Why a glossary helps
A tenant describing a smell to a property manager and a technician describing a plenum are often talking about the same thing from different directions. Knowing the vocabulary makes it easier to ask the right questions and understand the answers. The terms below are grouped loosely by plumbing, air systems, building structure and odor treatment. Definitions are general, and a specific building may use equipment differently.
Two more terms are worth knowing. A balancing report describes how much air an HVAC system delivers to each space, and it can show whether a suite is under-ventilated or pulling air from a neighbor. A cleanout is an access point on a drain line that lets a plumber inspect or clear it. Asking where cleanouts are located, and whether a balancing report exists for the building, shows a manager that the question is specific and helps the answer come back faster.
Plumbing and drains
- Trap
- A curved section of drain that holds water to block sewer gas.
- Trap primer
- A device that adds water to a trap on a schedule so it stays sealed.
- Vent stack
- A pipe that lets sewer gases and air out through the roof.
- Grease interceptor
- A tank that holds fats and solids from kitchen wastewater before it reaches the sewer.
- Floor sink
- An open drain basin in a floor, often used under equipment.
Air systems
- Rooftop unit
- A packaged heating and cooling unit placed on the roof.
- Plenum
- A space that carries air, often above a ceiling.
- Makeup air
- Outside air brought in to replace air exhausted by fans or hoods.
- Return air
- Air drawn back to the unit from the occupied space.
- Negative pressure
- A condition in which a space pulls air in from surroundings.
- Condensate
- Water removed from air as it passes over a cooling coil.
Building and lease terms
- Demising wall
- A wall between two tenant spaces
- Second-generation space
- A suite that retains improvements from a previous tenant
- Tenant improvement
- Work done to prepare a suite for a new tenant
- Common area maintenance
- Shared costs for areas and systems used by all tenants
- Off-gassing
- Release of vapors from new materials as they cure
Common questions
- What is the difference between odor control and odor removal?
- Control usually means reducing how much odor is noticed, while removal aims at eliminating the source or the odor-holding material.
- Are all of these terms used in leases?
- Some are, such as demising wall and common area maintenance. Others are technical words used mainly by tradespeople.
General information for Westminster, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.