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Slope The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise in inches, to the run, in feet. Small Building A one or two story building having a plan dimension of 60' x 60' or less, or a three story building having a plan dimension of 40' x 50' or less. Smart Window Generic term for windows with switchable coatings to control solar gain. Smoke The airborne solid and liquid particles and gases that evolve when material undergoes pyrolysis or combustion. Smoke Visualization A method of detecting leaks in the building fabric, by pressurizing the building and using smoke to trace the paths followed by the escaping air. Smooth Surfaced Roofing Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules. Soffit The visible underside of a roof overhang or eave. Solar Control Coatings Thin film coatings on glass or plastic that absorb or reflect solar energy, thereby reducing solar gain. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) The fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window or skylight, both directly transmitted, and absorbed and subsequently released inward. The solar heat gain coefficient has replaced the shading coefficient as the standard indicator of a window's shading ability. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window's solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits, and the greater its shading ability. SHGC can be expressed in terms of the glass alone or can refer to the entire window assembly. Solar Radiation The total radiant energy from the sun, including ultraviolet and infrared wave lengths as well as visible light. An important item to the cooling load, which causes an increased heat flow through walls and roofs by their absorption of radiant heat and it penetrates through windows on the sunny sides of the building unless they are externally shaded. Solar Screen A sun shading device, such as screens, panels, louvers, or blinds, installed to intercept solar radiation. Solar Spectrum The intensity variation of sunlight across its spectral range. Sole Plate The lowest horizontal member on wall and partition framing (see sill). Solid Fuel Heating Device Any wood, coal, or other similar organic fuel burning device, including but not limited to fireplaces whether masonry or factory built, fireplace inserts and stoves, woodstoves (room heaters), central furnaces and combinations of these devices. Sound Rating (Sr) Is measured in Bels. The SR of a unit (heat pump or air conditioner) is based on tests performed at ARI standard rating conditions. Although no energy consumption is tied to the SR, it can directly affect the consumer's comfort (as well as that of a neighbor!). Average sound ratings range from 7.2 to 8.2. Lower numbers indicate quieter units. Sound Transmission Class (Stc) The sound transmission loss rating of a material over a selected range of sound frequencies. The higher the number, the less sound transmitted. Sources Of Indoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollutants can originate within the building or be drawn in from outdoors. Common sources include people, room furnishings such as carpeting, photocopiers, art supplies, etc. Span The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves. Specific Flow (A) Defined as the total volumetric supply airflow rate per unit volume of the room. Specific flow is expressed by the equation a=q/v, where q is the ventilation airflow rate (m3/s) and v is the total volume of the room (m3). Specific flow is often called the air change rate (note specific flow is usually expressed by the letter "n", but "a" is used here as not to confuse with the flow exponent "n".). Specific Heat The ratio of the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of a substance one degree Fahrenheit to that required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree, Btu/lb. For the metric system, the unit of mass is kilogram and the temperature scale is Celsius. The heat necessary to raise the temperature of a unit weight kg of a substance through 1 Deg K. Units of measure is [J/kg. K]. Spectrally Selective Coating A coated or tinted glazing with optical properties that are transparent to some wavelengths of energy and reflective to others. Typical spectrally selective coatings are transparent to visible light and reflect short-wave and long-wave infrared radiation. Splice To join wires by twisting and soldering or with solderless connectors such as wire nuts. Split System Refrigeration system where the refrigerant is piped from one part to another, such as residential heat pump or a/c system. A heat pump or central air conditioning system with components located both inside and outside of a building - the most common types installed in homes. Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations. Usually, one part of the system is located inside (evaporator coil) and the other is located outside your home (condenser coil). Split-Ductless System Comprised of a remote outdoor condensing unit connected by refrigerant pipes to a matching, non-ducted indoor air handler. Special cases for introducing fresh air may call for limited ducting to air handler from outside Split-Level House A house with living areas on two or more levels of less than single-story height. Square A unit of roof measure covering 100 square feet. Square-Tab Shingles Shingles on which tabs are all the same size and exposure. Stack A vertical waste or vent pipe. A single chimney/flue or a cluster of chimneys/flues. The part of a flue above roof level. Stack Effect Pressure-driven airflow produced by convection as heated air rises, creating a positive pressure area at the top of a building and a negative pressure area at the bottom of a building. The stack effect can overpower the mechanical system and disrupt ventilation and circulation in a building. Stair Landing A platform between flights of stairs. Stairs A flight of steps from one level or floor to another. Stairway The flights of stairs and landings in a building that form a continuous passage from one floor to another. Stand-Alone A description used when, for normal operation, the item of equipment does not depend upon a host or other processor. Standard Full Inspection A comprehensive inspection of all systems of the property including heating, roof, structural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, windows, doors, floors, walls, ceiling, etc. Start Of Construction The first placement of a permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as pouring slabs or footings or any other work beyond the stage of excavation. Starter Strip The first strip attached to a wall to start the vinyl siding of a structure. Also asphalt roofing applied at the eaves that provides protection by filling in the spaces under the cut-outs and joints of the first course of shingles. Static Pressure The condition that exists when an equal amount of air is supplied to and exhausted from a space. At static pressure, equilibrium has been reached. |