Terminology Flashcards
MEP/FP
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection
TCO
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy
C of O
Certificate of Occupancy
CMU
Concrete Masonry Unit
Cantilever
A rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end.
Relief Angle
A piece of metal that holds up bricks
DOB
Department of Buildings
AHJ
Authority Having Jurisdiction
PAA
Post Approval Amendment. NYC specific term for when your DOB approved permit set of plans change - you submit this change to the Department of Building in the form of a PAA.
Glycol
An anti-freeze commonly used in heating loops that are subjected to freezing weather.
Rebar
Metal bars that are used to provide additional support to concrete structures. This is a trade where the workers are sometimes referred to as “rodbusters.’ Rebar can be found in CSI division 3.
Glazing
Work associated with glass. Workers are referred to as glazers.
Construction loan is “out of balance”
There aren’t enough funds remaining in the loan based on the costs needed to complete the projects. Generally occurs when the costs of the project have increased over the original budget.
Soil Borings
A technique used to survey soil by taking several layers of soil. The borings are analyzed to show the soil profile and properties.
Shear wall
Structural element of a building designed to resist lateral forces such as wind and seismic loads, very important element of high-rise construction.
CSI
Construction specific institute. These codes put ‘trades’ into number form for organization. This publication is the specifications-writing standard for most of todays construction and commercial building design projects in North America.
CMU
Concrete masonry unit, a masonry block.
Q Deck
Composite metal decking that supports the concrete floor (or insulation on a roof).
Miscellaneous metal
stairs, guardrails, ladders, etc.
VRF
Variable Refrigerant flow, uses refrigerant to heat and cool. A type of HVAC system.
RGD’s
Registers, grills, diffusers. Typically, this is what distributes air in an HVAC system.
FFE
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
GC & Fee proposal
this is when you ask a CM for their “General Conditions & Fees” for a project early
in the design phase. This is before its possible to obtain subcontractor bids. The selection is based on
qualifications and fees of the Construction Manager. Once design has progressed, the CM can then
obtain subcontractor quotes to build the complete GMP construction budget, (the GC & Fee remain the
same, per the initial proposal).
RFP
Request for proposal. Will use this term as it applies to an owner seeking CM proposals.
OHP
Overhead and profit. Smaller GC’s typically use this term in their estimates.
VE
Value engineering. A way to cut costs while still trying to achieve the overall design intent.
Level sheet
used to level bids
Allowance
A placeholder. Not a bid, but simply a placeholder until a design or bid is final. Once allowances get reconciled the delta gets passed onto the owner.
GMP
Guaranteed maximum price, form of agreement.
LS
Lump sum, form of agreement.
A101
This is the AIA template for a lump sum contract
A102
This is the AIA template for a GMP contract.
A305
This is the AIA template for contractor qualifications.
Cost plus
cost of the work plus a fee, form of agreement
Cost plus a GMP
cost of the work plus a fee with a guaranteed maximum price, form of agreement.
GC/CM
General Contractor / Construction Manager, for this class these entities are same. This is the firm that is managing the construction. They have staff and temporary facilities (General Conditions & General Requirements) for which they use to manage the subcontractors (Direct Costs & Cost of Work).
COW
Cost of work
Subs
subcontractors, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.
Trades
Subcontractors. plumbing is a trade, electrical work is a trade.
Precon
prior to construction is the preconstruction phase, typically during design.
CM providing recon
When the CM works along side the design team, during the design process, and serves as advisor to improve the construction process.
CO
change of order
AIA
American institute of architects
buy out
When a CM awards a contract to a subcontractor.
SOV
Schedule of values, construction budget typically grouped by CSI division
Retainage
A holdback in work completed, typically 5-10%.
LDs
Liquidated Damages, a late penalty for a contractor.
Lead Time
the time it takes for material to arrive to the site
Alt 1
NYC permit that affects use, egress, or occupancy. This type of permit requires a new C of O.
Alt 2
NYC permit that is demolition or interior renovation that does not affect use, egress, or
occupancy. This type of permit does not require a new C of O.
RFI
Request for information. Typically sent from CM to architect, clarifying intent or detail on the design documents.
SOE
Support of excavation.
