Demystifying the Acronyms in the Engineering World

In the realm of civil engineering and construction, understanding key acronyms is crucial for effective project management. As property and facility managers, board members and building occupants, being well-versed in these terms can significantly contribute to successful building envelope projects. In this article, we will review some common acronyms associated with any construction project, with a slant towards building envelope projects, shedding light on their significance and when you might encounter them during a project. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather a random sample of terminology likely to be used on your project(s). This list is intended to be a reference quick tool for construction project terminology.

1. AAMA: American Architectural Manufacturers Association – AAMA establishes standards for architectural products, including windows and doors. They recently merged with the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) to form Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA). Lots of acronyms here and this one is no doubt one of the more confusing ones as many specifications and standards still reference AAMA. AAMA is now call FGIA.
2. ACI: American Concrete Institute – Their standards are referenced in any concrete specification or during any concrete related repair project.
3. ACM: Asbestos containing material or aluminum composite material – this is one of those confusing ones that can mean two things so watch out for context! In the realm of material testing, ACM is often used for asbestos that is in sealant, roofing or other construction materials. On newer projects ACM can mean aluminum composite material, commonly referred to as metal panels.
4. AEC – Architecture, Engineering, Construction – This term used to broadly identify the related three industries. These are closely associated sectors that have different skillsets and professional qualifications in the design and construction industry.
5. ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers – ASHRAE sets the standards for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. In recent years, Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) has become more popular as it adds an extra layer of review for building envelope components and can often be used to obtain LEED points. ASHRAE guidelines ensure that the building’s environmental conditions meet industry benchmarks.
6. ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials – while this is not specific to the engineering industry, ASTM provides a plethora of standards that are followed by manufacturers, contractors and consultants when providing their product or services. Just about anything on the exterior of a building has a related ASTM or AAMA standard.
7. AVB: Air & Vapor Barrier – This type of product can come in either liquid or sheet-applied membranes; it is the building’s primary waterproofing component and it also stops air infiltration.
8. BIM: Building Information Modeling – Typically seen in new construction or large-scale renovations, Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides a comprehensive digital representation of a building’s future physical and functional characteristics. In the planning phase, BIM facilitates collaboration and streamlines decision-making processes between all designers (M.E.P, structural, architectural, etc).
9. CA – Construction Administration – The phase of a project that includes oversight of a construction project by a consulting firm, management team or similar.
10. CAD/CADD: Computer-Aided Design or Computer-Aided Design and Drafting – This is a standard way to create plans these days. It is helpful as an owner or manager to request the CAD files during or after the project so you have them on file for the next project.
11. CMU: Concrete Masonry Unit – commonly referred to as cinder blocks, these are larger masonry units used to build anything from interior partitions to entire buildings.
12. CSI – Construction Specification Institute – this institute is responsible for specifications nomenclature and sections to cover every particular sector of construction.
13. DOB: Department of Buildings – this is a government agency that regulates building permits and codes in a given town/city.
14. DOT: Department of Transportation – You will often run into the DOT during sidewalk repairs or projects that require a partial or full street closure for cranes or deliveries.
15. DWG – Drawing – digital CAD files are named DWG files. If the drawings were hand drawn, those would be drawings but do not have a DWG file type.
16. EIFS: Exterior Insulation and Finish System – EIFS provides insulation and weather resistance, enhancing a building’s energy efficiency. Similar to a stucco system, with the main difference being that there are insulation boards that are integrated into the assembly.
17. FISP: Façade Inspection & Safety Program – this is specific to New York City, it’ is their façade ordinance program requiring inspections of buildings taller than 6 stories to have their facades inspected at least once every five years.
18. FRP: Fiber reinforced polymer/plastic – FRP can be used to recreate architectural features such as cornices or water tables, or utilized as a strengthening material for concrete.
19. GC – General Contractor – these contractors conduct and typically oversee multiple building trades
20. IRMA: Inverted Roof Membrane Assembly – IRMA systems are like PRMA and have become popular with changes in the energy code as it allows designers to meet certain flashing height requirements. These typically have the insulation over the top of the waterproofing membrane. Additionally, they can often have pavers over them leading to usable space on terraces or roofs.
21. ISD: Inspectional Services Department – similar to the DOB, this is a government agency that regulates building permits and codes in a given town/city. In our experience this terminology is more widely used in New England.
22. LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system, if the building has a LEED rating it meets the minimum requirements of an environmentally friendly design.
23. LPC: Landmarks Preservation Commission – historic sites that are designated by New York City are required to be under the guidance and permitting process that is managed LPC.
24. MFR: Manufacturer – for products and systems the MFR refers to the original manufacturer
25. NHL: National Historic Landmarks – historic properties that are listed in the national historic register. Famous ones include the Statue of Liberty in New York City.
26. NIC: Not in Contract – typically found on drawing and other similar documents, N.I.C. is used to delineate what is not in the contract.
27. N.T.S: Not to scale – This is most often seen on details to notify the reader that certain objects in the detail may appear larger, or smaller, than they actually will be. This is helpful for designers to emphasize certain aspects of the detail to help the Contractor put it together.
28. OSHA – Occupational Safety & Health Administration – this organization has federal and state and local oversight of safety practices in the work place.
29. PCC: Portland Cement Concrete – PCC is the standard concrete used in a variety of construction applications.
30. PE: Professional Engineer – someone who has passed their professional exams and been admitted by that state to practice engineering.
31. PIPS: Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures – this is another one that is specific to New York City. It is their parking garage/structure inspection program that requires all parking garages to be inspected at least once every 6 years.
32. PM: Project Manager – the administration of construction is typically managed by project managers. These will lead and handle the communication and decision-making process for contractors and/or consultants.
33. PPE: Personal Protective Equipment – this is everything that someone on a construction site utilizes to protect themselves. It includes gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, masks, etc.
34. PRMA: Protected Roof Membrane Assembly – PRMA systems are like IRMA systems and have become popular with changes in the energy code as it allows designers to meet certain flashing height requirements. These typically have the insulation over the top of the waterproofing membrane. Additionally, they can often have pavers over them leading to usable space on terraces or roofs.
35. PSI: Pounds per square inch – a common measurement of compressive strength. The higher the value in either insulation boards or concrete, the “stronger” the material is
36. QA: Quality Assurance – the process of making sure that design, standards, building code and the quality of the execution is alignment.
37. QC: Quality Control – the process of checking the work to ensure it meets the parameters of consistency with the standards.
38. QEWI: Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector – This is someone who has been approved by the NYC DOB to provide FISP inspections to building owners.
39. QPSI: Qualified Parking Structure Inspector – This is someone who has been approved by the NYC DOB to provide PIPS inspections to building owners.
40. RA: Registered Architect – similar to a PE, this is someone on the architecture side that has passed on their exams and has been admitted by that specific state to practice architecture.
41. RFP: Request for Proposal – this is a document that defines the project and often includes a set of plans and specifications.
42. RFQ: Request for Quotation – This is often done prior to the RFP process. It provides a broad overview of the project and allows companies to provide documentation certifying they are able to complete projects that may be similar to yours
43. RTU: Roof-Top-Unit – this is identifying the equipment that is on a roof and is typically an HVAC unit.
44. SBS: Styrene Butadiene Styrene – often used to differentiate from other modified bitumen roofing products, this is a common rolled roofing product used in multi-ply roof systems. This material is more common in larger cities where elevators may be used to access roofs rather than cranes or lulls.
45. SWRI: Sealant, Waterproofing & Restoration Institute – this institute specializes in the industry standards for products and systems specified for sealants, waterproofing and related restoration.
46. V.I.F: Verify in field – this is one contractor likely hate seeing. It is often used on plans to notify the Contractor that they should go to the site to confirm the dimensions of a particular area or object to ensure the dimensions shown are accurate.
47. XPS: Extruded Polystyrene – XPS is a type of insulation often used in protected roof membrane assemblies or below grade waterproofing applications. It has a high compressive strength and doesn’t absorb water as much as other insulation materials.

Industry speak in acronyms for building envelope projects is not helpful to a general audience member that does not have a related background. As technical people, design professionals often forget their audience and can utilize acronyms as a way of communicating.