OAA Admission Exam flashcards

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

Standard of Care

The degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by architects under similar circumstances in the same locality. It is a benchmark of reasonable practice, not a guarantee of perfect results.

Claims-Made Insurance

Professional liability coverage that responds to claims reported during the active policy period, regardless of when the underlying error occurred, subject to a retroactive date.

Statute of Repose

A law setting an absolute deadline for filing construction claims measured from substantial completion, regardless of when the defect is discovered. It limits long-tail liability.

Architect's Lien

A statutory claim against real property securing payment for architectural services. Filing requirements, notice periods, and eligibility vary by jurisdiction and must be strictly followed.

Instruments of Service

Drawings, specifications, and other documents the architect prepares. The architect typically retains copyright and grants the client a license limited to the specific project.

Percentage Fee

A compensation method where the architect's fee equals an agreed percentage of the construction cost. It scales with project size but can discourage cost control.

Conflict of Interest

A situation where the architect has a personal or financial interest that could bias professional judgment. It requires written disclosure and, often, client consent.

Seal and Signature

The architect's stamp certifying that documents were prepared by or under the direct supervision of a licensed architect. Misuse constitutes unauthorized practice and grounds for discipline.

Thermal Resistance R

A measure of a material's resistance to heat flow, equal to thickness divided by thermal conductivity. Assembly R-values sum the layers plus surface film resistances.

U-Value

The overall rate of heat transfer through an assembly, equal to one divided by the total R-value. Lower U-values indicate better insulating performance.

Heat Loss Formula

Q equals U times area times temperature difference. This steady-state equation estimates conduction heat loss through an assembly given its U-value and the indoor-outdoor temperature gap.

Dead versus Live Load

Dead load is the static weight of structure and permanent finishes. Live load is transient occupancy, furniture, and equipment, taken from code tables for design.

Concrete Compressive Strength

Denoted f'c, measured at 28 days, typically 3,000 to 5,000 psi. Steel reinforcement is added because concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension.

Sensible Heat Equation

Q equals 1.08 times CFM times the temperature difference in Fahrenheit. It estimates the sensible cooling or heating load carried by an air stream.

Fire-Resistance Rating

The time in hours an assembly resists fire exposure, determined by standardized furnace testing such as ASTM E119. Ratings appear as one, two, three, or four hours.

Beam Deflection Limit

A serviceability criterion limiting how far a beam may sag, often span divided by 360 for floors. Stricter limits apply where brittle finishes or glass are supported.

Daylight Factor

Interior illuminance divided by exterior horizontal illuminance, expressed as a percentage. Values around two percent or higher are generally desirable for occupied spaces.

Occupancy Groups

Code classifications by use, such as assembly, business, educational, factory, high hazard, institutional, mercantile, residential, storage, and utility. They drive egress and fire requirements.

Construction Types I to V

Five code categories ranked by fire resistance. Type I is noncombustible with the highest rating; Type V is wood frame with the least restrictive requirements.

Occupant Load

The computed number of people a space is designed to hold, found by dividing floor area by the code occupant load factor for that use.

Means of Egress Components

The continuous path from any point to safety, comprising exit access, the exit itself, and exit discharge. Each component has separate width, travel, and protection rules.

Egress Width Capacity

Required stair and corridor width computed by multiplying occupant load by a code factor, such as 0.2 inches per occupant for stairs in many model codes.

Floor Area Ratio

Gross floor area of a building divided by its lot area. Zoning ordinances use FAR to cap building bulk independently of height limits and setbacks.

Accessible Route

A continuous unobstructed path connecting accessible spaces and elements. It typically requires a 36-inch clear width, with 32 inches minimum at doorways.

Fire Separation Distance

The distance from a building face to the lot line or to another building on the same lot. It determines required exterior wall rating and opening protection.

Allowable Area Increase

Permitted increases to base tabular floor area for frontage on open space and for sprinkler protection. Height and story limits are adjusted separately.

Design-Bid-Build

A linear delivery method where the owner contracts separately with the architect for design and the contractor for construction after competitive bidding. It offers low initial cost but limited coordination.

Change Order

A written modification to the contract scope, price, or time, signed by owner, architect, and contractor. It is the formal mechanism for adjusting the agreement.

Construction Change Directive

A written order directing the contractor to proceed with a change before price and time are agreed. It is later converted to a change order.

Request for Information

A formal query from the contractor seeking clarification of the contract documents. Responses that alter scope or cost should be processed as a change order.

Submittal Review

The architect's check of shop drawings and samples for design intent and contract compliance. Review does not verify dimensions or approve construction means and methods.

Substantial Completion

The stage when work is sufficiently complete for its intended use, triggering warranty periods, retainage release, and preparation of the punch list.

Liquidated Damages

A pre-agreed per-day sum the contractor owes for late completion. Courts enforce it only when it reasonably forecasts actual damages rather than serving as a penalty.

Critical Path and Float

The critical path is the longest chain of dependent activities and sets project duration. Float is the slack available on non-critical activities without delaying completion.