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Building Construction Vocabulary Flashcards

1
Q

active soil pressure

A

the pressure that surrounding soil exerts on a building Foundation

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2
Q

admixture

A

ingredients or chemicals added to concrete mix to produce concrete with specific characteristics

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3
Q

aesthetics

A

a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste

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4
Q

aggregate

A

particulate material used in construction to provide a stable bedding or reinforce a composition material. Used as an extender in concrete. Can be graded into course and fine grain sizes and material types including sand, gravel, Stone, Etc

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5
Q

air-inflated structure

A

membrane structure that uses air pressure to develop its initial shape, but may not use air pressure throughout the entire, high-profile, occupancy. Enclosed columns or tubes may be inflated to hold the shape of the structure. This type of structure is often intended to be temporary or movable

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6
Q

air-supported structure

A

membrane structure that is fully or partially held up by interior air pressure. This type of occupancy often has a wider footprint than air inflated structures, and may be secured in place with rigid lower walls and cables. This type of structure may be maintained in place over a long duration

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7
Q

alloy

A

substance or mixture composed of two or more metals, or a metal and non-metal elements, fused together and dissolved into each other to enhance the properties or usefulness of the base metal

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8
Q

alternating current (AC) Circuit

A

An electrical circuit in which current can move through the circuit in both directions and the flow can be constantly reversing

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9
Q

American Society for testing and materials (ASTM)

A

voluntary standard-setting organization that sets guidelines on characteristics and performance of materials, products, systems and services. For example the quality of concrete or the flammability of interior finishes

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10
Q

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 Public Law 101 - 336

A

Federal statute intended to remove barriers, physical and otherwise, that limit access by individuals with disabilities

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11
Q

Arc

A

a high-temperature luminous electrical discharge across a gap or through a medium such as charred insulation

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12
Q

Arch

A

curved structural member in which the interior stresses are primarily compressive. Arches develop inclined reactions at their supports.

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13
Q

area of refuge

A

1 space protected from fire in the normal means of egress either by an approved sprinkler system, separation from other spaces within the same building by smoke proof walls, or location in an adjacent building. 2. Area where persons who are unable to use stairs can temporarily wait for instructions or assistance during an emergency building evacuation

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14
Q

astm e-84

A

standard test used to measure the surface burning characteristics of various materials. Also known as Steiner tunnel test or tunnel test

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15
Q

atrium

A

open area in the center of a building, extending through two or more stories, similar to a courtyard but usually covered by a skylight, to allow natural light and ventilation to Interior rooms

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16
Q

Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)

A

an organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or approving equipment, materials, and installation, or a procedure

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17
Q

autoignition temperature

A

the temperature to which the surface of a substance must be heated for ignition and self-sustaining combustion to occur

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18
Q

axial load

A

load applied to the center of the cross section of a member and perpendicular to that cross section. It can be either tensile or compressive, and creates uniforms stresses across the cross section of the material.

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19
Q

balloon frame Construction

A

type of structural framing used in some single story and multi-story wood frame buildings. Studs are continuous from the foundation to the roof and there may be no fire stops between the studs

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20
Q

bar joist

A

open web truss constructed entirely of Steel, with steel bars used as the web members

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21
Q

base isolation

A

a system of structural elements that create a joint between a building and its base to minimize seismic Force effects on the main structure. The type of system may be customized to the type of seismic forces expected in an area

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22
Q

beam

A

structural component loaded perpendicular to its length. Primarily resists bending stress characterized by compression in the top portion and tension in the bottom portion

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23
Q

bearing wall structures

A

common type of structure that uses the walls of a building to support spanning elements such as beams, trusses, and precast concrete slabs

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24
Q

bending moment

A

a reaction within a structural component that opposes a vertical load. When the bending moment is exceeded, the component will fail. Bending stress can be calculated from the bending moment.

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25
Q

bending stress

A

compressive and tensile stresses in a bean. When the stresses are not held in equilibrium, the beam will bend and ultimately fail. Bending stresses are calculated from the bending moment

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26
Q

bimetallic detector

A

a type of heat detector that uses two metals that have different thermal expansion characteristics

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27
Q

bleve

A

a boiling liquid expanding Vapor explosion. The rupturing of a tank containing flammable liquids that results in an explosion of the tank, and the characteristic Fireball with radiant heat that results

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28
Q

blind hoistway

A

used for Express elevators that serve only upper floors of tall buildings. There are no entrances to the shaft on Floors between the main entrance and the lowest floor served

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29
Q

board of appeals

A

group of people, usually 5 to 7, with experience in fire prevention, building construction, and or code enforcement, who are legally constituted to arbitrate differences of opinion between fire inspectors and building officials, Property Owners, occupants or builders

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30
Q

Bowstring Truss

A

Lightweight truss design noted by the bow shape, or curve, of the top chord

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31
Q

British thermal unit (BTU)

A

Amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit

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32
Q

building code

A

a set of rules developed by a standards organization and adopted as law by a governmental body to regulate the minimum requirements for construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings

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33
Q

building permit

A

authorization issued from the appropriate Authority having jurisdiction before any new construction, addition, renovation, alteration, or demolition of buildings or structures occurs

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34
Q

butt joint

A

connection between two parts made by simply securing ends surfaces together without additional shaping at the ends. A simple but weak joint

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35
Q

buttress

A

structure projecting from a wall, designed to receive lateral pressure action at a particular point

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36
Q

cable membrane structure

A

freestanding structure that uses suspension cables for Support. Also known as cable covered structure

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37
Q

cables

A

flexible structural members designed to withstand tensions dresses. Commonly used to support roofs, brace tense, and restrain pneumatic structures

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38
Q

caisson

A

protective sleeve used to keep water out of an excavation for a pier

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39
Q

Calcination

A

process of driving free and chemically bound water out of gypsum; also describes the chemical and physical changes to the gypsum component itself.

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40
Q

calcined

A

process that heats a substance to a high temperature but below the melting or freezing point, causing loss of moisture, reduction or oxidation, and decomposition of carbonates and other compounds

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41
Q

cantilever

A

projecting beam or slab supported at one end

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42
Q

capital

A

broad top surface of a column or pilaster, designed to spread the load held by a column

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43
Q

cement

A

any adhesive material or variety of materials which can be made into a paste with adhesive and cohesive properties to bond inert aggregate materials into a solid mass by chemical hardening. For example Portland cement is combined with sand and or other Aggregates and water to produce mortar or concrete

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44
Q

chord

A

top or bottom longitudinal member of a truss, main members of trusses, as distinguished from diagonals

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45
Q

Cladding

A

exterior finish or skin

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46
Q

class b fire

A

fires involving flammable and combustible liquid and gases

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47
Q

clean energy

A

energy sources that meet the needs of current consumers without compromising future resources.

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48
Q

cold rolled steel (CRS)

A

Commercial and drawing steals. Shaped after cooling below its recrystallization temperature by being passed through a series of rollers to reduce the thickness incrementally

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49
Q

collar tie

A

horizontal roof framing member in the top third of the framing system. Braces the roof framing against the uplift of wind

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50
Q

column

A

vertical member designed to support an axial load and compressive stresses.

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51
Q

column footing

A

square pad of concrete that supports a column. footings of decorative columns are often below the bearing surface

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52
Q

combustion

A

a chemical process of oxidation that occurs at a rate fast enough to produce heat and usually light in the form of either a glow or Flame

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53
Q

common truss

A

truss structure with the cords and diagonal members arranged in parallel planes. Also known as monoplane Truss

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54
Q

compartment

A

any enclosed space without internal fire barriers

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55
Q

compartmentation

A

series of barriers designed to keep flames, smoke and heat from spreading between spaces

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56
Q

compensated system

A

stairwell pressurization system that can modulate the pressure in the stairwell in relation to the interior of the building, or vent excess pressure

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57
Q

composite panels

A

produced with parallel external face veneers bonded to a core of reconstituted fibers. Also known as sandwich panel

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58
Q

compression

A

vertical and/or horizontal forces that push the mass of a material together; for example, the force exerted on the top chord of a truss

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59
Q

concentrated load

A

load that is applied at one point or over a small area

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60
Q

concrete

A

strong, hard building material produced from a mixture of portland cement and an aggregate filler/binder to which water is added to form a slurry that sets into a rigid building material

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61
Q

concrete block

A

large rectangular brick used in construction; the most common type is the hollow concrete block

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62
Q

concrete block brick faced (CBBF)

A

wall construction system that includes one wythe of concrete blocks with a brick wythe attached to the outside

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63
Q

conduction

A

the transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in an upward Direction

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64
Q

conflagration

A

large, uncontrollable fire covering a considerable area and Crossing fire barriers such as streets and waterways; usually involves buildings in more than one block and causes a substantial fire loss. Forest fires can also be considered conflagrations

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65
Q

convection

A

transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in an upward direction

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66
Q

convenience stair

A

stair that usually connects two floors any multi-story building

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67
Q

corbel

A

bracket or ledge made of stone, wood, brick, or other building material projecting from the face of a wall or column used to support a beam, cornice, or Arch

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68
Q

corbelling

A

use of a corbel to provide additional support for an arch

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69
Q

cornice

A

concealed space near the eve of the building. Usually overhanging the area adjacent to exterior walls

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70
Q

corrugated

A

formed into ridges or grooves; serrated

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71
Q

course

A

a horizontal layer of individual masonry units. One layer of bricks

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72
Q

criterion-referenced testing (CRT)

A

measurement of 1 components tested performance against a set standard or criteria, not against similar components or assemblies.

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73
Q

cross section

A

theoretical slice of a 3 dimensional structural component to enable area and stress calculations

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74
Q

cupola

A

a type of rooftop projection historically used for ventilation and lighting, and modernly added for Aesthetics

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75
Q

curtain wall

A

non load-bearing exterior wall attached to the outside of a building with a rigid steel frame. Usually the front exterior wall of a building intended to provide a certain appearance

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76
Q

damping mechanism

A

structural element designed to control vibration from resonance

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77
Q

dead load

A

weight of the structure, structural members, building components, and any other features permanently attached to the building that are constant and immobile

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78
Q

design build

A

the use of a single organization to both design and build a facility to minimize risks for the project owner. May also refer to a firm specializing in design-build

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79
Q

design deficiency

A

a failure to provide a level of fire safety appropriate to the ultimate use of the building

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80
Q

design principles

A

guidelines applied to basic units of a project that caused the items to work together as a unified, completely finished item that serves a purpose within established parameters. Units can include the materials, Concepts, and setting

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81
Q

Dewatering

A

process of removing water from a vessel or building

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82
Q

dielectric

A

material that is a poor conductor of electricity, usually applied to tools that are used to handle energized electrical wires or equipment

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83
Q

dimensional lumber

A

lumber with standard, nominal measurements for use in building construction. Dimensional lumber is also available in rough, green components with actual dimensions that match the nominal dimensions

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84
Q

direct current (DC) circuit

A

electrical circuit in which the current moves through the circuit in Only One Direction

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85
Q

door closer

A

mechanical device that closes a door

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86
Q

door hold open device

A

mechanical device that holds a door open and releases it upon a signal. Mechanism may be a fusible link that releases under fire conditions, or an electromagnet connected to a smoke detector.

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87
Q

draft curtains

A

non combustible barriers or dividers hung from the ceiling in large open areas that are designed to minimize the mushrooming effect of heat and smoke and impede the flow of heat. Also known as curtain boards and draft stops

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88
Q

drop panel

A

type of concrete floor construction in which the portion of the floor above each column is dropped below the bottom level of the rest of the slab, increasing the floor thickness at the column

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89
Q

ductility

A

a measure of a Metal’s ability to be drawn, humored thin, or rolled into shapes without breaking. The high ductility of Steel makes it very versatile for use in construction buildings

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90
Q

dumbwaiter

A

small freight elevators that carry items, not people, and generally have a small weight and size capacity

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91
Q

dynamic load

A

loads that involve motion, including impact from wind, falling objects, and vibration.

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92
Q

earthquake

A

a sudden release of energy in the earth’s crust that creates seismic forces that shake and sometimes disrupt the ground. Earthquakes are associated with volcanic activity, landslides, and tsunamis.

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93
Q

eccentric load

A

load perpendicular to the cross section of the structural member, but which does not pass through the center of the cross section. and eccentric load creates stresses that vary across the cross section and maybe both tensile and compressive

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94
Q

elastomer

A

generic term for rubber like materials including natural rubber, butyl rubber, neoprene, and silicone rubber used in facepiece seals, low pressure hoses, and similar SCBA components

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95
Q

elevator

A

mechanical system that travels vertically and is used to transport people and items in a multistory building

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96
Q

elevator pit

A

depression at the base of an elevator hoistway that contains equipment and maintenance access

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97
Q

engineered wood

A

a material manufactured by bonding pieces of wood with glue or resin to form finished shapes

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98
Q

equilibrium

A

condition of balance that exists when a structural system is capable of supporting the applied load

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99
Q

escalator

A

belt driven moving stairs that move in one direction at a fixed rate of speed

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100
Q

exhaust system

A

ventilation system designed to remove stale air, smoke, vapors, or other airborne contaminants from an area

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101
Q

expanded polystyrene (EPS)

A

Closed cell foam used for a growing number of purposes including building insulation. Properties include rigidity, low weight, and formability

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102
Q

expansion joint

A

flexible joint in concrete used to prevent cracking or breaking because of expansion and contraction due to temperature changes

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103
Q

exposure

A

structure surfaces or separate parts of the fireground to which a fire or products of combustion could spread

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104
Q

exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)

A

exterior cladding or covering systems composed of an adhesively or mechanically fastened foam insulation board, reinforcing mesh, a base coat, and and outer finish coat. Also known as synthetic stucco

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105
Q

exterior stairs

A

stairs separated from the interior of a building by walls

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106
Q

facade

A

fascia added to some buildings with flat roofs to create the appearance of a mansard roof

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107
Q

factor of safety

A

ratio of the failure point of a material to the maximum design stress; indicates the strength of a structure beyond the expected or actual loads

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108
Q

failure point

A

point at which material ceases to perform satisfactorily; depending on the application, this can involve breaking, permanent deformation, excessive deflection, or vibration

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109
Q

fascia

A

flat horizontal or vertical board located at the outer face of a cornice. Broad flat surface over a storefront or below a cornice

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110
Q

fast-track construction

A

strategy to reduce the overall time for completion of a project by merging the design and construction phases. Often used in conjunction with design-build

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111
Q

fault

A

area of discontinuity in the earth’s crust associated with movement by tectonic plates

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112
Q

federal emergency management agency (FEMA)

A

agency within the U.S. department of Homeland Security (DHS) that is responsible for emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response activities for events including natural, technological and attack related emergencies

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113
Q

finger joint

A

connection between two parts made by cutting complementary mating parts, and then securing the joint with glue

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114
Q

fire area

A

one of a set of sections in a building separated from each other by fire resistant partitions

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115
Q

fire cut

A

angled cut made at the end of a wood joist or wood beam that rests in a masonry wall to allow the beam to fall away freely from the wall in case of failure of the beam. This helps prevent the beam from acting as a level to push against the masonry.

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116
Q

fire damper

A

device that automatically restricts the flow of air through all or part of an air handling system; usually activated by the building fire alarm signaling system

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117
Q

fire department connection (FDC)

A

point at which the fire department can connect into a sprinkler or standpipe system to boost the water pressure and flow in the system. This connection consists of a clappered siamese with two or more 2.5 inch instakes or one large diameter intake.

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118
Q

fire door

A

specially constructed, tested, and approved fire rated assembly designed and installed to prevent fire spread by automatically sealing an opening in a firewall to block the spread of fire.

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119
Q

fire escape

A

means of escaping from a building in case of fire; usually an interior or exterior stairway or slide, independently supported and made of fire resistive material

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120
Q

fire flow

A

the amount of water required to extinguish a fire in a timely manner

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121
Q

fire load

A

maximum amount of heat that can be released if all fuel in a given area is consumed; expressed in pounds per square foot and obtained by dividing the amount of fuel present by the floor area. Used as a measure of the potential heat release of a fire within a compartment.

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122
Q

fire partition

A

fire barrier that extends from one floor to the bottom of the floor above or to the underside of a fire rated ceiling assembly; provides a lower level of protection than a fire wall. An example is a 1 hour rated corridor wall.

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123
Q

fire resistance

A

the ability of a structural assembly or material to maintain its load bearing ability under fire conditions

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124
Q

fire resistance rating

A

rating assigned to a material or assembly after standardized testing by an independent testing organization; identifies the mount of time a material or assembly will resist a typical fire, as measured on a standard time temperature curve

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125
Q

fire retardant

A

any substance, except plain water, that when applied to another material or substance will reduce the flammability of fuels or slow their rate of combustion by chemical or physical action

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126
Q

fire spread

A

the movement of fire from one material source to another exposure. May occur within a compartment or across a break

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127
Q

fire stop

A

solid materials, such as wood block, used to prevent or limit the vertical and horizontal spread of fire and the products of combustion; installed in hollow walls or floors, above false ceilings, in penetrations for plumbing or electrical installations, in penetrations of a fire rated assembly, or in cocklofts and crawl spaces

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128
Q

fire wall

A

fire rated wall with a specified degree of fire resistance, built of fire resistive materials and usually extending from the foundation up to and through the roof of building that is designed to limit the spread of a fire within a structure or between adjacent structures

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129
Q

firefighters smoke control station (FSCS)

A

interface between the smoke management system and the fire response forces

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130
Q

flame spread

A

movement of a flame away from the ignition source

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131
Q

flame spread rating

A

numerical rating assigned to a material based on the speed and extent to which flam travels over a surface. Measurement of the propagation of flame on the surface of materials or their assemblies as determined by recognized standard tests.

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132
Q

flange

A

single or paired external ridges or rims on a beam that do most of the work of supporting a load

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133
Q

flat plate

A

plain floor slab about 8 inches thick that rests on columns spaced up to 22 feet apart and depends on diagonal and orthogonal patterns of reinforcing bars for structural support because the slab lacks beams; simplest and most economical floor system

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134
Q

flat-slab concrete frame

A

construction technique using concrete slabs supported by concrete columns

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135
Q

floating foundation

A

foundation for which the volume of earth excavated will approximately equal the weight of the building supported. thus, the total weight supported by the soil beneath the foundation remains about the same, and settlement is minimized because the weight of the building

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136
Q

footing

A

part of the building in contact with the bearing soil. footings are thicker (deeper) than the column or foundation wall and are often embedded below the surface of the soil to rest on bedrock

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137
Q

force

A

simple measure of weight, usually expressed in pounds. In physics: Any interaction that may change the motion of an object.

138
Q

forced-air system

A

a building heating and cooling system that uses air as the heat transfer medium

139
Q

foundation wall

A

vertical element of a foundation; rests on the foundation footers. May be full story height as in a basement, or partial height. Materials often include poured concrete, or mortar elements such as block, brick or stone.

140
Q

frame

A

internal system of structural supports within a building

141
Q

frame membrane structure

A

structure supported primarily by a frame or skeleton rather than by load bearing walls. AKA Frame covered structure

142
Q

Freestanding walls

A

self supporting fire walls independent of the structure’s frame. must resist a lateral load of 5 pounds per square foot.

143
Q

frost line

A

common depth at which groundwater in soil will freeze. influential variables include climate, soil properties, and nearby heat sources

144
Q

Fuel load

A

the total quantity of fuel (combustible material) in a compartment; can include structural elements, interior finish, and trim. Expressed in heat units of the equivalent weight in wood. AKA Fuel Loading

145
Q

Gentrification

A

process of restoring rundown or deteriorated properties by more affluent people, often displacing poorer residents

146
Q

Load

A

any effect that a structure must be designed to resist.

147
Q

setback

A

distance from the street line to the front of a building

148
Q

thermal radiation

A

the transmission or transfer of heat energy from one body to another body at a lower temperature through intervening space by electromagnetic waves similar to radio waves or x-rays

149
Q

wildland/urban interface

A

line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels

150
Q

Fusible link

A

connecting link device that fuses or melts when exposed to fire temperatures; used to activate individual elements in active and passive fire suppression systems. Benefits include; inexpensive, rugged, easy to maintain. Disadvantages include; slower to activate than automated systems.

151
Q

Generator

A

portable device for generating auxiliary electrical power; generators are powered by gasoline or diesel engines and typically have 110 and/or 220 volt capacity outlets

152
Q

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A

Computer software application that relates physical features on the earth to a database to be used for mapping and analysis. the system captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that refers to or is linked to a location.

153
Q

glazing

A

Glass or thermoplastic panel in a wall or other barrier that allows light to pass through.

154
Q

Glue Laminated Beam

A

Wooden structural member composed of many relatively short pieces of lumber glued and laminated together under pressure to form a long, extremely strong beam. Term used to describe wood members produced by joining small, flat strips of wood together with glue.

155
Q

Grain

A

Direction of growth of a tree. Loads aligned perpendicular to the grain are more sturdily supported; lumber wil split more easily when cut parallel to the grain.

156
Q

Gravity

A

Force acting to draw an object toward the earth’s center; force is equal to the object’s weight

157
Q

green design

A

Incorporation of environmental principles including energy efficiency and environmentally friendly building materials into design and construction.

158
Q

Green roof

A

Roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over waterproof roofing elements. Term can also indicate the presence of green design technology including photovoltaic systems and reflective surfaces.

159
Q

grillage footing

A

footing consisting of layers of beams placed at right angles to each other and usually encased in concrete.

160
Q

grout

A

a mixture of cement, aggregate, and water that hardens over time; used to embed reinforcement materials in masonry walls. Similar to mortar.

161
Q

gusset plates

A

metal or wooden plates used to connect and strengthen the joints of two or more separate components (such as metal or wooden truss components or roof or floor components) into a load-bearing unit.

162
Q

hardware

A

general term for small pieces of equipment made of metal, including ancillary equipment affixed to another medium to aid the use of the primary tool. Fire door hardware include: door knobs, hinges, and door closure devices.

163
Q

Heat of combustion

A

total amount of thermal energy (heat) that could be generated by the combustion (oxidation) reaction if a fuel were completely burned. The heat of combustion is measured in BTUs per pound, kilojoules per gram, or Megajoules per kilogram.

164
Q

heat of hydration

A

during the hardening of concrete, heat is given off by the chemical process

165
Q

heat release rate (HRR)

A

total amount of heat released per unit time. the heat release rate is typically measured in kilowatts (kW) or Megawatts(MW) of output

166
Q

Heat transfer

A

flow of heat from a hot substance to a cold substance; may be accomplished by convection, conduction, or radiation

167
Q

heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system

A

Mechanical system used to provide environmental control within a structure, and the equipment necessary to make it function; usually a single, integrated unit with a complex system of ducts throughout the building.

168
Q

Heaving

A

upward deformation of a building’s structural elements

169
Q

high rise building

A

building that requires fire fighting on levels above the reach of the departments equipment

170
Q

Hoistway

A

the vertical shaft in which the elevator car travels; includes the elevator pit.

171
Q

horizontal motion

A

side to side, swaying motion

172
Q

hot work

A

any operation that requires the use of tools or machines that may produce a source of ignition.

173
Q

hurricane glazing

A

protective treatment for exterior windows designed to withstand hurricane conditions including high wind and impact.

174
Q

hydronic system

A

a building heating and cooling system that uses water as the heat transfer medium

175
Q

hygroscopic

A

ability of a substance to absorb moisture from the air

176
Q

ignition source

A

mechanism or initial energy source employed to initiate combustion, such as a spark that provides a means for the initiation of self sustained combustion

177
Q

I-Joist

A

engineered wood joists with an “I” shaped cross section. commonly used in modern roof and floor construction.

178
Q

institutional sprinklers

A

low profile sprinkler system and pendant used with concealed piping in correctional facilities and institutions where tampering of the system must be discouraged or prevented

179
Q

insulated concrete form (ICF) construction

A

construction technique that uses hollow foam blocks with predetermined sizes and shapes. The blocks lock together and are filled with concrete to form structural supports

180
Q

international building code (IBC)

A

Code that is dedicated to providing safety regulations for life safety, structural, and fire protection issues that occur throughout the life of a building

181
Q

international code council (ICC)

A

Organization that develops international building code and international fire code for city and state adoption.

182
Q

intumescent coating

A

coating or paint like product that expands when exposed to the heat of a fire; creates an insulating barrier that protects the material underneath.

183
Q

inverted truss

A

truss support system that is constructed with a deep triangular portion projecting down instead of up, and the portions of a standard truss are under compression instead of tension.

184
Q

joists

A

horizontal structural members used to support a ceiling or floor. Drywall materials are nailed or screwed to the ceiling joists, and the subfloor is nailed or screwed to the floor joists.

185
Q

kinetic energy

A

energy possessed by a moving object because of its motion

186
Q

lamella arch

A

special type of arch constructed of short pieces of wood called lamellas

187
Q

laminated wood

A

material made of wood strips and resin, shaped, and bonded with heat and/or pressure

188
Q

landing

A

horizontal platform where a flight of stairs begins or ends

189
Q

lateral displacement

A

sideways deformation of a building’s structural elements

190
Q

lateral load

A

load that exerts a horizontal force against a structure. Calculated as a live load; includes seismic activity and soil pressure against vertical restraints such as retaining walls and foundations

191
Q

ledger board

A

horizontal framework member, especially one attached to a beam side that supports the joists.

192
Q

lintel

A

support for masonry over an opening; usually made of steel angles or other rolled shapes, singularly or in combination

193
Q

liquified petroleum gas (LPG)

A

any of several petroleum products, such as propane or butane, stored under pressure as a liquid.

194
Q

listed

A

refers to a device or material that has been tested by any of several testing laboratories and certified as having met minimum criteria

195
Q

live load

A

items within a building that are movable but are not included as a permanent part of the structure. force placed upon a structure by the addition of people, objects, and weather

196
Q

load

A

any effect that a structure must be designed to resist, including the forces of gravity, wind, earthquakes or soil pressure

197
Q

Load bearing wall

A

wall that supports itself, the weight of the roof, and/or other internal structural framing components, such as the floor beams and trusses above it; used for structural support.

198
Q

louvers

A

a series of horizontal slats that are angled to permit easy ventilation in one direction of flow and restricted ventilation in the opposite direction. Louvers are commonly used in applications where the restrictive side blocks sunshine, rain, or products of combustion

199
Q

lumber

A

lengths of wood prepared for use in construction; items are graded for strength and appearance

200
Q

machine room-less

A

elevator hoistway that includes all components, including motors, mounted within the hoistway itself to eliminate the need for a machine room at the top of the hoistway. The elevator controls may be located remotely from the elevator system.

201
Q

manufactured components

A

structural elements constructed in a factory and shipped to the construction site

202
Q

masonry

A

bricks, blocks, stones, and unreinforced and reinforced concrete products

203
Q

mastics

A

heat resistant construction adhesive that bonds with most materials; can be used as a fire retardant coating.

204
Q

mat slab foundation

A

thick slab beneath the entire area of a building; thicker and more reinforced than a simple slab on grade foundation

205
Q

means of egress

A

continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way; consists of three separate and distinct parts: exit access, exit, and exit discharge

206
Q

membrane ceiling

A

usually refers to suspended, insulating ceiling tile system

207
Q

membrane structure

A

structure with an enclosing surface of a thin stretched flexible material. Weather resistant, flexible or semiflexible covering consisting of layers of materials over a supporting framework.

208
Q

metal-clad door

A

wood core door protected with galvanized sheet metal steel or other heavy metal exterior. AKA Kalamein door

209
Q

mortar

A

cement like material that hardens over time. used to bond individual masonry units together into a solid mass and transmit compressive forces between masonry units

210
Q

multiple-injection system

A

stairwell pressurization system that uses an air supply shaft that discharges supply air at a uniform rate along several points within the stairwell

211
Q

mushrooming

A

tendency of heat, smoke, and other products of combustion to rise until they encounter a horizontal obstruction; at this point they will spread laterally until they encounter vertical obstructions and begin to bank downward

212
Q

nailability

A

property of a material that allows it to accept a fastener, such as a nail. Nailable materials include wood, gypsum and thin metals

213
Q

negative pressure

A

air pressure less than that of the surrounding atmosphere; a partial vacuum

214
Q

NFPA 265

A

Large scale tests used to evaluate the performance of textile wall coverings under fire conditions. Older test, succeeded by NFPA 286 similar to ASTM E-84

215
Q

NFPA 286

A

Large scale test used to evaluate the performance of textile wall coverings under fire conditions. Designed to accommodate materials that may not remain in place during ASTM E-84 testing. Also includes the capacity of attaching materials to the ceiling. Newer test, proceeded by NFPA 265

216
Q

Nominal Dimension of Lumber

A

Actual dimensions of processed lumber do not match the nominal dimensions, within defined parameters. Historically, the two sets of dimensions were identical.

217
Q

noncombustible

A

incapable of supporting combustion under normal circumstances

218
Q

non load-bearing wall

A

wall, usually interior, that supports only its own weight. These walls can be breached or removed without compromising the structural integrity of the building.

219
Q

Non Veneered panel

A

lightweight wood construction panel manufactured from wood chips, strands, wafers or sawdust and a bonding agent such as glue or resin. Used as sheathing, reinforcement of structural elements, and sub-flooring. Includes OSB, particleboard, waferboard.

220
Q

occupancy

A

building code classification based on the use to which owners or tenants put buildings or portions of buildings. Regulated by various building and fire codes. AKA occupancy classification

221
Q

oriented strand board

A

wooden structural panel formed by gluing and compressing wood strands together under pressure. This material has largely replaced plywood and planking in applications including roof decks, walls and subfloors.

222
Q

overhead door

A

door that opens and closes above a large opening, such as in a warehouse or garage, and is usually of the rolling, hinged-panel, or slab type. AKA rolling Door

223
Q

Overpressure

A

air pressure above normal or atmospheric pressure

224
Q

parapet wall

A

portion of the exterior walls of a building that extends above the roof. A low wall at the edge of a roof.

225
Q

particleboard

A

wooden structural panel formed from wood particles and synthetic resins. AKA flakeboard, chipboard, or shavings board

226
Q

passive smoke control

A

smoke control strategies that incorporate fixed components that provide protection against the spread of smoke and fire. Passive smoke control components include fire doors, fire walls, fire stopping of barrier penetrations , and stair and elevator vestibules.

227
Q

Phase 1 operation

A

emergency operating mode for elevators. Recalls the car to the terminal floor lobby or another floor as specified and opens the doors.

228
Q

Phase 2 operation

A

emergency operating mode for elevators. Allows emergency use of the elevator with certain safeguards and special functions.

229
Q

photovoltaic (PV) system

A

an arrangement of components that convey electrical power to an energy system by converting solar energy into direct current (DC) electricity.

230
Q

piecemeal demolition

A

demolition process that uses hand tools and machines to gradually decrease the height of the structure

231
Q

pier

A

deep foundation type that uses beams mounted on concrete wedges/blocks to support loads. Similar to Caissons and Belled Piers

232
Q

pilaster

A

rectangular masonry pillar that extends from the face of a wall to provide additional support for the wall. Decorative pilasters may not provide any support.

233
Q

piles

A

deep foundation type that uses beams used to support loads. Develop load-carrying ability either through friction with the surrounding soil or by being driven into contact with rock or a load bearing soil layer.

234
Q

pipe chase

A

concealed vertical channel in which pipes and other utility conduits are housed. Pipe chases that are not properly protected can be a major contributors to the vertical spread of smoke and fire in a building.

235
Q

platform frame construction

A
  1. Type of framing in which each floor is built as a separate platform, and the studs are not continuous beyond each floor. AKA Western Frame Construction. 2. A construction method in which a floor assembly creates an individual platform that rest on the foundation. Wall assemblies the height of one story are placed on this platform and a second platform rests on top of the wall unit. Each platform creates fire stops at each floor level restricting the spread of fire within the wall cavity.
236
Q

plywood

A

wood sheet product made from several thin veneer layers that are sliced from logs and glued together

237
Q

polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)

A

toxic compound found in some older oil-filled electric transformers

238
Q

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

A

synthetic chemical used in the manufacture of plastics and single-ply membrane roofs.

239
Q

portland cement

A

most commonly used cement, consisting chiefly of calcium and aluminum silicate. It is mixed with water to form mortar, a paste that hardens, and is therefore known as a hydraulic cement.

240
Q

post and beam construction

A

construction sytel using vertical elements to support horizontal elements. Associated with heavy beams and columns; historically constructed with wood

241
Q

post tensioned reinforcement (concrete)

A

concrete reinforcement method. reinforcing steel strands placed in protective sleeves in the concrete are tensioned after the concrete has hardened.

242
Q

precast concrete

A

method of building construction where the concrete building member is poured and set according to specification in a controlled environment and is then shipped to the construction site for use.

243
Q

pre incident planning

A

act of preparing to manage an incident as a particular location or a particular type of incident before an incident occurs. AKA Pre Fire inspection, Prefire planning, pre incident inspection, pre incident survey, or preplanning

244
Q

pre incident survey

A

assessment of a facility or location made before an emergency occurs, in order to prepare for an appropriate emergency response. AKA preplan

245
Q

pressure-reducing valve

A

valve installed at standpipe connection that is designed to reduce the amount of water pressure at that discharge to a specific pressure, usually 100 psi

246
Q

prestressing

A

stress introduced to the concrete before the load is applied; accomplished by applying tension to reinforcing bars before the concrete is poured.

247
Q

Pretensioned reinforcement (concrete)

A

concrete reinforcement method. Steel strands are stretched, producing a tensile force in the steel. concrete is then placed around the steel strands and allowed to harden.

248
Q

products of combustion

A

materials produced and released during burning

249
Q

purlin

A

horizontal member between trusses that supports the roof.

250
Q

pyrolysis

A

the chemical decomposition of a solid material by heating. pyrolysis precedes combustion of a solid fuel.

251
Q

rafter

A

inclined beam that supports a roof, runs parallel to the slope of the roof, and to which the roof decking is attached

252
Q

rafter tie

A

horizontal roof framing member at the bottom of the roof framing system; helps keep walls from spreading due to the weight of the roof.

253
Q

rated assembly

A

assemlies of building components such as doors, walls, roofs, and other structural features that may be, because of the occupancy, required by code to have a minimum fire-resistive rating from an independent testing agency. AKA labeled assembly and Fire-rated

254
Q

rated fire door assembly

A

door, frame, and hardware assembly that has a fire-resistive rating from an independent testing agency.

255
Q

recirculation

A

movement of air back into a ventilation system after being ejected.

256
Q

refuse chute

A

vertical shaft with a self-closing access door on every floor; usually extending from the basement or ground floor to the top floor of multistory buildings.

257
Q

reinforced concrete

A

concrete that is internally fortified with steel reinforcement bars or mesh placed within the concrete before it hardens. reinforcement allows the concrete to resist tensile forces.

258
Q

reinforcing bars (rebar)

A

steel bars placed in concrete forms before the cement is poured. When the concrete sets (hardens), the rebar within it adds considerable strength and reinforcement

259
Q

remodel

A

restructuring of a building’s spaces and occupancy features.

260
Q

renovate

A

restoring or updating a building’s features including finishing materials, furnishing, and overall appearance

261
Q

resonance

A

movements of relatively large amplitude resulting from a small force applied at the natural frequency of a structure

262
Q

return-air plenum

A

unoccupied space within a building through which air flows back to the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system; normally immediately above a ceiling and below and insulated roof or the floor above

263
Q

ridge beam

A

highest horizontal member in a pitched roof to which the upper ends of the rafters attach. AKA ridge board or ridgepole

264
Q

rigid frame

A

load bearing system constructed with a skeletal frame and reinforcement between a column and beam

265
Q

rise

A

vertical distance between the treads of a stairway, or the height of the entire stairway.

266
Q

riser

A

vertical part of a stair step

267
Q

roll roofing

A

roof covering made of flexible material that may be applied to the roof deck as a continuous sheet. Commonly used on shallow pitch roofs.

268
Q

rolling

A

process of forming metal stock into shapes including sheets by passing thick bars of metal through a pair of rollers. Cold rolling occurs at temperatures above recrystallization temperature.

269
Q

run

A

the horizontal measurement of a stair tread or the distance of the entire stair length.

270
Q

R-Value

A

a measure of the ability of a material to insulate. Used in structural engineering and construction. Insulators with higher R-values are more effective.

271
Q

Scarf Joint

A

connection between two parts made by the cutting of overlapping mating parts and securing them by glue or fasteners to that the joint is not enlarged and the patterns are complimentary

272
Q

seismic effect

A

movement of a shock wave through the ground or structure after a large detonation; may cause additional damage to surrounding structures.

273
Q

seismic forces

A

forces produced by earthquakes travel in waves. These are the most complex forces that can be exerted on a building.

274
Q

seismic load

A

application of forces caused by earthquakes.

275
Q

self-closing door

A

door equipped with a door closer

276
Q

setback

A

distance from the street line to the front of a building

277
Q

settlement

A

downward deformation of a building’s structural elements. AKA settling

278
Q

shear stress

A

stress resulting when two forces act on a body in opposite directions in parallel adjacent planes.

279
Q

shear wall

A

wall panels that are braced against lateral loads. may be load-bearing or non load-bearing.

280
Q

shell structure

A

rigid, three-dimensional structure with an outer “skin” thickness that is small compared to other dimensions.

281
Q

shelter in place

A

having occupants remain in a structure or vehicle in order to provide protection from a rapidly approaching hazard, such as a fire or hazardous gas cloud. Opposite of evacuation. AKA protection-in-place, defending-in-place, sheltering, and taking refuge

282
Q

shoring

A

general term used for lengths of timber, screw jacks, hydraulic and pneumatic jacks, and other devices that can be used as temporary support for formwork or structural components used to hold sheeting against trench walls. Individual supports are called shores, cross braces, and struts. Commonly used in conjunction with cribbing.

283
Q

shunt trip

A

a circuit breaker used as a safety device in an elevator system. When electrical current surges, the device disconnects the power source.

284
Q

single-injection system

A

stairwell pressurization system that uses one point of supply air; pressurization can be lost if the system becomes unsealed through the use of doors.

285
Q

slab and beam frame

A

construction technique using concrete slabs supported by concrete beams.

286
Q

slenderness ratio

A

comparison of the height or length of a structural component and the width/thickness of the component. Used to determine the load that can be supported by the component; lower ratios indicate components are more stable

287
Q

sliding door

A

door that opens and closes by sliding across its opening, usually on rollers.

288
Q

slump test

A

method of evaluating the moisture content of wet concrete by measuring the amount that a small cone shaped sample of the concrete slumps and it is removed from a standard-sized test mold

289
Q

smoke control

A

strategic use of passive and active devices and systems to direct or stop the movement of smoke and other products of combustion

290
Q

smoke control mode

A

setting on a hvac system or fire alarm control unit system that can be activated automatically or manually to initiate a programmed smoke control procedure

291
Q

smoke damper

A

device that automatically restricts the flow of smoke through all or part of an air-handling system; usually activated by the building’s fire alarm signaling system

292
Q

smoke developed rating

A

the measure of the relative visual obscurity created during the testing process by a known material

293
Q

smoke tower

A

fully enclosed escape stairway that exits directly onto a public way; these enclosures are either mechanically pressurized or they require the user to exit the building onto an outside balcony before entering the stairway. AKA smokeproof enclosure or smokeproof stairway

294
Q

smokeproof stair enclosures

A

stairways that are designed to limit the penetration of products of combustion into a stairway enclosure that serves as part of a means of egress.

295
Q

soil property

A

physical qualities of the materials at the surface of the earth. Affects a building’s foundation and size. Influential variables include texture, structure, density, porosity and consistency

296
Q

space frame

A

aluminum skeleton upon which an aluminum, plastic or composite skin is attached,. The internal structure provides structural support, while the skin provides styling and protection from the elements.

297
Q

spalling

A

expansion of excess moisture within masonry materials due to exposure to the heat of a fire, resulting in tensile forces within the material, and causing it to break apart. The expansion causes sections of the material’s surface to violently disintegrate, resulting in explosive pitting or chipping of the material’s surface.

298
Q

spec building

A

building built before securing a tenant or occupant. Spec is short for speculation

299
Q

specific gravity

A

mass (weight) of a substance compared to the weight of an equal volume of water at a given temperature. A specific gravity less than 1 indicates a substance lighter than water; a specific gravity greater than 1 indicates the substance is heavier than water.

300
Q

spray-applied fire resistive material (SRFM)

A

coating used to increase the fire resistance rating of structural components. Materials commonly include mineral fiber or aggregates such as vermiculite and perlite.

301
Q

standpipe system

A

wet or dry system of pipes in a large single story or multistory building, with fire hose outlets installed in different areas or on different levels of a building to be used by firefighters and/or building occupants. This system is used to provide for the quick deployment of hoselines during fire fighting operations.

302
Q

static load

A

load that is steady, motionless, constant, or applied gradually

303
Q

stationary storage battery system

A

a system including a battery, a charger, and electrical equipment for a particular application. This type of system can include a lead-acid battery or a safer type of battery.

304
Q

steel

A

an alloy of iron and carbon; proportions and additional elements affect the characteristics of the finished material. used widely in the construction of buildings and other infrastructure.

305
Q

steiner tunnel

A

test apparatus used in the determination of flame spread ratings; consists of a horizontal test furnace 25ft long, 17.5 inches wide, and 12 inches high that is used to observe flame travel. A 5000 Btu flame is produced in the tunnel , and the extent of flame travel across the surface of the test material is observed through ports in the side of the furnace. Used with ASTM E-84. AKA the tunnel test

306
Q

Stratum

A

shee like layer of rock or earth; numerous other layers, each with different characteristics, are typically found above and below.

307
Q

stress

A

factors that work against the strength of any piece of apparatus, equipement, or structural support. Measurement of intensity is calculated as force divided by area.

308
Q

structural insulated panel (SIP)

A

a composite panel used in structural applications; made of plastic foam between two outer wood panels, often oriented strand board (OSB)

309
Q

structural stiffness

A

the use or addition of structural supports to improve the ability of a structure to withstand forces imposed by loads. Often indicates supplemental reinforcement to accommodate specific types of loads, such as earthquake forces. AKA stiffening

310
Q

stud

A

vertical structural member within a wall in frame building;s most are made of wood, but some are made of light-gauge metal

311
Q

superplasticizer

A

admixture used with concrete or mortar mix to make it workable, pliable, and soft white using relatively little water.

312
Q

surface systems

A

system of construction in which the building consists primarily of an enclosing surface, and in which the stresses resulting from the applied loads occur within the bearing wall structures.

313
Q

surface-burning characteristic

A

speed at which flame will spread over the surface of a material

314
Q

surface-to-mass ratio

A

relationship between the available surface area of the fuel and the mass of the fuel; used to predict the rate of fire consumption of combustible material.

315
Q

swinging door

A

door that opens and closes by swinging from one side of its opening, usually on hinges. AKA hinged door

316
Q

tensile stress

A

stress in a structural member that tends to stretch the member or pull it apart; often used to denote the greatest amount of force a component can withstand without failure.

317
Q

tension

A

vertical or horizontal force that pulls material apart; for example, the force exerted on the bottom chord of a truss.

318
Q

thermal radiation

A

transmission or transfer of heat energy, from one body to another body at a lower temperature, through intervening space by electromagnetic waves similar to radio waves or x rays

319
Q

thermoplastic

A

plastic that softens with an increase of temperature and hardens with a decrease of temperature but does not undergo any chemical change. synthetic material made from the polymerization of organic compounds that become soft when heated and hard when cooled.

320
Q

tied walls

A

fire walls connected to a line of columns or steel structural supports with the same degree of fire resistance. Must resist lateral collapse on either side of the structure.

321
Q

tilt-up construction

A

type of construction in which concrete wall sections (slabs) are cast on the concrete floor of the building, then tilted up into the vertical position. AKA Tilt-Slab construction

322
Q

tin-clad door

A

similar to a metal-clad door, except covered with a lighter-gauge metal, often an alloy of tin and lead

323
Q

torsional load

A

load aligned off-center from the cross-section of the structural component and at an angle to or in the same plane as the cross-section, produces a twisting effect that creates shear stresses in a material

324
Q

transformer

A

device that uses coils and magnetic fields to increase (step-up) or decrease (step-down) incoming voltages

325
Q

transverse load

A

structural load that exerts a force perpendicular to structural members

326
Q

tread

A

horizontal face of a step

327
Q

truss

A

structural member used to support a roof or floor with triangles or combinations of triangles to provide maximum load-bearing capacity with a minimum amount of material. Connections are likely to fail in intense heat.

328
Q

two-way slab construction

A

concrete construction framework type that uses reinforcing steel placed on the bottom of the framework that provides reinforcement in two directions. AKA Waffle construction

329
Q

underpinning

A

the use of permanent supports to strengthening an existing foundation

330
Q

unprotected steel

A

steel structural members that are not protected against exposure to heat

331
Q

utility chase

A

vertical pathway (shaft) in a building that contains utility services such as laundry or refuse chutes, and grease ducts

332
Q

veneered walls

A

walls with a surface layer of attractive material laid over a base of a common material

333
Q

voice over internet protocol (VoIP)

A

communication services that utilize an internet connection to transmit telephone signals.

334
Q

wall footing

A

type of shallow foundation that includes a wide, thick area to distribute the weight of a wall on the bearing soil. AKA strip footing

335
Q

water table

A

the highest level of ground water saturation of subsurface materials. Influential variables include the season, soil properties, and topography.

336
Q

web

A
  1. Wide vertical part of a beam between thick horizontal flanges at the top and bottom of the beam. 2. Secondary member of a truss contained between the chords. AKA Diagonals
337
Q

wildland/Urban Interface

A

line, area, or zone where an undeveloped wildland area meets a human development area. AKA Urban/Wildland Interface.

338
Q

wind

A

horizontal movement of air relative to the surface of the earth

339
Q

wired glass

A

flat sheet of glass or fire glazing containing an embedded wire mesh that increases its resistance to breakage and penetration; installed to increase interior illumination without compromising fire resistance and security. May be transparent and translucent.

340
Q

wythe

A

single vertical row of a series of rows of masonry units in a wall; usually brick or concrete block.

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