Vocabulary Flashcards
tributary area
loaded area that contributes to the load on the. member supporting that area, ex. the area from the center between two beams to the center of the next two beams for the full span is the load on the center beam. It can also be called the load periphery.
Non-combustible
adj — not capable of undergoing combustion under specified conditions. (Contrast combustible.)
In fire testing, non-combustibility is often assessed by means of ASTM E 136 or ISO 1182.
Flame Resistance
ability to withstand/ provide protection from flame impingement and tested for assemblies and individual materials
enthalpy
The total heat in a substance, including latent heat and sensible heat.
Design equivalent temperature difference (DETD)
The DETD takes into account the air temperature differences, effects of the sun, thermal mass storage effects of materials, colors of finishes exposed to the sun, and
daily temperature range.
Direct Expansion Systems (DX)
simplest type; self -contained unit that passes non-ducted air over an evaporator which cools air
Fire Resistance Rating
period of time a biulding component is able to confine a fire or maintain its sturctural integrity or both
Controller
A device that measures, analyzes and initiates actions in a building control system
Net Metering
Requires that a utility pay or charge equal rates regardless of flow of electrons on a grid
Deadband
Range in BCS in which neither heating nor cooling is needed
Effective Aperature
product of visible light transmittance and window-to-wall ratio
conductivity (k)
The number of British thermal units per hour that pass through 1 ft2 of homogeneous material 1 in thick when the temperature differential is 1°F.
Shading Coefficient
(SC) is a measure of thermal performance of a glass unit (panel or window) in a building. It is the ratio of solar gain (due to direct sunlight) passing through a glass unit to the solar energy which passes through 3mm Clear Float Glass.
Low Emissivity (e)
Double glazing product that includes film w/in cavity; film prevents long0wave radiation heat-loss from inside room
live load
the weight of people or goods in a building or vehicle
dead load
the intrinsic weight of a structure or vehicle, excluding the weight of passengers or goods.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
ratio of annual fuel output energy to input energy
Infiltration
the transfer of air into and out of a building through open doors, cracks around windows and other openings, flues and vents, and other gaps in the exterior construction. Unless a building is well sealed, infiltration can account for more heat loss than transmission through the walls and roof.
wet-bulb temperature
The temperature of the air as measured with a sling prychrometer. The wet-bulb temperature is a more critical measure of heat in high humidity because it is an indicator of physical stress caused when the human body is near the upper limits of temperature regulation by perspiration
Compressive Refrigeration
Based on the transfer of heat during liquefaction and evaporation of a refrigerant
Permeance (Perm)
measure of how readily a material or membrane allows water to pass through it; air/vapor barriers should have perm rating >5
Relative Solar Heat Gain (RSHG)
The ratio of solar heat gain through a window, corrected for external shad- ing, to the incident solar radiation. This heat gain includes directly transmitted solar heat and absorbed solar radiation, which are conducted or convected into the space.
Daylight Factor (DF)
Ratio expressed as % of indoor illuminance at aa point on a horizontal surface to unobstructed exterior horizontal view; daylight is excluded
All-Water Systems
Uses fan coils; connected to 1/ 2 circuits; ventelation is provided through grilles @ wall2vs4 pipe systemdrawback is that no humidity control at central unit
Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
numeric 0-100 score indicating relative energy efficiency
Analemma
Figure 8 curve that represents the angular offset of the sun from its mean position as viewed from Earth
Noncombustible Material
A material that, in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated, will not ignite, burn, support
combustion, or release flammable vapors, when subjected to fire or heat. Materials that are reported as passing ASTM E 136, Standard Test
Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 Degrees C, shall be considered noncombustible materials.
Radiation Spectrum
0Hz-1023Hz
coefficient of heat transmission (U)
The overall rate of heat flow through any combination of materials, including air spaces and air layers on the interior and exterior of a building assembly. It is the reciprocal of the sum of all the resistances in the building assembly.
Coefficient of Performance (COP)
a unitless # that is a rating of efficiency of heating or cooling
mean radiant temperature (MRT)
The MRT is a weighted average of the various surface temperatures in a room and the angle of exposure of the occupant to these surfaces, as well as of any sunlight present.
The MRT is an important comfort factor in cold rooms or in the winter, because as the air temperature decreases, the body loses more heat through radiation than by evaporation
Fire Partition
Fire resistive component, generally req’d to have a 1-Hr rating
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER)
The total cooling output of a central air conditioning system or heat pump in the cooling mode, measured in Btus per hour, during its normal usage period for cooling div- ided by the total electrical input in watt-hours, as determined by specific test procedures. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment performance. The minimum SEER permitted for residential air conditioning equipment in the United States is 13.
latent heat
Heat that causes a change of state of a substance, such as the heat required to change water into steam. The amount of heat required to change the state of a substance is much greater than the heat required to raise the temperature of the substance (sensible heat). The average value of latent heat per pound ofmoisture is 1061 Btu.
Daylight Autonomy (DA)
percent of an area that meets minimum daylight illumination levels - ie 300 Lux for 50% of yearly average
Fire Barrier
Fire resistant rated assembly designed to restrict flame spread
Actuator
device in a building control system that receives commands from a controller and activates a piece of equipment
Equation of Time
Factor used to account for difference b/w solar and atomic time
Fire Protection Rating
Opeining Assembly - NFPA 252, UL 10B, UL 10C, NFPA 257; n (not req’d to withstand heat transmission, unlike fire ressistance)
Resistance (R)
The number of hours needed for 1 Btu to pass through 1 ft2 of material or assembly of a given thickness when the temperature differential is 1°F. It is the reciprocal of conductance.
All-Air Systems
cools/ heats a space w/ condition air alone’ most basic is Constant -volume Single Duct (doesn’t provide for zoning)For larger, zoned bdlgs - VAVHigh Velocity Duel DuctReheat/ Constant Vol. Multizone
conductance (C)
The number of British thermal units per hour that pass through 1 ft2 of homogeneous material of a given thickness when the temperature differential is 1°F.
Exit Enclosure
Horzontal fully enclosed portion of an exit only used as a means of egress
dewpoint
The temperature at which water vapor in the air becomes saturated and begins to condense into drops of water.
Balance Point Tmep.
Out door temp at which point a building makes transition from need to be cooled to heated, or vice versa
Ton of Refrigeration
unit to describe capacity of a refrig. system; cooling effect obtained when 1 ton of 32F ice melts in 24 hrs; this can be equiv. to 12,000 BTU / HR
Series Circuit
loads are place in circuit, one after another; current (I) remains constant but voltage potential changes
Parallel Circuit
Loads are placed b/w same two points; voltage remains same but current is different across each load
Non-Metallic Sheeted Cable
Romex - inexpensive (no conduit required); typ. of wood framed construction (not to exceed 3 stories)
Flexible Metal Clad Cable
BX - doesn’t require conduit; can be pulled through existing spaces w/in building (most common type of wire)
(3) types of metal conduit
1- Rigid Steel Conduit
2-Intermediate Metal Conduit
3-Electric Metal Tubing (Flex)
Underfloor Ducts
proprietary steel raceways cast into concrete deck
Cellular Metal Floors
Metal decking designed for use as cable raceways
Undercarpet Cable
Thin, flat wire that can be laid under carpet w/o telegraphing or protruding (must be used w/ tile)
Alternating Current
Most common form of elec. energy in bdlgs
Load Shedding
Action to reduce load of elec. supply to avoid excessive load on plant
Peak Load Regulation
capability of a power supply to maintain constant voltage level of output despite need/ increase during peak demand
Ground Fault Circuit Interupters (GFCI/ GFI)
devices that detect small current leaks, immediately disconnects power if detected; req’d in wet zones such as near sink/ kitchen
Duplex Recptacles
Convenience outlets, located 12-18” AFF typically at 15A, however min. (2) 20A provided for kitchen spaces
Dampproofing
Control of moisture that is not under
hydrostatic pressure.
Dampproofing should not be used on elements below the water table; these call for waterproofing.
Dampproofing coatings are always applied on the positive side, or wet side,
hydrostatic pressure
At its simplest, hydrostatic pressure is the pressure created by standing or resting (“static”) water (“hydro”). (While concrete is a relatively solid material when dry, it isn’t technically solid; As concrete dries, water vapor from the original concrete mixture exits the slab, creating small capillary networks until properly sealed. For a concrete slab to be impacted by hydrostatic pressure, it must be below the water table on the site or intrude into a natural water pathway.)
admixture
Various admixtures can be added to concrete to make it water repellent, such as the salts of fatty acids, mineral oil, and powdered iron. These may reduce the strength of the concrete, but they make it much less permeable to water
cementitious coatings
Mortar coatings are often used over very rough walls to pro- vide a smooth surface for the installation of other dampproofing materials,
bituminous coatings
These are asphalt or coal-tar pitch materials applied to the exterior side of the foundation wall. They can be brushed or sprayed on, can be applied either hot or cold (depending on the type), and should be applied to smooth surfaces. These coatings will not seal cracks that develop after they are applied.
membranes
Membranes are typically used for waterproofing walls subject to hydrostatic pressure because their cost and the difficulty of applying them is not usu-
ally warranted for simple dampproofing.
plastics
Silicone and polyurethane coatings are available, but they are usually reserved for above-grade dampproofing.
Waterproofing
is the control of moisture and water that is subject to hydrostatic pressure. This may include protecting parts of structures that are below the water table. Waterproofing is a more difficult technical problem than dampproofing because of the effect of the water pressure and the need to create
a continuous seal over walls, slabs, and joints in the structure.
In addition to the waterproofing and protection board, a foundation waterproofing system may include a geotextile or drainage board to relieve hydrostatic pressure against the wall insulation, as called for by
the climate zone and local code requirements.
Negative side watetproofing
applied after the element is in place, but to the side of the element that is not exposed to water, such as the interior of a foundation wall
positive side waterproofing
placed on the side of the element exposed to water-the exterior of a foundation wall, for example-after the element is in place
Blind side waterproofing
applied before the element is in place, such as on a shored excavation against which a concrete foundation wall will be poured.
Sheet membrane
Sheet membranes may be loosely applied and attached to nailing strips, but more effective systems are adhered to the foundation on the positive side.
Fluid-applied Systems
These are applied in liquid form to provide a continuous, seamless membrane. These systems are applied on the positive
side.
vapor retarder
material used to slow the transmission or diffusion of water vapor between spaces. Vapor retarders are not themselves insulation, but they play an important role in preserving the effectiveness of other insulating materials.
Vapor retarders should be placed on the warmer inside of the insulation
Vapor diffusion
movement of water molecules through vapor-permeable materials
permeance
property of a material that prevents water vapor from diffusing through it
Class I perm rating
vapor impermeable - materials rating less than or equal to 0.1
Class II perm rating
semi-impermeable - materials rating 0.1 and less than or equal to 1.0,
Class III perm rating
permeable - materials rating greater than 1 or equal to 10
barrier wall system
cladding serves as the exterior finish, protects the building from the elements and prevents condensation from entering the building. A solid, multi-wythe masonry wall or an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) applied directly to the structural wall are examples.
rain srcreen wall
cladding is separated from the waterproof and airtight barriers with an air space cavity. Drainage plane of a WRB applied on the out- side of insulation prevents moisture that penetrates cladding from entering building and directs it back to the exterior with flashing, weep holes, etc… Insulation is located inside the drainage plane. Moisture barrier be may either air permeable or impermeable, depending on the climate, interior environmental conditions etc..
Rock wool
manufactured by melting basalt or oilier rocks in a high-temperature furnace and then spinning the molten mate- rial into long fibers.
Slag wool
manufactured from iron ore blast furnace slag using similar production methods. Slag wool accounts for about 80% of fill products produced by the mineral wool industry. It is formed into batts, blankets, and loose-fill material, and is used in applications similar to those of fiberglass.
Cellulose insulation
made from 80% to 100% recycled paper combined with a fire-retardant additive. For loose-fill applications, a binder is added to prevent settling. Cellulose is used for loose-fill attic insulation as well as dry blown-in and wet-spray applications.
Fiberglass insulation
sometimes used as loose fill, but is more commonly formed into batts, with or without a paper facing
Batt insulation
This material is usually mineral fiber or glass fiber. In addition to providing a means of installation and holding the insulation in place, the kraft paper also serves as a vapor retarder.
Board insulation
made from a variety of organic or inorganic materials formed into rigid boards
Expanded polystyrene (EPS)
closed-cell material manufactured by mixing unexpanded polystyrene beads containing liquid pentane and a blowing agent. The spaces between the beads can absorb water, so a vapor retarder is needed if moisture migration is a concern.
Extruded polystyrene (XPS)
is a closed-cell material manufactured by mixing polystyrene pellets with various chemicals and then introducing a blowing agent.
Sprayed foam insulation
Sprayed foam has an excellent R-value with the added advantages of conforming to the shape of the cavity and sealing all cracks and openings thoroughly.
emissivity
also called emittance, a measure of how much energy is emitted
Flashing
prevents water penetration and directs any water that does get into construction back to the outside. Flashing is made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, plastic, and elastomeric materials.
Parameter method
Used during the design development phase and early stages of construction document production. It involves an expanded itemization of construction quantities and assignment of unit costs to these quantities.
Matrix costing
A matrix is drawn showing the various alternatives along one side and the individual elements that combine to produce the total cost of the alternatives on the other side.
Unit Cost method
The project is broken down into its individual building components and the labor needed to install them. Contractors typically use this method of estimating when they are determining a bid or negotiated price for the project.
The estimate should include
• material and labor costs
• cost of equipment, fees, and services necessary to complete the project
• the contractor’s overhead and profit
General overhead
the cost to run a contracting business and involves office rent, secretarial help, heat, and other recurring costs.
The total overhead costs, including both general and project expenses, can range from about 10% to 20% of the total costs for labor, materials, and equipment
Project overhead
the money it takes to complete a particular job, not including labor, materials, or equipment. This includes temporary offices, telephone/data service, sanitary facilities, trash removal, insurance, permits, and temporary utilities.
The total overhead costs, including both general and project expenses, can range from about 10% to 20% of the total costs for labor, materials, and equipment
Lateral deflection
the predicted movement of a structure under lateral loads
Story drift
story drift is defined as the difference in lateral deflection between two adjacent stories
means of egress
As defined in the IBC:
a continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge
LCCA
method for determining the total cost of a building, building compo- nent, or system over a period of time. LCCA takes into account the initial cost as well as the costs of
financing, operation, maintenance, and eventual disposal.
