PAQE flashcards

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

Net assignable area

Area of spaces usable for the program, excluding circulation, mechanical, structure, and exterior wall thickness; it is the numerator of the efficiency ratio used to budget gross area.

Adjacency matrix

A grid scoring desired proximity between functional groups; it is converted into a bubble diagram so that planning decisions follow documented relationships rather than intuition.

Efficiency ratio

Net assignable area divided by gross area. Office projects commonly target 0.65 to 0.80; the ratio converts a net program into the gross building size.

Rational method runoff

Q = C·i·A, where C is the runoff coefficient by surface type, i is rainfall intensity, and A is drainage area; used to size storm detention and conveyance.

Floor area ratio

Total gross floor area divided by site area, set by zoning. It is independent of lot coverage, so both limits must be checked separately on any massing study.

Sun-path diagram

A chart of solar azimuth and altitude for a given latitude; shadow angles at solstices and key hours define the shading envelope and orientation of facades.

Geotechnical report

Results of borings and soil testing establishing bearing capacity, groundwater level, and expansive or compressible strata; it precedes foundation selection and site grading design.

Floor-to-floor height

Sum of ceiling height, structural depth, plenum depth, and floor finish. Mechanical and structural zones must be added explicitly rather than assumed inside the ceiling.

Daylight factor

Interior illuminance divided by unobstructed exterior horizontal illuminance, times 100. A 2% factor is a common target for side-lit office space.

Core-to-facade distance

Distance from the building core to the exterior wall; office depth of roughly 12 to 15 meters per side balances useful daylight against gross floor area yield.

Structural bay module

The repeated column spacing set early in planning; it governs parking layout efficiency, column-free space, and the depth of beams and slabs above.

Continuous load path

An unbroken route from roof or floor slab through beams, girders, columns, and footings into the soil; every transfer must appear on the framing plan.

Live load reduction

A code allowance that reduces design live load for large tributary areas; it never applies to snow, wind, or seismic loads and never falls below code minimums.

Moment frame

A lateral system with rigid beam-column connections that resists sway without bracing walls, allowing open facades but producing larger drift than braced frames.

Expansion joint alignment

Structural, envelope, and finish joints must stack vertically; a structural joint not carried through the facade causes cracking and water penetration.

U-factor and R-value

U-factor is conductance, so lower is better; R-value is its reciprocal, resistance. Assembly U is computed from all layer resistances plus surface film coefficients.

Thermal bridging

Heat flow through highly conductive elements such as slab edges, balconies, and steel studs; continuous exterior insulation breaks the bridge and preserves assembly performance.

Vapor retarder placement

In cold climates the retarder goes on the warm side of insulation; in mixed climates it is placed where both winter and summer conditions tolerate it.

SHGC and VLT

Solar heat gain coefficient controls admitted solar heat; visible light transmittance controls daylight. Low SHGC with high VLT cuts cooling load without darkening interiors.

VAV fan power

Variable air volume systems modulate supply air at constant temperature; fan power varies with the cube of speed, so variable frequency drives save substantially at part load.

Occupant load

Floor area divided by the code occupant load factor for the space use; it sets required egress width, exit count, and plumbing fixture counts.

Travel distance

Distance measured along the actual path of travel from the most remote point to an exit; it is not a straight-line measurement and is limited by occupancy.

Ramp slope limit

Accessible ramps may not exceed a 1:12 slope, with landings at intervals; steeper slopes require an elevator or lift as the accessible route.

Van-accessible parking

One van-accessible space is required per six accessible spaces, with a wider access aisle of 2440 millimeters (96 inches) beside the space.

MasterFormat divisions

A numbering system organizing specifications: 03 Concrete, 05 Metals, 07 Thermal and Moisture, 08 Openings, 09 Finishes, 23 HVAC, 26 Electrical.

Prescriptive versus performance

Prescriptive specifications name products and methods; performance specifications state required results and leave means to the contractor. Most projects combine both approaches.

Concrete f'c

The specified 28-day compressive strength of concrete; slump and air content are separate acceptance criteria governing workability and freeze-thaw durability.

Mockup

A full-scale sample of an assembly built and tested before general installation; it verifies water, air, and thermal performance and sets the quality benchmark.

Submittal review

The architect's check of shop drawings and product data for design intent; review does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for compliance with the contract documents.

Design-bid-build

A delivery method where the owner contracts separately with the architect for design and then with a contractor selected by competitive bidding on completed documents.

Substantial completion

The stage when the work is sufficiently complete for its intended use; it starts warranty periods, transfers insurance risk, and triggers the punch list process.

Standard of care

The skill and care ordinarily exercised by professionals under similar circumstances; it is not a warranty of perfection or of a specific result.

Claims-made liability policy

Professional liability coverage that responds to claims made during the policy period, regardless of when the negligent act occurred, unlike occurrence-based policies.