ISO 8560-2019 PDF

Full title and description

Technical drawings — Construction drawings — Representation of modular sizes, lines and grids (ISO 8560:2019). This international standard specifies rules for indicating modular sizes, modular and multimodular lines, and modular grids on construction and technical drawings; the basic module M is defined as 100 mm.

Abstract

ISO 8560:2019 provides graphical and notation rules for the representation of modular sizes, lines and grids primarily on design (construction) drawings; it covers designation formats (e.g., n × M), line types and intervals, identification marks for modular lines, and conventions for modular zones and grids. The standard updates and supersedes earlier editions to align modular representation with contemporary technical drawing practice.

General information

• Status: Published (2nd edition).
• Publication date: April 2019 (published / adopted by CEN in 2019).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); adopted as EN ISO and published by national bodies such as BSI.
• ICS / categories: 01.100.30 (Technical drawings / Construction drawings).
• Edition / version: 2nd edition (ISO 8560:2019).
• Number of pages: Listed by ISO as 7 pages (note: some national or commercial reproductions/EN versions show extended pagination due to forewords/introductions — e.g., BSI listings show 12–14 pages).

Scope

ISO 8560:2019 sets out rules for the graphical representation and designation of modular sizes (based on the basic module M = 100 mm), the drawing conventions for modular and multimodular lines (including axial/chain-line variants), the marking and termination of modular zones, and the depiction and labelling of modular grids with different line intervals. It is intended for use on design and construction documentation and may be applied to production drawings where modular information aids manufacturing, orientation or location.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the basic module (M = 100 mm) and notation for modular sizes (e.g., n × M, 3 M, 10 × 3 M).
• Conventions for drawing modular and multimodular lines (line weight/continuity and smallest interval as thin continuous line).
• Rules for representing modular lines in axial positions (options such as chain lines for clarity) and the use of identification circles for modular lines.
• Designation and termination of modular zones and ways to indicate combined modular and work sizes on the same drawing.
• Guidance for modular grids including differing line intervals and labelling conventions to show modular sizes across a grid.

Typical use and users

Primary users include architects, structural and building services engineers, detailers, CAD/drawing standards teams, technical illustrators and manufacturers who prepare or rely on construction and production drawings. The standard is used when consistent modular layout, coordination between disciplines, and clear communication of modular dimensions and grids are required.

Related standards

ISO 8560 references and relates to other technical drawing and construction-documentation standards (for example, ISO 1006 for the basic module definition and other ISO standards on drawing conventions and dimensioning). National/adopted versions include EN ISO 8560:2019; earlier editions (ISO 8560:1986 / EN ISO 8560:1999) were superseded by the 2019 edition.

Keywords

modular sizes, module M = 100 mm, modular line, multimodular line, modular grid, construction drawings, technical drawings, drawing conventions, dimensioning, CAD standards.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 8560:2019 is an international standard that defines rules for representing modular sizes, lines and grids on construction and technical drawings to ensure consistent graphical communication.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the designation of modular sizes (based on the basic module M = 100 mm), conventions for modular and multimodular lines (including axial representations), marking of modular zones, and representation/label‑ling of modular grids with different intervals.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Architects, engineers, drafters, CAD standards managers and manufacturers involved in creating or interpreting construction and production drawings use the standard to maintain consistent modular layout and dimensioning.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 8560:2019 is the current (second) edition published in April 2019 and supersedes earlier editions (including the 1986/1999 versions). National/adopted versions (for example EN ISO 8560:2019) were issued in 2019. Standards are subject to periodic review.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the body of ISO standards on technical product documentation and construction drawings maintained by ISO/TC 10; it is commonly used alongside related ISO drawing and dimensioning standards (e.g., ISO 1006 and other technical drawing norms).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Modular sizes, module M, modular lines, modular grids, construction drawings, technical drawings, dimensioning, notation.