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Glossary

Learn to speak the language on the construction site.

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  • a
  • Abatement
    A process whereby asbestos or contaminated material is removed from an area by setting up containment facilities to remove it safely without(...)
  • Acoustic Ceiling Tile
    Acoustic 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(...)
  • ACT
    Acoustic 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(...)
  • 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(...)
  • 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(...)
  • Asbestos
    There are several minerals commonly known as asbestos. These minerals can be used to make products strong, long-lasting and(...)
  • b
  • Bent Plate
    Bent plate is a term used in structural steel or miscellaneous metals scope for construction. A bent plate is basically a flat plate that has(...)
  • c
  • C-Channel
    A 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.
  • Camber
    In the world of structural steel, camber denotes a curve in the vertical plane; sweep denotes a curve in the horizontal plane. Steel members(...)
  • CCN
    Contemplated Change Notice - a formal contract document issued by a consultant to initiate a pricing exercise.
  • CD
    A 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 Directive
    A 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 Order
    In project management, a change order is a component of the change management process whereby changes in the Scope of Work agreed to by the(...)
  • CO
    In project management, a change order is a component of the change management process whereby changes in the Scope of Work agreed to by the(...)
  • Construction
    The construction definition is something that is challenging to explain in just a paragraph. The simplest definition of construction is(...)
  • Contingency
    Additional time or money allocated to a construction project in order to mitigate risk related to specific items. For example, one may carry(...)
  • Corner Bead
    A 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(...)
  • Curtainwall
    A 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 Sheet
    A set of data or information on a product or material that is pre-manufactured. For example you get cut sheets of washroom accessories, light(...)
  • d
  • Ductwork
    Sheet metal or plastic tube hollow structures that carry air throughout a complex for distribution in a heating and air conditioning system(...)
  • f
  • Fall Arrest
    Fall 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 Unit
    From 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(...)
  • FCU
    From 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(...)
  • 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(...)
  • 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(...)
  • Formwork
    created out of plywood or engineered metal systems. Formwork comes in many shapes and sizes and acts as walls or retaining barriers for when(...)
  • Foundation
    What is a building foundation? The foundation of a building is lowest point in a building which typically carries the load of the upper(...)
  • g
  • Galvanize
    a 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 Chart
    You 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(...)
  • GMP
    In construction a guaranteed maximum price (or GMP) is a form of an estimate and contract type. The guaranteed maximum price involves the(...)
  • 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(...)
  • h
  • 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 Section
    A square like piece of steel that is hollow on the interior. Typically used in structural supports.
  • HSS
    A square like piece of steel that is hollow on the interior. Typically used in structural supports.
  • i
  • Intumescent Paint
    This definition has been taken from ArchToolboxIntumescent coatings, often referred to as intumescent paint, are used in buildings as a passive(...)
  • j
  • Joist
    A length of timber or steel supporting part of the structure of a building, typically arranged in parallel series to support a floor or ceiling(...)
  • l
  • 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 Iron
    Low 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 Crane
    A 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(...)
  • m
  • Mag Lock
    A 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(...)
  • Mockup
    Where 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 Construction
    Modular construction is the act of building parts of or an entire building off site in a seperate facility. This construction method offers(...)
  • Mortar
    Mortar 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(...)
  • n
  • Nelson Studs
    Are metal rods with caps typically welded to deck or steel in order to provide a better bond to the concrete.
  • p
  • Pattern Matching
    On 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 Tension
    The act of making a concrete reinforced slab strong by adding rods which are tightened and put in tension after the concrete has cured. This(...)
  • Primer
    A 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(...)
  • q
  • Quarter Cut
    Quarter cut is a method of cutting wood whereby the logs are sawn into lumber. The resulting lumber is called quartersawn (quarter-sawn),(...)
  • r
  • Rebar
    long 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 Bond
    Running 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(...)
  • s
  • Scaffold
    Scaffolding is a temporary structure typically installed in order to provide access to elevated spaces. Depending upon your region different(...)
  • Scarifying
    Scarifying 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(...)
  • Shoring
    The act of reinforcing something with a structure in order to maintain the stability. Items such as long posts called shoring jacks or(...)
  • SI
    A Supplemental Instruction is commonly used to resolve minor issues in construction documents so long as the change does not affect contract(...)
  • Site Instruction
    A Supplemental Instruction is commonly used to resolve minor issues in construction documents so long as the change does not affect contract(...)
  • Spandrel Panel
    The 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 Bond
    Stack 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 Stage
    Swing stages are platforms which are suspended from buildings utilizing cables. These platforms are used for man and material access to vertical(...)
  • v
  • Variable Frequency Drive
    A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to(...)
  • VFD
    A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to(...)
  • w
  • Water closet
    Fancy name for a flush toilet or room containing a flush toilet.
  • WBS
    Think of the work break down structure as your categories within your schedule. They are buckets where you can enter categories and allow you to(...)
  • Weld
    The 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 Structure
    Think of the work break down structure as your categories within your schedule. They are buckets where you can enter categories and allow you to(...)

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