As with HABS and HALS, HAER combines drawings, history, and photographs to produce a comprehensive, multidisciplinary record that ranges in scope with a site's level of significance and complexity. It should first and foremost convey what is most important about that particular structure. For HAER, the focus on structures and processes rather than buildings has shaped the elements of the documentation in distinct ways. The historical report employs a narrative format that has proven useful in tracing the evolution of engineering practices and their manifestation at a particular site. A drawing set can include an evolution of the site plan; typical plans, sections and elevations; exploded details; a subset of process drawings that depict the machinery and its placement as well as the flow of raw materials and product; and interpretive and axonometric drawings. Large-format, black-and-white photographs record the environmental setting (for bridges, this will include abutments; elevations; machinery and tool details, and significant details, both inside and out. The number of photographs will be determined by the site's complexity and should be weighed against the other components (and visa versa); it may be more appropriate to photograph rather than draw or describe elements such as secondary elevations and architectural details. In any case, each component of the documentation conveys an important piece; together they create a comprehensive understanding of the site.

Please note: To obtain a Title Block for drawings produced with CAD, contact HAER directly.