GA General Contractor flashcards

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

Substantial Completion

The stage when the work is sufficiently complete in accordance with the contract documents so the owner can occupy or use it for its intended purpose; it starts warranty periods and retainage release.

Construction Change Directive

A written owner-directed order signed by the architect and owner that directs a change in the work before the contractor and owner agree on price and time; it is later converted to a change order.

Critical Path

The longest continuous chain of dependent activities through a project schedule; any delay on this path delays project completion, and activities on it have zero total float.

Swell Factor

The ratio of a soil's loose volume after excavation to its undisturbed bank volume; it is used to convert bank quantities to truck or stockpile volumes when planning hauling.

Standard Proctor Test

ASTM D698 laboratory test that determines a soil's maximum dry density and optimum moisture content; field compaction is specified as a percentage of that maximum dry density.

Water and Sewer Separation

Buried water mains must be at least 10 ft horizontally from sewers, or 18 in above them at crossings; lesser clearance requires pressure-rated pipe and encasement.

Water-Cementitious Ratio

The weight of water divided by the weight of cementitious material in a mix; lowering it increases strength, reduces permeability, and improves durability, but reduces workability.

#5 Rebar

A deformed reinforcing bar with a 5/8 in nominal diameter and 0.31 in2 cross-sectional area; the bar number equals eighths of an inch of nominal diameter.

Control Joint Spacing

For slabs on grade, joints are spaced 24 to 36 times the slab thickness in inches; saw cuts should be about one quarter of the slab depth and cut soon after finishing.

Mortar Type N

A medium-strength mortar of about 750 psi used for general above-grade masonry and interior load-bearing walls; Type M is stronger, Type O weaker, and Type S serves high-wind or seismic walls.

Modular Brick Dimensions

Nominal 3-5/8 in wide by 2-1/4 in high by 7-5/8 in long; with a 3/8 in mortar joint, three courses equal 8 in so brick coursing aligns with concrete block.

Masonry Wall Ties

Corrugated or wire ties connecting veneer to backing, spaced no more than 16 in vertically and 24 in horizontally, and embedded at least 1 in into each wythe.

A992 Steel

The standard US wide-flange structural steel, with a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi and tensile strength of 65 ksi; it replaced A36 for most W-shapes.

Turn-of-Nut Method

A bolt pretensioning technique in which the nut is turned a specified partial rotation after snugging, one-third turn for short bolts and one-half turn for long bolts.

SFRM Fireproofing

Sprayed fire-resistive material applied to structural steel to slow temperature rise; the required thickness depends on the hourly rating and the member's weight-to-perimeter ratio.

Nominal versus Actual Lumber

The nominal size is the name, such as 2x4, while the dressed actual size is smaller, typically 1-1/2 by 3-1/2 in, with large widths reduced by 3/4 in.

Fire Blocking

Approved material such as 1/2 in gypsum or 3/4 in plywood installed in concealed spaces at floor and ceiling levels and at 10 ft intervals in vertical chases to stop fire spread.

Joist Notch Limits

At joist ends a notch may not exceed one quarter of the joist depth; notches are prohibited in the middle third of the span, and holes must stay within one third of the depth.

Low-Slope Roof

A roof with a rise less than 3:12; it uses built-up, modified bitumen, or single-ply membranes and must drain positively, typically at a minimum slope of 1/4 in per foot.

Base Flashing Height

The turned-up portion of roof membrane at a wall or curb must extend at least 8 in above the roof surface, with counterflashing overlapping it by at least 4 in.

Ponding

Water that remains standing on a roof more than 48 hours after rain; it is prevented by adequate slope to drains, tapered insulation, and properly sized primary and secondary drainage.

Vapor Retarder Placement

Installed on the warm side of the insulation in cold climates; in Georgia's mixed-humid climate, a Class II or III retarder with air sealing allows inward drying and limits condensation risk.

Housewrap Lapping

Weather-resistive barrier is installed shingle-fashion, with upper courses overlapping lower courses by 6 in horizontally and 2 in vertically, and integrated with flashings below.

Safety Glazing Location

Tempered or laminated glass is required in doors, within 24 in of a door edge, and in glazing less than 18 in above the floor or over 9 sq ft in a single pane.

Fire Door Label

A metal label showing an assembly's fire rating in minutes; the leaf, frame, closer, and hardware must all be labeled and the rating matched to the wall assembly.

Type X Gypsum Board

A 5/8 in gypsum panel with core additives that give greater fire resistance than standard board; it is required in most one-hour and two-hour rated partitions and ceilings.

Level 5 Gypsum Finish

A skim coat of joint compound applied over the entire surface after Level 4; required where gloss paint, semigloss paint, or critical side lighting would reveal joints and framing.

ADA Grab Bar Height

Grab bars in accessible toilet compartments are mounted 33 to 36 in above the floor to centerline and must resist a 250 lb concentrated load in any direction.

Fire Extinguisher Travel

Class A extinguishers must be within 75 ft of travel from any point on the floor, and the top of the extinguisher is mounted no more than 5 ft above the floor.

OSHA Fall Protection Trigger

In construction, employees must be protected from falls at heights of 6 ft or more above a lower level using guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems.

Trench Protective System

Required for excavations 5 ft or deeper unless a competent person determines stable rock; sloping, shoring, or shielding is required, and depths over 20 ft need an engineer's design.

Georgia Lien Filing Period

A Georgia claim of lien must be filed in the county records within 90 days after the last day labor, services, or materials were furnished, with foreclosure suit filed within 12 months.