| Term | Definition |
| E | 1. Represents the modulus of elasticity. 2. Represents volts (electromotive force). |
| E Switch (Snap, General Use) | A form of general use switch so constructed that it can be installed in flush device boxes or on outlet box covers, or otherwise used in conjunction with wiring systems recognized by these regulations. |
| E&O Insurance | Errors and Omissions Insurance. |
| EA | Exhaust Air. |
| Eagle Beak | A 6-inch x 3/4 inch outside corner ceramin tile trim shape tile. |
| Earlywood | Springwood. |
| Earnest Money | A sum paid to the seller to show that a potential purchaser is serious about buying. |
| Earth Pigment | Pigments which occur as deposits in earth and are removed by mining; such pigments as a whole are permanent in color, non-bleeding, and are not readily changed by heat, light, moisture, and alkalis. |
| Earthquake | Movement in the earth's crust that produces horizontal and vertical movement on the ground surface. |
| Earthquake Strap | A metal strap used to secure gas hot water heaters to the framing or foundation of a house. Intended to reduce the chances of having the water heater fall over in an earthquake and causing a gas leak. |
| Earthwork | An embankment or other construction made of earth; any work involving movement or use of soil and other earthen material. |
| Eased Edges | 1. The slight rounding of the corners of a piece of finish lumber. 2. A tapered, slightly rounded factory edge of gypsum board. |
| Easement | 1. A right to utilize real property owned by another. 2. An interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use. |
| Easement | A formal contract which allows a party to use another party's property for a specific purpose. e.g. A sewer easement might allow one party to run a sewer line through a neighbors property. |
| Eastern Frame | See Balloon Frame. |
| Eastern Method | See Pick and Dip. |
| EasyGlide | Economical low grade raising device, used to raise/lower large and heavy 3/8" honeycomb shades by Hunter Douglas. |
| EasyRise | A smooth working mechanism used to raise large and/or heavy Duette shades made by Hunter Douglas |
| Eave Trough | Gutter for catching rain water at the eaves of a sloping roof. |
| Eave Vent | A usually screened opening at the eave line to allow a free flow of ventilation air into the underroof area. |
| Eaves | The horizontal exterior roof overhang. |
| Eaves | The margin or lower part of a roof projecting over the wall. |
| EAVES | The part of a roof that extends beyond the exterior walls below it. |
| Eccentric | Not having common centers; offcenter. |
| Eccentrically Braced Frame (EBF) | A diagonal braced frame in which a least one end of each bracing member connects to a beam a short distance from a beam-to-column connection or from another beam-to-brace connection. |
| Eccentricity | The distance from the application of a structural load to the axis or centroid of the carrying member. |
| Eclectic | Architectural design based on picking and choosing from various styles; see Pastiche. |
| Eco-tech | Green design. |
| Ecology | A branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments. |
| Economic | Profitable; careful, efficient, and prudent use of resources. |
| Economic Life | The period of time a property will produce sufficient income after expenses to justify its continued operation. |
| Economic Obsolescence | Depreciation; the reduction in value of real property caused by extrinsic factors such as a declining neighborhood, a factory closure, or unsuitable zoning. |
| Economizer Cycle | Not an individual system, it is a modification of the single zone system, terminal reheat, multi-zone, dual duct, and variable air volume (VAV); it is a modification that controls and adjusts motorized dampers to draw in outside air when it is advantageou |
| Economy | Efficient and concise use of resources. |
| Economy Brick | A brick larger than standard. |
| Ecosystem | A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. |
| Eddy current | A circular water movement that develops when the main flow becomes separated from the bank. The eddy current may then be set up between the main flow and the bank. |
| Edge | 1. The cutting side of a blade. 2. The degree of sharpness of a tool. 3. The line where an object or area begins or ends. 4. The extreme verge or brink of a cliff. 5. Of gypsum board, the paper bound edge as manufactured. |
| Edge Bead | A strip of metal or plastic used to make a neat, durable edge where plaster or gypsum board abuts another material. |
| Edge Distance | The distance from a rivet, bolt, screw, or nail to the edge of a structural member. |
| Edge Form | A forming member used to limit the horizontal spread of fresh concrete on flat surfaces. |
| Edge Joint | The place where two pieces of wood are joined together edge to edge, commonly by gluing; the joint may be made by gluing two squared edges as in a plain edge joint or by using machined joints of various configuration, such as tongued-and-grooved joints. |
| Edge Joint Cracks | In concrete or asphalt road paving, the separation of the joint between the pavement and the shoulder, commonly caused by the alternate wetting and drying beneath the shoulder surface; other causes are shoulder settlement, mix shrinkage, and trucks stradd |
| Edge Mounted Tile | A type of mounted tile wherein tile is assembled into units or sheets and are bonded to each other at the edges or corners of the back of the tiles by an elastomeric or resinous material which becomes an integral part of the tile installation. |
| Edge Preparation | The prepared shape on the edge of metal for welding. |
| Edge Repair | The repair of an edge of a construction member by the use of plaster or concrete. |
| Edge Sheets | Felt strips that are cut to widths narrower than the standard width of the full felt roll; used to start the felt-shingling pattern at a roof edge. |
| Edge Stripping | Application of felt strips cut to narrower widths than the normal 36 inch width of a felt roll, used to start the felt-shingling pattern at a roof edge. |
| Edge Venting | The practice of providing regular spaced protected openings around a roof's perimeter to relieve the water vapor. |
| Edge, Drip | See Drip Edge. |
| Edge-Grained Lumber | Lumber that has been sawed so that the wide surfaces extend approximately at right angles to the annual growth rings. Lumber is considered edge grained when the rings form an angle of 45 degrees to 90 degrees with the wide surface of the piece. |
| Edge-Matched | 1. See Tongue and Groove. 2. Lumber that has been rabbeted on both edges of each piece; in either case, the purpose is to provide a close joint when fitting two pieces together. |
| Edger | A finishing tool used on the edges of fresh concrete to provide a rounded corner. |
| Edging | Striping. |
| Edifice | A large building. |
| EDM | Electronic Distance Measuring. |
| EE | Electrical Engineer. |
| Effective | 1. Capable of producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect. 2. Capable of performing the particular function specified with safety. |
| Effective Area | Actual flow area of an air inlet or outlet; gross area minus area of vanes or grille bars. |
| Effective Area of Concrete | The area of a section which lies between the centroid of the tension reinforcement and the compression face of the flexural member. |
| Effective Area of Reinforcement | The area obtained by multiplying the cross sectional area of the reinforcement by the cosine of the angle between its direction and the direction for which the effectiveness is to be determined. |
| Effective Depth of Section | The distance from the extreme compression fiber to the centroid of tension reinforcement. |
| Effective Opening | The minimum cross-section area of the opening where water is discharged from a water supply pipe. |
| Effective Prestress | The stress remaining in prestressing tendons after all losses have occurred, excluding effects of dead load and superimposed load. |
| Effective Stiffness | The value of the lateral force in the isolation system, or an element thereof, divided by the corresponding lateral displacement. |
| Effective Temperature | Overall effect on a human of air temperature, humidity, and air movement. |
| Efficiency | The ratio of useful work performed to the total energy expended or heat taken in. |
| Efficiency Living Unit | Any room having access to bathroom facilities and having cooking facilities and intended or designed to be used for combined living, dining, and sleeping purposes. |
| Efflorescence | A deposit of water soluble salts on the surface of masonry or plaster caused by the dissolving of salts present in the masonry; migration of the solution to the surface and deposition of the salts when the water evaporates; the surest preventative of effl |
| Effluent | Fluid discharge from a sewage system. |
| Egg and Dart | A decorative carved molding consisting of alternating egg-shaped and arrow-shaped parts. |
| Egg Shell | Finish that closely resembles the luster of an egg shell. |
| Eggshelling | 1. The texture of a fired glaze similar in appearance to the surface of an eggshell. 2. Chip-cracked plaster, either base or finish coat; the form taken is concave to the surface and the bond is partially destroyed. |
| Egress | A means of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every bedroom and basement. Normally a 4' X 4' window is the minimum size required. |
| Egress | The way out; exit. |
| EIA | 1. Environmental Impact Assessment. 2. Electronic Industries Association. |
| EIFS | Exterior Insulation Finish System. |
| Eight Bend | A pipe fitting which allows the run of pipe to make a 45 degree bend. |
| EIP | Membrane is generally reinforced with polyester fabric. Resists fire, chemicals, oils and tears. |
| EIR | Environmental Impact Report. |
| EIS | Environmental Impact Statement. |
| Ejector | Device which uses high fluid velocity, such as a venturi, to create low pressure or vacuum at its throat to draw in fluid from another source. |
| Elapsed Time Indicator | A mechanical or electronic device which measures the passage of time. |
| Elastic | Able to return to its original size and shape after removal of stress. |
| Elastic Analysis | An analysis of deformations and internal forces based on equilibrium, compatibility of strains, and assumed elastic behavior and representing to suitable approximation the three dimensional action of the structural shell together with its auxiliary member |
| Elastic Limit | The largest stress which a material can withstand without being permanently deformed. |
| Elastic Sheet Roof | A thin, pliable roofing material that is able to expand and contract to its original size regardless of weather conditions. |
| Elastic Shortening | In prestressed concrete, the shortening of a member which occurs on the application of forces induced by prestressing. |
| Elastomer | Any of various elastic substances resembling rubber; a material which at room temperature can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice its original length and, upon release of the stress, will return with force to its approximate original length. |
| Elastomeric | Having the characteristics of an elastomer. |
| Elastomeric Flashing | A rubber-like material used as flashing on a roof system. |
| Elastomeric/Plastomeric Membrane | A rubber-like sheet material used as a roof covering. |
| Elbow | A pipe fitting having two openings which allows a run of pipe to change directions. |
| Elbow (ell) | A plumbing or electrical fitting that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit. |
| Elbow Catch | A spring-loaded device consisting of a rocker arm and angle strike, for locking the inactive leaf of a pair of cabinet doors. |
| Electric Arc Furnace Slag | Refer Slag. |
| Electric Boiler | A tank in which water is heated or hot water is stored, controlled by an electric current. |
| Electric Cord | A small flexible insulated electrical cable having a plug at one or both ends used to connect a power tool or mechanical device with a receptacle which supplies electric current. |
| Electric Defrosting | Use of electric resistance heating coils to melt ice and frost off evaporators during defrosting. |
| Electric Elevator | See Electric Traction Elevator. |
| Electric Eye | 1. Photoelectric cell; a miniature cathode ray tube. |
| Electric Field | A region of electrical influence. |
| Electric Furnace | An enclosed structure in which heat is produced, controlled by electric current. |
| Electric Grinder | A mechanical device powered by electric current that wears down, polishes, or sharpens by friction. |
| Electric Heater | A heat-producing unit powered by electricity. |
| Electric Heating | System in which heat from electrical resistance units is used to heat the building. |
| Electric Hoist | An apparatus for lifting people or materials powered by electric current. |
| Electric Insulation | Substance which has almost no free electrons. |
| Electric lateral | The trench or area in the yard where the electric service line (from a transformer or pedestal) is located, or the work of installing the electric service to a home. |
| Electric Lockset | A doorknob and deadbolt assembly in a door locked or unlocked by electric current. |
| Electric Manhole | An access hole for the service of underground electric lines; also used for pull stations when laying electric cable. |
| Electric Meter | An instrument for measuring consumption of electrical power. |
| Electric Pole | A vertical wooden pole used to carry electric utility wires. Opposite charged terminals, as in an electric cell or battery. |
| Electric Range | A cooking stove with an oven and a flat top with burners, powered by electric current. |
| Electric resistance coils | Metal wires that heat up when electric current passes through them and are used in baseboard heaters and electric water heaters. |
| Electric Sign | A fixed or portable, self-contained electrically- illuminated appliance with words or symbols designed to convey information or attract attention. |
| Electric Steamer | A device which produces steam to strip old wallpaper off of wall surfaces. |
| Electric Strike | An electric device that permits releasing of the door latch from a remote control. |
| Electric Traction Elevator | Elevator operated by electric motor and suspended from cables. |
| Electric Water Valve | Electrically operated solenoid valve controlling water flow. |
| Electrical | Relating to, or operated by electric current. |
| Electrical Conductivity | The conducting power of a specified material; the reciprocal of electrical resistivity. |
| Electrical Curing | A system in which a favorable temperature is maintained in freshly-placed concrete by supplying heat generated by electrical resistance. |
| Electrical Engineer | An engineer who designs electrical systems. |
| Electrical entrance package | The entry point of the electrical power including: (1) the 'strike' or location where the overhead or underground electrical lines connect to the house, (2) The meter which measures how much power is used and (3) The 'panel' or 'circuit breaker box ' (or |
| Electrical Fee | The amount of money charged for the inspection or installation for the electrical wiring work in a building or structure. |
| Electrical Metallic Tubing | Unthreaded light weight piping for running electrical conductors; easier to handle than rigid conduit and installed more rapidly because of the type of non-threaded fittings used with it; also called Thin Wall Conduit. |
| Electrical Porcelain | Vitrified whiteware having an electrical insulating function. |
| Electrical Potential | Electrical force which moves, or attempts to move, electrons along a conductor or resistance; measured in volts. |
| Electrical Resistance (R) | The difficulty electrons have moving through a conductor or substance. |
| Electrical Resistivity | The resisting quality of a specified material; the reciprocal of electrical conductivity. |
| Electrical Rough | Work performed by the Electrical Contractor after the plumber and heating contractor are complete with their phase of work. Normally all electrical wires, and outlet, switch, and fixture boxes are installed (before insulation). |
| Electrical Socket | A receptacle for connecting electrical appliances to the electrical supply. |
| Electrical Trim | Work performed by the electrical contractor when the house is nearing completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches, light fixtures, smoke detectors, appliance "pig tails", bath ventilation fans, wires the furnace, and "makes up" the electric h |
| Electrically Welded Wire Fabric | Large dimension wire mesh used for reinforcing concrete slabs on grade. Same as Electrically Welded Wire Mesh. |
| Electrically Welded Wire Mesh | Electrically Welded Wire Fabric. |
| Electrician | A craft worker who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in buildings. |
| Electrochemical Coating | A coating on metal by means of electron transfer by electrical current; electroplating; electrodeposition. |
| Electrode | Terminal point to which electricity is brought in the welding operation and from which the arc is produced to do the welding; in electric arc welding, the electrode is usually melted and becomes part of the weld. |
| Electrode Force | In spot, seam, and projection welding, the force, in pounds, between the electrodes during the actual welding cycle. |
| Electrode Holder | A device used for mechanically holding the electrode and conducting current to it. |
| Electrolier | Pole-mounted street light. |
| Electrolysis | Production of chemical changes, such as decomposition, by the passage of current through an electrolyte, an acidic liquid, or damp earth; corrodes metals. |
| Electrolytic Condenser-Capacitor | Plate or surface capable of storing small electrical charges. |
| Electromagnet | A soft metal core made into a magnet by the passage of electric current through a coil surrounding it. |
| Electromotive Force | The force that makes electrons move in an electric current; voltage. |
| Electron | Elementary particle or portion of an atom which carries a negative charge. |
| Electronic Air Filter | A filter that attracts dust particles by static charge; also called Electrostatic Filter. |
| Electronic Distance Measuring | A high-precision surveyor's instrument that measures distance by use of radio-frequency or light-frequency electromagnetic waves that are reflected back to source, the elapsed time being precisely measured and converted to distance. |
| Electronic Industries Association (EIA) | 2500 Wilson Boulevard, #300, Arlington, Virginia 22201, (703) 907-7500. |
| Electronic Leak Detector | Electronic instrument which measures electronic flow across gas gap; electronic flow changes indicate presence of refrigerant gas molecules. |
| Electronics | A branch of physics and technology concerned with the behavior and movement of electrons in a vacuum, gas, or semiconductor and with electronic devices. |
| Electroplate | Coat by electrolytic deposition with chromium, silver, copper, or other metal. |
| Electrostatic Coating | Painting with a spray that utilizes electrically charged particles to ensure complete coverage. |
| Electrostatic Filter | See Electronic Air Filter. |
| Element | 1. A component part. 2. Any of the hundred or so substances that cannot be resolved by chemical means into simpler substances. |
| Elevated Floor | A floor system not supported by a subgrade. |
| Elevated Slab | A roof slab or floor supported by structural members. |
| Elevated Slab Formwork | The system of support for a freshly poured or placed concrete elevated slab. |
| Elevated Slab Reinforcing | Metal or steel bars embedded in freshly poured concrete to strengthen an elevated slab. |
| Elevated Slab, Concrete | A concrete roof system or concrete flooring system supported by structural members. |
| Elevated Stairs | A stair system not supported by the subgrade. |
| Elevated Temperature Testing | Tests on plastic pipe above 23° C. |
| Elevation | 1. The height above a given level, such as sea level. 2. High place or position. 3. A drawing or diagram made by projection on a vertical plane; a flat drawing of the front, side, or back of a building. |
| Elevation sheet | The page on the blue prints that depicts the house or room as if a vertical plane were passed through the structure. |
| Elevator | 1. A hoisting machine in a shaft;a cable or chain hoist conveying system used for raising material or passengers in a cab, cage, or platform. 2. A building for elevating, storing, discharging, and sometimes processing grain; a grain elevator. |
| Elevator Penthouse | A roof structure containing the machine room for an electric traction elevator. |
| Elevator Shaft | A lined vertical shaft in a building, usually of a fire-rated construction, in which the elevator cab ascends and descends. |
| Ellipse | 1. A closed plane curve generated by a point moving in such a way that the sums of its distances from two fixed points is a constant. 2. An oval. |
| Ellipsoid | A solid like a flattened sphere. |
| Elliptical | Shaped like an ellipse. |
| Elongation | The state of being lengthened. |
| Embankment | A fill whose top is higher than the adjoining surface. |
| Embankment | The part of the soil next to a stream, lake or body of water where the soil elevation adjacent to the water is higher than the water level. Usually referred to as the "bank." |
| Embed | In application of gypsum wallboard, to apply and cover joint tape with joint compound. |
| Embedment | 1. The process of pressing a felt, aggregate, fabric, mat, or panel uniformly and completely into hot bitumen or adhesive. 2. The process of placing a material into another material so that it becomes an integral part of the whole material. |
| Embedment Length | The length of embedded steel reinforcement provided beyond a critical section. |
| Embezzlement | Theft of property which has become a possession of the thief; to appropriate property, that is entrusted to one's care, fraudulently for one's own use. |
| Emboss | 1. Carve or mold in relief. 2. Form designs so that they stand out on a surface. 3. Make protuberant. 4. Adorn or embellish. |
| Embossed | In carpet, the type of pattern formed when heavy twisted tufts are used in a ground of straight yarns to create an engraved appearance; both the straight and twisted yarns are often of the same color. |
| Embossed Paper | Wallpaper run through rollers with raised areas to provide a light relief effect. |
| Emergency Generator | A gasoline powered motor and electrical generator provided for emergency lighting and power during interruption of the normal electrical supply. |
| Emery | Slow-cutting, short-lived abrasive. |
| EMF | Electromotive Force. |
| Eminent Domain | The power of the state to take private property for public use, upon payment of a fair price. |
| Emittance | A measure of the propensity of a material to give off thermal radiation. |
| Empirical Formula | A formula that is developed from experience rather than from scientific theory. |
| Empty-Cell Process | A method of obtaining deep penetration of a wood preservative with a relatively low net retention of the preservative; surplus preservative is removed from the wood cells by vacuum. |
| EMT Conduit | Electrical Metallic Tubing. |
| Emulsified Asphalt | An emulsion of asphalt cement and water that contains a small amount of an emulsifying agent, a heterogeneous system containing two normally immiscible phases (asphalt and water) in which the water forms the continuous phase of the emulsion, and minute gl |
| Emulsified Asphalt Mix (Cold Mix) | A mixture of emulsified asphalt and aggregate; produced in a central plant (plant mix) or mixed at the road site (mixed-in-place). |
| Emulsifier | Material which, when added to a mixture of dissimilar materials will produce a stable emulsion. |
| Emulsifying Agents | Substances of chemical nature that intimately mix and disperse dissimilar materials ordinarily immiscible, such as oil and water, to produce a stable emulsion; a substance which when added to a liquid permits suspension of fine particles or globules in th |
| Emulsion | 1. A fine dispersion of one liquid in another, as in paint; emulsion paint is a water-thinned paint containing a non-volatile substance as its binding medium. 2. In roofing, a coating consisting of asphalt and fillers suspended in water. |
| Emulsion | Is a mixture of water and bitumen used for priming, sealing and tack coating of asphalt layers. (Refer Emulsion Prime, Spray Seal Reference Chart.) |
| Emulsion Paint | Water-thinned paint with an emulsified oil, resin, or latex vehicle. |
| Enamel | Type of paint made by grinding or mixing pigments with varnishes or lacquers. |
| Enamel Paint | A paint which dries to a hard gloss or semi-gloss smooth finish. |
| Encased Burial Conduit | Metal or plastic conduit EB for outdoor wiring with type TW wires encased, or type UF cable. |
| Encased Knot | A knot whose rings of annual growth are not intergrown with those of the surrounding wood. |
| Enclosed | Surrounded by a case which will prevent a person from accidentally contacting wiring, equipment or live parts contained therein. |
| Enclosed Switch | A electric switch which is protected by thin metal shields on either side of the switch to prevent accidental tripping of the device. |
| Enclosure | The case or housing of electrical or mechanical apparatus, or the fence or walls surrounding an installation to prevent personnel from accidentally contacting energized parts, or to protect the equipment from physical damage. |
| Enclosure, Telephone | Partitions which provide privacy on two sides of a public telephone, or which completely surround the user; a phone booth. |
| Encroachment | Personal property of one person intruding upon real estate owned by another. |
| Encumbrance | A charge against real property. |
| End | 1. The extreme point of an object. 2. The termination of an operation. 3. Of gypsumboard, the end perpendicular to the paper- bound edge; the gypsum core is always exposed. |
| End Bell | 1. Cast iron pipe with a wide opening at one end, to receive the small end of an adjoining pipe; see Bell and Spigot Joint. 2. End structure or plate of electric motor which usually holds motor bearings. |
| End Burn | Over-calcined gypsum board resulting in easily damaged, soft, fragile ends. |
| End Distance | The distance from a bolt, screw, or nail to the end of a wood structural member. |
| End Joint | A joint made by bonding two pieces of wood together end to end, commonly by finger or skarf joint or butt joint. |
| End Lap | The overlapping of roofing felts at the ends of sheets cut off the roll. |
| End Matched | A board with a tongue and groove joint on the ends as well as on the sides. |
| End Nail | To drive a nail through one piece of lumber and into the end grain of another. |
| End Play | Slight movement of a shaft along its center line. |
| End Support | Bearing point for a metal open-web joist located at the end of the joist, usually constructed of a steel plate attached to a supporting component to uniformly distribute the load to a supporting component. |
| End Truss | A factory made wooden truss which is used at the gable end of a building and to which the sheathing and siding are fastened. |
| End Wrench | A hand tool with one or both ends shaped to grip a nut or bolt head that is to be held or turned. |
| End-Bearing Pile | A pile calculated to carry all of its load on its point, neglecting skin friction. |
| End-Grained Wood | The grain as seen on a cut made at a right angle to the direction of the fibers. |
| Endothermal | Chemical reaction in which heat is absorbed. |
| Endothermic Reaction | A process that requires and absorbs heat. |
| Energy | Usable power such as heat or electricity; actual or potential ability to do work. |
| Energy Absorption | Energy is absorbed as a structure distorts. |
| Energy Conservation | Measures taken to reduce if not eliminate unnecessary use of all forms of energy and the consumption of non-renewable resources. |
| Energy Dissipation | Reduction in intensity of earthquake shock waves with time and distance. |
| Energy Efficient Standards | Building code, which sets standards for energy conservation in buildings and facilities to which the code applies. |
| Enforcing Agency | The designated department or agency of any city, county or the state as specified in the statutes. |
| Engaged Column | A building column that is partially subsumed into the wall. |
| Engineer | A person who is professionally qualified in a branch of engineering. |
| Engineer's Level | An accurate telescopic transit for measuring horizontal and vertical angles; used in ordinary surveying work; see Dumpy Level. |
| Engineered Fill | Earth compacted into place in such a way that it has predictable physical properties, based on laboratory tests and specified, supervised, installation procedures. |
| Engineering | The application of science and mathematics by which the properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to human beings in structures, machines, products, systems, and processes. |
| Engineering Fee | The amount charged for engineering services. |
| English Bond | Brickwork laid with alternating courses, each consisting entirely of headers or stretchers; also called Old English Bond or Dutch Bond. |
| English Chalk | Chalk obtained from the cliffs of England. |
| Engraved Plaque | A commemorative or identifying tablet where figures or letters are inscribed. |
| ENR | Engineering News Record; a construction industry publication. |
| Enrichment Seal | An application of spraying a bituminous material of either bitumen and kerosene bituminous emulsion or formed bitumen to an existing surface to improve the bonding of the binder and the aggregates (Refer Spray Seal Reference Chart). |
| Enrichments | Any cast ornament which cannot be executed by a running mould. |
| Entablature | In classical architecture, the horizontal parts just above the columns, consisting of the cornice, frieze, and architrave. |
| Entasis | A convex curvature added to the taper of the shaft of a column in the Greek and Roman styles as a design refinement to make the columns appear straight; also applies to similar adjustments to high walls and spires. |
| Enthalpy | A measure of the energy content of a system per unit mass; the sum of sensible and latent heat of a material. |
| Entrained Air | Microscopic air bubbles intentionally incorporated into mortar or concrete during mixing, usually by use of a surface-active agent, typically between 10 and 1,000 um in diameter. |
| Entraining Agent | A substance added to concrete, mortar, or cement that produces air bubbles during mixing, making it easier to work with and increasing its resistance to frost and freezing. |
| Entrance | The way in to a property, a building, or a room. |
| Entrance Door | The door which provides access to a building or structure. |
| Entrance Mat | A woven fabric or ribbed rubberized mat placed on the outside of a door threshold for the wiping of shoes. |
| Entrapped Air | Air in a concrete mix that enters from the atmosphere during mixing; after the concrete hardens and the excess moisture has evaporated, irregular holes remain; entrapped air bubbles are normally much larger and more irregular than entrained air bubbles. |
| Entrepreneur | One who assumes the risk of starting and operating a business. |
| Entropy | 1.A measure of the disorder or randomness of a system. 2. Mathematical factor used in engineering calculations. 3. Energy in a system. |
| Entry | 1. An entrance room. 2. The recording of a business transaction in a record. |
| Entry Lock | A deadbolt assembly mounted in a door which when unlocked allows access to a building or structure. |
| Entry Lockset | A combination doorknob and deadbolt assembly mounted in a door that when unlocked allows access to a building or structure. |
| Envelope | In roofing, a continuous edge that is formed by folding an edge of the base felt over the plies above and securing the base felt to the top felt, or if above-deck insulation is used, to the top surface of the insulation; the envelope thus formed will prev |
| Environment | Physical surroundings, circumstances, and conditions that affect peoples' lives. |
| Environmental Factors | Conditions other than indoor air contaminants that cause stress, comfort, or health problems, for example, humidity extremes, drafts, lack of air circulation, noise, and overcrowding. |
| Environmental Impact Assessment | See Environmental Impact Report. |
| Environmental Impact Report | A report that examines and considers all likely effects on the environment caused by a proposed development of land, and proposes measures avoiding, reducing, or offsetting any significant adverse effects; also called Environmental Impact Assessment or En |
| Environmental Impact Statement | See Environmental Impact Report. |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-4700. |
| Environmental Sustainability | Land development and construction utilizing materials that are replaceable, like wood, and minimizing use of non-replaceable materials and energy resources. |
| Enzyme | Complex organic substance, originating from living cells, that speeds up chemical changes in foods; enzyme action is slowed by cooling. |
| Eolian | Borne, eroded, or deposited by the wind. |
| EPA | Environmental Protection Agency. |
| EPDM | Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. |
| Epicenter | The point on the earth's surface vertically above the origin, focus, or hypocenter of an earthquake. |
| Episcopal Throne | The bishop's ceremonial chair in a cathedral. |
| Epoxy Adduct | Epoxy resin having all of the required amine incorporated but requiring additional epoxy resin for curing. |
| Epoxy Adhesive | A two-part adhesive system employing epoxy resin and epoxy hardener used for bonding of ceramic tile to back-up materials. |
| Epoxy Amine | Amine-cured epoxy resin. |
| Epoxy Concrete | Concrete with added adhesive resin to aid in binding. |
| Epoxy Ester | Epoxy-modified oil; single package epoxy. |
| Epoxy Flooring | A resin spread on flooring to make a hard, tough surface. |
| Epoxy Grout | A two-part grout system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener, especially formulated to have impervious qualities, stain, and chemical resistance, used to fill joints between tile units. |
| Epoxy Mortar | A two-part mortar system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener used to bond tile to back-up material where chemical resistance and high bond strength is a consideration. |
| Epoxy Paint | Paint with added resin to give it adhesive and improved bonding characteristics in certain applications. |
| Epoxy Resin | An epoxy composition used as a chemical-resistant setting adhesive or chemical-resistant grout. |
| Epoxy Terrazzo | A two-part adhesive, employing epoxy resins, an epoxy hardener used for bonding marble or other stone chips set in portland cement to a backup material. |
| EPS | Expanded Polystyrene. |
| Equalizer | One that equalizes by distributing evenly or uniformly, as of force. |
| Equation | 1. A chemical equation shows what happens in a chemical reaction; the reactants equal the products. 2. A mathematical equation is a statement that two quantities or expressions are equal. |
| Equi-Viscous Temperature | The critical temperature at which asphalt reaches the optimum state of viscosity for adhesion to roofing felt. |
| Equilateral Triangle | A triangle having three equal sides. |
| Equilibrium | A state of rest due to balanced forces; state of being in balance; implies no tendency to change. |
| Equilibrium Moisture Content | The moisture content at which wood neither gains or loses moisture when surrounded by air at a given relative humidity and temperature. |
| Equipment | The implements used in an operation or activity. |
| Equipment Mobilization | The assembly and movement of equipment to a jobsite. |
| Equipment Pad | A thick slab-type stone or precast concrete block placed under mechanical equipment to spread the weight and load of the machinery evenly and to prevent excessive vibration. |
| Equipment Rack | A device mounted on a wall to hold or store the implements used in an operation or activity. |
| Equipment, Architectural | See Architectural. |
| Equipment, Insulation | See Insulation Equipment. |
| Equitable Lien | A lien that is given to an improver of property to prevent the unjust enrichment of a property owner or a construction lender. |
| Equity | 1. The value of a firm's assets in excess of its liabilities. 2. The prevention of injustice that might result from strict enforcement of law. |
| Equity | The "valuation" that you own in your home, i.e. the property value less the mortgage loan outstanding. |
| Equivalent Static Force Analysis | A method by which a dynamic force is translated into an equivalent static force that produces a similar effect. |
| Eraser | A rubber-like substance used by drafters to remove pencil or ink marks on drawings. |
| Erasing Machine | A small hand-held electric motor that rotates an eraser, used by drafters. |
| Erasing Shield | A thin metal stencil with various sizes and shapes of holes to enable a drafter to erase with precision. |
| Erect | 1. To build or construct by fitting parts together. 2. Vertical. |
| Erection | A building or structure. |
| Erg | A unit of work or energy, equal to the work done by a force of one dyne when its point of application moves one centimeter in the direction of action of the force. |
| Ergonomics | Applied science that investigates the impact of people's physical environment on their health and comfort; for example, determining the proper chair height for computer operators. |
| Erode | Gradual wearing away or destruction. |
| Erosion | 1. The gradual wearing away of material as a result of abrasive action. 2. Wear caused by moving water or wind. 3. Wearing away of paint films; heavy chalking tends to accelerate erosion. |
| Erosion | In the general sense, the wearing away of the land by wind and water. As used in this subject material, the removal of soil particles from a bank slope primarily due to water action. |
| Errors and Omissions Insurance | Insurance carried by architects and engineers to indemnify their clients against losses caused by the professional negligence of the architect or engineer; also called E and O Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, or Malpractice Insurance. |
| Escalation | Increase in building cost due to inflation or other factors. |
| Escalator | A power-driven set of stairs arranged like an endless belt that ascend or descend continuously. |
| Escheat | The reversion of property to the state when a person dies without heirs and without a will. |
| Escrow | A neutral facilitator who follows the instructions of parties to a transaction. |
| Escrow | The handling of funds or documents by a third party on behalf of the buyer and/or seller. |
| Escutcheon | An ornamental plate that fits around a pipe extending through a wall or floor to hide the cut out hole |
| Escutcheon | The protective, sometimes ornamental, plate around a door lock or pipe. |
| Essential Facilities | Structures or buildings which have been determined essential, and are intended to be safe and usable after an earthquake; such facilities include, but are not limited to. hospitals and other medical facilities having surgery or emergency treatment areas, |
| Essential Oils | Oils which have an odor, such as cedar oil or camphor oil. |
| Essential Services Act | An act that provides that essential services buildings shall be capable of providing essential services to the public after a disaster, shall be designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards, and to resist, insofar as possible, the forces generated by |
| Estate | 1. The degree, quality, nature, or extent of one's ownership in property. 2. The assets of a deceased person. 3. Landed property, usually with a large house on it. |
| Ester | Organic compound formed from an alcohol and an organic acid by eliminating water. |
| Ester Gum | Resin produced synthetically by rosin reacting with glycerine. |
| Estimate | 1. A prediction of the cost of performing work; compute; calculate cost of a job. 2. A value judgement based on experience. 3. An approximation of construction costs. |
| Estimate | The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project. |
| Estimating | The process of calculating the cost of a project. This can be a formal and exact process or a quick and imprecise process. |
| Estoppel | The doctrine that a person may not contradict one's own positive representations. |
| ET | See Net Effective Temperature. |
| Etch | The art of producing designs on metal or glass by the use of the corrosive action of an acid; the use of acid to cut lines into metal or remove the surface of concrete. |
| Etch Acid | A chemical agent used in etching. |
| Etched Nails | Chemically treated nails to improve their holding power in wood framing. |
| Ethane | Low temperature application refrigerant. |
| Ethanol | Alcohol. |
| Ethyl Acetate | Rapid evaporating solvent made from ethyl alcohol and acetic acid. |
| Ethyl Alcohol | Alcohol produced by the distillation of fermented grain. |
| Ethyl Chloride | Toxic refrigerant now seldom used. |
| Ethyl Lactate | A solvent made by a reaction between ethyl alcohol and lactic acid. |
| Ethylene Plastic | Plastics based on resins made by the polymerization of ethylene or copolymerization of ethylene with one or more other unsaturated compounds. |
| Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) | A single-ply membrane of synthetic rubber, usually black or white, highly resistant to damage from ozone, ultraviolet radiation, weathering and abrasion; resists contamination from acids, alkalis, animal and vegetable oils, and oxygenated solvents such as |
| ETS | Environmental Tobacco Smoke. |
| Eutectic | That certain mixture of two substances providing lowest melting temperature of all the various mixes of the two substances. |
| Eutectic Deformation | The composition within a system of two or more components which, on heating under specific conditions, develops sufficient liquid to cause deformation at minimum temperature. |
| Eutectic Point | Freezing temperature for eutectic solutions. |
| Eutectic Salts | 1. A group of materials that melt at low temperatures, absorbing large quantities of heat and then, as they recrystallize, release that heat. 2. One method used for storing solar energy. |
| Evacuation | Removal of air, gas, and moisture from a refrigeration or air conditioning system. |
| Evaporate | To pass off in vapor; to change a liquid into vapor or gas. |
| Evaporation | 1. The change of a liquid to a gas below the boiling point; heat is absorbed in this process. 2. Loss of water to the atmosphere; one concerning plumbers is the loss of drainage trap seal by the evaporation of the trap water. |
| Evaporation Rate | Rate at which a solvent evaporates. |
| Evaporation Rate, Final | Time interval for complete evaporation of all solvents. |
| Evaporation Rate, Initial | Time interval during which low boiling solvent evaporates completely. |
| Evaporative Condenser | Device which uses open spray or spill water to cool a condenser; evaporation of some of the water cools the condenser water and reduces water consumption. |
| Evaporative Cooling | A process in which outside air is pre-cooled before passing through a space; this is done by first passing the air through a layer of wet material, from which water is evaporated, increasing the water content of the air (latent heat), and reducing its dry |
| Evaporator | Part of a refrigerating mechanism in which the refrigerant vaporizes and absorbs heat. |
| Evaporator coil | The part of a cooling system that absorbs heat from air in your home. Also see condensing unit. |
| Evaporator Fan | Fan which increases airflow over the heat exchange surface of evaporators. |
| Evaporator Pressure Regulator | Automatic pressure regulating valve mounted in suction line between evaporator outlet and compressor inlet; its purpose is to maintain a predetermined pressure and temperature in the evaporator. |
| Evaporator, Dry Type | Evaporator in which the refrigerant is in the liquid droplet form. |
| Evaporator, Flooded | Evaporator containing liquid refrigerant at all times. |
| EvenPleat | Pleated shade made by Graber |
| Everwood | 2" wood/vinyl faux wood blind, made by Hunter Douglas |
| Eviction | The legal process of ejecting a defaulting tenant from real property; unlawful detainer action. |
| Evidence | Testimony, documents, and objects introduced in a judicial proceeding to support the contentions of the parties. |
| EVT | Equi-Viscous Temperature. |
| EWC | Electric Water Cooler. |
| EWWF | Electrically Welded Wire Fabric. |
| EWWM | Electrically Welded Wire Mesh. |
| Ex Parte Proceeding | One party to a dispute appears before a judge when the other is not present. |
| Excavation | A cavity formed by cutting, digging or scooping. |
| Excavation, Unclassified | Excavation paid for at a fixed price per yard, regardless of whether it is earth or rock. |
| Excelsior | Wood wool. |
| Exclusive Agency | A listing agreement with a real estate broker to sell or lease one's property during a specified period, excluding all other brokers, but reserving the owner's right to sell without paying a commission. |
| Exclusive Listing | An Exclusive Agency listing. |
| Exclusive Right to Sell | A listing agreement with a real estate broker to sell or lease one's property during a specified period, excluding all other brokers, and with the provision that the broker will receive a commission even if sold by the owner. |
| Excrete | To separate and expel waste matter in a continuous process. |
| Exculpatory Clause | A provision in a contract that relieves a party of liability. |
| Execute | 1. To carry out some direction, process, or work. 2. To validate a legal document by signing it. |
| Executive Ability | A behavioral aspect of management; the ability to manage, delegate responsibility, and coordinate all aspects of a business. |
| Executor | One appointed in a will to carry out its provisions. |
| Executrix | A female executor. |
| Exemplary Damages | Damages awarded to a private litigant and against a defendant to punish the wrongdoing of the defendant. |
| Exercise Bicycle | A stationary bicycle used for health and fitness purposes. |
| Exfiltration | Slow flow of air from the building to the outdoors. |
| Exfoliate | Removal from the surface in thin layers, flakes, or scales |
| Exhaust Fan | An electrical powered device to withdraw fumes, dusts, or odors from an enclosure. |
| Exhaust Hood | Usually a square or rectangular hood housing an exhaust fan to withdraw fumes, dust, or odors from an enclosure. |
| Exhaust Port | That opening which carries the fluid to the downstream pressure of a fluid system. |
| Exhaust Valve | A movable port which provides an outlet for the cylinder gases in a compressor or engine. |
| Exhaust Ventilation | Mechanical removal of air from a portion of a building. |
| Exhibit | A document or thing that is offered as evidence in a proceeding. |
| Exit | A passage or door by which one may leave a room or building; egress; a continuous and unobstructed means of egress to a public way, including intervening doorways, corridors, ramps, stairways, smokeproof enclosures, horizontal exits, exit court, and yards |
| Exit Device | Panic hardware. |
| Exit Light | A light assembly over an exit door that is independently powered to remain lit in the event of a power failure to guide persons to safety. |
| Exit Lock | A dead bolt assembly mounted in an exit door. |
| Exit Sign | A sign located to identify the way out of a room or building. |
| Exothermic Reaction | A process that gives off heat. |
| Expanded Metal Lath | Open mesh cut and drawn from solid sheet of ferrous or non-ferrous metal; made in various patterns and metal thicknesses with uneven or flattened surface; used as a metal reinforcing for plaster. |
| Expanding Anchor | A soft metal sleeve, commonly lead, into which a screw-type bolt is placed to provide a stable fastener. |
| Expansion | An increase in size when something gets hotter. |
| Expansion Coefficient | The increase in length or volume per unit for a rise in temperature of 1 degree F. |
| Expansion Joint | 1. A vertical joint or space to allow for movement due to volume changes; also known as a relief joint or control joint. 2. A separation between two sections of concrete which is provided to allow for free movement due to temperature changes; complete sep |
| Expansion joint | A bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking due to expansion as a result of temperature changes. Also used on concrete slabs. |
| Expansion joint | Fibrous material (@1/2" thick) installed in and around a concrete slab to permit it to move up and down (seasonally) along the non-moving foundation wall. |
| Expansion Screed | A sheetmetal plaster screed that allows expansion and contraction of adjoining panels of exterior plaster. |
| Expansion Shield | Device inserted in predrilled holes, usually in concrete or masonry, which expands as a screw or bolt is tightened within it, used to fasten items to concrete or masonry. |
| Expansion Valve | Device in a refrigerating system which reduces the pressure from the high side to the low side and is operated by pressure. |
| Expansive soils | Earth that swells and contracts depending on the amount of water that is present. ("Betonite" is an expansive soil). |
| Expendable Refrigerant System | See Chemical Refrigeration. |
| Experimental Analysis | An analysis procedure based on the measurement of deformations and/or strains of the structure or its model; experimental analysis may be based on either elastic or inelastic behavior. |
| Expert Witness | A witness who, by virtue of experience, training, skill, or knowledge of a particular field or subject, is recognized as qualified to render an informed opinion on matters relating to that field or subject. |
| Explosion-Proof Apparatus | Apparatus enclosed in a case which is capable of withstanding an explosion of a specified gas or vapor which may occur within it and of preventing the ignition of a specified gas or vapor surrounding the enclosure by sparks, flashes, or explosion of the g |
| Explosive | An explosive substance used to dislodge or loosen certain formations of earth and rock. |
| Explosive Limits | A range of the ratio of solvent vapor to air in which the mixture will explode if ignited; below the lower or above the higher explosive limit, the mixture is too lean or too rich to explode; the critical ratio runs from about one to twelve percent of sol |
| Exposed Aggregate Finish | A concrete surface in which the coarse aggregate is revealed; a decorative finish for concrete achieved by removing, generally before the concrete has fully hardened, the outer skin of mortar and fine aggregates and exposing the coarse aggregate. |
| Exposed aggregate finish | A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture off the top layer of the aggregate - usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces. |
| Exposed Grid | A framework for a suspended acoustical ceiling that is visible from below after the ceiling is completed. |
| Exposure | 1. The part of a felt that is not overlapped by an adjacent felt in a built-up roofing membrane; the exposure then would be that part of the felt that would be covered by the flood coat. 2. The part of a wood shingle or shake that is exposed to the weathe |
| Expressway | Multiple lane roadway for fast moving traffic, with access and exit ramps limited to intervals, no level crossing roads, and no pedestrian traffic allowed; also known as a Freeway. |
| Extender | Pigment which provides very little hiding power but is useful in stabilizing suspension, improving flow, lowering gloss, and providing other desirable qualities; generally low in cost. |
| Extension Ladder | A flat ladder that can be extended by sliding one section on the other to gain additional height. |
| Extension Link | A device used to extend the backset in a bored lock. |
| Exterior Door | A door which is manufactured to withstand the elements and vandalism, so it can be installed on the exterior of a building. |
| Exterior Elevation | An architectural drawing showing the projection on a vertical plane of an exterior surface of a building. |
| Exterior Fixture | An electrical lighting fixture that can be installed outdoors because of its ability to withstand the elements. |
| Exterior Painting | The act or process of applying paint or sealer to an exterior surface. |
| Exterior Plywood | A general term for plywood bonded with a type of adhesive that is highly resistant to weather, water (cold, hot, and boiling), micro-organisms, steam, and dry heat. |
| Exterior Tile | Tile installed in exterior applications. |
| Exterior Veneer | A veneer applied to weather-exposed surfaces. |
| Exterior Wall | Any outer wall serving as a vertical enclosure of a building other than a party wall. |
| Exterior Wood Door Trim | Finish components of wood such as moldings applied around openings of exterior doors. |
| Exterior Wood Trim | Finish components of wood such as moldings applied around openings and intersections at exterior locations. |
| Exterior Wood Window Trim | Finish components of wood such as moldings applied around openings of windows. |
| External Drive | Term used to indicate a compressor driven directly from the shaft or by a belt using an external motor; compressor and motor are serviceable separately. |
| External Equalizer | Tube connected to low-pressure side of a thermostatic expansion valve diaphragm and to exit end of evaporator. |
| External Vibrator | Vibrating device attached to formwork to consolidate fresh concrete; used primarily in precast construction. |
| Extinguisher, Fire | See Fire Extinguisher. |
| Extra Work | Work performed by a contractor that is not included within the scope of the work defined by the contract documents. |
| Extract | 1. To remove with effort. 2. To separate from a mixture by a physical or chemical process. 3. To separate a metal from its ore. 4. To calculate the mathematical root of a number. 5. A concentrated product. |
| Extraction | Obtaining a useful substance from a raw material; obtaining of a natural resource from the earth. |
| Extractive | Substances in wood, not an integral part of the cellular structure, that can be removed by solution in hot or cold water, ether, benzene, or other solvents that do not react chemically with wood components. |
| Extractive Bleeding | Stains on the surface of wood caused by extractives being leached out by water or moisture. |
| Extractor | A laundry appliance that removes the free water from washed fabrics by high speed centrifugal spinning, leaving them damp and ready for hot air tumble drying. |
| Extrados | The exterior curve in an arch or vault. |
| Extraordinary Flood | A deluge of greater volume than is expected in a certain place by prudent persons based on historic experience. |
| Extrapolate | Calculate approximate information beyond known values by projecting the trend. |
| Extras | Additional work requested of a contractor, not included in the original plan, which will be billed separately and will not alter the original contract amount, but increase the cost of building the home. |
| Extruded Tile | A tile or trim unit that is formed when plastic clay mixtures are forced through a pug mill die of suitable configuration, resulting in a continuous ribbon of formed clay; a wire cutter or similar cut-off device is then used to cut the ribbon into appropr |
| Extrusion | The process of squeezing a material through a shaped orifice to produce a linear element with the desired cross section; an element produced by this process. |
| Eye | 1. Oculus. 2. An area in the center of a tropical cyclone marked by only light winds or complete calm with no rain. 3. A metal ring through which a rope or rod is passed. 4. A loop to receive a hook. |
| Eyebolt, Forged | A heavy metal bolt which contains an eye at its end which may be used as a fastening device. |
| Eyebrow | A small roofed projection from a building. |
| eyelet | A white cotton fabric, embroidered with open designs, eyelet is very useful for both lightweight curtains and for unlined shades. |