334 Appendix 2
Veneer A thin layer or sheet of wood.
Veneered Wall A single-thickness (one-wythe) masonry unit wall with a backup wall of frame or
other masonry; tied but not bonded to the backup wall.
Ventilation The exchange of air, or the movement of air through a building; may be done naturally
through doors and windows or mechanically by motor-driven fans.
Vent Usually a hole in the eaves or soffit to allow the circulation of air over an insulated ceiling; usu-
ally covered with a piece of metal or screen.
Vent Stack A system of pipes used for air circulation and prevent water from being suctioned from
the traps in the waste disposal system.
Vertical Pipe Any pipe or fitting installed in a vertical position or which makes an angle of not more
than 45 degrees with the vertical.
View A drawing of a side or plane of an object as seen from one point.
Volt (E) or (V) The unit of measurement of electrical pressure (force).
Voltage Drop Voltage reduction due to resistance.
Waiver of Lien An instrument by which a person or organization who has or may have a right of me-
chanic’s lien against the property of another relinquishes such right.
Walk An exterior pathway with a prepared surface intended for pedestrian use, including general
pedestrian areas such as plazas and courts.
Warranty Legally enforceable assurance of quality or performance of a product or work, or of the du-
ration of satisfactory performance. Warranty guarantee and guaranty are substantially identical in mean-
ing; nevertheless, confusion frequently arises from supposed distinctions attributed to guarantee (or guar-
anty) being exclusively indicative of duration of satisfactory performance or of a legally enforceable
assurance furnished by a manufacturer or other third party. The Uniform Commercial Code provisions on
Sales (effective in all states except Louisiana) use warranty but recognize the continuation of the use of
guarantee and guaranty.
Waste Pipe Discharge pipe from any fixture, appliance, or appurtenance in connection with a plumb-
ing system which does not contain fecal matter.
Water-Cement Ratio The ratio between the weight of water to cement.
Water Hammer The noise and vibration which develops in a piping system when a column of non-
compressible liquid flowing through a pipe line at a given pressure and velocity is abruptly stopped.
Water Main The water supply pipe for public or community use.
Waterproofing Materials used to protect below-and on-grade construction from moisture penetration.
Weep Holes Small holes in a wall to permit water to exit from behind.
Welded Wire Fabric (WWF) A reinforcement used for horizontal concrete strengthening.
Wind Lift (Wind Load) The force exerted by the wind against a structure.
Wiring (Connection) Diagram A diagram showing the individual connections within a unit and the
physical arrangement of the components.
Working Drawings A set of drawings which provide the necessary details and dimensions to con-
struct the object. May include specifications.
Wye (Y) A fitting that has one side outlet at any angle other than 90 degrees.
Wythe A continuous masonry wall width.
X Brace Cross brace for joist construction.
Zinc Non-corrosive metal used for galvanizing other metals.