GLOSSARY

As-Built Survey
A survey performed to detail the horizontal and vertical positions of the physical improvements of all or part of a tract, parcel or lot of land.

Carbon Footprint/Offset Assessment
A measurement, in tones/year, of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through fossil fuel combustion.

Cell Site and Tower Design
The site in which a tower is located where antennas and electronic communication equipment is mounted.

Construction Inspections
Conducted for quality control purposes during the course of construction. Often, a survey is conducted to ensure that what is being constructed is according to the design specifications as well as checked for accuracy to the design specification details.

Construction Staking
Staking of improvements shown on improvement plans for control of construction on developments for storm drains, channels, roads, building sites, lot corners, etc.

Construction Survey
A survey to position on the ground physical structures and/or improvements that have been designed for a particular tract of land.

Current Planning
Day to day planning advice on development and zoning, subdivision processing, and approval.

Design for Site and Infrastructure Improvement
The alteration of roads, sewers, water mains, electricity lines and sidewalks in residential, commercial, or industrial properties that enhance the utility of any structure placed on the site.

Dewatering Systems
Designed to pump water from a site to maintain a dry and stable condition during construction.

Emergency Generator
A secondary source of mechanical or electrical energy that is used when the primary source is disrupted or discontinued during a period of emergency due to a situation beyond control.

Energy Modeling
The process of predicting the expected (theoretical) energy (or resource) consumption of a building design through the use of computer software tools. The purpose is to verify that the performance of the eventual building will meet the energy consumption (or energy saving) goals that have been set-out at the beginning of the design. This approach is also often used as a means of making design decisions by assessing the energy impact of one strategy over another.

Facility Evaluations
An assessment of the conditions of a building or facility’s components and systems. The evaluation provides an indication as to the effectiveness of the current maintenance programs in effect, estimates the remaining useful life of components or systems, and may identify areas of potential concern.

Fire Suppression Systems
A system designed to extinguish fires, usually used in conjunction with smoke detectors and fire alarm systems to improve the safety of the public.

GHG Verification
A systematic, independent, and documented process for the evaluation of a green house gas assertion in a GHG project plan against agreed validation criteria. Validation occurs before the project takes place to ensure that it will actually reduce carbon output as it is projected to. (ISO 14064, 2006)

Green Business Certification
Brands a firm with the status of providing ongoing environmentally sustainable business practices to their clients as well as internal initiatives.

Infrared Thermography
There are three areas in which Williams Engineering performs infrared thermography:

• Roof Infrared Thermography is an extension to conventional roof inspections as it essentially allows the unseen to become visible.
• Infrared Thermography can help locate the source of leakage in most types of roof assemblies by detecting temperature differences and sourcing out wet roof insulation.
• Electrical Infrared Thermography identifies radiant heat loss from an object, and displays the radiant thermal pattern on a small display screen. If a “hot spot” is detected it is recorded and specific recommendations are made to identify and solve the problem.

HVAC System Design
Consists of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Infrastructure and System Design
Consists of satellite, radio, fibre optic, voice, and data switching systems.

LEED^® Certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design: A rating system that provides specific standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

Non-Statutory Plans
Community, concept, and outline plans.

On-site Improvements
Includes any component that is located within the development site, whereas, off-site improvements are any access to streets, curbs, sewers, and utility connections located adjacent to the development site.

Project Management

• Acting on behalf of the owners and/or property manager for the duration of the construction project.
• Preparation of tender documents and the solicitation or pricing from contractors.
• Organization of the initial set-up meeting with the successful contractor to review and verify the scope of work and the project construction schedule.
• Provide technical direction.
• Provide regular site inspections.
• Processing all progress claims and providing Progress Claims Reports.
• Issuing Change Orders as required.

Remote Communication Systems
Portable broadband devices such as phone systems, internet services, and wireless communications.

Reserve Fund
An account set aside to meet any unexpected costs that may arise in the future, primarily intended to address the ongoing maintenance and replacement of capital cost items (i.e., roofs, exterior doors and windows, parking area surfaces, underground parkades, etc.).

Reserve Fund Studies
A financial document that identifies the projected costs associated with the repair or replacement of major building components.

Servicing Studies
The purpose is to develop a municipal servicing design for storm drainage, wastewater collection, transportation systems, shallow utilities, and water supply that would support the a site development.

Site Grading
Required for the purposes of servicing a site/development to accommodate it with new infrastructure networks such as water, sanitary, stormwater management, and transportation. Site grading involves the movement of material on an existing site to established elevations in order to meet the required servicing needs for such things as storm water management, building site drainage, depth of cover on sewers and mains, etc.

Site Surveying
Conducted for the purposes of gathering information pertaining to the existing topography, elevations, and natural features of a site as well as for the purposes of laying out design elevations for new construction. A site survey helps the designer determine any pre-site condition design constraints.

Special Services
Site designs and concept plans, community consultation, special studies, and research.

Statutory Plans
Inter-municipal development plans, municipal development plans, area structure plans, area restoration plans, land use bylaws.

Stormwater Management
The management of stormwater runoff from pre to post development, often using stormwater management facilities and Best Management Practices, to provide controlled release into receiving bodies
of water.

Sustainable Design
The dedication to exhibiting greater environmental responsibility through energy efficiency, lowering life cycle building costs, and ultimately obtaining LEED^® Certification.

Tender Preparation
The preparation of project construction documents including drawings and specifications intended to solicit prices from qualified contractors to do the work.

Topographic Survey
A survey to determine the configuration, relief or elevation of a portion of the earth's surface, including the location of natural and/or man-made features thereon.

Traffic Impact Assessment
A valuable tool for analyzing traffic generated by proposed developments with new access or increased use of an existing access. It generally includes a description of the scope and intensity of the proposed project, a summary of the projected impacts and any required mitigation measures, and helps ensure that the highway can safely accommodate a proposed subdivision and/or development.