Glossary

Glossary of 7847 Property Development Terms

A

A Frame Design - An interior design style which features a steep peaked roofline and ceilings that are open to the rafters.

A Jointing - The juncture of two separate plaster applications usually within a single surface plane, also called Jointing.

AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) - A precast, manufactured building stone made of all-natural raw materials. It is an economical, environmentally friendly, cellular, lightweight, structural material that provides thermal and acoustic insulation as well as fire and termite resistance. AAC is available in a variety of forms, ranging from wall and roof panels to blocks and lintels.

Abacus - The flat slab on top of a column capital, supporting the architrave.

Abandonment - The failure of both parties to a contract to abide by its terms.

Abatement - Free rent or an early occupancy and often results in a provision outside or in addition to a lease.

Abatement Asbestos - Procres to control fiber release from asbestos containing materials in a building or to remove it entirely, may involve removal, encapsulation, repair, enclosure, encasement, and operations and maintenance programs.

Aberration - A distortion of an image produced by a faulty lens or mirror.

Above Building Standard - Finishing touches and special design over and above the norm to accommodate tenants special requirements.

Above Grade - The portion of a building that is above ground level.

Above Ground Tank - A large above ground vessel used for the storage of liquids.

Abrade - Scrape or wear away by friction.

Abrams Law - A rule stating that with given concrete materials and conditions of test, the ratio of the amount of water to the amount of the cement in the mixture determines the strength of the concrete, provided the mixture is of a workable consistency.

Abrasion - Wearing away by friction.

Abrasion Resistance - Ability of a surface to resist being worn away by rubbing and friction.

Abrasive - A substance used for wearing, grinding, cleaning, or polishing by rubbing or grinding.

Abrasive Coatings -

• In closed coating of paper no adhesive is exposed, as surface of paper is completely covered with abrasive.
• In open coating, surface of backing paper is covered with regulated amount of abrasive, exposing the adhesive space between the abrasive grains rces loading and filling when sanding gummy or soft materials.

Abrasive Paper - Paper with an abrasive surface; sandpaper, emery paper; garnet paper.

Abrasive Surface - A surface that has been roughened for safety or for warning.

Abrasive Surface Tile - Floor tile that has been roughened to be slip-resistant.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a plastic used for piping, has high resistance to impact, heat, and chemicals.

ABS Pipe Plumbing - A plastic pipe sold in 10 and 20 foot lengths in various diameters for plumbing stacks and drains; used primarily for drain lines.

Absolute Humidity - The density of water vapor per unit volume of air.

Absolute Pressure - The pressure measured by a gauge plus a correction for the effect of air pressure on the gauge (l4.7 psi at sea level).

Absolute Temperature - Temperature measured from absolute zero.

Absolute Title - The best form of title in a property. If you have absolute title on a property, this means that you have full rights and ownership.

Absolute Viscosity - A method of measuring viscosity using the poise as the basic measurement unit; this method utilizes a partial vacuum to induce flow in the viscometer.

Absolute Volume - The volume of an ingredient in its solid state, without voids between individual pieces or particles; in the case of fluids, the cubic content occupied; in concrete, it is the actual volume occupied by the different ingredients determined by dividing the weight of each ingredient in pounds by its specific gravity times the weight of one cubic foot of water in pounds; example. the absolute volume of one sack of cement equals 94 divided by 3.15 times 62.4 equals 0.478 cubic feet.

Absolute Zero - A theoretical lowest possible temperature, at which all molecular motion ceases, calculated to be exactly minus 273.15°Centigrade or minus 459.67° Fahrenheit.

Absoptance - The ratio of solar energy absorbed by a surface to the solar energy striking it.

Absorb - To swallow up or suck in, like wood absorbing a finishing material.

Absorbed Moisture - Moisture that has entered a solid material by absorption and has physical properties not substantially different from ordinary water at the same temperature and pressure; in aggregates, that water which is not available to become part of the mixing water.

Absorbed Water - Water held on surfaces in a material by either physical and/or chemical forces.

Absorbent - Having the ability to suck up liquid, gas, or heat.

Absorber - The blackened surface in a solar collector that absorbs the solar radiation and converts it to heat energy.

Absorber Tube In Plate - A metal absorber plate in which the heat transfer fluid flows through passages formed in the plate itself.

Absorptance - The ratio of light absorbed by a material to incident light falling on it.

Absorption Chiller - A system similar to a vapor compression chiller with the exception that it does not use a compressor, but uses thermal energy (low pressure steam, hot water, or other hot liquids) to produce the cooling effect.

Absorption Coefficient - The absorption coefficient of a material or sound-absorbing device is the ratio of the sound absorbed to the sound incident on the material or device; the sound absorbed by a material or device is usually taken as the sound energy incident on the surface minus the sound energy reflected.

Absorption Rate -

• The speed at which the real estate market can absorb new offerings of land or buildings during a specified period of time.
• The rental rate in which space is filled. The rate is expressed as a percentage and pertaining to available space leased during a predetermined period of time.
• The amount of water absorbed when a brick is partially immersed for one minute; usually expressed in either grams or ounces per minute per 30 sq. in; also called suction or initial rate of absorption.

Absorption Rate Rental - The rental rate in which space is filled. The rate is expressed as a percentage and pertaining to available space leased during a predetermined period of time.

Absorption Refrigerator - Refrigerator which creates low temperatures by using the cooling effect formed when a refrigerant is absorbed by chemical substance.

Absorption Total - The amount of water a masonry unit will absorb when immersed in water.Absorption.The relationship of the weight of the water absorbed by a material specimen subjected to prescribed immersion procre, to the weight of the dry specimen, expressed in percent.

Absorption Water -

• 1. The amount of water absorbed by a material under specified test conditions, expressed as weight percent of the test specimen.
• 2. The amount of water ingested into the core and surface papers of gypsumboard, expressed as a percent of water added over dry weight.

Abstract Of Title -

• The condensed version of the title history of a piece of property and lists transfers, mortgages and any liabilities against the property.
• A written summary of all transactions that could affect the ownership of a piece of real property, including deeds, leases, liens, and wills.

Abutment - A structure designed to receive a thrust, such as the supporting structure at either end of an arch or bridge.

Abutment Member - The bearing plate or piece of a wall system to which the loads are transferred.

Abutment Piece - The bearing plate or piece of a wall system to which the loads are transferred.

Abutting - The joining, reaching or actual touching of adjoining property. Abutting properties have a common and shared boundary.

AC (Air Conditioning) - An abbreviation for air conditioner or air conditioning.

AC (Air Conditioning) Disconnect - The main electrical on off switch near the AC Condenser.

AC (Air Conditioning) Condenser - The outside fan unit of the Air Conditioning system. It removes the heat from the Freon gas and turns the gas back into a liquid and pumps the liquid back to the coil in the furnace.

AC (Alternating Current) - An abbreviation for alternating current.

AC (Alternating Current) Automatic Low Voltage Secondary - A distribution system wherein the secondary means of an alternating current system are interconnected and supplied through transformers connected in parallel on the secondary side through fuses or automatic switching devices arranged to prevent the feeding of fault current on the primary side of the transformers through the secondary mains; such a system is also called an alternating current automatic low-voltage secondary network.

AC (Alternating Current) Circuit - The flow of current through a conductor first in one direction then in reverse. It is used exclusively in residential and commercial wiring because it provides greater flexibility in voltage selection and simplicity of equipment design.

AC (Alternating Current) Relay - An electromagnetic or electromechanical valve or switch using small currents and voltages to control the making or breaking of electrical contacts on a circuit.

Accelerate - To quicken or hasten the natural progress of certain actions or events.

Accelerated Depreciation - The declining balance and sum of the years digits method which give greater depreciation to the early years of the life of the assets.

Accelerated Drying - The process of drying block or brick with relatively warm, dry air, or other means.

Accelerating Admixture - Substance that increases the rate of hydration, shortens setting time, or increases strength development in concrete, mortar, grout, or plaster.

Acceleration -

• Requiring change order work to be done without extension of the contract time.
• An increase in the rate of speed.

Acceleration Clause - A written provision in a mortgage, note, conditional sales contract or bond that sates, in the event of default, the whole amount of principal and interest may be declared totally due and payable upon demand.

Accelerator - Any material added to stucco, plaster or mortar which speeds up the natural set.

Accelerogram - The record from an accelerograph showing acceleration as a function of time.

Acceptance -

• Manifestation that a party assents or agrees to a contract.
• Approval of the work of a construction contract.
• A positive response to an offer or a counteroffer. Acceptances may be conditional, expressed, implied or qualified, depending on the circumstances of the deal and whether there are any further mitigations, conditions or requirements.

Acceptance Basis - The method of determining whether a lot of material is acceptable under given or accepted specifications.

Access - An opening to various areas in a building.

Access Control - A computerized security system designed to protect against unauthorized entry into buildings or building areas.

Access Control Card - An entry device that is operated by a small magnetized plastic card, similar to a credit card.

Access Door - A door or panel creating a means of access for the inspection or repair of concealed equipment.

Access Door Ceiling - A hinged door or loose fitting panel that allows for admittance to an attic.

Access Floor - A raised floor platform with removable panels to provide access to the area below.

Access Panel - Removable or swinging panel, usually flush with adjoining surface to provide access to concealed equipment or system components for inspection and maintenance purposes.

Access Secure Control Unit - The controlling device of a computerized security system designed to protect against unauthorized entry into buildings or building areas.

Access Stair - A stair system to provide specific access to roofs, mechanical equipment rooms, or as a means of emergency exit.

Access Sub Floor - The opening in a floor, wall or other surface area that allows access to behind wall, under floor and otherwise non-exposed areas under the floor level for repairs, installation, upkeep and inspection.

Access Subfloor - The opening in a floor, wall or other surface area that allows access to behind wall, under floor and otherwise non-exposed areas under the floor level for repairs, installation, upkeep and inspection.

Accessible -

• As applied to equipment, admitting close approach because not guarded by locked doors (unless keys are readily available to those requiring access), elevation or other effective means.
• As applied to wiring methods, not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building; capable of being removed without disturbing the building structure, finish, or fixed appurtenance thereto.

Accessible Heremetic - Assembly of motor and compressor inside a single bolted housing unit.

Accessible Location - A location which can be reached by standing on the floor, platform, runway, or other permanent working area.

Accessories -

• Tile accessories, ceramic or non-ceramic articles, affixed to orINSERTed in tile work, as exemplified by towel bars, paper, soap and tumbler holders, grab bars and the like.
• Concrete accessories, implements or devices used in the formwork, pouring, spreading, and finishing, of concrete surfaces.

Accessory - An object or device aiding or contributing in a secondary way.

Accessory Reinforcing - Items used to facilitate the installation of masonry or concrete reinforcing.

Accident Sickness Unemployment Insurance (ASU) - An insurance policy that covers you in the event of you being unable to pay your mortgage due to accident, sickness or unemployment.

Accord And Satisfaction - Conduct of a debtor that indicates agreement to an amount of money owed by the debtor to a creditor.

Accordion Folding Door - A folding, hinged, or creased door with rollers which run along a track.

Accordion Partition - A folded, creased, or hinged interior dividing wall.

Account - A statement of transactions during a fiscal period and the resulting balance in each category of income and expense.

Account Balance - The difference between the sum of the debits and credits.

Accounting - The recording and auditing of financial accounts.

Accounting Accrual - A method of keeping accounting records in which income is recorded when services are rendered and expenses are recorded when incurred, rather than when cash is received or paid out.

Accounting Cash - A method of keeping accounting records in which income is recorded when actually received and expenses are recorded when cash is paid out, also called Cash Basis.

Accounting Period - The time that elapses between the preparation of financial statements.

Accounts Payable - Money owed by the firm to vendors for services or materials.

Accounts Receivable - Money owed to the firm for services rendered or for reimbursements.

Accoustical Plaster - Sound absorbing finishing materials mill-formulated for application in areas where a rction in sound reverberation or noise intensity is desired; these materials usually are applied to a minimum thickness of 1/2 inch and generally provide a noise rction coefficient of at least .45 decibels.

Accoustical Plastic - Sound absorbing finishing materials mill-formulated for application in areas where a rction in sound reverberation or noise intensity is desired; these materials usually are applied to a minimum thickness of 1/2 inch and generally provide a noise rction coefficient of at least .45 decibels.

Accretion - An increase of land area by the gradual or imperceptible action of natural forces.

Accrual Accounting - A method of keeping accounting records in which income is recorded when services are rendered and expenses are recorded when incurred, rather than when cash is received or paid out.

Accruals - The recognition of income and expenses as they occur even though they are not received or paid for until a later period.

Accrued Expenses - The entry into the liability accounts of expenses, incurred but not paid, at a given date.

Accrued Income - The entry into the asset accounts of income earned, but not received, at a given date.

Accrued Interest - Interest that has been earned but not yet paid.

Accrued Liabilities - Amounts representing liabilities incurred, but not paid, by a given date.

Accumulator - Storage tank which receives liquid refrigerant from evaporator and prevents it from flowing into suction line before vaporizing.

Acetate Butyl - A lacquer solvent made from butyl alcohol by reaction with acetic acid.

Acetate Cellulose - A binder made by chemical reaction of acetic acid on cellulose (cotton linters).

Acetic Acid - A compound, which in the pure state is a colourless, pungent, biting liquid; vinegar contains 4 to 12 percent of acetic acid.

Acetone - A water-white volatile, highly flammable solvent with ether-like odor; made by destructive distillation of hardwood, fermentation of butyl alcohol, and from petroleum sources; used extensively in making paint removers; dimethyl ketone; see Ketones.

Acetylene - A colourless hydrocarbon gas, burning with a bright flame, used as a fuel in welding and soldering.

Achromatic -

• Having no colour, being black, gray, or white.
• Being neutral in colour.
• Difficult to colour.
• Lenses practically free from light of unwanted colour.

Acid - A sour substance, one which liberates hydrogen ions in water and is sour and corrosive; will turn litmus red and has a pH of less than 7; acids are generally divided into two classes.

• Strong mineral or inorganic acids such as sulfamic, sulfuric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, or nitric.
• Weak organic or natural acids such as acetic (vinegar), citric (citrus fruit juices), oxalic.
• Fatty acids (oleic) such as palmitic and stearic.

Acid Acetic - A compound, which in the pure state is a colourless, pungent, biting liquid; vinegar contains 4 to 12 percent of acetic acid.

Acid Condition In System - Condition in which refrigerant or oil in system is mixed with fluids that are acid in nature.

Acid Demand - Amount of acid required to lower pH and total alkalinity of pool water to correct level.

Acid Etch -

• The use of acid to cut lines into metal or glass.
• The use of acid to remove the surface of concrete.

Acid Number - A designation of the amount of free acid in oils, flats, waxes and resins, expressed as the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize one gram of the material being tested.

Acid Proof Counter - A horizontal work surface resistant to acid spills.

Acid Resistant Grout - A grout that resists the effect of prolonged contact with acids.

Acid Resisting (AR) - Resistant to acid.

Acid Resisting Brick - Brick suitable for use in contact with chemicals, usually in conjunction with acid-resistant mortars.

Acid Test Ratio - A calculation of a firms liquidity position; that is the ratio of its quick assets (readily convertible to cash) to current liabilities.

Acidity - A general term applying to substances on the acid side of neutral.

Acknowledgement Of Understanding - Agreement signed by seller confirming understanding and agreement of documentation presented by the agent.

ACM - Asbestos Containing Material.

ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) - Any material containing more than one percent asbestos.

Acoustic -

• Relating to sound or the sense of hearing.
• The properties of a room or auditorium in transmitting sound.

Acoustic Paint - Paint which absorbs or deadens sound.

Acoustical - Relating to sound or to the sense of hearing.

Acoustical Block - A masonry block used for its sound-absorbing qualities.

Acoustical Materials - Those capable of absorbing sound waves.

Acoustical Panel - Ceiling and wall mounted modular units composed of sound absorbing materials.

Acoustical Tile - Special tile for walls and ceilings made of mineral, wood, vegetable fibers, cork, or metal. Its purpose is to control sound volume while providing cover.

Acoustical Treatment - The act or process of applying acoustical materials to walls and ceilings.

Acoustics - The science of sound including its production, transmission, and effects.

ACR Tubing (Air Conditioning Refrigeration) Tubing - Tubing used in air conditioning and refrigeration; ends are sealed to keep tubing clean and dry.

Acre - Land measurement equal to 43,560 square feet.

Acre Foot - A volume unit for measuring large quantities of water as in reservoirs and lakes; the amount of water that would cover one acre one foot deep, equal to 43,560 cubic feet.

Acre Inch - One twelfth of an acre-foot.

Across - The application of gypsum board where the long dimension is applied at right angles to the framing.

Acrylic -

• A general class of resinous polymers derived from esters, amides or other acrylic aid derivatives.
• A transparent plastic material used in sheet form for window glass and skylights.
• Modacrylic is a polymer composed of less than 85% but at least 35% by weight of acrylonitrile.In carpeting acrylic is a generic term including acrylic and modified acrylic (modacrylic) fibers.

Acrylic Carpet - A carpet made from acrylic fiber composed of synthetic polymers.

Acrylic Plastics - Plastics based on resins made by the polymerization of acrylic monomers, such as ethyl acrylate and methecrylate.

Acrylic Resins - Family of synthetic resins made by polymerizing esters of acrylic acid; synthetic resins of excellent colour and clarity used in both emulsion and solvent-based paints.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a plastic used for piping, has high resistance to impact, heat, and chemicals.

ACS (Anhydrous Calcium Sulphate) - A stable form of gypsum from which practically all of the water of crystallization has been removed; also called dead-burned gypsum; dry chemical made of calcium, sulphur and oxygen, CaSO4.

Act of God - An unexpected event, not within the control of either party, that makes the performance of a contract impossible, unreasonable, or illegal.

Activated Carbon - Specially processed carbon used as a filter-drier; commonly used to clean air; pulverized carbon treated to be especially adsorbent.

Activated Charcoal - Specially processed carbon used as a filter-drier; commonly used to clean air; pulverized carbon treated to be especially adsorbent.

Activator - A catalyst, curing agent, or coreactant, as for an epoxy resin.

Active Door - In a pair of doors, the leaf that opens first and the one to which the lock is applied.

Active Pressure - The pressure exerted by retained earth; such as the earth retained by a retaining wall.

Active System - A solar heating or cooling system that requires external mechanical power to move the collected heat.

Actual Dimension - The true size of a piece of lumber after it has been milled and dried; see Nominal Dimension.

Actual Notice - The giving of notice by mailing it or handing it to the recipient.

Actuator - That portion of a regulating valve which converts mechanical fluid, thermal energy, or electrical energy into mechanical motion to open or close the valve seats.

Acute Angle - An angle of less than 90 degrees.

AD Plywood - A designation or gradation of plywood. The A and the D designate quality of surface layers.

Ad Valorem - Meaning according to value.

Adapter - A mechanical device for connecting two different parts.

Adapter Cubicle - A device for connecting partitions into different positions.

Adapter Terminal - Electrical fitting attached to the end of a conductor or to a piece of equipment, for taking power from an outlet in a way for which it was not designed.

Adaptive Reuse - Adapting an old or historical building for a new purpose.

Addenda - A revision in the contract document made prior to the execution of the owner-contractor contract.

Addendum - A textual matter that is added onto a contract, legal document or publication usually after other items have already been agreed to.

Additional Security Fee - An up-front, one-off fee paid to the lender to protect them against the borrower defaulting on the loan. This additional fee is usually charged on mortgages over 75% of the house value. Also known as MIG, Indemnity Guarantee Premium, and Mortgage Indemnity Premium.

Additive - A substance added to another to impart different or special qualities; an admixture.

Additive Alternate - An alternate bid that, if accepted, adds to the contract price.

Adduct Amine - Amine curing agent combined with a portion of the resin.

Adhered - Attached by adhesion, rather than mechanical anchorage, as adhered veneer.

Adhered Fully - A completely attached (adhered) roof membrane.

Adhered Veneer - A veneer secured and supported through adhesion to an approved bonding material applied over an approved backing.

Adherence - The properties of bodies for sticking together.

Adherend - A body that is held to another body by an adhesive.

Adherend Failure - Failure of an adhesive joint when the separation is within the adherend.

Adhesion -

• The property of a coating or sealant to bond to the surface to which it is applied.
• The state in which two surfaces are held together by interfacial forces which may consist of valence forces or interlocking action, or both; bonding strength; the attraction of a coating to the substrate, or of one coat of paint to another.
• The soil quality of sticking to buckets, blades, and other parts of excavators.

Adhesion Agent - A substance used for the purpose of improving the adhesion between a bituminous binder and the aggregate. The term generally refers to adhesion in the presence of water.

Adhesion Mechanical - Adhesion between surfaces in which the adhesive holds the parts together by interlocking action.

Adhesion Type Ceramic Veneer - Thinner sections of ceramic veneer, held in place by adhesion of mortar to unit and to backing; no metal anchors are required.

Adhesive - A substance that is capable of bonding material together by surface attachment.

Adhesive Application - A means of applying gypsum board utilizing adhesives and supplemental mechanical fasteners.

Adhesive Bond - A relationship between two materials in contact with each other causing them to stick or adhere together by means other than cohesion.

Adhesive Ceramic - Used for bonding tile to a surface, rubber solvents, rubber and resin based emulsions used as adhesives.

Adhesive Failure - Failure of an adhesive joint when the plane of separation is at the adhesive-adherend interface.

Adhesive Pressure Sensitive - An adhesive that will adhere to a surface at room temperature by briefly applied pressure alone.

Adhesive Roof - A bonding agent used to cement roof materials.

Adhesive Solvent - An adhesive having a volatile organic liquid as a vehicle, not including water-based adhesives.

Adhesive Spreader - A notched trowel used in the application of laminating adhesives.

Adhesive Tile - Organic adhesive used for bonding tile to a surface; rubber solvents and resin-based and rubber emulsions can be used as adhesives.

Adhesive Wall Cups - Special clips or nails with large perforated bases for mastic application to most firm surfaces.

Adiabatic -

• Impassable to heat.
• Occurring without gain or loss of heat.

Adiabatic Compression - Compressing refrigerant gas without removing or adding heat.

Adiabatic Curing - The maintenance of ambient conditions during the setting and hardening of concrete so that heat is neither lost nor gained.

Adjacent - Nearby or adjoining.

Adjustable Bar Hanger - A metal hanger that can be made to fit the varying distances between floor and ceiling joists or rafters to securely hold electrical outlet boxes and devices.

Adjustable Bevel Square - Use this square to transfer any angle accurately.

Adjustable Countersink - A device that cuts the recess for screw heads and threads. It has a drill bit or knife blade for cutting the recess for the screw thread whose length adjusts to the length of the screw head.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) - A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjustable and can increase or decrease according to prevailing financial market conditions.

Adjustable Shelf - A shelf that can be adjusted to different heights.

Adjustable Shelf Standard - Metal items to support shelves usually in the form of strips attached to vertical surfaces.

Adjustable Speed Motor - One in which the speed can be varied gradually over a considerable range, but when once adjusted remains practically unaffected by the load, such as shunt motors designed for a variation of field strength.

Adjustable Triangle - A transparent plastic drafting tool that can be adjusted and set for any angle.

Adjustable Wrench - An open faced wrench which can be adjusted to different sizes.

Administration Fee - An administration fee often charged for not taking a building and contents insurance policy, or some other product offered by the lender in conjunction with a mortgage.

Admixture -

• A material other than water, aggregates, and hydraulic cement used as an ingredient of concrete or mortar, and added immediately before or during its mixing.
• A chemical additive used to alter the normal properties of concrete.
• Any substance added to a plaster component or to plaster mortar for the purpose of altering its properties.

Admixture Accelerating - Substance that increases the rate of hydration, shortens setting time, or increases strength development in concrete, mortar, grout, or plaster.

Admixture Water Reducing - Material added to cement or a concrete mix to cut down on its water content.

Adobe - A sun dried, unburned brick of clay (earth) and straw used in construction. Adobe is used primarily in the Southwest United States.

Adobe Brick Construction - Construction that utilizes unburned (unfired) clay masonry units.

Adobe Masonry - Construction that utilizes unburned (unfired) clay masonry units.

ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) - Alternative Dispute Resolution which includes mainly negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

Adsorbent - Usually of a solid, having the ability to attract molecules of liquids, solutions, or gasses that adhere to its surface.

Adsorption - The process of attraction to a surface; the attachment of foreign molecules on the surface of a substance.

Adulteration - The addition of unwanted materials.

Advance - Money that is given in advance to purchase property usually in the form of a loan or mortgage on the property.

Advancing Colours - Colours that give an illusion of being closer to the observer; warm colours in which red-orange predominates.

Adverse Credit - A poor credit record resulting from not keeping current with mortgages, loans or other debts.

Adverse Possession - The overt occupation of real property under some claim of right that is opposed to the claim of some other claimant.

Advertisement for Bids - Published notice for receiving of bids for a construction project.

Advisor Construction Manager - A construction manager who is an advisor to the owner and who does not guarantee the construction cost.

Adze - A tool for cutting away the surface of wood, like an axe with an arched blade at right angles to the handle.

Aerate - To introduce air into a substance, such as into water at the kitchen sink.

Aerated Concrete Autoclaved - A factory-produced building stone; precast, lightweight concrete, in the form of large building blocks, panels, or planks; made of closed cell concrete steam cured in a pressurized autoclave.

Aeration - The introduction of air into soil or water.

Aerator - The round screened screw - on tip of a sink spout. It mixes water and air for a smooth flow.

Aerembolism - Caisson Desease.

Aerial -

• Relating to the air or atmosphere.
• A metallic device used for radiating or receiving radio waves.
• An antenna.

Aerobic - Activities or processes that can take place only in the presence of air or oxygen.

Aerosol -

• A colloidal suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas, like smoke, fog, and mist.
• A substance dispensed from a pressurized can in aerosol form.

Aesthetic Effect - Relating to the beautiful rather than to the merely pleasing, useful, or utilitarian; artistic and in accordance with the principles of good taste.

Aesthetic Value - A value given to a property based upon and created by the physical presentation of the property.

Aesthetics - Concerned with beauty, refinement, and good taste.

AEV (Automatic Expansion Valve) - Pressure controlled valve which controls high pressure liquid refrigerant to low pressure liquid refrigerant.

AEV Valve - Automatic Expansion Valve.

Affidavit - A written legal statement.

Affidavit Swear Fee - A fee charged when a mortgage lender is required to swear an affidavit (written legal statement) to a solicitor in connection with mortgage arrears.

Affiliate Tradesmen - Your insurance provider may insist that any repair work on your house is carried out by a tradesmen with whom they have negotiated favourable rates and who have been approved as meeting certain standards of workmanship.

Agency Sales Fee - A fixed amount or percentage of the value of your house paid to an estate agent when they sell your house.

Agent -

• Those who act with delegated authority for a principal.
• Property agents who link up buyers and sellers.
• Estate Agent advertise houses & arrange viewings.
• Mortgage Agent link up buyers with mortgage options.

Agent Air Entraining - A substance added to concrete, mortar or cement that produces air bubbles during mixing, making it easier to work with and increasing its resistance to frost and freezing.

Agent Curing - One part of a multi-part sealant which, when added to the base, will cause the base to change its physical state by chemical reaction between the two parts.

Agent Recommendation - A product or service provider recommended by estate agents, mortgage brokers or building societies with whom they have often negotiated favourable terms and so can offer a special deal as part of the package. It should never be a mandatory requirement that you must use their selected firm or product, and if they do insist, then it might be worth complaining. Companies often receive financial incentives to recommend one particular firm, product or service - whilst this is perfectly legal, it means they don't necessarily have your best interests at heart.

Agents -

• Those who act with delegated authority for a principal.
• Property agents who link up buyers and sellers.
• Estate Agent advertise houses & arrange viewings.
• Mortgage Agent link up buyers with mortgage options.

Agglomeration - Formation of masses or aggregates of pigments; not dispersed.

Aggregate -

• Inert particles such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, or expanded materials, in a concrete, plaster, or terrazzo mixture.
• Granular material, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, and iron blast-furnace slag, used with a cementing medium to form a hydraulic-cement, concrete or mortar.
• Crushed stone, crushed slag, or water-worn gravel used for surfacing a built-up roof.
• Any granular mineral material.

Aggregate Coarse - One of the four ingredients of concrete, usually gravel, which is retained on a #4 sieve.

Aggregate Coated Panel - Sheet material, usually plywood, with decorative face of aggregate bonded with epoxy applied to one face.

Aggregate Fine - One of the four ingredients of concrete, usually sand, which will pass the #4 sieve and will be retained on the #200 sieve.

Aggregate Finish Exposed - A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture off the top layer of the aggregate usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces.

Aggregate Heavyweight - Aggregate of high specific gravity such as barite, magnetite, limonite, limenite, iron, or steel used to produce heavy concrete.

Aggregate Lightweight - Aggregate of low specific gravity, such as expanded or sintered clay, shale, slate, diatomaceous shale, perlite, vermiculite, or slag; natural pumice, scoria, volcanic cinders, tuff, and diatomite, sintered fly ash, or industrial cinders; used to produce lightweight concrete; aggregate with a dry, loose weight of 70 pounds per cubic foot or less.

Aggregate Storage Bins - In a concrete batching plant, the bins that store the necessary aggregate sizes and feed them to the dryer in substantially the same proportions as are required in the finished mix.

Agitator - Device used to cause motion in confined fluid.

Agreement - A mutual understanding; a meeting of the minds; a contract duly executed and legally binding.

Agreement As Is - When a buyer accepts whatever physical condition a property is in at the time the contract is signed.

Agreement In Principle - An agreement in principle takes the form of confirmation from your lender that, subject to various conditions, they are prepared to give you a mortgage up to a certain amount.

Agricultural Covenant - A planning condition which permits the construction of a residential dwelling providing it is occupied by a person employed or associated with working on the land. Properties like this are subject to low value as they can only be sold to another person in similar circumstance unless the covenant is lifted.

Agricultural Varnishes - Varnishes designed to protect and beautify farm implements and machinery.

AHI Unit - Air Handling Unit.

AHU (Air Handling Unit) - Equipment that is designed to move conditioned air, containing fan(s), filter(s), heating coil(s), and/or cooling coil(s); units can be classified as either a central system or unitary; unitary equipment can be classified as rooftop unit, unitary package unit, unitary split system, or compound room unit.

Air -

• An invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, a mixture of mainly oxygen and nitrogen; the atmosphere.
• An air conditioning system.

Air Adjusting Valve - Spray gun valve controlling input air.

Air Break - In a plumbing system, a physical separation between a drain outlet from a fixture and an indirect waste receptor from the fixture.

Air Brick - A brick designed with holes through it so as to provide ventilation. Widely used by the construction industry and self build enthusiasts.

Air Bubble - Bubble in paint film caused by entrapped air.

Air Cap - Perforated housing for atomizing air at head of spray gun; also called air nozzle.

Air Carbon Arc Cutting - An arc cutting process in which the severing of metals is effected by melting with the heat of an arc between an electrode and the base metal and an air stream is used to facilitate cutting.

Air Chamber - A short piece of pipe about 10 inches long, installed above the hot and cold valves of fixtures such as sinks, lavatories, and clothes washers which traps a column of air intended to cushion the rush of water as the valve is closed and prevents water hammer.

Air Chambers - Pressure absorbing devices that eliminate water hammer. They should be installed as close as possible to the valves or faucet and at the end of long runs of pipe.

Air Change Method - A method of calculating the quantity of infiltration air into a building.

Air Changes Per Hour - The number of times the air volume of a room or building can be replaced in an hour by an air-handling, circulating, or exhaust system.

Air Cleaner - Device used for removal of airborne impurities.

Air Cleaning - A control strategy to remove various airborne particulates and/or gases from the air; the three types of air cleaning most commonly used are particulate filtration, electrostatic precipitation, and gas absorption.

Air Coil - Coil on some types of heat pumps used either as an evaporator or a condenser.

Air Compressor - A mechanism which forces air at a high pressure into a storage tank where it is released through a regulator and a hose to power small tools.

Air Conditioner (AC) - A unit that cools and circulates air within a building.

Air Conditioner Condenser - The outside fan unit of the Air Conditioning system. It removes the heat from the Freon gas and turns the gas back into a liquid and pumps the liquid back to the coil in the furnace.

Air Conditioner Disconnect - The main electrical ON - OFF switch near the A/C Condenser.

Air Conditioning - The process of forced air that cools and circulates air within a building.

Air Conditioning Refrigeration Tubing - Tubing used in air conditioning and refrigeration; ends are sealed to keep tubing clean and dry.

Air Content - The amount of entrained or entrapped air in concrete or mortar, exclusive of pore space in aggregate particles, usually expressed as a percentage of total volume of concrete or mortar.

Air Cooled Compressor - The condenser component of a refrigeration system placed out of the refrigerant area in a series of copper tubes; a fan blows outdoor air across the tubes which contain the refrigerant.

Air Cooled Condensor - Heat of compression is dissipated from condensing coils to surrounding air, by convection or by a fan or blower.

Air Cooler - Mechanism designed to lower temperature of air passing through it.

Air Core - Coil of wire not having a metal core.

Air Core Solenoid - Solenoid which has a hollow core instead of a solid core.

Air Diffuser - Air distribution outlet or grille designed to direct airflow into desired patterns.

Air Distribution - To force air to desired locations in a building or facility.

Air Dried - Lumber stacked and stored so that it is dried naturally by the exposure to air.

Air Dried Lumber - Lumber that has been piled in yards or sheds for any length of time. For the United States as a whole, the minimum moisture content of thoroughly air dried lumber is 12 to 15 percent and the average is somewhat higher. In the South, air dried lumber may be no lower than 19 percent.

Air Dry Weight - The unit weight of a light weight concrete specimen cured for seven days with neither loss nor gain of moisture at 60° F. to 80° F. and dried for 21 days in 50 plus or minus 7% relative humidity at 73.4° F. plus or minus 2° F.

Air Drying - Drying by oxidation or evaporating by simple exposure to air; used for drying block, brick, wood, or paint without any special equipment, simply by exposure to ambient air.

Air Duct - Ducts, usually made of sheet metal, that carry cooled air to all rooms.

Air Eliminator - A mechanical device that expels excess air.

Air Embolism - Caisson Disease.

Air Entertainment - The process by which air is introduced into a material while in a liquid or plastic state in the form of small isolated bubbles.

Air Entrained Concrete - Concrete containing an admixture that produces microscopic air bubbles in the concrete; used to improve workability and freeze resistance.

Air Entraining Agent - A substance added to concrete, mortar or cement that produces air bubbles during mixing, making it easier to work with and increasing its resistance to frost and freezing.

Air Entraining Cement - A portland cement with an admixture that causes a controlled quantity of stable, microscopic air bubbles to form in the concrete during mixing.

Air Entrainment - Introduction of air into a process such as in concrete mixing or in a whirlpool bath.

Air Entrapment - Inclusion of air bubbles in paint film.

Air Exchange Rate -

• The number of times that the outdoor air replaces the volume of air in a building per unit time, typically expressed as air changes per hour.
• The number of times that the ventilation system replaces the air within a room or area within the building.

Air Filters - Adhesive filters made of metal or various fibers that are coated with adhesive liquid to which the particles of lint and dust adhere. These filters will remove as much as 90% of the dirt if they do not become clogged. The more common filters are of the throwaway or disposable type.

Air Gap -

• Drainage System - The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of a water pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle into which it is discharging.
• Water Distribution System - The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
• In a water supply system, the vertical distance from the top of the flood rim to the faucet or spout which supplies fresh water to the fixture; designed to prevent back siphonage.
• The space between magnetic poles or between rotating and stationary assemblies in a motor or generator.

Air Handler - Fan-blower, heat transfer coil, filter, and housing parts of a system.

Air Handling System - A system to heat, cool, humidify, dehumidify, filter, and transport air, consisting of an air handling unit, fresh air and exhaust air damper at the building exterior, ductwork, supply air, diffusers or registers, and return air grills in the conditioned space.

Air Handling Unit (AHU) - Equipment that is designed to move conditioned air, containing fan(s), filter(s), heating coil(s), and/or cooling coil(s); units can be classified as either a central system or unitary; unitary equipment can be classified as rooftop unit, unitary package unit, unitary split system, or compound room unit.

Air Hose - Hose of air supply quality, usually red.

Air Infiltration - The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors.

Air Jet - In blast cleaning, type of blast cleaning gun in which the abrasive is conveyed to the gun by partial vacuum.

Air Lock - Air trapped within a pipe which restricts or blocks the flow of liquid through the pipe.

Air Lock Entry - A vestibule sealed by a second interior door.

Air Manifold - Common air supply chamber for several lines.

Air Monitoring Test - A procedure used to determine the contents in a volume of air over a measurable period of time.

Air Nozzle - Perforated housing for atomizing air at head of spray gun; also called air nozzle.

Air Plenum - Any space used to convey return air in a building or structure.

Air Powered Hoist - A hoist that is operated by compressed air.

Air Purger - A mechanical device that removes unwanted air.

Air Quality Indoor - The purity of indoor air or a lack of polluting gases or particles given off by equipment and furnishings in a space that can affect human health.

Air Return - The ductwork, and related grills, that carries room air back to the furnace for reheating.

Air Rights - The right to use the space above a piece of real property.

Air Sealing - The practice of sealing unintentional gaps in the building envelope (from the interior) in order to reduce uncontrolled air leakage.

Air Sensing Thermostat - Thermostat unit in which sensing element is located in refrigerated space.

Air Slack - A condition where soft-body clay, after absorbing moisture and being exposed to the atmosphere, will spall a piece of clay and/or glaze.

Air Space - An open space or cavity in a wall or between building materials.

Air Structure - A canvas structure supported by air produced by fans.

Air Supported Structure - A structure consisting of a pliable membrane which achieves and maintains its shape and support by internal air pressure.

Air System - Solar domestic hot water systems employing air-type collectors are available. Hot air generated by these collectors is fan forced through an air-to-liquid heat exchanger with the potable water being pumped through the liquid section of the exchanger. The heated water is then circulated through the storage tank in a similar fashion to the liquid collector system. Air does not need to be protected from freezing or boiling, is non-corrosive, and is free. However, air ducts and air handling units require greater space than piping, and air leaks are difficult to detect.

Air To Air Heat Exchanger - A method of heat recovery in which the intake and exhaust ducts are brought together at the heat exchanger; this system transfers only heat.

Air Tool - Attachments using compressed air to saw, spray-paint, sand, drill, or nail.

Air Transformer - Device for controlled rction in air pressure.

Air Type Collector - A collector that uses air as the heat transfer fluid.

Air Valve - Control valve in air line system.

Air Vent -

• An opening in a building or structure for the passage of air.
• Valve, either manual or automatic, to remove air from the highest point of a coil or piping assembly.

Air Voids - The small hollow spaces in cement paste caused by unwanted entrapped air bubbles and the smaller voids caused by air-entraining admixtures.

Air Volume - The measure of volume of air. When testing systems, find the CFM by multiplying the face velocity times the free area in square feet. The face velocity is the amount of air passing through the face of an outlet or return. Free area is the total area of the openings in the outlet or inlet through which air can pass.

Air Washer - Device used to clean air while increasing or lowering its humidity.

Air Well - A space within a building, enclosed by walls, partially or totally open to the outside air at the roof, and intended solely as a means of ventilation for bathrooms, kitchens and service rooms.

Airbourne Sound - Sound originating in a space; airborne sound can be created from the radiation of structure-borne sound into the air.

Airbrick - A brick designed with holes through it so as to provide ventilation. Widely used by the construction industry and self build enthusiasts.

Airless Spraying - Spraying using hydraulic pressure to atomize the paint.

Airway - The space between the ceiling insulation and the roof boards.

Aisle - A passage space between rows of seats or tables; a passage space between rows of stored goods in a warehouse.

Alabaster - A compact translucent, usually white, form of gypsum, often carved into lamps, vases, and ornaments.

Alarm - A warning sound or device, as in smoke alarm or burglar alarm.

Alarm Box - A box housing a warning sound or device, as in smoke alarm or burglar alarm.

Alarm Burglar - A security system that signals when any of the contacts have been interrupted.

Alarm System - A system installed in a house such as a warning sound or device, as in smoke alarm or burglar alarm.

Alclad - Tradename for an aluminum alloy coated with pure aluminum to give high corrosion resistance.

Alcohol Butyl - An alcohol of higher boiling range than wood alcohol or grain alcohol, obtained from corn by fermentation.

Alcove - A small recessed section of a room or outdoor area.

ALD (Average Least Dimension) - The average height of the aggregate particles when they are spread as a single layer with their least dimensions vertical.

Alfresco - In the open air.

Alienation - A conveyance of property to another.

Alienation Clause - A clause in a mortgage that allows a lender to call the entire balance of a loan due if the property is sold, essentially a "due-on-sale" provision of a mortgage.

Align -

• To be or come into precise adjustment or correct relative position.
• The faces of objects that are in line with each other, or when their centre lines lie on the same axis.

Aliphatic - Describes a major class of organic compounds, many of which are useful as solvents.

Alkali Aggregate Reaction - The chemical reaction in concrete or mortar between alkalis (sodium and potassium oxides) from portland cement or other sources and certain constituents of some aggregates, primarily certain phases of silica, which causes deterioration in the form of strength loss, excessive expansion, and cracks in the concrete or mortar.

Alkyd - A synthetic resin, made usually with phthalic anhydride, glycerol and fatty acids from vegetable oils.

All Inclusive Deed - A trust deed or mortgage that includes underlying financing; one payment is made to the all-inclusive mortgagee or beneficiary who then makes the payments on the underlying loans; also called a Wraparound Deed of Trust or Mortgage.

All Inclusive Deed Of Trust Or Mortgage - A trust deed or mortgage that includes underlying financing; one payment is made to the all-inclusive mortgagee or beneficiary who then makes the payments on the underlying loans; also called a Wraparound Deed of Trust or Mortgage.

All Purpose Compound - In gypsum wallboard installation, a joint treatment material that can be used as a bedding compound for tape, a finishing compound, and as a laminating adhesive or texturing product.

All Risk Property - A property insurance policy that insures against all risks of loss that are not specifically excluded.

All Stretcher Bond - A brick bond showing only stretchers on the face of the wall with each stretcher divided evenly over the stretchers under it; staggered vertical joints.

Allen Head - A screw head with a recess requiring a hexagon shaped key, used mainly on machinery. These may be in metric or SAE sizes.

Allen Key - An L-shaped hexagonal rod designed to fit into a hexagonal hole in a bolt head.

Allen Type Screw - Screw with recessed hex-shaped head.

Allen Wrench - An L-shaped hexagonal rod designed to fit into a hexagonal hole in a bolt head; also called an Allen Key.

Alley -

• A narrow street or passageway behind buildings.
• A building for bowling.

Alligatoring -

• The cracking and crazing that occurs in asphalt roofing due to age and the effect of solar radiation and oxidation.
• Coarse checking pattern characterized by a slipping of the new paint coating over the old coating to the extent that the old coating can be seen through the fissures, caused by improper build-up of paint.
• In asphalt paving,Interconnected cracks forming a series of small blocks resembling an alligators skin or chicken-wire, caused by excessive deflection of the surface over unstable subgrade or lower courses of the pavement.

Allowable Bearing Capacity - The amount of pressure, expressed in pounds per square foot, that any particular soil will support, in the opinion of a soil mechanics engineer, taking into account acceptable settling and a safety factor.

Allowance - In the contract documents, a sum noted by the architect to be included in the contract sum, for a specific item; for example, a stipulated sum for carpeting or hardware which will be selected at a later date.

Alloy -

• A substance composed of two or more metals.
• Or of a metal and a nonmetallic constituent.

Alluvium - Any geologically recent deposit of fine soil, silt, sand, and gravel from an ancient river.

Alpha Gypsum - A class of specially processed calcined gypsum having properties of low consistency and high strength.

Alteration - Any building change that does not alter the total volume.

Alternate -

• A stipulated construction item and its cost, in addition to the original base bid, for a specific item to be included or excluded from the project; a mutually agreed upon item that is used in place of the originally specified item.
• An alternate bid that, if accepted, adds to the contract price.

Alternate Bid - An alternate bid that, if accepted, adds to the contract price.

Alternate Top Bevel (ATB) - Refers to a type of saw blade in which the grinds give the cleanest crosscuts in hard and soft wood or plywood.

Alternate Top Bevel Grind - A tooth style on a saw blade designed for cross-cutting and ripping of all wood types. The bevel alternates from left to right, creating knife-like edges at each side, on alternating teeth. This style of saw blade yields a faster, cleaner cut.

Alternating Current (AC) Relay - An electromagnetic or electromechanical valve or switch using small currents and voltages to control the making or breaking of electrical contacts on a circuit.

Alternating Current Automatic Low Voltage Secondary - A distribution system wherein the secondary means of an alternating current system are interconnected and supplied through transformers connected in parallel on the secondary side through fuses or automatic switching devices arranged to prevent the feeding of fault current on the primary side of the transformers through the secondary mains; such a system is also called an alternating current automatic low-voltage secondary network.

Alternating Current Circuit (AC Circuit) - The flow of current through a conductor first in one direction then in reverse. It is used exclusively in residential and commercial wiring because it provides greater flexibility in voltage selection and simplicity of equipment design.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Resolution of a dispute without litigation, includes negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

Alternator - An electric generator for producing alternating current.

Altitude - The angular distance from the horizon to the sun.

Alumina - A mineral usually found in the clay used for brickmaking.

Alumina Cement - Used in high early strength concrete.

Alumina Porcelain - A vitreous ceramic whiteware for technical application in which Alumina (A12O3) is the essential crystalline phase.

Aluminium Bench Level - A mechanic’s bench level that is extremely stable and lightweight.

Aluminium Extrusion - Aluminium sections formed by extrusion.

Aluminium File - Addresses the problem that ordinary files pose when used on soft aluminium, which is clogging. The scalloped-tooth pattern cuts cleanly and leaves a fine finish.

Aluminium Grid Walkway - Walkway fabricated of aluminium grid placed over roof surface to protect roofing surface from damage from traffic.

Aluminium Jacket - A watertight outer housing, fashioned from aluminium, placed around a pipe or vessel.

Aluminium Leaf - Aluminium hammered into very thin sheets.

Aluminium Oxide -

• Corrosion on surface of an aluminium member caused by oxidation.
• Hard and sharp abrasive made by fusing mineral Bauxite at high temperature.

Aluminium Paint - Mixture of finely divided aluminium particles in flake form combined with vehicle.

Aluminium Plate - Flat aluminium sheet material.

Aluminium Sheet Plate - Flat rolled aluminium plate.

Aluminium Siding - Lightweight aluminium siding material that is often painted rather than left in its natural colour.

Aluminium Silicate - White extender pigment made from China clay or feldspar, which provides very little colour or opacity.

Aluminium Storefront - A facade of a building or structure which is constructed of a system of aluminium tubing and glass.

Aluminium Wire - Conductors made of aluminium for carrying electricity. Aluminium generally is limited to the larger wire sizes. Due to its lower conductivity, aluminium wire smaller than No. 12 is not made. Aluminium is lighter and less expensive than copper but not as good a conductor. It also breaks easily.

Aluminium Zinc Coated - Aluminium, zinc plated for corrosion protection by hot dipping into molten zinc or by electrolysis.

Aluminous Cement - A hydraulic cement in which the principal constituents are calcium illuminates, instead of calcium silicates which comprise the major ingredients of portland cement. (See Calcium Aluminate Cement).

Ambient Background Samples - Prevalent Level Samples.

Ambient Sound - The quiet-state noise level in a room or space, which is a composite of sounds from many external sources, both near and far, over which one individual has no control.

Ambient Temperature - Room temperature or the temperature of the surroundings; temperature of fluid (usually air) which surrounds object on all sides.

Ambiguous - Having more than one meaning, as in a contract.

Ambulatory - A sheltered place for walking, as in an aisle or cloister in a church or monastery.

Amenity Area - An area or areas within the boundaries of a project intended for recreational purposes which may include landscaped site areas, patios, common areas, communal lounges, swimming pools and areas used for similar purposes.

Amenity Space - The area of open space such as balconies, gardens and terraces.

American Bond - In masonry, a form of bond in which every sixth course is a header course and the intervening courses are stretcher courses.

American Gallon - A measure of liquid volume, 231 cubic inches.

American Process Zinc Oxide - Zinc oxide pigment made directly from zinc ores; also called Direct Process.

American Vermillon - Chrome orange pigment.

Ames Taping Tools - Specially designed tools to mechanically apply taping compound and tape.

Amides - Curing agent combined with epoxy resins.

Amine Adduct - Amine curing agent combined with a portion of the resin.

Amines - Organic substituted ammonia; curing agent combined with epoxy resins.

Ammeter - Device to measure the current flowing in a circuit.

Ammonia -

• Chemical combination of nitrogen and hydrogen, NH32. Popular refrigerant for industrial refrigerating systems.
• A popular absorption system refrigerant; ammonia refrigerant is identified as R-117.
• Ammonia combines with free chlorine in pool water to form chloramine which causes burning eyes, skin irritation and chlorine odor.

Ammortization - The gradual paying off of indebtedness by regular equal payments including interest and principal over a specified period of time.

Ammortization Schedule - A chart showing the monthly, quarterly, or annual payments necessary to pay off a loan including interest over a particular period of time.

Amortization - The calculation to determine a regular payment plan over time with appropriate interest in order to pay a set amount.

Amp - Short for ampere.

Ampacity - Current carrying capacity expressed in amperes.

Amperage - The strength of a current of electricity expressed in amperes; electron or current flow of one coulomb per second past given point in circuit.

Ampere - Unit of electric current equivalent to flow of one coulomb per second.

Ampere Turns - A measure of magnetic force; represents product of amperes times number of turns in coil of electromagnet.

Amperes(AMPS) - The rate at which electricity flows through a conductor.

Amplifier - An electrical device to obtain amplification of voltage, current or power.

Amplitude - Maximum deviation from mean or center line of a wave.

AMPS (Amperes) - The rate at which electricity flows through a conductor.

Amyl Acetate - Banana oil; solvent for nitrocellulose, formed by esterification of acetic acid with amyl alcohol.

Anaerobic - An organism that can live without oxygen, such as the bacteria in a septic tank.

Anaglyph - A sculptured, chased, or embossed ornament worked in low relief.

Analog - A way of expressing one quantity in terms of another quantity; an analogous or parallel thing; for example, voltage, weight, or length to represent numbers, as watch hands represent time; compare with Digital.

Analogous Harmony - Colours which are related by containing one colour in common; colour harmony.

Analogy - Inference from a similar case.

Analysis -

• Separation into constituent parts.
• In engineering, the investigative determination of the detailed aspects of a particular phenomenon; may be qualitative, meaning a general evaluation of the nature of the phenomenon, or quantitative, meaning the numerical determination of the magnitude of the phenomenon.

Anchor - Irons or metals of special form and shapes used to fasten together and secure timbers or masonry.

Anchor Bolt - Steel bolt used to secure wood construction to concrete or masonry construction.

Anchor Bolts - Bolts to secure a wooden sill plate to concrete, or masonry floor or wall.

Anchor Brick - Fasteners that are designed to attach and secure a brick veneer to a concrete or brick wall.

Anchor Cavity Wall - A metal device mounted on a masonry wall used to secure other attachments or masonry to an existing or back up wall.

Anchor Dovetail - A fastener with an interlocking joint that is wider at its end than at its base.

Anchor Pattern - Profile surface roughness usually attained by blasting.

Anchor Rafter - A bolt or fastening device which attaches the rafters to the walls or rafter plate.

Anchor Slot - A groove in an object into which a fastener or connector is insered to attach objects together.

Anchor Tenant - The main tenant in a shopping center development; a large stable tenant or tenants that are expected to attract other tenants and customers to the development.

Anchor Ties - Any type of fastener used to secure wood framing, steel, or masonry to some stable object, such as a foundation or another wall; usually for tension value.

Anchor Type Ceramic Veneer - Thicker sections of ceramic veneer held in place by grout and wire anchors connected to backing wall.

Anchor Wood - A bolt or fastening device which attaches wood to wood or wood to other materials.

Anchorage -

• An attachment for resistance to movement; the movement can be a result of overturning, sliding or uplift; the most common anchorage for these movements are tie-downs (hold-downs) for overturning and uplift, and anchor bolts for sliding.
• In posttensioning, a device used to anchor tendons to concrete member; in pretensioning, a device used to anchor tendons during hardening of concrete.
• The securing of reinforcing bars in cast-in-place concrete either by hooks, bends, or embedment length.

Anchoring Cement - Grout used in sleeves to anchor tubing in place.

Andalusite - A polymorph, along with sellimanite and kyanite, of composition Al2O3SiO2; in firing, it dissociates to yield principally mullite.

Andiron - A metal stand, usually a pair, for supporting wood fuel in a fireplace.

Anechoic Chamber - A room or building that is free from echoes and reverberations.

Anemometer - Instrument for measuring the rate of air flow or motion.

Aneroid Barometer - An instrument for measuring atmospheric air pressure by its action on the elastic lid of an evacuated box. This is the basis of a surveyors aneroid barometer which is used to measure altitude; an altimeter.

Angle -

• The difference in direction of two lines which meet or tend to meet, usually measured in degrees.
• An inside corner.
• A structural section of steel which resembles an L in cross section.
• In masonry, a portion of a whole brick which is used to close the bond or brickwork at corners.

Angle Acute - An angle of less than 90 degrees.

Angle Bar - A steel structural member in the shape of an L; classified by the thickness of the stock and the length of the legs.

Angle Bead - A small moulding placed at an external angle formed by plastering surfaces in order to preserve the corner from accidental fracture.

Angle Blasting - Blast cleaning at angles less than 90 degrees.

Angle Block - A square of tile specially made for changing direction of the trim.

Angle Brick - Any brick shaped to an oblique angle to fit a salient corner.

Angle Divider - A toolused by tilesetters to determine the degree of an angle to cut; used for fitting trim, moldings, and floors into corners; a corner angle is measured by adjusting the divider to fit the corner.

Angle Driver - A unique tool that simplifies work in corners and at awkward angles. It holds a driver bit at a 60-degree angle to the bladed. Turning the handle rotates the bit. Bits are stored in the handle

Angle Float - A concrete or plastering finishing tool having a surface bent to form a right angle; used to finish re-entrant angles.

Angle Grinder - A tool found mainly in metal and auto-body shops, it is useful to woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers, as well. Does well cleaning up pitted or rusted metal surfaces. Can smooth out welded seams and, when properly equipped, cut metal. Ideal at metal finishing.

Angle Iron - A piece of iron that forms a right angle and is used to span openings and support masonry at the openings. In brick veneer, they are used to secure the veneer to the foundation. Also known as shelf angle.

Angle Meter - A versatile tool used to measure any angle easily, including level and plumb. Features an easy-to-read dial.

Angle Of Blast - Angle of sand blasting nozzle with reference to surface.

Angle Of Degree - On an airless spray cap, the orifice angle; controls width of spray and pattern angle.

Angle Of Incidence - The angle that a line or light ray striking a surface makes with the perpendicular at that point, the point of incidence.

Angle Of Reflection - The angle that a reflected ray makes with the perpendicular to a surface at the point of incidence.

Angle Of Repose -

• The natural angle that a pile of a material, such as earth, sand, or gravel will assume.
• The angle at which a body will slide down an inclined plane impelled only by gravity.

Angle Shelf - A structural angle which is fastened to the structure of a building to support a wall or other component.

Angle Steel - An L-shaped steel member.

Angle Stop - A water valve that occurs where there is a 90 degree change in direction of the piping, as under a lavatory or sink.

Angle Tilt - The angle that a flat plate collector surface forms with the horizontal plane.

Angle Wall -

• 1. An L-shaped aluminum angle used as the wall termination of T-bar suspended ceiling systems to support the perimeter acoustic tiles.
• 2. A structural steel angle attached to a masonry wall.

Anhydrite - The mineral consisting primarily of anhydrous calcium sulfate, CaSO4.

Anhydrous - Dry; free from moisture or water in any form.

Anhydrous Calcined Gypsum - A cement composed of finely ground, anhydrous, calcined gypsum, the set of which is accelerated by the addition of other materials, used in areas subjected to moisture, a hard, strong finishing plaster that is made from gypsum and maintains a high polish, because of its density, it excels for use in bathrooms and kitchens and is also widely used for the finish coat in auditoriums, public buildings, and other places where walls may be subjected to unusually hard wear or abuse. Also Called Keenes Cement.

Anhydrous Calcium Sulphate (ACS) - A stable form of gypsum from which practically all of the water of crystallization has been removed; also called dead-burned gypsum; dry chemical made of calcium, sulphur and oxygen, CaSO4.

Aniline Colours - Coal-tar derivatives precipitated on a colourless base.

Anisotropic - Exhibiting different properties when measured along different axes; in general, fibrous materials such as wood are anisotropic; not isotropic.

Annealed - Cooled under controlled conditions to minimize internal stresses.

Annealed Glass - Glass whose surface has been heated to melting and then cooled to provide a toughened surface; also called heat strengthened glass.

Annealing - Process of heat treating metal to get desired properties of softness and ductility.

Annex - A wing or an addition to a building.

Annual Bonus - A bonus paid annually on an endowment mortgage which is dependent on the performance of the investment fund you are using to repay your mortgage.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) - The actual and true cost of a loan.

Annual Ring Nail - A nail that has grooves around the shank which prevent easy withdrawal; also called a ring shank nail.

Annunciator - A electromagnetic device used to show which of several circuits are activated.

Annunciator Panel - A panel mounted on a surface which indicates by lights which circuits have been activated.

Anode -

• The positive electrode in an electrolytic cell.
• The negative terminal of a primary cell such as a battery.

Anodize - Coat a metal, such as aluminum, with a protective oxide layer by electrolysis.

Anodized - A metal that has been subjected to electrolytic action in order to coat with a protective or decorative film.

Anodized Door - A door which has been given an aluminum oxide coating by electrolytic action.

Anodized Tile - Tile which has been given an aluminum oxide coating by electrolytic action.

Anodizing - An electrolytic process that forms a permanent, protective coating on aluminum.

Anomaly - An irregularity, abnormality, peculiarity, or deviation from the norm.

Antenna - A metallic device used for radiating or receiving radio waves.

Anterior - Situated before or toward the front.

Anteroom - A small room leading to a main room; a waiting room.

Anti Corrosive Paint - Metal paint designed to inhibit corrosion; applied directly to the metal.

Anti Flooding Agent - A synthetic organic product used to rce floating and flooding of iron blues, carbon blacks, and chrome greens.

Anti Fouling Paint - A special coating for ship bottoms, containing poison like copper or mercury, formulated to effect the release of the poison at a controlled rate, to prevent attachment and growth of marine organisms such as barnacles and algae.

Anti Friction Bearing - Any bearing having the capacity of effectively avoiding friction.

Anti Friction Latch Bolt - A latch bolt designed to rce friction when the bolt starts to engage the lock strike.

Anti Hammer Device - An air chamber such as a closed length of pipe or a coil which is designed to absorb the shock caused by closing a valve rapidly.

Anti Siphon Trap - A trap which is designed to prevent the siphonage of its water seal by increasing the diameter of the outlet leg of the trap so that it contains a sufficient volume of water to prevent a siphoning action.

Anti Skimming Agent - A synthetic organic product, used to prevent forming of surface skin in packaged varnishes and paints.

Anti Stick Coating - As used on saw blades, decreases friction and heat buildup and helps provide cleaner, smoother and quieter cutting action. Also resists resin and pitch buildup and improves safety conditions.

Anti Stripping Agent - A substance used for the purpose of improving the adhesion between a bituminous binder and the aggregate. The term generally refers to adhesion in the presence of water.

Anti Vibration Slots - Slots cut in the body of a saw blade, usually in a starburst pattern, that reduce vibration so the blade runs more smoothly and produce a cleaner cut.

Anti Walk Blocks - Elastomeric blocks that limit lateral glass movement in the glazing channel which may result from thermal, seismic, wind load effects, building movement, and other forces that may apply.

Anticipatory Breach - A positive statement by a party to a contract that the party will not perform the terms of the contract.

Anticlastic - Saddle shaped, or having curvature in two opposing directions.

Antimicrobial - Agent that kills microbial growth.

Antimony Oxide - Pure white pigment which provides about same hiding power as lithopone.

Antioxidant - Protective compound used on ends of aluminum wiring at connections to prevent corrosion that would interfere with a solid safe connection.

Antiquing - Furniture finishing technique intended to give appearance of age or wear.

Apartment - The living area within a building.

Apartment Building - A type of multiple dwelling comprising three or more dwelling units with shared entrances, and other essential facilities and services, and with shared exit facilities above the first storey.

Aperture -

• Any opening.
• An opening that varies the amount of light entering a camera.

Apex - The point at which two slopes or angles meet or the highest point of a peak.

Apices - Plural of apex.

Appeal - The right of an applicant to review a decision made on a local planning authority application.

Appliance - An appliance is current-consuming utilization equipment, generally other than industrial, normally built in standardized sizes or types, which is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as clothes washing, air conditioning, food mixing, or deep frying.

Appliance Built In - An appliance which is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific built into a location.

Appliance Fixed - An appliance which is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location.

Appliance Portable - An appliance which is movable or can easily be moved from one place to another in normal use.

Appliance Stationary - An appliance which is not easily moved from one place to another in normal use.

Appliances Branch Circuit - Circuits supplying energy either to permanently wired appliances or to attachment plug receptacle, that is appliance or convenience outlets, or to a combination of permanently wired appliances and additional attachment plug outlets on the same circuit, such circuits to have no permanently connected lighting fixtures not a part of an appliance.

Application Of Adhesives - A means of applying gypsum board utilizing adhesives and supplemental mechanical fasteners.

Application Of Payment - A written document forwarded by the contractor requesting payment for work completed.

Application Rate - The quantity (mass, volume or thickness) of material applied per unit area.

Applicator -

• One who applies.
• Tool for applying.

Applied Cold - Products that can be applied without heating. These are in contrast to products which need to be heated to be applied.

Applied Preservative Treated - Applied treatment of wood or plywood to make it resistant to deterioration from moisture and insects.

Appointing - This is when you employ the services of an estate agent, solicitor or surveyor to act on your behalf.

Appraisal - A valuation of property by a qualified person, usually in the form of a written report.

Appraise - To give an expert judgment of the value or merit of.

Appreciated Value - The value that a property has increased compared to what it was previously valued at.

Appreciation - The increase in value of a property.

Appreciation Capital - An increase in the value of your investment or property over a period of time, meaning that you have generated some degree of a return on the money you forked out.

Appreciation Value - The value that a property is expected to increased compared to what it was previously valued at.

Apprentice - A person who is learning a trade, art or calling by being employed in it for an agreed period for low wages.

Approach - The area between the sidewalk and the street that leads to a driveway or the transition from the street as you approach a driveway.

Approved - Acceptable to that enforcing agency having the responsibility and authority to grant the approval for the specified condition or application.

Approved Draft Contract - Once both parties are satisfied that all the details of the draft contract are accurate, and your solicitor has made sure that there is nothing that should reasonably either preclude the seller from buying, or warrant your withdrawal from the sale, then the draft contract is approved and sent to both parties for signature.

Approved Tradesmen - Your insurance provider may insist that any repair work on your house is carried out by a tradesmen with whom they have negotiated favourable rates and who have been approved as meeting certain standards of workmanship.

APR - Annual Percentage Rate - The actual and true cost of a loan.

Apron -

• A plain or moulded finish piece below the sill of a window, installed to cover the rough edge of the wall finish.
• he extension of the concrete floor of a garage or other structure, beyond the face of the building.
• A leather like piece worn around the waiste for building which holds nails, hammer and other tools.

Apron Wall - That part of a panel wall between the window sill and the support of the panel wall.

Apse - A projecting part of a building, such as in a church, usually semicircular and vaulted.

Aquaduct -

• An artificial channel or conduit for conveying large quantities of water, usually supported by a bridge-like structure.
• A structure for conveying a canal over a river or a valley.

Aqueous - Containing water.

Aquifer -

• A strata of porous permeable rock or soil that is capable of holding a large quantity of water.
• An underground bed or layer yielding ground water for wells and springs etc.

AR (Acid Resisting) - Resistant to acid.

Arabesque - An ornament, style or design of intertwined leaves, flowers, or fruit to produce an intricate pattern of interlaced lines.

Arabic Numerals - One of the number symbols, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Arbitration -

• A proceeding for resolution of disputes in which a neutral person or panel, after hearing evidence presented by both sides, makes a final and binding decision that resolves the dispute.
• A hearing used to resolve disputes.

Arbitration Award - The arbitrators judgment or decision in an arbitration.

Arbitration Demand - A written notice by one party to a contract served on the other to avail of the arbitration provisions of the contract.

Arbor - A shaft driven by a tool's motor that turns blades or other cutting tools. Also called a Mandrel.

Arbor Hole - The central hole in a saw blade through which the saw arbor fits. This hole must be accurately broached or the blade cuts will waver.

Arc -

• Arched or curved.
• A portion of an ellipse or circle.

Arc Blow - The deflection of an electric arc from its normal path because of magnetic forces.

Arc Brick - Wedge-shaped brick for special use in an arch.

Arc Cutting - An arc cutting process in which the severing of metals is effected by melting with the heat of an arc between an electrode and the base metal and an air stream is used to facilitate cutting.

Arc Cutting Carbon - An arc cutting process wherein the severing of metals is effected by melting with the heat of an arc between a carbon electrode and the base metal.

Arc Voltage - The voltage (electrical potential) across the welding arc.

Arc Welding - A process of joining two pieces of metal by melting them together at their interface with a continuous electric spark and adding a controlled additional amount of molten metal from a metallic electrode.

Arc Welding Carbon - An arc welding process wherein coalescence is produced by heating with an electric arc between a carbon electrode and the work and no shielding is used, pressure may or may not be used and filler metal may or may not be applied.

Arcade -

• An arched covered passageway.
• An amusement center with coin-operated games.
• A row of arches supported by columns, which may be either attached to a building or free standing.

Arch -

• A shape above a door, window or decorative feature area, usually semi-circular in shape.
• A curved structural member used to span an opening or recess; also built flat.
• Structurally, an arch is a piece or assemblage of pieces so arranged over an opening that the supported load is resolved into pressures on the side supports, and practically normal to their faces.
• The arch is an integral feature in all Esperanza Property Development projects.

Arch Brick - A brick having a wedge shape, also one with a curved face suitable for wells and other circular work.

Arch Corner Bead - A job-shaped length of corner bead used to define the curved portion of arched openings.

Arch Culvert - A curved shaped drain under a roadway, canal or embankment.

Archeology - The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of human remains.

Archetype -

• An original model.
• Prototype.

Archimedes Principle - A law of physics that states that a floating body displaces a weight of liquid equal to its own weight.

Archimedes Screw - A primitive device for raising water, consisting of a pipe spirally wound around an axis.

Architect - One who designs and supervises the construction of buildings or other large structures.

Architect Bridging - An owners architect who designs the project and then is replaced by the design build entities architect who prepares the construction documents.

Architect Certificate - Obtainable when NHBC guarantee is not available for a new house.

Architect Landscape - One whose profession is designing the arrangement of land for human use involving vehicular and pedestrian ways and the planting of groundcover, plants, and trees.

Architectonic -

• Architectural.
• Having an organized and unified structure or concept that suggests an architectural design.

Architectonics - The science of architecture.

Architects Project Representative - A more or less continuous architects representative on the jobsite; reports to the architect; formerly called Clerk of the Works.

Architects Rule - Three sided ruler with different scales on each side. Also referred to as a scale.

Architects Scale - Three sided ruler with different scales on each side. Also referred to as a rule.

Architectural -

• Of or relating to or conforming to the rules of architecture.
• Having a single, unified overall design, form, or structure.

Architectural Drawings - Drawings produced by an architect.

Architectural Engineer - A qualified professional engineer that specialises in architectural and/or structural engineering.

Architectural Equipment - The implements, apparatus, or equipment used in the construction and initial outfitting of a building.

Architectural Fee - The amount of money charged by an architect for professional services such as programming, design, preparation of contract documents, and administration of the construction of a building or facility.

Architectural Floor Plans - Floor plans drawn up and produced by an architect.

Architectural Floorplans - Floorplans drawn up and produced by an architect.

Architectural Plans - Building plans drawn up and produced by an architect.

Architectural Rendering - A drawing in perspective of a proposed structure.

Architectural Shingles - Laminated shingles that have added dimensionality because of extra layers or tabs, giving a shake-like appearance.

Architectural Terra Cota - Hard-burned, glazed or unglazed clay building units, plain or ornamental, machine-extruded or hand-molded, and generally larger in size than brick or facing tile; also see Ceramic Veneer.

Architectural Woodwork - Finish work using wood or composites for ornamental designs or casework.

Architrave -

• The lowest division of an entablature.
• The molding around a rectangular opening, such as a door or window.
• A classical architecture feature being the lower part of a moulded cornice.

Are - A metric unit of measure equal to 100 square meters. 100 ares equal 1 hectare.

Area -

• The extent or measure of a surface, expressed in square units.
• The space allocated to a particular function.

Area Divider - In roof construction, a raised double wood member attached to a properly flashed wood base plate that is anchored to the roof deck; used to relieve the stresses of thermal expansion and contraction in a roof system where no expansion joints have been provided.

Area Drain - Any drain installed for the purpose of collecting rain water from an open area and channeling it to the storm drain.

Area Of Assembly - An outdoor place for the gathering of a group of people exiting from a building or for an cational, sporting, or entertainment event.

Area Wall -

• The masonry surrounding or partly surrounding an area.
• The retaining wall around basement windows below grade.

Areaway - A sunken space providing access, air, and light to a subterranean building area.

ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) - A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjustable and can increase or decrease according to prevailing financial market conditions.

Arm Saw Radial - Circular saw that runs on an overhead track, the track mechanism swings in relation to the table to make miter cuts.

Armature - Part of an electric motor, generator, or other device moved by magnetism.

Armour Plate - A kick-plate made of metal installed on the bottom of a door to protect it from denting and scratching.

Armoured Cable (BX) - A factory assembly of insulated conductors inside a flexible metallic covering. It can be run except where exposed to excessive moisture and should not be run below grade. It must always be grounded and uses its armor as an equipment ground. It is difficult to pull out old wires or insert new ones.

Armoured Faceplate - A metal plate which is fastened into the strike at the door jamb to provide a protection for the lock and keeper mechanisms.

Arrangement Fee - A fee charged for setting up a loan.

Arrears - These are the sum total of late or overdue payments for a mortgage, ground rent and maintenance charges, or any other regular payment. Some insurance policies will automatically be voided if you fall into arrears.

Arrears Breakdown - A month-by-month breakdown of arrear balances and charges for your mortgage. A fee for this service is often added to your account once you have been sent the breakdown.

Arrears Fee - This is charged on a monthly basis to cover additional administrative costs where your mortgage account is one or more monthly payments in arrears. You may well be charged arrears fees in connection with other products.

Arrester Lightning - A device connected to an electrical system to protect from lightning and/or voltage surges.

Arris - The sharp edge or salient angle formed by the meeting of two surfaces, as in a molding.

Art Deco - An artistic movement stemming from the 1920's and 1930's. Art Deco is characterised by clean, sharp lines.

Art Nouveau - An artistic movement from the turn of the century. Art Nouveau is characterised by stylised forms of flowers and animals. Art Nouveau is prevalent in Edwardian style buildings.

Arterial Streets - Primary surface roads connecting to expressways with on and off ramps, also connecting sectors of cities, with surface crossings (controlled by traffic lights), normally over continuous long stretches of the cityscape, restricted for parking and to direct access often to adjacent commercial developments; pedestrian crossing controlled.

Artesian Well -

• A bored well from which water flows from internal pressure.
• A deep bored well.

Artificer -

• A skilled or artistic craft worker.
• An inventor.

Artificial Drying - The process of drying block or brick with relatively warm, dry air, or other means.

Artificial Intelligence - The ability of a computer to think and work like a human being; at present no computer has full artificial intelligence.

Artificial Pozzolan - Fly ash and other similar substances such as rice hull ash and microsilica.

Artisan - A skilled worker in a trade such as carpentry, plumbing, or painting.

As Built Drawings - A set of drawings prepared by the general contractor, which includes any revisions in the working drawings and specifications during construction, indicating how the project was actually constructed; sometimes called As Built Drawings or As Builts.

As Builts - A set of drawings prepared by the general contractor, which includes any revisions in the working drawings and specifications during construction, indicating how the project was actually constructed; sometimes called As Built Drawings or As Builts.

As Is Agreement - When a buyer accepts whatever physical condition a property is in at the time the contract is signed.

As Is Drawings - A set of drawings prepared by the general contractor, which includes any revisions in the working drawings and specifications during construction, indicating how the project was actually constructed; sometimes called As Built Drawings or As Builts.

Asbestine - Natural fibrous magnesium silica, which is pure white in colour; used as an extender pigment in paints.

Asbestos - A group of natural, fibrous, impure silicate materials, formerly used for its noncombustible, non-conducting, or chemically resistant properties; no longer used as it causes Asbestosis.

Asbestos Abatement - Procres to control fiber release from asbestos-containing materials in a building or to remove it entirely; may involve removal, encapsulation, repair, enclosure, encasement, and operations and maintenance programs.

Asbestos Cement - A fire resisting weatherproof building material made from Portland cement and asbestos. It is manufactured in various forms such as plain sheets, corrugated sheets, shingles, pipes, etc.

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) - ACM - Asbestos Containing Material.

Asbestos Free Compound - Joint treatment products that have no asbestos fiber.

Asbestos Project Manager - A building owner or designated representative who supervises all aspects of the facility asbestos management and control program.

Asbestos Removal - A special trade or occupation for the removal and disposal of hazardous asbestos.

Asbestos Shingles - A shingling material made up of a non-conducting, fireproof mineral used in roofing and siding.

Asbestos Vacuum - A filtered device using air suction to collect wetted down asbestos for easy removal into specially made bags.

Asbestosis - A lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos particles.

Ascrete - Open Graded Asphalt with the addition of cement slurry to provide strong surface resistance to deformation and oil spillage.

Ash Bone - Calcined bone consisting essentially of calcium phosphate.

Ash Dump - A metal access door in the floor of a fireplace firebox to dump the ashes into the ash pit below.

Ash Pit - The compartment below a fireplace in which ashes may be dumped from the firebox and stored for later removal.

Ashlar - Smoothed, even blocks of stone masonry.

Ashlar Veneer - An ornamental or protective facing of masonry composed of squared stones.

Askarael - A synthetic nonflammable insulating liquid which, when decomposed by the electric arc, evolves only nonflammable gaseous mixtures.

Asking Price - The price that a seller has placed on a property for sale.

Aspect Ratio - Ratio of length to width of a rectangular air grille or duct.

Asphalt - A brown to black bituminous pitch occurring naturally or made from a residue of petroleum refining; also called asphaltum; used for pavements, roofing, and as a waterproofing cement; asphalt comes in a wide range of viscosities and softening points, from about l35° F (used on dead level roofs) to 210° F. or more (to be used on special steep roofs); asphalt is a constituent in varying proportions of most crude petroleums; see Bitumen.

Asphalt Cement - A fluxed or unfluxed asphalt specially prepared as to quality and consistency for direct use in the manufacture of asphalt pavements.

Asphalt Curb - An extruded berm made from asphaltic concrete.

Asphalt Cut Back - Asphalt plus thinner; asphalt solution; asphalt coating formed by dissolving asphalt.

Asphalt Cut Back -

• Asphalt plus thinner.
• Asphalt solution.
• Asphalt coating formed by dissolving asphalt.

Asphalt Dampproofing - The application of asphalt to act as a water-resisting treatment to the surface of a concrete or masonry wall.

Asphalt Demolition - The destruction of roadways constructed of asphalt using large wheeled machinery that tears up the old asphalt into manageable pieces for easy removal.

Asphalt Emulsified -

• An emulsion of asphalt cement and water that contains a small amount of an emulsifying agent, a heterogeneous system containing two normally immiscible phases (asphalt and water) in which the water forms the continuous phase of the emulsion, and minute globules of asphalt form the discontinuous phase.
• Emulsified asphalt may be of either the anionic, electronegatively charged asphalt globules, or cationic, the electropositively charged asphalt globule types, depending upon the emulsifying agent.

Asphalt Emulsion - Asphalt dispersion; not a solution; a water emulsion of asphalt.

Asphalt Expansion joint - Felt or fiberboard premolded and impregnated with asphalt and used as an expansion joint for cast-in-place concrete.

Asphalt Felt - An asphalt saturated felt or an asphalt coated felt.

Asphalt Lake -

• Asphalt occurring in nature which has been derived from petroleum by natural processes of evaporation of volatile fractions leaving the asphalt fractions.
• The native asphalt of most importance are found in the Trinidad and Bermudez Lake deposits.
• Asphalt from these sources is called Lake Asphalt.

Asphalt Leveling Course - A course asphalt aggregate mixture of variable thickness used to eliminate irregularities in the contour of an existing surface prior to a superimposed treatment or construction.

Asphalt Mastic - A mixture of asphaltic material, mineral aggregates, and fine mineral aggregates that can be poured when heated but needs mechanical manipulation to apply when cool.

Asphalt Membrane - A layer of asphalt used on a flat roof.

Asphalt Natural -

• Asphalt occurring in nature which has been derived from petroleum by natural processes of evaporation of volatile fractions leaving the asphalt fractions.
• The native asphalt of most importance are found in the Trinidad and Bermudez Lake deposits.
• Asphalt from these sources is called Lake Asphalt.

Asphalt Prime Coat - A low viscosity liquid asphalt applied to prepare an untreated surface to penetrate into the voids, harden the top and help bind it to the overlying asphalt surface.

Asphalt Repair - The act or process of patching worn road surfaces or leaking roofs.

Asphalt Rock - Porous rock such as sandstone or limestone that has become impregnated with natural asphalt through geologic process; also called Rock Asphalt.

Asphalt Rock - Porous rock such as sandstone or limestone that has become impregnated with natural asphalt through geologic process.

Asphalt Roof - A roof system which uses asphalt materials as a covering.

Asphalt Saturated Felt - A moisture-resistant sheet material, available in several different thicknesses, usually consisting of a heavy paper that has been impregnated with asphalt.

Asphalt Shingle - Saturated roofing felt either in large rolls or cut into composition shingles, impregnated with aggregate particles applied to a roof surfaces.

Asphalt Subgrade Improved - Subgrade, improved as a working platform

• By the incorporation of granular materials or stabilizers such as asphalt, lime, or portland cement, prepared to support a structure or a pavement system.
• Any course or courses of select or improved material placed on the subgrade soil below the pavement structure; subgrade improvement does not affect the design thickness of the pavement structure.

Asphalt Surface - A flat layer of asphalt.

Asphaltenes - The high molecular weight hydrocarbon fraction precipitated from asphalt by a designated paraffinic naphtha solvent at a specified solvent-asphalt ratio.

Asphaltic Cement - High quality, thoroughly controlled hot mixture of asphalt cement and well-graded, high quality aggregate, thoroughly compacted into a uniform dense mass.

Asphaltic Concrete - High quality, thoroughly controlled hot mixture of asphalt cement and well-graded, high quality aggregate, thoroughly compacted into a uniform dense mass.

Asphaltic Paint -

• A liquid form of asphalt which can contain other materials such as aluminum flakes and mineral pigments, generally used for creating a water-resistant coating.
• A liquid product used for weatherproofing.

Aspirating Psychrometer - Device which draws sample of air through it to measure humidity.

Assemblage -

• Something put together from parts.
• A random, unordered assemblage is called a gathering.
• An ordered assemblage is a system.

Assembly Area - An outdoor place for the gathering of a group of people exiting from a building or for an cational, sporting, or entertainment event.

Assembly Room - A room for the gathering of a group of people, such as an auditorium, gymnasium, restaurant, or meeting room.

Assessed Value - The value of a parcel of real property, usually a fraction of the market value, used for the purpose of determining the amount of property tax.

Assessment - A tax levied on a property, or a value placed on the worth of a property.

Asset - A possession or resource having value.

Assets Quick -

• Assets easily converted to cash.
• Current assets without inventory.

Assignee - The person to whom the right of ownership in a property is transferred to (Usually the buyer).

Assignment - Transfer of the rights and duties under a contract from one party to another.

Assignor - The person from whom the right of ownership is being transferred from (Usually the seller).

Assumable Mortgage - An existing mortgage that can be transferred or taken over by a buyer and under the same terms as originally granted when loan was initially granted.

Assumption - Allows a buyer to assume responsibility for an existing loan instead of getting a new loan.

Assumption Of Mortgage - The actual transfer of title on a property wherein the buyer assumes liability for an existing note or charge that is secured against that property.

Astragal - An interior molding attached to one of a pair of doors or window sash in order to prevent swinging through; also used with sliding doors to insure tighter fitting where doors meet.

Astragal Weatherstripping - Fabric, rubber or plastic strips attached to the molding that is attached to one of a pair of doors or casement windows to cover the joint between the two stiles.

ASU Insurance (Accident Sickness Unemployment Insurance) - An insurance policy that covers you in the event of you being unable to pay your mortgage due to accident, sickness or unemployment.

Asymmetrical - Not symmetrical; asymmetry.

Asymmetry - Not symmetrical.

ATB (Alternate Top Bevel) - Refers to a type of saw blade in which the grinds give the cleanest crosscuts in hard and soft wood or plywood.

Atmospheric Corrosion - Galvanic corrosion that occurs between two adjoining dissimilar metals in a humid atmospheric condition.

Atmospheric Pressure - The pressure that atmospheric gases in air exert upon the earth; measured in pounds per square inch or grams per square centimeter; one standard atmosphere equals 14.69 psi of pressure and measures 760 mm (29.92 inches) in a barometer of mercury.

Atmospheric Vacuum - A simple mechanical device consisting essentially of a check valve in the supply line and a valve member (on the discharge side of the check valve) opening to the atmosphere when the pressure in the line drops to atmospheric, also called a siphon breaker.

Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker - A simple mechanical device consisting essentially of a check valve in the supply line and a valve member (on the discharge side of the check valve) opening to the atmosphere when the pressure in the line drops to atmospheric; also called a siphon breaker.

Atom - The smallest particle of a chemical element; considered as a source of vast potential energy.

Atomic Hydrogen Welding - An arc welding process wherein coalescence is produced by heating with an electric arc maintained between two metal electrodes in an atmosphere of hydrogen; shielding is obtained from the hydrogen; pressure may or may not be used and filler metal may or may not be applied.

Atomise - Process of changing a liquid to minute particles or a fine spray; break steam into small particles.

Atomiser - Device by which air is introduced into material at the nozzle to regulate the texture of machine-applied plaster.

Atomize - Process of changing a liquid to minute particles or a fine spray; break steam into small particles.

Atomizer - Device by which air is introduced into material at the nozzle to regulate the texture of machine-applied plaster.

Atrium - A glass enclosed courtyard at the entrance of a building.

Attached Housing - A duplex, Triplex, Row Housing, Semi-Detached or Terraced property that is attached by a shared wall with another property.

Attachment Bug - A device which, by insertion in a receptacle, establishes connection between the conductors of the attached flexible cord and the conductors connected permanently to the receptacle.

Attenuation - The reduction of energy or intensity of sound.

Attenuation Blanket - Material utilized to help in the rction of the energy or intensity of sound.

Attic - The space between the ceiling and the roof of a property and is sometimes converted into an extra room.

Attic Access - An opening that is placed in the ceiling of a property providing access to the attic.

Attic Draft Space - A partition in an attic, from roof to ceiling level, dividing the attic into discrete areas to prevent the spread of smoke and drafts.

Attic Insulation - Treated shreds of cellulose material that are blown into attic spaces or fiberglass rolls that are rolled out between ceiling joists to aid in weatherproofing a building or facility.

Attic Space - A room or space immediately below the roof of a building.

Attic Ventilation - The process of ventilating attic or loft areas.

Attic Ventilators -

• Openings in the roof or in gables for the purpose of allowing air to circulate.
• Mechanical devices with power-driven fans to force the circulation of air.

Attorney - A person appointed by another to act in his place or represent him. See also Solicitor.

Attorney In Fact - A person acting for another under the authority of a power of attorney.

Attraction Capillary -

• The force of adhesion between a solid and a liquid in capillarity.
• In brazing, the phenomenon by which adhesion between the molten filler metal and the base metals, together with surface tension of the molten f