Materials & Systems
Technical reference for the materials and systems that go into a building, from concrete and masonry to HVAC and electrical. Each category covers the sizes, types, standards, and terms you need when you design and specify.
Concrete 7 articles
Concrete ingredients, admixtures, reinforcing, finishing techniques, and testing. Also covers floor flatness and levelness (FF and FL numbers) and the industry groups that publish free technical guidance.
Masonry 7 articles
Brick and concrete block sizes, the mortars and grouts that hold them together, and the bond patterns they're laid in. Also includes the industry groups that publish free masonry technical information.
Metals 7 articles
Structural steel shapes, cold-formed metal framing, and sheet metal gauges, plus stainless steel grades and finishes. Also covers metal coatings and the galvanic action between dissimilar metals.
Wood / Plastic / Composites 9 articles
Lumber dimensions and cuts, wood veneer cuts and matching, and treated wood, both preservative and fire-retardant. Also covers nails, screws, and wood industry resources.
Thermal & Moisture Protection 10 articles
Roofing, insulation, fireproofing, and firestopping. Covers low-slope membrane roofs, steep-slope roofing, green roofs, R-values, spray-applied and intumescent fireproofing, and through-penetration firestop systems.
Doors / Windows / Openings 13 articles
Door types, hardware, and frames, plus window and glass types. Covers door handing, lockset types and function, fire-rated doors and glazing, glass surface numbers, and frosted glass.
Finishes 13 articles
Floor, wall, and ceiling finishes, from tile and terrazzo to drywall and acoustic ceilings. Also covers paint sheen, flooring slip resistance, raised access floors, and fabrics for interiors and furniture.
Specialties & Equipment 3 articles
Fire extinguisher types, fire department key boxes, and high-rise window washing equipment. These are the built-in items and equipment that architects specify and coordinate.
Vertical Circulation 5 articles
Elevators, escalators, and ladders. Covers elevator types and controls, escalator dimensions, and fixed and ship's ladder design.
Fire Suppression 2 articles
Fire sprinkler head types and how sprinkler heads are spaced and located. Useful for coordinating with your fire protection engineer.
Plumbing 5 articles
Pipe dimensions and drainage slopes, valve type animations, and wall-mounted fixture support dimensions. Also covers the industry groups that publish free plumbing technical information.
HVAC 6 articles
How buildings are heated and cooled, from how an air conditioner works to chilled beams and duct shaft layout. Also covers laminar and turbulent airflow and HVAC industry resources.
Electrical 15 articles
Building electrical systems, lighting, and wiring. Covers power distribution and one-line diagrams, emergency power, light fixtures and lighting levels, lighting controls, conduit, and wire sizes.