| A | B |
|---|
| Pier | A structural column used to support other structural members, typically girders or beams. |
| Specifications | Written document included with a set of prints that clarifies information presented on the prints and provides additional information not easily presented on the prints. |
| Swing | The direction of door rotation. |
| Fire stop | An approved material used to fill air passages in a frame to retard the spread of fire. |
| Let-in | Any type of notch in a stud, joist, etc., which holds another piece. The item that is supported by the notch is said to be let in. |
| On center | Distance between the center of one member (typically studs) to the center of the next member. Commonly abbreviated as OC. |
| Seasoned | Lumber with the appropriate amount of moisture removed to make it usable for construction. |
| Soleplate | The bottom horizontal member of a wall frame. |
| Span | The distance between structural supports such as walls, columns, piers, beams, or girders. |
| Crown | The highest point of the curved edge of a framing member. |
| Dead load | The weight of permanent, stationary construction and equipment included in a building. |
| Floor truss | An engineered assembly that is used to support floors. |
| Foundation | The supporting portion of a structure, including the footings. |
| Header joist | A framing member used in platform framing into which the common joists are fitted. Header joists are also used to support the free ends of joists when framing openings in a floor. |
| Joist hanger | A metal stirrup secured to the face of a structural member, such as a girder, to support and align the ends of joists flush with the member. |
| Live load | The total of all moving and variable loads that may be placed upon a structure. |
| Precast | Concrete structural elements that have been cast at a casting yard and raised into position using a crane. |
| Rough opening | Dimensions shown on the prints that indicate the distance from the inside edge of one trimmer joist to the inside edge of the opposing trimmer joist. |
| Single-layer floor system | Combined subfloor and underlayment; typically installed where direct application of carpet, tile, etc., to te floor is intended. |
| Tail joist | Short joists that run from an opening to a bearing. |
| End joist | The first and last joists in a floor system; they run parallell to the common joists. |
| Header | Used to frame floor openings; they run perpendicular to the direction of the joists and are typically doubled. |
| Lateral pressure | Sideways pressure against a structure, such as a foundation. |
| Rim joist | Consists of two header joists and the end joists. |
| Scab | A length of lumber applied over a joint to strengthen it. |
| Dome pan | Metal or fiberglass concrete from used for two-way joist systems. |
| Long pan | Metal or fiberglass concrete from used for one-way joist systems. |
| Shoring | Temporary bracing used to support above-grade concrete slabs while they set. |
