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Glossary terms for letter 'a'

Absorption Pit A pit dug into permeable ground and filled with stone, bricks, or rubble material. Then, covered with soil to allow liquid effluent to soak slowly into the ground. Landscape Architects & Designers, Gardeners, Garden Nurseries

Accelerator An additive which increases the rate of chemical reaction such as in curing of concrete. Concreters

Access (Site) The area by which vehicles and pedestrians enter and leave a property.

Access Cover A removable cover to provide access. Gardeners

Accreditation The licencing by a Statutory Authority. Also the capabilities and competence of an organisation or an individual to provide a specified service. Building Consultants

Adhesive A substance by which chemically bonds together materials at the surface. Hardware Outlets

Adjustable Prop A steel prop used in scaffolding with an adjustment mechanism to raise or lower it to the supported structure. Hardware Outlets

Agreement A contract between two or more parties written and / or oral. Building Consultants

Agricultural Pipe A pipe used in the construction for sub-soil drainage. Enables the entry and discharge of ground water through the openings or slots in the pipe. Gardeners, Landscape Architects & Designers, Garden Nurseries

Air Vent A fixture opening in a wall to enable air to circulate to and from a confined space. Bricklayers / Brick Makers

Allotment A parcel of land for which an individual title may be issued. Usually created out of a larger subdivision. Real Estate Agents, Building Consultants

Anchor A device used to give stability to one part of a structure by securing it to another part or to a more stable structure.

Anti-Corrosive Paint A coating material designed to retard the corrosion of metals. Paint Stores, Painters

Appreciation The increase in value of property caused by economic factors. Real Estate Agents

Arbitration A process of dispute settlement under procedures set out in statutory law, under which an independent 'Arbitrator' is appointed. Building Consultants

Arch A load bearing structure which spans an opening.

Arch Bar A steel bar of rectangular cross-section used to support brickwork or blockwork over an opening.

Architrave A decorative timber moulding around openings. Carpenters & Joiners

Arrestor An apparatus set up to intercept and capture silt, sand, soil, oil, grease, and other substances. Concreters

As-Built Drawing A drawing detailing the works as completed, detailing all changes made from the original drawings. Building Consultants

Attached Pier (Engaged Pier) A brick or masonry pier bonded into a wall, primarily used for structural purposes and is also used for decorative purposes.

Attic (Attic Storey) The accessible space within the roof space of a house. Architects / Designers

Awning A roof-like covering to shelter people or protect parts of a building from the effects of the sun or rain. Architects / Designers

Awning Window A window where the sash is hinged horizontally at the top of the window and it opens outwardly at the bottom. Window Installation