RCP = Reflected Ceiling Plan

An alternative approach is to imagine the ceiling is transparent. The view is looking down from above through the ceiling to the floor below.

This method of drawing ensures that the reflected ceiling plan and the floor plan associated with it have the same orientation. Both plans are drawn at the same scale.

It is important to understand this relationship for those producing the RCP as well as for those reading it and building from it.

The RCP shows all partitions, which extend to the ceiling as well as those, which extend through the ceiling. Partitions, which extend through are walls that continue to other floors, or exterior walls.
On projects where suspended ceilings, such as t-bar with acoustical tiles, are used the interior walls will continue to 4 or 6” above the finished ceiling.

The ceiling material (drywall, t-bar, etc) and finish (paint, stucco, etc.) are shown both graphically and noted through text. Ceiling heights (above the finished floor) are also noted. Notation of heights on the RCP is important as it indicates the intent right on the plan.
Graphically the ceiling may appear to be of the same material, yet some areas are at different levels.
Or the ceiling plan may indicate different materials but they are at the same level.

Ceiling items, such as bulkheads, soffits, raised or vaulted areas, trims or any decorative features applied to or suspended from the ceiling must be indicated on the plan. Basically, any item, which touches the ceiling, is drawn on the plan graphically.

Section symbols are added to indicate details. The details further explain the construction methods for ceiling items, such as bulkheads, raised areas, and so on.
Details may be on the same page as the RCP or on another sheet, depending on the overall size of the project. The section symbol indicates the number of the detail and on which sheet it is found.

Light fixtures are shown graphically on the plan.
When applicable emergency lighting and exit signs, etc. are also drawn.

A lighting legend provides specific information for each light fixture shown on the plan.
Typically, this legend is in a chart form.
There are columns for the light symbol, the quantity required, a description, the lamp type, watts, total wattage, and for remarks.
There is an example of a lighting legend further down on this page.

The placement of light fixtures is important as this relates to what is happening on the floor below.
Low partitions and the fixtures below will often be drawn with a dotted line on the reflected ceiling plan.
Showing the items below ensures that lighting is placed appropriately to correspond with a path of travel, provide additional lighting over a specific item, to provide accent lighting for displays, and so on.

A professionally designed ceiling ensures the proper type and amount of lighting to suit the overall design concept.

The following items will also appear on some reflected ceiling plans.
Most of these items apply to commercial work, however some will also apply to residential.
Whether these items apply depends on the design/ function of a space, as well as the size and location of the project and code requirements.

• Emergency lighting, exit signs
• Exhaust fans or exhaust hoods
• Air diffusers and vents
• Access panels
• Speakers from stereos or other communication devices
• Sprinkler heads
• Smoke alarms or fire alarm devices
• Seismic information and/or details
• Expansion joints and/or details
• Any item decorative or structural, which touches the ceiling

Dimensions are added to the perimeter of the plan to provide the overall size.
Dimensions are also used to indicate the exact location of ceiling items when their position is not easily determined.
A light fixture in a suspended ceiling (t-bar) can easily be located by counting tiles. A light fixture in a drywall ceiling requires dimension to indicate the exact placement.
The electrical contractor installing the lights on the ceiling knows exactly where to place them.
An example of a reflected ceiling plan is further down on this page.

For most commercial projects, the consulting electrical engineer lays out the switching.
The designer will draw the RCP showing the lighting layout and any special features.
The electrical engineer will draw in the circuiting as well as the air diffusers and vents.

In the case of renovation or remodel projects, the ceiling plan will indicate the items that are new and items that are existing and to remain. Or in some cases the items to be removed and relocated to a new position.

Plan notes are added to further describe the graphic contents.
Notes are either placed right on the plan or are in keynotes form, which are numbers in a symbol.
When keynotes are used a keynote legend is required to explain what each number represents.

General notes provide information covering the overall project.
These are listed separate from the plan and under their own heading.
These notes outline conditions and requirements; a contractor must apply to a specific project.
An few examples of general notes are:
1. The general contractor must visit and review the site to be familiar with the scope of the project prior to submitting a bid.
2. The general contractor must use laser leveling of all soffits, ceilings and suspended grids.

Depending on the type and size of a project, the amount of general notes will vary.
Smaller projects tend to have only two to six general notes. Larger project will have twenty or more.
Very large size projects, such as commercial buildings with many floors or a large square footage, often issue the project specifications in a booklet format. Light fixture descriptions, general notes as well as other aspects covering the project are listed. This system minimizes the quantity of drawings. It enables a firm to complete the construction drawings on schedule, as the booklet and drawings are worked on at the same time by varies persons within the firm.

The images shown below are for demonstration purposes.
They are examples only and should not be copied verbatim.
Each project is unique and notes are specific to each project.

The following is an example of an RCP with notes added directly to the plan.

The interior designer or architect for a project will produce the reflected ceiling plan.
It is considered to be a part of the overall design and set of construction drawings.
Code compliance is required for the design and construction of ceilings.
In many towns and cities energy conservation by-laws also apply.

Most new construction and renovation projects require a reflected ceiling plan.
These types of projects also require a building permit.
The RCP is included in the set of drawings submitted to the building department when applying for a building permit.
In some cases the electrical contractor will submitted the RCP for an electrical permit only.

RCP – The Electrical Engineer