ARE 5.0: PPD flashcards
ARE 5.0: PPD · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Solar altitude at noon
- Solar altitude at solar noon equals 90 degrees minus the absolute difference between latitude and solar declination. It determines noon shadow length and overhang performance.
- Summer solstice sun path
- In the Northern Hemisphere the summer solstice has the highest noon sun and longest day; the sun rises north of east and sets north of west.
- Heat island effect
- Urban heat islands occur when dark low-albedo surfaces, sparse vegetation, and waste heat raise local air temperature above surrounding rural areas. Vegetation and high-albedo surfaces reduce it.
- Daylight factor
- Daylight factor is interior horizontal illuminance divided by unobstructed exterior horizontal illuminance, times 100. It excludes direct sunlight and depends on sky conditions.
- Prevailing winter wind
- Prevailing winter winds increase infiltration and conductive heat loss. Windbreaks and dense vegetation reduce wind speed, while summer breeze paths should remain unobstructed.
- Stormwater detention
- Stormwater detention temporarily stores runoff and releases it slowly, reducing peak flows. Detention, retention, bioswales, and permeable paving also improve water quality.
- Floor area ratio
- Floor area ratio equals total gross floor area divided by lot area. Zoning uses FAR with setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage to control density.
- Exit access travel distance
- Exit access travel distance is measured along the actual path from the most remote occupied point to an exit. Code limits vary by occupancy, sprinklers, and construction type.
- Accessible route clear width
- An accessible route generally requires 36 inches (915 millimeters) minimum clear width, with 60-inch turning spaces and 32-inch clear door width; ramps have a 1:12 maximum slope.
- Egress capacity factors
- Common egress capacity factors are 0.2 inch per occupant for level components and 0.3 inch per occupant for stairs. Verify the adopted code edition and occupancy.
- Type of construction
- Type of construction, classified I through V, sets required fire resistance for structural elements. Occupancy, height, and area thresholds determine the minimum allowed type.
- Sensible versus latent load
- Sensible load changes air dry-bulb temperature; latent load changes moisture content. HVAC equipment must handle both, and cooling coils remove moisture when below dew point.
- Economizer cycle
- An economizer uses cooler outdoor air instead of mechanical cooling when outdoor air temperature or enthalpy is below return air conditions, reducing compressor energy.
- Drainage slope rule
- Drainage pipes 2.5 inches and smaller typically slope 1/4 inch per foot; pipes 3 inches and larger slope 1/8 inch per foot, unless the code permits otherwise.
- Voltage drop
- Voltage drop is the loss of voltage along conductors caused by resistance and current. Long runs and undersized conductors increase drop and may impair equipment performance.
- Fire sprinkler system
- A fire sprinkler system supplies water to automatic heads that discharge when heat-sensitive elements fuse. It is an active system and may allow area or height increases.
- Variable air volume
- A variable air volume system changes supply air volume while holding supply temperature, matching part-load conditions. VAV boxes and controls regulate zone airflow.
- Assembly U-factor
- Assembly U-factor equals one divided by total thermal resistance. Total resistance sums layer R-values plus film resistances; thermal bridging reduces the effective R-value.
- Thermal bridging
- Thermal bridging is heat flow through highly conductive paths such as framing, shelves, or corners that bypass insulation. Continuous insulation and thermal breaks reduce it.
- Vapor retarder location
- In cold climates vapor retarders generally go on the warm interior side; in warm-humid climates an interior vapor barrier can trap moisture and should be avoided.
- Sound transmission class
- Sound transmission class rates airborne sound isolation of an assembly. Higher STC means less sound passes; mass, sealing, and decoupling improve STC.
- Impact insulation class
- Impact insulation class rates how well a floor assembly resists structure-borne impact sound such as footsteps. Higher IIC means better impact isolation; resilient layers improve it.
- Net-to-gross ratio
- Net-to-gross ratio equals net assignable area divided by gross building area. It measures planning efficiency because gross area includes circulation, walls, shafts, and mechanical space.
- Adjacency matrix
- An adjacency matrix scores required proximity or separation between pairs of spaces. It supports bubble diagrams and block planning before detailed room layouts.
- Bubble diagram
- A bubble diagram represents spaces as bubbles and relationships as connections. It tests zoning, adjacency, and circulation before dimensions and construction constraints are fixed.
- Clash detection
- Clash detection uses a building information model to find geometric conflicts among structure, ducts, pipes, and conduit before construction, reducing field conflicts.
- Universal design
- Universal design creates environments usable by people with varied abilities without adaptation. It integrates accessibility, reach ranges, clearances, and wayfinding from the start.
- Life-cycle cost
- Life-cycle cost is initial cost plus present value of operating, maintenance, and replacement costs, minus salvage value. It compares alternatives over the same study period.
- Simple payback
- Simple payback equals incremental first cost divided by annual savings. It shows how quickly savings recover the investment but ignores time value and later costs.
- Design contingency
- Design contingency is a budget allowance for unknown scope during design. It typically decreases as design progresses and is separate from construction and owner contingencies.
- Value engineering
- Value engineering analyzes function and cost to find alternatives that preserve required performance. It should not be treated as simple scope cutting or deferred maintenance.
- Cost escalation
- Cost escalation adjusts costs for time using construction cost indices. Location factors separately adjust for regional differences in labor and material prices.