Construction Technology & Building Concepts –module 9

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms from Units 1–7 covering construction technology, building components, planning, property types, environmental issues, and common construction materials.

Construction Technology

The methods and advancements used to design and erect buildings; continually improving comfort, safety, durability, size, and cost-effectiveness.

Energy Efficiency

The practice of reducing energy consumption and waste, first popularized after the 1970s energy crisis and renewed by climate-change awareness.

ENERGY STAR

A government-backed program and label that identifies products and buildings meeting high energy-efficiency standards.

Passive House

A rigorous building standard focused on extreme energy efficiency and indoor comfort through airtightness, insulation, and heat recovery ventilation.

Net-Zero Home

A dwelling that produces as much energy on site (typically via renewables) as it consumes over a year.

EnerGuide

Canada’s official rating system that scores a home’s energy performance and recommends improvements.

Amperage (Amp)

The amount of electrical current flowing through a conductor.

Voltage (Volt)

The electrical pressure or force that drives current through a circuit.

Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)

A unit of electrical energy equal to using 1,000 watts for one hour.

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)

A circuit breaker that trips when it detects arcing to prevent electrical fires.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

A safety device that cuts power when it senses current leaking to ground, protecting against shock in wet areas.

Circuit Breaker

Resettable switch in a panel that disconnects power when a circuit is overloaded.

Fuse

A sacrificial device that melts to open a circuit when current exceeds safe limits.

Ground (Electrical)

A safe path that directs unwanted electricity into the earth.

Ground Wire

Conductor that connects an electrical system or device to ground.

Asbestos

A fibrous mineral formerly used for insulation and fire resistance; inhaled fibers cause serious health hazards.

Lead

A heavy metal once common in paint, pipes, and flashing; exposure can cause neurological damage.

Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI)

1970s cavity insulation banned in 1980 for releasing harmful formaldehyde gas.

Poly-B (Polybutylene)

Gray plastic water pipe (1975-1995) prone to degradation and leaks, often uninsurable.

Aluminium Wiring

Electrical conductors used 1968-1975 that can loosen at connections, increasing fire risk unless properly terminated.

Knob and Tube Wiring

Early open-air wiring system (pre-1940) with ceramic knobs and tubes; outdated and potentially hazardous.

Vermiculite

Expanded mica-like mineral sometimes containing asbestos, used as loose-fill insulation.

Efflorescence

White, powdery mineral deposits on masonry surfaces caused by moisture migration.

Built-Up Roof

A multi-layer tar-and-gravel roof system common on flat industrial roofs.

Building Envelope

All components separating interior from exterior—walls, roofs, floors—controlling heat, air, moisture, and vapour.

Cantilever

Floor section projecting beyond a supporting wall to create extra space or support a bay window.

Cladding

Exterior finish materials (siding, brick, stucco) forming the first weather barrier.

Concrete

Composite of cement, water, and aggregate that hardens into a strong structural material.

Rebar

Steel reinforcement bars embedded in concrete to increase tensile strength.

Masonry

Construction with individual units (brick, block, stone) bonded by mortar.

Wood Framing

Structural system using dimensional lumber or engineered wood for floors, walls, and roofs.

Steel Framing

Structural system using rolled-steel members; strong but requires fire protection.

Defect (Warranty)

A design, material, or workmanship flaw that violates code, poses risk, or causes damage.

Defects in the Building Envelope

Failures that prevent the envelope from performing its weather-resisting function.

Delivery & Distribution Systems

Building systems for electricity, gas, plumbing, HVAC, and private sewage (excluding fixtures/appliances).

Dormer

Roof projection containing a window, increasing usable attic space.

Downspout

Vertical pipe that carries roof runoff from eavestrough to ground.

Downspout Extension

Attachment that directs water away from the foundation.

Eavestrough (Gutter)

Horizontal trough along eaves that collects roof water runoff.

Fascia

Board covering the ends of roof rafters; supports eavestroughs.

Flashing

Thin, waterproof material directing water away from joints (chimneys, valleys, windows).

Footing

Widened concrete base that spreads structural loads to soil.

Gable

Triangular wall portion between the edges of intersecting roof slopes.

Glazing

The glass portion of a window or door.

Grade (Site)

Ground level and slope surrounding a structure.

Heat Exchanger

Furnace component that transfers heat from combustion gases to air or water without mixing them.

HVAC

Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning system maintaining indoor comfort and air quality.

Joist

Horizontal structural member supporting floors or ceilings.

Load (Structural/Electrical)

Any force or demand placed on a system—weight, wind, water, or electrical current.

Mould (Mold)

Microscopic fungi that grow in moist areas, potentially damaging materials and health.

Municipality

Local government area (city, town, village, etc.) governed by the Municipal Government Act.

Municipal Government Act (MGA)

Alberta legislation outlining municipal powers, land-use planning, and funding.

Area Structure Plan

Municipality’s long-term land-use and density blueprint for a specific geographic area.

Zoning

Regulation dividing land into districts with permitted and discretionary uses.

Permitted Use

Land use automatically allowed within a zone, requiring only building permits.

Discretionary Use

Land use evaluated case-by-case by the Development Authority.

Bylaw

Municipal regulation governing land use, setbacks, parking, signage, lighting, etc.

Development Permit

Approval confirming a property’s planned use and siting comply with land-use bylaws.

Building Permit

Authorization ensuring construction meets durability, safety, and code requirements.

Building Code

Set of minimum construction standards for safety, energy, plumbing, electrical, and more.

Secondary Suite

Self-contained dwelling within another; classified as legal, illegal, or non-conforming based on permits and zoning.

Safety Codes (for Suites)

Regulations covering ceiling height, exits, fire separation, alarms, and independent HVAC for suites.

Detached Home

Standalone residential unit with no shared walls.

Semi-Detached Home

Dwelling sharing one common wall with an adjacent property on separate title.

Row/Townhome

Three or more attached units in a row; often part of a condominium.

Apartment (Condominium)

Dwelling accessed from interior hallway; usually highest condo fees and shared amenities.

Multi-Family Property

Building with multiple residential units under one title, e.g., duplex, triplex, four-plex, apartment block.

Duplex

Two residential units within one building and one title.

Triplex

Building containing three residential units on a single title.

Four-Plex

Building containing four residential units on a single title.

Mobile Home

Factory-built dwelling designed for relocation; typically sold without land.

Recreational Property

Seasonal residence (cabin, cottage) not intended for full-time occupancy.

Commercial Real Estate

Property used for business purposes, such as retail or office buildings.

Agri-Business Property

Land and buildings dedicated to agricultural production and related operations.

Structure

System of materials forming the load-bearing skeleton of a building.

Foundation

Substructure transferring building loads to soil and resisting earth pressures.

Full Basement

Foundation space ≥6 ft high usable for living or mechanical equipment.

Walk-Out Basement

Full basement with exterior ground-level exit.

Crawlspace

Foundation space <6 ft high, primarily for access to services.

Slab-on-Grade

Concrete floor slab poured directly on prepared ground.

Parkade

Below-grade structure providing vehicle parking.

Superstructure

Above-grade portion of a building that transfers loads to the foundation.

Single-Phase Power

Standard residential electrical supply for lights and small appliances.

Three-Phase Power

High-capacity electrical supply for large commercial or industrial loads.

Main Service

Utility conductors and meter delivering electricity to a building.

Main Electrical Panel

Distribution board receiving service conductors and feeding branch circuits.

Electrical Circuit

Wiring path supplying power from panel to outlets and fixtures.

Receptacle

Outlet allowing plug-in connection to an electrical circuit.

Fixture (Electrical)

Permanent device such as a light or junction box connected to wiring.

Plumbing

Pressurized supply lines and gravity drains providing potable water and removing wastewater.

Gas Piping

Pressurized system distributing natural gas or propane to appliances.

Heating

System (typically furnace or boiler) adding thermal energy to indoor air or water.

Ventilation

Natural or mechanical exchange of indoor and outdoor air for health and comfort.

Air Conditioning

Refrigeration process that removes heat and humidity from indoor air.

Air Barrier

Continuous layer within envelope preventing uncontrolled air leakage.

Vapour Barrier

Material layer resisting moisture diffusion through building envelope.

Insulation

Material that resists heat flow, rated by R-value (imperial) or RSI (metric).

R-Value

Imperial measure of thermal resistance; higher value = better insulation.

RSI

Metric measure of thermal resistance; higher value = better insulation.

Surface Water Management

Grading and drainage strategies that divert precipitation away from foundations.