Glossary of Terms
- Abatement
- Any set of measures designed to reduce or eliminate a hazardous condition or hazardous materials from a building or structure. Dictionary Definition: To lessen in amount, degree or intensity. EPA Definition: Reducing the degree or intensity of, or eliminating, pollution.
- Abrasion resistance
- Resistance to being worn away by rubbing or friction related more to toughness than to hardness
- ACM
- Asbestos Containing-Material. Any material containing more than one percent asbestos.
- Adhesion
- The ability of a coating to stick to a surface
- Air Plenum
- Any space used to convey air in a building or structure. The space above a suspended ceiling is often used as an air plenum.
- Airless spray
- A spray that increases the fluid pressure of paint by means of a pump that causes atomization with air, resulting in higher film build and little or no over-spray
- Albedo (Solar Reflectance)
- Albedo, or solar reflectance, is a measure of a material's ability to reflect sunlight (including the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths) on a scale of 0 to 1. An albedo value of 0.0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation, and a 1.0 albedo value represents total reflectivity. EPA ENERGY STAR specifies an albedo of 0.65 or higher for low-slope roof applications and 0.25 for sloped roofs.
- Allergen
- A substance, such as mold, that can cause an allergic reaction.
- ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
- ANSI is a nonprofit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. It is comprised of approximately 1,000 companies, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and other members.
- Antimicrobial
- Agent that kills microbial growth (i.e. chemical or substance that kills mold or other organisms).
- AQMD
- Air Quality Management District
- Asbestos
- Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral found in certain types of rock formations. When processed asbestos is separated into very thin fibers that can be present in the air and are invisible to the naked eye.
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) is a member-based organization that develops a wide range of voluntary standards. It promulgates standard test methods, specifications, practices, classifications, and terminology in over 130 industrial segments.
- Biocide
- A substance or chemical that kills organisms such as mold.
- Biological contaminants
- Living organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, or mold (fungi); the remains of living organisms; debris from or pieces of dead organisms. Biological contaminants can be small enough to be inhaled, and may cause many types of health effects including allergic reactions and respiratory disorders.
- Bitumen
- A a class of amorphous, black or dark colored, (solid, semi-solid, or viscous) cementitious substances, natural or manufactured, composed principally of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, soluble in carbon disulfide, and found in petroleum asphalts, coal tars and pitches, wood tars and asphalts.
A generic term used to denote any material composed principally of bitumen, typically asphalt or coal tar.
- Bleeding
- Undercoat staining through the topcoat
- Blistering
- The formation of bubbles or pimples on the painted surface caused by moisture in the wood by painting before the previous coat has dried thoroughly or by excessive heat or grease under the paint
- Breathable
- The ability of a paint film to permit the passage of moisture vapor without causing blistering, cracking, or peeling
- Bridging
- Ability of paint to span small gaps or cracks through its cohesion and elastic qualities