Construction Terms Glossary

We know that the construction process can be confusing, perhaps even bewildering. We
also understand that, like everyone in specialized fields, those involved in planning,
design, and construction can speak in a language understood only by the previously
initiated.
To help make the process at Rio Hondo open and more easily understandable, we are
providing definitions of some technical terms associated with planning, designing and
building large-scale construction projects. We have separated the following definitions
are separated into the different project categories and processes during which each might
be heard or encountered.
Planning and Design Process:
The Planning Process includes all work done up to the beginning of construction. This
includes making plans, gaining governmental approvals, designing and creating timelines
for construction. The Environmental Evaluation process must be completed prior to
construction, as well.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Requires that access to all areas
accommodate persons with disabilities.
Arborist The arborist is an expert on the growth, development and health of
plants particularly trees. Arborists typically consult with the landscape architect to
ensure appropriate plantings and a healthy environment for plant growth.
Architect The architect designs the physical improvements of the project. The
architect is responsible for the aesthetics, building appearance and functionality. The
architect is also responsible for construction drawings that translate the vision and
aesthetics into a buildable project.
Civil Engineer An engineer who designs public works such as roads, piping,
earthwork and waterworks.
Critical Path Method A construction scheduling system where important
elements of the project are tracked to ensure they are completed in the sequence and on
time to ensure the project is completed when required.
Design Development Drawings Drawings prepared by architects for the design
development phase of the project.
Design Development Phase The phase of architectural service during which the
uses and aesthetics of the project are developed and drawn.

Geotechnical Engineer An engineer who specializes in rock and soil mechanics,

groundwater and foundations. The geotechnical engineer is responsible for determining
that the ground will support the project safely.
Geotechnical Investigation (or Survey) The process of evaluating the earth
under the project site. This is done to determine the stability of the site and what, if
anything, needs to be done to reinforce the site prior to construction.
Green Architecture Design that embraces energy conservation and minimal use
of non-renewable resources.
Landscape Architect The landscape architect is responsible for designing the
natural environment of the project. This can include trees, plants, shrubs and flowers, as
well as native or indigenous plants and the environment in which they live.
Lead Agency The legal entity that has final responsibility for the project, in our
case the Board of Trustees of Rio Hondo College. The lead agency is required to ensure
that all statutory approvals, legal requirements and reports are prepared appropriately. In
our case, the lead agency also approves contracts and budgets.
Master Plan The overall long-term vision for the completed project. In our case,
the proposed renovation and building program for the campus and programs of Rio
Hondo College. The master plan includes all new and renovated buildings and also
would include any changes to the program or services provided by Rio Hondo College.
Office of the State Architect (OSA) The state agency that approves all design
and construction plans for our project.
Program Manager The individual or entity responsible for overseeing the entire
project, in our case the Master Plan for Rio Hondo College. We have contracted with a
joint venture of three companies, URS, Del Terra Corporation and Summit Consulting
(called the Rio Hondo Program Management Team) to perform this function. Karl
Schrader has been assigned as the individual to lead the program management activity.
Sustainability (see also Green Architecture) Design and construction that seeks
to minimize impacts on the environment by incorporating ecologically sound building
practices as well as conservation of natural resources.
Environmental Evaluation Process:
The Environmental Evaluation process determines the impacts a project will have on its
environment. This process generally takes 9 months to a year to complete.
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act -- The California Environmental
Quality Act is the legislation that requires construction projects to undergo a review to
determine what impacts the project may have on its environment. Areas studied include

air and water quality, biological resources, cultural resources, aesthetics, noise,
population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic.
Certification The process where the lead agency warrants that the
Environmental Impact Report has been prepared in accordance with CEQA. Certification
also includes acknowledgement that, if necessary, mitigations will have to be included in
the project to minimize environmental impacts to the point where they are at acceptable
levels, or that mitigations cannot minimize environmental impacts to acceptable levels.
Draft Environmental Impact Report The first document prepared by the
environmental consultants. The Draft EIR identifies the project being proposed, lists
potential negative impacts of the project on the environment and suggests measures that
can be taken to minimize the impacts of the project.
Final Environmental Impact Report The finally certified Environmental Impact
Report that legally defines the project and lists required mitigations to minimize any
adverse impacts from the project.
Initial Study The first technical assessment of the potential environmental
impacts made to determine the extent of environmental review required by the project.
The initial study determines the level of environmental review a project requires.
Because of its size and scope, the Master Plan for Rio Hondo College requires a full
environmental impact report. The environment is analyzed and the Draft Environmental
Impact Report is prepared by a contractor expert in studying project impacts.
Mitigation (or Mitigations) Those measures that are identified in the
Environmental Impact Report that can be taken to minimize or lessen the impacts a
project may have on the environment. When the EIR is certified, these are required to be
done as part of the project and a condition of approval.
Public Comment Period (or Comment Period) The set time after the Draft
Environmental Impact Report is released during which members of the public and others
can offer comments on the adequacy of the EIR and the mitigations suggested. This
period must be a minimum of 45 days and can be extended to allow the public more time
to understand and comment on the report. The public must be legally notified of the
existence of the report. This is generally done through newspaper notices and
announcements at public meetings of the certifying agency.
Public Hearing The certification hearing of the Environmental Impact Report
must be held before the public. For the project to proceed, the lead agency, in our case
the Board of Trustees of Rio Hondo College, must hold a noticed public hearing at which
the EIR is legally declared to have been properly prepared and the mitigations required
are adequate to ameliorate any significant negative changes in the environment.

Scoping session The public meeting where the extent of the environmental
reviews required by the project is discussed and those attending can ask that particular
concerns are addressed or specific aspects of the project be studied.
Value Engineering A process whereby the project is evaluated on a financial
basis by technical specialists with the intent to reduce costs without compromising
usability or quality of construction.

Construction:
The period during which the project is built. This includes any demolition, excavation
and fabrication of physical improvements, landscaping and fixtures.
Arbitration A proceeding for resolution of disputes in which a neutral person or
panel hears evidence from both sides then makes a final and binding decision resolving
the dispute.
Bid A proposal or offer to perform a task for a determined amount of money.
Generally, contracts to work on large-scale projects are determined through a competitive
bidding process where qualifications and costs are weighed by those proposing to
perform the work and the most qualified and / or most competitively priced bidder is
chosen to perform the work.
Bid bond A bond, secured by the bidder, that guarantees that the bidder selected
will perform the work for the price agreed upon in the accepted bid.
Bid (or Bidding) Documents The bidding requirements and proposed contract
documents issued prior to the receipt of bids.
Bollard A small post set up to prevent vehicular access or to protect property
from damage.
Boring Drilling into the ground to extract samples of earth for testing.
British Thermal Unit (BTU) A measure of the heat. Technically, the amount of
heat required to raise one pound one degree Fahernheit.
CAD Computer Aided Design
CADD Computer Aided Design and Drafting
Cantilever Appendages, such as roof eaves, that hang perpendicular to the
vertical walls without additional support.
Cast-in-place Concrete Concrete that is poured in its intended location site.

Change Order -- A written and signed document between the owner and the
contractor authorizing a change in the work or an adjustment in the contract sum or time.
The contract sum and time may be changed only by change order. A change order may be
in the form of additional compensation or time; or less compensation or time known as a
Deduction.
Completion Bond A bond guaranteeing that the project will be completed.
Conduit A protective sleeve or pipe typically used for installing electrical
wiring.
Construction Documents All drawings, specifications, addenda, and other
pertinent construction information associated with the construction of a specific project.
Construction Manager A person or entity who manages the construction project,
either as an advisor or consultant. The entity or individual responsible for the overall
construction of the project. The construction manager oversees the work of the
contractors.
Contingency (or Project Contingency) Funds set aside to cover any additional,
unforeseen, costs to the project. (Also called reserve or reserves)
Contract Documents All executed agreements between the owner and
contractor; any general, supplementary or other contract conditions; the drawings and
specifications; all addenda issued prior to execution of the contract; and any other items
specifically stipulated as being included in the contract documents.
E&O Insurance (Errors and Omissions insurance) Insurance that is taken to
protect the owner in the event a component is incorrectly fabricated or left out of the
project. E&O insurance indemnifies against losses caused by professional negligence of
the architect, engineer or contractor.
Falsework Shoring and forms that hold concrete in the proper shape as it
hardens.
Fast Track Construction (Fast Tracking) -- A method of construction management
that involves a continuous design-construction operation, as when a prime or main
contractor starts the construction work before the plans and specifications are complete.
Form Temporary structures built to contain concrete while it sets.
General Contractor A prime contractor or general construction. The company
or individual responsible for all construction. The general contractor may do all or most
of the work themselves or hire other companies to do some aspects of the work.

HVAC Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Environmental comfort

control systems in a building. These are typically installed by one company that
specializes in this type of work.
Indemnification (or Indemnity) A contractual obligation by which a person or
entity agrees to reimburse others for damage or loss arising from specific liabilities.
Indirect costs All costs which cannot be directly attributes to an individual
component of the project. Indirect costs can include oversight costs by the lead agency.
Liability Legal responsibility.
Lien A legal claim by one party against another for money.
Murphys Law Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Mylar Clear plastic sheeting.
Negligence Failure to use due care.
Notice to Proceed Official approval to begin work.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) The federal regulatory
agency charged with oversight to maintain a safe environment for workers. (CalOSHA is
the California state equivalent.)
Performance Bond A bond secured by a contractor that guarantees payment to
complete the project if the contractor defaults for any reason.
Performance Specifications -- The written material containing the minimum
acceptable standards and actions, as may be necessary to complete a project.
Precast Concrete or other material that is poured and set at a site different that
where it will be installed.
Prime Contractor (the Prime) The general contractor responsible for overall
construction of the project. The prime contractor is usually hired by the owner and in
turn hires subcontractors to perform some or all of the tasks required to complete the
project.
PVC Poly Vinyl Chloride -- The plastic material used to make conduit, pipes
and fittings.
Rebar Reinforcing bars, often used to strengthen concrete.
Reserves Funds set aside to cover unanticipated costs to the project.

RFP (Request for Proposals) An official invitation to bid on a project. An RFP

usually includes the project specifications and the work anticipated to be done by the
contractor(s).
RFQ (Request for Qualifications) An official invitation to submit contractor
experience and documentation that the contractor is able to perform the work requested.
This step is sometimes used to ensure invited bidders are able to do the work before an
RFP is issued.
Seismic Relating to earthquakes.
Shim A piece placed between to objects to maintain or adjust the distance
between them.
Single Prime Contract -- The most common form of construction
contracting. In this process, the bidding documents are prepared by the
architect/engineer for the owner and made available to a number of qualified
bidders. The winning contractor then enters into a series of subcontract agreements to
complete the work.
Specifications (Specs) -- A detailed, exact statement of particulars especially
statements prescribing materials and methods and quality of work for a specific project.
Specific Performance Performance of a legal contract in accordance with its
terms.
Structural Engineer A civil engineer who specializes in design and analysis of
buildings.
Subcontractors Companies, often with particular specialties, that are hired by
the general contractor to perform work required for the project. Subcontractors are
usually hired to perform services such as excavation, building demolition, electrical,
plumbing and other systems work.
Surety Bond A bond that guarantees completion of a project. See also
Performance Bond.
Survey To examine the project site to determine the physical characteristics of
the site.
Sustainability To design and construct a project according to environmentally
sound principles.
Technobabble Incomprehensible technical jargon.

Topography The form of the terrain, including surface features and ground
elevation.
Torque Twisting or turning action or energy.
Vomitory The entrance or exit to a theater, amphitheater or stadium.
Warranty The promise that something is true. In construction, the promise that
work was done correctly and will last the specified period of time.
Zoning Government regulations regarding the use of land.

For more detailed or specific definitions, please check the following links:
Arizona Construction School (http://www.azcontractorschoolonline.com/glossary/)
CSI Glossary of Terms
(http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=248&DID=5049)
National Contractors Referrals and License Bureau
(http://www.contractorreferral.com/cgi-bin/glossary/glossary.pl?TERM=E)
Construction Risk Management (http://www.crisk.com/Reference_Library/BC_Glossary_01.htm)
Home Building Manual (http://www.homebuildingmanual.com/Glossary.htm)
And, what the contractors, architects, builders, consultants and planners really say and
think:
http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/91q2/contract.html
http://pintday.org/funny/architecturalterms.shtml
http://www.albany.net/~sadowsky/archi.htm
http://www.mrknowitall.com/jokes/contractors%20info.html