Professional Documents
Culture Documents
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BUILDING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES REPORTS
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The following publications in this series are available by purchase from the Super-
intendent of Documents at the prices indicated:
BMSl Research on Building Materials and Structures for Use in Low-Cost Housing lOfi
BMS2 Methods of Determining the Structural Properties of Low-Cost House Constructions 10^
BMS3 Suitability of Fiber Insulating Lath as a Plaster Base 10^
BMS4 Accelerated Aging of Fiber Building Boards 10^
BMS5 Structural Properties of Six Masonry Wall Constructions 15^
BMS6 Survey of Roofing Materials in the Southeastern States 15^
BMS7 Water Permeability of Masonry Walls 10^
BMS8 Methods of Investigation of Surface Treatment for Corrosion Protection of Steel 10^
BMS9 Structural Properties of the Insulated Steel Construction Co.'s "Frameless-Steel" Con-
structions for Walls, Partitions, Floors, and Roofs 10^
BMSIO Structural Properties of One of the "Keystone Beam Steel Floor" Constructions Spon-
sored by the H. H. Robertson Co 10(4
BMSll Structural Properties of the Curren Fabrihome Corporation's "Fabrihome" Construc-
tions for Walls and Partitions 10(4
BMS12 Structural Properties of "Steelox" Constructions for Walls, Partitions, Floors, and Roofs
Sponsored by Steel Buildings, Inc 15^
BMS13 Properties of Some Fiber Building Boards of Current Manufacture 10^
BMS14 Indentation and Recovery of Low-Cost Floor Coverings 10^
BMSl 5 Structural Properties of "Wheeling Long-Span Steel Floor" Construction Sponsored by
the Wheeling Corrugating Co 10|4
BMS16 Structural Properties of a "Tilecrete" Floor Construction Sponsored by Tilecrete Floors,
Inc lOfJ
BMS17 Sound Insulation of Wall and Floor Constructions 10(4
Supplement to BMS 17, Sound Insulation of Wall and Floor Constructions 5^
BMS18 Structural Properties of "Pre-fab" Constructions for Walls, Partitions, and Floors
Sponsored by the Harnischfeger Corporation 10(4
BMS19 Preparation and Revision of Building Codes 150
BMS20 Structural Properties of "Tw&chtman" Constructions for Walls and Floors Sponsored
by Connecticut Pre-Cast Buildings Corporation 100
BMS21 Structural Properties of a Concrete-Block Cavity- Wall Construction Sponsored by the
National Concrete Masonry Association 100
BMS22 Structural Properties of "Dun-Ti-Stone" Wall Construction Sponsored by the W. E.
Dunn Manufacturing Co 100
BMS23 Structural Properties of a Brick Cavity- Wall Construction Sponsored by the Brick
Manufacturers Association of New York, Inc 10(6
BMS24 Structural Properties of a Reinforced-Brick Wall Construction and a Brick-Tile Cavity-
Wall Construction Sponsored by the Structural Clay Products Institute 100
BMS25 Structural Properties of Conventional Wood-Frame Constructions for Walls, Partitions,
Floors, and Roofs 150
BMS26 Structural Properties of "Nelson Pre-Cast Concrete Foundation" WaU Construction
Sponsored by the Nelson Cement Stone Co., Inc 100
BMS27 Structural Properties of "Bender Steel Home" Wall Construction Sponsored by the
Bender Body Co 100
BMS28 Backflow Prevention in Over-Rim Water Supplies 100
BMS29 Survey of Roofing Materials in the Northeastern States 100
BMS30 Structural Properties of a Wood-Frame Wall Construction Sponsored by the Douglas
Fir Plywood Association 100
BMS31 Structural Properties of "Insulite" Wall and "Insulite" Partition Constructions Spon-
sored by The Insulite Co 150
BUILDING MATERIALS
and STRUCTURES
REPORT BMS91
compiled by
Subcommittee on Definitions
Central Housing Committee on
Research, Design, and Construction
be construed accordingly.
concerned with housing at that time and in- The Glossary is subject to further expansion
cluded definitions of approximately four hun- and revision.
dred and seventy terms. This edition, the The cooperation of the Subcommittees on
second, is a revision and expansion of the first Accounting, Landscape, and Fire Resistance
edition and includes definitions of approximate- has been most helpful in this compilation. The
ly eight hundred terms. contributions of advisers in specialized fields
The work of revision was begun in January are gratefully acknowledged, particularly those
1940, and included a review of definitions of of Ayers J. duBois, Harold B. Biu-sley, Adelaide
housing terms included in dictionaries and R. Hasse, Henry V. Hubbard, Isadoro Qumtana,
glossaries, in codes and statutes, particularly Kenneth H. N. Newton, Horace W. Peaslee,
those revised or issued since 1937, and in all and William A. Strong. Valuable assistance
literattire issued by Government agencies con- has been i:endered by Elinor Dodds' of the
cerned with housing. Public Relations Committee and Rosa L.
In selecting the terms for inclusion in the Hanna, compiler, both from the Office of
1942 edition of the Glossary, the Subcommittee Government Reports, and by George E. Umhau,
on Definitions has been guided largely by of the National Bureau of Standards, who
advisers in specialized fields of accountmg. supervised the final revision.
LISTING OF TERMS
The majority of terms in this Glossary are trical terms; elevator types; estate; fee types;
Hsted alphabetically. However, for convenience framing systems; gi-ade; grading; halls; house
in comparing the definitions of related terms, types; housing; land; lot types; lumber; mea-
associated terms have been grouped together surements; mortgage loans; mortgage types;
alphabetically and listed under the following occupancy; partition types; plan types; plan-
main terms, which will be found in their proper ning; plaxits; plumbing terms; property types;
alphabetical location in the Glossary: rafter types; rent; rights; roof types; rooms;
Apartment types; apartment-house types; space; stairs; stairway types; traffic ways; uses;
areas; buildings; construction types; corpora- ventilation; walls; window types.
tion ;
deed ;
depreciation ;
dwelling types ; elec-
perature, humidity, movement, and purity of air in apartment house; living unit; flat.)
buildings. apartment house:
alcove. —
A large recess connected v/ith or opening off 1. A building containing three or more living units
a room. having common services or facilities, or both,
—
alignment. The course or location of elements of and served by a common entrance hall.
design or construction in relation to a determined 2. A structure two or more stories in height under one;
line. roof, designed for the accommodation of two or
alley. traffic ways: alley.
(See more families. {Compare apartment; tenement.)
—alley —
influence. The effect caused by an alley on apartment types:
the value of abutting or nearby property. — duplex apartment.— An apartment having two
allotment garden. See garden, allotment. stories.
alteration: — gallery apartment. — An apartment in a building
1. Any change in exit facilities, structural parts, or two or more stories high, accessible solely from an
mechanical equipment which does not increase open porch or gallery. {See also apartment-
the cubic content of a building. house types: gallery apartment house.)
2. Any change, addition, or modification in con-
— housekeeping apartment. — An apartment provid-
struction or occupancy. {Compare addition.) ing complete living including cOoking.
facilities,
—
amenities. Satisfactions derived from ownership or — kitchenette apartment. — An apartment providing
occupancy, or both, of a property because of qualities limited space and equipment for cooking. {See also
of excellence which characterize the property and its rooms: kitchenette.)
surroundings. In appraising: The term is most •
— nonhousekeeping apartment. — An apartment
'
[2]
apart merit -house types: munity of people- arc predominantlj^ subject to the
— cooperative apartment house. An apartment — same influences. It may be small, as in the case of a
honse in which the a]mrtments are held by different a city together with
village, or large, as in the case of
persons, usually stockholders in a corporation that its environing metropolitan area.
entire (Frorn
holds title to the building and owns or leases the Federal Housing Administration "Underwriting Man-
land on which it is located. Tax payments, general ual," 1938.)
service expenses, and payments on loans (if any) — floor area. — In building regulations: The fitjor space
are collectively proratedamong the stockholders, enclosed by exterior walls, fire walls, or fire partitions,
who ha\-e a voting right in the management and sale or by a combination of them.
of stock. (Compare house types: coopeuative — —
gross floor area. The total area of a flour of a
HOUSES.) building or building unit, measuring from inside
— corridor-type apartment house. An apartment — surfaces of enclosing walls.
house in which all vertical means of exit from any •
net floor area. — The gross floor area,
less the area
one apartment can be reached only through a com- of the partitions, columns, and stairs and other
mon corridor. floor openings.
— elevator apartment house. — An apartment house — usable floor area. See .4RE.\: rentable .'^.re.'^^.
equipped with one or more passenger elevators. — ground area of dwelling structures. In USHA —
— gallery apartment house. — An apartment house, work: The area at grade level of all dwelling build-
two or more stories high, with open galleries or ings, including bays, chinmeys, and enclosed porches,
porches at each story giving sole access to individual to the outside surfaces of exterior walls. Outside
apartments. (<See also .\p.\rtment types: G-a.llery stoops, steps, terraces, and footings shall not be in-
.\P.4.RTMENT.) cluded. (From USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Definition
— garden apartment house. — An apartment house, of Terms," 1939.)
adjacent to or fronting on its own garden or garden- — —
industrial area. A district, of a town, city, county,
like surroundings. state, or region, devoted predominantly to manu-
— walk-up apartment house. — An apartment house, facturing.
more than one story in height, not equipped with — metropolitan area. —
A region including a large
passenger elevators. concentration of population together with the sur-
appendage. — Anj' structure attached to the outside rounding areas where the daily economic and social
of a building and not essential to its stability. life is predominantly influenced by the central city.
appraisal: — —
open area or open space. A tract of land free of
1. The process of deriving valuations and other esti- building coverage, open to passage, and used as a
mates pertaining to property. park or common, playground, lawn, or garden;
2. The valuations and estimates so derived. usually public and recreational in character.
—
appreciation. Increase in value of property. {Com- — —
private area. An area, within or outside of a
pare DEPRECIATION.) building or group of buildings, reserved for the ex-
—
approved. Passed upon as satisfactory by the author- clusive use of a single family or group of families
ity designated by law to give approval in the matter living therein.
in question. —public area. — An area open and free to the public
apron. — The flat member of the inside trim of a win- at large at times. all
dow placed against the wall immediately beneath — recreational area. — Outdoor, or indoor, space de-
the stool. voted to play and other leisure-time activities.
areas: — rentable area. —The total floor area contained
— —
area of a building. The area, taken on a horizontal within the enclosing walls of one living unit. In
plane at the mean grade level, measured to the center addition to room areas, this includes private halls,
of party walls or fire walls and to the outside of foyers, closets, baths, and partitions.
other walls, exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces, — total rentable area. — The
gross floor area less
and steps. (Compare areas: building .\re.\; cover- the area of all common and service spaces within
age.) the building.
— blighted area. — A decadent area without apparent — residential area:
prospect of improvement. — —
gross residential area, The net residential area
— building area. — The total of areas, taken on a plus one-half the area of bounding streets, plus
horizontal plane at the mean grade level, of the princi- one-quarter the area of bounding street inter-
pal building or buildings and of all accessory build- sections.
ings, exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces, and — net residential area. — The total area of land in
steps. (Compare coverage; density'.) the following uses:
— —
developed area, An area of land to and upon 1. Sites of residential buildings.
which improvements have been made. 2. Park or playground areas unmediately ad-
— economic background area. — An area within joining these sites, and maintamed in
which the conditions of industry, trade, labor, and proper condition for constant use of the
living —
that is, the economic and social life of a com- occupants of such sites by the authority
[3]
directly responsible for operation and less complete connection with the services and social
maintenance of residential bnildings. life of the city.
room area: — transitional area. — An area in process of change
— net room area. — The floor area of a room meas- from the predominance of one use to the predom-
ured from wall to wall, or, as measured on plans, inance of another use, or to an heterogeneity of uses.
from rough to rough. — urban area. —
Territory inside the city limits, or
—
rural area. An open region not included in city, immediately adjacent thereto, developed or un-
town, or suburb. developed.
service area, service court, or service yard. An — areaway. —
An open subsurface space adjacent to a
outdoor space, adjacent to a building or group of building used to admit light or air or as a means of
buildings, providing work space, access for deliveries, access to a basement or cellar.
and temporary storage. {See also space: service arterial highway, road, or street. See traffic ways:
SPACE.) ARTERIAL HIGHWAY, ROAD, Or STREET.
site area: assemblage:
— gross site area. — The total area within the prop- 1. The merging of adjacent properties into a single
ertj' lines of a project, including the area of all unit of ownership or use.
the internal streets, one-half the area of all bound- 2. The property so merged, considered as a unit.
ary streets, and one-quarter the area of bounding assembly hall. See halls: assembly hall.
street intersections. assessment:
(As defined in USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Defini- 1. A charge levied against property to meet some
tion of Terms," the term "gross area" means specific purpose.
"the area of the project within property lines (to 2. The valuation
of property for taxation; also the
be used for immediate development) plus the area value so assigned.
of all streets which traverse the site, plus the area 3. A levy against security holders of a corporation;
to the center line (not measured beyond 40 feet) also the amount so fixed.
of all boundary streets and one-quarter the area — —
special assessment. A charge imposed by a
of all boundary intersections (not figured over government upon a restricted group of properties to
1,600 square feet), plus the area, to a maximum defray, in whole or in part, the cost of a specific im-
distance of 40 feet, of any adjoining public park, provement or service which is presumed to be of
playground, or any other adjoining open or un- special benefit to such properties and may be of
built-on area which may reasonably be assumed to general benefit to the public.
be permanently open. Where the project abuts auditorium. See halls: assembly hall.
property other than a public park, permanent
B
open space, or streets, no area beyond the property
lines shall be included. Gross area shall not backfill. — The replacement of excavated earth into a
include the area of land reserved for future pit or trench or against a structure.
development nor the area of streets traversing such base line:
land, nor any area of streets or other open areas 1. Any imaginary line on the earth's surface running
adjoining svich land.") due east and west, from which township lines
— —
net site area. In general: The total area within are established. (Compare meridian.)
the property lines of a project, excluding external 2. A definitely located arbitrary line for reference
streets. control purposes.
(As defined in USHA BuUetin No. 17, "Defini- basement. —A story partly underground, but having
tion of Terms," the term "net area" means "the less clear height below grade.
than half its (Compare
area within property lines (to be used for immediate cellar.)
development) including narrow service drives, —
batter. The slope, or inclination from the vertical,
small play spaces, sitting-out areas, laundry of a wall or other structure or portion thereof.
drying yards, and automobile parking areas, but —
bay. One of the intervals or spaces into which a
excluding all public boundary streets and public building plan is divided by columns, piers, or division
streets which, traverse the site (whether existing or walls.
to be dedicated) land reserved for future develop-
, beam. —A structural member transversely supporting
ment, unbuildable land, major recreation or park a load.
areas or major automobile parking spaces which bench marks. — Identification symbols on stone, metal,
are additional to the over-all project pattern of or other durable matter permanently fixed in the
open spaces, and the land covered by and im- ground, from which differences of elevation are
mediately associated with community buildings, measured, as in tidal observations or topographical
central or group heating plants, commercial surveys. (See datum.)
buildings, and other nonresidential structures.") —
betterment. An improvement to a property which
—
suburban area. Territory adjacent to or within adds to its value, as distinguished from repairs or
the outer limits of an urban area; to be distinguished replacements. (See also alteration; remodeling;
from urban area, by less intensive use of the land and repair; replacement.)
[4]
blight. — A deteriorating influence or condition affect- buildings:
ing the use of real estate. {See areas: blighted — accessory building. —In general: A supplemental
AREA.) building, the use of which is incidental to that of the
block. —An area of land in an organized community, main building.
bounded bj' streets or by other definite limits. In — administration building. — A building or portion
some localities such areas are known as "squares." thereof that contains the principal executive and
— —
superblock. A large block, frequently consolidated administrative departments or offices of any enter-
of existing small blocks, normalh" surrounded by prise.
trafBc routes and penetrated by narrow residential — assembly hall. See halls: assembly hall.
streets, cul-de-sacs, or walks which give access to the — club or club house. — A building or a portion
houses. thereof designed or used for social, recreational, or
boarding house. house types: boarding house.
See educational purposes by the bona-fide members of a
boulevard. See traffic ways: boulevard. club and their guests.
—
bridging. Small wood or metal members that are in- — —
comfort station. A structure primarily to provide
serted in a diagonal position between the floor joists toilet facilities for the use of the public.
acting both as tension and compression members for — existing building. — In codes and regulations: A
the purpose of bracing the joists and spreading the completed building or structure, or a building which
action of the effect of loads. may be built under prior laws or regulations.
—
building. In general: A roofed structure designed or — factory. —
A building or a portion thereof designed
used for the shelter of persons, animals, or goods;. or used for the manufacture or assembly in whole or
(See occupancy: building occupancy.) in part of one or more commodities.
— area. See areas: building .\rea. — —
garage. A building or a portion thereof in which
— —
building line. A line established by law or agree- one or more motor vehicles are stored, repaired, or
ment beyond which a building shall not extend. serviced, but not including display rooms.
— building maintenance: — garage group or garage compound. A group —
1. Any labor or material pro\ ided to remedy de- of private garages either attached or under one
terioration or obsolescence. roof, arranged in a row or around a common means
2. In accounting: An expenditure upon a fixed of access; usually erected for the use of residents
which tends to preserve its value but
asset in the immediate vicinity.
which, under accepted accounting procedures, —private garage:
is not reflected in an increase in its book value. 1. In building codes: A building or a portion
— —
building site. A parcel of land suitable for building thereof, which not more than a limited
in
or on which a building is or may be built, including number (usually three or four) motor ve-
all surrounding land specifically allocated to the hicles are stored or kept.
building. 2. In zoning ordinances: A garage designed for
— building unit. — That portion of a building served the exclusive use of one family.
by the same main means ingress and
of egress. — —
public garage. Any garage not included within
—cubic content. See cubic content of a building. the definition of a private garage.
— height of building. See measurements: height — hotel. —
A building or a portion thereof designed or
OF BUILDING. used primarily for the accommodation of' transients
building code. — A collection requirements the
of legal and which has a public register and an office where
purpose of which is to protect the safety, health, an attendant is present at all times. In building
morals, and general welfare of those in and about codes, a minimum number of rooms is usually speci-
buildings. {From NBS BMS19, "Preparation and fied. (Compare house types: lodging house;
Revision of Building Codes," 1939.) see also .apartment hotel.)
—
building department. The department of govern- — house. — A building designed or used for continuous
ment charged with enforcement of ordinances and human occupancy. (Compare dwelling.)
laws regulating the erection, construction, alteration, — industrial building. — A business building designed
moving, demolition, and repair of buildings and or used primarily for manufacturing purposes.
structures. — institutional building. — A building or a portion
building official. See official: building official. thereof in which persons are harbored to receive
building, savings, and loan association. A fi- — medical, charitable, or other care or treatment, or
nancial institution, the purposes of which are to in which persons are held or detained by reason of
extend credit to finance the construction, purchase, public or civic duty, or for correctional purposes;
repair, and modernization of, and the refinancing of including, among others, hospitals, asylums, sani-
mortgages upon, real property, primarily homes; tariums, fire houses, police stations, and jails.
[5]
cannot be ousted or (b) because a variance or excep- of them. {Derived from New York Tene-
tion has been obtained therefor. {From USHA ment House Act of 1901.)
Bulletin No. 27 on Policy and Procedure, "Zoning 2. An apartment house. (Building Code for
and Rezoning for USHA-Aided Projects," November California, 1939; and State of Florida, De-
1939.) partment of Hotel Commissions.) {Compare
office building. —A business building designed or apartment; apartment house.)
used primarily for professional or clerical purposes. — theater. — A building or a portion thereof designed
—public building. —A building designed or used or used for theatrical purposes,with accommoda-
primarily for civic, political, educational, religious, tions an audience and having a permanent
for
social, or recreational purposes; including among stage upon which movable scenery and theatrical ap-
others, courthouses, schools, colleges, libraries, and pliances are employed or having permanently in-
museums (other than private), exhibition buildings, stalled equipment for the projection of motion
lecture halls, churches, assembly halls, lodge rooms, pictures. {Compare halls: assembly hall and
dance halls, theaters, bath houses, armories, recrea- PUBLIC HALL.)
tion piers. bulkhead:
—public service station. —A building or a portion 1. A structure above the roof of any part of a build-
thereof designed or used for the purpose of selling ing, enclosing a stairway, tank, elevator ma-
and furnishing to the public, at retail and in the chinery, or ventilating apparatus, or such part
open air, gasoline, lubricating oils, grease, and other of a shaft as extends above the roof. {Compare
high-hazard commodities for motor vehicles or house- house types: penthouse.)
hold use, and for cleaning and servicing motor (Note.— The terms "bulkhead" and "penthouse" are defined
vehicles. as synonymous in some building codes.)
- residence. —A building designed or used primaril}' 2. In Northern States: A sloping door or doors
as a dwelling. affording entrance to a cellar from outside a
residential building —
A building designed or used building.
primarily for residential purposes; including, among bungalow. See house types: bungalow.
others, dwellings, apartment houses, hotels, lodging
houses, dormitories, convents, studios, club houses.
—
business district, An area in a city or town given to
— restaurant. — A building or a portion thereof de-
commercial purposes, often limited and defined by
use and zoning laws.
signed or used for the sale of meals prepared and
served on the premises.
buttress. — A structure built against a wall to strength-
en it.
— service building. —
A work building or utility
C
building used in connection with a group; including,
among others, garages, laundry houses, and repair cabin. See house types: cabin.
shops. —
carrying charges. Costs incidental to the ownership
—
shack. A crude structure designed or used for (as distinguished from the operation) of property
•
temporary human occupancy. {Compare buildings: during a period of unproductivity, such as during the
SHED.) period of construction or the period during which
—
shed. A roofed structure usually one story high land is held as vacant land.
with one or more sides unenclosed. {Compare catch basin. See plumbing terms: catch basin.
buildings: shack.) ceiling, height of. See measurements: height of
—stable. — ^A building or a portion thereof designed ceiling.
or used as a shelter for horses, cattle, or similar cellar. —A more than half of its
story having half or
animals, either permanently or transiently, usually below grade.
clear height {Compare basement.)
including space for accessory equipment.
— —
subcellar. A cellar under a cellar.
— —
private stable. In codes: A stable the capacity —
chase. A groove in a masonry wall usually provided
of which is limited by constituted authority (usu- for accommodation of pipes, ducts, or conduits.
ally limited to three or four animals). chattel. — A material object constituting the subject of
—public stable. — In codes: A stable with capacity personal property.
for more animals than specified for a private stable. (Note. — Chattels are sometimes divided into (1) "chattels real,"
store. — A building or a portion thereof designed or being interests in land which are less than freehold, and (2) "chattels
personal," being all other interests embraced under the heading of
used for the sale of goods, wares, or merchandise
personal property.) (See mortgage types: ch.\ttel mortgage.)
and services.
tenement or tenement house: —
circulation. Provision made for traffic within or
A building or a portion thereof which is occu- through buildings, outside areas, and communities.
1.
[6]
— maid's, janitor's, or porter's closet. A closet — — excess condemnation. — Condemnation (exercise of
equipped with a slop sink and providing space
usaall.\' eniinent domain) of more property than is needed
for storage of equipment used by the liouse cleaning for a proposed public use or improvement.
staff. confiscation. — The taking of private property for
club or club house. See building types: club or put)lic use without adequate compensation.
CLUB HOUSE.) congested district. — An area of highly concentrated
column: occupation or u.se, crowded with people, vehicles, o-r
469007"— 42 2 [7]
claj', coarse aggregate, and moisture compacted by corridor. —
An enclosed way for passage.
pressure into forms. cottage. See house types: cottage.
— reinforced-concrete construction. —A type of court. —An open, unoccupied space bounded on two
construction in which tlie principal structural mem- or more sides by the exterior walls of a building or by
bers, such as floors, columns, and beams, are made of exterior walls and lot lines.
concrete poured around isolated steel bars or steel — inner court. —A court enclosed on all sides by
meshwork in such manner that the two materials exterior walls of a building or by exterior walls and
act together in resisting force. lot lineson which walls are allowable.
— skeleton —
construction. A type of construction — outer court. —
A court enclosed on not more than
in which all external and internal loads and stresses three sides by exterior walls of a buOding or by
are transmitted to the foundations by a rigidly con- exterior walls and lot lines on which walls are allow-
nected framework of metal or reinforced concrete. able, with one side or end open to a street, driveway,
The enclosing walls are supported by the frame at alley, or j^ard.
designated intervals; usually at each story. — See also measurements: court measurements.
— —
steel-frame construction. A type of construc- courtyard. — An uncovered enclosure adjacent to a
tion in which the structural parts are of steel or building, or the open interior of a building or of a
dependent on a steel frame for support. group of buildings.
— unprotected-metal construction. A type of — —
coverage. That percentage of the area of a site occu-
construction in which the structural parts are of pied by buildings. (See also areas: building area;
metal unprotected by fireproofing. and density.)
— wood-frame or frame construction. A type of — (As defined in USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Definition
construction in which the structural parts are of of Terms": "The term 'net coverage' means the
wood or dependent upon a wood frame for support. ratio of the ground area of dwelling structures to the
In codes, if brick or other incombustible material is net area of land" as defined in site area.)
applied to exterior walls, tlie classification of this cricket. —A small roof structure of single or double
type of construction is usually unchanged. slope placed at the junction of larger surfaces that
contour line: meet at an angle for the purpose of diverting drainage.
1. An imaginary on a map,
line or its representation —
cubic content of a building. As determined by any
following all points of the same heights above or prescribed method for use in estimating total con-
below a given datum. struction costs, such as method used by Rental
2. A level line typified by a water or shore line. Housing Division, Federal Housing Administration,
—
coping. A capping at the top of a wall, serving to viz, the volume of a building is derived by multiply-
shed water. ing the area of a building (see definition) by the
corner influence. — The element of value of a lot due height figured as follows: Where flat roofs with
to location at or in close proximity to the intersection parapets occur, a point 6 in. above the roof is taken.
of two streets. Where sloping roofs occur, one-half the height of
cornice. —A decorative element made up of molded the slope is used. Where basements occur, a point
members usually placed at or near the top of an 6 in. below the basement slab is used. Where no
exterior or interior wall. basements occur, the point varies depending upon
corporation. — An person created by law,
artificial the depth of the foimdation walls. For example,
constituting a legal entity and having the rights, with a 2 ft 6 in. foundation wall, a point 6 in. below
powers, and privileges and subject to such duties the floor construction is used. Where the foundation
and restrictions as may be prescribed by law. walls are 4 ft deep, a point 2 ft below the first floor
— limited-dividend corporation: construction is used. Other depths are figured in
1. A corporation, the charter of which limits the proportion. Dormers, chimneys, and other protru-
dividends payable to its stockholders. sions from the building proper are figured separately.
2. In housing: A corporate body usuallj' having cul-de-sac. See traffic ways; cul-de-sac.
power to undertake housing projects, such as —
curb elevation or curb level. The elevation of the
provide for clearance of slums and for new top of a curb at a given point with a reference to a
accommodations for persons of low income, designated datum.
provided that the corporation is subject to
D
public supervision and control and that its
dividends to stockholders are limited b3' law damage. — Injury or impairment in the value of prop-
or by agreement with a public administrative erty, usually as a result of loss of a portion of the
agency. property under action in eminent domain.
— municipal corporation. —A town or city acting datum. — An assumed horizontal reference plane used
under a certificate of incorporation issued under the as a basis for computing elevations.
laws of a particular State. debenture. —A loan bond which is not a specific lien
— —
private corporation. A corporation created solely upon any of the real property of the issuer and for
for the private benefit of the collective members of the collection of which no remedy exists save the
the corporation. ordinarj' action of law.
[8]
decentralization. — The process of divcrtiiif? and —
deterioration. Impairment of condition of pliysical
spreading populations, buildings, businesses, or property. (Compare obsolescknck.)
from a central location.
traffic differential rental. —
The rent charged to each tenant
deciduous plant. —
See plants: deciduous plant. family adjusted in relation to need and ability to
—
deed. A written instrument whereby an estate in pay rather than to size and desirability of the living
real property is conveyed by a grantor to a grantee. unit.
— deed restriction. — A restriction upon the use of a dormer. — An internal recess the framing of which
property placed in a deed. projects from a sloijing roof. (See window types:
— quitclaim deed. — A deed whereby the grantor dormer window.)
conveys to the grantee whatever interest he possesses dormitory:
in the propertj' granted without warranty. 1. A room or a suite of rooms arranged to prcjvide
— —
trust deed. A deed whereby legal title to property sleeping accommodations for more than four
is conveyed to a trustee, for the purpose of securing persons without completely separating the
a debt or discharge of an obligation while the equi- sleeping units by partitions or other i)ermanent
table title remains vested in the trustor. The deed division.
recites the authority and duties of the trustee and 2. A building in which the greater portion of the
usually vests him with power of sale in the event of is so arranged or used.
floor area
default in order to satisfy the debt or discharge the 3. A building containing sleeping quarters without
obligation.(Compare mortgage.) housekeeping and usually with com-
facilities,
— —
warranty deed. A deed in which, either expressly mon sanitary which are occupied
facilities,
or by implication, the grantor guarantees that the entirely by students, or by employees, including
title which he undertakes to transfer has not been among others, college dormitories, nurses'
previously conveyed by him and is free from defects homes, etc.
and that the property is unencumbered except as dormitory —
town. A town devoted primarily to
stated, and for himself and heirs, agrees to defend residentialand related activities and not containing
and protect the grantee against any loss which may the places of employment of the majority of its
be suffered by reason of the existence of any other citizens. (Compare garden city; satellite com-
titleor interest in the property existing at the time munity; greenbelt town.)
the deed was executed and not excepted therein. drainage. See plumbing terms: drainage.
density. — The number of units (persons, families, or driveway. See traffic ways: driveway.
dwellings) per acre or square mile. (See also areas: dry well. See plumbing terms: dry well.
BUILDING area; and coverage.) —
dumbwaiter. A hoisting and lowering mechanism
(As defined in USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Definition equipped with a car, which moves in guides in a sub-
of Terms": "The term 'gross density' means the stantially vertical direction, the floor area of which
number of dwelling units per acre of gross area of does not exceed 9 square feet, the compartment
land. The term 'net density' means the number of height of which does not exceed 4 feet, the capacity
dwelling units per acre of net area of land.") of which does not exceed 500 pounds, and which is
depreciation. —^Loss
used exclusively for carrying freight. (American
in value due to all causes, includ-
Standard Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters,
ing functional and economic obsolescence and
and Escalators, 1937.)
deterioration.
—accrued depreciation:
dwelling. — In general: A building designed or occupied
as the living quarters for one or more families, or
1. The amount of depreciation that has accrued
households, usually equipped with cooking, bathing,
during a given period or up to a given date.
toilet, and, where necessary, heating facilities. Usu-
2. In appraising: Accrued depreciation is usually
allythought of as a detached single-family house.
the difference between the valuation at the
(Compare buildings: house; living unit.)
date of valuation and the estimated replace-
ment cost of the property in new condition.
(Note. — Some building codes limit definition of a "dwelling" to a
residence occupied by one family; others to two, three, or four families.)
—actual depreciation. —
Actual loss in value which
dwelling types. —
The various forms in which the
has accrued, as differentiated from book depreciation.
housing units may be assembled; free-standing single
— book —
depreciation. The amounts entered on and twin houses, one-story or two-story row houses,
books of account as depreciation, as differentiated flats, apartments, duplex or triplex combinations of
from actual depreciation. these. (USHA Bulletin No. 11 on "Policy and Pro-
— reserve for depreciation. — An amount reserved by cedure," 1939.)
periodic charges against income for the purpose of — detached dwelling. — A dwelling which completely is
offsetting depreciation of fixed assets that are carried surrounded by open spaces.
at values which were assigned to them before they — double dwelling. — A two-family dwelling in which
had suffered the depreciation for which the reserve is the living units are side each unit having
b)' side,
provided. Three designations are in use: (a) pro- open spaces on at least
sides. (Compare
three
vision for depreciation, (b). allowance for deprecia- dwelling ty'pes: multiple dwelling; semide-
tion, (c) reserve for depreciation. tached dwelling; two-family dwelling.)
[9]
— duplex dwelling. — A two-family dwelling in which economic life:
the living units are one above the other but may or 1. The period during which it is more profitable to
may not have separate outside entrances as in flats. keep a building in use and in repair than to
{Compare dwelling types: two-family dwelling; scrap or reconstruct it.
walls or one or more walls contiguous. Row under conditions of overloading or short circuiting,
dwellings are usually confined to one-family comprising a fusible element which fuses at prede-
or two-family occupancy. termined excess currents so as to open the circuit.
2. A dwelling the walls on two sides of which are in
— —
insulation, electrical. Nonconducting covering
common with the walls of adjoining dwellings applied to wire or equipment to prevent the flow of
and are party or lot-line walls. {From current to contiguous materials.
Property Standards and Minimum Construe- .
— kilowatt hour. — A unit of measurement of the con-
tion Requirements, Federal Housing Ad- sumption energy at a fixed rate for 1 hour;
of electric
[10]
— transformer. — A device for transforming the volt- estate:
age characteristics of a current supply. 1. A right in property.
— voltage. — A measure of electric pressure between 2. A tract of land.
any two wires of an electric circuit. — estate in fee simple:
— watt. — A unit of measurement of electric power. 1. An inheritable, possessory interest in land which
— wiring: knob-and-tube wiring. — A method of endures until the extinction of all lineal and
exposed wiring using knobs and tubes of noncon- collateral heirs of the owner and which may be
ducting materials to insulate the wiring from the freely conveyed by its owner.
surfaces on which or through which it is installed. 2. The largest possible estate in land.
Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Escalators, professional services, renting operations, and recrea-
1937.) tional activities, as differentiated from operating and
— freight elevator. — An elevator used for carrying maintenance expenses.
freight and on which only the operator and the
-
— initial occupancy expense. — Expenses incurred in
persons necessary for loading and unloading are installing the original tenants in a building.
permitted to ride. (American Standard Safety exposure. —
The directional aspect of a structure or
Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Escalators, plant in relation to the points of the compass or
1937.) weather. {Compare orientation.)
—passenger elevator. — An elevator designed for
carrying persons. F
eminent domain. — The right to expropriate, i. e.,
facade. — The face of a building.
tocondemn private property for public use.
facilities:
—
encumbrance. An interest or right in real property
— common facilities. See common facilities.
which diminishes the value of the fee, but does not
prevent conveyance of the fee by the owner thereof.
— community facilities. — Common, social, recrea-
(Note. — Mortgages, taxes, judgments are encumbrances known as tional, or convenience facilities, such as social halls,
liens. Restrictions, easements, reservations are encumbrances public utilities, central heating, parks, private roads,
though not liens.) playgrounds, and accommodations for them.
entry: — living facilities. — Those provisions for living,
1. A minor enclosed space at the entrance to a build- sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation ordinarily
ing or living unit having the entrance door in considered as part of a permanent abode.
one wall and usually a second door in another factor of safety. — The ratio of the ultimate strength
wall giving access to an entrance hall or other of a material to its working stress.
space.
factory. See buildings: factory.
2. A vestibule.
equity. — Inconnection with property:
family. —
One or more persons living, sleeping, cooking,
and eating on the same premises as occupants of one
1. Broadly, anj" interest which will receive recogni-
living unit.
tion in a court of equity, whether or not sucli
interest rests on legal ownership.
Federal Savings and Loan Association. A build- —
ing, savings and loan association chartered under the
2. Specifically, the interest, expressed in
usuall.v
money, of the equitable owner of a property Federal Home Loan Bank Act.
over and above all liens against the property. fee:
escheat. — Reversion of property to the state by reason 1. Remuneration for services.
of failure of persons legally entitled to hold, or lack 2. When applied to property —an inheritable estate
of heirs. in land. [See fee types.)
[11]
fee types: flat:
— absolute fee simple: 1. In general: Any one floor of a building two or
1. The largest possible interest or estate in prop- more stories high
each floor of which con-
however, to the limitations of
erty, subject, stitutes a living unit and has a private outside
eminent domain, escheat, police power, and entrance. (Compare apartment.)
taxation. 2. A building containing two or more such floors.
2. An estate of indefinite duration and inheritable 3. Specifically, in USHA work: A small dwelling
without limitation. unit arranged so that the access hall or stairs
— —
limited fee simple. An estate in fee giving the are incorporated in the dwelling and main-
owner thereof fee rights as long as certain conditions tained by the tenant. (USHA Bulletin No. 11
obtain, its termination being governed by the on "Policy and Procedure," 1939.)
occurrence of some stated event. floor area. See areas: floor area.
— fee tail. —
An estate of inheritance limited to some flue. —
The space or passage in a chimney through
particular class of heirs of the person to whom it is which smoke, gas, or fumes ascend. Each passage
granted is called a flue, which together and including the
fire —
door. A door construction, consisting of door, surrounding masonry make up the chimney.
frame, hardware, and sill, which under standard test —
footing. The spreading course or courses at the base
conditions meets the requirements for the location or bottom of a foundation wall, pier, or column.
in which it is to be used. —
foundation. The supporting portion of a structure
fire door types: below the first-floor construction, or grade, including
— heat-actuated fire door. —
A fire door designed to the footings.
close automatically under the action of heat or foyer, —
An entrance hallway within a living unit or
smoke. building.
—self-closing fire door. —A fire door normally closed framing systems:
and designed to close automatically upon being — balloon framing. — A system of framing a building
opened. in which all vertical structural elements of the bear-
fire resistance: utlimate fire resistance. Resis- — ing walls and partitions consist of single pieces extend-
tance shown when tested under conditions prescribed ing from the top of the foundation sill to the roof
[12]
a line projected horizontally through the lowest greenbelt. —
A strip of recreational and farm land
elevation of the roof constrviction. usually owned or controlled by a public agency,
gallery: encircling a communitv and large enough to form an
1. A
hallway of greater dimensions than the usual adequate protection against objectionable uses of
providing access to several rooms or an
hall, property or the intru.sion of other community
indoor balcony. expansion.
2. In southern states, a covered porch. greenbelt town. —
A planned town and a surrounding
garage. See buildings: garage. greenbelt. The town providing .shelter, services,
garden, allotment. —
garden area, publicly or stores, schools, and community facilities, is perma-
privately owned, divided into plots which are as- nently held in one ownership either public or cor-
signed to individuals; not always adjacent to their porate, and is administered, together with the green-
homes. belt, with full repre.sentation of the inhabitants. A
garden city. —A town planned for industry and greenbelt town may or may not include industry.
healthy living; of a size that makes possible a full (Compare garden city; satellite community.)
measure of social life, but not larger; surrounded by gridiron plan. See plan types: gridiron plan.
a permanent belt of rural land (greenbelt) the whole ; ground corer.— Plants of low or spreading growth
of the land being in public ownership or held in trust (such as grass, vines, low-growing shrubs, etc.)
for the community. (British Garden Cities Associa- that give a living cover to the ground surface.
tion.)(Compare greenbelt town; satellite com- —
ground water. Free subsurface water, the top of
munity.) which is the water table.
girder. —
A large or principal beam used to support group planning. See planning: group planning.
concentrated loads at isolated points along its length. guest:
—
government survey. A ground survey authorized 1. A person received and entertained at the hou.se
[13]
hardness of the wood. Angiosperms is the botanical •
cottage:
name for hardwoods. {From NBS CS74-39, "Solid 1. A small house.
Hardwood Wall Paneling," 1939.) 2. A house at a summer
resort. {Compare house
—
header. In carpentry: A beam placed perpendicular types: bungalow.)
to joists and into which joists are framed in framing — detached house. See dwelling types: detached
for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. {Compare dwelling.
TRIMMER.) — double house. See dwelling types: double
heating: dwelling.
— central heating. —A system of heating a building
— lodging house. — A building, other than a hotel, in
or group of buildings with steam, hot water, or warm which persons are accommodated over night or for
air from a single heating plant. a more extended period for compensation. In codes
and ordinances, lodging houses and boarding houses
— space —
heating. The method of heating individvial
are often further qualified by number of persons
rooms or living units by means of equipment lo- accommodated or by number of rooms. {Compare
cated entirely within these rooms or living units. house types: boarding house; buillings: hotel.)
height. See measurements. multifamily house. See dwelling types: mul-
herbaceous plant. See plants: herbaceous plant. tiple dwelling or multiple-family dwelling.
highway. See traffic ways: highway. •
one-family house. See dwelling types: one-
homestead: family dwelling.
1. A property which is the subject of a "declaration — one-story house. See dwelling types: one-
ofhomestead" whereby the property is exempt story DWELLING.
from attachment or seizure to satisfy a judgment —penthouse:
rendered in favor of a creditor. 1. An enclosed structure above the main roof line
2. A property occupied by its owner as his home. of a building other than a bulkhead, usually
—subsistence —
homestead. A dwelling property designed for use as a dwelling or for other
the American Association of Nurserymen. 3. Any structure erected on the roof of a building,
hotel. See buildings: hotel. for the purpose of enclosing stairways to the
[14]
alteration, maintenance, and (in some instances) —State housing board. — An agency of a State
the construction of residential buildings. government empowered to promote the provision of
—
-housing project,- A coordinated residential devel- housing. Usually an unpaid board with the power
opment consisting of a building or group of build- to carry on investigation and research, to supervise
and other facilities, providing
ings with land, utilities, limited-dividend housing corporations, and to grant
and related services for a number of families;
shelter them special privileges, such as tax exemption.
also a proposed development of such character. —substandard housing:
In law, a project may be one or more such develop- 1. Dwellings that do not provide decent, safe, and
ments conducted as a single undertaking. sanitary accommodations.
—
-housing shortage. An economic situation, in a 2. Dwellings in need of major repairs or exten.sive
given area, wherein the supply of living units of minor repairs to overcome hazards to person,
acceptable standards is not sufficient to meet the health or well-being.
effective demand. 3. Dwelling units that lack one or more of the
-housing subsidy. — Aid
measurable in pecuniary following: running water, inside private
terms provided to make up the difference between toilet, inside private bath or shower, adequate
actual rent and economic rent, or between cost and and safe heating facilities (where required by
selling price. Thus aid may take one of the following climatic conditions), adequate private cook-
forms: ing facilities (including sink), natural light
1. capital grant. —
A contribution to capital cost and adequate ventilation, adequate and safe
at the time of construction or acquisition in artificial lighting facilities.
the form of money, land, materials, or 4. Dwelling units in which space and room ar-
services. rangements are detrimental to family privacy,
2. annual grant. —A contractual yearly contribu- health, and morals.
tion for a specified period of time to supple- 5. Dwelling units in which excessive fire hazards
ment revenue from rentals. exist.
3. —
interest subsidy. Aid provided to a housing 6. Dwelling units in which families are living under
enterprise in the form of the difference in overcrowded conditions. (A dwelling shall
the cost of capital to the government and the be considered overcrowded when it does not
cost of capital to the housing enterprise. conform to the maximum occupancy stand-
4. tax exemption. —
Aid provided to a housing ards established for the project.)
enterprise in the form of an exemption from 7. Dwelling units in which families are living
all or part of tax levies to which it would
under " double-up" housing conditions. Two
normally be subject. or more families sharing a dwelling primarily
5. rent subsidy. —
^Aid to a housing enterprise in designed for single-family occupancy.)
terms of rent and in an amount determined 8. A dwelling unit located in a neighborhood
by the deficit arising from the difference where
between total income from rent and the Many buildings are abandoned or in need
economic rent for the enterprise. of major repairs or demolition.
-local housing authority. —
An independent public Industrial nuisances obtain: i. e., excessive
body, corporate and politic, created by or under noise, smoke, noxious odors, etc., from
State statute, with power among other things to factories, restaurants, etc.
construct, operate, and finance projects for the Congested streets (pushcarts, street mar-
clearance of slums and the construction of dwelling kets, other traffic dangers, etc.) and
accommodations for persons of low income. dumps are found.
low-cost housing. — Housing of low capital cost Demoralizing social influences exist: i. e.,
per room or living unit. This should not be confused gambling establishments, hangouts, or
with low-rent housing. other centers of vice and crime; or where
—
low-rent housing. Housing that is decent, safe, there is a high incidence of juvenile
and sanitary, provided specifically for families of delinquency.
low income. Suitable play-space for children lacking.
— —
public housing. Housing owned by the Federal 9. Dwelling units in which violations of any local
is
Government, by the State or political subdivision health and sanitary regulations, tenement
thereof, or by any other legally constituted public
and housing laws, etc., not specified above
body. exist. (See USHA Bulletin No. 22 on
—
rental housing. Housing, the occupancy of which Policy and Procedure, "Initial Steps in
is permitted by the owner thereof in consideration of
Tenant Selection".)
the payment of agreed charges, whether or not, by
I
the terms of the agreement, such payment over a
period of time will entitle the occupant to the owner- improvement. —^Of A structure or public
land:
ship of the premises. (From National Housing utility, or any other installation or physical change
Act, as amended Jan. 3, 1939.) made in a property with a view to increasing its
469007° — 42 3 [15]
value, utility, or beauty. {See also land: improve- — improvements —
on land. Structures erected on a
ments.) site enable its utilization, such as buildings,
to
— —
tenant's improvements. ^Fixed improvements to fences, driveways, retaining walls, etc.
land or structure installed and paid for by a tenant — improvements to land. —
Structures or facilities
or lessee. Such improvements become the property such as curbs, sidewalks, water mains, street light-
of the lessor unless specific agreements to the con- ing, sewers, etc., which although not embraced
trary are entered into. within the boundaries of a property add to its
—
incinerator. A device which consumes usual house- usefulness.
hold waste by burning. — land planning. See planning: land planning.
—
income. A stream of benefits either in the form of — land subdivision:
money or services such as services performed by a
1. The process of dividing
a given area into
home for the benefit and satisfaction of its owner,
residential, commercial, or in-
agricultural,
through occupancy of the house by the owner.
— —
family income. Unless otherwise qualified, the
dustrial sites, blocks, or plots, with streets or
roads, and 'open spaces.
sum of the incomes of members of a family, or the
2. An area so divided.
sum available to the head of the family for the
benefit and support of its members.
— land uses. See uses: l.\nd use.
— —
operating income. In accounting: Income de- —parcel of land. — An area of urban or rural;
land,
rived from the general operation of a business. which considered as a unit, which is subject to
is
—
inventory. A list of goods, equipment, or property single ownership, and which is legally recorded a^ a
assets. single piece. {Compare lot; plot.)
— real-property inventory. —An objective listing and landscape {noun). —
^A part of the earth's surface or
classification of real property in a particular area the view of a portion of land or land and water as
which shows the supply, character, and condition of seen from any given point.
such property at a given time. — landscape accessories. — Subordinate, nonvegeta-
J
tive features of thedevelopment of a grounds design,
such as walls or garden arbors.
joist. —One of a series of parallel beams used to — landscape —
construction. The alteration of exist-
support floor and ceiling loads, and supported in ing ground conditions together with construction
turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls. and development of ground features, including minor
structures.
K
lath. — A building material of wood, metal, gypsum, or
"kick back" —
statute. A statute outlawing the insulation board, that is fastened to the frame of a
remission of a portion of wages or compensation for building to act as a plaster base.
work on any public building financed by government laundry. See rooms: laundry.
funds. {See Public, No. 324, 73d Cong., approved
lavatory:
June 13, 1934—48 Stat. 948.)
1. A minor enclosed space in a building equipped
kitchen. See rooms: kitchen.
— —
strip kitchen.- Kitchen equipment located along
with washbasin or washbasins and usually with
one or more water-closets.
the wall of a room or of a space designed or used
2. A washbasin.
primarily for other purposes.
kitchenette. See rooms: kitchenette. lay-out or schematic plan. See plan types: lay-
out OE SCHEMATIC PLAN.
L lease. —
An agreement which, for a consideration, con-
land: veys the right of use and occupancy of a property
1. In economics: The surface of the earth and all the for a specified term, and under specified conditions.
natural resources and natural productive —sublease. —An agreement conveying the right of use
powers over which possession of the earth's
and occupancy of a property in which the lessor is
surface gives man control.
the lessee in a prior lease.
2. In law: (a) Any tract of ground whatever, to-
gether with its appurtenances; (6) A share or
lex adickes. —
A replotting law first proposed in Frank"
interest in land, dwellings, or any heredita- furt-am-Main, Germany. It involves the replanning
of an area and restoration to each original property
ments corporeal or incorporeal.
3. Property which in fact or in law is immovable. owner of his pro-rata share of a private land, in the
{See also improvement.)
approximate location of his former holdings.
—accommodation land, — Synonymous with acreage. lien. —^A charge against property whereby the property
—developed land. — Land which has been prepared is made security for the payment of a debt or the
for some or economic
social use. performance of an obligation.
— improved land. — Land upon which or to which lintel. —
A horizontal structural member which sup-
improvements have been made. {See land: im- ports the load over an opening such as a door or
provements to land.) windov/.
[16]
littoral: the edges or ends when laid edge-to-edge or end-to-
1. A shore and the country contiguous to it. end.
2. The zone comprised between high- and low-water — nominal size. —
As applied to timber or lumber,
marks. (<See rights: littoral right.) the ordinary commercial size by which it is known
—
living unit or dwelling unit.- -A dwelhng or portion and sold in the market. (See lumber: dressed
thereof providing complete living facilities for one SIZE.)
family. (Compare apartment; dwelling.) —plank. — A broad board, usually more than 1"
loads: thick, laid with its wide dimension horizontal and
—dead load. — The weight of permanent stationary
all used as a bearing surface.
construction included in a building. — rough lumber. — Lumber undressed as it comes from
— live load. — The total of moving and variable
all the saw.
loads that may be placed upon a building. —shiplapped lumber. — Lumber that is edge dressed
lobby. —A public or common entrance space in a to make a close rabbetted or lapped joint.
building. —surfaced lumber. — Lumber that is dressed by
lot: running it through a planer.
1. A parcel of land in one ownership that is described (Note.— It may be surfaced on one side (SIS), two sides (S2S), one
by reference to a recorded plat or by metes edge (SIE), or on a combination of sides and edges: (SISIE), (S2S1E),
(SlS2E).or(S4S).)
and bounds.
2. As used in building codes: A parcel of land
considered as a unit devoted to a certain use M
or occupied by a building or a group of build-
ings that are united by a common interest or
—
mall. A formally designed central panel usually with
a lawn, rather than a paved way, on its axis.
use, and the customary accessories and open —
marquee.- ^A large tent or a temporary structure pro-
spaces belonging to them.
— —
front of lot. The edge of a lot which borders on the
vided with a canvas top.
—
marquise. A permanent hood that projects over an
highway or street. In the case of a corner lot the
entrance to a building and is not supported by posts or
front may be designated, or election left to the
columns.
owner by the proper authority.
— lot line. —
A line bounding the lot as described in the
—
masonry. Stone, brick, hoUow tile, concrete block or
tile, and sometimes poured concrete and g3'psum
title to the property.
— —
rear of lot. The edge of a lot opposite the front.
block, or other similar materials, or a combination of
same, bonded together with mortar to form a wall,
In the case of a triangular or gore lot the rear is
pier, buttress, etc.
designated by the authority having jurisdiction. —ashlar masonry. — Masonry
sawed, dressed,of
lot types:
—corner — A lot. abutting upon two or more
lot
tooled, or with proper bond.
quarry-faced stone
(From NBS BH6 "Recommended Minimum Require-
at their intersection.
streets
—gore — A small triangular
lot. lot. —
ments for Masonry Wall Construction," 1925.)
—
— interior or inside — A bounded by a street
lot. lot
coursed rubble. Masonry composed of roughly
shaped stones fitting approximately on level beds
on one side only.
— through — A other than a corner having and well bonded. (From NBS BH6 "Recommended
lot. lot lot
Minimum Requirements for Masonry Wall Construc-
frontage on two public highways or streets. (Some-
tion." 1925.)
times called a "merged lot.")
—
louver or louvre. A slatted opening for ventilation
master plan. See plan types: master plan.
in which the slats are so placed as to exclude rain, measurements: (see also areas)
Hght, or vision. — court measurements:
lumber. —
The product of the saw and planning mill —
height of court. The vertical — distance from the
not further manufactured than by sawing, resawing, by the
level of the floor of the lowest storj' served
and passing lengthwise through a standard planing court to the top of the walls bounding the court.
machine, cross-cutting to length and working. — length of an outer court. — The mean horizontal
— —
boards. Yard lumber less than 2 inches thick, distance between the open and closed ends of the
8 or more inches wide. court.
—dressed size. — The dimensions lumber after of
— width —
of an inner court. The least horizontal
planing; usually %" less than the nominal or rough dimension of such court.
size; for example, a 2"X-1" stud actually measures
— —
width of an outer court. The shortest hori-
lYs" X 3%". (iSee lumber: nominal size.) zontal dimension measured in a direction substan-
— —
kiln-dried lumber. Lumber dried by artificial tially parallel with the principal open end of such
[17]
2. The vertical distance from grade (in some cases, — demand mortgage loan.-— A mortgage loan which,
curb level) to the highest point of the roof by terms, provides for liquidation of the loan upon
its
beams (in some cases, the coping) of a flat demand of the lender.
roof, to the deckline of a mansard roof, or to — direct -reduction mortgage loan. A mortgage —
the average height of the highest gable of a loan which, by its terms, provides for crediting any
pitched roof. payments by the mortgagor: first, to accrued
(Note. —In building regulations, exceptions often arc interest upon the outstanding principal balance as
made for minor roof structures necessary
for the operation of the date paj'ment is made, and second, to the
purposes (but not for human
of the building or for decorative
outstanding principal balance of the mortgage itself.
occupancy), such as water tanks, bulkheads, cupolas, stair
towers, etc.)
— —
mortgage risk rating. The process of thoroughly
— height of ceiling. — The vertical distance from the analyzing the major factors of risk undertaken in
any room, the making of a mortgage loan and the rating to the
finished floor to the finished ceiling in
exclusive of projecting ceiling beams.
mortgage in accordance with the risk involved in the
loan transaction or in connection with the insurance
—
(Note. In instances where ceilings are not level over the full area
of a room, special rulings must control.) of the mortgage. {From Federal Housing Adminis-
— height of story. — The vertical distance from the tration "Underwriting Manual," 1938.)
running due north and south and used for measuring share-account sinking-fund plan whereby a single
longitude. (Compare base line.) share may be matured and applied against the loan.
—principal meridian. — A meridian from which range Interest is calculated upon the remaining balance.
[18]
(From Federal Housing Adniinistration "In-
insure. than an outlined neighborhood. (From Federal Hous-
sured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) ing Administration "Underwriting Manual," 1938.)
— —
mortgage processing. The examina.tion and other —
outlined neighborhood. A neighborhood in v/hich
procedures attending the handling of each mortgage the approximate borders have been established for
selected for insurance by the FHA insuring office the purpose of indexing and classifying location and
before the mortgage is accepted for insurance or valuation data, real-estate market data, and estab-
rejected. (From Federal Housing Administration lished ratings of locations. (From Federal Housing
"Insured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) Administration "Underwriting Manual," 1938.)
— mortgage selected for appraisal. A mortgage — —
nursery. An area devoted to the propagating and
specified in an application for insurance which has growing of plants for later transplanting, usually kept
passed a first review by the FHA. Selection is evi- under intensive cultivation.
denced by the FHA's acceptance of the appraisal fee
O
accompanying the application and the assignment to
the case of an identifying "case number." (From obsolescence. — Impairment of desirability and useful-
Federal Housing Administration "Insured Mortgage ness resulting from changes in the arts or in design,
Portfolio." December 1939.) or from external influences which makes a property
— net mortgages accepted. —A statistical term less desirable for continued use.
embracing aU mortgages accepted for insurance, occupancy:
exclusive of mortgages in connection with which firm 1. Act of taking or holding possession.
commitments to insure have expired or have been 2. The uses, considered from the standpoint of their
withdrawn. (From Federal Housing Administration type, to which a property or properties in a
"Insured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) specified area are put.
— —
new-home mortgage. A mortgage covering a 3. The ratio of actual gross income to income which
home which has been completed within 12 months would result if all rentable space were rented at
prior to the date of acceptance of the mortgage for specified rates. (See occupancy: occupancy
insurance, or which is under construction as of that RATIO.)
date, or which is to be constructed. (From Federal — building occupancy. — The use in which a building
Housing Administration "Insured Mortgage Port- placed, such as business, public,
is etc.
folio," December 1939.) —certificate of occupancy. — A statement signed by a
—premium-paying mortgage. —A mortgage which building official setting forth (1) that a building or
has been closed by the mortgagee and endorsed for structure complies with aU ordinances or (2) that a
insurance by the FHA; hence, one on which the mort- building, structure, or parcel of land may be lawfully
gagor is paying mortgage insurance premiums used for specified purposes, or both.
through the mortgagee to the FHA. (From Federal — class of occupancy — The particular occupancy of a
Housing Administration "Insured Mortgage Port- building or structure as described in building regula-
folio," December 1939.) tions.
—purchase-money —
mortgage. A mortgage upon a — business occupancy. —Occupancy of a building
propert}' accepted by the seller of the property in part or portion thereof for the manufacture, storage,
payment of the purchase price. conversion, and sale of goods, or for carrying on a
•
second mortgage. See mortgage types: junior business, or rendering professional services. The
MORTGAGE. building maj' be a warehouse, store, office building,
—third mortgage. See mortgage types: junior factory.
MORTGAGE. — ground or lot occupancy. —
That part or per-
—
mullion. A slender bar or pier forming a division be- centage of the ground, lot, or plot occupied or
tween units of windows, screens, or similar frames covered by buildings or structures.
generally nonstructural. — —
institutional occupancy. Occupancy of a build-
muntin. — The members dividing the glass or openings ing or portion thereof by persons under medical,
of sash, doors, etc. charitable, or other care or treatment, or by per-
sons held or detained by reason of public or civic
N
duty, or for correctional purposes. The building
neighborhood. —
A single area composed of locations may be a hospital, asylum, sanitarium, fire house,
separated only by publicly used land, the residential police station, jail, or the like.
portions of which exhibit a degree of homogeneity. — miscellaneous occupancy. —Occupancy of a
In general, a neighborhood is available for, or im- building or structure such as a garage, stable,
proved with, dwellings of more or less similar char- wharf, hangar, and the like, not included specifi-
acter, age, and quality. (From Federal Housing Ad- cally in other classes of occupancy.
ministration "UnderuTiting Manual," 1938.) — mixed occupancy. — Two or more classes of
— —
immediate neighborhood. An area surrounding occupancy in the same building.
a location and embracing the most direct influences —public occupancy. — Occupancy of a building or
from which the significant characteristics of the loca- structure or portion thereof for the transaction of
tion are determined. It is generally smaller in area public business, for civic, political, educational.
[19]
religious, social, or recreational purposes. The P
building may
be a courthouse, school, library,
pantry. —
A minor enclosed space in a building, usually
museum (other than private), exhibition building, adjacent to a kitchen used for the storage and/or
lecture hall, church, assembly hall, lodge room,
serving of food.
dance haU, theater, armory, or the like. The —
parapet. A wall serving as a guard at the edge of a
structure may be a recreation pier, grandstand,
roof, terrace, bridge, balcony, or the like.
—
bathhouse, or the like. — —
parapet wall. That part of an exterior, party, or
—
residential occupancy. Occupancj' of a build-
fire wall extending above the roof line.
ing or portion thereof by one or more families or parge coat or parget:
households living therein, or by a person or persons 1. Coarse plasterwork applied over masonry as a
using sleeping accommodations therein, such as protection or decoration.
those provided in dwellings, apartment houses, A
base coat or protective coat for dampproofing.
2.
hotels, lodging
studios, clubhouses,
houses,
and the
dormitories,
like.
convents, —
parliing space. A designated space for temporary
stopping, standing, or storage of vehicles.
—occupancy ratio: parkway. See traffic ways: parkway.
1. The ratio of the occupied units of a property to partition. — A wall that subdivides spaces within any
the total available units, usually living units story of a building.
but sometimes area units, such as square feet partition types:
of rentable area in an office building. —
bearing partition. — A partition which supports any
2. The income from rented
ratio of the actual gross vertical load in addition to own weight. its
units of a property to the total gross income —dwarf partition. — A partition that does not extend
which would be obtained if all units were from floor to ceiling.
rented at specified rates. — partition. — A partition designed to restrict the
fire
official: or to provide an area of refuge.
— building official. — An
usually of a muni-
official,
spread of fire,
— nonbearing partition. — A partition extending
cipality, charged with the enforcement of a building
from floor to ceiling which supports no load other
code and ordinances and laws regulating the erection, than its own weight.
construction, demolition, repair, and alteration of penthouse. See house types: penthouse.
structures.
perennial plant. See plants: perennial plant.
(Note. — Local titles vary and include the terms "building in-
pergola. — A structure whose roof, composed of girders
spector," "building commissioner," and other titles.)
and cross-rafters, is open to the sky, usually supported
— housing official: on piers or posts in parallel rows, occasionally having
1. An official charged with the enforcement of ordi-
a circular or other geometric ground plan.
nances and laws regulating the occupancy,
perron:
maintenance, and other features of housing.
1. A flight of exterior steps leading to an entrance or
housing; official: building official.)
{See
along a walk, path, or trail, often wider in tread
2. A duly constituted officer of a governmental
and less steep than the usual steps.
housing agency including officers of State or
2. A stepped walk related to the length of stride,
local housing authorities.
{Compare stepped r.amp.)
official plan. See plan types: official plan.
—
orientation. The arranging or facing of a building or
pier. —A column of masonry, usually rectangular in
horizontal cross section, used to support other struc-
other structure or group of structures, with respect
tural members.
to the points of the compass. Orientation may be
determined bj^ a view, the sun, direction of the wind, (Note. —In building codes, the horizontal cross-sectional area is
usually specified as "not exceeding 4 square feet.") {Compare
etc.
COLUMN.)
—
overfiead. In general, the expenses of direction and
administration necessary to conduct a business of pilaster. — A part of a wall that projects not more than
any kind. one-half of its own width beyond the outside or
—
owner. In codes: A person, firm, or corporation inside face of a wall, acting as an engaged pier. {See
[20]
m
plan types: between the two is not entirely time, but time and the additive assist-
— gridiron plan. — rectangular arrangement of ance of numerous subplanncrs, with which the original planners need
not have contact. (In England, town plannmg is largely synonymous
streets and blocks.
with the city-planning practices of the United States )
— lay-out or schematic plan. —A plan showing
. controlling features of design laid out in relation to
planning unit. —
A structural division of a building
one another. separated from other parts of the building by a
— —
master plan. The controlling drawing or drawings, dividing wall without openings, extended through all
together with supporting explanatory data, to guide habitable floors. If there is no such wall, the build-
ing contains only one planning unit. This forms the
the development of a city or town plan, a park, a
forest, or other large area. smallest basic unit used in project planning.
—official plan. — A plan approved by public or other plant names, standardized. A list of approved —
scientific and common names of plants in American
i-esponsible authority.
—regional plan. — A master plan for the long-term commerce prepared for the American Joint Commit-
social, economic, and physical development of a large on Hortictiltural Nomenclature, consisting of
tee
[21]
4. A nonstructural protective unit, sucli as a push- tanks and vats, continuous water connections
plate, kick-plate, etc. between the supply and drain systems, priming
platform: lines to pumps, etc. {From "Cross-Connections in
1. The level part ofa staircase between two landings. Plumbing Systems," J. Research NBS, 20: 479
2. A permanent built above the adjoining-
floor (1938); RP1086.)
ground, as a loading platform, or above an —
indirect cross-connection. A cross-connection,
adjoining floor, as the platform of a rostrum, frequently referred to as a potential cross-connec-
or a dais. tion, in which the interconnection is not con-
3. A movable floor, as the platform of an elevator tinuously inclosed and the completion of the cross-
or dtunbwaiter. connection depends on the occurrence of one or
4. A temporary floor, as of a scaffold, or a floor of a more abnormal
conditions. Examples: Water-
temporary building. {From "Building Code for with direct flusla-valve supply, bathtubs
closets
California," 1939.) and lavatories with faucet openings that may
platting. —
The process of mapping a subdivision plan become submerged, and other plumbing fixtures
or any other survey lay-out. {See land: land and equipment whose supply inlets may become
SUBDIVISION.) partially or wholly submerged. {From "Cross-
playiield. —
A large area given to outdoor athletics Connections in Plumbing Systems," J. Research
or games. NBS, 20: 479 (1938); RP1086.)
playground. — A play area usually containing diversi- —
downspout. A pipe which carries water from the
fied recreational facilities, usually for children. roof or gutter to the ground or to any part of the
and surface water to sewage-disposal plants or to domestic water supply and fire protection for the
natural bodies of water. project. (From USHA Bulletin No. 14, "Policy and
sewer system. —A
system comprising all sewers Procedure," 1938.)
(sanitary, storm, and combined), culverts, and sub- — water-supply system of a building, All the —
surface drains needed to conduct sanitary sewage and water-service pipes, the water-distributing pipes, and
storm water from a site. the necessary connecting pipes, fittings, and control
sewer types: valves. (From. NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual,"
— —
building (house) sewer. That part of the hori- 1940.)
zontal piping of a building drainage system ex- — dual main system of water supply. The use —
tending from the building drain 5 feet outside of of two underground conduits, pipes, or lines, each
the inner face of the building wall to the street to supply one side of a street.
sewer or other place of disposal (a cesspool, septic pointing:
tank, or other type of sewage-treatment device or 1. The treatment of joints in masonry
for appearance
devices) and conveying the drainage of but one or protection by with mortar under tool
filling
building site. (From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing pressure and usually to a definite form.
Manual," 1940.) 2. The filling placed in joints of roofing of slate, tile,
— sanitary seiver. —^A sewer designed or used only etc., as a closure.
for conveying liquid or water-borne waste from police power. —
"That power (police power) em- . . .
plumbing fixtures. (From NBS BMS66, "Plumb- braces regulations designed to promote the public
ing Manual," 1940.) convenience or the general prosperity as well as
—storm sewer. — A sewer used for conveying rain or regulations designed to promote the public health,
subsurface water. the public morals, or the public safety That . . .
—
sewerage. The composite -parts of a sewer system power is not confined, as we have said, to the sup-
including conduits, pumping stations, treatment pression of what is offensive, disorderly, or unsani-
works, and such other works as may be employed tary. It extends to so dealing with the conditions
in the collection, treatment, or disposal of sewage. which exist in the State as to bring out of them the
soil pipe. —
Any pipe which convej's the discharges greatest welfare of its people. ." (Bacon v.
. .
[23]
2. On public works of the United States Government: — subsurface utilities. —
The public services under-
The wage or rate for any specific class of labor ground, including sewers, gas, water lines, and some-
as set by the Secretary of Labor under the Bacon- times telephone and electric-light conduits.
Davis Act, August 30, 1935. —
public-utility company. A company engaged in
pro rata. —
A term meaning "in proportion." It re- rendering a service to the public, usualty of a
lates to the distribution of any fund, implying that monopolistic or quasimonopolistic character and
the distribution is made upon some proportional subject to governmental regulation as to rates of
basis. service, capitalization, etc.
proUle: public- utility (public-service) property. A prop- —
1. The surface outline of a given plane section, either erty devoted to the production of commodities or
straight or curved, as of a highway, building, or service of general community consumption and
other structure. therefore vested with public interest.
2. A vertical section through any area of country.
(Note. — Usually having status as a monopoly or quasimonopoly.with
3. A longitudinal vertical section through any work or without benefit of franchise,and ordinarily under some form of
to show the elevations commonly along the governmental regulation and control.)
center line of a road or wall.
purlin. —
A horizontal member usually laid at right
profit: angles to main rafters or trusses of a roof to support
1. The excess of income over all costs incidental to elements of the roof framing.
its production.
2. The gain resulting from the employment of capital.
Q
property:
1. A lot or plot with or without buildings or other —
quantity survey. An inventory of the quantity of
improvements. materials and labor required to complete a construc-
2. Any or all rights to the benefits and services or to tion operation, compiled for the purpose of estimat-
the contracted services of free persons. ing.
3. The objective things, such as land, buildings, etc., R
(but not persons), which are the subject of
such rights. rabbet. —
A rectangular longitudinal groove cut in the
property line. — A recorded boundary of a plot. corner of a board or other piece of material.
—property-line wall. See walls: propeety-line rafter. — One of a series of structural members of a
WALL. roof designed to support roof loads. The rafters of
property types: a flat roof are sometimes called roof joists.
— income —
property. Property which is capable of rafter types:
yielding an income in cash and the ownership of which — hip rafter. — A rafter which forms the intersection
is desired primarily on this account. of an external roof angle.
— —
personal property. All property other than real —jack rafter. — A rafter which spans the distance
property. from a wall plate to a hip or from a valley to a ridge.
— real property: — valley rafter. — A rafter which forms the intersec-
1. Any estate in freehold. tion of an internal roof angle.
2. The land and improvements which constitute ramp. — An inclined plane connecting separate levels.
[24]
registered architect, engineer, or landscape archi- elevation, in conjunction with definitely
tect: located spaces on the ground surface, for
1, A professional who is licensed to practice under foundation and supporting columns.
registration laws. 2. An air lease.
2. A person licensed to practice under registration — littoral right. — The right attached to a parcel of
laws. land which appertains to seas or great lakes bordering
—
rehabilitation. A phj'sieal change designed to raise on such a parcel.
the use value of a deteriorated structure or area. — right of way:
—
remodeling. The act of changing the physical 1. A right of passage.
characteristics of a building. 2. The area over which the right of passage exists.
rent. —
The payment for the use of land, buildings, or — riparian right. —^Any right appurtenant to a parcel
other real or personal property. Rental often used of land which appertains to water bordering on, or
synonymously. within, or under such parcel; e. g., the rights to
— econorriic rent: natural flow unobstructed by artificial checks or
1. In housing: The amount of rent sufficient to barriers, to freedom from unreasonable pollution, of
cover all costs of operation and maintenance, access to the water, of accretion.
to yield a reasonable return on the investment, — squatter's right. —
Right to occupancy of land
and to amortize the investment in wasting created by virtue of long and undisturbed use without
assets over the productive life of the building. legal title or arrangement.
2. In economics The earnings attributed to the serv-
:
— —
water right. A property consisting of the rights to
ices of land as distinct from capital and labor. a water supply.
3. A rent which would be obtainable for given ac- riprap. —
Stones or other material placed on a slope to
commodations or space at a specified time as prevent erosion by water action.
from the rent called for in an existing
distinct roof. —The entire construction used to close in the top
on the same accommodations or space.
lease of a building.
— —
ground rent. The rent paid for the right of use and —
roof hip. The sloping line at the junction of two roof
occupancy of a parcel of unimproved land, or that surfaces where an external angle greater than 180
portion of the rent paid for the use and occupancy degrees is formed.
of a parcel of improved land which is imputed to the —
roof ridge. The horizontal line at the junction of the
land as distinguished from the improvements. top edges of two roof surfaces where an external
— inclusive rent. —
Rent that includes charges for angle greater than 180 degrees is formed.
certain services, such as hot and cold water, heat, roof types:
light, refrigeration, and fuel for cooking. — —
curb (or curbed) roof. -A roof in which the slope is
— shelter rent. — Rent that does not include charges broken on two or more sides; so called because a
for hot water, heat, light, refrigeration, or fuel for horizontal curb is built at the plane where the slope
cooking, but sometimes includes cost of water. changes.
repair. — Any
labor or material provided to restore a — flat roof. —
A roof which is flat or one which is
building or any part thereof to a sound condition. pitched only enough to provide for drainage. {Com-
—
replacement. The act of supplying a new object to pare ROOF types: pitched roof.)
supplant an object that has reached the end of its — —
gabled roof. A ridge roof which terminates in a
useful life, to serve the same purpose as the object gable.
supplanted. Also the object supplied. — gambrel roof. — A gable roof each slope of which is
— replacement insurance. Any labor or material — broken into two planes.
supplied to restore a building to such condition as it —hip {or hipped) roof:
was in, prior to damage by fire, flood, tornado, or 1. In general, a roof which has one or more hips.
other insurable hazard. 2. A roof which has four sloping sides that meet
residence. See buildings: residence. at four hips, or at four hips and a ridge.
restaurant. See buildings: restaurant. — lean-to roof:
restriction. —
An encumbrance on land which limits its 1. A roof which has a single sloping surface that
[25]
—pitched roof. — A roof which has one or more slopmg — kitchen. — A room designed or used primarily for the
surfaces pitched at angles greater than necessary for preparation and cooking of food. (Compare rooms:
(Compare roof types: flat roof.)
drainage. KITCHENETTE.)
— —
pyramid roof. A hip roof which has four sloping — —
kitchenette. An enclosed space designed or used
surfaces, usually of equal pitch, that meet at a peak. as a kitchen but usually with less and smaller equip-
— ridge roof. —A roof which has one or more ridges. ment than that used in a kitchen and with a floor
roof valley. — The sloping line at the junction of two area reduced to the lowest practical minimum. (See
roof surfaces where an external angle less than 180 .APARTMENT TYPES: KITCHENETTE APARTMENT.)
degrees is formed. — —
laundry. A room or other space designed for
roofing. — The materials applied to the structural parts washing personal apparel and housekeeping textiles,
of a roof to make it watertight. equipped with suitable plumbing and service for
room. — An enclosed space for occupancy within a lautidry devices.
building excluding service space such as halls, closets, — living room. — A room a living unit designed as
in
and vestibules. Minimum dimensions and require- the meeting place of the family and visitors.
ments for light and ventilation are usually prescribed — men's room. — A room equipped with one or more
by constituted authorities. (Compare rooms: hab- water-closets and lavatories, and usually urinals,
itable room; room cottnt.) designated for the use of men.
—
room count. The total number of rooms and half —
nursery room. A room designed or used to accom-
rooms in a living unit or group of living units, half modate young children.
rooms being counted as one-half each. — —
recreation room. A room designed for recreational
(Note. —
In USHA-aided projects, bathrooms, halls, closets'
1.
facilities for the occupants of a dwelling, a building,
laundries, utility rooms, storage rooms, and community or recrea' or a project.
tional rooms are not counted as rooms.
"Definition of Terms," 1939.
From USH.\ Bulletin No. 17, •
storeroom or storage room. —
An enclosed space
designed or used for depositing household goods or
2. In rental housing work insured by the Federal Housing Admin-
istration, strip kitchens located in a room, or in a closet space are not
goods required for the regular occupancy or mainte-
counted, nor are bathrooms, interior foyers, or other accessory interior nance of a building.
spaces. —
From Federal Housing Administration "Architectural Plan- — —
suite or suite of rooms. Two or more habitable
ning and Procedure for Rental Housing.")
rooms designed for use as a unit.
— half —
room. A kitchen with an area less than 60 — —
transformer room. An enclosed space designed or
square feet but over 50 square feet, or a dining alcove used primarily to house electric transformers. (See
with an area over 45 square feet and having separate ELECTRICAL TERMS: TR.ANSFORMER.)
outside light. (<See Federal Housing Administration — utility room. —
A room, other than a habitable room,
"Architectural Planning and Procedure for Rental designed or used for laundry or heating equipment
Housing.") or for other related purposes.
—
roomer. A person living in a living unit or rooming — women's room. — A room equipped with one or more
house, who has agreed to pay a specific rent for a. water-closets and lavatories, and designated for the
specified space. Distinguished from a guest in that use of women.
the keeper of the lodging is not subject to innkeeijer's S
liability.
rooms: satellite —
community. A subordinate center, in a
— bathroom. — A room equipped with bathtub, or metropolitan area or within the zone of influence of a
shower compartment, and usually washbasin and large city. It is usually a separate political entity.
water-closet. (Compare garden city; greenbelt town.)
— bedroom. — Any room designed or used for sleeping. —
screen planting. Trees or shrubs planted as a hedge
—dining room. — A room designed or used as a place or mixed freely in groups to screen or shut out an
for eating. undesired view or views.
— dressing room. — A room designed or used for —
seating capacity. The number of seats in, or that
putting on, removing, or adjusting wearing apparel may be legally placed in, an assembly hall, theater,
and sometimes providing space for its storage. or auditorium.
—guest room: septic tank. See plumbing terms: septic tank.
1. A bedroom in a living unit designed for the use service area, service court, or service yard. See
of visitors. areas: service .area, service court, or service
2. A room to be let or hired out for living or sleep- yard.
ing purposes. service building. See buildings: service building.
— habitable room. —A room designed to be used for service drive. See traffic ways: service drive.
living, sleeping, eating, or cooking, excluding bath- service station. See buildings: public service
rooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, storage, st.ation.
and similar spaces. services, common or Joint. See common services.
— hazardous room. — A room the occupancy of which setback:
involves unusual danger from fire, explosion, or 1. The horizontal distance between the faces of the
other causes. exterior wall of one story and the exterior wall
[26]
next above it, where a lower story extends soil pipe. See plumbing terms: soil pipe.
beyond a higher story. space:
2. The horizontal distance between the wall of a — common —
space. Any exterior or interior space
building and the adjacent street line. such as a yard, court, walk, vestibule, or hall de-
3. The horizontal distance between the wall of the signed for the joint use of families occupying a build-
upper story or stories of a building and the wall ing that includes two or more living units.
below. — maintenance and repair space. —
Space provided
sewer. See plumbing terms: sewer. in a building oron a property for shop and storage
sewerage. See plumbing terms: sewerage. purposes, for use by members of the maintenance
and repair crew employed by the management.
shack. See buildings: shack.
(See rooms: utility room.)
shaft. —A vertical enclosed space passing through at —open space. See areas: open area or open space.
least one floor and used for ventjlation,Jight, eleva- —permanent —
open spaces. Areas which are in-
tors, wiring, piping, or similar purposes.
tended to remain predominantly open although small
—
share cropper. A person working on a farm (usually structures may be erected and improvements may be
having no tools, equipment, or capital, and havmg made in the form of grading and landscaping. Ex-
only labor to offer) to whom
the landlord provides amples of this type of use are parks, playgrounds,
food, buildings, stock, tools, seed, and part or all of and cemeteries.
the fertilizer, in exchange for a specified share of —roof space. — A space between the ceiling of the top
the crop produced. habitable story and the roof, usually without floor
sheathing. —The structural covering, usually of boards and not intended for habitation or storage. (Com-
or wallboards, placed over exterior studding or pare story: attic story.)
rafters of a structure. —service —
space. Any exterior or interior space
—sheathing paper. — A building material used in wall designed or used primarily for the delivery or storage
and roof construction as a protection against the of goods or for utilities; including among others:
passage of air and sometimes moisture. service roads, walks, driveways, and courts; service
halls and stairways; utility rooms, plumbing rooms,
shed. See buildings: shed.
and transformer rooms.
shop. See buildings: store.
shopping center.- — A concentration of business places span. — The distance between structural supports such
as walls, columns, piers, beams, girders, and trusses.
or retail stores to serve a community or neighbor-
spandrel or spandril:
hood.
1. The panel between the top of a window or door at
—
shoulder (highway). A supporting shelf of graded
one story and sill of a window or door at the
ground along the side of a road or walk or a natural
story above.
surface, sometimes referred to as a berm.
2. That space contained between the line of the inner
sill:
surface of an arch and a line projected horizon-
1. The lowest member of the frame of a structure,
tally through the highest portion of the arch.
usually horizontal, resting on the foundation
and supporting the uprights of the frame.
specification. —A
written document stipulating the
and sometimes the quantity of materials
kind, quality,
2. That member forming the lower side of an open-
and workmanship required for any construction or
ing, as door sill, window sill, etc.
work.
site plan. See plan types: site plan.
site planning. See planning: site planning. splash block. —
A small masonry block laid with the
—
skylight. Any cover or enclosure placed above a roof top close to the ground surface to receive roof drain-
opening to provide for the admission of natural light. age and carry it away from the building.
slum. — An area in which the majority of the dwellings sprinkler. —In connection with fire protection, a
are detrimental to the safety, health, morals, com- device, the opening of which permits the discharge of
fort, and welfare of the inhabitants because of dilap- water or other fire-extinguishing substances.
idation, obsolescence, overcrowding, arrangement or —automatic —
sprinkler. A sprinkler operated auto-
design, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities, matically by heat.
or a combination of these factors.
—slum clearance. — The removal of a slum condition square. — A unit of measure — 100 square feet— usually
applied to roofing materials. (See also block.)
by demolition This should
of all existing structures.
stable. See buildings: stable.
not be confused with the construction of new housing
stairs:
upon the same site.
—slum —
reclamation. The improvement of a slum
— flightof stairs or steps. — A run of stairs or steps
between landings.
area or of a cleared slum site in order to provide for
a more suitable use.
—stair landing. — A platform between flights of stairs
soffit. —
The underside of the members of a building, or at the termination of a flight of stairs.
such as staircases, cornices, beams, arches, etc., rela- stair rise. —
The vertical distance from the top of
tival}^ minor in size as compared with ceilings. one stair tread to the top of the one next above.
[27]
—
stairway, stair, or stairs. A series of steps, with or T
without landings, or platforms, usuallj- between two
more floors of a building.
or
tax. —
A charge levied by a government upon persons
or propertj' to defray the cost of government services
stairway types:
— —
enclosed stairway. A stairwaj" enclosed by and
performed for the common benefit. (Compare
assessment: special assessment.)
separated from hallways and living units by means
taxpayer:
of walls or partitions and made accessible to such
1. A person who pays a tax, whether he finally bears
hallways or living units by means of a door or doors.
— interior stairway. —A stairway within the exterior the burden or shifts it; generally defined in law
walls of a building.
to include all persons liable for payment of a
— open stairway. — A stairway the floor landings of whether or not they actually pay it.
tax,
2. ^Aiso used to mean a more or less temporary build-
wliich are a part of the public hallways.
stepped ramp. — A series of steps, connected by ramps, ing improvement which produces enough income
to cover taxes and give an adequate return on
on a slope. (Sometimes called "ramped steps.")
the building investment, but not enough in
(Compare perron; ramp.)
stool.— The flat, narrow shelf, forming the top member addition thereto to provide an adequate return
on the land value.
of the interior trim at the bottom of a window.
stoop. — A veranda, or platform, or a
small porch,
—
tenancy. Occupancy of a property usually by per-
sons other than those in whom the fee title is vested.
stairway, outside an entrance to a building.
tenant:
store.
story.
See buildings: store.
—
That part of a building comprised between any
— —
cash tenant. A farm tenant who pays his rent in
cash.
floor and the floor or roof next above.
—
(Note. Most building codes specifically include cellars and base-
— share tenant. — A farm tenant who operates a farm
ments as stories. A few (notably the Pacific Coast Code and that of under his own direction and by use of his own capital
Knoxville, Tenn.) exclude cellars and basements unless the ceiling is and equipment and divides specified products with
more than 5 feet abo\ e grade.) the owner. (Compare share cropper.)
—attic story. — That part of a building situated wholly tenant's improvements. See improvement: ten-
or partly within the roof frame, or between the top- ant's improvements.
story ceiling and the roof, usable for storage but not tenant relations program. In USHA-aided pro-—
finished for habitation. (Compare room count; jects: A regular plan under professional supervision
space: roof space; story: half story.) of- tenant .selection, rent collection, community activ-
— first story. —
A story the floor of which is nearest the ities, tenant maintenance, and welfare services.
sidewalk or adjoining grade at the main entrance; (From USHA "Model Management Resolution for
other stories are numbered in regular succession, the First Budget Period," 1939.)
counting upward. tenement. —A living unit in a tenement house.
— —
half story. That part of a building situated wholly (See also buildings: tenement or tenement house.)
or partly within the roof frame finished for habita- —
(Note. The term "tenement" has been widely used to indicate
tion. (Compare story: attic story.) substandard, inadequate, or slum housing. That connotation has
— height of story. See measurements: height of become fixed. The terms "apartment," "apartment house," "mul-
tiple housing,"and "multifamily housing," closely related to tene-
story. ment, carry no such connotation.)
street. See traffic ways: street.
— —
articulated street pattern. The design and con-
—
termite shield. A shield, usually of sheet metal,
placed in or on a foundation wall or other mass of
struction of streets and walks to serve particular
masonry or around pipes to prevent the passage of
functions, i. e., through traffic, service lanes, pedes-
termites.
trian walks, etc. (From USHA Bulletin No. 11,
terrace:
"Policy and Procedure," 1939.)
— 1. An essentially leveland defined area, usually
street line. —
The line of demarcation between a raised, either paved or planted, forming part
street and the land abutting thereon.
of a garden or building setting.
—
structure. Anything erected which requires perma-
2. A structure comprised of three or more one-family
nent location on the ground or is attached to some-
row dwellings.
thing having a permanent location on the ground.
theater. See buildings: theater.
(Note. — Most building codes specifically include "buildings" in the thermostat, — An instrument that controls automati-
category of "structures." A few (for example, that of Niagara Falls,
N. Y., and the National Board of Fire Underwriters) include tents, cally the operation of heating or cooling devices by
stadiums, observation towers, bridges, etc., but specifically exclude responding to changes in temperature.
"buildings.") thoroughfare. See traffic ways: thoroughfare.
stud. — One of a series of slender wood or metal struc- title. See abstract of title.
tural members u.sed as supporting elements in walls —
topographical map. A map showing the contour of
and partitions. (Plural: studs or studding.) the land and the existing earth and water features
subdivision. —A parcel of land divided into blocks, and surface characteristics of a tract of ground.
lots, or plots for immediate or future use or sale, or Trees, woods, forests, roads, buildings, soil character,
for building developments. and surface or subsurface utilities are often indicated.
[28]
— topographical survey. — The field and officework —parkway. — A limited-access highway open only to
incidental to preparation of a topographical map. noncommercial traffic and without privileges to
town planning. See planning: town planning. owners of abutting properties of light, air, and
township: access, located in a park or ribbon of parklike land
1. The area included between two adjacent town- owned or controlled by a public authority, usually a
ship lines and two adjacent range lines, park authority.
containing thirty-six sections. - road. — A rural or urban traffic way, with or without
2. A political subdivision of a county, usually unin- constructed gutters, curbs, and walks. Road is
corporated. (Sometimes called "town.") more often applied in country areas, street in city
-
township line. — One imaginary lines
of a series of areas.
on the earth's surface running due east and west at — service drive. — A vehicular passage affording access
6-mile intervals and used for locating and describing to buildings or properties, frequently for delivery of
parcels of land under government survey. supplies.
traffic ways: — street:
—alley: 1. The generic term for the strip of land reserved
1. A narrow service way providing a secondary for public use, for purposes of transportation,
public means of access to abutting properties. communication, and access to property front-
2. An established public or private passageway ing on the street. The street may be merely
for vehicles and pedestrians, affording a named "street" or disguised under eupho-
secondary means of access to abutting nisms such as avenue, boulevard, drive, lane,
properties. road, and occasionally "way" added as a
—arterial highway, road, or street. A primary — suffix.
thoroughfare for vehicular traffic that is a main 2. A public way which affords principal means of
channel, with tributaries. access to abutting property. {From "Prop-
— —
avenue. A dedicated traffic way. The word erty Standards and Minimum Construction
"avenue" is of useful local significance where Requirements," Federal Housing Adminis-
"avenues" may be north to south streets, and "streets" tration.)
may be east to west avenues. Also "avenue" may — circumferential street. — A loop or arterial high-
be used to confer distinction on main streets, and in way around a city or a subdivision.
other commilnities residential streets. The term is — dead-end street. — A street having a closed end.
without distinctive significance in planning or in law. — dedicated street. — A street the to which title is
It often represents a realtor's distinction between
permanently or temporarih' yielded by the owner
narrow and broader streets.
— —
boulevard. A dedicated traffic way, which is
and accepted by the authorities for the use and
benefit of the public.
usually broader and usually of more significance in
the thoroughfare plan of a city than an avenue, street,
— loop street. — A dedicated public passageway
road, etc. Preferably, the term should be reserved for encircling or passing around a given area.
[29]
trimmer. —
In carpentry: A beam or joist into which — assessed value. —
The figure at which property is
a header is framed in framing for a chimney, stair- valued on the assessment roll by an authorized
way, or other opening. (Compare header.) assessment agency.
trust —
agreement. An arrangement whereby an vault:
owner (the trustee or settler) transfers legal title and 1. An enclosed space within or adjacent to a building
control of property to a second party (the trustee) usually intended for the safekeeping of goods or
under conditions set forth in an agreement which the safety of the occupants of the building.
vests authority in the trustee to hold, manage, or Vaults are usually provided with means of
dispose of the property for the benefit of a third ventilation though provision for natural light
party, the beneficiarj'. is not considered essential.
2. An arched ceiling or roof.
U
—sidewalk vault. —
An extension of a cellar beyond
unearned increment.-— An increase in value of prop- the building line and under a sidewalk.
erty due primarily to the operation of social or —
vendee. A buyer, usually a buyer of real property
economic forces rather than to the efforts or initiative under a contract of sale which gives the right of
of the owner. possession but does not convey title.
uses:
—commercial — Use predominantly for trade or
use.
vent:
1.
(See also
A minor
plumbing terms: vent.)
opening provided to allow the passage of
commercial service purposes.
air through any space in a building, such as the
•
industrial use. — Use for manufacturing purposes,
attic roof space or the unexcavated area under
often accompanied by warehouses, freight yards,
a first-floor construction.
docks, etc.
— land A flue connecting any interior space in a building
use. — The process of extracting economic or
2.
raising produce or livestock. space. (Such air may or may not have been con-
— inharmonious land use. A land use which is— ditioned.)
benefits arising
of all of the rights to future
from ownership as deter-
— curtain wall. — A nonbearing wall between columns
or piers which is not supported by girders or beams.
mined by use (specific or highest and best),
user (specific or typical), and terms of owner-
—dry wall. — A wall of stone or other durable material,
ship (limited or unlimited). laid without mortar.
2. Ability to command goods or money in exchange. — enclosure wall. — An exterior nonbearing wall in
3. The quantity of goods or money which should skeleton construction ancliored to columns, piers, or
be received in exchange for the property under floors, but not necessarily built between columns or
consideration. piers.
[30]
— exterior wall. — Any outside wall or vertical enclo- width. See measurements: court measure.me.nts.
sure of a building other than a party or common wall. window. — An opening to the outside, other than a
— faced wall. — A masonry wall faced on one or both door, which provides all or part of the required natural
sides with a material different from the body of the light, natural ventilation, or both, to an interior
wall, in which the facing and the body are bonded space. The glazed portion of a door in an exterior
so that they will act as a unit under loads. wall may be construed to be a window.
— fire wall. —
A wall which subdivides a building to window types:
restrict the spread of
tion
fire. It starts at
and extends continuously through all stories
the foimda-
to
— bay —
window. A rectangular, curved, or polygonal
window or group of windows, supported on a founda-
and above the roof.
— fire-division wall. —
A wall which subdivides a
—
tion extending beyond the main wall of a building.
[31];
project against undesirable developments in the munity. By a zoning ordinance a municipality may
immediate neighborhood. (From USHA Bulletin be divided into districts in which the use of land; the
No. 27, "Policy and Procedure," 1939.) use, height, and bulk of buildings; the density of
— —
the function of zoning. Zoning is a part of city or population and the area of the lot upon which build-
;
community planning designed to promote and protect ings may be placed are regulated. (From NBS
the health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity, BH16, "The Preparation of Zoning Ordinances,"
and general welfare of the inhabitants of the com- 1931.)
[32]
BUILDING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES REPORTS
[Continued from cover page ii]
BMS83 Strength of Sleeve Joints in Copper Tubing Made With Various Lead-Base Solders 10(i
BMS84 Survey of Roofing Materials in the South Central States 15^
BMS85 Dimensional Changes of Floor Coverings With Changes in Relative Humidity and
Temperature 10^
BMS86 Structural, Heat-Transfer, and Water-Permeability Properties of "Speedbrik" Wall
Construction Sponsored by the General Shale Products Corporation 15^
BMS87 —
A Method for Developing Specifications for Building Construction Report of Subcom-
mittee on Specifications of the Central Housing Committee on Research, Design,
and Construction lOfi
BMS89 Structural Properties of "Precision-Built, Jr." (Second Construction) Prefabricated
Wood-Frame Wall Construction Sponsored by the Homasote Co 15^
BMS90 Structural Properties of "PHC" Prefabricated Wood-Frame Constructions for Walls,
Floors, and Roofs Sponsored by thePHC Housing Corporation 15f5
BMS91 A Glossary of Housing Terms 15^