 GlossaryA | 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 The terms you will most commonly hear used when dealing with people involved with the building industry. For a fuller selection of terms, Standards New Zealand has produced a ‘Glossary of building terms’ (NZMP 4212:1998). You can purchase a copy by contacting Standards New Zealand. AAbatement notice - Notice issued under the Resource Management Act 1991 by a local council. It is served on the owner(s) or occupier(s) of a property from which a private nuisance arises, warning them of the intention to enter the property in order to get someone to stop or to start doing something. Acceptable Solution - A prescriptive design solution which provides an approved way of complying with the Building Code. Acceptable Solutions are contained in the Department of Building and Housing's Compliance Documents, and often quote other documents such as New Zealand Standards. Designers and builders are not obliged to use Acceptable Solutions, and may propose their own Alternative Solution. Find out more Access point - See Manhole. Accessory building - A garage, carport, sleepout etc. Aerated concrete - A lightweight concrete, with thermal insulating properties. Affected party - A person who is potentially affected by an application for resource consent, for example, a neighbour. Aggregate - Particles of inert material, usually stone, which is mixed with cement and water to form concrete or plaster. Allotment - (a) A parcel of land whose boundaries are shown on a survey plan and known as a ‘section’ in New Zealand. (b) A building or part of a building, with or without land, shown on a cross lease or unit title plan. Alteration - Rebuilding, re-erecting, repairing, enlarging or extending a building. Alternative Solution - A design solution which differs totally or partially from Acceptable Solutions (see definition above) yet complies with the performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code. These are ‘stand-alone’ solutions considered and approved on their individual merits by a Building Consent Authority or building certifier. Find out more. Amenity - Attributes of a building that contribute to the health and well-being of the building's users, for example, lighting, ventilation, and access for people with disabilities. Apex - The highest point of a roof or gable. See also Hip. Appraisal - An independent assessment of building products, materials, systems or methods of design or construction. Products are assessed for Building Code compliance and fitness for purpose. Apron flashing - A flashing to divert moisture and used at junctions between roofs and walls. Arbitration - An alternative dispute resolution procedure by which an independent, neutral third person (‘arbitrator’) is appointed to hear and consider the merits of the dispute and render a final and binding decision, called an award. Find out more. Arch - A curved structure or feature spanning an opening or recess. Architect - A person qualified and trained to design, document, coordinate and administer all aspects of building design and construction, and who is registered under the Architects Act 1963. Architecture - The planning, design, specification and decorative treatment of a construction, also known as ‘the art and science of building’. Architrave - A band or moulding surrounding openings, such as doors and windows. Assessment of Environmental Effects Report - A report to accompany an application for resource consent outlining the effects that a proposed activity might have on the environment. 
BBackfill - Material used to fill an excavated trench (for example, a footing around or against a basement or crawlspace foundation wall). Balcony - A platform projecting from, or recessed into, the face of a wall of an upper floor of a building, surrounded by a balustrade, railing or parapet, and accessed by an entrance from the building interior. Baluster - A post supporting a handrail and forming part of a balustrade. Balustrade - A row of balusters supporting a handrail. Banister - Railing and supporting balusters on a staircase balustrade. Barge board - A wide trim board fixed to the edges of a gable roof to conceal the roof construction. Barrier cladding - Cladding that relies on ‘face sealing’ as its primary means of achieving weathertightness. Batten - A narrow strip of wood or metal used to cover vertical joints between boards or panels, or to provide a cavity between two materials, or to support linings on walls or ceilings. Beam - A structural member designed to carry loads. See also Girder. Bearer - A subfloor horizontal structural member, supported on foundation walls, piers or piles, supporting the floor joists or subfloor framing. Bill of quantities - see Schedule of quantities. Black water - Liquid and solid human body waste and water from toilets which is a health risk if not treated properly. See also Foul water; Grey water; Stormwater. Body corporate - The governing body of unit owners within a building, elected by the owners to manage the building and common areas. Borer - A wood-boring insect at the larval phase which tunnels into untreated timber, leaving behind wormholes when they emerge as adults. Box gutter - A concealed roof gutter used behind parapets. Also known as a ‘hidden gutter’. Boxing - See Formwork. Bracing - A reinforcing system of permanent or temporary diagonal stiffening members (or sheet braces), inserted in structural framework to resist wind, earthquake or other applied forces. Brick veneer - A non-loadbearing facing of brickwork laid outside, and tied to, a loadbearing timber or metal framed structure. Brickwork - Construction using clay, concrete or sand-lime bricks with a recognised bonding material, for example, stretcher bond. Building - Any temporary or permanent, movable or immovable structure, including a structure intended for occupation by people, animals, machinery or chattels. Building Act 1991 - An Act to consolidate and reform the law relating to building and to provide for better regulation and control of building, now replaced by the Building Act 2004. Find out more. Building Act 2004 - An Act that aims to improve control of, and encourage better practices in, building design and construction, so that buildings are designed and built right first time. This will give greater assurance to building owners and users, particularly homeowners, that their building meets standards set out in the Building Code. Find out more. Building certifier - The 1991 Building Act allowed private individuals and companies to operate as private building certifiers to certify that building plans and specifications or completed buildings complied with the Building Code. Building certifiers operated in competition with local councils in this respect. From 31 March 2005 building certifiers were not permitted to take on new work. This is a requirement of the Building Act 2004. The last active certifier finished operating in November 2005. Find out more. Building Code - Set of national, mandatory standards for building work, forming part of the Building Regulations 1992. The New Zealand Building Code is performance based, that is, it specifies the performance required of a building rather than the particular materials, methods etc. to be used in construction. Find out more. Building consent - Consent issued by a Building Consent Authority for building work to begin in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. Find out more. Building Consent Authority - Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) play a key role in the building controls process. Most city and district councils are BCAs. BCAs issue building consents, undertake inspections during construction and issue code compliance certificates, certifying that the finished work complies with the Building Code. They also issue notices to fix and compliance schedules. BCAs charge a fee for these services. The fee depends on the BCA and the amount of work involved, but is generally set for the recovery of reasonable costs. It will be as a proportion of the whole building project to provide assurance that the job has been done properly. Find out more. Building control - Regulation of the construction and use of buildings, with the primary objective of safeguarding the health and safety of people using any building. Find out more. Building controls process - The system of consents, inspection and certification of building work, aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of people using any building. Building element - Part of a building or structure having its own functional identity, for example, a roof. It includes fixtures, services, drains, permanent mechanical installations for access, glazing, partitions, ceilings and temporary supports. Building envelope - The entire exterior surface of the building, including foundations, walls, doors and windows, which encloses or envelopes the space within. Building Industry Authority (BIA) - An independent Crown entity established in 1992 to manage New Zealand’s building legislation. Now disestablished, its functions have been incorporated into those of the Department of Building and Housing. Building line - The distances from the ends and/or sides of the allotment beyond which construction may not extend. It may be established by restrictive covenants on the certificate of title, or by local council requirements. Also known as the setback line. Building platform - (a) In a planning/subdivision consent, it refers to a potential building site. (b) In construction, it is the footprint of the building or the area it covers on the ground. Building services - Services that have a specific purpose necessary for the functioning of the building, for example, sewerage, water, heating, ventilation, etc. Building work - The construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of a building. Building work also includes sitework or work on an allotment that is likely to affect the extent to which an exisiting building on the land complies with the Building Code. Building wrap - A building paper or underlay placed behind the exterior cladding to prevent condensation or moisture penetrating to the interior. Bullnose - Curved edging, such as the end or edge of a brick, stair tread, tile or moulding.
CCadastral plan/map - A map showing boundaries and ownership of land. Cantilever - A projecting feature or structural member which is supported at one end only, for example, a cantilever balcony. Carpenter - A person who works to erect timber framing and other components used in construction work. Casement window - A window hinged vertically (on one side) to the frame that opens like a door. Cathedral ceiling - A ceiling that follows the line of the roof, often with the roof timbers exposed, providing more room space. See also Skillion roof. Cavity - The space between the outer wall and the internal structure. Cavity wall - A term used to describe a wall with a drained cavity. CCA (copper chrome arsenate) - A chemical used in treating timber to give protection from decay. Cellulose - A complex carbohydrate present in the cell walls of plant cells. Certificate of acceptance - a certificate issued by a council in special circumstances when a code compliance certificate cannot be issued which confirms that, to the extent an inspection was able to be carried out, the work complies with the Building Code. Certificate of title - A document attesting to the rights of ownership to a piece of land. It describes the land involved, the area, the legal description, the type of ownership, and lists any mortgages, charges, leases and easements or other encumbrances over the land. See also Title search. Find out more. Charging order - An order of the Court placing a charge over property, up to an amount owed by the property owner. For example, a contractor may be able to obtain a charging order against the title to the site on which work is being carried out, if the owner fails to pay amounts owed. Chase - A continuous vertical or horizontal groove or recess built into a masonry wall often used to accommodate pipes or flashings. Chimney flue - The part of a chimney structure that allows for the escape of flue gases and smoke to the outside. Cistern - A covered container for water (usually as part of a toilet flushing system). Cladding - The exterior weather-resistant surface of a framed building. Code compliance certificate (CCC) - A certificate issued by a Building Consent Authority at the completion of building work, confirming that the building work under the building consent complies with the approved plans and specifications. Find out more. Column - A free standing vertical structural member. In engineering design it is used to support compressive axial loads. Compaction certificate - When the thickness of granular fill under a concrete floor exceeds 600mm in thickness a registered engineer must supervise the compaction of the fill and certify to the local council that the fill has been properly compacted. Compliance Documents - Documents published by the Department of Building and Housing. They comprise Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods that provide methods of compliance with the Building Code. Though optional, Compliance Documents are commonly followed in domestic building projects because they provide a straightforward 'recipe' for building. (Compliance Documents were formerly known as Approved Documents). Find out more. Compliance schedule - a document that lists the inspection, maintenance and reporting procedures for systems in a building (eg. lifts, fire alarms) to ensure their continued safety of opertaion. For single residential dwellings, compliance schedules are only required if there is a cable car. Compressed fibre cement sheeting - A cellulose fibre reinforced cement board compressed to achieve high density for use in wet areas and external applications. Conduit - (a) Channel or pipe to convey water. (b) Tubing used as protective casing for electrical cables or wire. Consent notice - A notice issued under the Resource Management Act 1991 and recorded on the certificate of title in respect of the ongoing matters affecting the property. For example, geotechnical or footpath matters. Construct - To assemble and combine construction materials and methods to make a structure. Contingency sum - A sum of money included in the contract documents to cover the cost of items that cannot be defined or are unforeseen. Contour line - A line joining points of equal elevation on a plan or a map. Contract Site Instruction (CSI) - An instruction from the owner or agent to the main contractor. Contract Variation Order (CVO) - An order to make a variation to the contract which must be agreed to by both parties to the contract. Control joints - See Movement-control joints. Conveyancing - The process of transferring the ownership of any property or real estate from one person to another. Cornice - (a) A projecting ornamental moulding at the top of a wall, eaves or framed opening. (b) A moulding, usually plaster or timber, for use at the junction of a wall and ceiling. Covenant - A written agreement inserted into the certificate of title or other legal instruments where the parties agree to do or not to do certain acts regarding the use or non-use of a property and/or land. Find out more. Cross lease - A number of people share in the ownership of a piece of land as tenants in common and cross lease the homes built on the land from the other landowners. Find out more. Culvert - Pipe or enclosed channel, open at either end, used to convey water below an obstruction, for example, a culvert which runs under a road to convey stream water from one side of the road to the other.
DDado - The lower portion of an interior wall from the floor to about waist height, usually finished in contrast to the remainder of the wall. Dado rail - A rail fixed horizontally along where the dado meets the upper wall. Damp-proof course (DPC) - A layer of durable vapour barrier placed between building elements to prevent the passage of moisture from one element to another. Department of Building and Housing - The Department of Building and Housing manages the system that regulates building work and monitors its effectiveness. This includes reviewing the Building Code and producing documents to show how to comply with it. The Department also monitors the performance of Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) and district and city councils, and can investigate complaints. Deposited plan - Survey plan giving legal definition to property boundaries. Designated land - Generally applies to land owned by the Crown, local authorities or network utility operators to be used for designated public works. Examples of designated land are schools, regional reserves and power substations. Determination - A binding decision on technical matters of doubt or dispute regarding compliance with the Building Code or decisions by Building Consent Authorities and councils. Find out more. District Land Registrar (DLR) – An officer appointed to administer the Land Transfer Act 1952 (in a land registration district), including the deposit of Land Transfer Plans and the issue of new certificates of title. District plan - A document, generally consisting of maps, policies and rules, which sets out the activities permitted on any land governed by a district or city council. It provides the conditions under which these activities are permitted and lists which activities require resource (or planning) consent. Find out more. Door frame - A frame for a door consisting of two vertical jambs and a head. A sill may be included for an outer door. Door head - The top horizontal portion of the door frame. Door jamb - One of the two vertical side members of a door frame. Door sill - The horizontal member at the bottom of an external door frame, for weatherproofing and forming the threshold. Double glazing - A form of glazing for windows or doors consisting of two panes of glass enclosing an air space which may act as a sound and heat insulator. Downpipe - A pipe for conveying rainwater from a roof or gutter to a drain, sump or other point of discharge. Drain - Pipe normally laid below ground level including fittings and equipment and intended to convey foul water or stormwater to an outfall. Drainage easement - The right of a property owner to enter other property to lay or maintain drainage reticulation. Councils have an easement in gross (an easement that does not benefit a particular tract of land but runs through all parcels of land in an area) which allows them to enter property to lay and maintain pipes. Drainage plan - A sketch plan lodged with the local council which shows where private wastewater and stormwater drains are laid and where they connect to the main sewer. Drainage plane - The plane, generally formed by a cavity, immediately behind a cladding system. The plane is generally a building wrap with specifically engineered water drainage paths to allow water that penetrates the cladding system to drain to the outside. Drained cavity - A cavity space immediately behind a wall cladding, that has vents at the base of the wall. Drainpipe - A pipe used for carrying off surplus water. Dry rot - A fungal disease in timber mainly caused by high moisture content which results in decay or disintegration of the timber into a dry powdery dust. Dwang - A horizontal timber spacer fitted between two studs.
EEarthworks - All operations involved in moving, loosening, depositing, shaping, compacting and stabilising the ground at a building site. Easement - The right of the owner of one parcel of land to use all or part of the land of another for a specific purpose. One property will enjoy the benefit of the easement and the other will be subject to the right. Examples are drains, telephone cables, or rights of way. In most cases easements ‘run with the land’ so that when land is bought or sold the easements which relate to that land ‘go with the land’. Find out more. Eaves - The underside of a roof that extends beyond the external walls of a building. Element - See Building element. Energy work certificate - A certificate given by a licensed plumber, electrician or gas fitter when they have finished, to certify the work has been done in accordance with the relevant codes. Enforcement order - An order to enforce compliance with the Resource Management Act 1991. It differs from an abatement notice in that anybody (not just the council) can apply for an enforcement order against somebody else. These are issued by the Environment Court rather than the council. Environment Court - A specialist Court where people can go to appeal decisions made by councils on a policy statement, plan, or resource consent application, or to apply for an enforcement order. Find out more. Equity - An owner's financial interest in a property being the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on its mortgage.
FFace brick - Finished face of brickwork seen on the outside of a building or on an internal feature brick wall. Face-sealed cladding system - See Barrier cladding. Falsework - The temporary structure or framework used in construction until the structure becomes self-supporting. It does not include scaffolding or cranes for support. Fascia - The trim fixed horizontally around the building covering the joint between the top of a wall and the projecting eaves upon which the rainwater guttering is usually connected. Also known as the Fascia board. Faucet - A water tap. Fee simple - The maximum interest a person can have in a piece of real estate. It entitles the owner to unrestricted enjoyment of the property (subject to any relevant laws) including the right to dispose property in any manner they see fit. Also known as fee simple absolute. Find out more. Fill - Material used to ‘fill’ areas on the building site that need building up, for example, to level out the section. Finial - A pointed ornament fixed to the top of a gable, spire or furniture. Fittings - Items fitted to other larger items. Examples are joinery and cabinets, or the components of a pipe system, such as bends and elbows. Fixed appliance - An electrical appliance which is fixed-wired to the electrical installation of a building, or intended to remain permanently attached and form part of the building such as wall ovens or hot plates. See also Hard wired. Fixed priced contract - Contract with a pre-determined and agreed upon price. It may be qualified by clauses providing for adjustment of the price under stated circumstances. For example, unavoidable delays in construction, unavailability of specified items, or changes required by the customer. Fixtures - Items permanently attached to real property which are legally treated as real property. Examples include cabinets, window blinds, plumbing and light fittings. Flashing - A building element used on a joint between two materials designed to catch and drain rainwater to prevent it penetrating the interior. For example, sheet metal shaped and attached to a roof for weatherproofing. Flue - Metal chimney that allows for the escape of flue gases and smoke to the outside. Footing - A trench excavated below and around the perimeter of the building, usually filled with concrete, brickwork or masonry, which becomes the foundation to support and distribute the weight of the building to the ground. Formwork - The containment structure known as ‘boxing’ used to support freshly laid concrete. Includes the mould to contain the concrete, the bracing and supporting members. Foul water - The discharge from any sanitary fixtures or sanitary appliances. See also Black water; Grey water. Foundations - The substructure which supports a building, such as piles, piers or footings, with the purpose of transmitting structural loads from the building into the earth. Framework - A shell of timber or steel vertical and horizontal members used to form the basic structure of a building. French doors - Double doors opening onto a covered patio or verandah. Functional Requirement - A term in the Building Code used to describe what is required of the building work so that the objectives of the particular Building Code clause will be met.
GGable - The upper triangular-shaped portion of the end wall of a house above the eave line of a double sloped roof. Geotechnical report - A report, prepared by a soils engineer, setting out the geotechnical limitations of a site in terms of soil stability, and making recommendations to overcome any limitations. Girder - A large beam of steel or concrete used to carry heavy loads in building construction. Grey water - Wastewater from the kitchen and bathroom sinks, baths, showers and laundry. See also Black water; Foul water. Grout - Thin mortar used in masonry work to fill joints, cavities and cracks between bricks, blocks, or tiles. Gully trap - A fitting designed to prevent foul air escaping from the drainage system and used to receive the discharge from wastepipes. Gutter - A channel around the eaves of a roof used to collect and carry away rainwater. Gypsum - Hydrated calcium sulphate added to cement to regulate setting and used as an ingredient in plasters and plasterboard.
HHandover - The stage in the construction where the builder is ready to ‘handover’ to the owner. Usually at the stage of practical completion. See also Practical completion. Handrail - A rail fixed at hand height along the top of balusters or posts to provide both support to, or assist with, the movement of a person. Hard wired - Wiring is permanently attached to the unit, and is not able to be unplugged. See also Fixed appliance. Hardboard - Wallboard of wood or other fibres compressed to produce a hardboard smooth on one or both sides. Hardwood - Broadleaf, usually deciduous, trees such as oaks, maples, ashes, or elms. Although the wood from some broadleaf trees is rated to have a high density and loadbearing strength, some ‘hardwoods’ such as aspens, have wood that is relatively soft. Heritage Order - Provision in a district plan to protect the heritage characteristics of a particular place, for example a building or other structure, a listed tree, an archaeological or sacred site. See also Wahi tapu. Hip - Where two sloping sides of a roof meet, forming a ridge running down the roof from peak to eaves. See also Apex. Hob - (a) The top of a cooker. (b) Flat surface at the side of a range or fireplace. Hollow core door - A lightweight door that has a hollow interior. Household unit - A structure used for residential purposes and occupied exclusively as the home or residence of not more than one household. Householders - Residents, owners, tenants or ratepayers of a dwelling or household unit. Hydronic - Cooling or heating system using circulating water.
I J KInsulation - A substance that resists the transfer of heat, rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. Jamb - The vertical side member of a doorway or window. Joinery - The art or craft of connecting timbers using woodworking joints. Joinery may also be made from aluminium. Joist - Horizontal framing member used to support floor and ceiling loads, and supported in turn by larger beams, bearers, girders, or bearing walls. Kiln-dried - Wood seasoned in a kiln by means of artificial heat, controlled humidity, and air circulation to control moisture content. LLagging - Thermal insulation used to wrap around pipes or boilers. Laminate - To apply a thin sheet of material over a core substrate. Land Information Memorandum (LIM) - A report issued by the council, usually to a potential purchaser. It lists information the council has about the property, including what building consents and code compliance certificates have been issued. Find out more. Lease - A contract between the owner (lessor) and the tenant (lessee) stating the conditions under which the tenant may occupy or use the property for a fixed period of time. Life estate - A limited right to use or occupy property for the life of the person holding the estate after which title reverts to the grantor or a named third party. Lignin - The substance that holds cellulose fibres together. Lintel - A horizontal member spanning an opening in a wall. Liquidated damages - A predetermined estimate, stated in a contract, of the amount of damages to be paid by the party breaching the contract. Loadbearing wall - A wall that supports a vertical load, such as joists, beams, girders, floor trusses or roof framing. Louvre - Horizontal sloping slats in a door or window used for light and ventilation. LSOP (Light Organic Solvent Preservatives) - A white spirits based wood preservative involving the impregnation of preservative into wood using controlled vacuum processes.
MMain - The principal sewer or stormwater into which individual drains discharge. Mains - A utility distribution system used to supply electricity, gas or water to a building. Manhole - An opening to allow access to the space between the roof and the ceiling, or below the floor. Masonry - Stone, brick, concrete, hollow-tile, concrete block, gypsum block, or other similar building units which are laid unit by unit and bonded together with mortar to form a structure. Member - Component of the structural assembly of any structure or building. Membrane - A thin pliable layer/sheet of material whose primary function is the exclusion of water. Meter box - An electrical or water box fitted to a dwelling to record usage. Monolithic cladding - A cladding of sheet material forming a continuous mass, with an applied coating to give the appearance of a seamless cladding. Mortar - A mixture of cement, sand and water used as a bond between bricks, blocks, stones other masonry material. Mortgage - A legal document pledging property as security for the payment of a financial loan. Moulding - Ornamental trimming added to flat surfaces, cornices and columns. Usually includes architraves, skirtings and any other fancy fixtures. Movement-control joint - A joint or gap constructed in masonry, concrete, claddings or slabs-on-ground to control and absorb movements. Mullion - An intermediate vertical member of a window frame, door frame or similar structure.
NNatural and physical resources - Includes land, water, air, soil, minerals, and energy, structures, and all forms of plants and animals (whether native to New Zealand or introduced). Net sums - See Provisional sums. Newel - A post at the top or bottom, or at the point of change of direction, of a flight of stairs that often supports the handrail. Niche - A small recess in a wall, not extending to the floor. Nog/Nogging - see Dwang. Non-loadbearing wall - A wall, usually an internal wall, that does not support an overhead load. Nosing - The projecting edge of a stair tread. Notice to fix - a notice issued by a BCA, a council or regional authority for breaches of the Building Act or regulations (eg, where building work does not comply with the Building Code). It specifies what remedial work must be done and by when. It is an offence to fail to comply with a notice to fix and a building owner can be fined up to $200,000, plus a further $20,000 a day as long as the offence continues. Novation - The substitution of a new person for one of the parties to a contract, with the consent of all people involved, for example, a change of contractor part way through the project.
OOverflow - Pipe or drain that allows excess liquid to escape. Overhang - Any part of a structure that overhangs another part, for example, eaves and verges. PParapet - That portion of a vertical wall of a building which extends above the roof line or balcony floor. Particleboard - A wood product made from wood chips bonded with resins under heat and pressure. Party wall - An adjoining wall erected on the line between two adjoining properties, which are under different ownership, for the use of both properties. Patio - An outdoor area adjoining a house that is usually paved. Paving - (a) Material used to pave an area. (b) A hard serviced pathway or pavement. Pelmet - A decorative framework above a window to conceal the curtain fixtures or blinds. Performance criteria - Qualitative or quantitative criteria which the building is to satisfy in performing its functional requirements. Find out more. Performance requirement - A term in the Building Code used to describe either qualitatively or quantatively how far the building work must go in meeting a particular Building Code clause's objectives and functional requirements. Permitted activity - An activity listed in a district plan for which no resource consent is required. Phoenix company - A company that goes into voluntary liquidation to avoid litigation and then re-remerges, essentially as the same company, but under a different name. Pier - A column of masonry, usually rectangular, used to support other structural members. Pile - A column of timber, concrete or steel transmitting loads from the building to the ground. Pitch - The incline slope of a roof or stairs. Roof slope is the ratio of the rise to the horizontal. Plans and specifications - The documents according to which building work is proposed to be constructed, altered, demolished or removed. They include proposed procedures for inspection during construction, alteration, demolition or removal. Find out more. Plates - Horizontal framing members supported by a wall, bearers or joists to support and distribute the load from floors, walls ceilings or roofs. Plywood - A board made of three or more layers of veneer joined with glue, and usually laid with the grain of adjoining plies at right angles Porch - A covered entranceway projecting from the doorway of a house. Potable water - Water fit for drinking. Practical completion - When everything in the contract is completed although there may be minor maintenance items still to be completed. Precast concrete - Sections of formed concrete ready for use. Prefabrication - The manufacture of sections of a building at the factory so they can be easily and rapidly assembled at the building site. Preliminary costs - Costs incurred before actual work on site takes place, for example, consents and drawings, and site set-up. Preliminary estimate - An early estimate of costs for use as a rough guide. Prime cost (PC) sums - Specific, adjustable amounts allowed in the contract for the supply of required materials, for example, hardware and plumbing ware. Find out more. Producer statement - A statement confirming that plans, specifications, or completed works comply with the technical requirements to satisfy the Building Code. A producer statement will usually be issued by a recognised specialist, for example, engineer, architect, appraisal organisation or competent contractor. It is up to the Building Consent Authority to decide whether to rely on such a statement. Find out more. Product Certification - Certification by a product certification accreditation body that a specific building product, system or method meets nominated provisions of the Building Code if used in accordance with conditions on the product certificate. Find out more. Project Information Memorandum (PIM) - A report, issued by the local council prior to issuing a building consent, confirming that building work may proceed, subject to any requirements under legislation other than the Building Act. It may also notify that building work may not be done. It includes information the council considers to be relevant to the proposed building work such as potential erosion, subsidence, slippage, and flooding. Find out more. Provisional (net) sums - Adjustable amounts to be used to pay for complete sections of work which cannot be accurately estimated in the contract documentation. Find out more. Purlin - A horizontal beam attached to the primary trusses or rafters which support the roof.
QQuantity Surveyor - a person who can assess your plans and tell you what materials you will need, in what quantities, and an estimate of how much it should cost. RRadiant heating - A method of heating, usually consisting of a forced hot water system with pipes placed in the floor, wall, or ceiling; or electrically heated panels. Heat is radiated from the heated objects. Radiator - A heating unit that radiates heat from its surface by the use of hot water or heated oil. Rafter - The framing member which directly supports the roof sheathing. A rafter usually extends from the ridge or the hip of the roof to the eaves and may be a part of a roof truss. Rail - Cross members of a frame, gate, fence, or upper and lower members of a balustrade or staircase extending from one vertical support, such as a post, to another. Regional plans - Prepared by regional councils to help manage the resources for which they are responsible. Reinforced concrete - Concrete strengthened by the embedding of steel (typically). Request for Clarification (RFC) - A notice asking for more information. Sometimes called an RFI – Request for Information. Request for Variation Order (RVO) - A response to a Contract Site Instruction (CSI) asking that the matter instructed be considered as a cost variation to the contract works. Resource consent - A land-use consent, issued under the Resource Management Act 1991, by the local council, for land use not designated a permitted activity in the district plan. Retentions - A sum of money held back from the final progress payment as a safeguard against non-performance or faulty work. This amount and the withholding period are strictly defined by the conditions of contract. Find out more. Reticulation - A network or system used to convey something, for example, water or electricity. Ridge - The horizontal line where two planes of roof intersect, forming the highest point on the roof running the length of the roof. Right of way - The privilege to pass over another person’s land, as granted by the owner of that land. Right of way falls under the general category of Easement. Riser - The vertical boards closing the spaces between the treads of stairways. RMA - Resource Management Act 1991. Find out more. Roof truss - see Truss. Roof valley/butterfly - The ‘V’ created where two sloping roofs meet. Rough opening - The opening in a wall into which a door or window frame is to be installed.
SSaddle - (a) Two sloping surfaces meeting in a horizontal ridge. (b) A small structure designed to facilitate drainage of water away from flashing components. (c) U-shaped cleat for securing lighting conduit or piping. Sash - The part of a window that holds the glass and is separate from the frame. In opening windows, it is the sash which can be opened and closed. Schedule of quantities - A detailed listing of the quantities of materials, labour and any other items required to carry out a project, based on the working drawings, specifications, and schedules for the project. Sealant - Material used to seal joints or junctures against moisture, air or weather. Seasoning - Removing moisture from green wood in order to improve its serviceability. Services - See Building services. Setback line - See Building line. Sewage - Waste water carried in a sewer. Sewerage - A system of waste disposal. Shading coefficient - The ratio of solar heat gain through a given type of glass to the solar heat gain through a single pane of 3mm clear glass under identical conditions. Glass of 3mm thickness is given a value of 1.0. Sheet metal work - Components using sheet metal, such as flashings, gutters, and downspouts. Shoring - A temporary support erected in a trench or other excavation to prevent the walls from caving in. Sill - The horizontal member forming the lowest side of an opening, such as a door sill, or window sill. Sitework - Work on a building site, including earthworks, preparatory to or associated with the construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of a building. Skillion roof - A pitched roof where the ceiling lining is parallel and close to the roof cladding, often with exposed rafters below the ceiling. See also Cathedral ceiling. Skirtings - Trim fixed on the wall where the wall meets the floor. Sky dome - A type of skylight featuring a translucent plastic domed top. Skylight - A transparent or translucent opening, usually glazed, in a roof. Sleeper - Timber used initially in railway systems, then re-used for landscape construction. Soffit - The underside or lower face of a building element, such as the arch, eaves, verge or beam. Span - The distance between structural supports such as walls, columns, piers, beams, girders, and trusses. Spec home - A house built before it is sold. The builder speculates that it will sell for a profit. Specific design - Calculations and detailed drawings usually of an engineering nature, by persons with appropriate technical expertise, relating to a design solution specific to a particular project. Specific designs may be supported by a Producer statement. Specification - Detailed written instructions containing details or work to be done and materials to be used in the construction of a building. See also Plans and specifications. Spouting - See Drainpipe. Storey - That part of a building consisting of a room or set of rooms comprising a single level of a building of more than one level. Stormwater - Rainwater, surface water, ground water, subsoil water, and artesian water which is usually channelled into drain systems in urban areas to prevent flooding. Stratum estate/title - See Unit title. Stud - A wood or metal vertical framing member to which exterior or interior covering material may be attached. It can be either loadbearing or non-loadbearing. Subcontractor - A tradesperson hired to do specific work such as plumbing, wiring or painting. The subcontractor takes instructions from, is paid by, and is responsible to the main contractor. Subdivision - A property development that is created by dividing a tract of land into individual lots for sale or lease. Subsidence - The settling or sinking of the ground as a result of the loss of support from underlying soils or strata. This could be due to factors such as earthquakes, compaction, a decrease in groundwater, underground excavations or the settling of waste. Supplier - A person in trade who supplies goods and services to a consumer (as defined in the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993). Surface water - Naturally occurring water, other than sub-surface water, which results from rainfall on the site or water flowing onto the site. Survey plan - A plan showing legal boundaries of properties, the area and dimensions and the 'appellation’, for example, Lot 1 DP 12345. Suspended ceiling - A ceiling installed below the roof or the floor above, supported by hanging it from the structural framing of the roof or overhead floor. It is commonly used to provide space for services, such as cables, recessed lighting and piping, and to reduce the cost of heating in a room, to improve the acoustics, or as a design feature.
TTenants in common - People own land together as co-owners but in separate interests, which may or may not be equal. A person can dispose of their interest independently of the other co-owners. For example, in the event of one of the owners dying then their share will not pass automatically to the other but instead pass to whoever the deceased owner has left it to in their will. Tendering - Potential suppliers send tenders (offers) for supplying goods and/or services. The contract is formed when an offer is accepted. Find out more. Territorial Authority (TA) - City or district council. See our Council finder. Thermal Insulation - See Insulation. Threshold - The sill to an external door or the floor under an internal door, usually a strip of wood or metal with beveled edges. Title - see Certificate of title. Title search - An examination of the chain of title to real property as indicated in the public records in order to determine the ownership of the property, and any encumbrances or defects on the title. Toby - Box, usually set flush with the ground, containing the control valve for the supply of water or gas to a property. Tongue and groove - Boards or planks that have been finished so that there is a groove on one edge of the board, and a corresponding tongue on the other edge. When two pieces are placed together the tongue of one fits into the groove of the other forming a joint between the two boards. Tread - The horizontal surface of a step. Trim - The finishing on a building, such as the skirtings, architraves, or cornices. Truss - A structure of two-dimensional framing members, such as chords, and diagonals, assembled into a rigid support structure. Frequently used for roofs, but also floor framing.
UUltraviolet (UV) - The invisible rays at the violet end of the spectrum of light. It can be can detrimental to human health and property. Undercoat - A coating applied after priming and before applying the finishing coats of a paint job. Unit title - A title that records ownership of a ‘unit’ of a larger property, and an undivided share in the ownership of the common property. The owner becomes a shareholder in the company that manages the common areas, such as a garden, garage, pool, parking space, lifts and laundries. The unit can be bought and sold, or leased or mortgaged. Other names for unit title are stratum estate or strata title. Find out more. Uprights - Vertical members of a trench in contact with the earth and supporting the sides of the trench. U-value - The measurement of heat flow through any given combination of materials, air layers, and air spaces. The lower the U-value, the more slowly the transfer heat in and out of a building. U-Value can be compared to R-Value by dividing 1 by the U-Value,for example, a U-Value of 0.5 equals an R-Value of 2.
VValley - See Roof valley/butterfly. Valve - A device to stop, start or regulate the flow of liquid or gas in pipes and conduits. Also known as a stop-cock, stop-valve or tap. Vapour - The suspension in the air of particles of a substance, such as water or chemicals. Vapour barrier - Sheet materials or coatings having a low water-vapour transmission and used to minimise water-vapour penetration in buildings. Also known as damp-proof membranes. Variation - A change to the plans or materials originally specified in the contract. Find out more. Variation Price Request (VPR) - A request from the owner about the cost or saving of a proposed change to the contract. Vendor - The person who is selling property. Veneer - (a) A thin sheet of wood made by rotary cutting or slicing which is usually glued onto an inferior base wood for decorative purposes. (b) Any type of decorative layer applied to a rough finish, for example, a veneer of stone slabs laid over a masonry base. Vent - A pipe, duct or other opening which allows flow of air in or out. Ventilator - Device installed to promote and maintain ventilation of a building. Verge - The overhanging edge of a roof or gable. Verification Method - A method by which building work may be verified for compliance with the Building Code. Verification Methods can include calculations, laboratory tests or tests in-situ. Verification Methods are published in the Department of Building and Housing's Compliance Documents. Voltmeter - A meter used to measure the difference between two points in an electrical circuit.
WWahi tapu/Waahi tapu - A place, site or object sacred to Maori in the traditional, spiritual, religious, ritual or mythological sense. Waste water - Water discharged from buildings. See also Sewage; Black water; Grey water. Waste pipe – A discharge pipe which carries the waste water from water fixtures to a gully trap Waterproofing - The process of rendering a building totally resistant to the passage of water and/or water vapour. Weatherstrip - A strip of material fixed around the closing edge of a window or door to ensure tight sealing and limit the movement of air and water. Weathertightness - The term used to describe the resistance of a building to the weather. Weathertightness is not necessarily waterproofing, but rather preventing undue dampness inside buildings and damage to building elements. Find out more. Weephole - An open hole to provide a means of drainage. For example, a small hole in a retaining wall or abutment to prevent the accumulation of water behind the structure, an opening in a wall or window sill member through which water may drain to the building exterior, or a drainage point in the cladding designed to drain water from a joint or cavity. Wind barrier - A barrier primarily designed to resist wind pressures, but also to provide a second line of defence against rainwater leakage. Often used behind less weathertight claddings in high and very high wind zones. Wood filler - A coloured paste used to fill and level off any imperfections found in finished wood surfaces.
X Y ZZoning - Limits prescribed by town planning or building bylaws to describe areas which are set aside for specific uses or interests, for example, high rise, residential or industrial. Consumers' Institute and Department of Building and Housing © Copyright 2004 |