Construction Dictionary
Construction English Dictionary
Listen in to any conversation with a person working in the construction industry and you will probably hear some common words that may have different meanings and some words that sound made up. Even conversations between subcontractors and general contractors can become confusing when jargon from a specific area differs from broader construction communication.
To help clarify the words that may be thrown around out there in the world, here is an ongoing list for your reference.
To help clarify the words that may be thrown around out there in the world, here is an ongoing list for your reference.
Definitions:
Acoustical: providing some sound protection.
- See also: Non-acoustical
Airwall: a moveable wall that consists of a track system attached within the ceiling and panels that contain an air-supported bladder.
- See also: Operable Wall, Operable Partition, Folding Panel Partition
- See also: Final Fabrication Drawings
- See also: Phenolic, Color-Thru Phenolic
Bulb Seal: rubber trim that is attached to the vertical sides of panels. It helps to protect panel edges and creates a secure, tight closure.
Color-Thru Phenolic: a type of toilet compartment that is created when weighted layers of cotton, paper or glass fabric mix are placed under heat and pressure and filled with synthetic resin. The inner material of a phenolic compartment matches the color on the exterior, which means the color runs all the way through. This material is scratch and graffiti resistant and stands up to vandalism problems. It can also take severe moisture conditions from showers, pools, and saunas.
- See also: Phenolic, Black Core Phenolic
Escapement: a small removeable section of track that allows installers to thread the panels into the track.
Final Fabrication Drawings: final version shop drawings that shows exactly how the wall was/is built.
- See also: As-Built Drawings
- See also: Operable Wall, Operable Partition, Airwall
- See also: Top Seal, Bottom Seal
Individual (Panels): If an operable wall is individual or has individual panels, it means that the panels are not hinged together, each panel hangs by itself.
Non-acoustical: does not provide any sound protection.
Operable Partition: a moveable wall that consists of a track system attached within the ceiling and panels.
- See also: Operable Wall, Folding Panel Partition, Airwall
- See also: Operable Partition, Folding Panel Partition, Airwall
Panels : rectangular piece of wood, glass, or metal that forms parts of a larger surface such as a door or wall. Panels in an operable partition consist of internal mechanisms and insulation to recreate specific functions and control sound. Panels in a toilet compartment can consist of solid plastic or other similar material, particle board, or cellular honeycomb.
Pass Door: a single or double doors that are set into a panel(s) to allow for people to go from one side of the room to the other.
Phenolic: is created when weighted layers of cotton, paper or glass fabric mix are placed under heat and pressure and filled with synthetic resin. Toilet compartments made out of phenolic come in black core or color-thru.
- See also: Black Core Phenolic, Color-Thru phenolic
Pocket: a small room that stores the operable partition when not in use.
Pocket Door: a two or three-panel door that hides the operable partition from view when not in use. The pocket door is installed at the opening of a pocket storage area.
Powder Coated Steel: toilet compartment material that features thermoset hybrid powder finish on galvannealed steel. This type of material is resistant to corrosion, grease, acids, caustics, mars, and stains.
Recover: to replace the wall covering on the face of a operable wall with a new wall covering.
Scope of Work: the work to be performed.
Shop Drawings: a drawing or set of drawings produced by a manufacturer, which illustrates how a product will look as well as details inside and out. These are used by subcontractors and contractors to make sure the product is correct. It also helps different scopes of work to work together to make sure the installation will be safe and accurate.
Solid Plastic (HDPE): is a polyethylene thermoplastic material made from petroleum. HDPE is commonly recycled and made into composite wood or plastic lumber. HDPE in restrooms is resistent to common cleaning agents, moisture, mildrew, and graffiti. It's ideal for busy public restrooms and/or areas with high humidity.
STC (Sound Transmission Class rating): a score given to a building's surface (wall, ceiling, window, etc.) based on its ability to reduce sound coming through it. STC rating goes from 25 – 65. The higher the rating, the less noise that gets through.
Toilet Compartment: partitions that separate a space in a toilet room. Each partitioned area contains a toilet or lavatory. Compartments consist of panels, doors, and pilasters.
Shop Drawings: a drawing or set of drawings produced by a manufacturer, which illustrates how a product will look as well as details inside and out. These are used by subcontractors and contractors to make sure the product is correct. It also helps different scopes of work to work together to make sure the installation will be safe and accurate.
Solid Plastic (HDPE): is a polyethylene thermoplastic material made from petroleum. HDPE is commonly recycled and made into composite wood or plastic lumber. HDPE in restrooms is resistent to common cleaning agents, moisture, mildrew, and graffiti. It's ideal for busy public restrooms and/or areas with high humidity.
STC (Sound Transmission Class rating): a score given to a building's surface (wall, ceiling, window, etc.) based on its ability to reduce sound coming through it. STC rating goes from 25 – 65. The higher the rating, the less noise that gets through.
Toilet Compartment: partitions that separate a space in a toilet room. Each partitioned area contains a toilet or lavatory. Compartments consist of panels, doors, and pilasters.
- See also: Toilet Stall, Toilet Partition
- See also: Toilet Compartment, Toilet Stall
Toilet Stall: an enclosure providing privacy to the user of a single toilet in a public restroom. Stalls consist of panels, doors, and pilasters.
- See also: Toilet Compartment, Toilet Partition
Top Seal: horizontal barrier located at the top of a panel. The barrier helps to secure the panel into place and help block sound. Top seals can be fixed (stays in place) or retractable (recesses into the panel).
Track: pieces of molded metal, typically aluminum or steel, that allow a trolley wheel to glide through a channel. Track is attached to a steel I-beam or secured using unistrut. It is one of two main components in an operable partition system.
Trolley: is a wheel attached to the top of a panel that allows the panel to be pushed or pulled down the track.
Wall Covering: vinyl, fabric, carpet, plastic laminate, or other material that is mounted to the face or a panel. Wall covering is for aesthetic purposes only in most cases.
Track: pieces of molded metal, typically aluminum or steel, that allow a trolley wheel to glide through a channel. Track is attached to a steel I-beam or secured using unistrut. It is one of two main components in an operable partition system.
Trolley: is a wheel attached to the top of a panel that allows the panel to be pushed or pulled down the track.
Wall Covering: vinyl, fabric, carpet, plastic laminate, or other material that is mounted to the face or a panel. Wall covering is for aesthetic purposes only in most cases.
- See also: Recover