Chapter 7.A: Construction Issues Flashcards
Architectural drawings that describe the layout and construction of a house.
Blueprint
A document provided by Architects that describe the quality of construction.
Specifications
A small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations.
Septic System
The rate, usually expressed as inches per hour or inches per day, at which water moves through soil.
Percolation Rate
- Drainage
- Landscaping
- Appurtenances
- Shading
- Walkways
- Zoning
Site Use
A structure which does not include a basement. The first floor is made up of a concrete slab, which lays on the ground and supported by foundation walls.
Slab-on-Grade Construction
Shallow space between the underside of the first floor of a house and the ground.
Crawl Space
The bottom member of wood frame stud wall.
Sill Plate
A horizontal structural member that supports a floor. Beams are typically wood, cold formed metal framing or steel.
Beam
Horizontal timbers, beams or bars supporting a floor.
Joists
Vertical framing members found in wall construction. Typically placed 12”, 16” or 24” on center.
Studs
A primary horizontal structural element. Typically a deep beam in which smaller joists or beams frame into.
Girder
The structural member or beam that supports the roof. It spans from the exterior wall to the ridge board of the peak of the roof.
Rafter
Also known as the slope. Typically used in describing the slope of a roof, driveway, sidewalk, etc.
Pitch
Panels that cover the exterior wall. Typically made of plywood or exterior grade gypsum board.
Sheathing
Sheet metal used at wall and roof junctions and around chimneys to prevent water entry.
Flashing
Architectural term for a band running horizontally and situated vertically under a roof edge, or which forms the outer surface of a cornice, visible to an observer. Typically consisting of a wooden board or sheet metal.
Fascia
The section of the roof that overhangs the walls of a house.
Eave
The underside of a roof overhang.
Soffit
Structural walls that transfer building loads down to the foundation. Joists, beams, and roofs are typically supported by bearing walls.
Bearing Walls
Local horizontal structural elements used in wood framing to span doors and windows.
Headers
A measurement of the ability of insulation to slow the transfer of heat or cold.
*The higher the R value, the greater the insulation power.
R-Value
Refers to the massing or bulk of a building. Typically defined by the exterior walls of a building.
Building Envelope
The amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree F. This is the standard measurement used to state the amount of energy that a fuel has as well as the amount of output of any heat generating device.
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
A device used in electrical systems to protect against excessive current.
Fuse
The safety valves for electrical systems. It interrupts an electric circuit when an unusual condition arises such as lightning and malfunctioning appliances. Unlike a fuse, it can be reset.
Circuit Breaker
A unit measure of electricity.
Amperage
One or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor.
Basement
Concrete set in the soil (foundation bed) that support the foundation of the house.
Footing
The part of the structure, typically below grade, upon which all other construction is built.
Foundation Walls
Rounded columns that serve as a structural post. Typically found in basements and are made of steel or iron.
Lally Columns
Gypsum board panels that are typically used in interior wall construction. Wall board usually has a painted finish and are supported by wood or metal studs behind.
Plaster Board / Wall Board
Wood frame construction commonly found in residential construction in which floors are supported by joists, beams, and bearing walls.
Platform Construction
A type of construction in which the beams and joists are larger, allowing the floor to span longer than the typical 16” or 24” found in residential construction.
Post and Beam Construction
Electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.
Voltage
