AbatementA process whereby asbestos or contaminated material is removed from an area by setting up containment facilities to remove it safely without(...)
Acoustic Ceiling TileAcoustic ceiling tile is a common ceiling system that is typically installed in a grid. The grid is typically a metal grid and hung from hangers(...)
ACTAcoustic ceiling tile is a common ceiling system that is typically installed in a grid. The grid is typically a metal grid and hung from hangers(...)
Air Handling Unit An air handling unit is a common piece of a mechanical equipment that regulates and circulates air as part of a heating and cooling system for(...)
AHU An air handling unit is a common piece of a mechanical equipment that regulates and circulates air as part of a heating and cooling system for(...)
AsbestosThere are several minerals commonly known as asbestos. These minerals can be used to make products strong, long-lasting and(...)
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Bent PlateBent plate is a term used in structural steel or miscellaneous metals scope for construction. A bent plate is basically a flat plate that has(...)
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C-ChannelA steel member in the shape of a C. Typically used in structural columns or where beams need a flat face on one side to sit flush against something.
CamberIn the world of structural steel, camber denotes a curve in the vertical plane; sweep denotes a curve in the horizontal plane. Steel members(...)
Catch Basin Catch basins are part of many drainage systems that act as a drain. They are typically made up of two components - a grille (large metal /(...)
CB Catch basins are part of many drainage systems that act as a drain. They are typically made up of two components - a grille (large metal /(...)
CCNContemplated Change Notice - a formal contract document issued by a consultant to initiate a pricing exercise.
Change DirectiveA document issued typically by the consultant or owner to the contractor in order to instruct them to carry out work. A change directive puts(...)
CDA document issued typically by the consultant or owner to the contractor in order to instruct them to carry out work. A change directive puts(...)
Change OrderIn project management, a change order is a component of the change management process whereby changes in the Scope of Work agreed to by the(...)
COIn project management, a change order is a component of the change management process whereby changes in the Scope of Work agreed to by the(...)
ConstructionThe construction definition is something that is challenging to explain in just a paragraph. The simplest definition of construction is(...)
ContingencyAdditional time or money allocated to a construction project in order to mitigate risk related to specific items. For example, one may carry(...)
Corner BeadA corner bead is a trim that you apply to an outside corner or reveal on drywall to protect an exposed corner and create a clean edge. Typically(...)
Critical Path The critical path is a component that is included as part of the project schedule. The critical path is the longest pathway on the schedule.(...)
CurtainwallA curtainwall is a exterior surface mounted to the outside of the building which is designed to stand various forces but not take any of the(...)
Cut SheetA set of data or information on a product or material that is pre-manufactured. For example you get cut sheets of washroom accessories, light(...)
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DuctworkSheet metal or plastic tube hollow structures that carry air throughout a complex for distribution in a heating and air conditioning system(...)
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Fall ArrestFall arrest is the last line of defense in protecting workers against falls. Fall arrest is a term that encompasses the process of preventing(...)
Fan Coil UnitFrom WikipediaA fan coil unit (FCU) is a simple device consisting of a heating and/or cooling heat exchanger or 'coil' and fan. It is part of(...)
FCUFrom WikipediaA fan coil unit (FCU) is a simple device consisting of a heating and/or cooling heat exchanger or 'coil' and fan. It is part of(...)
Floor Flatness Floor flatness is a measurement taken that reflects the flatness of a concrete floor after it's pour. The technical way of measuring floor(...)
ff Floor flatness is a measurement taken that reflects the flatness of a concrete floor after it's pour. The technical way of measuring floor(...)
Formworkcreated out of plywood or engineered metal systems. Formwork comes in many shapes and sizes and acts as walls or retaining barriers for when(...)
FoundationWhat is a building foundation? The foundation of a building is lowest point in a building which typically carries the load of the upper(...)
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Galvanizea method of preventing rust on steel and making it more durable to the elements. It involves dipping metal into a hot bath of zinc rich paint(...)
Gantt ChartYou know those weird bar charts you always see someone bring out in a meeting? A gantt chart is just a fancy name for it. Ultimately a gantt(...)
Gross Floor Area Gross floor area or GFA is a term regularly referenced at many phases of a construction project. The GFA is a form of measurement for the(...)
Guaranteed Maximum Price In construction a guaranteed maximum price (or GMP) is a form of an estimate and contract type. The guaranteed maximum price involves the(...)
GMP In construction a guaranteed maximum price (or GMP) is a form of an estimate and contract type. The guaranteed maximum price involves the(...)
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Heat Pump Heat pumps are a piece of equipment that forms part of a heating and cooling system. They are an alternative that is considered more(...)
Hollow Steel SectionA square like piece of steel that is hollow on the interior. Typically used in structural supports.
HSSA square like piece of steel that is hollow on the interior. Typically used in structural supports.
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Intumescent PaintThis definition has been taken from ArchToolboxIntumescent coatings, often referred to as intumescent paint, are used in buildings as a passive(...)
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JoistA length of timber or steel supporting part of the structure of a building, typically arranged in parallel series to support a floor or ceiling(...)
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Lanyard A lanyard in construction is an essential part in keeping workers safe from falls. It typically refers to part of a fall arrest or fall(...)
Low IronLow iron is a term used in glass. What it means is that there is low iron content in the glass. Iron is a component baked into standard glass(...)
Luffing CraneA luffer or luffing crane is often seen in urban areas where site areas are tight. A luffer crane can be determined by the angled jib. The jib(...)
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Mag LockA mag lock or electromagnetic lock is a piece of door hardware designed to be installed at the top of a door. The mag lock is a magnet that when(...)
MockupWhere multiple materials come together the consultant or owner may request a mockup. Mockups are great way to control quality as a lot of the(...)
Modular ConstructionModular construction is the act of building parts of or an entire building off site in a seperate facility. This construction method offers(...)
MortarMortar or grout is a cement like product that is installed between the joints of the bricks in order to help keep them together.
Mullion A mullion is a vertical or horizontal bracket or member that is designed to provide intermediate support to a structure or frame. A mullion has(...)
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Nelson StudsAre metal rods with caps typically welded to deck or steel in order to provide a better bond to the concrete.
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Pattern MatchingOn small areas or rooms it is possible to continue the same pattern at the seams as stone can be cut from the same slab. Stone is normally(...)
Post TensionThe act of making a concrete reinforced slab strong by adding rods which are tightened and put in tension after the concrete has cured. This(...)
PrimerA base layer of paint typically used as a first coat. The paint is normally more dense allowing it to provide better coverage and concealment to(...)
Proforma A proforma is a document that is developed by a real estate company that helps to analyze the details of a project. A proforma is typically(...)
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Quarter CutQuarter cut is a method of cutting wood whereby the logs are sawn into lumber. The resulting lumber is called quartersawn (quarter-sawn),(...)
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Rebarlong metal rods added to concrete in order to increase the strength of it in tension. Rebar comes in different shapes and sizes and can be(...)
Relationships (Schedule)Relationships are really one of the most important part of a schedule. Activities and work breakdown structure without relationships are really(...)
Running BondRunning bond is a method of laying tile, stone or brick whereby stones are staggers on top of each other in halves in order to create an offset(...)
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ScaffoldScaffolding is a temporary structure typically installed in order to provide access to elevated spaces. Depending upon your region different(...)
ScarifyingScarifying in construction is the act of removing part of (typically the top) of concrete slabs or structure. If a slab is too high for the(...)
ShoringThe act of reinforcing something with a structure in order to maintain the stability. Items such as long posts called shoring jacks or(...)
Site InstructionA Supplemental Instruction is commonly used to resolve minor issues in construction documents so long as the change does not affect contract(...)
SIA Supplemental Instruction is commonly used to resolve minor issues in construction documents so long as the change does not affect contract(...)
Spandrel PanelThe are between the clear vision glass of two floors that spans the floor slab. Typically this is done out of vision glass (see vision glass) or(...)
Stack BondStack bond is a method of laying brick or tile whereby all of the joints are in line and bricks or tile are stacked directly on top of one(...)
Swing StageSwing stages are platforms which are suspended from buildings utilizing cables. These platforms are used for man and material access to vertical(...)
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Variable Frequency DriveA Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to(...)
VFDA Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to(...)
Vent (Plumbing) A plumbing vent is a term used in mechanical design and construction. A vent is installed alongside the lines that carry waste out of your(...)
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Water closetFancy name for a flush toilet or room containing a flush toilet.
WeldThe act of heating two members of steel up to a very high temperature in order to fuse the two members together. This is usually performed using(...)
Work Break Down StructureThink of the work break down structure as your categories within your schedule. They are buckets where you can enter categories and allow you to(...)
WBSThink of the work break down structure as your categories within your schedule. They are buckets where you can enter categories and allow you to(...)
