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to a letter:
A
A/C:
An abbreviation for air conditioner or air conditioning.
A/C Circuit:
Alternating Current. 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.
A/C 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.
A/C Disconnect:
The main electrical ON-OFF switch near the A/C
condenser.
ABS:
(Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) Rigid black plastic pipe
used only for drain lines.
Absolute
Humidity: Amount of moisture in the air, indicated
in grains per cubic foot
Accelerator:
Any material added to stucco, plaster or mortar
which speeds up the natural set.
Access
Panel: An opening in the wall or ceiling near
the fixture that allows access for servicing the plumbing/electrical
system.
Accessible:
Can be approached or entered by the inspector
safely, without difficulty, fear or danger.
Acre:
43,560 square feet.
Acrylic:
A glassy thermoplastic material that is vacuum-formed
to cast and mold shapes that form the surface of fiberglass
bathtubs, whirlpools,
shower bases, and shower stalls.
Activate:
To turn on, supply power, or enable systems, equipment,
or devices to become active by normal operating controls.
Examples include
turning on the gas or water supply valves to the fixtures
and appliances and activating electrical breakers or
fuses.
Actual
Dimension (Lumber): The exact measurement of lumber
after it has been cut, dried and milled.
Adaptor:
A fitting that unites different types of pipe
together, e.g. ABS to cast iron pipe.
Adhesion:
The property of a coating or sealant to bond to
the surface to which it is applied.
Adhesive
Failure: Loss of bond of a coating or sealant
from the surface to which it is applied.
Adversely
Affect: Constitute, or potentially constitute,
a negative or destructive impact.
Aerator:
An apparatus that mixes air into flowing water.
It is screwed onto the end of a faucet spout to help reduce
splashing.
Aggregate:
Crushed stone, slag or water-worn gravel that
comes in a wide range of sizes which is used to surface
built-up roofs.
Air Chamber:
A vertical, air-filled pipe that prevents water
hammer by absorbing pressure when water is shut off at a
faucet or
valve.
Air Duct:
Ducts, usually made of sheet metal, that carry
cooled or heated air to all rooms.
Air Filters:
Adhesive filters made of metal or various fibers
that are coated with an adhesive liquid to which 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 Infiltration:
The amount of air leaking in and out of a building
through cracks in walls, windows and doors.
Air Space:
The area between insulation facing and interior
of exterior wall coverings. Normally a 1" air gap.
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.
Airway:
A space between roof insulation and roof boards
provided for movement of air.
Alarm System:
Warning devices, installed or free-standing, including
but not limited to: carbon monoxide detectors, flue gas
and
other spillage
detectors, security equipment, ejector pumps and smoke alarms.
Algae:
Microorganisms that may grow to colonies in damp
environments, including certain rooftops. They can discolor
shingles.
Often described
as "fungus."
Alligatoring:
A condition of paint or aged asphalt brought about
by the loss of volatile oils and the oxidation caused by
solar
radiation. Causes
a 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. "Alligatoring"
produces a pattern of cracks resembling an alligator hide
and
is ultimately the
result of the limited tolerance of paint or asphalt to thermal
expansion or contraction.
Allowable
Span: The distance between two supporting points
for load bearing lumber such as joists, rafters or a girder.
Allowance(s):
A sum of money set aside in the construction contract
for items which have not been selected and specified in
the
construction contract.
Best kept to a minimum number and used for items whose choice
will not impact earlier stages of the
construction. For
example, selection of tile because flooring may require
an alternative framing or underlayment material. (Also,
money that your
parents give you as a child.)
Aluminum
Wire: A conductor made of aluminum for carrying
electricity. Aluminum is generally limited to the larger
wire sizes. Due
to its lower conductivity,
aluminum wire smaller than No. 12 is not made. Aluminum
is lighter and less expensive than copper, but
does not conduct
as well. It also breaks easily.
Amortization:
A payment plan by which a loan is reduced through
monthly payments of principal and interest.
Ampacity:
Refers to the how much current a wire can safely
carry. For example, a 12 gauge electrical copper wire can
safely carry
up to 20 amps.
Amperage:
The rate of flow of electricity through wire -
measured in terms of amperes.
Amps (AMPERES):
The rate at which electricity flows through a
conductor.
Anchor
Bolts: In residential construction, bolts used
to secure a wooden sill plate to a concrete or masonry floor
or wall. In
commercial construction,
bolts which fasten columns, girders or other members to
concrete or masonry such as bolts used to
anchor sills to
masonry foundation.
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 Stop:
A shutoff valve in which the inlet connects to
the water supply pipe in the wall and the outlet angles
90 degrees
upward toward the
faucet or toilet.
Annealing:
In the manufacturing of float glass, the process
of controlled cooling done in a Lahr to prevent residual
stresses in the
glass. Re-annealing
is the process of removing objectionable stresses in glass
by re-heating to a suitable temperature followed
by controlled cooling.
Annual
Percentage Rate (APR): Annual cost of credit over
the life of a loan, including interest, service charges,
points, loan fees,
mortgage insurance,
and other items.
Anti-Scald:
A valve that restricts water flow to help prevent
burn injuries. See Pressure Balancing Valve and Thermostatic
Valve. In
some areas, plumbing
codes require anti-scald valves. Speak to a professional
in your area for more information and help with
code requirements.
Anti-Siphon:
A device that prevents waste water from being
drawn back into supply lines and possibly contaminating
the water
supply.
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.
Antiquated:
No longer in use, useful or functioning, as in
most home inspection associations. Obsolete.
APA Plywood:
(APA=American Plywood Association) Plywood that
has been rated by the American Plywood Association. For
example, number
one APA rated exterior plywood contains no voids between
laminate layers.
Aperature:
The opening in pipes.
Appliance:
A household device operated by use of electricity
or gas. Not included in this definition are components covered
under
central heating,
central cooling or plumbing.
Appraisal:
An expert valuation of property.
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.
Apron:
A trim board that is installed beneath a window
sill.
Arbitration
Service: A service to resolve complaints, as in
NACHI's Arbitration Service.
Architect:
A tradesman who designs and produces plans for
buildings, often overseeing the building process.
Architects
Rule (Ruler): Three sided ruler with different
scales on each side. Also referred to as a "scale."
Architectural
Service: Any practice involving the art and science
of building design for construction of any structure or
grouping of
structures and
the use of space within and surrounding the structures or
the design, design development, preparation of
construction contract
documents, and administration of the construction contract
Area Wells:
Corrugated metal or concrete barrier walls installed
around a basement window to hold back the earth.
Areaway:
An open subsurface space adjacent to a building
used to admit light/air or as a means of access to a basement.
Asbestos:
A common form of magnesium silicate which was
used in various construction products due to its stability
and
resistance to fire.
Asbestos exposure (caused by inhaling loose asbestos fibers)
is associated with various forms of lung
disease. The name
given to certain inorganic minerals when they occur in fibrous
form. Though fire-resistant, its extremely fine
fibers are easily
inhaled, and exposure to them over a period of years has
been linked to cancers of the lung or lung-cavity lining
and to asbestosis
a severe lung impairment. A naturally occurring mineral
fiber sometimes found in older homes. It is hazardous
to your health
when a possibility exists of exposure to inhalable fibers.
Homeowners should be alert for friable (readily crumbled,
brittle) asbestos
and always seek professional advice in dealing with it.
Asphalt:
A dark brown to black highly viscous hydrocarbon
produced from the residue left after the distillation of
petroleum.
Asphalt is used
on roofs and highways as a waterproofing agent.
Asphalt
Plastic Cement: An asphalt-based cement used to
bond roofing materials.
Assessment:
A tax levied on a property, or a value placed
on the worth of a property.
Associate
Member: An indentured servant. Beginning level
of inspection association membership. Slave. See Candidate.
Astragal:
A molding which is attached to one of a pair of
swinging doors against which the other door strikes.
Attic Access:
An opening that is placed in the dry-walled ceiling
of a home providing access to the attic.
Attic Ventilators:
In houses, screened openings provided to ventilate
an attic space. They are located in the soffit area as inlet
ventilators and
in the gable end or along the ridge as outlet ventilators.
They can also consist of power-driven fans used as an
exhaust system.
Auger:
In carpentry, a wood-boring tool used by a carpenter
to bore holes.
Awning
Window: A window with hinges at the top allowing
it to open out and up.
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