Vocabulary

Question 1

tributary area

Answer 1

loaded area that contributes to the load on the. member supporting that area, ex. the area from the center between two beams to the center of the next two beams for the full span is the load on the center beam. It can also be called the load periphery.

Question 2

Non-combustible

Answer 2

adj — not capable of undergoing combustion under specified conditions. (Contrast combustible.)
In fire testing, non-combustibility is often assessed by means of ASTM E 136 or ISO 1182.

Question 3

Flame Resistance

Answer 3

ability to withstand/ provide protection from flame impingement and tested for assemblies and individual materials

Question 4

enthalpy

Answer 4

The total heat in a substance, including latent heat and sensible heat.

Question 5

Design equivalent temperature difference (DETD)

Answer 5

The DETD takes into account the air temperature differences, effects of the sun, thermal mass storage effects of materials, colors of finishes exposed to the sun, and
daily temperature range.

Question 6

Direct Expansion Systems (DX)

Answer 6

simplest type; self -contained unit that passes non-ducted air over an evaporator which cools air

Question 7

Fire Resistance Rating

Answer 7

period of time a biulding component is able to confine a fire or maintain its sturctural integrity or both

Question 8

Controller

Answer 8

A device that measures, analyzes and initiates actions in a building control system

Question 9

Net Metering

Answer 9

Requires that a utility pay or charge equal rates regardless of flow of electrons on a grid

Question 10

Deadband

Answer 10

Range in BCS in which neither heating nor cooling is needed

Question 11

Effective Aperature

Answer 11

product of visible light transmittance and window-to-wall ratio

Question 12

conductivity (k)

Answer 12

The number of British thermal units per hour that pass through 1 ft2 of homogeneous material 1 in thick when the temperature differential is 1°F.

Question 13

Shading Coefficient

Answer 13

(SC) is a measure of thermal performance of a glass unit (panel or window) in a building. It is the ratio of solar gain (due to direct sunlight) passing through a glass unit to the solar energy which passes through 3mm Clear Float Glass.

Question 14

Low Emissivity (e)

Answer 14

Double glazing product that includes film w/in cavity; film prevents long0wave radiation heat-loss from inside room

Question 15

live load

Answer 15

the weight of people or goods in a building or vehicle

Question 16

dead load

Answer 16

the intrinsic weight of a structure or vehicle, excluding the weight of passengers or goods.

Question 17

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

Answer 17

ratio of annual fuel output energy to input energy

Question 18

Infiltration

Answer 18

the transfer of air into and out of a building through open doors, cracks around windows and other openings, flues and vents, and other gaps in the exterior construction. Unless a building is well sealed, infiltration can account for more heat loss than transmission through the walls and roof.

Question 19

wet-bulb temperature

Answer 19

The temperature of the air as measured with a sling prychrometer. The wet-bulb temperature is a more critical measure of heat in high humidity because it is an indicator of physical stress caused when the human body is near the upper limits of temperature regulation by perspiration

Question 20

Compressive Refrigeration

Answer 20

Based on the transfer of heat during liquefaction and evaporation of a refrigerant

Question 21

Permeance (Perm)

Answer 21

measure of how readily a material or membrane allows water to pass through it; air/vapor barriers should have perm rating >5

Question 22

Relative Solar Heat Gain (RSHG)

Answer 22

The ratio of solar heat gain through a window, corrected for external shad- ing, to the incident solar radiation. This heat gain includes directly transmitted solar heat and absorbed solar radiation, which are conducted or convected into the space.

Question 23

Daylight Factor (DF)

Answer 23

Ratio expressed as % of indoor illuminance at aa point on a horizontal surface to unobstructed exterior horizontal view; daylight is excluded

Question 24

All-Water Systems

Answer 24

Uses fan coils; connected to 1/ 2 circuits; ventelation is provided through grilles @ wall2vs4 pipe systemdrawback is that no humidity control at central unit

Question 25

Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

Answer 25

numeric 0-100 score indicating relative energy efficiency

Question 26

Analemma

Answer 26

Figure 8 curve that represents the angular offset of the sun from its mean position as viewed from Earth

Question 27

Noncombustible Material

Answer 27

A material that, in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated, will not ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors, when subjected to fire or heat. Materials that are reported as passing ASTM E 136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 Degrees C, shall be considered noncombustible materials.

Question 28

Radiation Spectrum

Answer 28

0Hz-1023Hz

Question 29

coefficient of heat transmission (U)

Answer 29

The overall rate of heat flow through any combination of materials, including air spaces and air layers on the interior and exterior of a building assembly. It is the reciprocal of the sum of all the resistances in the building assembly.

Question 30

Coefficient of Performance (COP)

Answer 30

a unitless # that is a rating of efficiency of heating or cooling

Question 31

mean radiant temperature (MRT)

Answer 31

The MRT is a weighted average of the various surface temperatures in a room and the angle of exposure of the occupant to these surfaces, as well as of any sunlight present. The MRT is an important comfort factor in cold rooms or in the winter, because as the air temperature decreases, the body loses more heat through radiation than by evaporation

Question 32

Fire Partition

Answer 32

Fire resistive component, generally req'd to have a 1-Hr rating

Question 33

seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER)

Answer 33

The total cooling output of a central air conditioning system or heat pump in the cooling mode, measured in Btus per hour, during its normal usage period for cooling div- ided by the total electrical input in watt-hours, as determined by specific test procedures. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment performance. The minimum SEER permitted for residential air conditioning equipment in the United States is 13.

Question 34

latent heat

Answer 34

Heat that causes a change of state of a substance, such as the heat required to change water into steam. The amount of heat required to change the state of a substance is much greater than the heat required to raise the temperature of the substance (sensible heat). The average value of latent heat per pound ofmoisture is 1061 Btu.

Question 35

Daylight Autonomy (DA)

Answer 35

percent of an area that meets minimum daylight illumination levels - ie 300 Lux for 50% of yearly average

Question 36

Fire Barrier

Answer 36

Fire resistant rated assembly designed to restrict flame spread

Question 37

Actuator

Answer 37

device in a building control system that receives commands from a controller and activates a piece of equipment

Question 38

Equation of Time

Answer 38

Factor used to account for difference b/w solar and atomic time

Question 39

Fire Protection Rating

Answer 39

Opeining Assembly - NFPA 252, UL 10B, UL 10C, NFPA 257; n (not req'd to withstand heat transmission, unlike fire ressistance)

Question 40

Resistance (R)

Answer 40

The number of hours needed for 1 Btu to pass through 1 ft2 of material or assembly of a given thickness when the temperature differential is 1°F. It is the reciprocal of conductance.

Question 41

All-Air Systems

Answer 41

cools/ heats a space w/ condition air alone' most basic is Constant -volume Single Duct (doesn't provide for zoning)For larger, zoned bdlgs - VAVHigh Velocity Duel DuctReheat/ Constant Vol. Multizone

Question 42

conductance (C)

Answer 42

The number of British thermal units per hour that pass through 1 ft2 of homogeneous material of a given thickness when the temperature differential is 1°F.

Question 43

Exit Enclosure

Answer 43

Horzontal fully enclosed portion of an exit only used as a means of egress

Question 44

dewpoint

Answer 44

The temperature at which water vapor in the air becomes saturated and begins to condense into drops of water.

Question 45

Balance Point Tmep.

Answer 45

Out door temp at which point a building makes transition from need to be cooled to heated, or vice versa

Question 46

Ton of Refrigeration

Answer 46

unit to describe capacity of a refrig. system; cooling effect obtained when 1 ton of 32F ice melts in 24 hrs; this can be equiv. to 12,000 BTU / HR

Question 47

Series Circuit

Answer 47

loads are place in circuit, one after another; current (I) remains constant but voltage potential changes

Question 48

Parallel Circuit

Answer 48

Loads are placed b/w same two points; voltage remains same but current is different across each load

Question 49

Non-Metallic Sheeted Cable

Answer 49

Romex - inexpensive (no conduit required); typ. of wood framed construction (not to exceed 3 stories)

Question 50

Flexible Metal Clad Cable

Answer 50

BX - doesn't require conduit; can be pulled through existing spaces w/in building (most common type of wire)

Question 51

(3) types of metal conduit

Answer 51

1- Rigid Steel Conduit 2-Intermediate Metal Conduit 3-Electric Metal Tubing (Flex)

Question 52

Underfloor Ducts

Answer 52

proprietary steel raceways cast into concrete deck

Question 53

Cellular Metal Floors

Answer 53

Metal decking designed for use as cable raceways

Question 54

Undercarpet Cable

Answer 54

Thin, flat wire that can be laid under carpet w/o telegraphing or protruding (must be used w/ tile)

Question 55

Alternating Current

Answer 55

Most common form of elec. energy in bdlgs

Question 56

Load Shedding

Answer 56

Action to reduce load of elec. supply to avoid excessive load on plant

Question 57

Peak Load Regulation

Answer 57

capability of a power supply to maintain constant voltage level of output despite need/ increase during peak demand

Question 58

Ground Fault Circuit Interupters (GFCI/ GFI)

Answer 58

devices that detect small current leaks, immediately disconnects power if detected; req'd in wet zones such as near sink/ kitchen

Question 59

Duplex Recptacles

Answer 59

Convenience outlets, located 12-18" AFF typically at 15A, however min. (2) 20A provided for kitchen spaces

Question 60

Dampproofing

Answer 60

Control of moisture that is not under hydrostatic pressure. Dampproofing should not be used on elements below the water table; these call for waterproofing. Dampproofing coatings are always applied on the positive side, or wet side,

Question 61

hydrostatic pressure

Answer 61

At its simplest, hydrostatic pressure is the pressure created by standing or resting (“static”) water (“hydro”). (While concrete is a relatively solid material when dry, it isn’t technically solid; As concrete dries, water vapor from the original concrete mixture exits the slab, creating small capillary networks until properly sealed. For a concrete slab to be impacted by hydrostatic pressure, it must be below the water table on the site or intrude into a natural water pathway.)

Question 62

admixture

Answer 62

Various admixtures can be added to concrete to make it water repellent, such as the salts of fatty acids, mineral oil, and powdered iron. These may reduce the strength of the concrete, but they make it much less permeable to water

Question 63

cementitious coatings

Answer 63

Mortar coatings are often used over very rough walls to pro- vide a smooth surface for the installation of other dampproofing materials,

Question 64

bituminous coatings

Answer 64

These are asphalt or coal-tar pitch materials applied to the exterior side of the foundation wall. They can be brushed or sprayed on, can be applied either hot or cold (depending on the type), and should be applied to smooth surfaces. These coatings will not seal cracks that develop after they are applied.

Question 65

membranes

Answer 65

Membranes are typically used for waterproofing walls subject to hydrostatic pressure because their cost and the difficulty of applying them is not usu- ally warranted for simple dampproofing.

Question 66

plastics

Answer 66

Silicone and polyurethane coatings are available, but they are usually reserved for above-grade dampproofing.

Question 67

Waterproofing

Answer 67

is the control of moisture and water that is subject to hydrostatic pressure. This may include protecting parts of structures that are below the water table. Waterproofing is a more difficult technical problem than dampproofing because of the effect of the water pressure and the need to create a continuous seal over walls, slabs, and joints in the structure. In addition to the waterproofing and protection board, a foundation waterproofing system may include a geotextile or drainage board to relieve hydrostatic pressure against the wall insulation, as called for by the climate zone and local code requirements.

Question 68

Negative side watetproofing

Answer 68

applied after the element is in place, but to the side of the element that is not exposed to water, such as the interior of a foundation wall

Question 69

positive side waterproofing

Answer 69

placed on the side of the element exposed to water-the exterior of a foundation wall, for example-after the element is in place

Question 70

Blind side waterproofing

Answer 70

applied before the element is in place, such as on a shored excavation against which a concrete foundation wall will be poured.

Question 71

Sheet membrane

Answer 71

Sheet membranes may be loosely applied and attached to nailing strips, but more effective systems are adhered to the foundation on the positive side.

Question 72

Fluid-applied Systems

Answer 72

These are applied in liquid form to provide a continuous, seamless membrane. These systems are applied on the positive side.

Question 73

vapor retarder

Answer 73

material used to slow the transmission or diffusion of water vapor between spaces. Vapor retarders are not themselves insulation, but they play an important role in preserving the effectiveness of other insulating materials. Vapor retarders should be placed on the warmer inside of the insulation

Question 74

Vapor diffusion

Answer 74

movement of water molecules through vapor-permeable materials

Question 75

permeance

Answer 75

property of a material that prevents water vapor from diffusing through it

Question 76

Class I perm rating

Answer 76

vapor impermeable - materials rating less than or equal to 0.1

Question 77

Class II perm rating

Answer 77

semi-impermeable - materials rating 0.1 and less than or equal to 1.0,

Question 78

Class III perm rating

Answer 78

permeable - materials rating greater than 1 or equal to 10

Question 79

barrier wall system

Answer 79

cladding serves as the exterior finish, protects the building from the elements and prevents condensation from entering the building. A solid, multi-wythe masonry wall or an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) applied directly to the structural wall are examples.

Question 80

rain srcreen wall

Answer 80

cladding is separated from the waterproof and airtight barriers with an air space cavity. Drainage plane of a WRB applied on the out- side of insulation prevents moisture that penetrates cladding from entering building and directs it back to the exterior with flashing, weep holes, etc... Insulation is located inside the drainage plane. Moisture barrier be may either air permeable or impermeable, depending on the climate, interior environmental conditions etc..

Question 81

Rock wool

Answer 81

manufactured by melting basalt or oilier rocks in a high-temperature furnace and then spinning the molten mate- rial into long fibers.

Question 82

Slag wool

Answer 82

manufactured from iron ore blast furnace slag using similar production methods. Slag wool accounts for about 80% of fill products produced by the mineral wool industry. It is formed into batts, blankets, and loose-fill material, and is used in applications similar to those of fiberglass.

Question 83

Cellulose insulation

Answer 83

made from 80% to 100% recycled paper combined with a fire-retardant additive. For loose-fill applications, a binder is added to prevent settling. Cellulose is used for loose-fill attic insulation as well as dry blown-in and wet-spray applications.

Question 84

Fiberglass insulation

Answer 84

sometimes used as loose fill, but is more commonly formed into batts, with or without a paper facing

Question 85

Batt insulation

Answer 85

This material is usually mineral fiber or glass fiber. In addition to providing a means of installation and holding the insulation in place, the kraft paper also serves as a vapor retarder.

Question 86

Board insulation

Answer 86

made from a variety of organic or inorganic materials formed into rigid boards

Question 87

Expanded polystyrene (EPS)

Answer 87

closed-cell material manufactured by mixing unexpanded polystyrene beads containing liquid pentane and a blowing agent. The spaces between the beads can absorb water, so a vapor retarder is needed if moisture migration is a concern.

Question 88

Extruded polystyrene (XPS)

Answer 88

is a closed-cell material manufactured by mixing polystyrene pellets with various chemicals and then introducing a blowing agent.

Question 89

Sprayed foam insulation

Answer 89

Sprayed foam has an excellent R-value with the added advantages of conforming to the shape of the cavity and sealing all cracks and openings thoroughly.

Question 90

emissivity

Answer 90

also called emittance, a measure of how much energy is emitted

Question 91

Flashing

Answer 91

prevents water penetration and directs any water that does get into construction back to the outside. Flashing is made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, plastic, and elastomeric materials.

Question 92

Parameter method

Answer 92

Used during the design development phase and early stages of construction document production. It involves an expanded itemization of construction quantities and assignment of unit costs to these quantities.

Question 93

Matrix costing

Answer 93

A matrix is drawn showing the various alternatives along one side and the individual elements that combine to produce the total cost of the alternatives on the other side.

Question 94

Unit Cost method

Answer 94

The project is broken down into its individual building components and the labor needed to install them. Contractors typically use this method of estimating when they are determining a bid or negotiated price for the project. The estimate should include • material and labor costs • cost of equipment, fees, and services necessary to complete the project • the contractor's overhead and profit

Question 95

General overhead

Answer 95

the cost to run a contracting business and involves office rent, secretarial help, heat, and other recurring costs. The total overhead costs, including both general and project expenses, can range from about 10% to 20% of the total costs for labor, materials, and equipment

Question 96

Project overhead

Answer 96

the money it takes to complete a particular job, not including labor, materials, or equipment. This includes temporary offices, telephone/data service, sanitary facilities, trash removal, insurance, permits, and temporary utilities. The total overhead costs, including both general and project expenses, can range from about 10% to 20% of the total costs for labor, materials, and equipment

Question 97

Lateral deflection

Answer 97

the predicted movement of a structure under lateral loads

Question 98

Story drift

Answer 98

story drift is defined as the difference in lateral deflection between two adjacent stories

Question 99

means of egress

Answer 99

As defined in the IBC: a continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge

Question 100

LCCA

Answer 100

method for determining the total cost of a building, building compo- nent, or system over a period of time. LCCA takes into account the initial cost as well as the costs of financing, operation, maintenance, and eventual disposal.