If you get involved it is important to communicate with all
involved and that means you need to speak their language. It also helps greatly
to understand their language. Always keep in mind you will talk to people whose
IQ vary from low 60’s to above 150 ( Do one even get IQ’s that high?)
Here are some:
“Readymix”
noun: readymix
pre/ ready-mixed concrete
“Mpa”
The pascal (symbol: Pa) is the SI derived
unit of pressure used to quantify internal pressure, stress, Young's modulus
and ultimate tensile strength. Important for bricks and concrete density and
strength.
“Dpc”
A damp-proof course (DPC)
is a barrier through the structure designed to prevent moisture rising by
capillary action such as through a phenomenon known as rising damp.
“Brick force”
the steel reinforcing that strengthens a
wall. It is placed in the cement between a course of bricks. Brick force
is used in every course of the foundations and every course above lintol height.
“Butterfly ties”
A masonry wall tie made from heavy wire in the shape of a
figure eight.
“Lintol/lintel”
A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel
across the top of a door or window.
Jeez this will a boring blog entry, google anything else
technical related you come across.
What construction
related words mean in reality
Contractor - A gambler who never gets to shuffle, cut or deal. In
other words, an unqualified chancer.Project manager - Someone who retired from a different occupation such as priest, teacher, civil servant etc. with a phone and internet connection for Google.
Bid - A wild guess carried out to two decimal places and no hope of achieving.
Low Bidder - A contractor who is wondering what he left out.
Engineer's Estimate - The cost of construction in heaven. Also involves a crazy amount of steel.
Strike - An effort to increase egg production by strangling the chicken.
Delayed Payment - A tourniquet applied at the pockets. Promised money you will never see.
Completion Date – A time a contractor use to get a contract, mostly never achieved. Also the point at which liquidated damages on a project begin.
Liquidated Damages - A penalty for failing to achieve the a contractors promise.
Here are stuff you
find daily on site but not on Google
“yes”
Used as answer to:
can you do something? ”Yes”
universal answer to everything, rarely the truth. Inevitably resulting
in a “oops”
“Oops”
Something went seriously wrong and no solution is evident.
“Sorry”
Normally follow quickly after “oops”
In South Africa
“Eeeish” also “uhh”
Total lack of understanding of what is being asked or
required. Happens often. Can also be synonym for to, or will pre-empt “Ooops”
“It’s a fuck up”
Time to leave site, serious chance of not returning. Time to call in the “Professionals” See
earlier blog for Professionals
“It not me” or in Fanagalo “ I am not the one”
Total lack of accountability. Normally used in relation with
all the above.
“Tomorrow”, “next
week”
Time related. Any time in the future, probably never.
