Building Construction Vocabulary Flashcards
active soil pressure
the pressure that surrounding soil exerts on a building Foundation
admixture
ingredients or chemicals added to concrete mix to produce concrete with specific characteristics
aesthetics
a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste
aggregate
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
air-inflated structure
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
air-supported structure
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
alloy
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
alternating current (AC) Circuit
An electrical circuit in which current can move through the circuit in both directions and the flow can be constantly reversing
American Society for testing and materials (ASTM)
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
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 Public Law 101 - 336
Federal statute intended to remove barriers, physical and otherwise, that limit access by individuals with disabilities
Arc
a high-temperature luminous electrical discharge across a gap or through a medium such as charred insulation
Arch
curved structural member in which the interior stresses are primarily compressive. Arches develop inclined reactions at their supports.
area of refuge
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
astm e-84
standard test used to measure the surface burning characteristics of various materials. Also known as Steiner tunnel test or tunnel test
atrium
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
Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
an organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or approving equipment, materials, and installation, or a procedure
autoignition temperature
the temperature to which the surface of a substance must be heated for ignition and self-sustaining combustion to occur
axial load
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.
balloon frame Construction
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
bar joist
open web truss constructed entirely of Steel, with steel bars used as the web members
base isolation
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
beam
structural component loaded perpendicular to its length. Primarily resists bending stress characterized by compression in the top portion and tension in the bottom portion
bearing wall structures
common type of structure that uses the walls of a building to support spanning elements such as beams, trusses, and precast concrete slabs
bending moment
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.
bending stress
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
bimetallic detector
a type of heat detector that uses two metals that have different thermal expansion characteristics
bleve
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
blind hoistway
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
board of appeals
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
Bowstring Truss
Lightweight truss design noted by the bow shape, or curve, of the top chord
British thermal unit (BTU)
Amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit
building code
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
building permit
authorization issued from the appropriate Authority having jurisdiction before any new construction, addition, renovation, alteration, or demolition of buildings or structures occurs
butt joint
connection between two parts made by simply securing ends surfaces together without additional shaping at the ends. A simple but weak joint
buttress
structure projecting from a wall, designed to receive lateral pressure action at a particular point
cable membrane structure
freestanding structure that uses suspension cables for Support. Also known as cable covered structure
cables
flexible structural members designed to withstand tensions dresses. Commonly used to support roofs, brace tense, and restrain pneumatic structures
caisson
protective sleeve used to keep water out of an excavation for a pier
Calcination
process of driving free and chemically bound water out of gypsum; also describes the chemical and physical changes to the gypsum component itself.
calcined
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
cantilever
projecting beam or slab supported at one end
capital
broad top surface of a column or pilaster, designed to spread the load held by a column
cement
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
chord
top or bottom longitudinal member of a truss, main members of trusses, as distinguished from diagonals
Cladding
exterior finish or skin
class b fire
fires involving flammable and combustible liquid and gases
clean energy
energy sources that meet the needs of current consumers without compromising future resources.
cold rolled steel (CRS)
Commercial and drawing steals. Shaped after cooling below its recrystallization temperature by being passed through a series of rollers to reduce the thickness incrementally
collar tie
horizontal roof framing member in the top third of the framing system. Braces the roof framing against the uplift of wind
column
vertical member designed to support an axial load and compressive stresses.
column footing
square pad of concrete that supports a column. footings of decorative columns are often below the bearing surface
combustion
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
common truss
truss structure with the cords and diagonal members arranged in parallel planes. Also known as monoplane Truss
compartment
any enclosed space without internal fire barriers
compartmentation
series of barriers designed to keep flames, smoke and heat from spreading between spaces
compensated system
stairwell pressurization system that can modulate the pressure in the stairwell in relation to the interior of the building, or vent excess pressure
composite panels
produced with parallel external face veneers bonded to a core of reconstituted fibers. Also known as sandwich panel
compression
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
concentrated load
load that is applied at one point or over a small area
concrete
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
concrete block
large rectangular brick used in construction; the most common type is the hollow concrete block
concrete block brick faced (CBBF)
wall construction system that includes one wythe of concrete blocks with a brick wythe attached to the outside
conduction
the transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in an upward Direction
conflagration
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
convection
transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in an upward direction
convenience stair
stair that usually connects two floors any multi-story building
corbel
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
corbelling
use of a corbel to provide additional support for an arch
cornice
concealed space near the eve of the building. Usually overhanging the area adjacent to exterior walls
corrugated
formed into ridges or grooves; serrated
course
a horizontal layer of individual masonry units. One layer of bricks
criterion-referenced testing (CRT)
measurement of 1 components tested performance against a set standard or criteria, not against similar components or assemblies.
cross section
theoretical slice of a 3 dimensional structural component to enable area and stress calculations
cupola
a type of rooftop projection historically used for ventilation and lighting, and modernly added for Aesthetics
curtain wall
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
damping mechanism
structural element designed to control vibration from resonance
dead load
weight of the structure, structural members, building components, and any other features permanently attached to the building that are constant and immobile
design build
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
design deficiency
a failure to provide a level of fire safety appropriate to the ultimate use of the building
design principles
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
Dewatering
process of removing water from a vessel or building
dielectric
material that is a poor conductor of electricity, usually applied to tools that are used to handle energized electrical wires or equipment
dimensional lumber
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
direct current (DC) circuit
electrical circuit in which the current moves through the circuit in Only One Direction
door closer
mechanical device that closes a door
door hold open device
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.
draft curtains
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
drop panel
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
ductility
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
dumbwaiter
small freight elevators that carry items, not people, and generally have a small weight and size capacity
dynamic load
loads that involve motion, including impact from wind, falling objects, and vibration.
earthquake
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.
eccentric load
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
elastomer
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
elevator
mechanical system that travels vertically and is used to transport people and items in a multistory building
elevator pit
depression at the base of an elevator hoistway that contains equipment and maintenance access
engineered wood
a material manufactured by bonding pieces of wood with glue or resin to form finished shapes
equilibrium
condition of balance that exists when a structural system is capable of supporting the applied load
escalator
belt driven moving stairs that move in one direction at a fixed rate of speed
exhaust system
ventilation system designed to remove stale air, smoke, vapors, or other airborne contaminants from an area
expanded polystyrene (EPS)
Closed cell foam used for a growing number of purposes including building insulation. Properties include rigidity, low weight, and formability
expansion joint
flexible joint in concrete used to prevent cracking or breaking because of expansion and contraction due to temperature changes
exposure
structure surfaces or separate parts of the fireground to which a fire or products of combustion could spread
exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)
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
exterior stairs
stairs separated from the interior of a building by walls
facade
fascia added to some buildings with flat roofs to create the appearance of a mansard roof
factor of safety
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
failure point
point at which material ceases to perform satisfactorily; depending on the application, this can involve breaking, permanent deformation, excessive deflection, or vibration
fascia
flat horizontal or vertical board located at the outer face of a cornice. Broad flat surface over a storefront or below a cornice
fast-track construction
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
fault
area of discontinuity in the earth’s crust associated with movement by tectonic plates
federal emergency management agency (FEMA)
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
finger joint
connection between two parts made by cutting complementary mating parts, and then securing the joint with glue
fire area
one of a set of sections in a building separated from each other by fire resistant partitions
fire cut
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.
fire damper
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
fire department connection (FDC)
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.
fire door
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.
fire escape
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
fire flow
the amount of water required to extinguish a fire in a timely manner
fire load
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.
fire partition
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.
fire resistance
the ability of a structural assembly or material to maintain its load bearing ability under fire conditions
fire resistance rating
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
fire retardant
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
fire spread
the movement of fire from one material source to another exposure. May occur within a compartment or across a break
fire stop
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
fire wall
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
firefighters smoke control station (FSCS)
interface between the smoke management system and the fire response forces
flame spread
movement of a flame away from the ignition source
flame spread rating
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.
flange
single or paired external ridges or rims on a beam that do most of the work of supporting a load
flat plate
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
flat-slab concrete frame
construction technique using concrete slabs supported by concrete columns
floating foundation
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
footing
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
force
simple measure of weight, usually expressed in pounds. In physics: Any interaction that may change the motion of an object.
forced-air system
a building heating and cooling system that uses air as the heat transfer medium
foundation wall
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.
frame
internal system of structural supports within a building
frame membrane structure
structure supported primarily by a frame or skeleton rather than by load bearing walls. AKA Frame covered structure
Freestanding walls
self supporting fire walls independent of the structure’s frame. must resist a lateral load of 5 pounds per square foot.
frost line
common depth at which groundwater in soil will freeze. influential variables include climate, soil properties, and nearby heat sources
Fuel load
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
Gentrification
process of restoring rundown or deteriorated properties by more affluent people, often displacing poorer residents
Load
any effect that a structure must be designed to resist.
setback
distance from the street line to the front of a building
thermal radiation
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
wildland/urban interface
line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels
Fusible link
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.
Generator
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
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
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.
glazing
Glass or thermoplastic panel in a wall or other barrier that allows light to pass through.
Glue Laminated Beam
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.
Grain
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.
Gravity
Force acting to draw an object toward the earth’s center; force is equal to the object’s weight
green design
Incorporation of environmental principles including energy efficiency and environmentally friendly building materials into design and construction.
Green roof
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.
grillage footing
footing consisting of layers of beams placed at right angles to each other and usually encased in concrete.
grout
a mixture of cement, aggregate, and water that hardens over time; used to embed reinforcement materials in masonry walls. Similar to mortar.
gusset plates
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.
hardware
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.
Heat of combustion
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.
heat of hydration
during the hardening of concrete, heat is given off by the chemical process
heat release rate (HRR)
total amount of heat released per unit time. the heat release rate is typically measured in kilowatts (kW) or Megawatts(MW) of output
Heat transfer
flow of heat from a hot substance to a cold substance; may be accomplished by convection, conduction, or radiation
heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system
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.
Heaving
upward deformation of a building’s structural elements
high rise building
building that requires fire fighting on levels above the reach of the departments equipment
Hoistway
the vertical shaft in which the elevator car travels; includes the elevator pit.
horizontal motion
side to side, swaying motion
hot work
any operation that requires the use of tools or machines that may produce a source of ignition.
hurricane glazing
protective treatment for exterior windows designed to withstand hurricane conditions including high wind and impact.
hydronic system
a building heating and cooling system that uses water as the heat transfer medium
hygroscopic
ability of a substance to absorb moisture from the air
ignition source
mechanism or initial energy source employed to initiate combustion, such as a spark that provides a means for the initiation of self sustained combustion
I-Joist
engineered wood joists with an “I” shaped cross section. commonly used in modern roof and floor construction.
institutional sprinklers
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
insulated concrete form (ICF) construction
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
international building code (IBC)
Code that is dedicated to providing safety regulations for life safety, structural, and fire protection issues that occur throughout the life of a building
international code council (ICC)
Organization that develops international building code and international fire code for city and state adoption.
intumescent coating
coating or paint like product that expands when exposed to the heat of a fire; creates an insulating barrier that protects the material underneath.
inverted truss
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.
joists
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.
kinetic energy
energy possessed by a moving object because of its motion
lamella arch
special type of arch constructed of short pieces of wood called lamellas
laminated wood
material made of wood strips and resin, shaped, and bonded with heat and/or pressure
landing
horizontal platform where a flight of stairs begins or ends
lateral displacement
sideways deformation of a building’s structural elements
lateral load
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
ledger board
horizontal framework member, especially one attached to a beam side that supports the joists.
lintel
support for masonry over an opening; usually made of steel angles or other rolled shapes, singularly or in combination
liquified petroleum gas (LPG)
any of several petroleum products, such as propane or butane, stored under pressure as a liquid.
listed
refers to a device or material that has been tested by any of several testing laboratories and certified as having met minimum criteria
live load
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
load
any effect that a structure must be designed to resist, including the forces of gravity, wind, earthquakes or soil pressure
Load bearing wall
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.
louvers
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
lumber
lengths of wood prepared for use in construction; items are graded for strength and appearance
machine room-less
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.
manufactured components
structural elements constructed in a factory and shipped to the construction site
masonry
bricks, blocks, stones, and unreinforced and reinforced concrete products
mastics
heat resistant construction adhesive that bonds with most materials; can be used as a fire retardant coating.
mat slab foundation
thick slab beneath the entire area of a building; thicker and more reinforced than a simple slab on grade foundation
means of egress
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
membrane ceiling
usually refers to suspended, insulating ceiling tile system
membrane structure
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.
metal-clad door
wood core door protected with galvanized sheet metal steel or other heavy metal exterior. AKA Kalamein door
mortar
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
multiple-injection system
stairwell pressurization system that uses an air supply shaft that discharges supply air at a uniform rate along several points within the stairwell
mushrooming
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
nailability
property of a material that allows it to accept a fastener, such as a nail. Nailable materials include wood, gypsum and thin metals
negative pressure
air pressure less than that of the surrounding atmosphere; a partial vacuum
NFPA 265
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
NFPA 286
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
Nominal Dimension of Lumber
Actual dimensions of processed lumber do not match the nominal dimensions, within defined parameters. Historically, the two sets of dimensions were identical.
noncombustible
incapable of supporting combustion under normal circumstances
non load-bearing wall
wall, usually interior, that supports only its own weight. These walls can be breached or removed without compromising the structural integrity of the building.
Non Veneered panel
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.
occupancy
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
oriented strand board
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.
overhead door
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
Overpressure
air pressure above normal or atmospheric pressure
parapet wall
portion of the exterior walls of a building that extends above the roof. A low wall at the edge of a roof.
particleboard
wooden structural panel formed from wood particles and synthetic resins. AKA flakeboard, chipboard, or shavings board
passive smoke control
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.
Phase 1 operation
emergency operating mode for elevators. Recalls the car to the terminal floor lobby or another floor as specified and opens the doors.
Phase 2 operation
emergency operating mode for elevators. Allows emergency use of the elevator with certain safeguards and special functions.
photovoltaic (PV) system
an arrangement of components that convey electrical power to an energy system by converting solar energy into direct current (DC) electricity.
piecemeal demolition
demolition process that uses hand tools and machines to gradually decrease the height of the structure
pier
deep foundation type that uses beams mounted on concrete wedges/blocks to support loads. Similar to Caissons and Belled Piers
pilaster
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.
piles
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.
pipe chase
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.
platform frame construction
- 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.
plywood
wood sheet product made from several thin veneer layers that are sliced from logs and glued together
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)
toxic compound found in some older oil-filled electric transformers
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
synthetic chemical used in the manufacture of plastics and single-ply membrane roofs.
portland cement
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.
post and beam construction
construction sytel using vertical elements to support horizontal elements. Associated with heavy beams and columns; historically constructed with wood
post tensioned reinforcement (concrete)
concrete reinforcement method. reinforcing steel strands placed in protective sleeves in the concrete are tensioned after the concrete has hardened.
precast concrete
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.
pre incident planning
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
pre incident survey
assessment of a facility or location made before an emergency occurs, in order to prepare for an appropriate emergency response. AKA preplan
pressure-reducing valve
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
prestressing
stress introduced to the concrete before the load is applied; accomplished by applying tension to reinforcing bars before the concrete is poured.
Pretensioned reinforcement (concrete)
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.
products of combustion
materials produced and released during burning
purlin
horizontal member between trusses that supports the roof.
pyrolysis
the chemical decomposition of a solid material by heating. pyrolysis precedes combustion of a solid fuel.
rafter
inclined beam that supports a roof, runs parallel to the slope of the roof, and to which the roof decking is attached
rafter tie
horizontal roof framing member at the bottom of the roof framing system; helps keep walls from spreading due to the weight of the roof.
rated assembly
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
rated fire door assembly
door, frame, and hardware assembly that has a fire-resistive rating from an independent testing agency.
recirculation
movement of air back into a ventilation system after being ejected.
refuse chute
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.
reinforced concrete
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.
reinforcing bars (rebar)
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
remodel
restructuring of a building’s spaces and occupancy features.
renovate
restoring or updating a building’s features including finishing materials, furnishing, and overall appearance
resonance
movements of relatively large amplitude resulting from a small force applied at the natural frequency of a structure
return-air plenum
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
ridge beam
highest horizontal member in a pitched roof to which the upper ends of the rafters attach. AKA ridge board or ridgepole
rigid frame
load bearing system constructed with a skeletal frame and reinforcement between a column and beam
rise
vertical distance between the treads of a stairway, or the height of the entire stairway.
riser
vertical part of a stair step
roll roofing
roof covering made of flexible material that may be applied to the roof deck as a continuous sheet. Commonly used on shallow pitch roofs.
rolling
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.
run
the horizontal measurement of a stair tread or the distance of the entire stair length.
R-Value
a measure of the ability of a material to insulate. Used in structural engineering and construction. Insulators with higher R-values are more effective.
Scarf Joint
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
seismic effect
movement of a shock wave through the ground or structure after a large detonation; may cause additional damage to surrounding structures.
seismic forces
forces produced by earthquakes travel in waves. These are the most complex forces that can be exerted on a building.
seismic load
application of forces caused by earthquakes.
self-closing door
door equipped with a door closer
setback
distance from the street line to the front of a building
settlement
downward deformation of a building’s structural elements. AKA settling
shear stress
stress resulting when two forces act on a body in opposite directions in parallel adjacent planes.
shear wall
wall panels that are braced against lateral loads. may be load-bearing or non load-bearing.
shell structure
rigid, three-dimensional structure with an outer “skin” thickness that is small compared to other dimensions.
shelter in place
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
shoring
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.
shunt trip
a circuit breaker used as a safety device in an elevator system. When electrical current surges, the device disconnects the power source.
single-injection system
stairwell pressurization system that uses one point of supply air; pressurization can be lost if the system becomes unsealed through the use of doors.
slab and beam frame
construction technique using concrete slabs supported by concrete beams.
slenderness ratio
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
sliding door
door that opens and closes by sliding across its opening, usually on rollers.
slump test
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
smoke control
strategic use of passive and active devices and systems to direct or stop the movement of smoke and other products of combustion
smoke control mode
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
smoke damper
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
smoke developed rating
the measure of the relative visual obscurity created during the testing process by a known material
smoke tower
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
smokeproof stair enclosures
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.
soil property
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
space frame
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.
spalling
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.
spec building
building built before securing a tenant or occupant. Spec is short for speculation
specific gravity
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.
spray-applied fire resistive material (SRFM)
coating used to increase the fire resistance rating of structural components. Materials commonly include mineral fiber or aggregates such as vermiculite and perlite.
standpipe system
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.
static load
load that is steady, motionless, constant, or applied gradually
stationary storage battery system
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.
steel
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.
steiner tunnel
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
Stratum
shee like layer of rock or earth; numerous other layers, each with different characteristics, are typically found above and below.
stress
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.
structural insulated panel (SIP)
a composite panel used in structural applications; made of plastic foam between two outer wood panels, often oriented strand board (OSB)
structural stiffness
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
stud
vertical structural member within a wall in frame building;s most are made of wood, but some are made of light-gauge metal
superplasticizer
admixture used with concrete or mortar mix to make it workable, pliable, and soft white using relatively little water.
surface systems
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.
surface-burning characteristic
speed at which flame will spread over the surface of a material
surface-to-mass ratio
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.
swinging door
door that opens and closes by swinging from one side of its opening, usually on hinges. AKA hinged door
tensile stress
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.
tension
vertical or horizontal force that pulls material apart; for example, the force exerted on the bottom chord of a truss.
thermal radiation
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
thermoplastic
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.
tied walls
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.
tilt-up construction
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
tin-clad door
similar to a metal-clad door, except covered with a lighter-gauge metal, often an alloy of tin and lead
torsional load
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
transformer
device that uses coils and magnetic fields to increase (step-up) or decrease (step-down) incoming voltages
transverse load
structural load that exerts a force perpendicular to structural members
tread
horizontal face of a step
truss
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.
two-way slab construction
concrete construction framework type that uses reinforcing steel placed on the bottom of the framework that provides reinforcement in two directions. AKA Waffle construction
underpinning
the use of permanent supports to strengthening an existing foundation
unprotected steel
steel structural members that are not protected against exposure to heat
utility chase
vertical pathway (shaft) in a building that contains utility services such as laundry or refuse chutes, and grease ducts
veneered walls
walls with a surface layer of attractive material laid over a base of a common material
voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
communication services that utilize an internet connection to transmit telephone signals.
wall footing
type of shallow foundation that includes a wide, thick area to distribute the weight of a wall on the bearing soil. AKA strip footing
water table
the highest level of ground water saturation of subsurface materials. Influential variables include the season, soil properties, and topography.
web
- 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
wildland/Urban Interface
line, area, or zone where an undeveloped wildland area meets a human development area. AKA Urban/Wildland Interface.
wind
horizontal movement of air relative to the surface of the earth
wired glass
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.
wythe
single vertical row of a series of rows of masonry units in a wall; usually brick or concrete block.
