This proven, uniquely practical book provides a thorough guide to reading, understanding, and working with construction drawings. Now updated to reflect the 2012 International Building Code (R) and 2012 International Residential Code (R), the Sixth Edition includes accurate, up-to-date information on current materials, practices, and standards to prepare you for career success in modern building trades. The book is designed from start to finish for real-world relevance, with topics organized based on actual construction processes, realistic construction drawings integrated into chapter content, hundreds of practical questions and activities, and full-size residential and commercial construction prints. A new feature highlights information on environmental considerations such as energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and "green" building practices, emphasizing the growing importance of these concepts in the modern construction industry.