COMMON TERMS USED IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
Addenda Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents after the latter have been issued to the bidders, but prior to the taking of bids.
Alternates Proposals required of bidders reflecting amounts to be added to or subtracted from the basic proposal in the event that specific changes in the work are ordered.
Anchor Bolts Bolts used to anchor structural members to concrete or the foundation.
Approved Equal The term used to indicate that material or product finally supplied or installed must be equal to that specified and as approved by the architect (or engineer).
As-Built Drawings Drawings made during the progress of construction, or subsequent thereto, illustrating how various elements of the project were actually installed.
Astragal A closure between the two leafs of a doubleswing or double-slide door to close the joint. This can also be a piece of molding.
Axial Anything situated around, in the direction of, or along an axis.
Baseplate A plate attached to the base of a column which rests on a concrete or masonry footing.
Bay The space between column centerlines or primary supporting members, lengthwise in a building.Usually the crosswise dimension is considered the span or width module, and the lengthwise dimension is considered the bay spacing.
Beam A structural member that is normally subjected to bending loads and is usually a horizontal member carrying vertical loads. (An exception to this is a purlin.) There are three types of beams:
a. Continuous Beam: A beam that has more than two points of support.
b. Cantilevered Beam: A beam that is supported at only one end and is restrained against excessive rotation.
c. Simple Beam: A beam that is freely supported at both ends, theoretically with no restraint.
Beam and Column A primary structural system consisting of a series of beams and columns; usually arranged as a continuous beam supported on several columns with or without continuity that is subjected to both bending and axial forces.
Beam-Bearing Plate Steel plate with attached anchors that is set on top of a masonry wall so that a purlin or a beam can rest on it.
Bearing The condition that exists when one member or component transmits load or stress to another by direct contact in compression.
Benchmark A fixed point used for construction purposes as a reference point in determining the various elevations of floor, grade, etc.
Bid Proposal prepared by prospective contractor specifying the charges to be made for doing the work in accordance with the contract documents.
Bid Bond A surety bond guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with their proposal.
Bid Security A bid bond, certified check, or other forfeitable security guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with the proposal.
Bill of Materials A list of items or components used for fabrication, shipping, receiving, and accounting purposes.
Bird Screen Wire mesh used to prevent birds from entering the building through ventilators or louvers.
Bond Masonry units interlocked in the face of a wall by overlapping the units in such a manner as to break the continuity of vertical joints.
Bonded Roof A roof that carries a printed or written warranty, usually with respect to weather tightness, including repair and/or replacement on a prorated cost basis for a stipulated number of years.
Bonus and Penalty Clause A provision in the proposal form for payment of a bonus for each day the project is completed prior to the time stated, and for a charge against the contractor for each day the project remains uncompleted after the time stipulated.
Brace Rods Rods used in roofs and walls to transfer wind loads and/or seismic forces to the foundation (often used to plumb building but not designed to replace erection cables when required).
Bridging The structural member used to give lateral support to the weak plane of a truss, joist, or purlin; provides sufficient stability to support the design loads, sag channels, or sag rods.
Built-Up Roofing Roofing consisting of layers of rag felt or jute saturated with coal tar pitch, with each layer set in a mopping of hot tar or asphalt; ply designation as to the number of layers./
Camber A permanent curvature designed into a structural member in a direction opposite to the deflection anticipated when loads are applied.
Canopy Any overhanging or projecting structure with the extreme end unsupported. It may also be supported at the outer end.
Cantilever A projecting beam supported and restrained only at one end.
Cap Plate A horizontal plate located at the top of a column.
Cash Allowances Sums that the contractor is required to include in the bid and contract amount for specific purposes.
Caulk To seal and make weathertight the joints, seams, or voids by filling with a waterproofing compound or material.
Certificate of Occupancy Statement issued by the governing authority granting permission to occupy a project for a specific use.
Certificate of Payment Statement by an architect informing the owner of the amount due a contractor on account of work accomplished and/or materials suitably stored.
Change Order A work order, usually prepared by the architect and signed by the owner or by the owner’s agent, authorizing a change in the scope of the work and a change
in the cost of the project.
Channel A steel member whose formation is similar to that of a C-section without return lips; may be used singularly or back to back.
Clip A plate or angle used to fasten two or more members together.
Clip Angle An angle used for fastening various members together.
Collateral Loads A load, in addition to normal live, wind, or dead loads, intended to cover loads that are either unknown or uncertain (sprinklers, lighting, etc.).
Column A main structural member used in a vertical position on a building to transfer loads from main roof beams, trusses, or rafters to the foundation.
Contract Documents Working drawings, specifications, general conditions, supplementary general conditions, the owner-contractor agreement, and all addenda (if issued).
Curb A raised edge on a concrete floor slab.
Curtain Wall Perimeter walls that carry only their own weight and wind load.
Datum Any level surface to which elevations are referred (see Benchmark).
Dead Load The weight of the structure itself, such as floor, roof, framing, and covering members, plus any permanent loads.
Deflection The displacement of a loaded structural member or system in any direction, measured from its no-load position, after loads have been applied.
Design Loads Those loads specified by building codes, state or city agencies, or owner’s or architect’s specifications to be used in the design of the structural frame of a building. They are suited to local conditions and building use.
Door Guide An angle or channel guide used to stabilize and keep plumb a sliding or rolling door during its operation.
Downspout A hollow section such as a pipe used to carry water from the roof or gutter of a building to the ground or sewer connection.
Drain Any pipe, channel, or trench for which waste water or other liquids are carried off, i.e., to a sewer pipe.
Eave The line along the side wall formed by the intersection of the inside faces of the roof and wall panels; the projecting lower edges of a roof, overhanging the walls of a building.
Erection The assembly of components to form the completed portion of a job.
Expansion Joint A connection used to allow for temperature-induced expansion and contraction of material.
Fabrication The manufacturing process performed in the plant to convert raw material into finished metal building components. The main operations are cold forming, cutting, punching, welding, cleaning, and painting.
Fascia A flat, broad trim projecting from the face of a wall, which may be part of the rake or the eave of the building.
Field The job site or building site.
Field Fabrication Fabrication performed by the erection crew or others in the field.
Field Welding Welding performed at the job site, usually with gasoline/diesel-powered machines.
Filler Strip Preformed neoprene material, resilient rubber, or plastic used to close the ribs or corrugations of a panel.
Final Acceptance The owner’s acceptance of a completed project from a contractor.
Fixed Joint A connection between two members in such a manner as to cause them to act as a single continuous member; provides for transmission of forces from one member to the other without any movement in the connection itself.
Flange That portion of a structural member normally projecting from the edges of the web of a member.
Flashing A sheet-metal closure that functions primarily to provide weather tightness in a structure and secondarily to enhance appearance; the metalwork that prevents leakage over windows, doors, around chimneys, and at other roof details.
Footing That bottom portion at the base of a wall or column used to distribute the load into the supporting soil.
Foundation The substructure that supports a building or other structure.
Framing The structural steel members (columns, rafters, girts, purlins, brace rods, etc.) that go together to comprise the skeleton of a structure ready for covering to be applied.
Furring Leveling up or building out of a part of wall or ceiling by wood, metal, or strips.
Glaze (Glazing) The process of installing glass in window and door frames.
Grade The term used when referring to the ground elevation around a building or other structure.
Grout A mixture of cement, sand, and water used to solidly fill cracks and cavities; generally used under setting places to obtain a solid, uniform, full bearing surface.
Gutter A channel member installed at the eave of the roof for the purpose of carrying water from the roof to the drains or downspouts.
Head The top of a door, window, or frame.
Impact Load The assumed load resulting from the motion of machinery, elevators, cranes, vehicles, and other similar moving equipment.
Instructions to Bidders A document stating the procedures to be followed by bidders.
Insulation Any material used in building construction for the protection from heat or cold.
Invitation to Bid An invitation to a selected list of contractors furnishing information on the submission of bids on a subject.
Jamb The side of a door, window, or frame.
Joist Closely spaced beams supporting a floor or ceiling. They may be wood, steel, or concrete.
Kip A unit of weight, force, or load that is equal to 1,000 pounds.
Lavatory A bathroom sink.
Liens Legal claims against an owner for amounts due those engaged in or supplying materials for the construction of the building.
Lintel The horizontal member placed over an opening to support the loads (weight) above it.
Liquidated Damages An agreed-to sum chargeable against the contractor as reimbursement for damages suffered by the owner because of contractor’s failure to fulfill contractual obligations.
Live Load The load exerted on a member or structure due to all imposed loads except dead, wind, and seismic loads. Examples include snow, people, movable equipment, etc. This type of load is movable and does not necessarily exist on a given member of structure.
Loads Anything that causes an external force to be exerted on a structural member. Examples of different types are as follows:
a. Dead Load: in a building, the weight of all permanent constructions, such as floor, roof, framing, and covering members.
b. Impact Load: the assumed load resulting from the motion of machinery, elevators, crane ways, vehicles, and other similar kinetic forces.
c. Roof Live Load: all loads exerted on a roof (except dead, wind, and lateral loads) and applied to the horizontal projection of the building.
d. Floor Live Loads: all loads exerted on a floor (except dead, wind, and lateral loads), such as people and furnishings.
e. Seismic Load: the assumed lateral load due to the action of earthquakes and acting in any horizontal direction on the structural frame.
f. Wind Load: the load caused by wind blowing from any horizontal direction.
Louver An opening provided with one or more slanted, fixed, or movable fins to allow flow of air, but to exclude rain and sun or to provide privacy.
Mullion The large vertical piece between windows. (It holds the window in place along the edge with which it makes contact.)
Non bearing Partition A partition that supports no weight except its own.
OSB Panels made of short strands of wood fibers oriented parallel the surface of the sheet.
Parapet That portion of the vertical wall of a building that extends above the roof line at the intersection of the wall and roof.
Partition A material or combination of materials used to divide a space into smaller spaces.
Performance Bond A bond that guarantees to the owner, within specified limits, that the contractor will perform the work in accordance with the contract documents.
Pier A structure of masonry (concrete) used to support the bases of columns and bents. It carries the vertical load to a footing at the desired load-bearing soil.
Pilaster A flat, rectangular column attached to or built into a wall masonry or pier; structurally, a pier, but treated architecturally as a column with a capital, shaft, and base. It is used to provide strength for roof loads or support for the wall against lateral forces.
Precast Concrete Concrete that is poured and cast in some position other than the one it will finally occupy; cast either on the job site and then put into place, or away from the site to be transported to the site and erected.
Pre-stressed Concrete Concrete in which the reinforcing cables, wires, or rods are tensioned before there is load on the member.
Progress Payments Payments made during progress of the work, on account, for work completed and/or suitably stored.
Progress Schedule A diagram showing proposed and actual times of starting and completion of the various operations in the project.
Punch List A list prepared by the architect or engineer of the contractor’s uncompleted work or work to be corrected.
Purlin Secondary horizontal structural members located on the roof extending between rafters, used as (light) beams for supporting the roof covering.
Rafter A primary roof support beam usually in an inclined position, running from the tops of the structural columns at the eave to the ridge or the highest portion of the roof. It is used to support the purlins.
Recess A notch or cutout, usually referring to the blockout formed at the outside edge of a foundation, providing support and serving as a closure at the bottom edge of wall panels.
Reinforcing Steel The steel placed in concrete to carry the tension, compression, and shear stresses.
Retainage A sum withheld from each payment to the contractor in accordance with the terms of the owner-contractor agreement.
Rolling Doors Doors that are supported on wheels that run on a track.
Roof Overhang A roof extension beyond the end or the side walls of a building.
Roof Pitch The angle or degree of slope of a roof from the eave to the ridge. The pitch can be found by dividing the height, or rise, by the span; for example, if the height is 8 feet and the span is 16 feet, the pitch is 8/16 or 1/2 and the angle of pitch is 45 degrees (see Roof Slope).
Roof Slope The angle that a roof surface makes with the horizontal, usually expressed as a certain rise in 12 inches of run.
Sandwich Panel An integrated structural covering and insulating component consisting of a core material with inner and outer metal or wood skins.
Schedule of Values A statement furnished to the architect by the contractor, reflecting the amounts to be allotted for the principal divisions of the work. It is to serve as a guide for reviewing the contractor’s periodic application for payment.
Sealant Any material that is used to close cracks or joints.
Separate Contract A contract between the owner and a contractor other than the general contractor for the construction of a portion of a project.
Sheathing Rough boarding (usually plywood) on the outside of a wall or roof over which is placed brick, siding, shingles, stucco, or other finish material.
Shim A piece of steel used to level or square beams or column base plates. A piece of wood used to level or plumb doors.
Shipping List A list that enumerates by part, number, or description each piece of material to be shipped.
Shop Drawings Drawings that illustrate how specific portions of the work shall be fabricated and/or installed.
Sill The lowest member beneath an opening such as a window or door; also, the horizontal framing members at floor level, such as sill girts or sill angles; the member at the bottom of a door or window opening.
Sill Lug A sill that projects into the masonry at each end of the sill. It must be installed as the building is being erected.
Sill Slip A sill that is the same width as the opening—it will slip into place.
Skylight An opening in a roof or ceiling for admitting daylight; also, the reinforced plastic panel or window fitted into such an opening.
Snow Load In locations subject to snow loads, as indicated by the average snow depth in the reports of the US Weather Bureau, the design loads shall be modified accordingly.
Soffit The underside of any subordinate member of a building, such as the undersurface of a roof overhang or canopy.
Soil Borings A boring made on the site in the general location of the proposed building to determine soil type, depth of the various types of soils, and water table level.
Soil Pressure The allowable soil pressure is the load per unit area a structure can safely exert on the substructure (soil) without exceeding reasonable values of footing settlements.
Spall A chip or fragment of concrete that has chipped, weathered, or otherwise broken from the main mass of concrete.
Span The clear distance between supports of beams, girders, or trusses.
Spandrel Beam A beam from column to column carrying an exterior wall and/or the outermost edge of an upper floor.
Specifications A statement of particulars of a given job as to size of building, quality and performance of workers and materials to be used. A set of specifications generally indicates the design loads and design criteria.
Stock A unit that is standard to its manufacturer; it is not custom made.
Stool A shelf across the inside bottom of a window.
Stud A vertical wall member to which exterior or interior covering or collateral material may be attached. Load-bearing studs are those that carry a portion of the loads from the floor, roof, or ceiling as well as the collateral material on one or both sides. Non-load-bearing studs are used to support
only the attached collateral materials and carry no load from the floor, roof, or ceiling.
Subcontractor A separate contractor for a portion of the work; hired by the general (prime) contractor.
Substantial Completion For a project or specified area of a project, the date when the construction is sufficiently completed in accordance with the contract documents, as modified by any change orders agreed to by the parties, so that the owner can occupy the project or specified area of the project
for the use for which it was intended.
Supplementary General Conditions One of the contract documents, prepared by the architect, that may modify provisions of the general conditions of the contract.
Temperature Reinforcing Lightweight deformed steel rods or wire mesh placed in concrete to resist possible cracks from expansion or contraction due to temperature changes.
Time of Completion The number of days (calendar or working) or the actual date by which completion of the work is required.
Truss A structure made up of three or more members,with each member designed to carry basically a tension or a compression force. The entire structure in turn acts as a beam.
Veneer A thin covering of valuable material over a less expensive body, e.g., brick on a wood frame building.
Wainscot Protective or decorative covering applied or built into the lower portion of a wall.
Wall Bearing In cases where a floor, roof, or ceiling rests on a wall, the wall is designed to carry the load exerted. These types of walls are also referred to as load-bearing walls.
Wall Covering The exterior wall skin consisting of panels or sheets and including their attachment, trim, fascia, and weather sealants.
Wall Non-bearing Wall not relied upon to support a structural system.
Water Closet More commonly known as a toilet.
Working Drawing The actual plans (drawings and illustrations) from which the building will be built. They show how the building is to be built and are included in the contract documents.
Addenda Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents after the latter have been issued to the bidders, but prior to the taking of bids.
Alternates Proposals required of bidders reflecting amounts to be added to or subtracted from the basic proposal in the event that specific changes in the work are ordered.
Anchor Bolts Bolts used to anchor structural members to concrete or the foundation.
Approved Equal The term used to indicate that material or product finally supplied or installed must be equal to that specified and as approved by the architect (or engineer).
As-Built Drawings Drawings made during the progress of construction, or subsequent thereto, illustrating how various elements of the project were actually installed.
Astragal A closure between the two leafs of a doubleswing or double-slide door to close the joint. This can also be a piece of molding.
Axial Anything situated around, in the direction of, or along an axis.
Baseplate A plate attached to the base of a column which rests on a concrete or masonry footing.
Bay The space between column centerlines or primary supporting members, lengthwise in a building.Usually the crosswise dimension is considered the span or width module, and the lengthwise dimension is considered the bay spacing.
Beam A structural member that is normally subjected to bending loads and is usually a horizontal member carrying vertical loads. (An exception to this is a purlin.) There are three types of beams:
a. Continuous Beam: A beam that has more than two points of support.
b. Cantilevered Beam: A beam that is supported at only one end and is restrained against excessive rotation.
c. Simple Beam: A beam that is freely supported at both ends, theoretically with no restraint.
Beam and Column A primary structural system consisting of a series of beams and columns; usually arranged as a continuous beam supported on several columns with or without continuity that is subjected to both bending and axial forces.
Beam-Bearing Plate Steel plate with attached anchors that is set on top of a masonry wall so that a purlin or a beam can rest on it.
Bearing The condition that exists when one member or component transmits load or stress to another by direct contact in compression.
Benchmark A fixed point used for construction purposes as a reference point in determining the various elevations of floor, grade, etc.
Bid Proposal prepared by prospective contractor specifying the charges to be made for doing the work in accordance with the contract documents.
Bid Bond A surety bond guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with their proposal.
Bid Security A bid bond, certified check, or other forfeitable security guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with the proposal.
Bill of Materials A list of items or components used for fabrication, shipping, receiving, and accounting purposes.
Bird Screen Wire mesh used to prevent birds from entering the building through ventilators or louvers.
Bond Masonry units interlocked in the face of a wall by overlapping the units in such a manner as to break the continuity of vertical joints.
Bonded Roof A roof that carries a printed or written warranty, usually with respect to weather tightness, including repair and/or replacement on a prorated cost basis for a stipulated number of years.
Bonus and Penalty Clause A provision in the proposal form for payment of a bonus for each day the project is completed prior to the time stated, and for a charge against the contractor for each day the project remains uncompleted after the time stipulated.
Brace Rods Rods used in roofs and walls to transfer wind loads and/or seismic forces to the foundation (often used to plumb building but not designed to replace erection cables when required).
Bridging The structural member used to give lateral support to the weak plane of a truss, joist, or purlin; provides sufficient stability to support the design loads, sag channels, or sag rods.
Built-Up Roofing Roofing consisting of layers of rag felt or jute saturated with coal tar pitch, with each layer set in a mopping of hot tar or asphalt; ply designation as to the number of layers./
Camber A permanent curvature designed into a structural member in a direction opposite to the deflection anticipated when loads are applied.
Canopy Any overhanging or projecting structure with the extreme end unsupported. It may also be supported at the outer end.
Cantilever A projecting beam supported and restrained only at one end.
Cap Plate A horizontal plate located at the top of a column.
Cash Allowances Sums that the contractor is required to include in the bid and contract amount for specific purposes.
Caulk To seal and make weathertight the joints, seams, or voids by filling with a waterproofing compound or material.
Certificate of Occupancy Statement issued by the governing authority granting permission to occupy a project for a specific use.
Certificate of Payment Statement by an architect informing the owner of the amount due a contractor on account of work accomplished and/or materials suitably stored.
Change Order A work order, usually prepared by the architect and signed by the owner or by the owner’s agent, authorizing a change in the scope of the work and a change
in the cost of the project.
Channel A steel member whose formation is similar to that of a C-section without return lips; may be used singularly or back to back.
Clip A plate or angle used to fasten two or more members together.
Clip Angle An angle used for fastening various members together.
Collateral Loads A load, in addition to normal live, wind, or dead loads, intended to cover loads that are either unknown or uncertain (sprinklers, lighting, etc.).
Column A main structural member used in a vertical position on a building to transfer loads from main roof beams, trusses, or rafters to the foundation.
Contract Documents Working drawings, specifications, general conditions, supplementary general conditions, the owner-contractor agreement, and all addenda (if issued).
Curb A raised edge on a concrete floor slab.
Curtain Wall Perimeter walls that carry only their own weight and wind load.
Datum Any level surface to which elevations are referred (see Benchmark).
Dead Load The weight of the structure itself, such as floor, roof, framing, and covering members, plus any permanent loads.
Deflection The displacement of a loaded structural member or system in any direction, measured from its no-load position, after loads have been applied.
Design Loads Those loads specified by building codes, state or city agencies, or owner’s or architect’s specifications to be used in the design of the structural frame of a building. They are suited to local conditions and building use.
Door Guide An angle or channel guide used to stabilize and keep plumb a sliding or rolling door during its operation.
Downspout A hollow section such as a pipe used to carry water from the roof or gutter of a building to the ground or sewer connection.
Drain Any pipe, channel, or trench for which waste water or other liquids are carried off, i.e., to a sewer pipe.
Eave The line along the side wall formed by the intersection of the inside faces of the roof and wall panels; the projecting lower edges of a roof, overhanging the walls of a building.
Erection The assembly of components to form the completed portion of a job.
Expansion Joint A connection used to allow for temperature-induced expansion and contraction of material.
Fabrication The manufacturing process performed in the plant to convert raw material into finished metal building components. The main operations are cold forming, cutting, punching, welding, cleaning, and painting.
Fascia A flat, broad trim projecting from the face of a wall, which may be part of the rake or the eave of the building.
Field The job site or building site.
Field Fabrication Fabrication performed by the erection crew or others in the field.
Field Welding Welding performed at the job site, usually with gasoline/diesel-powered machines.
Filler Strip Preformed neoprene material, resilient rubber, or plastic used to close the ribs or corrugations of a panel.
Final Acceptance The owner’s acceptance of a completed project from a contractor.
Fixed Joint A connection between two members in such a manner as to cause them to act as a single continuous member; provides for transmission of forces from one member to the other without any movement in the connection itself.
Flange That portion of a structural member normally projecting from the edges of the web of a member.
Flashing A sheet-metal closure that functions primarily to provide weather tightness in a structure and secondarily to enhance appearance; the metalwork that prevents leakage over windows, doors, around chimneys, and at other roof details.
Footing That bottom portion at the base of a wall or column used to distribute the load into the supporting soil.
Foundation The substructure that supports a building or other structure.
Framing The structural steel members (columns, rafters, girts, purlins, brace rods, etc.) that go together to comprise the skeleton of a structure ready for covering to be applied.
Furring Leveling up or building out of a part of wall or ceiling by wood, metal, or strips.
Glaze (Glazing) The process of installing glass in window and door frames.
Grade The term used when referring to the ground elevation around a building or other structure.
Grout A mixture of cement, sand, and water used to solidly fill cracks and cavities; generally used under setting places to obtain a solid, uniform, full bearing surface.
Gutter A channel member installed at the eave of the roof for the purpose of carrying water from the roof to the drains or downspouts.
Head The top of a door, window, or frame.
Impact Load The assumed load resulting from the motion of machinery, elevators, cranes, vehicles, and other similar moving equipment.
Instructions to Bidders A document stating the procedures to be followed by bidders.
Insulation Any material used in building construction for the protection from heat or cold.
Invitation to Bid An invitation to a selected list of contractors furnishing information on the submission of bids on a subject.
Jamb The side of a door, window, or frame.
Joist Closely spaced beams supporting a floor or ceiling. They may be wood, steel, or concrete.
Kip A unit of weight, force, or load that is equal to 1,000 pounds.
Lavatory A bathroom sink.
Liens Legal claims against an owner for amounts due those engaged in or supplying materials for the construction of the building.
Lintel The horizontal member placed over an opening to support the loads (weight) above it.
Liquidated Damages An agreed-to sum chargeable against the contractor as reimbursement for damages suffered by the owner because of contractor’s failure to fulfill contractual obligations.
Live Load The load exerted on a member or structure due to all imposed loads except dead, wind, and seismic loads. Examples include snow, people, movable equipment, etc. This type of load is movable and does not necessarily exist on a given member of structure.
Loads Anything that causes an external force to be exerted on a structural member. Examples of different types are as follows:
a. Dead Load: in a building, the weight of all permanent constructions, such as floor, roof, framing, and covering members.
b. Impact Load: the assumed load resulting from the motion of machinery, elevators, crane ways, vehicles, and other similar kinetic forces.
c. Roof Live Load: all loads exerted on a roof (except dead, wind, and lateral loads) and applied to the horizontal projection of the building.
d. Floor Live Loads: all loads exerted on a floor (except dead, wind, and lateral loads), such as people and furnishings.
e. Seismic Load: the assumed lateral load due to the action of earthquakes and acting in any horizontal direction on the structural frame.
f. Wind Load: the load caused by wind blowing from any horizontal direction.
Louver An opening provided with one or more slanted, fixed, or movable fins to allow flow of air, but to exclude rain and sun or to provide privacy.
Mullion The large vertical piece between windows. (It holds the window in place along the edge with which it makes contact.)
Non bearing Partition A partition that supports no weight except its own.
OSB Panels made of short strands of wood fibers oriented parallel the surface of the sheet.
Parapet That portion of the vertical wall of a building that extends above the roof line at the intersection of the wall and roof.
Partition A material or combination of materials used to divide a space into smaller spaces.
Performance Bond A bond that guarantees to the owner, within specified limits, that the contractor will perform the work in accordance with the contract documents.
Pier A structure of masonry (concrete) used to support the bases of columns and bents. It carries the vertical load to a footing at the desired load-bearing soil.
Pilaster A flat, rectangular column attached to or built into a wall masonry or pier; structurally, a pier, but treated architecturally as a column with a capital, shaft, and base. It is used to provide strength for roof loads or support for the wall against lateral forces.
Precast Concrete Concrete that is poured and cast in some position other than the one it will finally occupy; cast either on the job site and then put into place, or away from the site to be transported to the site and erected.
Pre-stressed Concrete Concrete in which the reinforcing cables, wires, or rods are tensioned before there is load on the member.
Progress Payments Payments made during progress of the work, on account, for work completed and/or suitably stored.
Progress Schedule A diagram showing proposed and actual times of starting and completion of the various operations in the project.
Punch List A list prepared by the architect or engineer of the contractor’s uncompleted work or work to be corrected.
Purlin Secondary horizontal structural members located on the roof extending between rafters, used as (light) beams for supporting the roof covering.
Rafter A primary roof support beam usually in an inclined position, running from the tops of the structural columns at the eave to the ridge or the highest portion of the roof. It is used to support the purlins.
Recess A notch or cutout, usually referring to the blockout formed at the outside edge of a foundation, providing support and serving as a closure at the bottom edge of wall panels.
Reinforcing Steel The steel placed in concrete to carry the tension, compression, and shear stresses.
Retainage A sum withheld from each payment to the contractor in accordance with the terms of the owner-contractor agreement.
Rolling Doors Doors that are supported on wheels that run on a track.
Roof Overhang A roof extension beyond the end or the side walls of a building.
Roof Pitch The angle or degree of slope of a roof from the eave to the ridge. The pitch can be found by dividing the height, or rise, by the span; for example, if the height is 8 feet and the span is 16 feet, the pitch is 8/16 or 1/2 and the angle of pitch is 45 degrees (see Roof Slope).
Roof Slope The angle that a roof surface makes with the horizontal, usually expressed as a certain rise in 12 inches of run.
Sandwich Panel An integrated structural covering and insulating component consisting of a core material with inner and outer metal or wood skins.
Schedule of Values A statement furnished to the architect by the contractor, reflecting the amounts to be allotted for the principal divisions of the work. It is to serve as a guide for reviewing the contractor’s periodic application for payment.
Sealant Any material that is used to close cracks or joints.
Separate Contract A contract between the owner and a contractor other than the general contractor for the construction of a portion of a project.
Sheathing Rough boarding (usually plywood) on the outside of a wall or roof over which is placed brick, siding, shingles, stucco, or other finish material.
Shim A piece of steel used to level or square beams or column base plates. A piece of wood used to level or plumb doors.
Shipping List A list that enumerates by part, number, or description each piece of material to be shipped.
Shop Drawings Drawings that illustrate how specific portions of the work shall be fabricated and/or installed.
Sill The lowest member beneath an opening such as a window or door; also, the horizontal framing members at floor level, such as sill girts or sill angles; the member at the bottom of a door or window opening.
Sill Lug A sill that projects into the masonry at each end of the sill. It must be installed as the building is being erected.
Sill Slip A sill that is the same width as the opening—it will slip into place.
Skylight An opening in a roof or ceiling for admitting daylight; also, the reinforced plastic panel or window fitted into such an opening.
Snow Load In locations subject to snow loads, as indicated by the average snow depth in the reports of the US Weather Bureau, the design loads shall be modified accordingly.
Soffit The underside of any subordinate member of a building, such as the undersurface of a roof overhang or canopy.
Soil Borings A boring made on the site in the general location of the proposed building to determine soil type, depth of the various types of soils, and water table level.
Soil Pressure The allowable soil pressure is the load per unit area a structure can safely exert on the substructure (soil) without exceeding reasonable values of footing settlements.
Spall A chip or fragment of concrete that has chipped, weathered, or otherwise broken from the main mass of concrete.
Span The clear distance between supports of beams, girders, or trusses.
Spandrel Beam A beam from column to column carrying an exterior wall and/or the outermost edge of an upper floor.
Specifications A statement of particulars of a given job as to size of building, quality and performance of workers and materials to be used. A set of specifications generally indicates the design loads and design criteria.
Stock A unit that is standard to its manufacturer; it is not custom made.
Stool A shelf across the inside bottom of a window.
Stud A vertical wall member to which exterior or interior covering or collateral material may be attached. Load-bearing studs are those that carry a portion of the loads from the floor, roof, or ceiling as well as the collateral material on one or both sides. Non-load-bearing studs are used to support
only the attached collateral materials and carry no load from the floor, roof, or ceiling.
Subcontractor A separate contractor for a portion of the work; hired by the general (prime) contractor.
Substantial Completion For a project or specified area of a project, the date when the construction is sufficiently completed in accordance with the contract documents, as modified by any change orders agreed to by the parties, so that the owner can occupy the project or specified area of the project
for the use for which it was intended.
Supplementary General Conditions One of the contract documents, prepared by the architect, that may modify provisions of the general conditions of the contract.
Temperature Reinforcing Lightweight deformed steel rods or wire mesh placed in concrete to resist possible cracks from expansion or contraction due to temperature changes.
Time of Completion The number of days (calendar or working) or the actual date by which completion of the work is required.
Truss A structure made up of three or more members,with each member designed to carry basically a tension or a compression force. The entire structure in turn acts as a beam.
Veneer A thin covering of valuable material over a less expensive body, e.g., brick on a wood frame building.
Wainscot Protective or decorative covering applied or built into the lower portion of a wall.
Wall Bearing In cases where a floor, roof, or ceiling rests on a wall, the wall is designed to carry the load exerted. These types of walls are also referred to as load-bearing walls.
Wall Covering The exterior wall skin consisting of panels or sheets and including their attachment, trim, fascia, and weather sealants.
Wall Non-bearing Wall not relied upon to support a structural system.
Water Closet More commonly known as a toilet.
Working Drawing The actual plans (drawings and illustrations) from which the building will be built. They show how the building is to be built and are included in the contract documents.
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