Building Codes and Accessibility Standards

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary from building codes and accessibility standards discussed in the lecture.

Minimum size for rooms for habitation

6 sqm & 2 m

THHN wire

Thermoplastic High Heat-Resistant, Nylon-Coated

Minimum clear width of the exit doorway

700 millimeters

Group E occupancy

Wholesale and retail stores, office buildings, etc., having an occupant load of less than 100.

Minimum dimension of bath and toilet room

0.90m

Dwelling

Any building or portion thereof containing one or two dwelling units or guest rooms.

Exit Passageway

An enclosed means of egress connecting a required exit or exit court with a public way.

Type I construction

Wood construction.

Occupancy

The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.

Bay or Panel

One of the intervals or spaces into which the building front is divided by columns or walls.

Minimum width for private stairways serving an occupant load of less than 10

750mm

Building Permit

A document issued to an owner/applicant to proceed with construction or other work.

Type III construction

Masonry and wood construction, one-hour fire-resistive throughout.

Type V construction

Fire-resistive construction using steel, iron, concrete, or masonry.

Maximum rise for typical stairs

200mm

A barbecue

A stationary open hearth or brazier used for food preparation.

Minimum run and maximum run for stair winders

150mm and 300mm.

WBAC for buildings serving more than 50

Shall not be less than 1.10 meters.

Group D Occupancy

Institutional.

Maximum vertical distance between landings

3.60 meters.

Corrosion-Resistant material

Any non-ferrous metal or steel with specific composition.

Maximum allowable slope for an accessible ramp

1:12.

Renovation

Any physical change made on buildings/structures to increase value or quality.

Type IV construction

Construction of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry with specific fire-resistive standards.

Height of handrail above nosing of treads

800mm min; 900mm max.

Group A Occupancy

Residential Dwelling Unit.

Maximum point of travel in a building without a sprinkler system

45.00 meters.

Awning

A movable shelter supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building.

Minimum horizontal clearance between the outermost edge of the marquee and the curb line

300mm.

Group C Occupancy

Education and Recreation.

Minimum headroom of attics

750mm.

Cellar/Basement

A portion of a building partly below and partly above grade.

Vertical Shaft

An enclosed vertical space extending from floor to floor.

Minimum dimension of a kitchen

1.5m.

Fire-Resistive Standards

All materials classified according to fire-retardant ratings.

Height of awning above pavement

2.40m.

Attic Story

Any story situated wholly or partly in a roof.

Coping

Material used to form a cap or finish on top of a wall.

Concrete Block

A hollow or solid concrete masonry unit made from portland cement.

Minimum ceiling height of the first storey if naturally ventilated

2.7m.

Veneer

A non-structural facing attached to a backing for ornamentation.

Mezzanine minimum clear ceiling height

1.8m.

Accessory Building

A building subordinate to the main building on the same lot.

Minimum clear width for accessible elevators

1.10m x 1.4m.

Distance from entrance to accessible elevators

30m.

Group I occupancy

Assembly Occupant Load of 1000 or more.

Cellar

A portion of a building between floor and ceiling that is partly below grade.

Direction of exit door swing

Applicable for serving hazardous areas or 50+ occupant load.

Maximum width of an exit door leaf

1.2m.

Disabled Persons

Individuals with restrictions due to impairments.

Threshold

A strip under a door to cover joint types floor materials.

Curb cut-out

A break in the sidewalk for accessibility.

Conservation

Processes and measures to maintain the cultural significance of property.

Cultural Property

Products of human creativity revealing identity.

Museum

A permanent institution for education or leisure.

Restoration

Technical intervention to correct deterioration.

Compressor

A mechanical device used to increase refrigerant pressure.

Condenser

A vessel for liquefying vaporized refrigerant.

Conversion

A change in the use of a structure.

Dumbwaiter

A hoisting mechanism for moving items.

Building Official

The Executive Officer of the OBO appointed by the Secretary.

Parapet Wall

Any wall entirely above the roof line.

Retaining Wall

A wall used to resist lateral displacement of materials.

Bearing Wall

A wall supporting more than its own weight.

Oriel Window

A projecting window carried on brackets.

Fire Assembly

The complete setup of a fire door or window.

Fire-Retardant Treated Wood

Wood treated to resist progressive combustion.