Terms Flashcards
as-built plans
As-built plans are drawings that are created after a project has been completed, and show exactly what has been built, rather than what is drawn in the original construction drawings.
sequential flow
This is a programmatic concept describing a situation in which events or processes must occur in a specific order with regard to people and/or objects.
BOMA
Building Owners and Managers Association
IFMA
International Facility Management Association
BIFMA’s e3
is a standard (developed using the ANSI process) for assessing environmental, health and wellness, and social impacts pertinent to furniture products.
BOMA 2017 for Office Buildings: Standard Methods of Measurement
ANSI/BOMA Z65.1—2017
USABLE AREA
Includes Net Area and Circulation Area, but
excludes building core and common spaces such
as elevators, exit stairs, mechanical rooms, and core
toilets. For multi-tenant floors, common building
corridors are excluded from Usable Area and
instead, are included in the Rental Area.
BIFMA’s LEVEL
the sustainability certification program for furniture.
RENTABLE AREA
Usable Area and building common spaces, such as
the building lobbies, egress corridors, service spaces
(mechanical/electrical, toilet, janitorial, etc), and
loading docks. Excludes major vertical penetrations,
such as stairwells, elevators, and major shaft spaces.
GROSS AREA
Includes exterior wall thickness, and all vertical
penetrations (mechanical/electrical, plumbing,
elevator shafts, stairwells, etc.), as well as
basements, garages, and penthouses. Excludes
parking lots and loading docks outside the
building line.
Gross area is measured to the outside finished surface of permanent exterior walls.
Net Area
is the space required for the function in the space or the program area.
efficiency factor
is used to calculate the gross area to include circulation and non-usable areas.
Occupant area calculations
the rentable area divided by (÷) the usable area for each floor.
If the glass is MORE THAN 50% of the wall area, usable (occupant area) is measured from
inside glass surface of exterior walls to the finished surface (inside face) of the tenant side multi-occupant corridor partition. And from the centerlines of partitions separating adjacent tenant spaces (called demising partitions).
If the glass is LESS THAN 50% of the wall area, usable (occupant area) is measured from the
exterior wall’s inside surface to the finished surface (inside face) of the tenant side multi-occupant corridor partition. And from the centerlines of partitions separating adjacent tenant spaces (called demising partitions).
gross building area for a two-story building leased to a single tenant is measured:
To the outside face of the building and includes all interior area
Rentable Area calculations
Multiplying the gross Occupant Area by the Building Load Factor
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
One of the leading standards approving organizations in the United States, ANSI reviews standards written by organizations such as ASHRAE, UL and ASTM in an effort to avoid duplication and promote uniformity among various standards.
IFMA
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) uses the Standard Practice for Building Floor Area Measurements for Facility Management (ASTM E1836) as its standard for measuring commercial spaces.
This method is used for space planning and space management purposes.
building commissioning
In new construction, verifying that building systems work as designed and meet the original project goals and requirements. The systems tested could include plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, etc. or interior systems like lighting.
dead-end corridor
has an exit in only one direction
common path of travel
The part of exit access that a building occupant would have to travel before two separate exit paths become available.
convection
Convection: the transfer of heat through the movement of either a gas (air) or a liquid.
In a warm or humid environment, a designer can use air movement and ventilation to increase evaporation and keep occupants cooler through convection.
Conduction:
The transfer of heat between substances which are in direct contact with each other. Conduction occurs when heat flows through a solid.
grille
may control the distribution of air but has no provisions for controlling the volume of air.
duct
directs the transfer of air from one point to another.
convector
transfers heat from a hot water system to the air.
Radiation:
When electromagnetic waves travel through space, it is called radiation. When these waves (from the sun, for example) hit an object, they transfer their heat to that object.
Cradle to Cradle
is a product certification program created by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart with five tiers of classification based on material health, material reuse, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness criteria.
greenwashing
when a company uses false or misleading language, marketing, statistics etc. to make it seem as though they are engaging in eco-friendly practices.
GreenGuard
This third-party product certification program managed by UL Solutions tests indoor products to ensure they meet acceptable indoor air quality
FSC
The mission of the Forest Stewardship Council® is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests.
basic forest management principles and criteria.
Declare
Declare is the Living Future Institute product database that identifies the product origin of raw materials and the assembly locations, ingredients or composition, and end-of-life disposal options
Environmental Product Declaration
EPD is a document quantifying a product’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle.
third-party verified and registered.
title acts
which regulate who may use the title of “interior designer” (or some similar title)
practice acts
which require that anyone who wants to practice as an interior designer meet certain requirements and obtain a license from the state to practice.
Closers
are devices that automatically return a door to its closed position after it is opened to maintain fire separation. Closers may also be required for privacy and accessibility codes.
Fire Dampers
are used to restrict and PREVENT the spread of fire AND smoke
Smoke Dampers
are used to RESIST the passage of smoke and air. In a passive control system, smoke dampers close in the presence of smoke to prevent it from circulating through a ventilation opening, transfer or duct, while in an engineered control system, smoke dampers help pressurize the areas around the fire, using floors and walls as barriers.
Dynamic fire dampers
close when airflow velocity and pressure increases a certain amount
static fire dampers
work with HVAC systems designed to shut down automatically in a fire.
Occupancy Classification
Entire Buildings Similar life safety characteristics
Occupancy Type
Individual spaces the use assigned to the building
Occupancy Groups
A Assembly
B business
E education
Mercantile
F Factory
S Storage
R Residential
U Utility
H hazardous
I intuitional
Occupant Load
Number of people that a building code assumes will occupancy a given building.
Occupant load factor
B 150
A 15
A fixed seating
K 200
R 200
Center-hung pivots Door VS offset pivots
Center-fully concealed
Offset not concealed.
pile seal
reduces sound transmission at the hinge and strike sides of the door.
Uniform Commercial Code
(UCC) assigns risks by allowing the factory and vendor to use “F.O.B. factory” or “F.O.B. destination” to determine at what point title is transferred and who is at risk for shipping damage.
material safety data sheet
is a listing of product safety information prepared by the manufacturer and marketers of products containing toxic chemicals.
Scoping provisions
are requirements that dictate how many accessible elements must be provided.
Hard Costs
costs of material and labor that go in the physical construction of real estate.
Soft Costs
associated with general and administrative costs of the project.
for example inspection fees, permits, taxes, and insurance. Soft costs can range from 15-40% of the project cost.
Sole Proprietorship
Owned by an individual and operates under individual name or company name
easy to set up total management control tax advantages
Disadvantage owner is liable debt and losses
difficult to raise capital and establish credit
Partnership
Two or more people share managment
Easy to form
Disadvantages
All partners are reliable
Income is taxed at individual rates
Corporation
Association of individuals
Financially and legally independent
Taxed at lower rates
Easy to raise capital
Disadvantages
Initial set up costs formal requirements
LLC
Limited Liability Corporation Advantages of corp and partner
Liability is limited to investemnt
taxed at one level chose corp or partner
Joint Venture
Temp association of two or more persons to complete a project
Formal written agreement is written
Tennant Work letter
an additional contract used to supplement the lease describing the specific interior construction and finishing of a leased space. It specifies what the tenant is responsible for and what the landlord will provide.
Turbidity
the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye
Professional liability insurance
Protects the designer if some action by the designer causes bodily injury or property damage.
General liability insurance
This includes a range of insurance to protect against claims of
property damage
liability
personal injury
Negligence liability
Also referred to as professional negligence, the designer has failed to use due care as expected of a professional in carrying out their design responsibilities.
Personal injury protection insurance
Protects the interior designer against charges of slander, libel, defamation of character, misrepresentation, and other torts.
Breach-of-contract liability
Failure to complete (or adequately meet) the requirements of a contract
Strict liability
Under strict liability, people are responsible for their acts, regardless of intent, who is at fault, or use of reasonable care.
Balance sheet
An accounting form that shows the firm’s financial position at a particular moment in time.
Expenses
The costs incurred in performing one’s job or a specific task, especially one undertaken for another person.
Income statement
A report that displays all the revenues and expenses of a firm for a stated period of time. The result (also called a profit and loss statement) shows the net income (or loss).
Net profit
The actual profit after the working expenses not included in gross profit are paid.
Operating funds
The funds required every month to operate and keep the business open for the month.
Revenue
The amount of money coming into a firm from selling goods or rendering services during an accounting period.
cash accounting
revenue and expenses are recognized in the period in which the firm actually receives the cash or actually pays the bills. Cash accounting is a single-entry system.
It cannot be used by a corporation or if the business maintains an inventory, as would be the case in a retail store.
Load-bearing
Load bearing elements are capable of bearing a structural load. A supporting wall that supports other structural elements or loads
Non-load bearing
A non-load-bearing element ONLY supports itself and does NOT help the structure stand up.
Dead loads
By definition, dead loads are usually permanent, non-movable loads. Examples are the weight of the building, including the floor, pillars, or roofing structure. These are sometimes also referred to as static loads
Live loads
Loads that are non-permanent, movable loads, such as people, furniture, and equipment (like a dense filing system), and other more specific types such as lateral and dynamic loads.
Lateral loads
Loads that exert force from natural occurrences, like wind and earthquakes (seismic), or even explosions. These usually exert force in more directions than downwards.
Dynamic loads
loads created from impacts include moving/stopping elevators, snow loads, or a car driving across a bridge. The difference is that these forces change more quickly than static or other types of live loads.
Beam-and-girder system
The main difference between a girder and a beam is the size of the component. Workers in the construction industry often refer to large beams as girders. The chief horizontal support in a structure is called a girder. The minor horizontal structural supports are beams
Open web steel joist system
Steel joists and girders provide an economical system for supporting floors and roofs.
truss-like construction component used to support loads over short and long spans. They are typically used in non-residential construction
Potable water
is drinking water that is fit for human consumption.
Blackwater
contains human waste, such as from a toilet.
Gray water
is untreated household wastewater that does not contain human/toilet waste. According to Chapter 2 in the International Plumbing Code (IPC), gray water may come from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays. To determine which type applies to the kitchen sink and dishwasher drainage, consult with the AHJ for the project.
stack vent
runs vertically through the building, so it cannot be in the same location as structural columns or interfere with other items’ locations in the mechanical plan.
Trap
Traps are integral for drainage. There are different shapes, including P, U, and S. These traps hold water to form a seal that prevents sewer gas from affecting water and sewage flow. Every plumbing fixture requires a trap. Some are integrated into the fixture (water closets), while others are external (sinks). Prevent gases
Vent
The overall vent system allows septic gases to escape outside while also supplying fresh air. Vents are linked to the drainage system to protect the water in a trap.
Soil stack
The soil stack carries human waste from the plumbing fixture (water closet or urinal) to the sewer. Human waste makes it considered blackwater.
Waste stack
Waste stacks carry non-human waste from plumbing fixtures. The water carried away from a waste stack is considered grey water
Stack vent
A stack vent runs vertically and extends beyond the roof. A stack vent connects to a soil stack or waste stack above the highest fixture.
Wet column
Wet columns group plumbing pipes as an alternative to lengthy horizontal waste piping. The pipes are grouped within a structural column and located away from the plumbing core in commercial design.
VAV
variable air volume systems, the VAV box varies the quantity of air.
Single-duct system with CAV
The single-duct system is a one-zone system. A separate supply duct and the air-handling unit are required for each zone. This system is used for small or medium-sized buildings with few zones.
VAV system
This single-duct system can have many zones. But VAV systems cannot heat one zone while cooling another, so they are cooling-only systems.
Terminal reheat system (CAV)
terminal reheat boxes that reheat previously cooled air. The zone with the greatest cooling load determines how much air is cooled for the entire building.
Terminal reheat system (VAV)
Terminal reheat systems can also be of the VAV type. In this case, the terminal reheat box also controls air volume.
Multizone system
Every zone receives air at the required temperature through a separate duct. A multizone air-handling unit custom-mixes hot and cold air for each zone
Double-duct system
The double-duct system mixes hot and cold air to achieve the required air temperature. Mixing boxes are located throughout the building instead of a central unit.
Ducts are labeled as
W x H.
Diffusers
have directional fins at different angles (sometimes adjustable) to distribute the air throughout the space.
Grilles
often used for return air have no movable parts or slats for adjustment.
displacement ventilation
is an air distribution system in which supply air originates at the floor level and rises to return air grilles in the ceiling.
Three goals of fire protection
Protection of life
Protection of property
Restoration and use of the building after a fire
Fire containment
limits the spread of a fire through compartmentalization. The aim is to contain a fire and limit its spread. The first goal of containment is to allow occupants to escape the building. Next, containment protects the unaffected parts of the building or adjacent buildings.
active fire suppression
Sprinklers
Fire suppression
uses life safety equipment for fire detection, suppressing smoke and flame, alarms, and extinguishers.
Passive fire protection
fire rated door and wall assemblies are passive.
Ionization detector
This detector responds to the ions formed by combustion instead of smoke, flames, or heat. Because of this, these are not the best detectors for heavy smoke fires.
Photoelectric detector
This detector aims a light beam into the room or space. When smoke blocks the beam, it sets off an alarm. These are best for heavy smoke fires.
Rise of temperature detector
This detector reacts to an increase in temperature within a space. Because rising temperatures indicate flames, this alarm may be too late to stop a fire.
Flame detectors
This detector senses the ultraviolet or infrared light from flames. Like the rise in temperature detectors, flames might be detected too late to stop a fire.
Fire dampers and gaskets
These are placed within the ductwork and close when subjected to a rise in temperature or smoke detection. Fire dampers prevent the spread of smoke and fire.
Smoke damper
Like a fire damper, UL-rated devices are designed to block passageways in ductwork upon detection of smoke. Smoke dampers resist the passage of smoke and air.
Smoke exhaust systems
These exhaust systems function only in fires and use air velocity and air pressure to control smoke movement. Smoke exhaust systems help keep toxic gases out of refuge areas and help reduce concentrations of dangerous gases. They also help to remove smoke after the fire is extinguished.
Maximum spacing between sprinkler heads
15 ft (4.6 m) for the 225 ft2 (20.9 m2) coverage requirement,
Class A extinguisher
For use with ordinary combustibles, such as wood or paper. Water is the primary extinguishing agent.
Class B extinguisher
For use with spilled flammable liquids, such as grease, oil, or gasoline, and designed to smother the fire and not spread the burning liquid.
Class C extinguisher
For use in electrical fires. The extinguishing agent is non-conductive so as not to spread the fire.
Class D extinguisher
For use on flammable metals.
mounting height of fire extinguishers
Up to 40 lbs (18 kg): top a maximum of 5 feet (1524 mm) above the floor.
Over 40 lbs (18 kg): top a maximum of 3.5 feet (1067 mm) above the floor
Obstructions to Sprinkler Discharge
restricts continuous or noncontinuous obstructions less than or equal to 18in below the sprinkler deflector.
active fire suppression
Sprinklers
incandescent lamp
light is produced by heating a material (usually metal) to a temperature at which it glows. Most incandescent lamps have a tungsten
Direct lighting systems
provide all light output on the task. A recessed fluorescent luminaire is an example of direct lighting.
Semi-direct systems
put a majority of the light down and a small percentage toward the ceiling. Fixtures for this type of system must be surface mounted or suspended.
Direct-indirect systems
distribute light up and down about equally. Indirect systems direct all the light toward a reflective ceiling, where the light illuminates the room by reflection. good for log time on computer
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
is a method used to rate the color rendering of light sources.
candlepower
Directional luminaires and lamps are measured according to the direction and intensity of the light emitted from them. The intensity of a light source is This is a representation of the shape and direction of the light coming from a luminaire.
What lights have high efficincy
Fluorescents and LEDs have high efficacy,
Halogens
are bright but hot. While cheaper upfront, they cost more to operate and have a shorter lamp life. They are dimmable.
Fluorescents
are more energy-efficient because they give off minimal heat. They are brighter than LEDs but have a harsher, whiter-colored light. They are not dimmable without special housing and switching. They are practical for commercial spaces where the light stays on.
High-intensity discharge (HID)
includes mercury vapor, metal halide, ceramic metal halide, and high-pressure sodium lamps. They pass an electric current through a gas containing metal vapors and produce an arc of light within a tube.
Both NEC and the 2018 International Residential Code have the most extensive requirements for dwelling units
One outlet every 12 feet (3660 mm) maximum along unbroken walls in a “habitable” space (this includes around corners)
A maximum of 6 feet (1830 mm) from any obstruction or “break” in a wall such as a door
One outlet every 4 feet (1220 mm) of countertops in kitchens
No outlet required on an “unbroken” wall (as in between two doors) shorter than 2 feet (600 mm)
At least one wall switched electrical outlet per “habitable” room.
Wall outlet calculations cannot include floor outlets more than 18 inches (450 mm) from a wall.
GFCI-protected outlets required in bathrooms and kitchens
Attick Stock
a term used to refer to extra material or FF&E that is contractually required to be purchased for a job. The purpose of attic stock is to ensure that identical products or materials can be used for future repairs and replacements. Upon job completion, this excess material is delivered to the customer or safely stored for a period of time in the contractor’s warehouse.
Life cycle costing
LCC) is a method for determining the total cost of a building, component, or system. It includes initial costs and costs of financing, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
useful with energy evaluations
parameter method
At this time in a project, floor finishes can be broken down into individual types (carpeting, vinyl tile, wood-strip flooring) and multiplied by an estimated cost per square foot; however, since specific products have not been selected
involves an expanded itemization of construction quantities and furnishings and assignment of unit costs to these quantities.
square footage method
is based on project size and is used before much design work has started.
detailed quantity takeoff method
If the project has progressed to specific manufacturers and products
Matrix costing
deals with pricing alternatives.
Detailed quantity takeoffs
re the most precise method for determining budget.
It is developed by counting actual quantities of materials and furnishings and multiplying these quantities by firm, quoted costs. Such detailed estimates cannot be done until late in the design and construction document phase of a project.
Express Warranty
Promises, claims, descriptions, or affirmations made about a product’s performance, quality or condition that form the “basis of the bargain”. In effect, the basis of the bargain means that the information provided is what primarily influences the decision of the buyer.
