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RH An acronym for relative humidity (see relative humidity) Ridge The uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Ridge Beam The beam or board placed on edge at the ridge (top) of the roof into which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened. Ridge Shingles Shingles used to cover the horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Rise The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge. Riser The vertical height of a stair step. Also used as the name of the vertical boards that close the space between the treads of a stairway. Roll Roofing/Rolled Roofing Asphalt roofing products manufactured in roll form. Roof The top of the house. Used broadly to include the roofing, flashing, sheeting, substructure, gutters and roof attachments. Roof Diaphragm A specially designed roof section which resists vertical and lateral forces resulting from wind loading of the structure. Roof Drainage Systems Gutters, downspouts, leaders, splash blocks, and similar components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building. Roof Window A fixed or operable window similar to a skylight placed in the sloping surface of a roof. Roofing The covering of the roof. The part intended to keep the water from damaging the rest. Roofing Cement Black elastic water-proofing compound used in flashing and roofing installations and for repairs. Roofing Felt Thick, fibrous paper impregnated with asphalt used between roof deck and some roofing materials. Roofing Tape An asphalt-saturated tape used with asphalt cements for flashing and patching asphalt roofing. Room An interior subdivision of a structure, usually accompanied by descriptive term signifying use, such as living room, bedroom. Rotating Vane Anemometer Measures air velocity by use of a rotating vane or fan. Rough Opening The opening in a wall into which a door or window is to be installed. Run The horizontal distance from the eaves to a point directly under the ridge. One half the span. R-Value A measure of the resistance of a glazing material or fenestration assembly to heat flow. It is the inverse of the U-factor (R = 1/U) and is expressed in units of hr-sq ft-°F/Btu. A high-R-value window has a greater resistance to heat flow and a higher insulating value than one with a low R-value. Sacrificial Anode An anode that is made of a metal, typically zinc or magnesium, that is lower on the galvanic chart so it will be sacrificed to protect the mild steel tube sheet and end bells in the chiller from galvanic corrosion. Saddle Valve (Tap-A-Line) A valve body shaped so it may be silver brazed to refrigerant tubing surface. Safety Control Device which will stop the refrigerating unit if unsafe pressures and/or temperatures are reached. Safety Glass A strengthened or reinforced glass that is less subject to breakage or splintering. Safety Glazing Tempered glass, laminated glass or rigid plastic. Safety Motor Control A electrical device used to open circuit if the temperature, pressure, and/or the current flow exceed safe conditions. Safety Plug A device which will release the contents of a container above normal pressure conditions and before rupture pressures are reached. Sash Part of a window that holds the glass and is supported by the frame. The portion of a window that includes the glass and the framing sections directly attached to the glass, not to be confused with the complete frame into which the sash sections are fitted. Saturant Asphalt used to impregnate an organic felt base material. Saturated Felt Asphalt-impregnated felt used as an underlayment between the deck and the roofing material. Saturation The condition existing when substance contains maximum of another substance for that temperature and pressure Sawtooth Roof A roof consisting of a series of single-pitch roofs, usually found on factory buildings, garages or similar structures allows abundant light and ventilation. Score To cut or scribe a fine line on a surface in order to facilitate cutting or to mark a cutting or location line. Screen Woven mesh of metal, plastic, or fiberglass stretched over a window opening to permit air to pass through, but not insects. Scroll Compressor A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion versus an up and down piston action. Scuttle Hole A small opening either to the attic, to the crawl space or to the plumbing pipes. Seal A seal is a tight and perfect closure (as against the passage of gas or water) or a device to prevent the passage or return of gas or air into a pipe or container. Sealant A compressible plastic material used to seal any opening or junction of two parts, such as between the glass and a metal sash, commonly made of silicone, butyl tape, or polysulfide. Secondary Surface Area The area that extends from the primary surface area into the fluid being conditioned to enhance the heat transfer. SEER Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rate Recently the U.S. Department of Energy developed a more complicated test method then the EER which rates the performance of a unit over a wide range of operating conditions. The result (SEER) is indicative of the unit's operation throughout the cooling season. An efficiency measurement that is similar to Miles Per Gallon for cars. The higher this number, the more energy efficient they system is. New units have SEER ratings from 10 to 17 btus per watt. The government's established minimum rating for air conditioning is 10. A rating of the average efficiency of an air conditioning unit in cooling mode. A measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power. Self-Sealing Shingles Shingles containing factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive. Self-Sealing Strip Or Spot Factory-applied adhesive that bonds shingle courses together when exposed to the heat of the sun after application. Self-Tapping Screw Screw that cuts its own thread in metal when driven into a pilot hole. |