GLOSSARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 #


AIR

A mixture of gases constituting a compressed fluid tied to the planet by gravitational attraction. Air is 78% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, 1% argon and 0.1% a mixture of carbon dioxide, helium and hundreds of other gases originating from natural and manmade processes.


AIR BARRIER

The element in an assembly designed and constructed to control air leakage between a conditioned space and an unconditioned space.


AIR BLASTING

The use of high-pressure air, often combined with an abrasive, to remove odour or adhered material from a surface.


AIR CHANGES PER HOUR

(ACH) – Volume of air moved in one hour. One air change per hour in a room, home or building means that all the air in each of those environments will be replaced in one hour.


AIR CONTAMINANT

Smoke, soot, fly ash, dust, cinders, gases, vapours, odours, toxic or radioactive substance, waste, particulate, solid, liquid or gaseous matter, or any other material in the outdoor atmosphere, excluding uncombined water.


AIR DRYING

Removal of moisture from materials (usually structural wood) using natural circulation rather than kiln drying.


AIR EXCHANGE RATE

Expressed in two ways, as per hour, or cubic metres, and is the measurement of how air is passed between 2 different spaces


AIR FILTRATION DEVICE

(AFD) – Depending on the mode of use, an AFD that filters (usually HEPA) and re-circulates air is referred to as an air scrubber. An AFD that filters air and creates negative pressure is referred to as a negative air machine (NAM).


AIR MOVER

A specialized mechanically operated drying unit that promotes evaporation. Air movers incorporate an electric motor, fan and specially designed housing for use in drying carpet, cushion, and sub floors or structural components (wood floors, walls etc).


AIR POLLUTANT

Any unwanted substance in air.