Glossary
Definitions of commonly used Standard Work Specification terms.
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z
A
- AAMA
- American Architectural Manufacturers Association, www.aamanet.org
- AARST
- American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, www. aarst AARST American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, www.aarst.org .org
- AB
- Air barrier Air barrier The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that slows air flow to the point that no smoke movement is visible at 50 pascals of pressure difference across the boundary
- ACCA
- Air Conditioning Contractors of America, www. acca ACCA Air Conditioning Contractors of America, www.acca.org .org
- ACM
- Asbestos-containing material
- ADA
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- ADC
- Air Diffusion Council, www.flexibleduct.org
- AFUE
- Annual fuel utilization efficiency
- AGA
- American Gas Association, www. aga AGA American Gas Association, www.aga.org .org
- AHJ
- Authority having jurisdiction
- AHRI
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, www.ahrinet.org
- Air barrier
- The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that slows air flow to the point that no smoke movement is visible at 50 pascals of pressure difference across the boundary
- AL
- Action level
- ANSI
- American National Standards Institute, www. ansi ANSI American National Standards Institute, www.ansi.org .org
- ASHRAE
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, www. ashrae ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, www.ashrae.org .org
- ASTM
- ASTM ASTM ASTM International, www.astm.org International, www. astm ASTM ASTM International, www.astm.org .org
B
- Backdraft damper
- A damper that allows air to flow in only one direction
- Beaded collar
- A round fitting with a ridge or lip part way down its length that prevents a flexible duct mechanically attached with a draw band from sliding off
- Bonus room
- A livable room that is often over a garage or in an attic area; the room commonly contains slanted ceilings and knee walls
- BPI
- Building Performance Institute, www. bpi BPI Building Performance Institute, www.bpi.org .org
- BTU
- British thermal unit
C
- Can light
- A light fixture (or can) that is recessed into the ceiling
- Cathedral ceiling
- A condition in which the ceiling has the same slope as the roof
- Cathedralized attic
- An attic that contains insulation located at the roof deck rather than the attic floor, bringing the attic space into the thermal boundary Thermal boundary The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that slows heat flow of the house
- CAZ
- Combustion appliance zone
- CFL
- Compact fluorescent lamp
- CFM
- Cubic feet per minute
- CGSB
- Canadian General Standard Board
- Closed crawl space
- A foundation without wall vents that uses air-sealed walls, ground and foundation moisture control, and mechanical drying methods to control crawl space moisture. Insulation may be located at the conditioned floor level or on the exterior walls. Return pathways are not allowed from the crawl space to the living space
- CO
- Carbon monoxide
- Conditioned basement
- A below- or partially below-grade livable space with concrete or finished floor that is intentionally heated or cooled
- Conditioned crawl space
- A foundation without wall vents that encloses an intentionally heated and/or cooled space. Insulation is located on the exterior walls
- CPSC
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- CSA
- Canadian Standards Association
D
- DACUM
- Developing a curriculum
- dBA
- A-weighted decibels
- Dense pack
- The process of installing loose-fill insulation to reduce air flow and perform to a stated R-value
- DHW
- Domestic hot water
- Dielectric union
- A plumbing connection that separates two different materials and does not allow them to chemically react and break down
- Draft regulator
- A device that functions to maintain a desired draft in the appliance by automatically reducing the draft to the desired value. Source: National Fire Protection Association 54, 2012
- Dual-Cooling Up-Duct
- Piece of duct located between the living space and attic to allow air flow in pressurized homes having evaporative coolers
E
- Efflorescence
- Deposits of crystals or salts left attached to masonry materials after moisture has evaporated off of the surface
- Egress window
- A window that people can escape through in an emergency
- EIFS
- Exterior insulation and finish systems
- EIMA
- EIFS EIFS Exterior insulation and finish systems Industry Members Association
- Energy factor
- Measure of overall efficiency for a variety of appliances. For water heaters, the energy factor Energy factor Measure of overall efficiency for a variety of appliances. For water heaters, the energy factor is based on three factors: 1) the recovery efficiency, or how efficiently the heat from the energy source is transferred to the water; 2) stand-by losses, or the percentage of heat lost per hour from the stored water compared to the content of the water: and 3) cycling losses. For dishwashers, the energy factor is defined as the number of cycles per kWh of input power. For clothes washers, the energy factor is defined as the cubic foot capacity per kWh of input power per cycle. For clothes dryers, the energy factor is defined as the number of pounds of clothes dried per kWh of power consumed. is based on three factors: 1) the recovery efficiency, or how efficiently the heat from the energy source is transferred to the water; 2) stand-by losses, or the percentage of heat lost per hour from the stored water compared to the content of the water: and 3) cycling losses. For dishwashers, the energy factor Energy factor Measure of overall efficiency for a variety of appliances. For water heaters, the energy factor is based on three factors: 1) the recovery efficiency, or how efficiently the heat from the energy source is transferred to the water; 2) stand-by losses, or the percentage of heat lost per hour from the stored water compared to the content of the water: and 3) cycling losses. For dishwashers, the energy factor is defined as the number of cycles per kWh of input power. For clothes washers, the energy factor is defined as the cubic foot capacity per kWh of input power per cycle. For clothes dryers, the energy factor is defined as the number of pounds of clothes dried per kWh of power consumed. is defined as the number of cycles per kWh of input power. For clothes washers, the energy factor Energy factor Measure of overall efficiency for a variety of appliances. For water heaters, the energy factor is based on three factors: 1) the recovery efficiency, or how efficiently the heat from the energy source is transferred to the water; 2) stand-by losses, or the percentage of heat lost per hour from the stored water compared to the content of the water: and 3) cycling losses. For dishwashers, the energy factor is defined as the number of cycles per kWh of input power. For clothes washers, the energy factor is defined as the cubic foot capacity per kWh of input power per cycle. For clothes dryers, the energy factor is defined as the number of pounds of clothes dried per kWh of power consumed. is defined as the cubic foot capacity per kWh of input power per cycle. For clothes dryers, the energy factor Energy factor Measure of overall efficiency for a variety of appliances. For water heaters, the energy factor is based on three factors: 1) the recovery efficiency, or how efficiently the heat from the energy source is transferred to the water; 2) stand-by losses, or the percentage of heat lost per hour from the stored water compared to the content of the water: and 3) cycling losses. For dishwashers, the energy factor is defined as the number of cycles per kWh of input power. For clothes washers, the energy factor is defined as the cubic foot capacity per kWh of input power per cycle. For clothes dryers, the energy factor is defined as the number of pounds of clothes dried per kWh of power consumed. is defined as the number of pounds of clothes dried per kWh of power consumed.
- Envelope
- The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that includes a combination of air and thermal barrier
- EPA
- U.S. U.S. United States Environmental Protection Agency, www. epa EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov .gov
- ERV
- Energy recovery ventilator
- ESP
- External static pressure
- Exfiltration
- The uncontrolled passage of inside air out of a building through unintended leaks in the building envelope Envelope The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that includes a combination of air and thermal barrier
- Exterior storm window
- An additional window assembly installed on the exterior of the main window
F
G
H
- Hi-limit switch
- A protective electronic switch that keeps a burner from continuing to operate and damage the appliance
- HRV
- Heat recovery ventilator
- HVAC
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
- HVI
- Home Ventilation Institute
- Hydrophobic
- Lacking affinity for water; tending to repel and not absorb water; tending not to dissolve in, mix with, or be wetted by water
I
- I-P
- Inch-pound
- IAQ
- Indoor air quality
- IBC
- International Building Code
- IBR
- Institute of Boiler and Radiator Manufacturers
- IC
- Insulation contact
- ICC
- International Code Council
- IECC
- International Energy Conservation Code
- IFGC
- International Fuel Gas Code
- Ignition barrier
- Any layer of material that protects another from catching fire due to heat or spark
- IMC
- International Mechanical Code
- Infiltration
- The uncontrolled passage of outside air into a building through unintended leaks in the building envelope Envelope The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that includes a combination of air and thermal barrier
- Interior storm window
- An additional window assembly installed on the interior of the main window
- IPM
- Integrated Pest Management
- IRC
- International Residential Code
- IWC
- Inches of water column
J
K
L
M
- MERV
- Minimum efficiency reporting value
- Modulating systems
- Heating systems with the ability to adjust the heating capacity and output based on the heating demand
- MSDS
- Material Safety Data Sheet
N
- NAHB
- National Association of Home Builders, www. nahb NAHB National Association of Home Builders, www.nahb.com .com
- NAIMA
- North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, www. naima NAIMA North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, www.naima.org .org
- NATE
- North American Technician Excellence, www.natex.org
- NEBB
- National Environmental Balancing Bureau, www. nebb NEBB National Environmental Balancing Bureau, www.nebb.org .org
- NEC
- National Electrical Code
- NFPA
- National Fire Protection Association, www. nfpa NFPA National Fire Protection Association, www.nfpa.org .org
- NIOSH
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, www.cdc.gov/ niosh NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, www.cdc.gov/niosh
O
- Orphaned equipment
- Condition when one smaller combustion appliance exists after being commonly vented with a larger appliance. What remains is a larger exhaust flue or chimney than is necessary for the remaining smaller appliance
- Orphaned water heater
- Condition when one smaller combustion appliance (e.g., water heater) exists after being commonly vented with a larger appliance. What remains is a larger exhaust flue or chimney than is necessary for the water heater
- OSHA
- U.S. U.S. United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, www. osha OSHA U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, www.osha.gov .gov
P
- PEL
- Permissable exposure limit
- Perm rating
- The measurement of a material's ability to allow the transfer of water vapor through the material
- PPE
- Personal protective equipment
- Programmable thermostat
- A thermostat designed to adjust the temperature according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day
- Psi
- Pounds per square inch
- Psig
- Pound per square inch gauge
R
- Reverse or upslope lapping technique
-
Upper course laps under a lower course to keep the moisture under the barrier
Synonyms: "reverse" or "upslope lapping" technique upslope lapping
- Rigid material
- Drywall, oriented strand board, duct board, cardboard, or any other stiff product that may support the load of insulation while serving as a durable air barrier Air barrier The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that slows air flow to the point that no smoke movement is visible at 50 pascals of pressure difference across the boundary
- RPA
- Radiant Professional Alliance
- RRP
- Renovation, repair, and painting
S
- Sealant foam
- One- or two-component polyurethane foam typically applied as a bead and used to control air leakage as part of an air barrier Air barrier The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that slows air flow to the point that no smoke movement is visible at 50 pascals of pressure difference across the boundary system within the building envelope Envelope The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that includes a combination of air and thermal barrier
- Service switch
- An electrical switch that controls the complete flow of electricity to a mechanical device
- SHGC
- Solar heat gain coefficient
- SI
- Système International
- SMACNA
- Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, www. smacna SMACNA Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, www.smacna.org .org
- SPF
- Spray polyurethane foam
- SPFA
- Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance
- SSE
- Steady state efficiency
- Standby loss
- Heat loss through the outer part of a water heater. Energy that is used even when a device is turned off
- Storm door
- An additional door assembly that is installed on the exterior of the main door
- Strip heat
- A function of a heat pump that uses energy-intensive resistance heat to warm conditioned space when the heat pump is unable to satisfy the heating demand; also provides emergency heat backup for heat pumps
- Support material
- Typically, wooden strips that provide support over holes greater than 24" in size for less rigid air barrier Air barrier The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that slows air flow to the point that no smoke movement is visible at 50 pascals of pressure difference across the boundary materials
T
- T&TA
- Training and Technical Assistance
- TABB
- Testing and Balancing Bureau, www.tabbcertified.org
- TDC
- Transverse duct connector
- TDF
- Transverse duct flange
- Thermal boundary
- The separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building that slows heat flow
- Thermal resistance
- The insulation or other building material that offers the primary barrier to thermal transmittance. R-value is a measurement of thermal resistance Thermal resistance The insulation or other building material that offers the primary barrier to thermal transmittance. R-value is a measurement of thermal resistance
- Tie band
- A strap, often made of nylon, that mechanically squeezes a flexible duct to a fitting. Must have a minimum performance temperature rating of 165° (per UL UL Underwriters Laboratories 181A-type test) and a minimum tensile strength rating of 50 pounds
U
- U.S.
- United States
- UL
- Underwriters Laboratories
- Unconditioned basement
- A below- or partially below-grade livable space with concrete or finished floor without intentional heating or cooling
- UV
- Ultraviolet
V
- Vapor barrier
- A material that retards the passage of water vapor and contains a perm rating Perm rating The measurement of a material's ability to allow the transfer of water vapor through the material of less than 1
- Vapor retarder
- A material that slows the passage of water vapor and contains a perm rating Perm rating The measurement of a material's ability to allow the transfer of water vapor through the material above 1
- Vaulted ceiling
- A condition where a non-horizontal ceiling has a different slope than the roof
- Vented crawl space
- A foundation that uses wall vents as a primary means to control moisture. Insulation is located at the conditioned floor level above the crawl space
- VOC
- Volatile organic compound
W
- WAP
- DOE Weatherization Assistance Program
- WDMA
- Window and Door Manufacturers Association, www. wdma WDMA Window and Door Manufacturers Association, www.wdma.com .com
- Wg
- Water gauge
- Wind intrusion
- A condition where air from outside of a structure can pass through insulation and reduce its performance
- Wood/materials shrinkage
- A loss of dimension and weight as a result of drying the structure and operating the building at lower relative humidity