How to Read a Reflected Ceiling Plan

Co-authored by Lauren Adams and Jeremy Baker and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: September 29, 2023

A reflected ceiling plan (RCP) is a drawing that shows which shows the items 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.

Things You Should Know

Pretend that you're hovering a few feet above the ceiling. Imagine that the ceiling below you is transparent.
Use this perspective to read and understand the ceiling plan.
Read the specs and additional details listed on the plan. Check the legend to decipher any symbols.

Steps

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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.
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Understand the information. An RCP should contain the following:^{[3]
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- The construction of the ceiling (gypsum board., 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
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Look for special ceiling features on the RCP, such as:^{[4]
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- 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
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Refer to the engineers electrical drawings for:
- Electrical wiring specifications
- Circuitry layout
- Connections to the electrical panel
- Location of switches

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you draft a reflected ceiling plan?

Lauren Adams and Jeremy Baker
Licensed Architect & Licensed General Contractor
Lauren Adams and Jeremy Baker are the Co-Founders of Letter Four, a full-service Design-Build firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 45 years of academic and professional experience between them, they prioritize building close relationships with clients to find practical and imaginative solutions to bring design ideas to life. Lauren leads Letter Four's Architectural Design team. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and was the recipient of an award for exceptional merit for her thesis. Jeremy leads Letter Four’s General Contracting team and is an expert in the construction of commercial, hospitality, retail, and residential projects.

Lauren Adams and Jeremy Baker

Licensed Architect & Licensed General Contractor

Expert Answer

Include all of the lighting locations, switch locations, and switch varieties, along with how all the lights are connected—that way, you'll know exactly what switches on and off and where those switches are located. It also helps to include the furniture, arrangements, and cabinets, so you know what the lighting is placed relative to in the final layout.

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Is a reflected ceiling plan the same thing as an electrical lighting layout on engineering construction drawings when there is an electrical lighting layout plan included?

Community Answer

No. The reflected ceiling plan focuses on the everything on the ceiling. The electrical layout plan is a part of the RCP. The electrical construction drawings must be referred to in order to determine the electrical wiring of the ceiling lights and sprinklers.

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What does B.O.S. Mean?

Community Answer

"Back of store." Generally, it is BOH and FOH, which mean "back of house" and "front of house."

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Tips

A reflected ceiling plan layout must comply with local building codes, electrical codes as well as fire codes.

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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.

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A reflected ceiling plan can be found in a set of construction drawings for a house or a retail store.

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