Construction Terms Beginning with S

Thermal & Energy

SAP Rating

What is a SAP rating? Plain-English guide to the Standard Assessment Procedure for energy rating of dwellings, SAP scores, EPC ...

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Screed

What is screed in construction? Plain-English guide to floor screed types (sand-and-cement, liquid, self-levelling), minimum de...

Read definition Planning

Section 106

What is a Section 106 agreement? Plain-English guide to S106 planning obligations, what they cover, how they differ from CIL, a...

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Sewer

What is a sewer? Plain-English guide to public and private sewers, foul sewers, surface water sewers, combined sewers, sewer ad...

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Shear Wall

What is a shear wall? Plain-English guide to shear walls and racking resistance in timber-frame buildings - how they work, why ...

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Skim Coat

What is a skim coat? Plain-English guide to skim coat plaster, how it differs from backing plaster, mixing and application tech...

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Skirting Board

What is a skirting board? Plain-English guide to skirting board profiles, standard sizes, materials, fixing methods, and UK Bui...

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Soakaway

What is a soakaway? Plain-English definition of soakaway drainage in UK construction, how soakaways work, sizing requirements, ...

Read definition Roofing

Soffit

What is a soffit? Plain-English guide to roof soffits, soffit boards, materials, ventilation requirements, and the difference b...

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Soil Stack

What is a soil stack? Plain-English definition of soil and vent pipes in building drainage, single stack systems, how soil stac...

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SPD

What is an SPD? Plain-English guide to Surge Protection Devices in domestic consumer units - how SPDs protect against transient...

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Spreader Plate

What is a spreader plate? Plain-English guide to spreader plates and padstones at beam bearings - how they distribute concentra...

Read definition Fire Safety

Sprinkler System

What is a sprinkler system? Plain-English guide to automatic fire suppression sprinklers - BS EN 12845, residential sprinklers ...

Read definition Plumbing & Heating

Stopcock

What is a stopcock? Plain-English definition of internal and external stopcocks, where they are located, how to operate them, a...

Read definition Groundworks

Strip Foundation

What is a strip foundation? Plain-English guide to strip and trench fill foundations in UK construction, minimum depths, concre...

Read definition Damp & Waterproofing

Structural Waterproofing

What is structural waterproofing? Plain-English guide to Type A, B and C waterproofing systems for basements and below-ground s...

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Stud Wall

What is a stud wall? Plain-English guide to timber and metal stud partition walls, how they are built, the difference between l...

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Sump

What is a sump? Plain-English guide to sumps in basement waterproofing and drainage, how sump pumps work, the difference betwee...

Read definition Drainage & Utilities

Surface Water Drain

What is a surface water drain? Plain-English guide to surface water drainage from buildings and hard standings - how it differs...

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SWA Cable

What is SWA cable? Plain-English definition of steel wire armoured cable, its construction, common uses in outdoor and undergro...

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