Modular Building Specification Glossary

Accessibility : The ability to enter and exit a building without obstructions.

Accordion Door : Folding doors with rollers which run on a track; the doors fold up like an accordion.

Acoustical Tile : Any tile composed of materials having the property of absorbing sound waves. Typically 2′ x 2′ or 2′ x 4′ size ceiling tiles. Used in a suspended ceiling (lay in the tiles).

Air Conditioner : Typically a Bard manufactured unit. Wall hung, roof mount or split system.

Anchor : A device used to secure a modular building down. Usually, an earth auger is and screwed down 4′ into the ground.

Anchor Bolt : A bolt used with the anchor that the strap that is wrapped around the frame is threaded through and secured.

Asphalt Shingles : Composition roof shingles made from asphalt impregnated felt covered with mineral granules.

Auger : A vertical rotating drill bit, usually on the front end of a bobcat that drills holes into the ground for the anchors.

Awning : A roof like shelter extending over a doorway, window, porch, etc. which provides protection from the sun or rain.

Batten : 1″ or 2″ vinyl covered slats the hide the seam between wall panels.

Bearing Wall : A wall which supports any vertical load in a building.

Blinds : Typically PVC or metal that shut out the light coming in from windows or doors.

Breezeway : A covered walkway, open at each end, which passes between two buildings.

Can Light : A recessed round fixture with a floodlight typically in them.

Canopy : A roof‐like covering supported by posts, suspended from a wall or covering a door or window. Can be made out of Vinyl, Canvas, Wood, Shingles, and Metal.

Casing : The framework around a window or door.

Central Air Conditioner : An air conditioner which provides service to an entire structure from a single, central source.

Central Heating : A system of heating in a building which depends upon one source, with distribution ducts.

Ceramic Tile : A thin, flat piece of fired clay, usually square and attached to walls, floors, or countertops with cement or other adhesives creating durable, decorative and dirt resistant surfaces.

Chair Rail : A plain or molded strip on a wood or plaster wall as a protection against chair backs.

Concrete Block or Cinder Block : CMU or Concrete Masonry Unit.

Clear Span : The distance, or clear and unobstructed opening, between two supports of a beam; always less than the effective span.

Column or Support Post : A vertical grouping of 2″ x 4″s or larger to support the mate beam (which supports the roof).

Cove Base : Made of vinyl, rubber and/or tile in a variety of heights.

Crawl Space : The area under the modular building large enough for a man to crawl through for repairs and installation of utilities.

Crown Molding : A molding used where the wall/ceiling meet on the interior.

CRV – Commercial Room Ventilator : Electromechanical vent systems designed to provide fresh air to meet indoor air quality standards.

Dead Bolt Lock : A separate lock above the handle.

DCA : Department of Community Affairs, Department which oversees modular building construction in Florida.

Dedicated Circuit : Point of connection to the electrical system for a particular piece of equipment, normally reserved for the exclusive use of the equipment.

Dehumidification : Removing moisture out of the air.

Down Spout : A vertical pipe used to drain rainwater from a roof.

Drip Cap : A molding placed on the exterior top part of a door or window to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the door/window frame.

Drywall : Usually 1/2″ in thickness (or 5&347;8″). Then onsite, the taping of the seams, mud application, texturing, and then painting.

Dutch Door : A door cut through horizontally at about half its height with each half hung separately.

Eaves : That part of a roof which projects over the sidewall.

ERV – Energy Recovery Ventilator : The energy recovery process of exchanging the energy contained in normally exhausted building or space air and using it to treat (precondition) the incoming outdoor ventilation air in residential and commercial HVAC systems. During the warmer seasons, the system pre cools and dehumidifies while humidifying and pre heating in the cooler seasons. The benefit of using energy recovery is the ability to meet the ASHRAE ventilation and energy standards, while improving indoor air quality and reducing total HVAC equipment capacity.

Exit Light : An illuminating sign above an exit door.

Exterior Wall : Any outside wall.

FiberTite Roof Covering : A polyester rubber blend that has heated welded seams. Option for a 15-year material and labor warranty. FiberTite– Seaman Corporation.

Fill : Soil or other materials used to raise grade.

Fireproofing : Any material or combination of materials built to protect structural members so as to increase their fire resistance.

Fire Wall : Any wall which subdivides a building to resist the spread of fire and which extends continuously from the foundation through the roof.

Formica : Hard durable plastic laminated sheeting used for countertops and cabinets.

Gable Roof : Triangular in shape due to the slope of the roof at the ends.

Grab Bar : Metal bars attached to a wall in a bathroom, near a toilet or in a shower.

Grade : The ground level around a building.

Handicap Water Cooler : A water cooler set low and operated by push bars or levers for convenience to persons with physical impairment.

Handicapped : Persons who are limited from using the physical environment because of physical or mental limitations.

HardiePanel Siding : This exterior siding comes in vertical and horizontal planks. See website.

Hip Roof : A roof which rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a building. The line where two adjacent sloping sides of a roof meet is called the hip.

Hollow‐Core Door : Lighter and less expensive than a solid door.

Hollow Metal Door : A hollow‐core door constructed of channel reinforced sheet metal usually 18ga. The core may be filled with some type of lightweight material.

Impact Doors and Windows : Are designed to stay in one piece, protecting the building from the devastating effects of high winds.

J Box : Junction box. Small box used to contain wire connections.

Joist : Horizontal support member commonly perpendicular to length of unit.

Lap Siding : Exterior siding on the exterior of a building that is usually vinyl or hardi panel.

Lavatory : A bathroom sink.

Load Bearing Wall : Any wall which bears its own weight and the transferred load of other adjacent structural systems; part of the load path in a structural system.

Main Disconnect : A mechanical means of completely shutting off electrical service to the entire building.

Mansard : A decorative facade, usually highly pitched frame attached at the eave line of a building.

Mansard Roof : A roof with two slopes or pitches on each of the four sides, the lower slopes steeper than the upper.

Mate Beam : The beam on top of the mating wall for support of the roof system.

Mill Work : Cabinetry or shelving inside a building.

Modular Building : A system of building construction where individual sections of the building are manufactured off site in factories then transported to the final building site. Minor finish work is completed and the building sections are connected to the ground and utilities. Modular buildings range in size from single sections to hundred unit complexes and can utilize temporary or permanent foundation systems.

Module : Single unit of multi‐ unit building; the largest section which can be transported.

Mod Line : Joint where two modules meet.

Mop Sink : A low, deep sink used for janitors.

Non‐Bearing Wall : A wall which merely separates space into rooms but does not carry overhead partitions or floor joist loads.

Outrigger Frame : Chassis longitude (length) frame rails located inboard of tires (primarily used on commercial units designed to be moved more than once).

Overhang : The projecting area of a roof beyond the outside wall below it.

Panel Box : The electrical box located on the wall where the incoming electrical service is connected and then distributed throughout the building.

Paneled Door : A door which consists of raised or indented panels.

Panic Hardware : A door locking assembly that can be released quickly by pressure on a horizontal bar.

Parapet : A protective low wall along the edge of a roof. That portion of any wall which extends above the roof line.

Partition / Partition Wall : Interior walls used to define or create spaces such as rooms, closets, etc.

Perimeter Frame : Chassis longitude (length) frame rails located outboard of tires (primarily used on units designed to remain in single location for longer periods)

Pier : A solid support of masonry construction.

Pitched Roof : The most common type of roof, usually with slopes of more than 2 in 12 vertical to horizontal.

Plenum : A space forming a part of an air conditioning system. This space deadens the noise of an air conditioner and the return air duct work terminates into this space to recycle back into the air conditioning system.

Pre Hung Door : A packaged unit consisting of a finished door mounted in a frame.

R Value : The rating of insulation material. The higher the R value, the higher the ability to insulate.

Recessed Lighting Fixture : A light fixture which has its bottom edge, flush with the ceiling.

Register : The louvered metal cover at the end of a duct for incoming or outgoing air, sometimes used to direct airflow or control the volume of air passing through it.

Return Air Duct : Ducts through which return air passes on its way back to the heating or cooling unit.

Ribbon/Strip Footing : A narrow strip of concrete upon which walls are constructed.

Ridge : The highest point on the roof.

Ridge Cap : The finishing touch on a gable roof system. It can be made of composition roofing or metal and extends the length of the building, folding over the two sides of the ridge.

Ridge Vent : Located at the ridge of a roof system. It is a sheet metal or plastic configuration designed to allow the air within the roof system to vent.

Rolled Roof (30ga) : Roof covered with smooth sheet of sheet metal.

Roof Overhang : A roof extension beyond the end wall/sidewall of a building.

Roof Pitch : The slope of a roof expressed as the ratio of the rise of the roof to the horizontal span.

Roof Ventilation : Available through gable vents, ridge vents or soffit vents; the act of allowing air to circulate within the roof or attic area.

Rubber Roof – EPDM : EPDM is a high tensile strength, single ply membrane ideal for long term watertight integrity. Option for a 10 year material and labor warranty. See website.

Service Panel Box : The electrical panel box where the entire interior electrical is tied together. Also, the location in the building where the electricity is brought into the building from the local power distribution center.

SF : Square Feet.

Shed Roof : A roof with a slope on one side only.

Side Light Window : A window installed beside an outside door which is often used to light a hallway.

Siding : Any type of exterior finish applied to the exterior wall.

Single Slope Roof : Slopes in only one direction, usually towards the end wall.

Skirting : A lower wall extension installed to enclose the underside of a temporary building that spans from the floor framing to the ground.

Split (AC) System : Compressor is located outside the building envelope and air handler/heater is located inside building.

Soffit Vent : A perforated or louvered material attached to the tail of the truss and the sidewall to allow air movement within the truss system.

Solid Glass Door : A door in which the glass essentially provides all the structural strength.

Sonotube : A circular pre formed casing made of laminated paper used for forming cylindrical columns or piers.

Sound Rated Door : A door (typically accordion door) constructed to provide greater sound reduction than that provided by a normal door, usually rated in terms of its sound transmission class (STC).

Sprinkler System : An arrangement of overhead pipes equipped with sprinkler heads or nozzles. In case of fire these nozzles automatically release sprays of water.

Standing Seam : This type of roofing is available in several variations of the seaming method. It makes the most watertight sheet metal roofing.

Stem Wall : Perimeter foundation of concrete or concrete block. Can be flush with grade or raised.

STC : Sound Transmission Coefficient.

Stucco : Exterior cement plaster wall finish, completed on site. Combination of sand, cement, water and lime. After applied, it is painted.

Suspended Ceiling : Normally hung from the bottom chord of the truss or ceiling with wires, consisting of T grid supports. The pattern is normally 2′ x 2′ or 2′ x 4′ with gypsum or mineral board acoustical ceiling tiles.

T Grid : Ceiling grid which supports ceiling tiles.

Three Way Switch (3 Way) : Electrical wall switch used in tandem with another three‐way switch so fixture can be operated from either.

Toilet Partition : One of the panels forming a toilet enclosure (usually painted steel.)

Tongue & Groove Plywood : Wood, in which one edge of the sheet is cut with a projecting tongue that fits into corresponding groove or recess in the edge of the next sheet.

VCT : Vinyl Composite Tile – 12″ squares of semi flexible tile used on floors. Armstrong Manufacturer.

VCG : Vinyl Covered Gypsum- Gypsum (wall sheeting) covering with thin layer of vinyl.

View Blocks : Small window in a door. Usually a 10″ x 10″ or 6″ x 30″.

Vertical Sliding Window : A window with one or more panes that move only in a vertical direction; also called single and double hung depending on how many panes are operable.

Wall Mount (AC) : Self-contained AC unit mounted on outside of building wall – usually on the hitch end.

Water Closet : Toilet