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)
Headers
Local horizontal structural elements used in wood framing to span doors and windows
Foundation Systems
- Full Basement (most common in NY state)
- Slab-on-Grade Construction
- Crawl Space
Footing
- First member of a foundation that is placed in the ground
- Concrete set in the soil (foundation bed) that support foundation of the house
- Dig down below the frost line (6-8 ft down)
- concrete that spreads out (like a foot)
Lally Columns
Rounded columns that serve as a structural post. Typically found in basements and are made of steel or iron
- supporting the girder
- steel tube filled with concrete
Ridge Beam
- Goes down center of the roof and rafters nail into it
- Top support mean between opposite slopes or sides of a roof
R-Value
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.
(If my R factor is 20, but have two layers on insulation, my R Value is 40)
Total R Value = number of inches x R Factor
Higher R-Value = better performing insulation
Building Envelope
Refers to the massing or bulk of a building. Typically defined by the exterior walls of a building
-foundation, doors, wall, windows, insulation etc
R Factor
- R, in R-Factor stands for RESISTANCE of heat transfer
- insulation is given a number, which says how good at heat transfer it is. R factors tending to get high and higher)
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
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.
-measure of heat
Heating Systems
- Hot Water System (radiator)
- Steam System (radiator)
- Forced Air System/Warm Air (heat up air and fans blow air through ducts to supply air to home. Delivers warm and cool air through same ducts overhead)
- Electrical Heating
- Heat Pumps
- Oil Tanks
Major Systems
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- Plumbing
- Electrical
Ventilations
- go hand in hand with insulation
- fresh air is important
Private Wells
This type of water system is most likely to become contaminated
Department of Health
This state agency is in charge of water and sewage (drinking water and waste water)
Types of Pipes Used in Plumbing Systems
- Copper
- Lead (need to replace these) Running water doesn’t absorb lead.
- Cast Iron (city water mains usually made of this)
- PVC (can be forbidden by building codes in NY State) It’s crushable and flammable
Volt
Unit of electrical potential difference, or the size of the force that sends the electrons through a circuit
-PRESSURE of electrical current
(waterhose analogy, pressure vs amount of water)
-Most properties have an electrical incoming service (voltage) of 110 or 220 V
Amp
- Unit used to measure electrical current
- Amount of actual electrical charge that is present
Electric Wiring
- Copper (BX, Romex, Conduit, Greenfield)
- Aluminum (used where there is high draw like washer machine)
National Electric Code
Nationwide Code.
Fuse
A device used in electrical systems to protect against excessive current.
- piece of glass with filament running through
- Overload safety
Circuit Breaker
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.
- The ‘safety valves’ in an electrical system
- Overload safety
- Safer than fuse. Toggle switch
New York State General Business Law
36-A - Home Improvement: says that $ received by a contractor from a home owner be placed in an escrow account
36-B - New Home Construction: provides a warranty period for new construction. What is the warranty on this construction?
Business Law 36-B Warranty Phases
- One year warranty for workmanship
- Two year warranty for trades: plumbing, HVAC, carpeting
- Six years for material defects (material means important ie. crack in foundation, leak in roof)
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Required that all properties have a working carbon monoxide detector
-Building is required to provide the detector, but tenant is supposed to maintain it
Basement
One or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor. (can’t be rented)
Amperage
A unit measure of electricity
Plaster Board/Wall Board
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.
Platform Construction
Wood frame construction commonly found in residential construction in which floors are supported by joists, beams, and bearing walls.
Post and Beam 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.
-older form of construction because it requires more wood
Siding
A veneer cover found on the side of residential construction. Typically made of wood boards (horizontal), vinyl, or aluminum.
Voltage
Electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.
Foundation Walls
The part of the building structure, typically below grade, upon which all other construction is built
Zoning Laws
Dictate the bulk of a building
