r'

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BUILDING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES REPORTS

On request, the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C, will place your name on a special mailing list to receive notices of new reports in this

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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" Constructions for Walls, Partitions, Floors, and Roofs 10^ BMSIO Structural Properties of One of the "Keystone Beam Steel Floor" Constructions Sponsored by the H. H. Robertson Co 10(4 BMSll Structural Properties of the Curren Fabrihome Corporation's "Fabrihome" Constructions 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^ BMSl5 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 CavityWall 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 Sponsored by The Insulite Co 150

[List continued on cover page iii]
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • Jesse H. Jones, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS • Lyman J. Briggs, Director

BUILDING MATERIALS

and STRUCTURES

REPORT BMS91

A Glossary of Housing Terms

compiled by

Subcommittee on Definitions

Central Housing Committee on

Research, Design, and Construction

ISSUED SEPTEMBER 3, 1942

The National Bureau of Standards is a fact-finding organization;

it does not "approve" any particular material or method of construction. The technical findings in this series ot reports are to be construed accordingly.

UNITED

FOR SALE

STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING

BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS,

OFFICE • WASHINGTON •

WASHINGTON, D. C. • PRICE I 5

1942

CENTS
Foreword

A common terminolog}^ is always helpful in discussing any svibject.

In the case of housing, Avhere there are many different opinions on what should be done and a large and growing vocabulaiy, it is especially important that some means should be provided for ascer- taining what is meant when a particular term is employed. This

Glossary has been prepared by a representative committee, which has

sought to record usage rather than to fix meanings arbitrarily. It is believed that the existence of such a document will assist in a better

understanding of the many problems in the housing field.

Lyman J. Briggs, Director.
Glossary of Housing Terms

Compiled by Subcommittee on Definitions of the Central Housing Committee on Research,

Design, and Construction

Robert Dter and Robert Turner, Brown Rolston,

Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Federal Housing Administration.

Carl R. Mahder and Roy S. Braden, George N. Thompson,

Farm Secm-ity Administration. National Bui-eau of Standards.

Wm. V. Reed and Samuel Ratensky, Henry H. Waples,

United States Housing Authority. Public Buildings Administration.

J. Stanley Young, Secretary and Acting Chairman.

Federal Housing Administration

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Glossary is to bring to- gether for the convenient use of all persons

concerned with housing the generally accepted

definitions of a limited number of terms cur- rently used in housing literature with defini- tions of closely related terms which are not

fully defined in their special application to present-day housing in most dictionaries or

glossaries. The compilers of this edition of the

Glossary have found, as did the committee m

charge of the first edition of the Glossary, that even in a 5-year period meanings have undergone transitions, and some terms have apparently lost their usefulness, and that many new

words have appeared.

The first edition of "A Glossary of Housmg

Terms," issued in 1937, was compiled by a committee from the five Federal agencies principally

concerned with housing at that time and in- cluded definitions of approximately four hundred and seventy terms. This edition, the

second, is a revision and expansion of the first edition and includes definitions of approximately eight hundred terms. The work of revision was begun in January

1940, and included a review of definitions of housing terms included in dictionaries and

glossaries, in codes and statutes, particularly

those revised or issued since 1937, and in all literattire issued by Government agencies con- cerned with housing.

In selecting the terms for inclusion in the

1942 edition of the Glossary, the Subcommittee

on Definitions has been guided largely by

advisers in specialized fields of accountmg.

architecture, appraisal, assessment, construction, economics, engineering, finance, law, real

estate, sociology, town planning, and zoning.

Nine lists of related terms were prepared and

circidated among advisers who were requested

to suggest changes, eliminations, and additions.

The extensive and studied suggestions received

from all sources were reviewed at length by

the Subcommittee. Definitions acceptable to the membership were then formulated. Revisions and additions have been made in all categories; but additions are most extensive in

the fields of landscape and construction work,

where it was felt considerable confusion exists

regarding many definitions. It was deemed

advisable, where Govermnent agencies have

adopted special definitions for use in thenwork, to include many of those definitions in

the Glossary, noting their source and variation,

if any, with the generally accepted definitions.

The Glossary is subject to further expansion

and revision.

The cooperation of the Subcommittees on

Accounting, Landscape, and Fire Resistance

has been most helpful in this compilation. The

contributions of advisers in specialized fields are gratefully acknowledged, particularly those

of Ayers J. duBois, Harold B. Biu-sley, Adelaide

R. Hasse, Henry V. Hubbard, Isadoro Qumtana,

Kenneth H. N. Newton, Horace W. Peaslee,

and William A. Strong. Valuable assistance

has been i:endered by Elinor Dodds' of the

Public Relations Committee and Rosa L. Hanna, compiler, both from the Office of

Government Reports, and by George E. Umhau,

of the National Bureau of Standards, who

supervised the final revision.
LISTING OF TERMS

The majority of terms in this Glossary are Hsted alphabetically. However, for convenience

in comparing the definitions of related terms,

associated terms have been grouped together

alphabetically and listed under the following

main terms, which will be found in their proper

alphabetical location in the Glossary:

Apartment types; apartment-house types;

areas; buildings; construction types; corporation ; deed ; depreciation ; dwelling types ; elecA

abstract.—In general: A summary of the pertinent

items in a document or documents, such as a deed. abstract of title. —A summary of all conveyances, such as deeds or wills and legal proceedings, giving the names of the parties, the description of the land,

and the agreements, arranged to show the continuity

of ownership.

accrual. —In accounting: Sums which have accumulated or a sum to be accumulated in a regularly

recurring period.

acoustic tile. —Tile designed and constructed to absorb

sound. acreage.—Land which has not been subdivided and

which is customarily measured in terms of acres rather than in front feet or square feet. addition.—Any construction which increases the area

or cubic contents of a building. {Compare alteration.) air conditioning.—The simultaneous control of temperature, humidity, movement, and purity of air in buildings. alcove.—A large recess connected v/ith or opening off a room. alignment.—The course or location of elements of design or construction in relation to a determined

line. alley. (See traffic ways: alley. —alley influence.—The effect caused by an alley on

the value of abutting or nearby property.

allotment garden. See garden, allotment.

alteration:

1. Any change in exit facilities, structural parts, or mechanical equipment which does not increase the cubic content of a building.

2. Any change, addition, or modification in construction or occupancy. {Compare addition.)

amenities.—Satisfactions derived from ownership or occupancy, or both, of a property because of qualities

of excellence which characterize the property and its surroundings. In appraising: The term is most

frequently used in connection with considerations

relating to properties which typically are strongly

appealing to prospective buyers for owner occupancy.,

trical terms; elevator types; estate; fee types;

framing systems; gi-ade; grading; halls; house

types; housing; land; lot types; lumber; measurements; mortgage loans; mortgage types;

occupancy; partition types; plan types; planning; plaxits; plumbing terms; property types;

rafter types; rent; rights; roof types; rooms;

space; stairs; stairway types; traffic ways; uses; ventilation; walls; window types.

—amenity income.—The services, satisfactions, or

benefits derived from owner occupancy of amenityincome dwelling properties. (Differentiated from

"monetary income".) —amenity-income dwelling.—A residential property which is of such quality and so located as to be

appealing to typical persons for the purpose of owner

occupancy. (Differentiated from "rental-income

dwelling or property".)

amortization.—In accounting: The scheduled liquida- tion of a long-term debt. amphitheater.—A structure, usually without roof, having an open platform, an open space in front

of the platform, and seats rising in tiers about the open space. The space below the seats may be

occupied as a building.

apartment.—A living unit or a suite of rooms in a

building containing three or more living units having some common services or facilities, or both, and

served by a common entrance hall. {See house ; apartment house; living unit; flat.)

apartment house:

1. A building containing three or more living units having common services or facilities, or both,

and served by a common entrance hall.

2. A structure two or more stories in height under one; roof, designed for the accommodation of two or more families. {Compare apartment; tenement.)

apartment types: —duplex apartment.—An apartment having two

stories. —gallery apartment.—An apartment in a building two or more stories high, accessible solely from an

open porch or gallery. {See also apartmenthouse types: gallery apartment house.) —housekeeping apartment.—An apartment providing complete living facilities, including cOoking. —kitchenette apartment.—An apartment providing

limited space and equipment for cooking. {See also rooms: kitchenette.)

• —nonhousekeeping apartment.—An apartment

without cooking facilities.

'

apartment hotel. —A hotel in which the majorityi

of apartments are designed for extended occupancy.

[2]
apart merit -house types: —cooperative apartment house.—An apartment

honse in which the a]mrtments are held by different persons, usually stockholders in a corporation that

holds title to the building and owns or leases the land on which it is located. Tax payments, general

service expenses, and payments on loans (if any)

are collectively prorated among the stockholders,

who ha\-e a voting right in the management and sale

of stock. (Compare house types: coopeuative

HOUSES.) —corridor-type apartment house. —An apartment

house in which all vertical means of exit from any

one apartment can be reached only through a com- mon corridor. —elevator apartment house. —An apartment house

equipped with one or more passenger elevators. —gallery apartment house.—An apartment house, two or more stories high, with open galleries or porches at each story giving sole access to individual apartments. (<See also .\p.\rtment types: G-a.llery

.\P.4.RTMENT.) —garden apartment house. —An apartment house,

adjacent to or fronting on its own garden or gardenlike surroundings. —walk-up apartment house.—An apartment house, more than one story in height, not equipped with

passenger elevators. appendage.—Anj' structure attached to the outside

of a building and not essential to its stability.

appraisal:

1. The process of deriving valuations and other esti- mates pertaining to property.

2. The valuations and estimates so derived. appreciation.—Increase in value of property. {Compare DEPRECIATION.)

approved.—Passed upon as satisfactory by the authority designated by law to give approval in the matter

in question. apron.—The flat member of the inside trim of a window placed against the wall immediately beneath

the stool. areas: —area of a building.—The area, taken on a horizontal plane at the mean grade level, measured to the center

of party walls or fire walls and to the outside of other walls, exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces, and steps. (Compare areas: building .\re.\; coverage.) —blighted area. —A decadent area without apparent

prospect of improvement. —building area. —The total of areas, taken on a

horizontal plane at the mean grade level, of the principal building or buildings and of all accessory buildings, exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces, and

steps. (Compare coverage; density'.) —developed area, —An area of land to and upon

which improvements have been made. —economic background area. —An area within which the conditions of industry, trade, labor, and

living—that is, the economic and social life of a community of people- arc predominantlj^ subject to the same influences. It may be small, as in the case of a

village, or large, as in the case of a city together with

its entire environing metropolitan area. (Frorn Federal Housing Administration "Underwriting Manual," 1938.) —floor area. —In building regulations: The fitjor space

enclosed by exterior walls, fire walls, or fire partitions, or by a combination of them. —gross floor area. —The total area of a flour of a

building or building unit, measuring from inside surfaces of enclosing walls.

•

net floor area. —The gross floor area, less the area

of the partitions, columns, and stairs and other

floor openings. —usable floor area. See .4RE.\: rentable .'^.re.'^^. —ground area of dwelling structures. —In USHA

work: The area at grade level of all dwelling buildings, including bays, chinmeys, and enclosed porches,

to the outside surfaces of exterior walls. Outside

stoops, steps, terraces, and footings shall not be in- cluded. (From USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Definition

of Terms," 1939.) —industrial area.—A district, of a town, city, county,

state, or region, devoted predominantly to manufacturing. —metropolitan area. —A region including a large

concentration of population together with the sur- rounding areas where the daily economic and social

life is predominantly influenced by the central city. —open area or open space.—A tract of land free of building coverage, open to passage, and used as a park or common, playground, lawn, or garden;

usually public and recreational in character. —private area. —An area, within or outside of a building or group of buildings, reserved for the exclusive use of a single family or group of families

living therein. —public area. —An area open and free to the public

at large at all times. —recreational area. —Outdoor, or indoor, space de- voted to play and other leisure-time activities. —rentable area. —The total floor area contained

within the enclosing walls of one living unit. In

addition to room areas, this includes private halls, foyers, closets, baths, and partitions. —total rentable area. —The gross floor area less the area of all common and service spaces within

the building. —residential area: —gross residential area,—The net residential area

plus one-half the area of bounding streets, plus

one-quarter the area of bounding street inter- sections. —net residential area. —The total area of land in the following uses:

1. Sites of residential buildings.

2. Park or playground areas unmediately adjoining these sites, and maintamed in proper condition for constant use of the occupants of such sites by the authority

[3]
directly responsible for operation and

maintenance of residential bnildings. room area: —net room area. —The floor area of a room measured from wall to wall, or, as measured on plans,

from rough to rough.

rural area. —An open region not included in city, town, or suburb.

service area, service court, or service yard.—An

outdoor space, adjacent to a building or group of buildings, providing work space, access for deliveries, and temporary storage. {See also space: service

SPACE.)

site area: —gross site area.—The total area within the propertj' lines of a project, including the area of all the internal streets, one-half the area of all boundary streets, and one-quarter the area of bounding

street intersections. (As defined in USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Definition of Terms," the term "gross area" means

"the area of the project within property lines (to be used for immediate development) plus the area

of all streets which traverse the site, plus the area

to the center line (not measured beyond 40 feet) of all boundary streets and one-quarter the area

of all boundary intersections (not figured over

1,600 square feet), plus the area, to a maximum

distance of 40 feet, of any adjoining public park,

playground, or any other adjoining open or unbuilt-on area which may reasonably be assumed to be permanently open. Where the project abuts property other than a public park, permanent

open space, or streets, no area beyond the property

lines shall be included. Gross area shall not

include the area of land reserved for future development nor the area of streets traversing such

land, nor any area of streets or other open areas adjoining svich land.") —net site area.—In general: The total area within

the property lines of a project, excluding external

streets. (As defined in USHA BuUetin No. 17, "Definition of Terms," the term "net area" means "the

area within property lines (to be used for immediate

development) including narrow service drives, small play spaces, sitting-out areas, laundry

drying yards, and automobile parking areas, but

excluding all public boundary streets and public

streets which, traverse the site (whether existing or

to be dedicated) , land reserved for future development, unbuildable land, major recreation or park

areas or major automobile parking spaces which

are additional to the over-all project pattern of open spaces, and the land covered by and immediately associated with community buildings, central or group heating plants, commercial

buildings, and other nonresidential structures.")

suburban area. —Territory adjacent to or within

the outer limits of an urban area; to be distinguished

from urban area, by less intensive use of the land and

less complete connection with the services and social

life of the city. —transitional area. —An area in process of change

from the predominance of one use to the predominance of another use, or to an heterogeneity of uses. —urban area. —Territory inside the city limits, or immediately adjacent thereto, developed or undeveloped.

areaway. —An open subsurface space adjacent to a

building used to admit light or air or as a means of access to a basement or cellar. arterial highway, road, or street. See traffic ways: ARTERIAL HIGHWAY, ROAD, Or STREET. assemblage:

1. The merging of adjacent properties into a single unit of ownership or use.

2. The property so merged, considered as a unit. assembly hall. See halls: assembly hall. assessment:

1. A charge levied against property to meet some

specific purpose.

2. The valuation of property for taxation; also the value so assigned.

3. A levy against security holders of a corporation;

also the amount so fixed. —special assessment.—A charge imposed by a government upon a restricted group of properties to defray, in whole or in part, the cost of a specific improvement or service which is presumed to be of special benefit to such properties and may be of general benefit to the public.

auditorium. See halls: assembly hall. B

backfill. —The replacement of excavated earth into a

pit or trench or against a structure. base line:

1. Any imaginary line on the earth's surface running

due east and west, from which township lines are established. (Compare meridian.)

2. A definitely located arbitrary line for reference control purposes. basement. —A story partly underground, but having

less than half its clear height below grade. (Compare

cellar.)

batter.—The slope, or inclination from the vertical, of a wall or other structure or portion thereof. bay. —One of the intervals or spaces into which a

building plan is divided by columns, piers, or division

walls. beam.—A structural member transversely supporting

a load. bench marks. —Identification symbols on stone, metal,

or other durable matter permanently fixed in the ground, from which differences of elevation are measured, as in tidal observations or topographical

surveys. (See datum.)

betterment.—An improvement to a property which

adds to its value, as distinguished from repairs or replacements. (See also alteration; remodeling;

repair; replacement.)

[4]
blight. —A deteriorating influence or condition affect- ing the use of real estate. {See areas: blighted

AREA.) block. —An area of land in an organized community,

bounded bj' streets or by other definite limits. In some localities such areas are known as "squares." —superblock. —A large block, frequently consolidated

of existing small blocks, normalh" surrounded by

trafBc routes and penetrated by narrow residential

streets, cul-de-sacs, or walks which give access to the

houses. boarding house. See house types: boarding house.

boulevard. See traffic ways: boulevard.

bridging.—Small wood or metal members that are in- serted in a diagonal position between the floor joists acting both as tension and compression members for the purpose of bracing the joists and spreading the

action of the effect of loads. building.—In general: A roofed structure designed or used for the shelter of persons, animals, or goods;. (See occupancy: building occupancy.) —area. See areas: building .\rea. —building line.—A line established by law or agree- ment beyond which a building shall not extend. —building maintenance:

1. Any labor or material pro\ ided to remedy deterioration or obsolescence.

2. In accounting: An expenditure upon a fixed asset which tends to preserve its value but

which, under accepted accounting procedures,

is not reflected in an increase in its book value. —building site.—A parcel of land suitable for building

or on which a building is or may be built, including

all surrounding land specifically allocated to the

building. —building unit.—That portion of a building served by the same main means of ingress and egress. —cubic content. See cubic content of a building. —height of building. See measurements: height

OF BUILDING. building code.—A collection of legal requirements the purpose of which is to protect the safety, health,

morals, and general welfare of those in and about

buildings. {From NBS BMS19, "Preparation and

Revision of Building Codes," 1939.) building department.—The department of govern- ment charged with enforcement of ordinances and

laws regulating the erection, construction, alteration,

moving, demolition, and repair of buildings and

structures. building official. See official: building official. building, savings, and loan association.—A fi- nancial institution, the purposes of which are to extend credit to finance the construction, purchase,

repair, and modernization of, and the refinancing of mortgages upon, real property, primarily homes;

and to provide a method of systematic savings

through the purchase of dividend-bearing shares of the institution. "Homestead Associations" is the designation for similar institutions, used only in Louisiana.

buildings: —accessory building.—In general: A supplemental

building, the use of which is incidental to that of the main building. —administration building. —A building or portion

thereof that contains the principal executive and

administrative departments or offices of any enterprise. —assembly hall. See halls: assembly hall. —club or club house.—A building or a portion

thereof designed or used for social, recreational, or educational purposes by the bona-fide members of a club and their guests. —comfort station. —A structure primarily to provide

toilet facilities for the use of the public. —existing building. —In codes and regulations: A

completed building or structure, or a building which

may be built under prior laws or regulations. —factory. —A building or a portion thereof designed

or used for the manufacture or assembly in whole or

in part of one or more commodities. —garage.—A building or a portion thereof in which

one or more motor vehicles are stored, repaired, or

serviced, but not including display rooms. —garage group or garage compound.—A group

of private garages either attached or under one

roof, arranged in a row or around a common means

of access; usually erected for the use of residents

in the immediate vicinity. —private garage:

1. In building codes: A building or a portion

thereof, in which not more than a limited number (usually three or four) motor vehicles are stored or kept.

2. In zoning ordinances: A garage designed for the exclusive use of one family. —public garage.—Any garage not included within

the definition of a private garage. —hotel. —A building or a portion thereof designed or used primarily for the accommodation of' transients and which has a public register and an office where

an attendant is present at all times. In building

codes, a minimum number of rooms is usually specified. (Compare house types: lodging house;

see also .apartment hotel.) —house.—A building designed or used for continuous

human occupancy. (Compare dwelling.) —industrial building. —A business building designed

or used primarily for manufacturing purposes. —institutional building.—A building or a portion

thereof in which persons are harbored to receive medical, charitable, or other care or treatment, or

in which persons are held or detained by reason of public or civic duty, or for correctional purposes;

including, among others, hospitals, asylums, sani- tariums, fire houses, police stations, and jails. —nonconforming buildings and nonconforming

uses. —In zoning: Buildings and uses which do not conform to the zoning ordinance. They may exist in a zoning district either (a) because they existed on the effective date of the zoning ordinance and

[5]
cannot be ousted or (b) because a variance or exception has been obtained therefor. {From USHA

Bulletin No. 27 on Policy and Procedure, "Zoning

and Rezoning for USHA-Aided Projects," November

1939.) office building.—A business building designed or used primarily for professional or clerical purposes. —public building.—A building designed or used

primarily for civic, political, educational, religious,

social, or recreational purposes; including among

others, courthouses, schools, colleges, libraries, and museums (other than private), exhibition buildings, lecture halls, churches, assembly halls, lodge rooms, dance halls, theaters, bath houses, armories, recreation piers. —public service station.—A building or a portion

thereof designed or used for the purpose of selling

and furnishing to the public, at retail and in the open air, gasoline, lubricating oils, grease, and other high-hazard commodities for motor vehicles or house- hold use, and for cleaning and servicing motor

vehicles.

- residence.—A building designed or used primaril}' as a dwelling.

residential building

—A building designed or used

primarily for residential purposes; including, among

others, dwellings, apartment houses, hotels, lodging

houses, dormitories, convents, studios, club houses. —restaurant.—A building or a portion thereof de- signed or used for the sale of meals prepared and

served on the premises. — service building.—A work building or utility

building used in connection with a group; including,

among others, garages, laundry houses, and repair

shops.

shack.—A crude structure designed or used for temporary human occupancy. {Compare buildings:

SHED.)

shed.—A roofed structure usually one story high

with one or more sides unenclosed. {Compare

buildings: shack.) —stable.—^A building or a portion thereof designed

or used as a shelter for horses, cattle, or similar animals, either permanently or transiently, usually

including space for accessory equipment. —private stable. —In codes: A stable the capacity

of which is limited by constituted authority (usually limited to three or four animals). —public stable. —In codes: A stable with capacity

for more animals than specified for a private stable. store.—A building or a portion thereof designed or used for the sale of goods, wares, or merchandise

and services. tenement or tenement house:

1. A building or a portion thereof which is occu- pied as a residence by three or more families

living independently of each other and doing

their own cooking on the premises and having

a common right in the halls, stairways,

yard, cellar, or water-closets thereof, or some

of them. {Derived from New York Tene- ment House Act of 1901.)

2. An apartment house. (Building Code for California, 1939; and State of Florida, Department of Hotel Commissions.) {Compare

apartment; apartment house.) —theater. —A building or a portion thereof designed

or used for theatrical purposes, with accommodations for an audience and having a permanent

stage upon which movable scenery and theatrical appliances are employed or having permanently in- stalled equipment for the projection of motion

pictures. {Compare halls: assembly hall and

PUBLIC HALL.)

bulkhead:

1. A structure above the roof of any part of a building, enclosing a stairway, tank, elevator machinery, or ventilating apparatus, or such part

of a shaft as extends above the roof. {Compare

house types: penthouse.)

(Note.—The terms "bulkhead" and "penthouse" are defined

as synonymous in some building codes.)

2. In Northern States: A sloping door or doors

affording entrance to a cellar from outside a

building.

bungalow. See house types: bungalow.

business district,—An area in a city or town given to commercial purposes, often limited and defined by

use and zoning laws. buttress.—A structure built against a wall to strength- en it. C

cabin. See house types: cabin. carrying charges.—Costs incidental to the ownership

(as distinguished from the • operation) of property

during a period of unproductivity, such as during the

period of construction or the period during which

land is held as vacant land. catch basin. See plumbing terms: catch basin.

ceiling, height of. See measurements: height of

ceiling.

cellar.—A story having half or more than half of its clear height below grade. {Compare basement.) —subcellar.—A cellar under a cellar. chase.—A groove in a masonry wall usually provided

for accommodation of pipes, ducts, or conduits. chattel. —A material object constituting the subject of personal property.

(Note.—Chattels are sometimes divided into (1) "chattels real," being interests in land which are less than freehold, and (2) "chattels personal," being all other interests embraced under the heading of personal property.) (See mortgage types: ch.\ttel mortgage.)

circulation.—Provision made for traffic within or through buildings, outside areas, and communities. —exterior circulation.—The provision for the move- ment of traffic around or outside a stated area. city planning. See planning: city planning.

closet. —A minor enclosed space in a building, designed

or used for the storage of clothing or goods.

[6]
—maid's, janitor's, or porter's closet. —A closet

usaall.\' equipped with a slop sink and providing space

for storage of equipment used by the liouse cleaning

staff. club or club house. See building types: club or CLUB HOUSE.)

column:

1. In architecture: A perpendicular su|jporting member, circular in section, usually consisting of a

base, shaft, and capital.

2. In engineering: A structural compression member,

usually vertical, supporting loads acting on or near and in the direction of its longitudinal axis. {Compare pier.)

comfort station. See buildings: comfort st.^tion. common.—A public open area devoted to community

uses, usually in the center of a village or town. common facilities or joint facilities. —Exterior or

interior common spaces, including rooms such as recreation rooms and laundry rooms, designed to serve all families of a building or buOdings.

common passageway.—A space between two build- ings or properties dedicated for use as a means of egress or ingress, which hy deed or agreement remains

forever unobstructed. common services or joint services. —Systems of plumbing, lighting, heating, air conditioning, etc., designed to serve all families of a building or buildings.

community:

1. A body of persons having common interests and

privileges, living in the same localitj-.

2. A political subdivision. completion (physical). —The act of bringing to a condition of physical completeness and readiness for use and occupancy, or to a condition legally considered

to be completion. Used generally with reference to a building operation or project. —completion date (physical). —The date at which a

construction project is to be or is legally considered

to have been completed, usualh* the end of the "construction period." concrete: —plain concrete.—Concrete containing not more than

two-tenths of 1 percent of reinforcement. (From

NBS BH18, "Recommended Minimum Require- ments for Small Dwelling Construction," 1932.) —reinforced concrete.—Concrete containing mare

than two-tenths of 1 percent of reinforcement and in which the reinforcement is so embedded that the two materials act together in sustaining the load. (From NBS BH18, "Recommended Minimum

Requirements for Small Dwelling Construction,"

1932.) condemnation:

1. A declaration by a legally constituted authority

under the police power to the effect that a property or structure is unfit for use or habitation or dangerous to persons or to other property.

2. The exercise of the right of eminent domain.

—excess condemnation.—Condemnation (exercise of eniinent domain) of more property than is needed

for a proposed public use or improvement.

confiscation.—The taking of private property for

put)lic use without adequate compensation.

congested district. —An area of highly concentrated occupation or u.se, crowded with people, vehicles, o-r buildings.

construction.—The materials and methods of fabricating the various elements of a structure or

building.

construction loan. —A loan of monej' secured by a bond or promissory note and mortgage or trust deed intended to defray the cost of a building,

usually advanced to the borrower as construction

progresses. (This loan, after completion, is often converted into a term loan.) construction types: —adobe construction. —A type of construction in which the exterior walls are built of blocks that are made of soil mixed with straw and hardened in the

sun. This type of construction is employed chiefly

in the warm, dry climate of the Southwest. —brick construction.—A type of construction in which the exterior walls are bearing walls made of brick or a combination of brick and tile masonry. —brick-veneer construction.—A type of construction in which a wood-frame construction has an

exterior surface of brick applied. —dry-wall construction.—A type of construction

in which the interior wall finish is of a material other than plaster or material similar to it. —exterior-protected construction.—That type of building construction in which the exterior walls, party walls, and fire walls are of incombustible

materials and self-supporting, and interior structural framing is wholly or partly of wood or similar materials. —fireproof construction.—A type of construction designed to withstand a complete burn-out of the contents for which the structure was intended with- out impairment of structural integrity. Use of incombustible materials, and certain fire-resistance requirements for structural members, including

exterior walls, is customarily stated in codes. —incombustible construction.—That type of build- ing construction which has all structural elements of incombustible materials with fire-resistance ratings

of 1 hour or less. —ordinary construction.—A type of construction

in which the exterior walls are of masonry, or of reinforced concrete; and in which the interior structural elements are wholly or partly of wood. —prefabricated construction.—A type of construction so designed as to involve a minimum of assembly

at the site, usually comprising a series of large units manufactured in a plant. —rammed-earth construction.—A tj-pe of construction in which the exterior walls are bearing

walls composed of a controlled combination of sand,

469007"—42 2 [7]
claj', coarse aggregate, and moisture compacted by

pressure into forms. —reinforced-concrete construction.—A type of construction in which tlie principal structural members, such as floors, columns, and beams, are made of concrete poured around isolated steel bars or steel meshwork in such manner that the two materials

act together in resisting force. —skeleton construction. —A type of construction

in which all external and internal loads and stresses are transmitted to the foundations by a rigidly con- nected framework of metal or reinforced concrete. The enclosing walls are supported by the frame at designated intervals; usually at each story. —steel-frame construction.—A type of construction in which the structural parts are of steel or dependent on a steel frame for support. —unprotected-metal construction.—A type of construction in which the structural parts are of metal unprotected by fireproofing. —wood-frame or frame construction.—A type of construction in which the structural parts are of wood or dependent upon a wood frame for support. In codes, if brick or other incombustible material is applied to exterior walls, tlie classification of this type of construction is usually unchanged.

contour line:

1. An imaginary line or its representation on a map,

following all points of the same heights above or below a given datum.

2. A level line typified by a water or shore line. coping.—A capping at the top of a wall, serving to shed water. corner influence.—The element of value of a lot due

to location at or in close proximity to the intersection

of two streets. cornice.—A decorative element made up of molded

members usually placed at or near the top of an

exterior or interior wall. corporation.—An artificial person created by law,

constituting a legal entity and having the rights, powers, and privileges and subject to such duties and restrictions as may be prescribed by law. —limited-dividend corporation:

1. A corporation, the charter of which limits the dividends payable to its stockholders.

2. In housing: A corporate body usuallj' having

power to undertake housing projects, such as provide for clearance of slums and for new

accommodations for persons of low income,

provided that the corporation is subject to public supervision and control and that its dividends to stockholders are limited b3' law

or by agreement with a public administrative agency. —municipal corporation. —A town or city acting

under a certificate of incorporation issued under the laws of a particular State. —private corporation. —A corporation created solely for the private benefit of the collective members of the corporation.

corridor. —An enclosed way for passage. cottage. See house types: cottage.

court. —An open, unoccupied space bounded on two

or more sides by the exterior walls of a building or by

exterior walls and lot lines. —inner court.—A court enclosed on all sides by

exterior walls of a building or by exterior walls and

lot lines on which walls are allowable. —outer court.—A court enclosed on not more than

three sides by exterior walls of a buOding or by

exterior walls and lot lines on which walls are allowable, with one side or end open to a street, driveway,

alley, or j^ard. —See also measurements: court measurements.

courtyard.—An uncovered enclosure adjacent to a

building, or the open interior of a building or of a

group of buildings. coverage.—That percentage of the area of a site occu- pied by buildings. (See also areas: building area; and density.)

(As defined in USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Definition

of Terms": "The term 'net coverage' means the

ratio of the ground area of dwelling structures to the

net area of land" as defined in site area.) cricket.—A small roof structure of single or double

slope placed at the junction of larger surfaces that meet at an angle for the purpose of diverting drainage.

cubic content of a building.—As determined by any

prescribed method for use in estimating total construction costs, such as method used by Rental Housing Division, Federal Housing Administration,

viz, the volume of a building is derived by multiplying the area of a building (see definition) by the height figured as follows: Where flat roofs with

parapets occur, a point 6 in. above the roof is taken. Where sloping roofs occur, one-half the height of the slope is used. Where basements occur, a point

6 in. below the basement slab is used. Where no basements occur, the point varies depending upon

the depth of the foimdation walls. For example,

with a 2 ft 6 in. foundation wall, a point 6 in. below

the floor construction is used. Where the foundation

walls are 4 ft deep, a point 2 ft below the first floor construction is used. Other depths are figured in proportion. Dormers, chimneys, and other protrusions from the building proper are figured separately.

cul-de-sac. See traffic ways; cul-de-sac. curb elevation or curb level. —The elevation of the top of a curb at a given point with a reference to a

designated datum.

D

damage.—Injury or impairment in the value of property, usually as a result of loss of a portion of the property under action in eminent domain.

datum.—An assumed horizontal reference plane used

as a basis for computing elevations. debenture.—A loan bond which is not a specific lien upon any of the real property of the issuer and for the collection of which no remedy exists save the

ordinarj' action of law.

[8]
decentralization.—The process of divcrtiiif? and

spreading populations, buildings, businesses, or

traffic from a central location. deciduous plant.—See plants: deciduous plant.

deed. —A written instrument whereby an estate in real property is conveyed by a grantor to a grantee. —deed restriction. —A restriction upon the use of a

property placed in a deed. —quitclaim deed.—A deed whereby the grantor conveys to the grantee whatever interest he possesses

in the propertj' granted without warranty. —trust deed.—A deed whereby legal title to property

is conveyed to a trustee, for the purpose of securing a debt or discharge of an obligation while the equi- table title remains vested in the trustor. The deed

recites the authority and duties of the trustee and

usually vests him with power of sale in the event of default in order to satisfy the debt or discharge the

obligation. (Compare mortgage.) —warranty deed. —A deed in which, either expressly or by implication, the grantor guarantees that the

title which he undertakes to transfer has not been

previously conveyed by him and is free from defects and that the property is unencumbered except as

stated, and for himself and heirs, agrees to defend and protect the grantee against any loss which may

be suffered by reason of the existence of any other

title or interest in the property existing at the time

the deed was executed and not excepted therein. density.—The number of units (persons, families, or dwellings) per acre or square mile. (See also areas: BUILDING area; and coverage.)

(As defined in USHA Bulletin No. 17, "Definition

of Terms": "The term 'gross density' means the number of dwelling units per acre of gross area of land. The term 'net density' means the number of dwelling units per acre of net area of land.")

depreciation.—^Loss in value due to all causes, includ- ing functional and economic obsolescence and

deterioration. —accrued depreciation:

1. The amount of depreciation that has accrued

during a given period or up to a given date.

2. In appraising: Accrued depreciation is usually the difference between the valuation at the date of valuation and the estimated replacement cost of the property in new condition. —actual depreciation.—Actual loss in value which

has accrued, as differentiated from book depreciation. —book depreciation.—The amounts entered on

books of account as depreciation, as differentiated from actual depreciation. —reserve for depreciation.—An amount reserved by

periodic charges against income for the purpose of offsetting depreciation of fixed assets that are carried at values which were assigned to them before they

had suffered the depreciation for which the reserve is provided. Three designations are in use: (a) provision for depreciation, (b). allowance for depreciation, (c) reserve for depreciation.

deterioration.—Impairment of condition of pliysical

property. (Compare obsolescknck.)

differential rental. —The rent charged to each tenant

family adjusted in relation to need and ability to pay rather than to size and desirability of the living

unit. dormer. —An internal recess the framing of which

projects from a sloijing roof. (See window types:

dormer window.)

dormitory:

1. A room or a suite of rooms arranged to prcjvide

sleeping accommodations for more than four persons without completely separating the

sleeping units by partitions or other i)ermanent

division.

2. A building in which the greater portion of the

floor area is so arranged or used.

3. A building containing sleeping quarters without

housekeeping facilities, and usually with com- mon sanitary facilities, which are occupied

entirely by students, or by employees, including

among others, college dormitories, nurses' homes, etc. dormitory town.—A town devoted primarily to residential and related activities and not containing

the places of employment of the majority of its citizens. (Compare garden city; satellite com- munity; greenbelt town.)

drainage. See plumbing terms: drainage.

driveway. See traffic ways: driveway.

dry well. See plumbing terms: dry well.

dumbwaiter.—A hoisting and lowering mechanism

equipped with a car, which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction, the floor area of which

does not exceed 9 square feet, the compartment

height of which does not exceed 4 feet, the capacity

of which does not exceed 500 pounds, and which is used exclusively for carrying freight. (American

Standard Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters,

and Escalators, 1937.) dwelling.—In general: A building designed or occupied

as the living quarters for one or more families, or households, usually equipped with cooking, bathing,

toilet, and, where necessary, heating facilities. Usually thought of as a detached single-family house. (Compare buildings: house; living unit.)

(Note.—Some building codes limit definition of a "dwelling" to a residence occupied by one family; others to two, three, or four families.) dwelling types. —The various forms in which the housing units may be assembled; free-standing single

and twin houses, one-story or two-story row houses,

flats, apartments, duplex or triplex combinations of these. (USHA Bulletin No. 11 on "Policy and Procedure," 1939.) —detached dwelling.—A dwelling which is completely

surrounded by open spaces. —double dwelling.—A two-family dwelling in which

the living units are side b)' side, each unit having open spaces on at least three sides. (Compare

dwelling ty'pes: multiple dwelling; semidetached dwelling; two-family dwelling.)

[9]
—duplex dwelling. —A two-family dwelling in which

the living units are one above the other but may or may not have separate outside entrances as in flats. {Compare dwelling types: two-family dwelling;

FLAT.) —multiple dwelling or multiple-family dwelling. —A dwelling or group of dwellings on one plot

containing separate living units for two or more

families; may have joint services or facilities or both. —one-family dwelling.—A dwelling designed as the

residence of one family. {Compare house; living

unit; buildings: residence.) —one-story dwelling:

1. A dwelling having its main roof-eaves line at or below the ceiling construction and its finished

living space on one floor level.

2. A dwelling having its main roof-eaves line at or below the ceiling construction of the main

floor. Dwellings which contain attic rooms

or suiJicient attic space for possible future rooms, etc., may be considered one-story,

provided the usable floor area in the attic space which has a clear headroom of 5 feet or more does not exceed 50 percent of the main floor, and dormers containing windows

not wider than 5 feet (outside rough dimension). {Fro?n Property Standards and Minimum Construction Requirements, Federal Housing Administration.) —row dwelling:

1. One of three or more dwellings having party

walls or one or more walls contiguous. Row

dwellings are usually confined to one-family

or two-family occupancy.

2. A dwelling the walls on two sides of which are in common with the walls of adjoining dwellings

and are party or lot-line walls. {From

Property Standards and Minimum Construe- . tion Requirements, Federal Housing Administration.) —semidetached dwelling.—A dwelling one side wall

of which is in common with the wall of an adjoining

dwelling and is a party or lot-line wall. —three-story duplex dwelling.—A dwelling type

in which the ground floor is occupied by flats and the two floors above are divided vertically into row

houses. (USHA Bulletin No. 11 on "Policy and

Procedure," 1939.) —two- family dwelling.—A dwelling having separate

living units for two families. A double dwelling or a duplex dwelling. {Compare dwelling types:

DOUBLE dwelling; duplex dwelling; multiple

dwelling.)

dwelling unit.—See living unit.

E

easement.—A vested or acquired right to use land

other than as a tenant, for a specific purpose; such

right being held by someone other than the owner who holds title to the land.

economic life:

1. The period during which it is more profitable to keep a building in use and in repair than to scrap or reconstruct it. 2. The period during which a building has value in excess of its salvage value. edging.—A border, either structural or vegetative,

used to define different areas. effluent. —The outflow from a pipe-drainage system.

electrical terms: —ampere.—A measure of electric current. —cable: armored cable. —Insulated wire having

additional flexible metallic protective sheathing

often referred to as BX cable. —circuit. —A continuous conducting path, usually of

wire, through which'current flows. —circuit breaker.—An automatic mechanical device which serves the same purpose as a, fuse, i. e., to prevent overheating in a circuit due to overloading.

{See also electrical terms: fuse.) —power circuit. —A circuit transmitting electric energy to a motor or to a heating unit too large

to be served by an ordinary circuit. —conduit, electrical. —A pipe, usually metal, m

which wiring is installed. —current. —A flow of electricity. —alternating current.—A flow of current which

constantly changes direction at a fixed rate. —direct current. —A flow of current constantly

in one direction. —fuse. —A device for interrupting an electric current under conditions of overloading or short circuiting,

comprising a fusible element which fuses at predetermined excess currents so as to open the circuit. —insulation, electrical. —Nonconducting covering

applied to wire or equipment to prevent the flow of current to contiguous materials. —kilowatt hour.—A unit of measurement of the con- sumption of electric energy at a fixed rate for 1 hour;

specifically, the use of 1,000 watts for 1 hour. —meter: service meter. —A device used for measuring the amount of electric energy consumed. —outlet. —A point on an electric circuit designed for the direct connection of lighting fixtures, appliances,

and equipment. —ceiling outlet. —An outlet for ceiling lighting

fixtures. —convenience outlet. —An outlet into which may

be plugged portable equipment such as lamps. —radio outlet. —An outlet having connected

thereto an aerial and ground for the use of a radio. —special purpose outlet. —An outlet used for purposes other than ordinary lighting and power. —panelboard.—A center for controlling a number of

circuits by means of fuses or circuit breakers, usually

contained in a metal cabinet. Switches are sometimes added to control each circuit. —switch. —A device to open and close a circuit. —3- way switch. —A switch designed to operate in conjunction with a similar switch to control one

outlet from two points.

[10]
—transformer.—A device for transforming the volt- age characteristics of a current supply. —voltage. —A measure of electric pressure between

any two wires of an electric circuit. —watt.—A unit of measurement of electric power. —wiring: knob-and-tube wiring.—A method of exposed wiring using knobs and tubes of nonconducting materials to insulate the wiring from the

surfaces on which or through which it is installed. elevation:

1. Altitude relative to a given datum.

2. A scale drawing of the upright parts of a structure. elevator.—-A hoisting and lowering mechanism

equipped with a car or platform which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction.

(Note.—Dumbwaiters, endless belts, conveyors, chains, buckets,

etc., used for the purpose of elevating materials, and tiering, piling, or feeding machines giving service within one story, are not included

in the term "Elevator." (American Standard Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Escalators, 1937.)) elevator types: —electric, automatic self-service elevator.—An

elevator operated by means of momentary pi-essure of push buttons at the landings, with or without

push buttons in the car. (American Standard Safety

Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Escalators,

1937.) —freight elevator. —An elevator used for carrying

freight and on which - only the operator and the persons necessary for loading and unloading are permitted to ride. (American Standard Safety

Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Escalators,

1937.) —passenger elevator. —An elevator designed for carrying persons. eminent domain.—The right to expropriate, i. e., to condemn private property for public use. encumbrance.—An interest or right in real property

which diminishes the value of the fee, but does not prevent conveyance of the fee by the owner thereof.

(Note.—Mortgages, taxes, judgments are encumbrances known as

liens. Restrictions, easements, reservations are encumbrances

though not liens.) entry:

1. A minor enclosed space at the entrance to a build- ing or living unit having the entrance door in one wall and usually a second door in another

wall giving access to an entrance hall or other

space.

2. A vestibule. equity.—In connection with property:

1. Broadly, anj" interest which will receive recognition in a court of equity, whether or not sucli interest rests on legal ownership.

2. Specifically, the interest, usuall.v expressed in money, of the equitable owner of a property

over and above all liens against the property.

escheat.—Reversion of property to the state by reason

of failure of persons legally entitled to hold, or lack

of heirs.

estate:

1. A right in property.

2. A tract of land. —estate in fee simple:

1. An inheritable, possessory interest in land which

endures until the extinction of all lineal and

collateral heirs of the owner and which may be

freely conveyed by its owner.

2. The largest possible estate in land. —estate in land.—The degree, nature, or extent of interest which a person has in land. —estate of freehold.—Any one of the three types of possessory interests in land—fee simple, fee tail, and

estate for life—which in feudal times were granted

only to freemen.

(Note.—Estates of freehold are said to be estates of indefinite duration and any other estate is said to be "less than freehold.") exedra.—A wall seat, usually of stone and curving in plan; a place for conversation; a motif of garden

decoration. expense: —administrative expense.—All expenses which arise out of and are incidental to management and supervision, including salaries and fees, office expense,

professional services, renting operations, and recreational activities, as differentiated from operating and

maintenance expenses. —initial occupancy expense.—Expenses incurred in

installing the original tenants in a building. exposure.—The directional aspect of a structure or plant in relation to the points of the compass or weather. {Compare orientation.)

F

facade.—The face of a building.

facilities: —common facilities. See common facilities. —community facilities. —Common, social, recreational, or convenience facilities, such as social halls, public utilities, central heating, parks, private roads,

playgrounds, and accommodations for them. —living facilities. —Those provisions for living,

sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation ordinarily

considered as part of a permanent abode. factor of safety. —The ratio of the ultimate strength

of a material to its working stress. factory. See buildings: factory.

family. —One or more persons living, sleeping, cooking,

and eating on the same premises as occupants of one

living unit. Federal Savings and Loan Association.—A building, savings and loan association chartered under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act.

fee:

1. Remuneration for services.

2. When applied to property—an inheritable estate

in land. [See fee types.)

[11]
fee types: —absolute fee simple:

1. The largest possible interest or estate in property, subject, however, to the limitations of eminent domain, escheat, police power, and

taxation.

2. An estate of indefinite duration and inheritable without limitation. —limited fee simple. —An estate in fee giving the owner thereof fee rights as long as certain conditions

obtain, its termination being governed by the occurrence of some stated event. —fee tail. —An estate of inheritance limited to some

particular class of heirs of the person to whom it is granted

fire door.—A door construction, consisting of door,

frame, hardware, and sill, which under standard test conditions meets the requirements for the location

in which it is to be used.

fire door types: —heat-actuated fire door. —A fire door designed to

close automatically under the action of heat or smoke. —self-closing fire door.—A fire door normally closed and designed to close automatically upon being

opened.

fire resistance: utlimate fire resistance.—Resis- tance shown when tested under conditions prescribed

in the standard fire test approved by the ASA as "American Standard." {From NBS M151 "Design

and Construction of Building Exits," 1935.)

fire resistive. —In the absence of a specific ruling

by the authority having jurisdiction, applies to materials or construction not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires and which will with- stand such fires without serious impairment of their usefulness for at least 1 hour. (Compare constrtjc- TION types: FlREPROOi' CONSTRUCTION.)

fire stop. —A solid, tight closure of a concealed spacei

placed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through

such a space.

fire tower.—A stair enclosed with fire-resistive construction and entered through a balcony, vestibule, or other arrangement of fire-resistive construction

at each floor level so designed that smoke is prevented

from direct entrance to the stair.

fire window.—A window that, with its frame, sash, and glazing, is designed to restrict the spread of

fire. fireproof. See construction types: fireproof con- struction.

fixtures. —Appurtenances aflRxed to structures or

land, usually in such manner that they cannot be independently moved without damage to themselves

or the property housing, supporting, or pertinent

to them. (NopTE.—Variable under State laws.) (See also plumbing terms: plumbing fixtures.)

flashing. —Sheet metal or other material used in roof and wall construction to protect a building from

seepage of water.

flat:

1. In general: Any one floor of a building two or more stories high each floor of which constitutes a living unit and has a private outside

entrance. (Compare apartment.)

2. A building containing two or more such floors.

3. Specifically, in USHA work: A small dwelling

unit arranged so that the access hall or stairs are incorporated in the dwelling and maintained by the tenant. (USHA Bulletin No. 11 on "Policy and Procedure," 1939.) floor area. See areas: floor area.

flue. —The space or passage in a chimney through

which smoke, gas, or fumes ascend. Each passage

is called a flue, which together and including the surrounding masonry make up the chimney.

footing.—The spreading course or courses at the base

or bottom of a foundation wall, pier, or column.

foundation.—The supporting portion of a structure below the first-floor construction, or grade, including the footings.

foyer,—An entrance hallway within a living unit or building.

framing systems: —balloon framing.—A system of framing a building

in which all vertical structural elements of the bearing walls and partitions consist of single pieces extending from the top of the foundation sill to the roof plate and to which all floor joists are fastened.

-

braced framing. —A system of framing a building

in which all vertical structural elements of the bearing walls and partitions, except corner posts, extend

for one story only, starting at the foundation sill for the first-story framing and at the top plate of the

story below for all stories above the first; corner

posts extend from foiuidation sill to roof plate and

are braced by diagonal members usually ' extending

the full height of each story and crossing several of the studs on each side. —platform framing.—A system of framing a building on which floor joists of each story rest on the top

plates of the story below (or on the foundation siU

for the first story) and the bearing walls and partitions rest on the subfloor of each story. franchise.—A privilege or right conferred by grant

from a sovereign authority upon an individual or corporation.

freehold.—A tenure of land held in absolute fee simple, limited fee simple, or fee tail, unencumbered

by lease. freeway. See traffic ways: freeway.

frontage,—The extent of a building or of land along

a public road or a public waterway.

furring.—Strips of wood or metal applied to a wall

or other surface to even it, to form an air space, or

to give an appearance of greater thickness. G

gable.—That portion of a wall contained between the

slopes of a double-sloped roof or that portion con- tained between the slope of a single-slopt d roof and

[12]
a line projected horizontally through the lowest

elevation of the roof constrviction. gallery:

1. A hallway of greater dimensions than the usual

hall, providing access to several rooms or an

indoor balcony.

2. In southern states, a covered porch. garage. See buildings: garage. garden, allotment.— garden area, publicly or privately owned, divided into plots which are as- signed to individuals; not always adjacent to their homes.

garden city. —A town planned for industry and

healthy living; of a size that makes possible a full measure of social life, but not larger; surrounded by

a permanent belt of rural land (greenbelt) ; the whole

of the land being in public ownership or held in trust

for the community. (British Garden Cities Association.) (Compare greenbelt town; satellite community.)

girder. —A large or principal beam used to support

concentrated loads at isolated points along its length.

government survey.—A ground survey authorized

by the Continental Congress in 1775 and by subse- quent congressional acts and conducted in Florida,

Alabama, Mississippi, and all States (except Texas) west of the Mississippi or north of the Ohio, in which

the land was divided into townships approximately

6 miles square, each township normally containing 36 sections and each section normally containing 640

acres. grade:

1. The form of the surface of the ground, as it exists or as it is made by cutting and filling. 2. The slope of a ground surface or of any line thereon.

3. The elevation at a given location. —building grade.—The ground elevation established

bj' the authority having jurisdiction over a particular

building for the purpose of regulating the height of said building. —finished grade.—Tke completed surfaces of lawns,

walks, and roads brought to grades as designed. —natural grade.-—-The undisturbed natural surface

of the ground. —road grade:

1. The profile of the center of a traveled way.

2. The rate of rise or fall of a road surface. —subgrade.—The grade established in preparation for reception of the top surfacing, as of a road or lawn. gradient.—The degree of inclination of a surface, road,

or pipe, usually expressed in percent.

grading.—Modification of the ground surface hy cuts or fills or both. —fine or finish grading.—Light or thin grading to

finish a prepared earth surface. —heavy grading.—The process of moving earth in large quantities by deep cuts and fills.

-

rough grading.—The stages of earthwork operations—cuts and fills—preliminary to final work.

grant.—A conveyance of an interest in real property.

greenbelt.—A strip of recreational and farm land

usually owned or controlled by a public agency,

encircling a communitv and large enough to form an adequate protection against objectionable uses of property or the intru.sion of other community

expansion.

greenbelt town. —A planned town and a surrounding

greenbelt. The town providing .shelter, services,

stores, schools, and community facilities, is permanently held in one ownership either public or cor- porate, and is administered, together with the greenbelt, with full repre.sentation of the inhabitants. A

greenbelt town may or may not include industry.

(Compare garden city; satellite community.)

gridiron plan. See plan types: gridiron plan.

ground corer.—Plants of low or spreading growth

(such as grass, vines, low-growing shrubs, etc.) that give a living cover to the ground surface. ground water.—Free subsurface water, the top of which is the water table. group planning. See planning: group planning.

guest:

1. A person received and entertained at the hou.se

of another; a visitor.

2. A person hiring and occupying a room for living

and sleeping purposes. gypsum board. —Wallboard made of g3'psum, with

a covering of paper. H

hall:

1. A hallway.

2. A large room in a building designed or used as a

place of common assembly.

halls: —assembly hall. —A building or a portion thereof designed or used (with or without a stage or other

paraphernalia) as a gathering place for meetings,

assemblies, performances, or spectacles. (Compare

buildings: theater.) —entrance hall or entrance hallway.—A hallway

providing access to and egress from a building or

living unit. (See foyer.) —public hall:

1. A hallway for the use of the public.

2. A large room in a building designed or used for public assembly. —stair hall.—The portion of a building including the stairway and halls through which it is necessary to pass in the use of the stairway.

hallway:

1. A space in a building used for communication

between rooms or as a way of passage to or from

the outside. —entrance hallway. See halls: entrance hall. —public hallway.—A way of passage within a building

for the common use of all occupants of the building

or for those serving or visiting them.

hardwoods. —The botanical group of trees that, with

a few exceptions, comprises all the broadleaved

species. The term has no reference to the actual

[13]
hardness of the wood. Angiosperms is the botanical name for hardwoods. {From NBS CS74-39, "Solid Hardwood Wall Paneling," 1939.) header.—In carpentry: A beam placed perpendicular

to joists and into which joists are framed in framing

for a chimney, stairway, or other opening. {Compare

TRIMMER.)

heating: —central heating. —A system of heating a building

or group of buildings with steam, hot water, or warm

air from a single heating plant. —space heating.—The method of heating individvial rooms or living units by means of equipment lo- cated entirely within these rooms or living units. height. See measurements.

herbaceous plant. See plants: herbaceous plant.

highway. See traffic ways: highway.

homestead:

1. A property which is the subject of a "declaration

of homestead" whereby the property is exempt

from attachment or seizure to satisfy a judgment

rendered in favor of a creditor.

2. A property occupied by its owner as his home. —subsistence homestead.—A dwelling property

with sufficient land to enable production of a considerable portion of the food necessary for subsistence and so located with relation to employment sources

as to enable the family workers to earn a cash income

with which to provide the remaining necessities of

living.

horticultural standards. —Plant-grading tables of the American Association of Nurserymen.

hotel. See buildings: hotel.

house. See buildings: house.

house types: —apartment house. See apartment house. —attached house. See dwelling types: double

dwelling; row dwelling. —boarding house.-—A building or a portion thereof

in which meals are sold or offered for sale by the day,

week, or month to the public. In codes and ordi- nances, sleeping accommodations are usually per- mitted but limited in number. —bungalow.—A one-story dwelling usually having a

low-pitched roof. {Compare house types: cottage.) —cabin.—A one-story house frequently having in- complete living facilities, usually located in agricul- tural or forested areas or at tourist camps. —cooperative houses.—Three or more houses

(usually in a single development or subdivision) held by persons, usually stockholders in a corporation

that holds title to the houses and owns or leases the land on which the houses are located. Tax paj^-

ments, general service expenses, and payments on

loans (if any) are collectively prorated among the

stockholders who have a voting right in the management and sale of stock. {See apartment-house

types: cooperative apartment house.)

•

cottage:

1. A small house.

2. A house at a summer resort. {Compare house

types: bungalow.) —detached house. See dwelling types: detached

dwelling. —double house. See dwelling types: double

dwelling. —lodging house.—A building, other than a hotel, in which persons are accommodated over night or for a more extended period for compensation. In codes and ordinances, lodging houses and boarding houses

are often further qualified by number of persons accommodated or by number of rooms. {Compare

house types: boarding house; buillings: hotel.)

multifamily house. See dwelling types: multiple dwelling or multiple-family dwelling.

•

one-family house. See dwelling types: one- family dwelling. —one-story house. See dwelling types: one- story DWELLING. —penthouse:

1. An enclosed structure above the main roof line of a building other than a bulkhead, usually

designed for use as a dwelling or for other human occupancy. Building codes usually

limit the area and height of such structures. {Compare bulkhead.)

2. A roof structure, not used for housing any

utilities, appliances, or operating equipment

or apparatus. (Building Code for California, 1939.)

3. Any structure erected on the roof of a building,

for the purpose of enclosing stairways to the

roof, elevator machinery, water tanks, ventilating apparatus, exhaust chambers, or

other machinery, or other building equipment

machinery. (Building Code of the City of Philadelphia, Pa.) —row house. See dwelling types: row dw"elling. —semidetached house. See dwelling types: semidetached DWELLING. —tenement house. See buildings: tenement or TENEMENT HOUSE. —tourist house. —A residential building, part of which is used for accommodating tourist guests for compensation.

housing:

1. The development of living facilities for human

beings.

2. Living facilities for human beings.

•

housing authority.—A public body, corporate and

politic, created by or under government statute, with powers in the field of housing such as the construction, operation, and financing of projects for the clearance of slums and the erection of new dwelling accommodations.

housing department.—The department of gov- ernment specifically charged with the enforcement

of ordinances and laws regulating the occupancy,

[14]
alteration, maintenance, and (in some instances) the construction of residential buildings.

-housing project,-—A coordinated residential devel- opment consisting of a building or group of buildings with land, utilities, and other facilities, providing

shelter and related services for a number of families; also a proposed development of such character. In law, a project may be one or more such develop- ments conducted as a single undertaking.

-housing shortage.—An economic situation, in a

given area, wherein the supply of living units of acceptable standards is not sufficient to meet the

effective demand.

-housing subsidy. —Aid measurable in pecuniary terms provided to make up the difference between

actual rent and economic rent, or between cost and

selling price. Thus aid may take one of the following forms:

1. capital grant.—A contribution to capital cost at the time of construction or acquisition in the form of money, land, materials, or

services.

2. annual grant.—A contractual yearly contribution for a specified period of time to supplement revenue from rentals.

3. interest subsidy.—Aid provided to a housing

enterprise in the form of the difference in the cost of capital to the government and the

cost of capital to the housing enterprise.

4. tax exemption.—Aid provided to a housing

enterprise in the form of an exemption from

all or part of tax levies to which it would

normally be subject.

5. rent subsidy.—^Aid to a housing enterprise in terms of rent and in an amount determined

by the deficit arising from the difference between total income from rent and the economic rent for the enterprise.

-local housing authority.—An independent public

body, corporate and politic, created by or under

State statute, with power among other things to

construct, operate, and finance projects for the

clearance of slums and the construction of dwelling

accommodations for persons of low income.

low-cost housing.—Housing of low capital cost per room or living unit. This should not be confused with low-rent housing.

low-rent housing.—Housing that is decent, safe, and sanitary, provided specifically for families of low income. —public housing.—Housing owned by the Federal Government, by the State or political subdivision

thereof, or by any other legally constituted public

body.

rental housing.—Housing, the occupancy of which

is permitted by the owner thereof in consideration of the payment of agreed charges, whether or not, by

the terms of the agreement, such payment over a

period of time will entitle the occupant to the ownership of the premises. (From National Housing

Act, as amended Jan. 3, 1939.)

—State housing board. —An agency of a State government empowered to promote the provision of housing. Usually an unpaid board with the power

to carry on investigation and research, to supervise

limited-dividend housing corporations, and to grant

them special privileges, such as tax exemption. —substandard housing:

1. Dwellings that do not provide decent, safe, and

sanitary accommodations.

2. Dwellings in need of major repairs or exten.sive minor repairs to overcome hazards to person, health or well-being.

3. Dwelling units that lack one or more of the

following: running water, inside private

toilet, inside private bath or shower, adequate

and safe heating facilities (where required by

climatic conditions), adequate private cooking facilities (including sink), natural light

and adequate ventilation, adequate and safe

artificial lighting facilities. 4. Dwelling units in which space and room ar- rangements are detrimental to family privacy,

health, and morals.

5. Dwelling units in which excessive fire hazards

exist.

6. Dwelling units in which families are living under

overcrowded conditions. (A dwelling shall be considered overcrowded when it does not conform to the maximum occupancy standards established for the project.)

7. Dwelling units in which families are living

under " double-up" housing conditions. Two

or more families sharing a dwelling primarily

designed for single-family occupancy.)

8. A dwelling unit located in a neighborhood

where

Many buildings are abandoned or in need

of major repairs or demolition.

Industrial nuisances obtain: i. e., excessive

noise, smoke, noxious odors, etc., from

factories, restaurants, etc. Congested streets (pushcarts, street markets, other traffic dangers, etc.) and

dumps are found. Demoralizing social influences exist: i. e., gambling establishments, hangouts, or

other centers of vice and crime; or where

there is a high incidence of juvenile

delinquency.

Suitable play-space for children is lacking.

9. Dwelling units in which violations of any local health and sanitary regulations, tenement and housing laws, etc., not specified above

exist. (See USHA Bulletin No. 22 on

Policy and Procedure, "Initial Steps in Tenant Selection".)

I improvement.—^Of land: A structure or public

utility, or any other installation or physical change

made in a property with a view to increasing its

469007°—42 3 [15]
value, utility, or beauty. {See also land: improvements.) —tenant's improvements.—^Fixed improvements to land or structure installed and paid for by a tenant

or lessee. Such improvements become the property

of the lessor unless specific agreements to the contrary are entered into. incinerator.—A device which consumes usual household waste by burning.

income.—A stream of benefits either in the form of money or services such as services performed by a home for the benefit and satisfaction of its owner, through occupancy of the house by the owner. —family income.—Unless otherwise qualified, the sum of the incomes of members of a family, or the sum available to the head of the family for the

benefit and support of its members. —operating income.—In accounting: Income de- rived from the general operation of a business. inventory.—A list of goods, equipment, or property

assets. —real-property inventory.—An objective listing and

classification of real property in a particular area which shows the supply, character, and condition of such property at a given time.

J

joist.—One of a series of parallel beams used to support floor and ceiling loads, and supported in turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls. K

"kick back" statute.—A statute outlawing the remission of a portion of wages or compensation for work on any public building financed by government

funds. {See Public, No. 324, 73d Cong., approved June 13, 1934—48 Stat. 948.) kitchen. See rooms: kitchen. —strip kitchen.-—Kitchen equipment located along

the wall of a room or of a space designed or used

primarily for other purposes. kitchenette. See rooms: kitchenette.

L

land:

1. In economics: The surface of the earth and all the

natural resources and natural productive powers over which possession of the earth's surface gives man control.

2. In law: (a) Any tract of ground whatever, to- gether with its appurtenances; (6) A share or

interest in land, dwellings, or any heredita- ments corporeal or incorporeal.

3. Property which in fact or in law is immovable.

{See also improvement.) —accommodation land, —Synonymous with acreage. —developed land.—Land which has been prepared

for some social or economic use. —improved land.—Land upon which or to which

improvements have been made. {See land: im- provements to land.)

—improvements on land. —Structures erected on a

site to enable its utilization, such as buildings,

fences, driveways, retaining walls, etc. —improvements to land.—Structures or facilities such as curbs, sidewalks, water mains, street lighting, sewers, etc., which although not embraced

within the boundaries of a property add to its usefulness. —land planning. See planning: land planning. —land subdivision:

1. The process of dividing a given area into

residential, agricultural, commercial, or in- dustrial sites, blocks, or plots, with streets or

roads, and 'open spaces.

2. An area so divided. —land uses. See uses: l.\nd use. —parcel of land.—An area of land, urban or rural; which is considered as a unit, which is subject to

single ownership, and which is legally recorded a^ a

single piece. {Compare lot; plot.)

landscape {noun). —^A part of the earth's surface or the view of a portion of land or land and water as seen from any given point. —landscape accessories. —Subordinate, nonvegetative features of the development of a grounds design, such as walls or garden arbors. —landscape construction.—The alteration of exist- ing ground conditions together with construction and development of ground features, including minor

structures. lath. —A building material of wood, metal, gypsum, or

insulation board, that is fastened to the frame of a

building to act as a plaster base. laundry. See rooms: laundry.

lavatory:

1. A minor enclosed space in a building equipped

with washbasin or washbasins and usually with one or more water-closets.

2. A washbasin.

lay-out or schematic plan. See plan types: layout OE SCHEMATIC PLAN.

lease. —An agreement which, for a consideration, con- veys the right of use and occupancy of a property

for a specified term, and under specified conditions. —sublease.—An agreement conveying the right of use and occupancy of a property in which the lessor is the lessee in a prior lease. lex adickes.—A replotting law first proposed in Frank"

furt-am-Main, Germany. It involves the replanning

of an area and restoration to each original property owner of his pro-rata share of a private land, in the approximate location of his former holdings.

lien. —^A charge against property whereby the property

is made security for the payment of a debt or the performance of an obligation.

lintel. —A horizontal structural member which supports the load over an opening such as a door or

windov/.

[16]
littoral:

1. A shore and the country contiguous to it. 2. The zone comprised between high- and low-water

marks. (<See rights: littoral right.)

living unit or dwelling unit.-—-A dwelhng or portion

thereof providing complete living facilities for one

family. (Compare apartment; dwelling.)

loads: —dead load. —The weight of all permanent stationary construction included in a building. —live load. —The total of all moving and variable loads that may be placed upon a building.

lobby.—A public or common entrance space in a

building.

lot:

1. A parcel of land in one ownership that is described by reference to a recorded plat or by metes and bounds.

2. As used in building codes: A parcel of land

considered as a unit devoted to a certain use or occupied by a building or a group of build- ings that are united by a common interest or

use, and the customary accessories and open

spaces belonging to them. —front of lot. —The edge of a lot which borders on the highway or street. In the case of a corner lot the

front may be designated, or election left to the owner by the proper authority. —lot line. —A line bounding the lot as described in the

title to the property. —rear of lot.—The edge of a lot opposite the front. In the case of a triangular or gore lot the rear is designated by the authority having jurisdiction. lot types: —corner lot.—A lot abutting upon two or more

streets at their intersection. —gore lot. —A small triangular lot. —interior or inside lot. —A lot bounded by a street on one side only. —through lot. —A lot other than a corner lot having

frontage on two public highways or streets. (Sometimes called a "merged lot.") louver or louvre. —A slatted opening for ventilation

in which the slats are so placed as to exclude rain, Hght, or vision. lumber.—The product of the saw and planning mill not further manufactured than by sawing, resawing,

and passing lengthwise through a standard planing

machine, cross-cutting to length and working. —boards.—Yard lumber less than 2 inches thick, 8 or more inches wide. —dressed size. —The dimensions of lumber after planing; usually %" less than the nominal or rough

size; for example, a 2"X-1" stud actually measures

lYs" X 3%". (iSee lumber: nominal size.) —kiln-dried lumber. —Lumber dried by artificial heat to a moisture content which is less than can normally be obtained through the natural process conunonly known as air seasoning. —matched lumber. —Lumber that is edge dressed and

shaped to make a close tongue-and-grooye joint at

the edges or ends when laid edge-to-edge or end-toend. —nominal size. —As applied to timber or lumber,

the ordinary commercial size by which it is known

and sold in the market. (See lumber: dressed

SIZE.) —plank.—A broad board, usually more than 1"

thick, laid with its wide dimension horizontal and

used as a bearing surface. —rough lumber. —Lumber undressed as it comes from

the saw. —shiplapped lumber.—Lumber that is edge dressed

to make a close rabbetted or lapped joint. —surfaced lumber. —Lumber that is dressed by

running it through a planer.

(Note.—It may be surfaced on one side (SIS), two sides (S2S), one

edge (SIE), or on a combination of sides and edges: (SISIE), (S2S1E),

(SlS2E).or(S4S).) M

mall.—A formally designed central panel usually with

a lawn, rather than a paved way, on its axis. marquee.-—^A large tent or a temporary structure pro- vided with a canvas top. marquise.—A permanent hood that projects over an

entrance to a building and is not supported by posts or columns.

masonry.—Stone, brick, hoUow tile, concrete block or

tile, and sometimes poured concrete and g3'psum

block, or other similar materials, or a combination of same, bonded together with mortar to form a wall,

pier, buttress, etc. —ashlar masonry.—Masonry of sawed, dressed,

tooled, or quarry-faced stone with proper bond.

(From NBS BH6 "Recommended Minimum Require- ments for Masonry Wall Construction," 1925.) —coursed rubble.—Masonry composed of roughly

shaped stones fitting approximately on level beds

and well bonded. (From NBS BH6 "Recommended

Minimum Requirements for Masonry Wall Construction." 1925.) master plan. See plan types: master plan.

measurements: (see also areas) —court measurements: —height of court.—The vertical distance from the

level of the floor of the lowest storj' served by the

court to the top of the walls bounding the court. —length of an outer court.—The mean horizontal distance between the open and closed ends of the

court. —width of an inner court.—The least horizontal dimension of such court. —width of an outer court. —The shortest hori- zontal dimension measured in a direction substantially parallel with the principal open end of such

court.

height of building:

1. The vertical distance from the mean finished grade to the highest point of the building on any side under consideration.

[17]
2. The vertical distance from grade (in some cases, curb level) to the highest point of the roof beams (in some cases, the coping) of a flat roof, to the deckline of a mansard roof, or to the average height of the highest gable of a

pitched roof. (Note.—In building regulations, exceptions often arc made for minor roof structures necessary for the operation

of the building or for decorative purposes (but not for human

occupancy), such as water tanks, bulkheads, cupolas, stair towers, etc.) —height of ceiling. —The vertical distance from the

finished floor to the finished ceiling in any room,

exclusive of projecting ceiling beams.

(Note.—In instances where ceilings are not level over the full area

of a room, special rulings must control.) —height of story. —The vertical distance from the

surface of a floor to the surface of the next floor above. —height of wall. —The vertical distance to the top of the wall (mean height of gable) measured from the foundation walls, or from a girder or other immediate

support of such wall. mechanical equipment.—In architectural and engineering practice: All equipment included under the

general heading of plumbing, heating, air conditioning, gasfitting, and electrical work.

meridian.—An imaginary line on the earth's surface running due north and south and used for measuring

longitude. (Compare base line.) —principal meridian.—A meridian from which range

lines are established. metes and bounds.—A means of describing the loca- tion of land by defining boundaries in terms of direc- tions (courses) and distances from one or more

specified points of reference. metropolitan area. See areas: metropolitan area. mezzanine or mezzanine floor. —An intermediate

floor between the floor and ceiling of any story, limited in building codes as to height and as to area with respect to the floor beneath.

(Note.—Area limitations in codes vary from 20 percent of the area (Chicago) to any area less than that of the floor beneath (Florida).) millwork.-—The finished wood portions of a building

which are customarily obtained from a planing mill, such as doors, window and door frames, sash, panelwork, etc. It does not include lumber used for structural purposes or siding, which are items of yard lumber.

monument.—Applied to land ownership: A boundary

stone or other permanent marker locating a property

line or corner. mortgage.—A contract under the terms of which (1) the legal (but not the equitable) title to property of one person (the mortgagor) is conveyed conditionally

to a second person (the mortagee) as security for the payment of a debt or (2) a lien created against the property for the same purpose. mortgage loans: —balloon-payment mortgage loan.—A mortgage

loan which, by its terms, provides for partial liquidation of the loan by periodic payments of the debt and

the remainder at the maturity of the loan.

—demand mortgage loan.-—A mortgage loan which,

by its terms, provides for liquidation of the loan upon

demand of the lender. —direct-reduction mortgage loan. —A mortgage

loan which, by its terms, provides for crediting any

payments by the mortgagor: first, to accrued

interest upon the outstanding principal balance as

of the date paj'ment is made, and second, to the outstanding principal balance of the mortgage itself. —mortgage risk rating. —The process of thoroughly

analyzing the major factors of risk undertaken in the making of a mortgage loan and the rating to the mortgage in accordance with the risk involved in the loan transaction or in connection with the insurance

of the mortgage. {From Federal Housing Administration "Underwriting Manual," 1938.) —share-account sinking-fund mortgage loan. —

mortgage loan which, by its terms, provides for the

liquidation of the loan at such time as a sufficient amount is available in a sinking fund consisting of installment payments to be made by the mortgagor

on account of the purchase of -dividend-bearing

shares of the lending institution, such shares being

purchased coincidentally with the execution of the mortgage. —cancel-and-endorse plan.-—A variation of the share-account sinking-fund plan whereby a single share may be matured and applied against the loan. Interest is calculated upon the remaining balance. —straight mortgage loan. —A mortgage loan which,

by its terms, provides for liquidation of the loan by means of a single principal payment at the date of maturity of the loan. mortgage types: —chattel mortgage.—A mortgage in which the se- curity consists of tangible personal property.

(Note.—A chattel mortgage usually takes the form of a bill of sale drawn in favor of the mortgagee with a clause defeating the transfer during compliance of the mortgagor with specified conditions.) (See CHATTEL.) —existing-home mortgage.—A mortgage covering a home one year or more old as of the date of application for mortgage insurance. (From Federal Housing Administration "Insured Mortgage Portfolio,"

December 1939.) —first mortgage.—A mortgage which creates a claim

having priority to all the claims created by all other mortgages or other instruments used for the same

purpose on the same property. —gross mortgages accepted.—A statistical term embracing all mortgages accepted for insurance, without

exception. (From Federal Housing Administration

"Insured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) —junior mortgage.—A mortgage which creates a claim subordinate to the claims created by a first mortgage on the same property. Any mortgage

subordinate to a first mortgage: e. g., a second or

third mortgage. —mortgage accepted for insurance.—A mortgage

which the FHA has agreed to insure through issuance

to the applicant mortgagee of a firm commitment to

[18]
insure. (From Federal Housing Adniinistration "In- sured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) —mortgage processing.—The examina.tion and other procedures attending the handling of each mortgage

selected for insurance by the FHA insuring office before the mortgage is accepted for insurance or

rejected. (From Federal Housing Administration

"Insured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) —mortgage selected for appraisal.—A mortgage

specified in an application for insurance which has

passed a first review by the FHA. Selection is evi- denced by the FHA's acceptance of the appraisal fee accompanying the application and the assignment to the case of an identifying "case number." (From

Federal Housing Administration "Insured Mortgage

Portfolio." December 1939.) —net mortgages accepted. —A statistical term

embracing aU mortgages accepted for insurance,

exclusive of mortgages in connection with which firm commitments to insure have expired or have been

withdrawn. (From Federal Housing Administration

"Insured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) —new-home mortgage.—A mortgage covering a home which has been completed within 12 months

prior to the date of acceptance of the mortgage for insurance, or which is under construction as of that

date, or which is to be constructed. (From Federal Housing Administration "Insured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) —premium-paying mortgage.—A mortgage which

has been closed by the mortgagee and endorsed for insurance by the FHA; hence, one on which the mortgagor is paying mortgage insurance premiums

through the mortgagee to the FHA. (From Federal Housing Administration "Insured Mortgage Portfolio," December 1939.) —purchase-money mortgage.—A mortgage upon a

propert}' accepted by the seller of the property in part

payment of the purchase price.

•

second mortgage. See mortgage types: junior

MORTGAGE.

—third mortgage. See mortgage types: junior

MORTGAGE.

mullion.—A slender bar or pier forming a division be- tween units of windows, screens, or similar frames

generally nonstructural. muntin.—The members dividing the glass or openings

of sash, doors, etc. N

neighborhood.—A single area composed of locations separated only by publicly used land, the residential portions of which exhibit a degree of homogeneity.

In general, a neighborhood is available for, or improved with, dwellings of more or less similar character, age, and quality. (From Federal Housing Administration "UnderuTiting Manual," 1938.) —immediate neighborhood.—An area surrounding

a location and embracing the most direct influences from which the significant characteristics of the loca- tion are determined. It is generally smaller in area

than an outlined neighborhood. (From Federal Housing Administration "Underwriting Manual," 1938.)

outlined neighborhood. —A neighborhood in v/hich the approximate borders have been established for the purpose of indexing and classifying location and

valuation data, real-estate market data, and established ratings of locations. (From Federal Housing

Administration "Underwriting Manual," 1938.) nursery. —An area devoted to the propagating and

growing of plants for later transplanting, usually kept

under intensive cultivation. O

obsolescence.—Impairment of desirability and useful- ness resulting from changes in the arts or in design,

or from external influences which makes a property

less desirable for continued use. occupancy:

1. Act of taking or holding possession.

2. The uses, considered from the standpoint of their type, to which a property or properties in a

specified area are put.

3. The ratio of actual gross income to income which

would result if all rentable space were rented at

specified rates. (See occupancy: occupancy

RATIO.) —building occupancy.—The use in which a building

is placed, such as business, public, etc. —certificate of occupancy. —A statement signed by a

building official setting forth (1) that a building or structure complies with aU ordinances or (2) that a

building, structure, or parcel of land may be lawfully

used for specified purposes, or both. —class of occupancy

—The particular occupancy of a

building or structure as described in building regulations. —business occupancy.—Occupancy of a building

or portion thereof for the manufacture, storage, conversion, and sale of goods, or for carrying on a

business, or rendering professional services. The

building maj' be a warehouse, store, office building,

factory. —ground or lot occupancy.—That part or per- centage of the ground, lot, or plot occupied or covered by buildings or structures. —institutional occupancy.—Occupancy of a build- ing or portion thereof by persons under medical,

charitable, or other care or treatment, or by per- sons held or detained by reason of public or civic duty, or for correctional purposes. The building

may be a hospital, asylum, sanitarium, fire house,

police station, jail, or the like. —miscellaneous occupancy.—Occupancy of a

building or structure such as a garage, stable, wharf, hangar, and the like, not included specifi- cally in other classes of occupancy. —mixed occupancy.—Two or more classes of occupancy in the same building. —public occupancy. —Occupancy of a building or structure or portion thereof for the transaction of public business, for civic, political, educational.

[19]
religious, social, or recreational purposes. The

building may be a courthouse, school, library, museum (other than private), exhibition building,

lecture hall, church, assembly hall, lodge room, dance haU, theater, armory, or the like. The

structure may be a recreation pier, grandstand,

bathhouse, or the like. —residential occupancy. —Occupancj' of a build- ing or portion thereof by one or more families or households living therein, or by a person or persons

using sleeping accommodations therein, such as those provided in dwellings, apartment houses,

hotels, lodging houses, dormitories, convents,

studios, clubhouses, and the like. —occupancy ratio:

1. The ratio of the occupied units of a property to the total available units, usually living units but sometimes area units, such as square feet of rentable area in an office building.

2. The ratio of the actual gross income from rented

units of a property to the total gross income

which would be obtained if all units were

rented at specified rates. official: —building official. —An official, usually of a municipality, charged with the enforcement of a building

code and ordinances and laws regulating the erection,

construction, demolition, repair, and alteration of structures.

(Note.—Local titles vary and include the terms "building in- spector," "building commissioner," and other titles.) —housing official:

1. An official charged with the enforcement of ordi- nances and laws regulating the occupancy, maintenance, and other features of housing.

{See housing; official: building official.)

2. A duly constituted officer of a governmental

housing agency including officers of State or

local housing authorities.

official plan. See plan types: official plan.

orientation.—The arranging or facing of a building or other structure or group of structures, with respect

to the points of the compass. Orientation may be determined bj^ a view, the sun, direction of the wind,

etc. overfiead. —In general, the expenses of direction and

administration necessary to conduct a business of any kind. owner. —In codes: A person, firm, or corporation

owning or controlling property, including a duly

authorized agent or attorney. Guardians or trus- tees and any persons having a vested or contingent

interest in the property in question may be regarded

as owners. —adjoining owner. —In building codes: The owner

of any premises adjoining those under consideration,

or his authorized agent or trustee. —full owner:

1. The owner of a property which is free and clear.

2. A term applied to a farm operator who owns all the land which he operates.

P

pantry. —A minor enclosed space in a building, usually

adjacent to a kitchen used for the storage and/or

serving of food. parapet. —A wall serving as a guard at the edge of a

roof, terrace, bridge, balcony, or the like. —parapet wall. —That part of an exterior, party, or

fire wall extending above the roof line. parge coat or parget:

1. Coarse plasterwork applied over masonry as a protection or decoration.

2. A base coat or protective coat for dampproofing.

parliing space. —A designated space for temporary

stopping, standing, or storage of vehicles. parkway. See traffic ways: parkway.

partition. —A wall that subdivides spaces within any

story of a building.

partition types: —bearing partition.—A partition which supports any

vertical load in addition to its own weight. —dwarf partition. —A partition that does not extend

from floor to ceiling. —fire partition. —A partition designed to restrict the spread of fire, or to provide an area of refuge. —nonbearing partition. —A partition extending

from floor to ceiling which supports no load other than its own weight.

penthouse. See house types: penthouse.

perennial plant. See plants: perennial plant.

pergola. —A structure whose roof, composed of girders

and cross-rafters, is open to the sky, usually supported on piers or posts in parallel rows, occasionally having

a circular or other geometric ground plan.

perron:

1. A flight of exterior steps leading to an entrance or along a walk, path, or trail, often wider in tread and less steep than the usual steps.

2. A stepped walk related to the length of stride, {Compare stepped r.amp.)

pier. —A column of masonry, usually rectangular in horizontal cross section, used to support other struc- tural members.

(Note.—In building codes, the horizontal cross-sectional area is usually specified as "not exceeding 4 square feet.") {Compare

COLUMN.) pilaster. —A part of a wall that projects not more than

one-half of its own width beyond the outside or

inside face of a wall, acting as an engaged pier. {See

buttress.)

pile. —A heavy timber, or pilla,r of metal or concrete, forced into the earth or cast in place to form a foundation member.

plan. —A drawing representing any one of the floors or horizontal cross-sections of a building, or the hori- zontal plane of any other object or area. {Compare

elevation; see also plan types.)

plan efficiency. —In buildings, the ratio of (1) , net

floor area, or of (2) rentable area, to gross floor area.

{See also areas: gross floor area, net floor

ARE.A, rentable .AREA.)

[20]

m
plan types: —gridiron plan.— rectangular arrangement of streets and blocks. —lay-out or schematic plan. —A plan showing

. controlling features of design laid out in relation to one another. —master plan.—The controlling drawing or drawings,

together with supporting explanatory data, to guide

the development of a city or town plan, a park, a

forest, or other large area. —official plan. —A plan approved by public or other

i-esponsible authority. —regional plan. —A master plan for the long-term

social, economic, and physical development of a large unit of area with natural boundaries, as a large

watershed, or a selected section of country. —site plan.—A lay-out showing the functional organization of the elements of a proposed improvement.

(Compare plan types: lay-out or schematic

PLAN.)

planning: —city planning. —The contiiuiing process of pre- paring a comprehensive design or master plan for the growth of a city or parts thereof. —group planning. —The process of designing a number of buildings for unity of appearance and

convenience of use. —land planning. —Planning the use of land to adapt

it to human need and enjoyment. —regional planning.—The formulation of plans for the social, economic, and physical development of a

region. —site planning:

1. The arrangement of buildings, open spaces,

utilities, and all related improvements on a

given area, with due regard for design, site conditions, convenience, economy, and ade- quate provision for light, air, and circulation.

2. The fimctional organization of the elements of a

proposed improvement based on the deter- mination of land use, circulation, building

location and lay-out, and utilities and other

services. —town planning:

1. The process of developing a master plan for future town growth.

2. The process of developing a coordinated program

or plan for guiding the growth of a community.

(Note.—The distinction between town planning and city planning

cannot be maintained as such in all circumstances. Generally, when

the planner conceives an integrated community development whose

extent is such that he can develop all plans, specifications, and if authorized, supervise the construction of the project within a stated

period, improvement can be considered in the field of town planning; but when the planner conceives and develops or directs the develop- ment of an improvement which must be carried into effect by others, usually by the departments or divisions of municipal authority, and

over a period which makes impractical one operation, the improve- ment is properly in the field of city planning. The greenbelt towns are typical examples of town planning where the conception was developed and specified, and construction supervised within a limited period by

the planners. A city thoroughfare plan is an example of city planning

as here designated. The usual completion of a thoroughfare plan accomplishment is spread over a period of yeare. The distinction

between the two is not entirely time, but time and the additive assist- ance of numerous subplanncrs, with which the original planners need

not have contact. (In England, town plannmg is largely synonymous

with the city-planning practices of the United States ) planning unit. —A structural division of a building

separated from other parts of the building by a

dividing wall without openings, extended through all habitable floors. If there is no such wall, the build- ing contains only one planning unit. This forms the

smallest basic unit used in project planning.

plant names, standardized. —A list of approved

scientific and common names of plants in American commerce prepared for the American Joint Committee on Hortictiltural Nomenclature, consisting of representatives of the American Association of Nurseryiuen, Ornamental Growers Association,

American Society of Landscape Architects, American

Pharmaceutical Association, American Institute of Park Executives, and the Society of American

Florists and Ornamental Horticulturists.—"Standardized Plant Names prepared for the American

Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature,"

2d Edition, 1942. planting strip. —For residential streets: A narrow

area for planting trees, shrubs, or grass along a street or drive, usually between the sidewalk and edge of road surface; often erroneously referred to as parking

strip. plants: —annual plant. —An herbaceous plant which completes its life cycle in one growirfg season.

•

biennial plant. —An herbaceous plant which completes its life cycle in two growing seasons. —deciduous plant.—A woody plant which sheds its leaves annually. —evergreen plant. —A woody or herbaceous plant,

retaining living foliage (leaves, needles, or scales) from season to season; e. g., holly, rhododendron,

pine, arbor vitae. —ground cover plant. See ground cover. —herbaceous plant.—A plant without a woody stem. —herbaceous perennial plant.—A perennial plant

having no persistent stem. —perennial plant. —A plant (woody or herbaceous)

with a normal life of 3 or more years' duration. This term is popularly applied to herbaceous

perennial plants.)

plat. —A map, plan, or chart of a city, town, section, or subdivision indicating the location and boundaries

of individual properties.

plate:

1. A horizontal structural member placed on a wall or supported on posts, studs, or corbels to carry

the trusses of a roof or to carry the rafters

directly.

2. A shoe or base member, as of a partition or other

frame.

3. A small relatively ,flat member usually of metal

placed on or in a w^all to support girders,

rafters, etc.

[21]
4. A nonstructural protective unit, sucli as a pushplate, kick-plate, etc. platform:

1. The level part of a staircase between two landings.

2. A permanent floor built above the adjoiningground, as a loading platform, or above an

adjoining floor, as the platform of a rostrum,

or a dais.

3. A movable floor, as the platform of an elevator

or dtunbwaiter.

4. A temporary floor, as of a scaffold, or a floor of a temporary building. {From "Building Code for California," 1939.) platting.—The process of mapping a subdivision plan

or any other survey lay-out. {See land: land

SUBDIVISION.)

playiield. —A large area given to outdoor athletics or games. playground.—A play area usually containing diversified recreational facilities, usually for children. plot:

1. A parcel of land or an assemblage of adjacent

parcels of land in a single unit.

2. A relatively small area of land. plumbing.—The work or business of installing in buildings the pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus

for bringing in the water supply and removing liquid

and water-borne wastes. The term is used also to denote the installed fixtures and piping of a building.

plumbing terms: —backflow. —The flow of water into a water-supply

system from any source except its regular one. Back siphonage is one type of backflow. {From

NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual," 1940.) —catch basin. —A small underground structure for surface drainage in which sediment may settle before water reaches the drain lines. —cesspool. —A covered pit with open-jointed linings into which raw sewage is discharged, the liquid portion of which is disposed of by seepage or leaching

into the surrounding porous soil, the solids or sludge

being retained in the pit. —cross-connection. —Any connection between two

water-piping systems whereby water may flow from

one system to the other, the direction of flow de- pending on the direction of the pressure difi'erential between the two systems.

(Note.—A cross-connection becomes a hazard to health when one system carries a water used for human consumption and the other

carries an impure or contaminated water. It will be convenient for purposes of discussion and analysis to divide cross-comiections into two general classes, direct and indirect, although there is no sharp demarcation between the two in principle.) (From "Cross-Connections in Plumbing Systems," J. Research NBS, 20: 479 (1938); RP1086.) —direct cross-connection.—A continuous inclosed interconnection between two piping sj'stems, such

that the flow of water from one system to the other may occur whenever a pressure differential is set up

in the connection between the two systems. Examples: Interconnections between dual water-distributing systems, completely submerged inlets from water-supply lines to closed plumbing fixtures,

tanks and vats, continuous water connections

between the supply and drain systems, priming

lines to pumps, etc. {From "Cross-Connections in Plumbing Systems," J. Research NBS, 20: 479

(1938); RP1086.)

indirect cross-connection.—A cross-connection,

frequently referred to as a potential cross-connection, in which the interconnection is not continuously inclosed and the completion of the cross- connection depends on the occurrence of one or more abnormal conditions. Examples: Waterclosets with direct flusla-valve supply, bathtubs

and lavatories with faucet openings that may

become submerged, and other plumbing fixtures and equipment whose supply inlets may become

partially or wholly submerged. {From "Cross- Connections in Plumbing Systems," J. Research

NBS, 20: 479 (1938); RP1086.)

downspout.—A pipe which carries water from the

roof or gutter to the ground or to any part of the

drainage system. (Synonymous with conductor,

leader, rainspout.)

drainage: —building {house) drain.—That part of the lowest

horizontal piping of a building drainage system

which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and

other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building

and conveys it to the building (house) sewer be- ginning 5 feet outside the inner face of the building

wall. {From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual,"

1940.) —building {house) subdrain.—That portion of a

drainage system which cannot drain by gravity

into the building sewer. {From NBS BMS66,

"Plumbing Manual," 1940.) —building drainage system.—All piping provided

for carrying waste water, sewage, or other drainage,

from the building to the street sewer or place of disposal. {From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual," 1940.) —dry well. —A covered pit with open-jointed linings

through which drainage from roofs, basement floors, or areaways maj^ seep or leach into the surrounding

porous soil. —main.—The principal artery of the system to which

branches may be connected. —building main.—The water-supply pipe, including fittings and accessories, from the water (street) main or other source of supply to the first branch

of the water-distributing system. {From NBS

BMS66, "Plumbing Manual," 1940.) —plumbing fixtures. —Receptacles which receive and

discharge water, liquid, or water-borne wastes into a

drainage system with which they are connected. {From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual," 1940.) —plumbing stack. —-A general term for the vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping.

{From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual," 1940.) —plumbing system,—A system of pipes including the

water-service line and building drainage lines from

their several connections within the building to their connections with the public mains or individual
water-supply and sewage-disposal systems, together

with fixtures, traps, vents, and other devices con- nected thereto. Storm-water drainage pipes may be

considered a part of the plumbing system when con- nected to a public sewerage system.

roughing-in. —The work of installing all pipes in the drainage system and all water pipes to the point

where connections are made with the plumbing fix- tures. seepage pit. —A covered pit which receives the efflu- ent from a septic tank or the waste from laundry

trays. septic tank. —A sewage-settling tank intended to retain the sludge in immediate contact with the sewage flowing through the tank, for a sufficient period to secure satisfactory decomposition of or- ganic sludge solids by bacterial action. sewage,—The liquid or water-borne wastes carried away from buildings with or without such ground or surface water as may be present. sewer.—A conduit, usually closed, designed or used

for carrying sewage from buildings and/or ground

and surface water to sewage-disposal plants or to natural bodies of water. sewer system.—A system comprising all sewers

(sanitary, storm, and combined), culverts, and subsurface drains needed to conduct sanitary sewage and

storm water from a site. sewer types: —building (house) sewer. —That part of the hori- zontal piping of a building drainage system ex- tending from the building drain 5 feet outside of the inner face of the building wall to the street sewer or other place of disposal (a cesspool, septic

tank, or other type of sewage-treatment device or

devices) and conveying the drainage of but one

building site. (From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing

Manual," 1940.) —sanitary seiver. —^A sewer designed or used only

for conveying liquid or water-borne waste from

plumbing fixtures. (From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual," 1940.) —storm sewer.—A sewer used for conveying rain or subsurface water. sewerage. —The composite -parts of a sewer system

including conduits, pumping stations, treatment

works, and such other works as may be employed

in the collection, treatment, or disposal of sewage.

soil pipe. —Any pipe which convej's the discharges

of water-closets, or fixtures having similar functions,

with or without the discharges from other fixtures.

tile field:

1. The system, of open-joint drain tiles laid to dis- tribute septic-tank effluent over its absorption area.

2. A tile system laid to provide subsoil drainage for wet areas. —trap. —A fitting or device so designed and constructed as to provide a liquid trap seal which will prevent the passage of air through it. (From NBS

BMS66, "Plumbing Manual," 1940.)

—vent. —-A pipe installed to provide a flow of air to or from a drainage system or to provide a circulation

of air within such system to protect trap seals from

siphonage and back pressure. —vent types: —back vent. —A branch vent installed primarily for the purpose of protecting fixture traps from .self- siphonage. (From NBS BMS66, "Plumbing

Manual," 1940.) —vent stack. —A vertical vent pipe installed ])ri- marily for the purpose of providing circulation of

air to or from any part of the building drainage

system. —water-closet:

1. A plumbing fixture consisting of a bowl for the

reception of fecal discharges and equipment

for flushing the bowl with water.

2. A minor enclosed space in a building equipped

with such a plumbing fixture. —water-distribution system.—In USHA work: All new water mains and service lines, outside of building

lines (or to a point near the building line) , needed for domestic water supply and fire protection for the

project. (From USHA Bulletin No. 14, "Policy and

Procedure," 1938.) —water-supply system of a building,—All the

water-service pipes, the water-distributing pipes, and

the necessary connecting pipes, fittings, and control

valves. (From. NBS BMS66, "Plumbing Manual,"

1940.) —dual main system of water supply.—The use

of two underground conduits, pipes, or lines, each

to supply one side of a street. pointing:

1. The treatment of joints in masonry for appearance

or protection by filling with mortar under tool pressure and usually to a definite form.

2. The filling placed in joints of roofing of slate, tile, etc., as a closure. police power. —"That power (police power) . . . embraces regulations designed to promote the public

convenience or the general prosperity as well as regulations designed to promote the public health, the public morals, or the public safety . . . That

power is not confined, as we have said, to the suppression of what is offensive, disorderly, or unsanitary. It extends to so dealing with the conditions which exist in the State as to bring out of them the

greatest welfare of its people. . . ." (Bacon v. Walker, 204 U. S. 311, 317, 318 (1907), The Supreme

Court of the United States.) porch. —A floor extending beyond the exterior walls

of a building. It may be enclosed or unenclosed. portico. —An open space having a roof supported by

columns, located outside an entrance to or exit from

a building.

prevailing wage:

1. On work other than public work of the United

States Government: The wage paid the majoi-ity of workers in a specific class of occupation

in a particular community.

[23]
2. On public works of the United States Government:

The wage or rate for any specific class of labor

as set by the Secretary of Labor under the BaconDavis Act, August 30, 1935. pro rata. —A term meaning "in proportion." It re- lates to the distribution of any fund, implying that the distribution is made upon some proportional

basis. proUle:

1. The surface outline of a given plane section, either straight or curved, as of a highway, building, or other structure.

2. A vertical section through any area of country.

3. A longitudinal vertical section through any work

to show the elevations commonly along the

center line of a road or wall. profit:

1. The excess of income over all costs incidental to

its production.

2. The gain resulting from the employment of capital.

property:

1. A lot or plot with or without buildings or other improvements.

2. Any or all rights to the benefits and services or to the contracted services of free persons.

3. The objective things, such as land, buildings, etc., (but not persons), which are the subject of such rights.

property line. —A recorded boundary of a plot. —property-line wall. See walls: propeety-line

WALL. property types: —income property.—Property which is capable of yielding an income in cash and the ownership of which

is desired primarily on this account. —personal property.—All property other than real property. —real property:

1. Any estate in freehold.

2. The land and improvements which constitute the subjects of a freehold estate.

3. In law: All lands, including improvements and

fixtures permanently affixed thereto, and

property or rights of ownership of any nature appurtenant thereto. (See real estate;

REALTY.) —service property.—A property, such as a church,

school, or hospital, which is not operated for profit, and which is not commonly bought and sold in the market.

protective covenant:

1. A written agreement restricting the use of real property and intended to protect and benefit the

property.

2. A restriction appearing in a conveyancing instru- ment affecting the use of real property.

public service station. See buildings: public service STATION. public utilities. —Public services or facilities, such as

electricity, gas, telephone, water, sewers, etc.

—subsurface utilities. —The public services underground, including sewers, gas, water lines, and sometimes telephone and electric-light conduits. public-utility company.—A company engaged in rendering a service to the public, usualty of a

monopolistic or quasimonopolistic character and

subject to governmental regulation as to rates of

service, capitalization, etc. public- utility (public-service) property.—A property devoted to the production of commodities or

service of general community consumption and

therefore vested with public interest. (Note.—Usually having status as a monopoly or quasimonopoly.with

or without benefit of franchise, and ordinarily under some form of governmental regulation and control.) purlin.—A horizontal member usually laid at right

angles to main rafters or trusses of a roof to support

elements of the roof framing.

Q

quantity survey.—An inventory of the quantity of materials and labor required to complete a construction operation, compiled for the purpose of estimating.

R

rabbet.—A rectangular longitudinal groove cut in the

corner of a board or other piece of material. rafter.—One of a series of structural members of a

roof designed to support roof loads. The rafters of a flat roof are sometimes called roof joists. rafter types: —hip rafter.—A rafter which forms the intersection

of an external roof angle. —jack rafter.—A rafter which spans the distance from a wall plate to a hip or from a valley to a ridge. —valley rafter.—A rafter which forms the intersec- tion of an internal roof angle.

ramp.—An inclined plane connecting separate levels. (See STEPPED RAMP.) range.—The area included between two range lines. (Compare township.) —range line. —One of a series of imaginary lines on

the earth's surface, running due north and south at

6-mile intervals and used for locating and describing

parcels of land under government survey. (5ee meridian: principal meridian; township line.) real estate.—Land and whatever is permanently

affixed thereto. realty. —Synonymous with real estate. recreational area. See areas: recreational area.

recreational center:

1. Neighborhood or community play-area.

2. A building and/or grounds used for general public

play or leisure-time activities. regional plan. See plan types: regional plan.

regional planning. See planning: regional planning.

[24]
registered architect, engineer, or landscape architect:

1, A professional who is licensed to practice under

registration laws.

2. A person licensed to practice under registration

laws. rehabilitation.—A phj'sieal change designed to raise the use value of a deteriorated structure or area. remodeling.—The act of changing the physical

characteristics of a building. rent. —The payment for the use of land, buildings, or other real or personal property. Rental often used synonymously. —econorriic rent:

1. In housing: The amount of rent sufficient to cover all costs of operation and maintenance,

to yield a reasonable return on the investment,

and to amortize the investment in wasting

assets over the productive life of the building.

2. In economics : The earnings attributed to the services of land as distinct from capital and labor.

3. A rent which would be obtainable for given ac- commodations or space at a specified time as

distinct from the rent called for in an existing

lease on the same accommodations or space. —ground rent. —The rent paid for the right of use and

occupancy of a parcel of unimproved land, or that

portion of the rent paid for the use and occupancy

of a parcel of improved land which is imputed to the land as distinguished from the improvements. —inclusive rent. —Rent that includes charges for certain services, such as hot and cold water, heat,

light, refrigeration, and fuel for cooking. —shelter rent. —Rent that does not include charges

for hot water, heat, light, refrigeration, or fuel for cooking, but sometimes includes cost of water. repair.—Any labor or material provided to restore a

building or any part thereof to a sound condition. replacement.—The act of supplying a new object to supplant an object that has reached the end of its useful life, to serve the same purpose as the object

supplanted. Also the object supplied. —replacement insurance.—Any labor or material

supplied to restore a building to such condition as it was in, prior to damage by fire, flood, tornado, or other insurable hazard. residence. See buildings: residence. restaurant. See buildings: restaurant.

restriction. —An encumbrance on land which limits its use, imposed for mutual or community protection. restrictive covenant. See protective covenant. ribbon development.—A building development ex- tending along a main suburban or countrj' road like a ribbon lying across the countryside, in contradistinction to a compact development extending laterally

from one or both sides of a highway. (Sometimes

called "string development.")

rights: —air right:

1. A right to build in, occupy, and otherwise use

that portion of real property above a stated

elevation, in conjunction with definitely located spaces on the ground surface, for foundation and supporting columns.

2. An air lease. —littoral right. —The right attached to a parcel of land which appertains to seas or great lakes bordering on such a parcel. —right of way:

1. A right of passage.

2. The area over which the right of passage exists. —riparian right.—^Any right appurtenant to a parcel

of land which appertains to water bordering on, or

within, or under such parcel; e. g., the rights to natural flow unobstructed by artificial checks or

barriers, to freedom from unreasonable pollution, of access to the water, of accretion. —squatter's right. —Right to occupancy of land

created by virtue of long and undisturbed use without

legal title or arrangement. —water right. —A property consisting of the rights to a water supply.

riprap. —Stones or other material placed on a slope to prevent erosion by water action. roof. —The entire construction used to close in the top

of a building.

roof hip. —The sloping line at the junction of two roof

surfaces where an external angle greater than 180

degrees is formed. roof ridge.—The horizontal line at the junction of the

top edges of two roof surfaces where an external angle greater than 180 degrees is formed. roof types: —curb (or curbed) roof. —-A roof in which the slope is broken on two or more sides; so called because a

horizontal curb is built at the plane where the slope

changes. —flat roof. —A roof which is flat or one which is pitched only enough to provide for drainage. {Compare ROOF types: pitched roof.) —gabled roof.—A ridge roof which terminates in a

gable. —gambrel roof. —A gable roof each slope of which is broken into two planes.

—hip {or hipped) roof:

1. In general, a roof which has one or more hips.

2. A roof which has four sloping sides that meet

at four hips, or at four hips and a ridge. —lean-to roof:

1. A roof which has a single sloping surface that

is supported at the top by a wall that is higher than the roof.

2. A roof which has a single sloping surface. —mansard roof.—A type of curb roof in which the

pitch of the upper portion of a sloping side is slight

and that of the lower portion steep. The lower

portion is usually interrupted by dormer windows.

—monitor roof. —A type of gable roof commonly used on industrial buildings, which has a raised portion

along the ridge with openings for light and/or air. —pent roof. —A roof, other than a lean-to roof, w"hich has a single sloping surface.

[25]
—pitched roof. —A roof which has one or more slopmg

surfaces pitched at angles greater than necessary for drainage. (Compare roof types: flat roof.) —pyramid roof. —A hip roof which has four sloping

surfaces, usually of equal pitch, that meet at a peak. —ridge roof. —A roof which has one or more ridges.

roof valley. —The sloping line at the junction of two

roof surfaces where an external angle less than 180

degrees is formed.

roofing. —The materials applied to the structural parts

of a roof to make it watertight. room.—An enclosed space for occupancy within a building excluding service space such as halls, closets, and vestibules. Minimum dimensions and require- ments for light and ventilation are usually prescribed

by constituted authorities. (Compare rooms: habitable room; room cottnt.) room count. —The total number of rooms and half rooms in a living unit or group of living units, half rooms being counted as one-half each.

(Note.—1. In USHA-aided projects, bathrooms, halls, closets' laundries, utility rooms, storage rooms, and community or recrea' tional rooms are not counted as rooms.

From USH.\ Bulletin No. 17, "Definition of Terms," 1939.

2. In rental housing work insured by the Federal Housing Administration, strip kitchens located in a room, or in a closet space are not counted, nor are bathrooms, interior foyers, or other accessory interior spaces.—From Federal Housing Administration "Architectural Plan- ning and Procedure for Rental Housing.") —half room.—A kitchen with an area less than 60 square feet but over 50 square feet, or a dining alcove with an area over 45 square feet and having separate

outside light. (<See Federal Housing Administration

"Architectural Planning and Procedure for Rental

Housing.") roomer.—A person living in a living unit or rooming

house, who has agreed to pay a specific rent for a. specified space. Distinguished from a guest in that the keeper of the lodging is not subject to innkeeijer's

liability. rooms: —bathroom.—A room equipped with bathtub, or shower compartment, and usually washbasin and

water-closet. —bedroom. —Any room designed or used for sleeping.

—dining room.—A room designed or used as a place

for eating. —dressing room. —A room designed or used for putting on, removing, or adjusting wearing apparel

and sometimes providing space for its storage. —guest room:

1. A bedroom in a living unit designed for the use

of visitors.

2. A room to be let or hired out for living or sleeping purposes. —habitable room.—A room designed to be used for

living, sleeping, eating, or cooking, excluding bath- rooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, storage, and similar spaces. —hazardous room. —A room the occupancy of which

involves unusual danger from fire, explosion, or other causes.

—kitchen. —A room designed or used primarily for the preparation and cooking of food. (Compare rooms:

KITCHENETTE.) —kitchenette. —An enclosed space designed or used

as a kitchen but usually with less and smaller equipment than that used in a kitchen and with a floor area reduced to the lowest practical minimum. (See .APARTMENT TYPES: KITCHENETTE APARTMENT.) —laundry. —A room or other space designed for washing personal apparel and housekeeping textiles, equipped with suitable plumbing and service for lautidry devices. —living room. —A room in a living unit designed as

the meeting place of the family and visitors. —men's room. —A room equipped with one or more

water-closets and lavatories, and usually urinals, designated for the use of men.

nursery room. —A room designed or used to accom- modate young children. —recreation room.—A room designed for recreational

facilities for the occupants of a dwelling, a building, or a project.

•

storeroom or storage room. —An enclosed space designed or used for depositing household goods or goods required for the regular occupancy or mainte- nance of a building. —suite or suite of rooms.—Two or more habitable rooms designed for use as a unit. —transformer room. —An enclosed space designed or used primarily to house electric transformers. (See ELECTRICAL TERMS: TR.ANSFORMER.) —utility room.—A room, other than a habitable room,

designed or used for laundry or heating equipment

or for other related purposes. —women's room. —A room equipped with one or more

water-closets and lavatories, and designated for the

use of women.

S

satellite community. —A subordinate center, in a

metropolitan area or within the zone of influence of a

large city. It is usually a separate political entity.

(Compare garden city; greenbelt town.)

screen planting. —Trees or shrubs planted as a hedge

or mixed freely in groups to screen or shut out an

undesired view or views. seating capacity. —The number of seats in, or that may be legally placed in, an assembly hall, theater, or auditorium.

septic tank. See plumbing terms: septic tank.

service area, service court, or service yard. See areas: service .area, service court, or service

yard.

service building. See buildings: service building.

service drive. See traffic ways: service drive. service station. See buildings: public service

st.ation. services, common or Joint. See common services.

setback:

1. The horizontal distance between the faces of the

exterior wall of one story and the exterior wall

[26]
next above it, where a lower story extends beyond a higher story.

2. The horizontal distance between the wall of a

building and the adjacent street line.

3. The horizontal distance between the wall of the upper story or stories of a building and the wall

below. sewer. See plumbing terms: sewer.

sewerage. See plumbing terms: sewerage.

shack. See buildings: shack.

shaft. —A vertical enclosed space passing through at

least one floor and used for ventjlation,Jight, elevators, wiring, piping, or similar purposes. share cropper.—A person working on a farm (usually

having no tools, equipment, or capital, and havmg

only labor to offer) to whom the landlord provides

food, buildings, stock, tools, seed, and part or all of the fertilizer, in exchange for a specified share of the crop produced.

sheathing.—The structural covering, usually of boards

or wallboards, placed over exterior studding or

rafters of a structure. —sheathing paper.—A building material used in wall and roof construction as a protection against the passage of air and sometimes moisture. shed. See buildings: shed. shop. See buildings: store. shopping center.-—A concentration of business places or retail stores to serve a community or neighbor- hood. shoulder (highway). —A supporting shelf of graded

ground along the side of a road or walk or a natural

surface, sometimes referred to as a berm.

sill:

1. The lowest member of the frame of a structure, usually horizontal, resting on the foundation

and supporting the uprights of the frame.

2. That member forming the lower side of an opening, as door sill, window sill, etc. site plan. See plan types: site plan.

site planning. See planning: site planning.

skylight. —Any cover or enclosure placed above a roof opening to provide for the admission of natural light. slum. —An area in which the majority of the dwellings

are detrimental to the safety, health, morals, comfort, and welfare of the inhabitants because of dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding, arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities, or a combination of these factors. —slum clearance.—The removal of a slum condition by demolition of all existing structures. This should not be confused with the construction of new housing

upon the same site. —slum reclamation.—The improvement of a slum

area or of a cleared slum site in order to provide for a more suitable use.

soffit. —The underside of the members of a building,

such as staircases, cornices, beams, arches, etc., relatival}^ minor in size as compared with ceilings.

soil pipe. See plumbing terms: soil pipe.

space: —common space. —Any exterior or interior space such as a yard, court, walk, vestibule, or hall de- signed for the joint use of families occupying a build- ing that includes two or more living units. —maintenance and repair space.—Space provided

in a building or on a property for shop and storage purposes, for use by members of the maintenance

and repair crew employed by the management.

(See rooms: utility room.) —open space. See areas: open area or open space. —permanent open spaces.—Areas which are in- tended to remain predominantly open although small

structures may be erected and improvements may be

made in the form of grading and landscaping. Ex- amples of this type of use are parks, playgrounds,

and cemeteries. —roof space.—A space between the ceiling of the top

habitable story and the roof, usually without floor and not intended for habitation or storage. (Compare story: attic story.) —service space. —Any exterior or interior space

designed or used primarily for the delivery or storage

of goods or for utilities; including among others: service roads, walks, driveways, and courts; service

halls and stairways; utility rooms, plumbing rooms, and transformer rooms. span.—The distance between structural supports such

as walls, columns, piers, beams, girders, and trusses. spandrel or spandril:

1. The panel between the top of a window or door at one story and sill of a window or door at the

story above.

2. That space contained between the line of the inner

surface of an arch and a line projected horizontally through the highest portion of the arch. specification. —A written document stipulating the

kind, quality, and sometimes the quantity of materials and workmanship required for any construction or

work.

splash block. —A small masonry block laid with the

top close to the ground surface to receive roof drain- age and carry it away from the building.

sprinkler.—In connection with fire protection, a

device, the opening of which permits the discharge of water or other fire-extinguishing substances. —automatic sprinkler. —A sprinkler operated automatically by heat. square.—A unit of measure—100 square feet—usually

applied to roofing materials. (See also block.)

stable. See buildings: stable.

stairs: —flight of stairs or steps. —A run of stairs or steps

between landings. —stair landing. —A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. stair rise. —The vertical distance from the top of one stair tread to the top of the one next above.

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stairway, stair, or stairs. —A series of steps, with or without landings, or platforms, usuallj- between two

or more floors of a building.

stairway types: —enclosed stairway. —A stairwaj" enclosed by and

separated from hallways and living units by means

of walls or partitions and made accessible to such

hallways or living units by means of a door or doors. —interior stairway. —A stairway within the exterior walls of a building. —open stairway. —A stairway the floor landings of wliich are a part of the public hallways.

stepped ramp.— A series of steps, connected by ramps, on a slope. (Sometimes called "ramped steps.")

(Compare perron; ramp.)

stool. —The flat, narrow shelf, forming the top member

of the interior trim at the bottom of a window.

stoop.—A small porch, veranda, or platform, or a stairway, outside an entrance to a building. store. See buildings: store.

story. —That part of a building comprised between any

floor and the floor or roof next above.

(Note.—Most building codes specifically include cellars and base- ments as stories. A few (notably the Pacific Coast Code and that of Knoxville, Tenn.) exclude cellars and basements unless the ceiling is more than 5 feet abo\ e grade.) —attic story. —That part of a building situated wholly

or partly within the roof frame, or between the topstory ceiling and the roof, usable for storage but not

finished for habitation. (Compare room count;

space: roof space; story: half story.) —first story. —A story the floor of which is nearest the

sidewalk or adjoining grade at the main entrance; other stories are numbered in regular succession,

counting upward. —half story. —That part of a building situated wholly

or partly within the roof frame finished for habitation. (Compare story: attic story.) —height of story. See measurements: height of

story.

street. See traffic ways: street. —articulated street pattern.—The design and construction of streets and walks to serve particular

functions, i. e., through traffic, service lanes, pedestrian walks, etc. (From USHA Bulletin No. 11, "Policy and Procedure," 1939.) —street line. —The line of demarcation between a

street and the land abutting thereon. structure.—Anything erected which requires permanent location on the ground or is attached to something having a permanent location on the ground.

(Note.—Most building codes specifically include "buildings" in the

category of "structures." A few (for example, that of Niagara Falls, N. Y., and the National Board of Fire Underwriters) include tents, stadiums, observation towers, bridges, etc., but specifically exclude

"buildings.") stud. —One of a series of slender wood or metal struc- tural members u.sed as supporting elements in walls and partitions. (Plural: studs or studding.)

subdivision.—A parcel of land divided into blocks,

lots, or plots for immediate or future use or sale, or

for building developments.

T

tax. —A charge levied by a government upon persons

or propertj' to defray the cost of government services performed for the common benefit. (Compare assessment: special assessment.)

taxpayer:

1. A person who pays a tax, whether he finally bears

the burden or shifts it; generally defined in law

to include all persons liable for payment of a

tax, whether or not they actually pay it. 2. ^Aiso used to mean a more or less temporary build- ing improvement which produces enough income

to cover taxes and give an adequate return on

the building investment, but not enough in addition thereto to provide an adequate return on the land value. tenancy.—Occupancy of a property usually by per- sons other than those in whom the fee title is vested. tenant: —cash tenant.—A farm tenant who pays his rent in cash. —share tenant.—A farm tenant who operates a farm

under his own direction and by use of his own capital

and equipment and divides specified products with

the owner. (Compare share cropper.) tenant's improvements. See improvement: tenant's improvements. tenant relations program.—In USHA-aided projects: A regular plan under professional supervision

of- tenant .selection, rent collection, community activities, tenant maintenance, and welfare services. (From USHA "Model Management Resolution for the First Budget Period," 1939.) tenement.—A living unit in a tenement house.

(See also buildings: tenement or tenement house.)

(Note.—The term "tenement" has been widely used to indicate substandard, inadequate, or slum housing. That connotation has become fixed. The terms "apartment," "apartment house," "multiple housing," and "multifamily housing," closely related to tene- ment, carry no such connotation.) termite shield. —A shield, usually of sheet metal,

placed in or on a foundation wall or other mass of masonry or around pipes to prevent the passage of termites. terrace:

1. An essentially level and defined area, usually

raised, either paved or planted, forming part

of a garden or building setting.

2. A structure comprised of three or more one-family row dwellings. theater. See buildings: theater.

thermostat,—An instrument that controls automatically the operation of heating or cooling devices by

responding to changes in temperature.

thoroughfare. See traffic ways: thoroughfare.

title. See abstract of title. topographical map.—A map showing the contour of the land and the existing earth and water features and surface characteristics of a tract of ground.

Trees, woods, forests, roads, buildings, soil character,

and surface or subsurface utilities are often indicated.

[28]
—topographical survey.—The field and office work

incidental to preparation of a topographical map.

town planning. See planning: town planning.

township:

1. The area included between two adjacent township lines and two adjacent range lines, containing thirty-six sections.

2. A political subdivision of a county, usually unincorporated. (Sometimes called "town.")

-

township line. —One of a series of imaginary lines on the earth's surface running due east and west at 6-mile intervals and used for locating and describing

parcels of land under government survey.

traffic ways: —alley:

1. A narrow service way providing a secondary

public means of access to abutting properties.

2. An established public or private passageway

for vehicles and pedestrians, affording a secondary means of access to abutting

properties. —arterial highway, road, or street.—A primary

thoroughfare for vehicular traffic that is a main

channel, with tributaries. —avenue.—A dedicated traffic way. The word

"avenue" is of useful local significance where "avenues" may be north to south streets, and "streets" may be east to west avenues. Also "avenue" may

be used to confer distinction on main streets, and in other commilnities residential streets. The term is without distinctive significance in planning or in law.

It often represents a realtor's distinction between narrow and broader streets. —boulevard.—A dedicated traffic way, which is usually broader and usually of more significance in the thoroughfare plan of a city than an avenue, street, road, etc. Preferably, the term should be reserved for streets which have a center strip. In most cities, the boulevard is planted with shade trees and less often with other ornamental planting, but in the downtown

areas the term is without any pertinent value. —cul-de-sac.—A minor street with entrance and exit at the same end. —drive. —A dedicated street or road. The word is used as an alternate for a street, road, avenue, etc., occasionally restrained in use to the names for the narrower and distinctly minor residential streets of a

city or subdivision and sometimes used in connection

with park roads. —driveway.—A private way for the use of vehicles and pedestrians.

—freeway.—A strip of public land similar to a highwa}' but intended for rapid through traffic. Owners of abutting property have no right of access, nor any

right to air or light. —highway.—The entire right of way devoted to public travel, including the sidewalks and other

public spaces if such exist, to which the owners of abutting property have right of access. —lane. —A public or private traffic way of minor

character.

—parkway. —A limited-access highway open only to noncommercial traffic and without privileges to owners of abutting properties of light, air, and

access, located in a park or ribbon of parklike land owned or controlled by a public authority, usually a park authority. - road.—A rural or urban traffic way, with or without

constructed gutters, curbs, and walks. Road is more often applied in country areas, street in city areas. —service drive. —A vehicular passage affording access

to buildings or properties, frequently for delivery of supplies. —street:

1. The generic term for the strip of land reserved

for public use, for purposes of transportation,

communication, and access to property front- ing on the street. The street may be merely

named "street" or disguised under euphonisms such as avenue, boulevard, drive, lane, road, and occasionally "way" added as a

suffix.

2. A public way which affords principal means of access to abutting property. {From "Property Standards and Minimum Construction

Requirements," Federal Housing Administration.) —circumferential street. —A loop or arterial highway around a city or a subdivision. —dead-end street. —A street having a closed end. —dedicated street. —A street the title to which is permanently or temporarih' yielded by the owner and accepted by the authorities for the use and

benefit of the public. —loop street. —A dedicated public passageway

encircling or passing around a given area. —minor street. —A public way providing for a small amount of traffic, usuaih- applied to streets in resi- dential districts. —vacated street. —A street abandoned by a public

authority through appropriate official action. The

vacated street may be assigned to another use by

the same or another public authority or may be re- turned to the owners of the frontage on the street according to local law. In some States, the street

is merely an easement for public use and benefit

until officially vacated. —thoroughfare.—A through (or arterial) wa}- for continuing traffic. —traffic lane. —A unit width of a road surface ade- quate to accommodate a moving vehicle. —ivay. —^A street, alley, or other thoroughfare or ease- ment permanently established for passage of persons

or vehicles. trap. See plumbing terms: trap.

trim.—The finish materials in a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim,

door trim) or at the floor and ceiling of rooms (base- board, cornice, picture molding).

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trimmer.—In carpentry: A beam or joist into which

a header is framed in framing for a chimney, stair- way, or other opening. (Compare header.)

trust agreement.—An arrangement whereby an owner (the trustee or settler) transfers legal title and

control of property to a second party (the trustee) under conditions set forth in an agreement which

vests authority in the trustee to hold, manage, or dispose of the property for the benefit of a third party, the beneficiarj'.

U

unearned increment.-—An increase in value of property due primarily to the operation of social or economic forces rather than to the efforts or initiative of the owner.

uses: —commercial use. —Use predominantly for trade or commercial service purposes.

•

industrial use. —Use for manufacturing purposes,

often accompanied by warehouses, freight yards,

docks, etc. —land use. —The process of extracting economic or

social gain from the land, i. e., the process through

which a use value is created. —agricultural use. —Use of land predominantly for raising produce or livestock. —inharmonious land use. —A land use which is nonconforming with its surroundings and which

usually tends to depreciate the value of other

properties within its zone of influence. —nonconforming use. —Use that does not agree with the regulations of the district.

nonresidential use. —Use for purposes unrelated

to the residential character of the property, including

commercial, industrial, and professional uses. —residential use. —Use for purposes related to the

residential character of the property.

utilities. See public utilities. V

vacancy.—A rentable unit which is not occupied. —actual vacancy ratio:

1. The ratio, commonly expressed as a percentage,

of the sum of the rental values of the vacant

living units to the sum of the rental values

of all living units in any given building or group of buildings at a given time.

2. The ratio between the number of vacant units and the total number of units. value:

1. The present worth of all of the rights to future

benefits arising from ownership as deter- mined by use (specific or highest and best), user (specific or typical), and terms of ownership (limited or unlimited).

2. Ability to command goods or money in exchange.

3. The quantity of goods or money which should

be received in exchange for the property under

consideration.

—assessed value. —The figure at which property is valued on the assessment roll by an authorized assessment agency. vault:

1. An enclosed space within or adjacent to a building

usually intended for the safekeeping of goods or the safety of the occupants of the building. Vaults are usually provided with means of ventilation though provision for natural light

is not considered essential.

2. An arched ceiling or roof. —sidewalk vault.—An extension of a cellar beyond

the building line and under a sidewalk. vendee. —A buyer, usually a buyer of real property

under a contract of sale which gives the right of possession but does not convey title. vent: (See also plumbing terms: vent.)

1. A minor opening provided to allow the passage of

air through any space in a building, such as the

attic roof space or the unexcavated area under

a first-floor construction.

2. A flue connecting any interior space in a building

with the outer air for purposes of ventilation. ventilation. —The process of supplying and removing

air by natural or mechanical means to or from any

space. (Such air may or may not have been conditioned.)

cross ventilation (natural). —Ventilation through

openings in adjacent outside walls. (Sometimes

called "corner ventilation.")

•

through ventilation (natural).—Ventilation through openings in opposite outside walls. (Sometimes called "cross ventilation.")

vestibule:

1. A minor enclosed space at the entrance of a building.

2. An entry.

W

wainscot or wainscoting (dado). —^The facing material applied to the lower part of an interior wall contrasting with that of the upper part. (This material

is usually of wood but may be of marble, tile, or other material.) walls: —bearing wall. —A wall which supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight. —common wall. —A wall owned by one party but

jointly used by two parties, one or both of whom is entitled to such use under the provisions of a lease. —curtain wall. —A nonbearing wall between columns

or piers which is not supported by girders or beams. —dry wall. —A wall of stone or other durable material,

laid without mortar. —enclosure wall. —An exterior nonbearing wall in skeleton construction ancliored to columns, piers, or

floors, but not necessarily built between columns or

piers.

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—exterior wall. —Any outside wall or vertical enclo- sure of a building other than a party or common wall. —faced wall. —A masonry wall faced on one or both

sides with a material different from the body of the

wall, in which the facing and the body are bonded

so that they will act as a unit under loads. —fire wall. —A wall which subdivides a building to

restrict the spread of fire. It starts at the foimdation and extends continuously through all stories to and above the roof. —fire-division wall. —A wall which subdivides a

building to restrict the spread of fire, but is not

necessarily continuous through all stories nor ex- tended through the roof. —foundation wall. —Any bearing wall or pier below

the first-floor construction. —nonbearing wall. —A wall which supports no vertical load other than its own weight. —panel wall. —A nonbearing wall in skeleton construction built between columns or piers and wholly

supported at each story. —parapet wall.—That part of an exterior, party, or

fire wall extending above the roof line. —party wall. —A wall used jointly by two parties

under easement agreement and erected at or upon a

line separating two parcels of land that may be held under different ownership. —property-line wall. —A wall built to and along a property line. —retaining wall:

1. Any wall subjected to lateral pressure other than wind pressure.

2. A wall built to support a bank of earth. —veneered wall. —A wall with a masonry facing,

which is attached to but not bonded so as to form an

integral part of the wall for purposes of load bearing

and stability. (Compare walls: faced wall.)

wallboard.—Wood pulp, gypsum, or similar materials made into large rigid sheets that may be fastened to the frame of a building to provide a surface finish. water table:

1. The level below which the ground is saturated.

2. A ledge or offset on or above a foundation wall, formed to shed water. water-distribution system. See plumbing terms: WATBE-DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. watershed.—The total area draining into a common

water course, a lake, system of lakes, or an ocean. water-supply system of a building. See plumbing

TEHMS: WATER-SUPPLY SYSTEM OF A BUILDING. way. See traffic ways: way. weephole.—A small hole, as in a retaining wall, to drain water to the outside. well. —An open, unoccupied minor area bounded on all sides by the walls of a building passing through at

least one floor, commonly used to supply light and air for stairways and minor interior spaces.

width. See measurements: court measure.me.nts. window. —An opening to the outside, other than a door, which provides all or part of the required natural

light, natural ventilation, or both, to an interior space. The glazed portion of a door in an exterior

wall may be construed to be a window.

window types: —bay window.—A rectangular, curved, or polygonal

window or group of windows, supported on a foundation extending beyond the main wall of a building. —dormer window.—A vertical window, in a relatively small internal recess, projecting from a sloping roof. (See DORMER.) —fire window. —A window that, with its frame, sash,

and glazing, is designed to restrict the spread of fire. —oriel window.—A window or group of windows that

projects from the main line of an enclosing wall of a

building and is carried on brackets, corbels, or a

cantilever.

•

show window. —A window designed or used for the

display of goods.

wing. —A lateral extension of a building from the main

portion thereof or one of two or more coordinate

portions of a building which extends from a common

junction.

wire glass. —Glass having a layer of meshed wire incorporated approximately in the center of the sheet.

Y

yard. —In general, an open unoccupied space, on the same lot with a building, between the lot line and the extreme front, rear, or side wall of the building. —front yard. —In general, a yard across the full width

of the lot, extending from the front line of the building

to the front line of the lot.

•

rear yard.—In general, a yard across the full width

of the lot, extending from the rear line of the building

to the rear line of the lot.

-

side yard.—In general, a yard between the extreme

side line of the building and the adjacent side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard.

Z

zoning.—Division of all of the land of an entire political subdivision into districts having different regulations

pertaining to use of land; and height, area, bulk, and

use of buildings, and yard requirements; and in some

States density of population. Zoning is effected by

local ordinance under the police power of the State granted by specific legislation generally termed an

"enabling act." (See protective covenant.) —protective zoning and rezoning.—In work of the USHA: The zoning or rezoning of the area immediately surrounding the project site which is sometimes

necessary to assure adequate protection for the

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project against undesirable developments in the immediate neighborhood. (From USHA Bulletin No. 27, "Policy and Procedure," 1939.) —the function of zoning.—Zoning is a part of city or community planning designed to promote and protect

the health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity,

and general welfare of the inhabitants of the comWashington, June 10, 1942.

munity. By a zoning ordinance a municipality may

be divided into districts in which the use of land; the

use, height, and bulk of buildings; the density of population ; and the area of the lot upon which buildings may be placed are regulated. (From NBS

BH16, "The Preparation of Zoning Ordinances,"

1931.)

O

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BUILDING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES REPORTS

[Continued from cover page ii]

Structural Properties of Two Brick-Concrete-Block Wall Constructions and a Concrete- Block Wall Construction Sponsored by the National Concrete Masonry Association. lOfi Plastic Calking Materials 10^ Performance Test of Floor Coverings for Use in Low-Cost Housing: Part 1 10^

Stability of Sheathing Papers as Determined by Accelerated Aging 10^

Structural Properties of Wood-Frame Wall, Partition, Floor, and Roof Constructions with

"Red Stripe" Lath Sponsored by The Weston Paper and Manufacturing Co 10^

Structural Properties of "Palisade Homes" Constructions for Walls, Partitions, and

Floors, Sponsored by Palisade Homes 10^ Structural Properties of Two "Dunstone" Wall Constructions Sponsored by the W. E. Dunn Manufacturing Co 10^ Structural Properties of a Wall Construction of "Pfeifer Units" Sponsored by the Wisconsin Units Co 10^

Structural Properties of a Wall Construction of "Knap Concrete Wall Units" Sponsored

by Knap America, Inc 10^

Effect of Heating and Cooling on the Permeability of Masonry Walls 10^

Structural Properties of Wood-Frame Wall and Partition Constructions with "Celotex"

Insulating Boards Sponsored by The Celotex Corporation 15^ Performance Test of Floor Coverings for Use in Low-Cost Housing: Part 2 10^ Surface Treatment of Steel Prior to Painting 10^

Air Infiltration Through Windows 10^

Structural Properties of "Scot-Bilt" Prefabricated Sheet-Steel Constructions for Walls,

Floors, and Roofs Sponsored by The Globe-Wernicke Co IQ^

Structural Properties of Prefabricated Wood-Frame Constructions for Walls, Partitions, and Floors Sponsored by American Houses, Inc 10^

Structural Properties of "Precision-Built" Frame Wall and Partition Constructions

Sponsored by the Homasote Co 10{5 Metallic Roofing for Low-Cost House Construction 10^

Stability of Fiber Building Boards as Determined by Accelerated Aging 10^

Structural Properties of "Tilecrete Type A" Floor Construction Sponsored by the

Tilecrete Co 100

Efifect of Ceiling Insulation Upon- Summer Comfort lOfi Structural Properties of a Wall Construction of "Munlock Dry Wall Brick" Sponsored

by the Munlock Engineering Co 10f5 Effect of Soot on the Rating of an Oil-Fired Heating Boiler 10{S Effects of Wetting and Drying on the Permeability of Masonry Walls 10(4 A Survey of Humidities in Residences 10^ Roofing in the United States—Results of a Questionnaire 10^ Strength of Soft-Soldered Joints in Copper Tubing 10^

Properties of Adhesives for Floor Coverings 10^

Strength, Absorption, and Resistance to Laboratory Freezing and Thawing of Building

Bricks Produced in the United States 15fS Structural Properties of Two Nonreinforced Monolithic Concrete Wall Constructions 10^

Structural Properties of a Precast Joist Concrete Floor Construction Sponsored by the Portland Cement Association 100 Moisture Condensation in Building Walls 100

Solar Heating of Various Surfaces 100 Methods of Estimating Loads in Plumbing Systems 100 Plumbing Manual 200

Structural Properties of "Mu-Steel" Prefabricated Sheet-Steel Constructions for Walls,

Partitions, Floors, and Roofs Sponsored by Herman A. Mugler 150 Performance Test for Floor Coverings for Use in Low-Cost Housing: Part 3 150

Stability of Fiber Sheathing Boards as Determined by Accelerated Aging 100 Asphalt-Prepared Roll Roofings and Shingles 150

Fire Tests of Wood- and Metal-Framed Partitions 200

Structural Properties of "Precision-Built, Jr." Prefabricated Wood-Frame Wall Construction Sponsored by the Homasote Co 100 Indentation Characteristics of Floor Coverings 100

Structural and Heat-Transfer Properties of "U. S. S. Panelbilt" Prefabricated SheetSteel Constructions for Walls, Partitions, and Roofs Sponsored by the Tennessee

Coal, Iron & Railroad Co 150 Survey of Roofing Materials in the North Central States 150

Effect of Outdoor Exposure on the Water Permeability of Masonry Walls 150

Properties and Performance of Fiber Tile Boards 100

Structural, Heat-Transfer, and Water-Permeability Properties of Five Earth-Wall

Constructions 200 Water-Distributing Systems for Buildings 150 Performance Test of Floor Coverings for Use in Low-Cost Housing: Part 4 150

Field Inspectors' Check List for Building Construction (cloth cover, 5x7% inches) 200 Water Permeability of Walls Built of Masonry Units 200

[List continued on cover page iv]
BUILDING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES REPORTS

[Continued from cover page iii] 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 Subcommittee 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 the PHC Housing Corporation 15f5 BMS91 A Glossary of Housing Terms 15^