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Glossary
storm surge: A dome of ocean water fueled by
a hurricane that can be 20′ at its highest point
and up to 100 miles wide. When a storm
surge sweeps ashore, it can demolish entire
communities.
straight run stairs: A stairway that has no turns.
straight-line kitchen: A kitchen in which all of
the work centers are located on a single wall.
stringer: A structural member that supports
the treads and risers on a stairway.
structural C: The predominant steel
component used for fl oor joists, wall studs,
roof rafters, and ceiling joists in residential
construction.
structural insulated panels: Structural members
that combine two outer “skins” and an
insulating foam core into a single unit for
framing applications.
structural model: A model that shows the
construction features of a residence.
stucco: A coating applied to the outside of
a structure that forms a protective, low-
maintenance, yet decorative shell around the
structure; consists of Portland cement, lime,
sand, and water.
subfl oor: The surface, affi xed to the fl oor joists,
on which the underlayment for the fi nal
fi nished fl oor will rest; consists of a panel
product such as plywood, tongue-and-groove
boards, or common boards.
sump pump: A pump that removes water that
has collected in a sump pit, which is a hole in
the fl oor of a basement.
surface modeling: Creating 3D models by
drawing a skin or covering over a wireframe
model.
sustainability: Meeting the needs of humans
for food, housing, and other needs and
wants, while having no negative effects on
the environment.
sustainable building: A building that can be
built, used for a long time, and then reused
or recycled without having any negative
effects on the environment.
symbol library: A drawing fi le that contains
a collection of blocks or symbols that are
typically related, such as plumbing, bathroom,
or electrical symbols.
special-purpose room: A room that is dedicated
to a special interest, such as music, art, or
hobbies. Home offi ces are also considered
special-purpose rooms.
specifi c section: A building section that shows
a feature, method, or technique that is specifi c
to one location or instance in the building.
specifi cations: Written documents that
supplement the drawings in a set of
architectural plans by providing additional
written information about the types of
construction materials, products, work to
be completed, and quality of construction
involved in building the home.
specifi cations writer: A person who prepares
all the written information needed to describe
materials, methods, and fi xtures to be used
in a structure.
spiral stairs: A stairway with steps that rise
like a corkscrew about a center point.
split bedroom plan: A house plan in which
the master bedroom is separated from the
remaining bedrooms.
split-entry: A type of split-level house that has
two livable levels separated by the entrance’s
foyer stairway.
split-level: A house design developed to solve
the problem of a sloping site by shifting fl oor
level areas to accommodate the site.
square foot: The US architectural standard of
measurement of a 1′ × 1′ area; abbreviated ft2
or sq. ft.
square foot method: A method of building cost
estimation based on the number of square
feet in a proposed house design.
stack wall: A wall that is constructed thick
enough to contain 4″ pipes and vents in a
residential plumbing system. Also called a
plumbing wall.
stairway: A series of steps installed between
two or more fl oors of a building.
station point (SP): The location of the observer’s
eye in a perspective drawing.
stem wall: A type of foundation wall typically
used in a crawl space foundation or slab
foundation to support the above-grade walls.
stepped footing: A footing that follows the
slope on a hilly terrain in a stair-step pattern
of horizontal and vertical portions.
stiles: The vertical members that separate panels
in a panel door.