Vocabulary Words Flashcards
Adhesive failure
Failure of the sealant to bond to the substrate
Aerobic
Living, active, or occurring only in the presence of oxygen
Amine
Any of a class of basic organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacement of hydrogen with one or more monovalent hydrocarbon radicals
Ammonia
Pungent colorless gaseous alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. Is very soluble in water and easily condensed to a liquid by cold and pressure
Anaerobic
Living, active, occurring, or existing in the absence of free oxygen
Ancillary bond
Form of security that is a type of surety bond where the surety co. Guarantees other factors which are incidental and essential to the performance of a contract
Anode
Metal surface that emits positively charged ions transferred to a cathode through an electrolyte
Asbestos
Generic name for a number of naturally occurring, hydrated mineral silicates with a unique fibrous structure known for fire resistant qualities
As-built drawings
Accurate record of the placement of construction components and the routing of other components that indicate how a building was built, rather than how it was designed to be built.
Autoignition
Bursting into flame of a material without a source of ignition
Baffle
Device (plate, wall or screen) to deflect, check or regulate flow or passage (as fluid, light or sound)
Batt
Blanket of thermal insulation (as fiberglass)
Bedding
Layer of mortar on which masonry unit is set
Bid bond
Written form of security executed by the bidder as principal and a surety
Binder
Element of paint that is the glue that combines the pigment and solvents and allows for surface adhesion
Bitumen
Semisolid mixture of complex hydrocarbons derived from petroleum or coal after distillation. In roofing there are 2 basic bitumens: asphalt and coal-tar pitch.
Bleedoff
Removal of water from a cooling tower to reduce the concentrated solids in an air-conditioning cooling tower
Blowdown
Discharge of water from a boiler that contains a high proportion of dissolved solids. Two types are surface skimming and bottom blowdown
Breakdown maintenance
Essentially no maintenance
Cohesive failure
Failure of the sealant to bond to itself
Cold joint
Defined interface between concrete poured at two different times
Centrifugal
Acting or proceeding in a direction away from a center or axis
Conductance
Measurement of how well or easily material transmits heat
British thermal unit BTU
Measurement expressing the quantity of heat possessed by an object. 1 BTU is equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit
Comfort zone
Temperature, humidity and air cleanliness range within which one is comfortable
Concrete
Artificial stone made by binding together particles of aggregate with a paste made of cement and water
Condensate
Product of condensation, especially a liquid obtained by condensation of a gas or vapor
Commissioning
Initial start up and verification of proper operation of the original design specification
Clay
Soil composed of microscopically small mineral particles, flattened and fitting closely together
Check valve
Valve designed to allow liquid or gas to flow in one direction only
Combustion
Chemical process (burning) that requires fuel, oxygen and heat to be present
Building codes
Regulations that promote general safety by regulating the design and construction of the building’s components
Building related illness (BRI)
Specific, diagnosable illness whose symptoms can be identified and whose cause is directly attributed to airborne building pollutants (Legionnaires disease)
Building stone
Natural rock of adequate quality to be quarried and cut as dimension stone as it exists in nature and used in the construction industry
Compressor
Primary refrigeration system component that circulates refrigerant through the system and increases the refrigerant’s temperature and pressure (heart of HVAC system)
Conductivity
Ability of a fluid (water) to conduct electricity
Delamination
Separation into constituent layers
Demising walls
Slab to slab partitions, generally fire rated, that separate a tenant’s space from a neighboring tenants. Also called demising partitions
Dry-bulb temperature (DB)
Temperature of air as measured by an ordinary thermometer
Dew point
Temperature at which air is fully saturated with moisture and condensation can occur
Conduction
Direct flow of heat through a material resulting from physical contact
Convection
Transfer of heat in a fluid, such as air, caused by the movement of the heated fluid
Curtain wall
External nonloadbearing wall which is intended to separate the exterior and interior environments and which is fixed to the external building frame
Easement
Right of one party to lawfully use the land of another for a beneficial purpose
Jamb
Upright piece or surface forming the side of an opening, as for a window or door
Joists
Beams ranged parallel from wall to wall in a structure to support or floor or ceiling
Leeward
Being in or facing the direction toward which the wind is blowing
Insulating glass
Two glass lights with 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch between them; the most energy efficient of the three glass applications
Ion exchange
Process whereby ions in solution are interchanged by a reactive material
Jute
Glossy fiber of either of two Asian plants used chiefly for sacking, burlap, and twine, but also as carpet backing
Monolithic glass
Single, flat piece of glass of constant thickness
Manometer
Instrument for measuring the pressure of gases and vapors
Louver
Finned or vaned device for controlling the flow of air
Mean radiant temperature MRT
Average temperature of all the surfaces to which a person is exposed, exchanging infrared radiation
Mercaptan
Harmless but flammable and colorless gas added to natural gas to assist in detecting gas leaks
Load
A force, such as weight, measured in pounds, that a building must sustain
Latent heat
Heat that when added to or removed from a particular substance changes the state of the substance (eg solid to liquid, liquids to gas) without changing its temperature
Infrared
Situated outside the visible spectrum at its red end (having a wavelength between 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter)
Indoor air quality IAQ
Overall quality of air in an enclosed space, accounting for factors such as temperature, humidity, odor, clarity and absence of toxins or other agents that impair human health
Infiltration
Uncontrolled leakage of unconditioned air into a building generally caused by wind loads or by a negatively pressured building
Inlet guide vanes
Device used for capacity control on centrifugal compressors. Vanes are located in front of the impeller and regulate the flow of the refrigerant into it
Limestone
Rock that is formed chiefly by accumulation of organic remains (shells or coral), consists mainly of calcium carbonate, is used in building and yields lime when burned
Lithium bromide
Absorbent used in absorption refrigeration systems. Nontoxic salt solution with water
Butterfly valve
Valve consisting of two semicircle clappers hinged to a cross rib that permits fluid flow in only one direction, or a valve in a pipe consisting of a disk turning on a bisecting axis
Cast-iron sectional boiler
Boiler in which water passes through identical sections made of cast iron and placed side by side
Cathode
Area along a metal surface that attracts electrons from an anode. Cathode area controls how fast the metal loss occurs at the anode
Condenser
Heat exchanger in which hot, pressurized refrigerant is condensed through the transfer of heat to cooler surrounding air, water, or earth; heat rejection component of an air-conditioning system
Cogeneration
Sequential production of electrical or mechanical energy and thermal energy
Coaxial cable
Combination of single wire surrounded by insulation and a woven metal braid that shields against electromagnetic noise
Caustic embrittlement
Hardening of metal that takes away some of its tensile strength. Often caused by high pH
COP coefficient of performance
Ratio of useful heating or cooling provided by a system to the energy consumed by the system in delivering the heating or cooling; in consistent units for a specific temperature. Higher COPs indicate higher system efficiencies
Counterflow
Air moving against water. In some cooling towers, the water falls down vertically while the air moves up vertically against the water
Crossflow
Air moving across water. In some cooling towers, the water falls down vertically while the air moves horizontally across the water
Cycles of concentration
Ratio of the concentration of a chemical or mineral in the recirculating water to its concentration in the makeup water
Dead band
Preset temperature range for which neither heating nor cooling is supplied. In this temperature range, the HVAC system provides ventilation only
Deaeration
Process of removing oxygen and carbon dioxide gases before they enter a system
Deferred maintenance
Deterioration requiring increased levels of maintenance and repairs, brought about postponing routine maintenance and repairs, often for several years
Continuous commissioning
Hybrid of retro-commissioning and recommissioning that requires a “baseline” performance measurement, and also involves continuously monitoring performance after modifications are made
Diffuser
Outlet that spreads and circulates the flow of air from an HVAC system over a large area of a room
Double glazing
2 layers of glass; similar to insulating glass but with a wider space to 1 in to 4 in between the glass lights
Ductility
Material’s ability to withstand extensive deformation without failure under high stress
Emittance emissivity
Ability of a material’s surface to give off radiant energy
Electric boiler
Unit that uses electric resistance heating coils to create hot water or steam used in air handling units or radiators
Electrolyte
Substance that dissolves in water to form particles with positive and negative electric charges (ions) making the water a conductor of electric current
Elastomeric
Having elastic properties; capable of expanding or contracting with the surfaces to which the subject material is applied without rupturing
Dimension stone
Natural stone that has been selected, trimmed or cut to specified shapes or sizes with or without one or more mechanically dressed surfaces
Economizer cycle
Energy saving process that discontinues the operation of the mechanical cooling system when the outdoor temperature falls below a predetermined temperature setting normally between 50 degrees and 60 degrees
Economizer mode
Setting within an air handling system that allows the use of cool outside air or water and less mechanical cooling
Enthalpy
Total heat content of a substance, such as air, measuring its sum total energy and consisting of dry bulb temperature plus wet bulb temperature (temperature and humidity)
Epoxies
Thermosetting resin that cures by adding a hardener or catalyst
Fieldstone
Natural building stone as found in the field
Evaporator
Heat exchanger that absorbs the heat surrounding it to cause the liquid refrigerant inside it to boil until the refrigerant leaves as a superheated vapor
Expression of interest EOI
Issued to determine if there are contractors that are interested in working on a project (Canadian version of RFI)
Extrusion
Process of making a shaped object, such as a rod or tube, by forcing a material into a mold
Fill
Part of a cooling tower over which water is distributed and exposed to outside air to cool through evaporation. Most fill is composed of FRP, PVC and wood
Finish coat
Final layer of paint that usually determines the final appearance in terms of color and glossiness
Firetube boiler
Boiler in which the hot gases from combustion pass through tubes surrounded by water or steam
Fixture
Device used to control the flow and use of water (faucets, toilets, and hose connections)
Flashing
Various connecting devices that seal roofing membrane joints at expansion joints, drains, gravel-stops, and other places where the membrane ends
Flash
To form vapor from condensate suddenly as a result of reduced blowdown
FAR floor area ratio
Ratio of the total floor area of all buildings on a lot to the area of the lot
Fly ash
Ash recovered from waste gases, used chiefly as a reinforcing agent in the manufacture of bricks, concrete, etc
Formwork
A structure of wood or metal that temporarily provides shape and support to a concrete or masonry building element that is not yet self supporting
Head pressure
Higher pressure point in a body of fluids
Hermetic
Sealed
Hydronics
Transfer of heat using a circulating fluid such as water
Glazing
Glass panels in window frames
Globe valve
Valve used primarily in air and steam systems to control the rate of flow
Galvanized metal
Sheet metal or iron covered with a protective coating to resist corrosion
Heat exchanger
Device specifically designed to transfer heat between two physically separated fluids
Gypsum
Soft, hydrous calcium sulfate used in construction materials such as wallboard and sheathing
Heat pump
Electric device that uses a compressor to drive refrigeration cycles to move heat from one medium to another. Device capable of providing heating or cooling by reversing its operation
Galvanic action
Wasting away effect that occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact in the presence of an electrolyte or an electric current
Gate valve
Valve having two inclined seats between which the valve wedges down in closing
Gauge pressure
Gas or liquid pressure reading (psig or pounds per square inch) that factors in the 14.7 psia, so a reading of zero on the gauge is equivalent to atmospheric pressure
Gilsonite
Natural, resinous, hydrocarbon similar to hard petroleum asphalt and frequently used to harden softer petroleum products
Hydropneumatic pressure system
System where water is pumped from a water supply into a pressure tank for storage
Impact isolation class IIC
Rating of the ability of flooring systems to attenuate impact sounds and vibrations
Loam
Soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt and sand
Metering device
Device that controls the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator in a refrigeration system; located between the condenser and evaporator (between high and low sides)
Mullions
Member that forms the sides of the frames that hold window glass
Micron
Unit of measure equal to a micrometer (one-millionth of a meter)
Mortar
Mixture of lime and/or pulverized clay (cement) with very fine sand and water, used with a binding agent
Needle valve
Valve that, as it closed, lowers a tapered pin into a fitted seat, which allows for very precise throttling
Noble
Having low chemical reactivity; chemically inert or inactive
Oxidize
Combine with oxygen; to dehydrogenate especially by the action of oxygen
Ozone
A triatomic very reactive form of oxygen that is a bluish irritating gas of a pungent odor, that is a major air pollutant in the lower atmosphere but a beneficial component of the upper atmosphere, and that is used for oxidizing, bleaching, disinfecting, and deodorizing
Plumbing
Interior water distribution system
Pigment
Paint element that provides the color
Path of travel
Continuous route from the entrance to a primary function area
Partition
Wall assembly that completely encloses a space and thus makes it a room. Full-height wall that joins the suspended ceiling, constructed from wood or metal studs and gypsum board or other sheet material such as plywood
Parts per million ppm
Measure of the concentrations of various water impurities, such as calcium, silica, iron and alkalinity
Payment bond
Protection for certain laborers, material suppliers and subcontractors against nonpayment
Peat
Turf that is partially carbonized vegetable tissue formed by partial decomposition in water of various plants
Performance Bond
Written form of security from a surety (bonding) company to the owner on behalf of an acceptable prime or main contractor or subcontractor
Performance Criteria
Performance standards to be met in the space
Perimeter scuppers
Penetrations through a parapet wall and tied into the drainage system
Perlite and vermiculite
Material used for its insulating characteristics in preformed insulating boards and lightweight insulating concrete, or blown loose into vacant spaces between structural members
pH
A measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. A pH under 7.0 indicates acidity; a pH greater than 7.0 indicates alkalinity
Pitting corrosion
The corrosion of metal in very small areas, resulting in holes that may completely penetrate the metal
Plenum
The space between acoustical tile in a suspended ceiling and the underside of the floor above, especially one that receives air from a blower for distribution
Plywood
A building material made by laminating several thin layers of wood together
Pointing
the troweling of mortar into a joint after the masonry units are laid
Polymer
A chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization (a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules) and consisting essentially of repeating structural units
Pressure Drop
The difference in pressure between two points. In a plumbing system, pressure drop factors include the length of run, the number of elbows, and the size of piping
Preventative Maintenance
Preserving the performance expected from the equipment or system and involves systematic inspection, lubrication, adjustment, diagnostic testing and correction
Primary function area
Any area where major activity takes place, including stores, offices, and work areas
Primer
A preliminary paint coat that, when applied to a bare surface, seals pores in the surface and improves paint adhesion
Punch list
A list of deficiencies in construction compiled by the project manager or architect near the end of a job. The list should record all incomplete, missing, or substandard items, and the action to be taken by the contractor to correct each problem.
Rabbet
The channel or groove provided in a window sash to hold the pain in place
Radiation
The transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves from a warm substance to a cooler substance without heating the medium in between
Rectifier
An electrical device used to convert alternating current to direct current
Recommissioning
commissioning to buildings that have previously been commissioned and involves revisiting the systems at regular intervals
Reflectance (reflectivity)
the fraction of incoming radiant energy that is reflected from a surface
Relative humidity (RH)
The ratio of the actual amount of water in the air compared to the maximum amount of water that the air could hold at the same temperature
Repointing
the filling in of cut-out or defective mortar joints in masonry with fresh mortar
Sandstone
A sedimentary rock that is made up mostly of tiny grains of quartz and has a sandpaper-like texture
Sacrificial anode
A zinc-rich primer in which the zinc in the paint corrodes instead of the iron or steel surface to which it is applied
R-value
A measure of the thermal resistance of a specific material. Under steady conditions, the mean temperature difference between the two surfaces separated by the insulation. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance
Rodding
Method of removing scale from the inside of piping by using rotary brushes or specialized cutters or drill heads affixed to a long rod
Right-of-way ROW
An agreement that confers on an individual, company, or municipality the right to use a landowner’s property in some way
Return air
Air pulled from a space and returned to the central air-conditioning plant for reconditioning
Retrofit
Renovation of an existing system to update outmoded features to current standards of usability and code compliance
Retro-commissioning
Commissioning performed in existing buildings that have never been commissioned
Request for Quotation RFQ
Generally equivalent to the RFP, a second request for uniform, detailed information from prospective practitioners being screened for a project
Request for Qualifications RFQ
A request for firms’ or project teams’ qualifications; helps to assess the teams’ ability to perform and complete the requirements of the project
Request for proposal RFP
A type of bid document used to solicit proposals from prospective practitioners of products or services
Request for Information RFI
An invitation to contractors to submit information about their firms. No proposal or bid is included.
Space Utilization standards
Identify the space needed for each job title, function, or level within an organization
Sound Transmission Class STC
A measure of how well a sound barrier prevents sound from passing through it
Solvent
A solution that thins paint by dissolving or dispersing the binder
Soffit
The underside of a part or member of a building (as of an overhang or staircase); especially the interior curve of an arch
Sling psychrometer
A device with dry-bulb and wet-bulb thermometers used for checking air conditions, temperature, and humidity
Site coverage
The percentage of the lot that can be covered by the structure
Silt
Loose sedimentary soil with small rock particles
Sill
The horizontal member forming the bottom of a window or exterior door frame. (sill plate)
Silica
Silicon dioxide SiO2 occurring in crystalline, amorphous, and impure forms (as in quartz, opal, and sand respectively).
Sick Building Syndrome SBS
The general discomfort, adverse reactions, or nonspecific sicknesses that appear to be linked to the time people spend in a particular building. Symptoms may include headaches, rashes, burning, teary eyes, or other irritations
Shoring
a temporary vertical or horizontal support that holds up the formwork until the concrete cures or holds up the building element until structural integrity is established
Setpoint
The desirable level of a variable at which a controller is set to maintain
Service maintenance
Consists of lubricating equipment, changing filters, adjusting and replacing belts, and keeping equipment clean; meets the manufacturer’s basic recommendations and requires a minimum level of skill
Sensible heat
Heat that when added to or removed from a particular substance causes a change in temperature, but not a change of state
sash
The framework in which panes of glass are set in a window or door. Also called a glazing panel
Thermoplastic
Capable of softening or fusing when heated and of hardening again when cooled
Thermal envelope
Controls the comfort level inside by maintaining temperature and relative humidity RH
Thermal
Of, relating to, or caused by heat
Test fit
Part of the functional program, where existing or proposed buildings are examined to see if they can accommodate the estimated needed floor area as well as other functional and architectural requirements
Terminal device
The end point, where the air dumps into the room
Teratogenic
Of, relating to, or causing developmental malformations
Surety bonds
An agreement under which the party called the surety agrees to answer another party called the obligee (the owner) for the debt, default, or failure to fulfill obligations of a third party called the principal (the contractor)
Sump
a pit or reservoir serving as a drain or receptacle for liquids
Structural envelope
The combination of the foundation, walls, and roofing working together to provide a safe environment
Stress
The load per square inch that acts against an object
Static pressure
The total pressure created by the fan velocity pressure, measured in inches of water (Pa)
Statement of need
A written document stating all the decisions made during the needs assessment, taking into account space use standards and performance criteria
Stack effect
an air filtration pattern in a building where air enters lower floors, rises within the building, and exits from upper floors due to the natural rising of warmer air. It occurs as a result of pressure differences created by a building’s air-handling system, the wind, and temperature differences
spline
A thin metal or wood strip used in building construction
spandrel panels
Opaque panels that conceal the floors, ceilings, and mechanical spaces of the building
spalling
A defect that occurs when pieces of masonry or brick split or flake off a wall surface
Vermiculite and perlite
Material used for its insulating characteristics in preformed insulating boards and lightweight insulating concrete, or blown loose into vacant spaces between structural members
Ventilation
Movement of air into a building or from one space to another space within a building, using a fan.
Velocity pressure
Pressure that is created when air moves in one direction
Value engineering
A systematic, collaborative, and creative endeavor to evaluate a project’s components as a complete system and to ensure that the required functions are achieved at the lowest possible overall cost (without compromising on quality, safety, or dependability)
U-value
The measure of heat conductivity of a material or structural unit, expressed as Btu per square foot per degree differences per hour; lower U-values provide greater resistance to heat transmissions
Undercoat
The layer or layers of paint that cover a surface, build up film thickness, and furnish an even surface for the final coat
Tuckpointing
A decorative method of pointing masonry with the surface mortar that is different from the bedding mortar
Troubleshooting
The diagnostic process used to determine the cause of abnormal conditions in equipment`
Travertine
A stone closely related to limestone but with impurities that give it a marble-like appearance; takes a polish and is used for its decorative effect, especially in building lobbies
Transmittance
The rate of transfer of heat through one square meter of a structure divided by the difference in temperature across the structure
Ton of refrigeration
A means of expressing cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 Btu/hour (or 288,000 Btu/day or 200 Btu/minute) of cooling
Throttle
To regulate the rate of flow. In plumbing, a variety of valves can be used to throttle, shut off, or measure the flow of water.
Thermostatic bypass
A device that allows air to exit the steam trap
Zoning
The division of a building’s cooling and heating systems into sections that permit independent control of temperatures from one area to another
zone
A distinct area of space to which conditioned air is delivered
Winward
The side or direction from which the wind is blowing
Wet-bulb temperature WB
A temperature measurement that takes into consideration the moisture content of the air
Weather stripping
Metal or plastic material used in thin strips to ensure a weather-tight seal (where sashes and jams or sills come together)
Watertube boiler
a boiler in which water or steam passes through tubes surrounded by the hot gases from combustion
Watershed approach
A roofing design with positive and rapid drainage away from overlapped units, such as roofing shingles, on steep-sloped roofs
Waterproof approach
A roofing design used on low-sloped and nearly flat roofs; requires a completely waterproof roofing membrane with seals at all terminations and penetrations
water hammer
Vibration and loud banging in water pipes caused by oscillations in pressure, especially when valves are rapidly opened or closed
Water closet
A compartment or room with a toilet
Volatile organic compound VOC
A compound that evaporates, is gaseous at room temperature, and is released from used or stored products
Viscosity
the internal resistance to flow; a measure of thickness
