Site entrance
Acceso de obraDesignated point for entering or leaving the working site.
UNDERSTAND YOUR BUILDING PROJECT
Construction dictionary
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2,147 construction and renovation terms9 specialtiesEasy-to-understand definitions
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Building terms, clearly explained.
2,147 terms found
Site establishment
Implantación de obraInitial arrangement of access, temporary facilities and working areas.
Site fencing
Vallado de obraTemporary enclosure defining the site and controlling access.
Site foreman
Encargado de obraPerson organising crews and supervising daily work.
Site logistics
Logística de obraCoordination of deliveries, storage, movements and removal of materials.
Site pedestrian route
Itinerario peatonal de obraPlanned route for people moving between areas.
Site photographic record
Reportaje fotográfico de obraDocument recording dated images of progress and elements later concealed.
Site plan
Plano de emplazamientoDrawing showing the building position relative to plot boundaries and access points.
Site signage
Señalización de obraSet of signs providing directions and communicating restrictions or hazards.
Sketch
CroquisDrawing showing an idea or quick check generally drawn by hand.
Skid-steer loader
MinicargadoraLoader that moves materials with a compact machine and interchangeable front attachments.
Skim coat
EnlucidoThin finishing layer making a wall or ceiling surface smoother and more even.
Skin formation time
Tiempo de formación de pielTime until a surface film forms on a sealant exposed to ambient conditions.
Skin reinforcement
Armadura de pielReinforcement near side faces of deep members to limit surface cracking.
Skirting board
RodapiéComponent finishing and protecting the lower part of a wall beside the floor.
Skylight
ClaraboyaGlazed roof element that allows natural daylight to enter the space below.
Slab
LosaFlat structural member distributing loads over an area and resisting them mainly through bending.
Slab on ground
SoleraConcrete layer resting on the ground or a prepared base, serving as a floor or support.
Slaked lime
Cal apagadaCalcium hydroxide produced through controlled hydration of quicklime for building uses.
Slate
PizarraFine-grained metamorphic rock that naturally splits into relatively flat sheets or slabs.
Slenderness
EsbeltezMeasure of a member's relative length compared with its resisting transverse dimensions.
Sliding door
Puerta correderaDoor that moves its leaf horizontally along a track without a front swing area.
Sliding window
Ventana correderaWindow that opens by moving its sashes parallel to one another along horizontal tracks.
Slip resistance
Resistencia al deslizamientoSurface behaviour against slipping, dependent on the test method and intended use conditions.
Slip-resistant connection
Unión resistente al deslizamientoBolted joint transferring shear through friction between surfaces clamped by preloaded bolts.
Slope
PendienteInclination of a surface or pipe; it can direct water towards a drain, for example.
Slope stability
Estabilidad de taludesAbility of a ground slope to remain in equilibrium against potential sliding failures.
Slump cone
Cono de AbramsTruncated conical mold used to measure fresh concrete slump in a consistency test.
Smoke control damper
Compuerta de control de humosDevice opening or closing airflow paths according to the system's smoke management strategy.
Smoke detector
Detector de humoSensor recognising smoke particles in its surroundings and transmitting a detection signal.
Smoke vent
Exutorio de humosOpening or device facilitating the release of smoke and heat from a building.
Smoothing filler
Pasta de alisadoFine compound used to correct minor defects and prepare surfaces before painting.
Snagging list
Lista de repasosDocument recording defects and unfinished tasks identified before handover.
Snow guard
Retenedor de nieveDevice on a pitched roof limiting the sudden sliding of accumulated snow.
Snow load
Carga de nieveGravity load caused by snow accumulated on a roof or other surface.
Soakaway
Pozo de infiltraciónUnderground structure receiving water and facilitating infiltration into ground suitable for that intended use.
Soapstone
EsteatitaTalc-rich rock with a smooth feel, used for countertops and heat-related elements.
Socket outlet
Base de enchufeFixed accessory receiving a plug to connect an appliance to the electrical supply.
Soil and waste stack
Bajante de aguas residualesA component of the sanitary installation used to carry wastewater vertically between floors down to the drain.
Soil capillarity
Capilaridad del sueloMovement of water through small soil pores caused by surface tension.
Understanding line items makes comparison easier.
Use the dictionary as you review the materials, work and terms in your quote.
Technical references consulted
Definitions written in plain language using technical reference documentation.
- Fundación MUSAAT · Zapata
- Fundación MUSAAT · Zuncho
- ANFAPA · SATE
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-C Cimientos
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-A Acero
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-F Fábrica
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-M Madera
- European Commission JRC: Eurocode 7 geotechnical design examples
- WoodWorks: What is mass timber?
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Member design
- American Concrete Institute: Self-consolidating concrete
- American Shotcrete Association: About shotcrete
- American Cement Association: types of cement
- NRMCA: Concrete in Practice technical topics
- FHWA: Alkali-silica reaction mechanisms
- American Concrete Institute: Chlorides and reinforcement corrosion
- Concrete Society: Carbonation of concrete
- American Concrete Institute: Guide to estimating prestress losses
- European Commission JRC: Major concepts of the EN Eurocodes
- CTE: Documento Básico SE Seguridad estructural
- CTE: Documento Básico SE-AE Acciones en la edificación
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Composite construction
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Welding
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Steel construction products
- Steel Construction Institute / BCSA: Simple connections
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Wood handbook
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Wood composite materials
- WoodWorks: Index of mass timber connections
- Structural Timber Association: Timber systems
- Hispalyt: ejecución of fábricas of ladrillo, colocación
- American Cement Association: applications of cement
- ITeC: evaluación técnica of mortero of cal para revoco
- USG: joint compound technical data
- Sika: backer rod and sealant joint geometry
- Natural Stone Institute: varieties of stone
- Natural Stone Institute: technical bulletins
- Tikkurila: common painting problems
- Bona: recoating wood floors
- Placo: soluciones of yesos of terminación
- Kreidezeit: Tadelakt technical information
- Mapei: adhesive classification and selection
- Forbo: linoleum raw materials
- CTE DB-HS: Salubridad
- CTE DA DB-HE/1: Parámetros of la envolvente
- CTE DA DB-HE/2: Condensaciones
- CTE DA DB-HE/3: Puentes térmicos
- CTE DB-HR: Protección frente al ruido
- SOPREMA: Blue roofs and stormwater
- Building Science Corporation: Understanding Air Barriers
- Sika: Single-ply roof membranes
- SOPREMA: Tecnologías of impermeabilización
- Aliaxis: Akasison siphonic roof drainage systems
- ITeC: Evaluaciones DAU of sistemas of fachada
- CSTB: Laboratoire façades
- EOTA EAD 040083-01-0404: External thermal insulation composite systems with rendering system
- US Department of Energy: Guide to cool roofs
- Passive House Institute: Airtightness measurements
- Passive House Institute: Grundlagenwissen Luftdichtheit
- pro clima: Humidity-variable vapour control
- US EPA: Types of green infrastructure
- Saint-Gobain Glass: Acoustic laminated glass
- Saint-Gobain Glass: Solar control and low-emissivity coatings
- Saint-Gobain Glass: Glazing cavities and warm-edge spacers
- IDAE — La bomba of calor en la rehabilitación energética of edificios
- IDAE — Instalaciones of climatización con equipos autónomos
- IDAE — Instalaciones of climatización por agua
- IDAE — Sistemas of intercambio geotérmico of circuito cerrado
- U.S. Department of Energy — Whole-House Ventilation
- U.S. Department of Energy — Heat Pump Water Heaters
- U.S. EPA — Types of Septic Systems
- U.S. EPA — Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis Systems
- U.S. EPA — Home Water Treatment Guide
- U.S. EPA — HEPA Filters
- Caleffi — Separation in Hydronic Systems
- Caleffi — Hydraulic Separators
- Grundfos — Non-return Valve
- Honeywell — SV2 Safety Shut-off Valves
- CDC — Legionella Control
- CDC — Carbon Monoxide Basics
- Schneider Electric — Electrical Installation Guide: Earthing schemes
- IET — Residual current devices
- Schneider Electric — Arc fault detection devices
- U.S. Department of Energy — Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics
- Cisco — What is Power over Ethernet?
- INSST — Fichas of selección y uso of EPI
- INSST — Equipos of trabajo y máquinas: Listado of NTP
- Siemens — Aspirating smoke detectors
- DALI Alliance — Introducing DALI
- Schneider Electric — Types of RCDs
- KNX Association — What is KNX?
- U.S. Department of Energy — Solar Integration: Inverters and Grid Services Basics
- CharIN — Technical Details CCS (Basic)
- Televés — PAUs (Cajas), distribución of telefonía
- Fluke Networks — What parameters are tested with the CableIQ?
- Tyco Fire — Solenoid valves for deluge and preaction systems
- Autodesk: architectural drawings
- RICS: New Rules of Measurement
- National Park Service: Preservation Briefs
- HSE: demolition
- ASSA ABLOY: door controls
- EGGER: wood-based boards
- Pilkington: solar control glass
- Festool: circular saws for carpentry
- Pilkington: float glass manufacturing
- Pilkington: toughened and heat-strengthened glass
- Autodesk: clash detection setup
- Autodesk: common data environment
- Bohle: suction lifters for glass
- ISO: air permeability test method
- Barcelona City Council: building works authorisation
- ChovA: roof drain outlets