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

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PRIOR CONDITION

See PRE-LOSS CONDITION.


PROFIT

The excess of revenues over expenditures in business operations; the return on equity that justifies the investment of capital.


PROPERTY MANAGER

The person or firm that controls the Property, its maintenance, condition and tenants.


PROTEIN FIRE

The slow combustion or carbonization of meat, fish or fowl, which generates a highly obnoxious and persistent odour, carried by a clear and often invisible residue.


PROXIMATE CAUSE

The origin or initiating mechanism of a loss.


PSYCHROMETRICS CHART

A chart consisting of lines and curves that shows the relationship between air volume, temperature and relative humidity, and from which a variety of other information (specific humidity, dew point, vapour pressure, wet bulb temperature)


PSYCHROMETRY

The study of the relationship between air, humidity and temperature, and their effect on various materials and comfort levels (adj. – psychrometrics).


PUBLIC ASSESSOR

An individual who represents policy-holders in preparing and presenting their claims to insurance companies, often taking a percentage of the loss as compensation.


PUFF BACK

An uncontrolled explosion in a heating system which dislodges and broadcasts accumulated soot throughout the building.


PURLIN

Strips of wood or metal installed horizontal to, and connecting rafters, trusses or steel web joists to facilitate installation or prevent deformation after installation.