What does aff mean in construction

As my mom was so fond of saying, "Assuming makes an ass out of u and me. As much as feasible, we try and pull out as many acronyms as possible in our drawings. This is an acronym commonly used in dimensioning. This is our professional organization that supports the profession of architecture, lobbies for us in the halls of government, and supports a variety of local and national events. You can still be a licensed architect without being a member of the AIA.

This means that something should be provided as a separate line item as an alternate to what is otherwise drawn. Often, the L is drawn overlapping with the C. This will be found on dimensions and ensures that whatever is being referenced is aligned with the centerline of something.

They are typically reinforced with rebar during construction, and often are a stand-in for poured concrete. This is an instance where a client will purchase something, but will have the contractor install it like appliances or closet systems. Read the text and ignore the dimensions and relative relationships of what is drawn. A Request For Information is sent from the general contractor to the architect usually and is just what it sounds like.

Typically, the contractor needs information to complete a detail, or order something. With things like windows and doors, the hole made in the framing to accept it is always bigger than the actual window or door, allowing it to be put into place. The space between the window and the opening is then shimmed with little bits of wood to make it plumb. This is one that I do actually love, even though I need to get rid of it, but it fits really nicely in our text for dimensioning.

Well, probably a really nasty door knob, as well. There are a slew more; a quick web search finds over 3, of them! It is the common industry term to refer to the heating and cooling system s of a space. IPD is a project delivery process in which the Architect, engineers, contractor, and other consultants collaborate from the beginning of the design process.

Laminate: A Laminate is an applied finish. Often you will see laminates used for cost effective flooring and for an applied finish on millwork. Life Cycle Cost: Life Cycle Cost is the total price that you can expect to pay for a products, material, system, or building over its respective lifetime.

This includes the initial cost, installation cost, operational cost, maintenance, and upkeep cost. For example, when considering a wood trellis or a steel trellis, the initial cost for a steel trellis is more expensive than a wood trellis, but the maintenance and upkeep of a wood trellis is more expensive. Other examples are an energy efficient air conditioning system and using solar panels. The initial cost is more expensive than traditional systems, but the Life Cycle Cost includes the evaluation of the money you will save by using the system.

When deciding upon materials and systems, it is wise to consider the Life Cycle Cost. The higher the LOD, the more accurate the information is within it. Master Permit: The term Master Permit refers to the permit for general construction activity. Often, projects require multiple permits. This abbreviation is used to describe MEP Engineering, plus the engineering of fire protection systems, such as fire sprinklers.

Miesian: Miesian is a term used to describe a style of architecture, influenced by Mies Van Der Rohe, who is renowned for his Modernist, International Style designs. Some key features of this style include steel structures with glass doors and windows, and an open plan. Millwork: Millwork refers to built-in cabinetry. Modern: Modern is often used to describe minimalist architecture, in contrast to Traditional or Classical designs.

Modern architecture stems from the Modernist movement, which arose at the start of the 20th Century as new building technologies emerged, including steel structures, more expansive glass, and elevators. Modern has grown to be a generic term that may have relatively different meanings to the one using it. Mullion: A Mullion is the vertical element that divides pieces of glass between windows and doors.

The mullion is structural and hold the piece of glass in place. Muntin: A muntin is the element that creates multiple segments, known as lights, within a window or door panel. Muntins are often horizontal or in diamond patterns. Modern glass assemblies often use applied muntins, which are placed on the glass surface, to create an appearance of smaller segments of glass. NAVD, established in , is one way to reference the vertical height of your property.

When building in flood prone areas, the vertical elevation is important, as it may be used as the way to note your BFE. NGVD, originally known as the mean Sea Level Datum of , is one way to reference the sea level, so to establish relative elevations for properties.

An example may be if the Owner is buying an appliance or fixture and the contractor will be the one to install it. A parapet may be thought of as a wall that continues above the roof line. Often a parapet is present when you have a flat or a low slope roof. There are certain phases in the Architectural Process , and there may also be phases planned for construction.

The local AHJ issues a permit or multiple permits , so that construction activity may take place. Performing construction activity without a Permit may lead to fines, penalties, the repetition and correction of completed work, sub-standard work, and work that does not comply with required building regulations and Building Code. It may also include the documentation of the existing conditions and the creation of architectural trade as-built drawings of the existing conditions. While a Floor Plan is looking at the space, as though you are looking down to the floor, an RCP is a plan of the ceiling, as though you are looking up at it.

Revision: A Revision is the technical term used to describe a change to the drawing set after the Permit Set has initially been submitted to the AHJ. Revit: Revit is a software that allows for a BIM to be created.

When working on a project, big or small, the ROI is often a consideration for the Owner and Architect. The ROW may also include room for a sidewalk. If your property is on a street corner, the ROW may include space for traffic signs, signals, and view corridors to prevent blind spots around turns. Setbacks: Setbacks are established by the local AHJ and are often listed in the local zoning code.

Shop drawings are typically sent to the Architect for review and approval. Soffit: A soffit is a term that is used to describe the underside of a building element. It is often used to refer to the finished underside of an eave on the outside of a building, and it is also used interchangeably with Furr Down to refer to the finished, built box above upper cabinets or around an air duct. Spandrel: When used in modern construction, spandrel typically refers to spandrel glass, which is opaque glass, utilized to hide what is behind it.

In buildings that appear to have an all glass facade, regular glass is typically used where you want the public to see in from the outside and users to see out from the inside, while spandrel glass is placed to cover the space between- where there is a floor slab and air ducts, creating the appearance of an all glass facade from the exterior of the building.

A Spec Book is typically used on a large or complex project for which there are many building element selections and performance requirements. Specs: Specs is short for Specifications, which are how building elements and systems are identified on a project. Specs may be descriptive, proprietary, performance, or reference standard.

On smaller projects, Specs are often placed directly within the drawing set, and on larger projects, a Spec Book is typically created. Examples of specs include the selections of paints, lighting fixtures, and wall insulation.

Stringer: A Stringer is the structural side piece of a stair that holds up the treads and risers. In architecture, the term Stud is used to refer to typical, nominal sized wood or metal structural pieces.

Stud Wall: A Stud Wall is the most common construction system for interior walls. A stud wall has a wood or metal stud structure — typically with GWB or another finish on each side. Sub-contractors, such as an electrician, work under the GC; and sub-consultants, such as a structural engineer, work under the architect. Obtaining a Survey is usually the first step when you start a project. Examples where you may see this are T. Slab and T. Traditional: Traditional is a generic term often used to describe a design style that is not modern, nor contemporary.

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