ARE 5.0 flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Net multiplier

Net revenue divided by direct labor cost. A multiplier of 3 means each dollar of direct labor generates three dollars of net revenue to cover indirect costs and profit.

Utilization rate

Direct, billable labor hours divided by total paid hours for a period. It measures how much staff time is charged to projects rather than to marketing, administration, or vacation.

Break-even multiplier

The multiplier at which revenue exactly covers direct labor plus indirect expenses, leaving zero profit. Billing below it means each hour worked loses money.

Standard of care

The degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by reputable architects under similar circumstances. It is the benchmark for negligence claims and is not a guarantee of results.

Statute of repose

A fixed statutory period, often six to ten years, after which construction claims are barred regardless of when a defect is discovered; unlike a statute of limitations, discovery does not extend it.

Additional services

Work outside the basic services defined in the owner-architect agreement, such as programming, extensive redesign, renderings beyond the norm, or post-occupancy evaluation, which is billed separately.

Critical path

The longest sequence of dependent activities through a project network. It has zero total float and sets the shortest possible duration for the project.

Total float

The time an activity can be delayed without delaying project completion, calculated as late start minus early start or late finish minus early finish.

Fast-tracking

Overlapping design and construction phases to shorten the overall schedule. It compresses duration but increases the risk of rework and change orders.

Crashing

Adding labor, equipment, or overtime to critical-path activities to shorten the schedule. It reduces duration at the cost of higher expense and coordination risk.

Request for information

A formal written question from the contractor asking the design team to clarify or interpret the contract documents. The response becomes part of the project record.

Construction change directive

A written order directing a change in the work before the owner and contractor settle price or time; it is later priced and formalized by a change order.

Efficiency ratio

Net assignable area divided by gross building area. It shows how much of the floor plate is usable; office and institutional projects commonly fall between 0.65 and 0.80.

Floor area ratio

Total gross floor area divided by site area. Zoning uses FAR to cap building mass and sets lot coverage as a separate, independent limit.

Occupant load

The computed number of occupants a space must be designed for, found by dividing floor area by the code's occupant-load factor for that use.

Programming

The pre-design phase in which the architect establishes the owner's goals, gathers and analyzes facts, tests concepts, and states the design problem.

Solar altitude

The sun's angle above the horizon. At solar noon it equals 90 degrees minus latitude plus solar declination, and it determines shadow length and depth.

Dead-end corridor

A corridor segment with only one direction of escape, limited to 20 feet in unsprinklered buildings and 50 feet where sprinklers are installed.

Travel distance

The measured path length from the most remote occupied point to an exit, capped by code - commonly 200 feet unsprinklered and 250 feet sprinklered in business use.

Common path of egress

The part of egress travel where occupants must move in a single direction before reaching a point with two separate exit choices; its length is limited by code.

Ramp slope limit

Accessible ramps may not exceed a 1:12 slope, or 8.33 percent. Each run is limited in rise and requires landings, handrails, and edge protection.

Guard height

Guards at openings and elevated surfaces must be at least 42 inches high, with balusters spaced so that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through.

MasterFormat

CSI's standard organizing system for specifications, arranged in numbered divisions by work type, such as 03 Concrete, 05 Metals, 08 Openings, and 09 Finishes.

Three-part specification

The standard section format: Part 1 General for references and submittals, Part 2 Products for materials, and Part 3 Execution for installation and field quality control.

Level of development

A BIM classification of element reliability, from LOD 100 conceptual massing through 200, 300, 350, and 400, to LOD 500 as-built conditions.

Vapor retarder placement

In cold climates the vapor retarder belongs on the warm interior side of the insulation; hot-humid climates rely more on exterior moisture control and drainage.

Fire-resistance rating

The time in hours that an assembly resists fire when tested to ASTM E119; ratings of one through four hours are assigned by the building code.

Substantial completion

The stage at which the work is sufficiently complete for the owner's intended use. It starts warranties, permits occupancy, and usually reduces retainage.

Punch list

A list of incomplete or defective items found during the final walkthrough that the contractor must correct before final completion and release of final payment.

Lien waiver

A written release of the right to file a mechanics' lien. Conditional waivers take effect when payment clears; unconditional waivers are effective on signing.

Certificate of occupancy

Issued by the building official once final inspections confirm that the building complies with code and is safe for its intended occupancy.

Record drawings

Drawings marked up by the contractor to show actual constructed conditions, including dimensions, locations, and changes, and delivered at closeout as as-builts.