Glossary

access flooring

a secondary raised floor system that bears on a primary floor, used to create a chase for routing electrical and computer wiring, ventilation ducts, etc.

acclimatization

to make or become used to new climates or new conditions

back framing

the secondary non-structural framing done after the structural framing is completed; includes such items as valances, drop ceilings, chases and boxing for utilities, attic access, backing, etc.

balustrade

railing consisting of a series of balusters connected at the top by a rail

batter boards

boards set at right angles to each other at each corner of an excavation, used to indicate the location and alignment of footing and foundation walls

beam

a main horizontal structural member constructed of wood, steel or concrete used to support secondary vertical loads

block A - Occupational Skills

culmination of repetitive general skills for many tasks performed throughout a project

block B - Concrete

all of the activities which relate to preparing for and placing concrete

block C - Framing

all of the activities which relate to the layout, cutting and assembly of various members to construct walls, floors, roofs and ceilings

block D - Exterior Finish

all of the activities which relate to the finishing of the building exterior, including cladding, soffit, roofing, exterior doors and windows

block E - Interior Finish

all of the activities which relate to the finishing of the interior walls, ceilings, floors, installation of interior trims, cabinets and interior doors and windows

caisson

water tight box or enclosure used for construction work below grade or water level

column

a vertical structural member that supports the weight of other members

construct

to build, pile up, devise, to put together

embedded steel

steel components that are an integral part of concrete structures; this includes reinforcing steel, anchor bolts, angle iron and miscellaneous hardware

falsework

the structural supports and the necessary bracing required for the support of temporary loads during construction

flooring

material used in the construction of floors where the surface material is known as finish flooring, while the base material is called sub-flooring

footing

supporting element at the base or bottom of a foundation wall, pier or column used to distribute weight

formwork

temporary structures constructed to the shape of the finished structural member, to support freshly poured concrete

foundation

the lower part that rests on and extends into the ground, providing support for the structure above it

geometric stairs

stair systems that include elliptical, curved or spiral stairs

grout

a cementitious or epoxy-based mixture, installed in a plastic state, to fill structural (column base plates) and non-structural voids (tile joints)

header

a joist or rafter that is perpendicular to the trimmer joists or rafters, used to support and frame openings

inspect

to look at closely or to check for deficiencies

install

place in position ready for use

insulated concrete foundations (ICF)

a modular system for forming concrete walls made of insulating foam material (block, panel, plank systems) where the forms typically remain in place as part of the finished structure

insulating

the installation of various materials used to resist heat, sound and cold transmission through walls, floors, ceilings and foundations

joist

one of a series of horizontal members used to support a floor, ceiling or roof

lintel

wood, stone or steel member placed across the top of a rough door or window opening; it supports the weight from above

load bearing wall

a wall that supports primary vertical loads

maintenance

activities required for the proper functioning of power tools such as inspecting, oiling, tensioning of chains or belts, adjusting, dusting air filters, etc.

pier

a foundation which distributes the weight of a column

ponding

a method of curing a concrete slab by flooding its surface with water

powder actuated tool

device that drives fasteners by means of an explosive charge

rafter

one of a series of structural members of a roof designed to support roof loads

rain screen

cavity in an exterior wall constructed to protect the forces of nature (wind, rain, moisture) from penetrating the interior wall cavity to prevent mildew, premature rotting, etc.; rain screens effectively "drain the rain"

rise

vertical measurement

run

horizontal measurement

siding

boards and panels used as an exterior finish wall covering

SIPS

structural insulated panel systems; insulating material sandwiched between two layers of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) prefabricated in a factory

site layout

the initial arranging of primary building components onto the building site via blueprint interpretation and the setting out of batter boards, using layout tools and equipment

stud

one of a series of vertical structural members used as support in walls and partitions

subfloor

boards or sheet material laid on joists under a finished floor

temporary structure

any structure erected during construction that is removed upon completion of the project

tile

thin building material made of cement, plastic or other resilient material used as a finish for walls, floors, ceilings or roofs

trimmer

a framing member used to provide added strength and stiffness around framed openings

welding equipment

all tools, equipment and material required to cut, join metals

yoking

installation of ties or clamping devices around column forms or over the top of wall or footing forms to keep them from spreading because of pressure imposed by concrete placement

Abbreviations