Nozzle
The part of a heating system that sprays the fuel of fuel-air mixture into the combustion chamber.
Nonferrous
Metallic materials in which iron is not a principal element.
Nonprestressed Units
Concrete structural members in which the reinforcing steel is not subject to prestressing or post-tensioning.
Noncombustible
Definition excerpted from the ICBO Uniform Building Code: 1. Material of which no part will ignite and burn when subjected to fire. 2. Material having a structural base of noncombustible material as defined, with a surface not over 1/8" thick that has a flame spread rating of 50 or less. The term does not apply to surface finish materials.
Nosing
The projecting edge of a molding or drip or the front edge of a stair tread.
Noncalcerous Clays
Clays containing silicate of alumina, feldspar, and iron oxide.
Notch
- A crosswise groove at the end of a board.
Nondestructive Testing
Methods of testing an item that do not destroy the item being tested.
Nonheat-Treatable Alloys
Alloys that do not increase in strength when they are heat treated but that do gain strength by the addition of alloying elements.
Note
A formal document showing the existence of a debt and stating the terms of repayment.
Octave
Interval between two sounds having a basic frequency ratio of two. The formula is 2n times the frequency, where n is the desired octave interval. The octave band frequency given in sound test results is usually the band center frequency, thus the 1000 Hz octave band encompasses frequencies from 707 Hz to 1414 Hz (n = ± 1/2). The 1000 Hz one-third-octave band encompasses frequencies from 891 Hz to 1122 Hz (n = ± 1/6).
Nylon
A synthetic plastic made from coal, tar, and water.
Open Drainage
The removal of unwanted water by means of surface devices.
Off-Gassing
The production of gases from the chemical deterioration of a substance over time, and the release of gases from materials into the air. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Oil-Based Paint
Paint composed of resins requiring solvent for reduction purposes.
Oakum
Loose hemp or jute fiber that's impregnated with tar or pitch and used to caulk large seams or for packing plumbing pipe joints A caulking material made from hemp fibers treated with tar.
Opaque Coatings
Coatings that completely obscure the color and much of the texture of the substrate.
OAC
Owner, Architect, Contractor. Used most often when referring to OAC meetings, or groups of project leads.
Occupational Health And Safety Administration (OSHA)
Outlines current indoor air quality guidelines for the workplace. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
O.C. - On Center
The measurement of spacing for studs, rafters, and joists in a building from the center of one member to the center of the next.