Construction terms glossary

Light gauge steel construction – the use of light elements such as steel and wood to construct buildings, as opposed to conventional construction that utilizes concrete and blocks.

Construction percentages – the construction percentages specified in an urban building plan that are used by the architect to determine the size of the building that can be constructed on the plot.

“00” height – the height of the ground floor’s flooring in relation to sea level which is the “0” height. The architect determines the “00” height in relation to the height of the natural ground at the construction site and in coordination with the authorities.

Submission drawings – a blue print for a construction permit that is submitted on a sheet that resembles an accordion.

Construction permit – a permit given by the local committee based on submission drawings prepared and submitted by the architect. Receiving a construction permit depends on fulfilling the local committee’s requirements.

Applicant – the person authorized, according to the engineers’ regulations, to submit a plan as defined in the above regulations to the competent authority, and to sign the permit application as the applicant.

Overall supervision – supervision over the construction of a building or parts thereof, from the beginning of the construction work and until it is complete. Supervision consists of ensuring that the construction conforms to the permit documents, including conformity to the structure plan and sanitary plan, providing guidance and instructions to those responsible for the inspection and to the chief contractor, keeping track of any necessary lab tests that have been approved, and confirming the partial or full completion of the construction work in order to apply for utility connections.

Execution officer – a person appointed by the chief contractor to be responsible for the skeleton’s construction. His duty is to ensure during the construction work that the skeleton is being constructed according to the structure plans prepared by the skeleton planner.

Inspection officer – a professional in the field of construction (architect, engineer or practical engineer) who has been appointed by the permit owner and has signed the permit application. His duty is to inspect the building, its size, its exact location within the property, and the construction’s conformity to the plan. In addition to the inspection officer, other officers are appointed for every part of the construction work.

Measurement map – a topographical map of the plot prepared by a qualified surveyor. The map specifies the ground level and any existing structures and trees. It is valid for six months.

Concealed mixer valve – a device installed inside the wall that distributes water to a hand held sprinkler or shower. There are 3 way valves that provide water to one outlet, and 4 way valves that provide water to two outlets.

Form 4 – an authorization to populate the building that is provided by the local committee after the entire construction process is completed and every required fee is paid.

Pit – an underground structure, normally with a diameter of 60 to 120 cm, that has the purpose of permitting the passage of various types of piping, mostly for water and sewage.

Light blinds – electrical roll up blinds that have, in addition to the open and closed position, an additional position with a gap formed between the bars in order to let light in.

Apartment protected space – in every new home there is a requirement to build an apartment protected space according to the civil defense regulations. Its minimal size in 9 square meters.

Triplex – a type of glazing also called “safety glazing” that combines two or more layers of glass glued together with transparent film.

Green construction – an overall approach to the field of construction that takes into account environmental protection and avoids damage to natural resources as much as possible.

Granite porcelain – ceramic flooring and cladding materials that are manufactured from a mixture of clay and porcelain at high temperatures and are resistant to wear.

English courtyard – an opening in the basement that is molded to ground level for the purpose of ventilating the basement or positioning a staircase that leads to the basement.

Wind box – a circumferential structure that closes a tile roof and originally has the purpose of allowing the wind to enter the tile roof space for ventilation purposes.

Bomanite – a generic name for impressed cast concrete with added shades. Used for surfaces for pergolas, garden paths and parking spaces.

Filler – a concrete niche within the plot boundaries that is used as a location for the power meter, garbage cans, gas containers or water meter.

Anti-slip – a type of floor tile to prevent slipping. Comes in various degrees of roughness for the different house parts.

Mono block – a toilet seat and tank that come as one unit as opposed to a suspended toilet seat with the tank hidden inside the wall.

Water level – a transparent pipe that is filled with water and is used for transferring a height point based on communicating vessels.

Flatly installed sink – a sink with an upper rim on the same plain as the surface on which it is installed.

Dry keep – an axis window that incorporates the option of partially opening its top part inwards.

Building lines – lines that specify the minimal necessary distance between the house and the plot’s boundaries.

Belgian – a window constructed from an iron profile as opposed to a window constructed from an aluminum profile.

Riser, tread, pod set – terms defining the parts of a staircase. Riser – the height of a step. Tread – the step itself. Pod set – a treading surface dividing the staircase for turning or for rest. The minimal number of steps for a staircase is three.

MDF – chipboard, small condensed wood chips used for filling doors.

Parquet-like floor or lamination parquet – synthetic parquet that resembles wooden parquet.

Overkant – marked on the plans as OK, the height of the top lintel of a window and railing.

Pedestal – a horizontal protective band at the bottom part of cupboards.

Gehrung – a profile edge cut at a 45 degree angle.

Aggregate – the hard part of a concrete and concrete products mixture.

Iskoorit – tin sheets used for fencing and roofing.

Break – space between flooring tiles or construction bricks.

Spatula – a spoon used by builders and plasterers.

Drainpipe – rain water pipe.

Gallery – intermediate ceiling.