Construction Glossary

A continuous, unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces within a building or site.

Federal civil rights law requiring accessible design in public buildings, including specifications for ramps, doors, restrooms, and clearances.

Modifications or additions to the bid documents issued before bid opening.

Measurement reference indicating height above the completed floor surface, commonly used for mounting heights.

The organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing code requirements, approving equipment, and granting permits.

A device that conditions and circulates air through ductwork as part of an HVAC system.

The architect whose name appears on the building permit and who takes legal responsibility for the design.

Organization that publishes standards for HVAC design, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality.

A document issued by the architect to clarify or interpret the contract documents without changing the contract sum or time. ASIs address minor clarifications that don't require a change order.

Extra materials left with the owner for future repairs and maintenance, typically stored in an accessible location.

A centralized system that controls and monitors a building's mechanical and electrical equipment including HVAC, lighting, and security.

Designation indicating which party is responsible for the next action on an RFI or submittal.

A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. BIM enables 3D visualization, clash detection, and data management throughout the building lifecycle.

A fixed reference point of known elevation used for surveying and establishing other elevations on site.

The elevation at the bottom of a structural steel member.

Post-bid document describing changes to the contract documents, often leading to change orders.

A written order directing a change in the work before agreement on adjustment to contract sum or time. Used when changes are needed immediately but pricing hasn't been finalized.

The final set of drawings and specifications used for construction, permitting, and bidding. Also called 'contract documents.'

Concrete that is poured and cured at the construction site, as opposed to precast.

An instance where two building elements occupy the same space, requiring resolution before construction. Common between MEP and structural systems.

The minimum unobstructed floor area required for wheelchair access, typically 30" x 48".

The final phase of a project including punch list completion, final inspections, documentation delivery, and financial settlement.

A professional who provides construction management services, often acting as the owner's representative to coordinate the project.

Concrete blocks used for wall construction, available in various sizes and configurations.

A formal amendment to the construction contract that modifies the scope, cost, or schedule. Change orders require signatures from owner, architect, and contractor.

A document issued by the AHJ certifying that a building complies with codes and is safe for occupancy.

A scheduling technique that identifies the longest sequence of dependent tasks, determining the minimum project duration.

Organization that publishes MasterFormat, the standard for organizing construction specifications into 50 divisions.

The design phase following schematic design where the project's size, character, and systems are refined.

A type of building automation that uses digital controllers to regulate HVAC equipment based on sensor inputs.

Activities required to close out a job site, including equipment removal and site cleanup.

Major sections of the specifications, such as Division 03 (Concrete), Division 08 (Openings), or Division 26 (Electrical).

A legal right to use another's land for a specific purpose, such as utilities or access.

A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a public way, including exit access, exit, and exit discharge.

The licensed engineer who signs and seals the structural or MEP engineering drawings, taking legal responsibility for the design.

The ratio of total building floor area to the size of the lot, used in zoning to control building density.

The final floor elevation after all finishes are installed.

Movable items not permanently attached to the building structure, often procured separately from construction.

The vertical height of a finished floor relative to a benchmark or sea level.

The elevation of the completed floor surface.

The stage when all work is complete, including punch list items, and all closeout documents are submitted.

A device in ductwork that closes automatically when exposed to heat, maintaining the fire rating of a wall or floor.

Materials and systems used to seal penetrations through fire-rated assemblies, maintaining the assembly's fire rating.

Property insurance company that sets standards for fire protection and building safety.

Building systems designed to detect and suppress fires, including sprinklers, alarms, smoke detection, and fire-rated assemblies.

The time in hours that a building element can withstand fire exposure while maintaining structural integrity, typically 1, 2, or 3 hours.

Lumber chemically treated to reduce flame spread and smoke development.

The primary contractor responsible for the overall construction project, including hiring and managing subcontractors, scheduling, and site management.

A contract type where the contractor guarantees the project will not exceed a specified cost, with savings often shared.

Steel tubing in square, rectangular, or circular cross-sections used for structural columns and framing.

The technology of indoor environmental comfort including temperature control, humidity, and air quality.

The model building code adopted by most US jurisdictions, covering structural, fire, accessibility, and life safety requirements.

A secondary hub for telecommunications cabling that connects to the MDF.

Drawings released to contractors for pricing purposes during the bidding process.

Drawings that have been finalized and approved for use in actual construction.

A document from a contractor or supplier waiving their right to file a mechanic's lien, typically required for payment.

A specification that defines the degree of detail and reliability in BIM elements, ranging from LOD 100 (conceptual) to LOD 500 (as-built).

Can refer to low-pressure piping systems or life safety systems including fire alarms, emergency lighting, and exit signage.

The space required at doors for wheelchair users to approach, open, and pass through.

The primary hub for telecommunications and data cabling in a building.

The contractor's chosen techniques, sequences, procedures, and equipment for performing work, typically at the contractor's discretion.

The three primary building systems that require coordination during design and construction. MEP systems typically represent 30-40% of construction costs.

Activities required to prepare for construction, including site setup, equipment delivery, and temporary facilities.

A sample assembly built to demonstrate construction quality, finishes, or systems before full-scale installation.

NFPA 70, the standard for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection adopted throughout the United States.

Organization that publishes fire safety codes and standards including NFPA 13 (sprinklers) and NFPA 72 (fire alarms).

Work or items excluded from the contractor's scope of work.

Formal authorization from the owner allowing the contractor to begin work on a specified date.

Manuals and documentation provided at project closeout describing how to operate and maintain building systems.

Regular coordination meetings between the three primary project parties to discuss progress, issues, and decisions.

Federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards, including construction safety requirements.

A document identifying a potential change to the contract before it becomes a formal change order. Used to track and price potential changes.

An engineer who assists the project manager with technical aspects of construction, including RFIs, submittals, and coordination.

The individual responsible for planning, executing, and closing a project. Manages scope, schedule, cost, and team.

The location where site utilities connect to public infrastructure.

A request from the owner or architect to the contractor for pricing on a potential change to the work.

A method of reinforcing concrete by tensioning steel cables after the concrete has cured, allowing for longer spans and thinner slabs.

A list of items requiring completion or correction before final acceptance of construction work.

Systematic processes for ensuring construction meets specifications and standards. QA is proactive planning; QC is reactive inspection.

A drawing showing the ceiling as if reflected in a mirror placed on the floor, displaying lighting, diffusers, and ceiling elements.

A percentage of each payment withheld until project completion to ensure contractor performance, typically 5-10%.

A formal document used to clarify design intent, resolve conflicts, or request missing information from the design team. RFIs are a primary communication tool between contractors and designers during construction.

A legal right to pass through property owned by another, often for utilities or access.

A packaged HVAC unit installed on a building's roof that provides heating and cooling.

The initial design phase establishing the general scope, scale, and character of the project.

Detailed drawings prepared by fabricators or subcontractors showing how products will be manufactured and installed.

The planned order in which construction activities will be performed.

The minimum distance a building must be from property lines, streets, or other features as required by zoning.

Additional instruction provided to clarify or supplement the contract documents without changing the contract amount.

A device in ductwork that closes automatically upon smoke detection to prevent smoke migration.

A concrete slab poured over metal deck, typically used for elevated floors in steel-framed buildings.

A concrete floor slab poured directly on the ground, typically used for ground-floor construction.

A numbered division of the specifications organized by CSI MasterFormat, describing material and execution requirements.

Documentation provided by the contractor for architect/engineer review, including shop drawings, product data, and samples.

The stage when work is sufficiently complete that the owner can occupy or use the facility for its intended purpose.

The field supervisor responsible for day-to-day construction activities, safety, and trade coordination on site.

A contract type where payment is based on actual labor hours and materials used, plus overhead and profit.

A limited certificate allowing partial occupancy while minor items remain incomplete.

A method of analyzing schedule delays to determine their impact on project completion and assign responsibility.

The elevation at the top of a concrete slab or element.

The elevation at the top of a structural steel member, used as a reference point.

The space required for a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn, either a 60" diameter circle or T-shaped space.

Safety certification organization that tests and certifies products for safety compliance.

An HVAC system that varies the airflow to different zones based on demand, improving energy efficiency.

A systematic method to improve the value of a project by examining function versus cost, often resulting in design changes to reduce cost.

A type of structural steel beam with a characteristic H-shaped cross-section.