NAA CAMT key terms

A written or digital record authorizing and tracking a maintenance task, showing the location, problem, assigned technician, parts used, time spent, and completion status.

The process of cleaning, repairing, painting, and servicing a vacant apartment so it is ready for a new resident, typically completed against a move-in date.

A calendar of recurring inspections and servicing tasks-such as filter changes, belt checks, and roof walk-throughs-performed before equipment fails, reducing emergency work orders and extending equipment life.

The ranking assigned to a work order that sets how fast it must be handled, usually from emergency (flood, no heat, no power) through urgent to routine.

The overall visual impression of a property as seen from the street, created by landscaping, clean walkways, fresh paint, and well-kept buildings; it influences leasing and resident satisfaction.

Federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability; it governs how service requests are handled.

A change in rules, policies, practices, or services-or a physical modification-that allows a resident with a disability equal use of the dwelling, provided it does not create undue burden.

Scheduling, supervising, and documenting outside contractors who perform specialized work, including confirming scope, insurance, access, and that the completed job meets property standards.

The documented system for issuing, tracking, and recovering keys and access devices, including master keys, so that only authorized staff can enter apartments and common areas.

Restoring damaged gypsum wallboard by cutting out the damaged area, installing a patch or plug, taping and mudding the joints, sanding smooth, and priming before paint.

Applying a flexible compound to joints and gaps around tubs, sinks, windows, and siding to keep out water and air; correct application prevents rot, mold, and energy loss.

A compressible material installed around doors and windows that seals gaps when closed, blocking air leaks, drafts, water intrusion, and pests.

The complete assembly of knob or lever, latch, deadbolt, and strike plate that secures a door; replaced or rekeyed during make-ready and when a key is lost.

Replacing cracked tiles and regrouting or resealing grout lines in bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas to restore a watertight surface and prevent moisture damage beneath.

A periodic walk-around checking siding, trim, flashing, roofs, gutters, and foundations for cracks, rot, loose fasteners, or water damage before small defects become structural repairs.

A valve that stops water flow to a fixture, branch line, or whole building; knowing its location lets a technician isolate a leak quickly and limit damage.

The curved section of drainpipe under a sink or tub that holds a small amount of water to seal out sewer gas while allowing wastewater to pass.

The fill valve refills the tank after a flush, and the flush valve (flapper) releases water into the bowl; worn parts cause running toilets and high water bills.

A soft wax seal placed between the toilet base and the closet flange to create a watertight and gas-tight joint; it is replaced whenever a toilet is lifted.

A flexible cable tool, hand- or power-driven, that is fed into a drain line to break up or pull back clogs in traps, branch lines, and main lines.

A safety valve on a water heater that opens automatically if temperature or pressure exceeds safe limits, preventing tank rupture or explosion; it must never be capped or plugged.

A device on the incoming service line that reduces high municipal pressure to a safe, steady level for fixtures and appliances, typically around 50 to 60 psi.

A device or assembly that stops contaminated water from reversing flow into the potable supply, protecting drinking water; required where cross-connections exist and tested annually.

An automatic switch in a panelboard that trips to interrupt current when a circuit is overloaded or shorted; it protects wiring and can be reset after the fault is corrected.

A ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacle or breaker that shuts off power within milliseconds when it senses current leaking to ground, required in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors.

An arc-fault circuit interrupter breaker that detects the signature of dangerous arcing in wiring and de-energizes the circuit, protecting against fires caused by damaged conductors.

A test instrument that measures voltage, resistance, and continuity; used to verify power is present or absent, check fuses and switches, and trace open circuits safely.

The electrical potential difference that pushes current through a circuit, measured in volts; in apartments, branch circuits are typically 120 volts and large appliances 240 volts.

The intentional connection of electrical equipment to earth so fault current has a safe path back to the source, allowing breakers to trip and reducing shock hazard.

A standard numbering system for conductor size; lower numbers mean thicker wire with greater current capacity, and the correct gauge must match the breaker and load.

A safety procedure in which energy sources are shut off, locked, and tagged by the person working on equipment so it cannot be re-energized until the work is finished.

The control device that senses room temperature and signals the heating or cooling equipment to start or stop, maintaining the setpoint; modern units may be programmable or smart.

The fluid in a cooling system that absorbs heat as it evaporates indoors and releases heat as it condenses outdoors; it must be recovered, never vented, and charged by weight.

A replaceable media that traps dust and particles before air enters the blower; its MERV rating indicates filtration level, and a clogged filter reduces airflow and strains equipment.

The two heat-exchange coils of a split system: the evaporator absorbs heat from indoor air, and the condenser releases it outdoors; both must be clean for efficient operation.

Measurements used to verify correct refrigerant charge: superheat is heat added to vapor above its boiling point, and subcooling is heat removed from liquid below its condensing point.

The gear worn to reduce injury risk-such as safety glasses, gloves, respirators, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots-selected for the specific hazard of the task.

A standardized document provided by manufacturers that lists a chemical's hazards, safe handling, first-aid measures, and spill response; it must be accessible to workers.

A device that sounds an alarm when odorless, colorless carbon monoxide from fuel-burning appliances or exhaust reaches dangerous levels, protecting occupants from poisoning.

The classification of extinguishers by fire type-A for ordinary combustibles, B for flammable liquids, C for electrical, and K for cooking oils-so the right unit is used.