E.P.D.M
(Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a type of elastomeric material which has excellent resistance to ozone, sunlight, and severe weather conditions and is ideal for outdoor service.
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.
Easement
Areas of land located above or around the equipment used for essential services such as pipes and electrical wires. Government authorities control use of this land.
Eaves
The lower edge of a roof, intended to throw rainwater clear of the walls below. Eaves that do not project beyond the wall are close eaves. Project eaves with rafter concealed are said to be boxed.
Ebonized
Refers to wood stained and polished black to simulate ebony.
Edge Blocks
Short lengths of elastomeric materials located at one or both sides of a glass light to limit lateral movement (“walking”) caused by horizontal expansion/contraction, minimal building sway or other factors.
Effective Height
Measures the height of a building for safety purposes. Effective height is measured from the floor of the lowest storey providing direct egress to a road or open space (this will usually be the level at which the fire brigade would enter)—to the floor of the top storey. Plant rooms and spaces at the top of the building used for maintenance purposes are not included in effective height.
Efflorescence
The residue deposited on the surface of a material by crystallization of soluble salts.To form a powdery crust. The formation of such a crust; the giving up of the water of crystallization to the atmosphere.
Egress Court
A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.
Elasticity
The property of a material which causes it to return to its original shape after being deformed.
Elastomeric
Any of various elastic substances resembling rubber.
Electrocoating
A method of painting which uses electrical current to deposit the paint. The process works on the principal of “Opposites Attract”. An ecoatsystem applies a DC charge to a metal part immersed in a bath of oppositely charged paint particles. The paint particles are drawn to the metal part and paint is deposited on the part, forming an even, continuous film over every surface, in every crevice and corner, until the coating reaches the desired thickness.
Electrolysis
Chemical decomposition of a metal surface by the action of dissimilar metals and moisture.
Electrostatic Painting
A painting process by which the aluminium is grounded and the paint carries a positive electric current. This creates a magnetic attraction between the paint and the aluminium, allowing for uniform paint coverage on all exposed extrusion surfaces.
Element
Construction entity part which, in itself or in combination with other such parts, fulfils a predominating function of the construction entity.
Elevation
View on a vertical plane.
Elevation Drawing
Drawing which shows a view on a vertical plane.
Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening
An operable window, door or other similar device that provides for a means of escape and access for rescue in the event of an emergency.
Emergency Planning Committee
(EPC) Persons responsible for the documentation and maintenance of an emergency management plan.
Emergency Ramp
Area of land adjacent to a road filled with a particular material to decelerate and arrest errant vehicles; generally located on long downhill gradients.
Emissivity
Emission, or the ability to radiate heat in the form of long-wave radiation.
Empire Style
Inspired by the civilization of ancient Rome and introduced to celebrate the empire of Napoleon I, circa 1804-1815. It typically features such motifs as palmettos, winged lions, and sphinxes. The Second Empire style refers to the revival of neo-classicism during the reign of Napoleon III (1852-1870).
End Dam
Used to close the ends of a window frame sub-sill, so water will not leak out of the ends. It makes the sub-sill a complete water trough allowing it to collect excess water and drain it to the exterior.
End-Dam
Any element, or combination of elements, designed to prevent rainwater collected by a through-wall flashing system from entering the dry zone of an exterior wall system or assembly at wall penetrations (such as window openings), building corners and similar terminations is a single line of flashing.
Engineer
A design professional responsible for developing the structural or engineering components or systems of a construction work by preparing detail drawings, specifications and schedules and ensuring actual construction conforms with those aspects of design.
Engineer of Record
An engineer for a specific project, in good standing with licensing requirements, at the time of the project.
Entrance
Any access point to a building or portion of a building or facility used for the purpose of entering. An entrance includes the approach path, the vertical access leading to the entrance platform, the entrance platform itself, vestibule if provided, the entry door or gate, and the hardware of the entry door or gate.
Envelope
This term is not limited to the building’s outer shell, but also includes those continuous elements that separate a conditioned space from a non-conditioned space. For example, the floor between a plant room and an office space or the wall between a corridor and a sole-occupancy unit may be part of the envelope, rather than the outer shell. A non-conditioned space may be included within the envelope under certain circumstances.
Epoxy Grout
A resin and generally cement-based material that adheres and seals tiles for commercial kitchen use and is approximately 99% impervious to moisture.
Epoxy Resin
Varnishes, adhesives, paints and caulking, highly allergenic and sensitising. A suspected carcinogen. Inert once fully cured.
Equipment
All machinery, tools, apparatus, and supplies necessary for the upkeep, maintenance, construction, and completion of the Contract.
Escutcheon Plate
A metal face plate surrounding the keyhole of a door. Back plate for handles and deadbolts.
Estimate
The anticipated sum for which some future builder – usually unknown – will agree to execute at some future date – often indeterminate – certain works which are frequently only partially defined at the time the estimate is made.
Estimating
A technical function with the aim of predicting the cost of construction.
Estimating
A technical function with the aim of predicting the cost of construction.
Étagère
A French term for a set of shelves supported by slender columns, and used to display books or bric-a-brac.
Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer
(EPDM) An elastomeric waterproofing membrane material.
Evacuation
The orderly movement of people from a place of danger.
Evacuation Drawing
Drawing which shows ways of evacuation and how the fire brigade and other emergency services are called and gain access.
Evacuation Exercise
An activity simulating an emergency event that requires an evacuation.
Evacuation Route
The path a person uses to evacuate a building. It starts at the most remote part of a building and finishes at a “safe place”. This can be in the building, or a road or open space. It is not always the point of exit from a building. An evacuation route includes the evacuation path within a sole-occupancy unit of a Class 2 or Class 3 building or Class 4 part of a building, as well as an exit from such a unit. This term is different from a path of travel to an exit, which begins at the door to such sole-occupancy units.
Evacuation Time
Is the calculated time from when an emergency begins until the last occupant reaches a “safe place”. It includes the time taken for any alarm to detect a fire and give warning. Added to this is the time taken for occupants to start to evacuate the building. This “time” will depend on a number of factors, some of which may be influenced by an “emergency management system”, including:the type of alarm or warning given;whether the occupant initially recognizes the alarm or warning;whether the occupant decides to investigate or ignore the alarm;whether the occupant decides to warn other people in the building;the time taken for all occupants to move through the building until reaching a “safe place”.
Existing Conditions (EC) Drawings
Document existing conditions of facility spaces and systems. These drawings do not provide any direction for construction projects.
Existing Level (XL)
The level of an existing point.
Exit
Any combination of the following that provides egress to an open space: (a) an internal or external stairway (b) a ramp (c) a fire-isolated passageway (e) a doorway opening to an open space (f) a horizontal exit An exit can be any of the building elements listed. It must lead to a road or open space or a horizontal exit leading to another fire compartment. An exit starts at the beginning of the first relevant building element listed in the definition. Examples The start of an exit includes: the top of the first riser in a required open stairway; the doorway leading into a required fire-isolated stairway, fire-isolated ramp or fire-isolated passageway; and a required doorway which leads directly to a road or open space. The exit finishes when a person reaches, as the specific circumstances require: a road or open space; in the case of a horizontal exit, another fire compartment, which in turn leads to a road or open space; or in the case of a non-fire-isolated stairway or ramp, the level providing direct egress to a road or open space.
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.
Expressionism
A 20th-century European art movement that stresses the expression of emotion and the inner vision of the artist rather than the exact representation of nature. Distorted lines and shapes and exaggerated colours are used for emotional impact. Vincent Van Gogh is regarded as the precursor of this movement.
External Glazed
The glass is glazed from the outside of the window.
External Wall
An outer wall of a building which is not a common wall.
External Waterproofing Membrane Systems
A combination of membranes and flashings, which form a waterproof barrier.
Extruded Aluminium
There are two basic types of extruded shapes: Solid Extrusion – Any extruded shape other than a hollow or semi-hollow shape. Semi-Hollow Extrusion – An extruded shape where any part of the cross section partially encloses a void.
Extrusion
The metal-fabricating process by which a heated aluminium billet is forced to flow through a hole in a steel die of the desired shape. Refers to the aluminium profiles that are used in a window. An extrusion is produced from aluminium billet that is heated until soft and then pushed out through a die with an aperture of the shape of the section. Section is stretched for straightness and tempered before finishing.
Eyebrow Windows
Picture windows that are segments of circles rather than arch windows which are half circles.