It's been my experience that using AIA Cad Layering guidelines when possible, reduces confusion and debate among Cad people in most A&E offices. Better still, coordination is greatly enhanced between different offices of the same company, or with clients, contractors and government agencies. AIA standards work well for all involved, and can be used anytime, depending on client preferences.

Some Examples:

A long form layer name can be used: A-WALL

Or a short form: AWA

You shouldn't cross over and use layers for other disciplines unless necessary. I.e. Use the architectural equipment layer "AEQ" (with modifiers as needed) to name an electrical panel in a architectural drawing, not the "electrical" power equipment layer. (EPOEQ)

 Remember, no one likes dealing with lots and lots of layers, especially if they need to lighten up background layers, so use them sparingly. The AIA layers are a guide, it is not necessary to use all layers they have defined. This is a good topic to clarify in Cad manual development meetings. Choose your layers using the guide, then document them in a Cad manual.

 It can be extremely frustrating when trying to lighten, freeze or shade background layers when some entities on those layers (in Xrefs or blocks) won't change color "bylayer"! This is because the entity or block was not created on layer 0 originally. Be sure to use layer 0 and if the block has text attributes, those layers should be on an appropriate "text" layer that others may freeze if necessary.

 Once a user is familiar with the names this system works quite easily. I've found that most firms find the short format preferable, but you can use long format layer names if necessary, and a lot of times an operator can use the guidelines to create layer names that are logical and that others are able to decipher easily.

 There is a new edition of the AIA layering handbook this year that has a few new standards and some changes in modifiers. The first edition was copyrighted in 1990. See the American Institute of Architects at the link below for information on obtaining the new handbooks.