Perit Warrant Exam key terms

The net cost of executing the works, calculated from measured quantities, unit prices and labour, without general expenses, contractor profit, taxes or professional fees. It is the base figure from which the contractor's tender price and the client's budget are built up.

The systematic counting and measuring of each construction unit from the drawings and specifications to obtain quantities. Results are tabulated by chapter and code so that they can be priced, compared with site records and certified for payment.

A unit price broken down into its components: labour hours and cost, materials with waste allowance, machinery, and small auxiliary means. The breakdown justifies the price, allows review when conditions change and supports the analysis of variations.

The PEM increased by general expenses and the contractor's industrial profit, expressed as percentages. It represents the price the developer pays the builder and is the basis for comparing tenders before taxes and professional fees are added.

A periodic statement issued by the site professional certifying quantities actually executed in a period and their value. It triggers interim payment, records progress against programme and becomes the documentary basis for the final settlement.

A formal amendment to the contract covering changes in scope, quantities, units or timing ordered during construction. It must be justified, priced with agreed or approved rates and approved in writing before execution to preserve the right to payment.

The agreement that defines scope, price, schedule, payment terms, guarantees and the allocation of risk between developer and contractor. Its clauses determine which party bears cost overruns, delays, ground conditions and price revision.

A contractual mechanism adjusting the contract price during long works to reflect changes in input costs, usually through agreed indices or formulas. It requires an express clause and legal basis; without it the price normally stays fixed.

A statutory liability period, commonly ten years, during which the builder and other participants answer for material damage to the building caused by defects affecting structure, foundations or habitability. It runs from acceptance of the completed works.

The formal act by which the client accepts completed works, with or without reservations, starting the guarantee periods and the limitation period for claims. A record is signed listing any defects to be corrected.

The duty of the architect or engineer to compensate damage caused by negligent or defective professional services. It may arise from design errors, supervision failures or breach of statutory duties and is usually covered by liability insurance.

The compulsory or voluntary check of a project by the professional association before works begin, verifying the practitioner's standing and the formal completeness of documents. It does not certify technical correctness or replace the designer's responsibility.

The municipal authorisation required before construction, alteration or demolition. It verifies that the proposal conforms to planning rules, and building without it is an infringement that can lead to stoppage, fines or demolition orders.

The hierarchy of plans - general and detailed - that classify land, fix buildable area, uses and densities, and reserve public space. Each project must demonstrate conformity with the applicable plan and its detailed determinations.

The ratio of permitted built floor area to plot area, expressed as square metres buildable per square metre of land. It caps the total area that may be constructed and thus drives massing, unit count and project value.

The fraction of a plot that may be covered by the building footprint. Together with height limits and setbacks it controls building form and open space, and it is checked at both planning and licensing stage.

The minimum distance a building must be set back from plot boundaries, streets or other buildings. It ensures daylight, privacy, fire separation and public space, and constrains the footprint used in design and measurement.

The dynamic load imposed on a structure by ground motion during an earthquake, represented in codes by design spectra and equivalent static forces. Its magnitude depends on site seismicity, soil type, ductility and building importance.

A design condition beyond which the structure fails or becomes unsafe, such as collapse, buckling, fatigue or loss of equilibrium. Ultimate limit states are checked with factored loads and reduced material strengths to achieve a defined reliability.

A design condition in which the structure no longer performs acceptably in normal use, for example excessive deflection, cracking or vibration. Serviceability checks use unfactored loads and protect finishes, drainage and comfort.

A multiplier applied to loads or a divisor applied to resistance so that the design keeps a margin against unfavourable outcomes. Partial factors, applied separately to actions and materials, replace the single global factor in modern codes.

The capacity of a structural element to deform beyond yield without losing strength, dissipating energy. It is essential for seismic behaviour and is achieved through detailing: confinement, anchorage lengths and limited reinforcement ratios.

A composite material in which steel bars resist tension and shear while concrete resists compression. Performance depends on adequate cover, correct bar spacing, compaction and curing, and on the bond between steel and concrete.

The thickness of concrete between the outer steel bar and the exposed surface. It protects reinforcement from corrosion and fire, ensures bond, and must respect minimum values set for exposure class and fire resistance.

The controlled retention of moisture and temperature in fresh concrete so that cement hydration continues. Inadequate curing reduces strength, durability and surface resistance, and is a frequent cause of early-age cracking.

Material or system that reduces heat flow through the building envelope by its low thermal conductivity. Its performance depends on thickness, continuity, absence of thermal bridges and protection from moisture.

The rate of heat flow through one square metre of an element per kelvin of temperature difference, measured in W/(m²·K). Lower values mean better insulation; limits are set by energy codes for walls, roofs, floors and glazing.

A localised zone where the envelope conducts heat much faster than the surrounding area, such as a slab edge or window lintel. It causes heat loss, surface condensation and mould, and must be corrected by continuity of insulation.

The amount of energy a building needs to maintain comfort conditions, calculated before accounting for system efficiency. Reducing demand through envelope, shading and ventilation is the first step in the energy hierarchy.

The network of supply pipes, fittings, valves and storage that delivers potable water at adequate pressure and quality to fixtures. Design covers flow rates, pressure loss, protection against backflow and separation from drainage.

The system of drains, stacks, traps and vents that removes wastewater and rainwater from a building. It relies on water seals, adequate slopes and venting to prevent odours and sewer gases entering occupied spaces.

The controlled supply and extraction of air to remove pollutants, moisture and heat and to support combustion appliances. It may be natural or mechanical, and must be balanced to avoid pressure reversal and back-draughting.

The site-specific document that identifies hazards, defines preventive measures, protective equipment and emergency procedures, and assigns responsibilities. It is mandatory before work starts and is updated as the works evolve.

The professional appointed to coordinate safety measures among the various contractors and self-employed workers on site. The role includes approving safety plans, organising access and shared facilities, and stopping unsafe work.

The sequencing of activities, durations, resources and dependencies to deliver the project by the required date. Tools include the Gantt chart and the critical path method, which identifies activities whose delay postpones completion.

The longest chain of dependent activities through a network, fixing the shortest possible project duration. Any delay on a critical activity delays completion unless float elsewhere is used or the logic is changed.

The technical team, typically architect and engineer, responsible for interpreting the design, issuing instructions, controlling quality and certifying the works on behalf of the client. It is distinct from the contractor's own site management.