Haryana BSEH Senior Secondary NSQF Construction key terms

The human-made surroundings where people live and work, including buildings, roads, bridges, water supply and drainage networks, and the open spaces planned around them.

The basic physical systems a community depends on, such as roads, bridges, water pipelines, sewer lines, electricity supply and public buildings, usually funded and owned publicly or through long-term contracts.

Any person or group with an interest in a construction project, such as the owner, designer, contractor, workers, local residents, lenders or the approving authority, each with different expectations and levels of influence.

The business of buying land, obtaining approvals, arranging finance and then building or renovating property so that it can be sold or rented at a profit.

A structured training arrangement where a learner works under an experienced tradesperson for a fixed period, combining paid on-site practice with classroom instruction and ending in a recognised qualification.

A firm hired to carry out one specific package of work on a project, such as electrical wiring, plumbing, waterproofing or steel fabrication, usually under contract to the main contractor.

Wearable or handheld safety gear such as helmets, safety boots, gloves, goggles, harnesses and high-visibility vests, issued to protect a worker from hazards that cannot be removed or controlled otherwise.

A short, informal safety briefing held on site before work starts, where a supervisor explains the day's hazards, required precautions and any changes, and workers can raise concerns.

A ranking of risk-reduction measures from most to least reliable: eliminate the hazard, substitute it, isolate it by engineering, change work methods, and use personal protective equipment as the last resort.

A written authorisation issued before starting a high-risk activity such as work at height, hot work, confined-space entry or deep excavation, confirming that controls are in place and the area is safe.

A standard document supplied with a hazardous chemical that lists its hazards, safe handling, storage, first-aid, spill and disposal instructions, and the emergency contact for the supplier.

How easily fresh concrete or mortar can be mixed, transported, placed and compacted without segregation or bleeding; it is judged on site by the slump test.

The mass of water divided by the mass of cement in a concrete mix; higher values make placing easier but reduce strength, durability and resistance to cracking.

Keeping freshly placed concrete or plaster moist and at a suitable temperature for several days after placing, so that cement continues to hydrate and the material reaches its intended strength.

The increase in volume of damp sand because water films push the grains apart; the effect must be allowed for when sand is measured by volume for mortar or concrete.

A site test in which fresh concrete is placed in a metal cone, the cone is lifted away, and the drop in the concrete's height is measured to judge its consistency and workability.

The temporary mould of timber, plywood or steel, together with its supports, that holds fresh concrete in the required shape and position until it is strong enough to stand alone.

The pattern in which bricks are laid so that vertical joints do not line up over successive courses; common patterns include stretcher, English and Flemish bond.

Applying one or more coats of mortar to a wall or ceiling to give a flat, level and protective surface, which is later finished with putty and paint or another decorative layer.

Marking the exact position of walls, columns, foundations and levels on the ground from approved drawings, using pegs, string lines and instruments, before excavation or construction begins.

A fixed point of known or assumed elevation, often marked on a permanent structure or pillar, from which levels are transferred to other points during levelling and setting out.

The height of a point expressed relative to a chosen datum, calculated in levelling by adding backsight readings to the instrument height and subtracting foresight readings.

A surveying instrument with a telescope rigidly fixed to a levelling head on a tripod, used with a graduated staff to read heights and carry levels across a site.

A line on a drawing joining points of equal elevation; closely spaced contours mean steep ground, widely spaced ones mean gentle slopes, and both guide site levelling and drainage planning.

The fixed ratio between a distance on a drawing and the real distance it represents, such as 1:100, chosen so the whole building fits the sheet at a readable size.

A view of a building seen from above after the roof is cut away, showing walls, openings, fixtures and dimensions as they would appear in horizontal section.

A straight-on view of one face of a building showing heights, levels, roof shape, windows, doors and external finishes, but not the internal layout.

A cut-through view showing the inside of a building as if sliced vertically, revealing floor levels, foundation depth, wall build-up and roof construction with dimensions.

A thin line with arrowheads or ticks at both ends, drawn between extension lines, on which the measured distance, radius or angle is written.

A reference line, usually labelled A, B, C or 1, 2, 3, used on structural drawings to locate columns, walls and beams so that trades can find positions quickly.

A drawing revised after construction to show the work exactly as completed, including any site changes, used for maintenance, future alterations and official records.

The process of measuring each item of work from the drawings and specifications, in the correct units, to produce quantities for pricing and for ordering materials.

A schedule listing each item of work with its description, unit and quantity, prepared so that tenders can be compared fairly and payments controlled during the project.

Working out the cost per unit of an item from its materials, labour, plant, overheads and contractor profit, giving the rate used to price the bill of quantities.

A sum of money set aside in the estimate for unforeseen work, price rises or difficult site conditions, usually a percentage of the estimated cost, released only with approval.

Giving full attention to a speaker, asking clarifying questions and repeating back the key points to confirm understanding, which reduces costly misunderstandings on site.

A written document describing a proposed business, its market, products, competitors, marketing, staffing and financial forecasts, used to guide the owner and to raise finance.

The transferable abilities employers expect, including punctuality, teamwork, communication, problem solving, safe work habits and a willingness to learn new tasks.