Term
Definition
- DF 0 likes
- Douglas Fir
- Drinking Fountain
- DFPA 2 likes
- Douglas Fir Plywood Association
- Diagnostic Architecture 0 likes
- The science and process of analyzing building failures to understand their causes, and their solutions with specific repair strategies
- Diagonal 1 like
- Oblique direction in relation to a reference line
- Inclined part of a truss or bracing system, utilized for stiffening or wind bracing
- Diagonal Bond 0 likes
- Raking bond where bricks are laid obliquely in the middle section of a thick wall; bricks may also be similarly laid in paving
- Diagonal Bracing 0 likes
- Bracing that diagonally attaches joints at differing levels
- Diagonal Sheathing 0 likes
- Wood sheathing where individual boards run at a 45 degree angle to the studs, joists, or rafters
- Diagonal-Grained Wood 1 like
- Wood in which annual rings are angled to the axis of another piece, due to sawing at an angle against the bark of the tree or log
- A type of cross grain
- Diameter 0 likes
- A straight line spanning from one side of a circle or other rounded geometric figure to the other side, or the length of this line
- Diamond Mesh1 like
- Metal lath with a diamond pattern produced by the slitting and expansion of metal sheets
- Diamond Mesh Window Guard 1 like
- Guard made from diamond-shaped mesh to provide protection over a window, prevent damage to the glass and stop intrusion
- Diaper 1 like
- A pattern with one or more recurrent design units as geometric figures, interacting with one another with continuously flowing or straight lines
- Continuous and recurrent pattern in brickwork, normally applied to diamond or other diagonal patterns
- Diaphragm 0 likes
- Flexible material normally made of thin metal, rubber, or plastic
- A thin, usually rectangular or square part of a structure capable of resisting lateral forces on its plane, such as a floor or roof
- Diaphragm Action 0 likes
- A bracing action derived from the stiffness of a thin plane of material when loaded in a parallel direction; typically floor or roof surfaces of plywood, reinforced masonry, steel decking, or reinforced concrete
- Diaphragm Pump 0 likes
- Water pump employed to continuously extricate water from excavations containing mud and small stones
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) 1 like
- Sedimentary rock deposits consisting of, or having many diatoms or their siliceous remains; diatomite as employed in water filters
- Diatomaceous Earth Filter 0 likes
- Pool filter using DE as its medium; one designed to filter water through a thin layer of filtering material like diatomaceous earth or volcanic ash; diatomite filters may be of the Pressure or Vacuum type
- Dichlorodifluromethane 1 like
- Refrigerant commonly called R-12
- Dichromatic 0 likes
- Of two colors
- Die 0 likes
- To stop living
- To stop (general use)
- An engraved metal template for stamping coins or medals
- A perforated steel block against which a material is pressed to form a shape by extrusion
- An internally threaded tool employed to cut threads off of a pipe or rod
- Die Casting 0 likes
- Process of molding low-melting temperature metals in shaped metal molds
- Dielectric Fluid 0 likes
- Fluid having high electrical resistance
- Diesel Generator2 likes
- An electrical generator running on diesel fuel
- Different Systems 0 likes
- Systems which derive their supply from different sources, individual transformers or their banks which do not have their secondary windings interconnected, or from individual service switches
- Differential 0 likes
- The difference between two values on a scale, such as the difference in the time taken to lay the same tiles with different grout in the same area
- Differential Settlement 0 likes
- The irregular sinking of various sections of a building‘s foundation
- Diffuse Porous Wood 2 likes
- Hardwoods where pores are uniform in size and distribution in each annual ring, or decrease in size slowly toward the outer border of the ring
- Diffuse Radiation 0 likes
- Sun rays that are scattered by air molecules, dust and water vapor; comes from the sky vault
- Diffuse Transmission 1 like
- Transmitted light that is evenly scattered in all directions as it moves through a material
- Diffuser1 like
- A device that circulates air in a forced heating/cooling system; often flush-mounted on a ceiling with slats to evenly direct the processed air into a room or area; parts of the ventilation system that diffuse air to promote circulation in the room or space
- Light fixture lens that disperses light
- Digital1 like
- A digital instrument displays a measurement as a number, such as the LED display on a digital watch; compared to an analog display
- Dike 0 likes
- A long wall or embankment, built for flooding prevention
- Dilapidation 0 likes
- A state of neglect, disrepair, decay, ruin, or deterioration through neglect or misuse
- Dimension 0 likes
- A measurement of any kind, such as width, length, height, volume or weight
- Dimension Lumber, See Dimension Stock
- Dimension Lumber 1 like
- Lumber with a trifling thickness of 2 inches up to but not including 5 inches, and a nominal width of 2 inches or more; includes joists, planks, rafters, studs, and small timbers; see also Dimension Stock
- Dimension Ratio 1 like
- Diameter of a pipe divided by the wall thickness; each pipe may have two dimension ratios, based on whether the outer or inner diameter is employed; the outer diameter is employed if the standard requirements and manufacturing controls are based on it; the inside diameter is employed when this measurement is the controlling one
- Dimension Stock 0 likes
- Hardwood stock processed to a point so the user obtains maximum utility; stock of specific thickness, width, and length; may be solid or glued together, rough or surfaced, semi-fabricated or totally fabricated; generally known as Hardwood Dimension Lumber
- Dimensional Stability 0 likes
- A fabric’s ability to keep its original dimensions despite service and wet cleaning
- The ability of any material to maintain its original dimensions in the conditions in which it is employed
- Dimensional Stabilization 1 like
- Actions taken to reduce or stop warping, swelling, or shrinking
- Dimensions of Concrete Masonry Units 1 like
- The first dimension of a CMU denotes thickness; the second, height; and the third, length
- Diminishing Return 0 likes
- Greater expenditure, investment, or taxes that no longer produce a proportional yield
- Diminution in Value 0 likes
- The amount a property’s market value is reduced
- Dimmer Switch2 likes
- A switch controlling the brightness emitted from a light fixture
- Dimple 1 like
- A depression in gypsum board‘s surface due to a hammer as the nail head is set a little below the surface of the gypsum board to conceal with joint compound
- Diode1 like
- A semiconductor with two terminals that permits the flow of current in only one direction
- Dip Coating 0 likes
- Finishing an article by immersing or covering it in finishing material
- Dip of a Trap 0 likes
- The lowest part of the inside top surface of the channel in a plumbing trap; compare with Weir of a Trap
- Dipentene 0 likes
- Solvent created by the destructive distillation of pine stumps; also stronger than turpentine
- Direct Burial Cable 0 likes
- Electrical cable appropriate for burial directly in the earth, without being placed in a conduit
- Direct Burial Conduit 0 likes
- Electric conduit appropriate for burial in outside applications that have an exterior surface that opposes moisture, fungus, and corrosion
- Direct Cost 0 likes
- All expenses directly incurred or attributed to a specific project, task, or assignment; synonymous with Direct Costs, Hard Costs, and Construction Costs; See Construction Costs and Hard Costs
- Direct Current (DC) 0 likes
- An electric current of steady voltage that only flows in one direction
- Direct Drive Fan1 like
- A fan positively connected in line with a motor, functioning at the same speed
- Direct Expansion (DX) 1 like
- Interior air cooled by passing over an evaporator where refrigerant expands from a fixed reference point
- Direct Expansion Evaporator 0 likes
- Evaporator utilizing an automatic expansion valve (AEV) or a thermostatic expansion valve (TEV) for refrigerant control
- Direct Job Overhead 1 like
- A firm’s overhead expense, directly attributed to completing work under way, that would not be incurred if no projects were currently in progress
- Direct Labor 0 likes
- The actual cost of labor for all tasks undertaken during the period covered by the income statement
- Direct Labor Burden 0 likes
- Includes all payroll taxes, insurance, and employee benefits related to the labor payroll
- Direct Methods 0 likes
- Techniques of solar heating where sunlight enters a building through its windows and is absorbed in the interior of the building
- Direct Process 0 likes
- See American Process Zinc Oxide
- Direct Radiation 0 likes
- Solar radiation emanating from the sun, casting shadows on a clear day
- Direct Transmission 0 likes
- Light traversing a transparent material
- Direction of Irrigation 1 like
- Direction of irrigated water flow; normally perpendicular to the supply ditch or pipe
- Directional Arrow1 like
- Symbol employed to indicate direction
- Directional Sign1 like
- A publicly displayed notice indicating a recommended direction or route of travel, with words or symbols
- Directory Board1 like
- A panel that displays information
- Disability 0 likes
- A physical or mental impairment that considerably limits an important capability of an individual
- Considered as having an impairment
- Disappearing Stair 0 likes
- A folding, hinged stairway that is pulled down from the ceiling and normally hidden behind a trap door
- Discharge Valve1 like
- Special purpose valve
- Discharging Arch 1 like
- An arch built over a lintel or header to reduce pressure from the wall above the arch; also known as a Relieving Arch or Safety Arch
- Discoloration 0 likes
- Change of color from the norm or the desired color
- Disconnect 1 like
- Shut of something such as a telephone line, supply of water, gas, or electricity to a building or customer
- Disconnecting Means 0 likes
- A device, group of devices, or other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their supply source
- Discount 0 likes
- A reduction in the amount of a bill
- To sell an item for less than its original cost; this increases the value of the buyer’s purchase
- Discount Rate 0 likes
- A mortgage interest rate lower than the current rate for a given period of time, for example 1.75 percent below variable rate for two years
- Dish Drawer1 like
- A dishdrawer is a type of dishwashing machine invented, designed and manufactured by Fisher & Paykel. They are available under several brands depending on geographic location.
- Dishwasher1 like
- An electrical appliance for washing crockery and cutlery
- Disinfect Pipe 0 likes
- Transmission of an antimicrobial agent through a pipe
- Disinfectant1 like
- Chemical that eliminates germs and bacteria; also called Bacteriacide
- Disintegration 1 like
- Decomposition into fragments or elements
- Disk Sander1 like
- An electric sanding tool with sandpaper abrasive mounted on a rotating disk
- Dispensary 0 likes
- A location where medicines and medical or dental aid are dispensed
- Dispersing Agent 0 likes
- A mixture that increases the fluidity of pastes, mortars, or concretes by reducing inter-particle attraction; material employed to keep a finely divided substance in a dispersed state
- Dispersion 1 like
- A substance suspended in another substance
- A suspension of tiny particles in a liquid medium, like paints
- Displacement 1 like
- Motion away from a fixed point
- Disposal Field 0 likes
- See Leaching Field
- Disposal Suit 2 likes
- A total bodysuit used by workers in areas with hazardous materials
- Distemper 1 like
- A water-based paint where pigment is mixed with the white or yolk of an egg; employed for mural decoration
- Water-based paints for household, use
- Distensibility 1 like
- A material‘s ability to stretch
- Distillate 0 likes
- A condensed product made by cooling vapors of a given material, heated to eliminate part of the material in vapor form
- Distillation 1 like
- Vaporizing a liquid with heat and condensing the vapor to a liquid to purify, fractionate, and produce new substances
- Distillery 0 likes
- A location where alcohol is distilled
- Distilling Apparatus 2 likes
- Fluid-reclaiming device for used refrigerants; reclaiming is normally done by vaporizing, then re-condensing the refrigerant
- Distortion 0 likes
- The state of being warped from a natural or original shape or condition
- The change of a pavement’s surface from its original shape
- A lack of proportion in an image, due to defects in the optical system
- Erroneous reproduction of radio sound or a television picture, due to changes in the original signal’s wave form
- Distributed Load 0 likes
- A load on a structural piece, evenly distributed along its entire length
- Distribution 0 likes
- Moving fresh concrete to its placement area
- The movement of fluids or currents to their end point
- The circulation of heat to living areas from storage or collectors
- Distribution Bo 0 likes
- The main terminus of an electrical service where branch circuits are connected
- Distribution Panel2 likes
- The main electrical control center; contains switches or circuit breakers, is attached to service wires, and delivers a current to branch circuits
- Distribution Rib 0 likes
- Transverse thickening of a one-way concrete joist structure; employed to enable the joists to share concentrated loads
- Ditch 0 likes
- A long, narrow trench dug in the earth for foundation walls, sewerage, irrigation systems, electrical cable lines, and utilities
- Dividers 1 like
- A drafting implement similar to a compass, but with two adjustable sharp points; employed for marking and scribing edges
- Diving Board1 like
-
A narrow platform, often equipped with a spring raised off the pool deck by a ladder, attached to the edge of a pool and extending over the water; employed to give divers altitude and lift
- Diving Platform 0 likes
- Rigid standing space for diving
- DLH Series 1 like
- Standard Steel Joist Institute designation for long span steel joists

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