Construction Issues Flashcards
Blueprint
Architectural drawings that describe the layout and construction of a house (blueprints, renderings, plans and DRAWINGS)
Specifications
A document provided by Architects that describe the quality of construction (VERBAL)
- explains what products and materials to use
- Describes the quality of a building
Drawings
Describe the quantities of a building
Building Permits
Are issued to attest that construction work will be built in accordance with the necessary building codes and regulations.
-The department of buildings controls adherence to building codes with building permits (requires inspection of the work and drawings)
Septic System
A small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations.
-(septic tanks) on site sanitary systems
Percolation Rate
The rate, usually expressed as inches per hour or inches per day, at which water moves through soil
-The Percolation Test (perc test) is important in determining whether or not a plot of land can be developed
Well placement
A well must be at least 50 ft away from the septic tank and 100 feet away from the absorption field
Site Use
- drainage
- landscaping
- appurtenances
- shading
- walkways
- zoning (be familiar with the local zoning requirements of property you’re selling)
Slab-on-Grade Construction
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.
- pouring concrete on top of site with no excavation
- used to save money or if you live near the ocean and can’t dig down
Crawl Space
Shallow space between the underside of the first floor of a house and the ground
Sill Plate
The bottom member of wood frame stud wall
-The first wooden member in a building that provides a nailing surface
Beam
A horizontal structural member that supports a floor. Beams are typically wood, cold formed metal framing or steel.
Joists
Horizontal timbers, beams, or bars supporting a floor
-beams in floor or ceiling
Studs
Vertical framing members found in wall construction. Typically placed 12”, 16” or 24” on center.
- beams in the wall
- These members are used in interior wall construction to not only support the wall itself but to also provide a nailing surface for gypsum board
Girder
A primary horizontal structural element. Typically a deep beam in which smaller joists or beams frame into.
- usually in the basement of a house (i beam)
- a beam that carries other beams
Rafter
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.
-beams in roofs (at an angle (pitch))
Pitch
aka: the slope. Typically used in describing the slope of a roof, driveway, sidewalk etc.
Sheathing
Panels that cover the exterior wall. Typically made of plywood or exterior grade gypsum board
- This building element prevents rain from getting into the building
- nailed into the rafters and wall studs
- can form insulation
Flashing
Sheet metal used at wall and roof junctions and around chimneys to prevent water entry
Fascia
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.
- board that runs length of roof line
- Structural member that is nailed to side of the rafters
Soffit
The underside of a roof overhang
-ex: underside of the eave
Bearing Walls
-Structural wall that supports weight
Structural walls that transfer building loads down to the foundation. Joists, beams, and roofs are typically supported by bearing walls
-(Curtain wall is the opposite of a bearing wall)