to the floor below. Interior designers draw reflected ceiling plans when designing spaces.

Steps

1. Pretend that you are hovering a couple of feet above the ceiling.
2. Imagine that the ceiling below you is transparent (see-through).
3. Visualize the ceiling over the floor below.
4. Read a reflected ceiling plan using this concept.
5. Notice how the reflected ceiling plan relates to the floor plan.
6. Observe the relationship of light fixtures to the furniture below.
   
   • In some cases, the items below are not shown, in order to keep the RCP from becoming too confusing.
   • When furniture, fixtures or the millwork below are shown,they are shown dotted.
7. Understand the information. An RCP should contain the following:
   
   • The construction of the ceiling (gypsum bd., acoustical tile, etc)
   • A specification and/or finish (paint, stucco, etc.) of the ceiling material
   • The height of the ceiling above the finished floor (A.F.F.)
   • Dimensions
   • A legend explaining the symbols on the RCP
   • An explanation of any ceiling features such as bulkheads, soffits, raised or vaulted areas, trim or decorative applications
   • Section symbols to further explain the construction of any ceiling features
8. Look for special ceiling features on the RCP, such as:
   
   • Speakers from a stereo or other communication device
   • Emergency lighting, exit signs
   • Security cameras or domes
   • Sprinkler heads
   • Smoke or fire alarm devices
   • Return air grilles and supply air diffusers for the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system
   • Exhaust fans
   • Seismic information and/ or details
   • Expansion joint information and/ or details
9. Refer to the engineers electrical drawings for:
   
   • Electrical wiring specifications
   • Circuitry layout
   • Connections to the electrical panel
   • Location of switches

Tips

• A reflected ceiling plan can be found in a set of construction drawings for a house or a retail store.
• Interior designers and architects draw reflected ceiling plans and then pass them to their consulting engineering firm. The electrical engineer then adds the electrical circuitry, etc.
• A reflected ceiling plan layout must comply with local building codes, electrical codes as well as fire codes.

Things You'll Need

• A drawing of a reflected ceiling plan and the floor plan that goes with it.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Read a Reflected Ceiling Plan. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.