Shop Drawing Review Is Not Design Approval - It Is Coordination With the Contract Documents
Shop drawings are drawings, diagrams, schedules, and other data prepared by the contractor, subcontractors, suppliers, or fabricators that show how specific elements of the work will be fabricated and installed. They are distinct from the contract documents - they are the contractor's and fabricator's interpretation of the contract document requirements for their specific products and methods. The architect's review of shop drawings is a coordination review, not a design review: the architect checks whether the shop drawings are consistent with the design requirements in the contract documents, not whether the fabricator's engineering calculations, dimensions, and methods are correct. This is a crucial distinction that has significant professional liability implications and is tested on both the ARE PDD and CE exams.
What the Architect Reviews For
When reviewing shop drawings, the architect confirms: (1) the item conforms to the design intent of the contract documents (the precast concrete panel color, texture, and shape match the specification and the drawings); (2) the item is dimensionally consistent with the architectural drawings (the curtain wall unit dimensions are consistent with the masonry opening sizes shown on the architectural plan); and (3) the item is consistent with other shop drawings already approved (the steel connection design is consistent with the structural drawings). The architect does NOT review or assume responsibility for: the accuracy of field dimensions taken by the contractor; the contractor's construction methods or sequences; the structural adequacy of elements engineered by the fabricator (the structural engineer reviews structural shop drawings); or compliance with applicable codes (that is the contractor's responsibility).
Action Stamps and Their Meaning
The architect returns shop drawings with an action stamp indicating the review result: No Exception Taken: The shop drawing conforms to the contract documents; fabrication may proceed. Reviewed as Noted (or "Make Corrections Noted"): The shop drawing is acceptable with minor corrections noted; fabrication may proceed with the corrections. The contractor should confirm the corrections are incorporated. Revise and Resubmit: Significant issues require the submittal to be revised and resubmitted before fabrication; do not proceed with fabrication of the affected elements. Rejected: The submittal does not conform to the contract documents; resubmit with complete revisions. Processing time: AIA A201 Section 3.12.6 requires the architect to process submittals promptly; delayed review can be the basis for contractor delay claims if the delay falls on the critical path.
Key Exam Points
- Shop drawings: contractor's fabrication/installation documents; not contract documents; require architect review.
- Architect reviews for: conformance with contract documents; dimensional consistency; coordination with other submittals.
- Architect does NOT take responsibility for: structural engineering; contractor's means/methods; field dimensions; code compliance.
- Stamps: No Exception Taken; Reviewed as Noted; Revise and Resubmit; Rejected.
- Delayed review: can be basis for contractor delay claim if on critical path; process promptly.
AREprep's PDD and CE construction administration content covers shop drawing review scope, action stamps, submittal log management, and the architect's liability limits when reviewing submittals - giving ARE candidates the shop drawing review knowledge the exams test in construction administration questions about the architect's coordination and review responsibilities during the construction phase.
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