Terminology

Question 1

MEP/FP

Answer 1

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection

Question 2

TCO

Answer 2

Temporary Certificate of Occupancy

Question 3

C of O

Answer 3

Certificate of Occupancy

Question 4

CMU

Answer 4

Concrete Masonry Unit

Question 5

Cantilever

Answer 5

A rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end.

Question 6

Relief Angle

Answer 6

A piece of metal that holds up bricks

Question 7

DOB

Answer 7

Department of Buildings

Question 8

AHJ

Answer 8

Authority Having Jurisdiction

Question 9

PAA

Answer 9

Post Approval Amendment. NYC specific term for when your DOB approved permit set of plans change - you submit this change to the Department of Building in the form of a PAA.

Question 10

Glycol

Answer 10

An anti-freeze commonly used in heating loops that are subjected to freezing weather.

Question 11

Rebar

Answer 11

Metal bars that are used to provide additional support to concrete structures. This is a trade where the workers are sometimes referred to as “rodbusters.’ Rebar can be found in CSI division 3.

Question 12

Glazing

Answer 12

Work associated with glass. Workers are referred to as glazers.

Question 13

Construction loan is “out of balance”

Answer 13

There aren’t enough funds remaining in the loan based on the costs needed to complete the projects. Generally occurs when the costs of the project have increased over the original budget.

Question 14

Soil Borings

Answer 14

A technique used to survey soil by taking several layers of soil. The borings are analyzed to show the soil profile and properties.

Question 15

Shear wall

Answer 15

Structural element of a building designed to resist lateral forces such as wind and seismic loads, very important element of high-rise construction.

Question 16

CSI

Answer 16

Construction specific institute. These codes put ‘trades’ into number form for organization. This publication is the specifications-writing standard for most of todays construction and commercial building design projects in North America.

Question 17

CMU

Answer 17

Concrete masonry unit, a masonry block.

Question 18

Q Deck

Answer 18

Composite metal decking that supports the concrete floor (or insulation on a roof).

Question 19

Miscellaneous metal

Answer 19

stairs, guardrails, ladders, etc.

Question 20

VRF

Answer 20

Variable Refrigerant flow, uses refrigerant to heat and cool. A type of HVAC system.

Question 21

RGD’s

Answer 21

Registers, grills, diffusers. Typically, this is what distributes air in an HVAC system.

Question 22

FFE

Answer 22

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

Question 23

GC & Fee proposal

Answer 23

this is when you ask a CM for their “General Conditions & Fees” for a project early
in the design phase. This is before its possible to obtain subcontractor bids. The selection is based on
qualifications and fees of the Construction Manager. Once design has progressed, the CM can then
obtain subcontractor quotes to build the complete GMP construction budget, (the GC & Fee remain the
same, per the initial proposal).

Question 24

RFP

Answer 24

Request for proposal. Will use this term as it applies to an owner seeking CM proposals.

Question 25

OHP

Answer 25

Overhead and profit. Smaller GC's typically use this term in their estimates.

Question 26

VE

Answer 26

Value engineering. A way to cut costs while still trying to achieve the overall design intent.

Question 27

Level sheet

Answer 27

used to level bids

Question 28

Allowance

Answer 28

A placeholder. Not a bid, but simply a placeholder until a design or bid is final. Once allowances get reconciled the delta gets passed onto the owner.

Question 29

GMP

Answer 29

Guaranteed maximum price, form of agreement.

Question 30

LS

Answer 30

Lump sum, form of agreement.

Question 31

A101

Answer 31

This is the AIA template for a lump sum contract

Question 32

A102

Answer 32

This is the AIA template for a GMP contract.

Question 33

A305

Answer 33

This is the AIA template for contractor qualifications.

Question 34

Cost plus

Answer 34

cost of the work plus a fee, form of agreement

Question 35

Cost plus a GMP

Answer 35

cost of the work plus a fee with a guaranteed maximum price, form of agreement.

Question 36

GC/CM

Answer 36

``` General Contractor / Construction Manager, for this class these entities are same. This is the firm that is managing the construction. They have staff and temporary facilities (General Conditions & General Requirements) for which they use to manage the subcontractors (Direct Costs & Cost of Work). ```

Question 37

COW

Answer 37

Cost of work

Question 38

Subs

Answer 38

subcontractors, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.

Question 39

Trades

Answer 39

Subcontractors. plumbing is a trade, electrical work is a trade.

Question 40

Precon

Answer 40

prior to construction is the preconstruction phase, typically during design.

Question 41

CM providing recon

Answer 41

When the CM works along side the design team, during the design process, and serves as advisor to improve the construction process.

Question 42

CO

Answer 42

change of order

Question 43

AIA

Answer 43

American institute of architects

Question 44

buy out

Answer 44

When a CM awards a contract to a subcontractor.

Question 45

SOV

Answer 45

Schedule of values, construction budget typically grouped by CSI division

Question 46

Retainage

Answer 46

A holdback in work completed, typically 5-10%.

Question 47

LDs

Answer 47

Liquidated Damages, a late penalty for a contractor.

Question 48

Lead Time

Answer 48

the time it takes for material to arrive to the site

Question 49

Alt 1

Answer 49

NYC permit that affects use, egress, or occupancy. This type of permit requires a new C of O.

Question 50

Alt 2

Answer 50

NYC permit that is demolition or interior renovation that does not affect use, egress, or occupancy. This type of permit does not require a new C of O.

Question 51

RFI

Answer 51

Request for information. Typically sent from CM to architect, clarifying intent or detail on the design documents.

Question 52

SOE

Answer 52

Support of excavation.