OAA Admission Exam key terms

The degree of skill and diligence ordinarily exercised by competent architects under similar circumstances. It defines the legal benchmark for judging professional negligence and replaces promises of perfect results.

Failure to exercise the standard of care owed to another, causing harm. In practice, it requires showing a duty existed, the duty was breached, and that breach caused measurable damage.

The legal relationship between parties who have directly contracted with one another. It limits who may sue on a contract, though statutes and case law increasingly extend duties to third parties.

The stamp, with signature and date, that a licensed architect applies to drawings and specifications to certify responsibility for them. Unsealed documents generally cannot be used for permitting or construction.

Assigning design responsibility to another qualified party, such as a consultant. The architect typically remains responsible to the client for coordinating that work unless the contract states otherwise.

A firm or individual engaged by the architect, not the owner, to provide specialized services such as structural, mechanical, or civil engineering. The architect usually coordinates and integrates their work.

A contractual promise by one party to cover the losses or liabilities of another. Architects should seek mutual indemnity limited to losses caused by their own negligent acts.

Professional liability coverage protecting the architect against claims of negligent design, omissions, or professional error. It typically excludes intentional acts, warranties, and certain contractual guarantees.

A reserve of time or money held to absorb unforeseen conditions, changes, or estimating variance. It is typically reduced as the project advances and risk diminishes.

A written modification to the contract documents that adjusts scope, price, or schedule after execution. It is normally signed by the owner and contractor, with the architect preparing and certifying it.

A formal written query from the contractor seeking clarification of the contract documents. The architect's timely written response becomes part of the project record and may lead to a change order.

A contractor-prepared drawing detailing how a specific component will be fabricated or installed. The architect reviews it for design intent, not for dimensions or construction means and methods.

Product data, samples, or drawings submitted by the contractor for the architect's review to confirm conformance with the design concept and contract documents before installation.

The stage at which the work is sufficiently complete for its intended use, allowing the owner to occupy it. It triggers warranty periods, retainage release, and the punch list process.

A written inventory of remaining incomplete or defective work identified at substantial completion. Completion of listed items is a condition for final payment and final completion.

The point at which all work, including punch list items, is finished and accepted. It typically follows final inspection and releases remaining retainage and final payment.

A percentage of each payment withheld by the owner until the project reaches specified milestones. It protects the owner against incomplete work and defects, and is governed by contract and statute.

A scheduling technique identifying the longest sequence of dependent activities that determines project duration. Delays on critical activities push the completion date; float exists only on noncritical paths.

The amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project completion date. Ownership and use of float are often negotiated because it affects delay claims.

An itemized breakdown of the contract sum allocated to portions of the work, used as the basis for progress payments. It must total the contract price and be approved by the architect.

A statutory claim against property by a party who supplied labor or materials and was not paid. Lien waivers and notices are common contract administration tools for managing this risk.

A document in which a contractor or supplier relinquishes lien rights, often in exchange for payment. Conditional waivers take effect on payment; unconditional waivers take effect on signing.

The continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a public way. It includes exit access, the exit itself, and exit discharge, each with separate code requirements.

The calculated number of people a space is designed to hold, based on use and floor area factors. It determines egress width, exit count, and plumbing fixture requirements.

The minimum clear width of corridors, stairs, and doors required to serve the occupant load. Widths are set by code and reduced by projections such as handrails.

The period, in hours, that a building element resists fire under standardized test conditions. It is expressed for structural assemblies, walls, and doors and drives compartmentation and separation requirements.

The measured distance from a building face to the lot line, property line, or another building. It influences allowable openings, exterior wall ratings, and permitted building area.

A code classification based on the combustibility of structural elements and their fire resistance. It limits building height and area and interacts with sprinkler protection and occupancy group.

The maximum floor area permitted by code for a given occupancy and construction type. It may be increased by frontage, sprinklers, or separation, and is checked per story and in total.

A local law regulating land use, density, height, setbacks, and bulk. It controls what may be built on a site and often requires permits and public review before construction.

The ratio of total building floor area to the area of its lot. It caps development intensity and is often combined with height limits and open space requirements.

The required minimum distance between a building and a lot line, street, or other feature. It protects light, air, and privacy and shapes the buildable envelope of a site.

The boundary separating conditioned interior space from the exterior environment. It controls heat, air, and moisture movement and includes walls, roofs, windows, and foundations.

Heat flow that bypasses insulation through conductive elements such as studs, slabs, or balconies. It reduces effective R-value and can cause condensation and comfort problems.

Insulation installed as an uninterrupted layer outside the structure, limiting thermal bridging. It improves envelope performance and helps manage dew points within wall assemblies.

A material restricting water vapor diffusion through an assembly. Its placement depends on climate and assembly type, and errors can trap moisture and cause rot or mold.

A wall that carries structural loads from floors or roofs above down to the foundation. Removing or altering it requires structural analysis and usually a building permit.

A horizontal structural member that carries transverse loads and transfers them to columns or walls. Its depth and material determine span capacity and deflection performance.

The clear distance a structural member must bridge between supports. Span drives member depth, material choice, and deflection limits in design.