ABOVE-GRADE - The portion of a building that is above ground level.

ADHESION - The property of a coating or sealant to bond to the surface to which it is applied.

ADHESIVE FAILURE - Loss of bond of a coating or sealant from the surface to which it is applied.

AGGREGATE - Crushed stone, slag or water-worn gravel that comes in a wide range of sizes that is used to surface built-up roofs.

AIR DUCT - Ducts, usually made of sheet metal, that carry cooled air to all rooms.

AIR INFILTRATION - The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors.

ALLIGATORING - A condition of paint or aged asphalt brought about by the loss of volatile oils and the oxidation caused by solar radiation. "Alligatoring" produces a pattern of cracks resembling an alligator hide and is ultimately the result of the limited tolerance of paint or asphalt to thermal expansion or contraction.

ANCHOR BOLTS - Bolts which fasten columns, girders or other members to concrete or masonry such as bolts used to anchor sills to masonry foundation. Foundation plates or sills shall be bolted to the foundation with not less than 1/2" diameter steel bolts embedded at least 7" into the concrete or reinforced masonry or 15" into unreinforced grouted masonry & spaced not more than & apart.

ANGLE IRON - A piece of iron that forms a right angle and is used to span openings and support masonry at the openings. In brick veneer, they are used to secure the veneer to the foundation. Also known as shelf angle.

ANNEALING - In the manufacturing of float glass, it is the process of controlled cooling done in a lehr to prevent residual stresses in the glass. Re-annealing is the process of removing objectionable stresses in glass by re-heating to a suitable temperature followed by controlled cooling.

ANSI - American National Standards Institute

ANTI-WALK BLOCKS - Elastomeric blocks that limit lateral glass movement in the glazing channel which may result from thermal, seismic, wind load effects, building movement, and other forces that may apply.

ARCHITECT - A tradesman who designs and produces plans for buildings, often overseeing the building process.

ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials

B

BACKER ROD – In glazing, a polyethylene or polyurethane foam material installed under compression and used to control sealant joint depth, provide a surface for sealant tooling, serve as a bond breaker to prevent three-sided adhesion, and provide an hour-glass contour of the finished bead.

BACKFLOW- The flow of liquids through irrigation into the pipes of a potable or drinking water supply from any source which is opposite to the intended direction of flow.

BACKFLOW PREVENTER - A device or means to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.

BEAD – In glazing, an applied sealant in a joint irrespective of the method of application, such as caulking bead, glazing bead, etc. Also a molding or stop used to hold glass or panels in position.

BEAM – Structural support member (steel, concrete, lumber) that transfers weight from one location to another.

BID BOND – Security posted by a bidder to ensure performance in accordance with a bid.

BIDDING - Getting prices from various contractors and/or subcontractors.

BID DOCUMENTS – Drawings, details, and specifications for a particular project.

BLISTER - An enclosed raised spot evident on the surface of a building. They are mainly caused by the expansion of trapped air, water vapor, moisture or other gases.

BLUE PRINTS- Architectural plans for a building or construction project, which are likely to include floor plans, footing and foundation plans, elevations, plot plans, and various schedules and or details.

BOCA - Building Officials and Code Administrators

BOND BREAKER - A substance or a tape applied between two adjoining materials to prevent adhesion between them.

BOND PLASTER - In addition to gypsum, bond plaster contains 2-5% lime by weight and chemical additives which improve the bond with dense non-porous surfaces such as concrete. It is used as a base coat.

BRACING - Ties and rods used for supporting and strengthening various partS of a building used for lateral stability for columns and beams.

BRAKE METAL - Sheet metal that has been bent to the desired configuration.

BROWNCOAT- The coat of plaster directly beneath the finish coat. In three-coat work, the brown is the second coat.

BTU - British Thermal Unit - The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water through a change of one degree F.

BUBBLING – In glazing, open or closed pockets in a sealant caused by release, production or expansion of gasses.

BUILDING BRICK - Brick for building purposes not especially treated for texture or color, formerly called "common brick." It is stronger than face brick.

BUILDING ENVELOPE - The cladding and roof system of a structure.

BUILDING PERMIT - Written authorization from the city, county or other governing regulatory body giving permission to construct or renovate a building. A building permit is specific to the building project described in the application.

BULLFLOAT - A tool used to finish and flatten a slab. After screeding, the first stage in the final finish of concrete, smoothes and levels hills and voids left after screeding. Sometimes substituted for darbying. A large flat or tool usually of wood, aluminum or magnesium with a handle.

BX - ARMORED CABLE - A factory assembly of insulated conductors inside a flexible metallic covering. It can be run except where exposed to excessive moisture and should not be run below grade. It must always be grounded and uses its armor as an equipment ground. It is difficult to pull out old wires or insert new ones.

C

CALCIUM CHLORIDE - A chemical used to speed up curing of concrete during damp conditions.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY - A document stating that a building is approved for occupancy. The building authority issues the Certificate of Occupancy. May be eferred to as a "CO."

CHEMICAL INJECTION GROUTING – Leak repair technique usually used below grade in cracks and joints in concrete walls and floors that involves injection of sealant (usually urethane) that reacts with water to form a seal.

CIRCUIT BREAKER - Simple switch-like device which automatically opens a circuit when the rated current is exceeded as in the case of a short circuit.

COHESIVE FAILURE - Internal splitting of a compound resulting from over-stressing of the compound.

COLD PATCH – In roofing, a roof repair done with cold applied material.

COLLAR - In roofing, a conical metal cap flashing used in conjunction with vent pipes or stacks usually located several inches above the plane of the roof, for the purpose of shedding water away from the base of the vent.

COMPATIBLE - Two or more substances which can be mixed or blended without separating, reacting, or affecting either material adversely.

COMPONENT - Any one part of an assembly associated with construction.

COMPOSITE BOARD - An insulation board which has two different insulation types laminated together in 2 or 3 layers.

COMPOUND - A chemical formulation of ingredients used to produce a caulking, elastomeric joint sealant, etc.

CONDENSATION - The appearance of moisture (water vapor) on the surface of an object caused by warm moist air coming into contact with a colder object.

CONDUCTOR – (1) In roofing, a pipe for conveying rain water from the roof gutter to a drain, or from a roof drain to the storm drain; also called a leader, downspout, or downpipe. (2) In electrical contracting, a wire through which a current of electricity flows, better known as an electric wire.

CONDUCTION - The flow of heat from one part of a substance to another part. A piece of iron with one end placed in a fire will soon become warm from end to end, from the transfer of heat by the actual collision of the air molecules.

CONSTRUCTION LOAN - A loan provided by a lending institution specifically to construct or renovate a building.

COOLING TOWER - A large device mounted on roofs, consisting of many baffles over which water is pumped in order to reduce its temperature.

CORE - A small section cut from any material to show internal composition.

CORROSION - The deterioration of metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction resulting from exposure to weathering, moisture, chemicals or other agents or media.

COST BREAKDOWN - A breakdowns of all the anticipated costs on a construction or renovation project.

CRAZING - A series of hairline cracks in the surface of weathered materials, having a web-like appearance. Also, hairline cracks in pre-finished metals caused by bending or forming. (see brake metal)

CURING – In concrete application, the process in which mortar and concrete harden. The length of time is dependent upon the type of cement, mix proportion, required strength, size and shape of the concrete section, weather and future exposure conditions. The period may be 3 weeks or longer for lean concrete mixtures used in structures such as dams or it may be only a few days for richer mixes. Favorable curing temperatures range from 50 to 70 degrees F. Design strength is achieved in 28 days.

CURING AGENT – One part of a multi-part sealant which, when added to the base, will cause the base to change its physical state by chemical reaction between the two parts.

CURTAIN WALL – A thin wall, supported by the structural steel or concrete frame of the building independent of the wall below. Also a metal (most often aluminum) framing system on the face of a building containing vision glass panels and spandrel panels made of glass, aluminum, or other material.

D

DAMPPROOFING - A process used on concrete, masonry or stone surfaces to repel water, the main purpose of which is to prevent the coated surface from absorbing rain water while still permitting moisture vapor to escape from the structure. (Moisture vapor readily penetrates coatings of this type.) "Dampproofing" generally applies to surfaces above grade; "waterproofing" generally applies to surfaces below grade.

DEAD LOAD - The constant, design-weight (of the roof) and any permanent fixtures attached above or below.

DEFLECT - To bend or deform under weight.

DEFLECTION – The amount of bending movement of any part of a structural member perpendicular to the axis of the member under an applied load.

DESIGN PRESSURE – Specified pressure a product is designed to withstand.

DEVIATION - (F ecart) Divergence of the value of a quantity from a standard or reference value (BS 5233). Used generally to indicate a divergence from what was originally intended.

DEW POINT - The critical temperature at which vapor condenses from the atmosphere and forms water.

DISTORTION – Alteration of viewed images caused by variations in glass flatness or inhomogeneous portions within the glass. An inherent characteristic of heat-treated glass.

DRAWING OUTLINE - A top view drawing of a building or roof showing only the perimeter drawn to scale.

DRAWING DETAIL - A top view drawing of a building or roof showing the roof perimeter and indicating the projections and roof mounted equipment, drawn to scale.

DUROMETER – The measurement of hardness of a material. A gauge to measure the hardness of an elastomeric material.

E

EPDM - Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. A single ply membrane consisting of synthetic rubber; usually 45 or 60 mils. Application can be ballasted, fully adhered or mechanically attached.

EDGE CLEARANCE - Nominal spacing between the edge of the glass product and the bottom of the glazing pocket (channel).

EER - Energy Efficiency Ratio; is figured by dividing BTU hours by watts.

EFFLORESCENCE - The process by which water leeches soluble salts out of concrete or mortar and deposits them on the surface. Also used as the name for these deposits.

EIFS - Exterior Insulating Finish System; exterior wall cladding system consisting primarily of polystyrene foam board with a textured acrylic finish that resembles plaster or stucco.

ELASTOMER - An elastic rubber-like substance, such as natural or synthetic rubber.

ELASTOMERIC - Of or pertaining to any of the numerous flexible membranes that contain rubber or plastic.

ELECTROLYTIC COUPLING - A fitting required to join copper to galvanized pipe and gasketed to prevent galvanic action. Connecting pipes of different materials may result in electrolysis.

ELEVATION - A side of a building.

EMISSIVITY - the measure of a surface’s ability to emit long-wave infrared radiation.

EMULSION - In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water.

EXCAVATE - Dig the basement and or all areas that will need footings/foundations below ground.

EXPANSION COEFFICIENT - The amount that a specific material will vary in any one dimension with a change of temperature.

EXPANSION JOINT - A device used to permit a structure to expand or contract without breakage.

EXTERIOR GLAZED - Glazing infills set from the exterior of the building.

EXTERIOR STOP - The molding or bead that holds the lite or panel in place when it is on the exterior side of the lite or panel.

EXTRUSION - An item formed by forcing a base metal (frequently aluminum) or plastic, at a malleable temperature, through a die to achieve a desired shape.

F

FAÇADE - The front of a building. Frequently, in architectural terms an artificial or decorative effort.

FACE BRICK - Brick made especially for exterior use with special consideration of color, texture and size, and used as a facing on a building.

FACE GLAZING – A system having a triangular bead of compound applied with a putty knife, after bedding, setting, and clipping the glazing infill in place on a rabetted sash.

FACTORY MUTUAL FM - A major insurance agency who has established stringent guidelines for maximum construction integrity as it relates to fire and environmental hazards. Their specifications have become industry standards.

FAILURE - The termination of the ability of an item to perform a required function.

FASCIA - Any cover board or framed metal assembly at the edge or eaves of a flat, sloping, or overhanging roof which is placed in a vertical position to protect the edge of the roof assembly.

FASTENERS - A general term covering a wide variety of screws and nails which may be used for mechanically securing various components of a building.

FATIGUE - The weakening of a material caused by repeated or alternating loads; may be used in conjunction with either static or dynamic loading

FINISH COAT – The last coat applied in plastering intended as a base for further decorating or as a final decorative surface. Finish coat usually consists of calcified gypsum, lime and sometimes an aggregate. Some may require the addition of lime or sand on the job. The three basic methods of applying it are (1) trowel (2) flat and (3) spray.

FINISH GRADE - Any surface which has been cut to or built to the elevation indicated for that point. Surface elevation of lawn, driveway or other improved surfaces after completion of grading operations.

FIRE-RATED – Descriptive of materials that has been tested for use in fire walls.

FIRE WALL - Any wall built for the purpose of restricting or preventing the spread of fire in a building. Such walls of solid masonry or concrete generally sub-divide a building from the foundations to two or more feet above the plane of the roof.

FLASHING - Weatherproof material installed between roof sheathing (or wall sheathing) and the finish materials to help keep moisture away from the sheathing.

FLEET AVERAGING - By using a point system, builders can show compliance with energy building requirements by using average figures for all air conditioning units in the same sub division.

FLOOR PLAN - The basic layout of building or addition, which includes placement of walls, windows and doors as well as dimensions.

FLOOR PLATE – See Floor Plan.

FOOT PRINT – See Floor Plan.

FULLY TEMPERED GLASS – Flat or bent glass that has been heat-treated to a high surface and/or edge compression to meet the requirements of ASTM C 1048, kind FT. Fully tempered glass, if broken, will fracture into many small pieces (dice) which are more or less cubical. Fully tempered glass is approximately four times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness when exposed to uniform static pressure loads.

FWD (Falling Weight Deflectometer) - Instrument that determines the structual condition of each pavement layer.

G

GAUGE - The thickness of sheet metal and wire, etc.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR - A contractor responsible for all facets of construction of a building or renovation.

GLAZE COAT – In roofing, a light, uniform mopping of bitumen on exposed felts to protect them from the weather, pending completion of the job.

GLAZING – (n) A generic term used to describe an infill material such as glass, panels, etc. (v) the process of installing an infill material into a prepared opening in windows, door panels, partitions, etc.

GLAZING BEAD – In glazing, a strip surrounding the edge of the glass in a window or door which holds the glass in place.

GLAZING CHANNEL – In glazing, a three-sided, U-shaped sash detail into which a glass product is installed and retained.

GRADE MW - Moderate Weather grade of brick for moderate resistance to freezing used, for example, in planters.

GRADE NW - No Weather brick intended for use as a back-up or interior masonry.

GRADE SW - Severe Weather grade of brick intended for use where high resistance to freezing is desired.

GROUNDING ROD - Rod used to ground an electrical panel.

GUY WIRE - A strong steel wire or cable strung from an anchor on the roof to any tall slender projection for the purpose of support.

HAZARD INSURANCE - Insurance for a building while it is under construction.

HEAT STRENGTHENED GLASS – Flat or bent glass that has been heat-treated to a specific surface and/or edge compression range to meet the requirements of ASTM C 1048, kind HS. Heat-strengthened glass is approximately two times as strong as annealed glass of the same thickness when exposed to uniform static pressure loads. Heat-strengthened glass is not considered safety glass and will not completely dice as will fully tempered glass.

HIGH EARLY CEMENT - A portland cement sold as Type III sets up to its full strength faster than other types.

HONEYCOMB - (1) Areas in a foundation wall where the aggregate (gravel) is visible. Honeycombs can be usually be remedied by applying a thin layer of grout or other cement product over the affected area. (2) Method by which concrete is poured and not puddled or vibrated, allowing the edges to have voids or holes after the forms are removed.

HORIZONTAL CLIP GAUGE - Sensor that measures the width of concrete joint openings.

HVAC - Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

HYDROELECTRIC ELEVATOR - An elevator where liquid is pumped under pressure directly into the cylinder by a pump driven by an electric motor without an accumulator between the pump and cylinder.

I

ICC - International Code Council

INCOMPATIBILITY - Descriptive of two or more materials which are not suitable to be used together.

INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE – Provision in a contract in which one party agrees to be financially responsible for specified types of damages, claims, or losses.

INFILTRATION - The process by which air leaks into a building. In either case, heat loss results. To find the infiltration heating load factor (HLF), the formula to account for the extra BTU's needed to heat the infiltrated air is:

BTU/HR = building volume x air changes x BTU/cu.ft/hr x TD (TD is temperature difference)

INSIDE DRAIN – In roofing, a drain positioned on a roof at some location other than the perimeter. It drains surface water inside the building through closed pipes to a drainage system.

INSULATING GLASS UNIT – Two or more lites of glass spaced apart and hermetically sealed to form a single-glazed unit with an air space between each lite. (Commonly called IG units.)

INSULATION – (1) Generally, any material which slows down or retards the flow or transfer of heat. Building insulation types are classified according to form as loose fill, flexible, rigid, reflective, and foamed-in-place. All types are rated according to their ability to resist heat flow (R-Value). (2) In electrical contracting, rubber, thermoplastic, or asbestos wire covering. The thickness of insulation varies with wire size and type of material, application or other code limitations.

ISO - International Standards Institute

J

JOINT - The space or opening between two or more adjoining surfaces.

JOIST - The horizontal framing members that support the floors.

K

KELVIN - Thermometer scale on which a unit of measurement equals the Celsius degree.

KICK HOLE - A defect frequently found in perimeter flashings arising from being stepped on or kicked. A small fracture of the base flashing in the area of the cant.

KYNAR COATING - Architectural coating that is UV stable and suitable for exterior use on aluminum and other metal surfaces.

L

LEVELING ROD - A rod with graduated marks for measuring heights or vertical distances between given points and the line of sight of a leveling instrument. They are longer than a yardstick and are held by a surveyor in a vertical position.

LIMIT STATE - State at which performance criteria are just met .

LINTEL - or header - A horizontal piece of wood or steel over an opening such as a window or door. to support the walls immediately above the opening. Lintels can also be steel or stone.

LIQUID-APPLIED MEMBRANE - Generally applied to cast-in-place concrete surfaces in one or more coats to provide fully-adhered waterproof membranes which conform to all contours.

LIQUIDATED DAMAGES – A monetary amount agreed upon by two parties to a contract prior to performance under the contract that specifies what a either party owes the other if that party defaults under the contract.

LIVE LOAD – Loads produced by use and occupancy of the building or other structure and do not include construction or environmental loads such as wind load, snow load, ice load, rain load, seismic load, or dead load.

LOSS - Consequences of a defect or failure, expressed in terms of costs, injuries, loss of life, etc.

LOT - A parcel of ground with boundaries determined by the county.

LOOSE LAID – In roofing, a membrane "laid loosely", i.e., not adhered, over a roof deck or BURM.

M

MAINTENANCE - combination of any actions carried out to retain an item in, or restore it to, an acceptable condition

MASTIC - Heavy-consistency compound that may remain adhesive and pliable with age. Is typically a waterproof compound applied to exterior walls and roof surfaces.

MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY LOAD - The maximum number of people permitted in a room and is measured per foot for each width of exit door. The maximum is 50 per foot of exit.

MEMBRANE - A generic term relating to a variety of sheet goods used for certain built-up roofing repairs and application.

MIGRATION – Spreading or creeping of a constituent of a compound onto/into adjacent surfaces. See bleeding.

MIL THICKNESS - Measurement used to determine thickness of a coating. 1 mil = .001 inch (1/1000).

MITIGATION - Elimination or reduction of frequency, magnitude or severity of exposure to environmental, economic or legal risks, or minimization of the potential impact of a threat or warning. 

MOCK UP TESTING – Controlled air, water and structural performance testing of existing or new glazing systems.

MODULUS – Stress at a given strain. Also tensile strength at a given elongation.

MUD CRACKS - Cracks developing from the normal shrinkage of an emulsion coating when applied too heavily.

N

NEOPRENE – A synthetic rubber having physical properties closely resembling those of natural rubber. It is made by polymerizing chloroprenes, and the latter is produced from acetylene and hydrogen chloride.

NEUTRON PROBE - Sensors that measure the total, frozen and unfrozen, moisture content in the pavement structure.

NM – A type of ROMEX cable (nonmetallic sheathed cable that contains several conductors). The cable, which is flame-retardant, is limited to use in dry locations only and can not be exposed to excessive moisture.

NMC (Non Metallic Conduit) – A type of ROMEX cable (nonmetallic sheathed cable that contains several conductors). NMC may be used in damp or corrosive locations as well as dry areas.

NON-DESTRUCTIVE - A phrase describing a method of examining the interior of a component whereby no damage is done to the component itself.

NON-DRYING (Non-Curing) – A sealant that does not set up or cure. See Butyl.

NON-SAG – A sealant formulation having a consistency that will permit application in vertical joints without appreciable sagging or slumping. A performance characteristic which allows the sealant to be installed in a sloped or vertical joint application without appreciable sagging or slumping.

NON-SKINNING – Descriptive of a product that does not form a surface skin.

NON-STAINING – Characteristic of a compound that will not stain a surface.

NUCLEAR METER - A device used to detect moisture by measuring slowed, deflected neutrons.

O

O.C. - On Center. A measurement term meaning a certain distance between like materials. Studs placed at 16" O.C. will be laid out so that there is 16" from the center of one stud to the center of the next.

OHMMETER - In electrical contracting, a device to measure the resistance across a load. They are never used on a live circuit. It is used to track down broken wires.

OHM'S LAW - States that, in a given electrical circuit, the amount at current in amps is equal to the pressure in volts divided by the resistance in ohms. The formula is:

I (Current) = V voltage or V = I x R