Unit 2 Terms & Definitions
Legal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure. Building Code
The maximum compressive stress a material can withstand without failure. Compression Strength
The lower part of a building, which transfers structural loads from the building to the soil. Foundation
The moving of soil to affect the elevation of land at a construction site. Grading
The energy needed to warm outside air leaking into a building through cracks around doors, windows, and other areas. Heat Loss
Material used to restrict the flow of heat, cold, or sound from one surface to another. Insulation
The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected. Main
The pressure of water at a given point in a pipe arising from the pressure in it. Pressure Head
The numerical value used to indicate the resistance to the flow of heat. R-Value
Minimum distance that the zoning ordinance requires must be maintained between a structure and property lines or between two structures. Setback
Consideration of the solar orientation of a building based on the relative position of the sun in order to purposely increase or decrease the amount of light or heat transferred to the building. Solar Orientation
Pressure of a fluid due to the head of fluid above some reference point. Static Head
The maximum stress a material subjected to a stretching load can withstand without tearing. Tensile Strength
The process of heat transfer through a solid by transmitting kinetic energy from one molecule to the next. Thermal Conduction
Heat transmission by the circulation of a liquid or a heated gas or air. Thermal Convection
An assembly of structural members joined to form a rigid framework, usually connected to form triangles. Truss
A measure of the heat transmission through a building part (as a wall or window) or a given thickness of a material (as insulation) with lower numbers indicating better insulating properties. U-Factor
A fitting that is used to control the flow of fluid or gas. Valve
The pipe from the water main or other supply to the water-distributing pipes. Water Service