Berm

A horizontal ledge cut between the foot and top of an embankment to stabilize the slope by intercepting sliding earth.

Building Code

Legal requirements designed to protect the public by providing guidelines for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical areas of a structure.

Building Envelope

The portion of a building that encloses the treated environment, including the walls, ceiling or roof, and floor.

Circuit

The various conductors, connections, and devices found along the path of electric flow from the source through the components and back to the source.

Circuit Breaker

An electric safety switch that automatically opens a circuit when excessive amperage occurs.

Cleanout

A fitting with a removable plug that is placed in plumbing drainage pipe lines to allow access for cleaning out the pipe.

Coniferous

Cone-bearing trees with year-round leaves that are long, thin, and needle-like.

Construction Type

Five broad categories of construction found in the International Building Code that are based on the fire-resistive capabilities of the materials used.

Deciduous

Broad-leafed trees that seasonally shed their leaves.

Distribution Panel

A box in which the wires from the meter are connected to individual circuit breakers, which are connected to separate circuits for distribution to various locations throughout the building.

Drain

Any pipe that carries wastewater or water-borne wastes in a building drainage system.

Drainage

Removal of groundwater or surface water, or of water from structures, by gravity or pumping.

Drainage Fixture Unit

A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various types of plumbing fixtures. 

Drainage System

Piping within a building that conveys sewage, rainwater, or other liquid wastes to a point of disposal.

Ducts

Pipes, typically made of sheet metal, used to conduct hot or cold air in the HVAC system.

Easement

Egress

Exits or a way out.

Electric Meter

An instrument used to measure electric power.

Exit Discharge

That portion of the means-of-egress system between the termination of the exit and a public way.

Grading

The moving of soil to affect the elevation of land at a construction site.

Ground

An electrical connection to the earth.

Hot Water

Water at a temperature greater than or equal to 110 º F (43º C).

Individual Sewage Disposal System

A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic tank cesspool mechanical treatment to serve a single establishment or building.

Ingress

Entrances or a means to enter.

Invert Elevation

The elevation of the bottom of the inside of the pipe wall.

Lavatory

A fixture that is designed for washing hands and face, usually found in a bathroom.

Main

The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected.

Nonpotable Water

Water not safe for drinking, personal, or culinary utilization.

Outlet

An electrical connection used to plug in devices. A duplex outlet, with two outlets, is the typical wall plug.

Potable Water

Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming to the regulations of the public health authority having jurisdiction.

Plumbing Fixture

A device that is connected to the water distribution system and demands a supply of water; discharges wastewater, liquid-borne waste material, or sewage to the drainage system; or requires both a water supply connection and a discharge to the drainage system.

Pressure Head

The pressure of water at a given point in a pipe arising from the pressure in it.

Prevailing Winds

Direction from which the wind most frequently blows in a given area of the country.

Riser

A water supply pipe that extends vertically one story or more to carry water to fixtures.

Sanitary Sewer

A sewer that conveys sewage but excludes storm, surface, and ground water.

Setback

Minimum distance that the zoning ordinance requires must be maintained between a structure and property lines or between two structures.

Sewage

Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, including liquids containing chemicals in solution.

Sewer

A pipe, normally underground, that carries wastewater and refuse.

Soil Pipe

A pipe that conveys sewage containing fecal matter to the building drain or building sewer.

Stack

Any vertical line of soil, waste, vent, or inside conductor piping that extends through at least one story.

Static Head

Pressure of a fluid due to the head of fluid above some reference point.

Switch Leg

The electrical conductor from a switch to the electrical device being controlled.

Trap

A fitting or device that provides a liquid seal to prevent the emission of sewer gases without materially affecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through the trap.

Universal Design

A user-friendly approach to design in the living environment where people of any culture, age, size, weight, race, gender, and ability can experience an environment that promotes their health, safety, and welfare today and in the future.

Valve

A fitting that is used to control the flow of fluid or gas.

Variance

A legal request by a property owner to allow a modification from a standard or a requirement in the zoning code.

Vent Pipe

A vertical pipe installed to provide circulation of air to and from any part of the drainage system.

Water Closet

A water-flushing plumbing fixture, such as a toilet, that is designed to receive and discharge human excrement.

Water Distributing Pipe

A pipe that carries water from the service to the point of use.

Water Heater

Any heating appliance or equipment that heats potable water and supplies such water to the potable hot water distribution system.

Water Meter

A device used to measure the amount of water that goes through the water service.

Water Service

The pipe from the water main or other supply to the water-distributing pipes.

Watt

A unit of measure of power.