for each day the project remains uncompleted after the time
stipulated.
Brace Rods Rods used in roofs and walls to transfer wind
loads and/or seismic forces to the foundation (often used to
plumb building but not designed to replace erection cables
when required).
Bridging The structural member used to give lateral sup-
port to the weak plane of a truss, joist, or purlin; provides
sufficient stability to support the design loads, sag channels,
or sag rods.
Built-Up Roofing Roofing consisting of layers of rag felt
or jute saturated with coal tar pitch, with each layer set in a
mopping of hot tar or asphalt; ply designation as to the
number of layers.
Camber A permanent curvature designed into a structural
member in a direction opposite to the deflection anticipated
when loads are applied.
Canopy Any overhanging or projecting structure with the
extreme end unsupported. It may also be supported at the
outer end.
Cantilever A projecting beam supported and restrained
only at one end.
Cap Plate A horizontal plate located at the top of a column.
Cash Allowances Sums that the contractor is required
to include in the bid and contract amount for specific
purposes.
Caulk To seal and make weathertight the joints, seams, or
voids by filling with a waterproofing compound or material.
Certificate of Occupancy Statement issued by the govern-
ing authority granting permission to occupy a project for a
specific use.
Certificate of Payment Statement by an architect inform-
ing the owner of the amount due a contractor on account of
work accomplished and/or materials suitably stored.
Change Order A work order, usually prepared by the
architect and signed by the owner or by the owner’s agent,
authorizing a change in the scope of the work and a change
in the cost of the project.
Channel A steel member whose formation is similar to
that of a C-section without return lips; may be used singu-
larly or back to back.
Clip A plate or angle used to fasten two or more members
together.
Clip Angle An angle used for fastening various members
together.
Collateral Loads A load, in addition to normal live, wind,
or dead loads, intended to cover loads that are either
unknown or uncertain (sprinklers, lighting, etc.).
Column A main structural member used in a vertical
position on a building to transfer loads from main roof
beams, trusses, or rafters to the foundation.
Contract Documents Working drawings, specifications,
general conditions, supplementary general conditions, the
owner-contractor agreement, and all addenda (if issued).
Curb A raised edge on a concrete floor slab.
Curtain Wall Perimeter walls that carry only their own
weight and wind load.
Datum Any level surface to which elevations are referred
(see Benchmark).
Dead Load The weight of the structure itself, such as floor,
roof, framing, and covering members, plus any permanent
loads.
Deflection The displacement of a loaded structural mem-
ber or system in any direction, measured from its no-load
position, after loads have been applied.
Design Loads Those loads specified by building codes,
state or city agencies, or owner’s or architect’s specifications
to be used in the design of the structural frame of a building.
They are suited to local conditions and building use.
Door Guide An angle or channel guide used to stabilize
and keep plumb a sliding or rolling door during its operation.
Downspout A hollow section such as a pipe used to carry
water from the roof or gutter of a building to the ground or
sewer connection.
Drain Any pipe, channel, or trench for which waste water
or other liquids are carried off, i.e., to a sewer pipe.
Eave The line along the side wall formed by the intersection
of the inside faces of the roof and wall panels; the projecting
lower edges of a roof, overhanging the walls of a building.
Equal (see Approved Equal).
Erection The assembly of components to form the com-
pleted portion of a job.
Expansion Joint A connection used to allow for temperature-
induced expansion and contraction of material.
Fabrication The manufacturing process performed in the
plant to convert raw material into finished metal building
components. The main operations are cold forming, cutting,
punching, welding, cleaning, and painting.
Fascia A flat, broad trim projecting from the face of a wall,
which may be part of the rake or the eave of the building.
Field The job site or building site.
Field Fabrication Fabrication performed by the erection
crew or others in the field.
Field Welding Welding performed at the job site, usually
with gasoline/diesel-powered machines.
Filler Strip Preformed neoprene material, resilient rubber,
or plastic used to close the ribs or corrugations of a panel.
Final Acceptance The owner’s acceptance of a completed
project from a contractor.
Fixed Joint A connection between two members in such a
manner as to cause them to act as a single continuous mem-
ber; provides for transmission of forces from one member to
the other without any movement in the connection itself.
Flange That portion of a structural member normally
projecting from the edges of the web of a member.
Flashing A sheet-metal closure that functions primarily to
provide weather tightness in a structure and secondarily toCommon Terms Used in the Building Industry 239