Switch
- A device that completes or disconnects an electrical circuit.
Switch, General-Use
A switch used for general electrical control.
Surfactant (surface active agent)
These chemicals reduce the surface tension of oil and water; in detergents, surfactants help dirt to drop out and stay out of clothing or other items being cleaned. Surfactants in detergents are toxic to aquatic life, persist in the environment and break down into additional toxic byproducts, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The reduced surface tension of water also makes it easier for aquatic life to absorb pesticides, phenols and other pollutants in the water. The EPA also advises that surfactants can disrupt the endocrine systems of humans and animals. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Switch, Bypass Isolation
A manually operated switch used in connection with a transfer switch to provide a means of directly connecting load conductors to a power source and for disconnecting the transfer switch.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
In 1994, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the primary U.S. trade association representing the wood products industry, launched SFI and required that all association members self-certify their compliance with its policies. SFI has gradually distanced itself from AF&PA and become a third-party certification program managed by an independent nonprofit, with accredited auditors carrying out certification. SFI’s current 2010–2014 standard is more rigorous than previous versions and considers most of the issues addressed by its principal competitor, FSC. SFI generally is less prescriptive, however, which has been a source of criticism from the environmental community https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources
Surface Effect
The effect caused by the entrainment of secondary air against or parallel to a wall or ceiling when an outlet discharges air against or parallel to the wall or ceiling.
Surface Clays
Clays obtained by open-pit mining.
Sway brace
Metal straps or wood blocks installed diagonally on the inside of a wall from bottom to top plate, to prevent the wall from twisting, racking, or falling over "domino" fashion.
Switch, General-Use Snap
A general-use switch built so it can be installed in a device box or on the box cover.
Suspended Ceiling
A ceiling system supported by hanging it from the overhead structural framing. A finish ceiling hung from the overhead by a series of wires.
Switchboard
A large single panel or an assembly of panels with switches, overcurrent protection devices, and buses that are mounted on the face or both sides of the panel.
Switches
Devices to open and close an electric circuit or to change the connection within a circuit.
Switch, Transfer
A device used to transfer one or more conductors from one power source to another.
Switch, Motor-Control
A switch used to interrupt the maximum operating overload current of a motor.
Switch, Isolating
A switch used to isolate an electric circuit from the source of power.
T-Sill
A type of sill construction used in balloon framing in which the header joist is placed inside the studs and is butted by the floor joists.
T bar
Ribbed, "T" shaped bars with a flat metal plate at the bottom that are driven into the earth. Normally used chain link fence poles, and to mark locations of a water meter pit.
T & G, tongue and groove
A joint made by a tongue (a rib on one edge of a board) that fits into a corresponding groove in the edge of another board to make a tight flush joint. Typically, the subfloor plywood is T & G.
Synthetic Materials
Materials formed by the artificial building up of simple compounds.
Synthetic Fibers
Fibers formed by chemical reactions.