Architectural and Engineering Glossary

F

Fee Simple

An inheritable,possessory interest in land which may endure until the death of all lineal and collateral heirs of the first owner and which may be freely conveyed by its owner.

Fee Tail

An estate of inheritance which is limited to one particular class of heirs of the person to whom it is granted.

Fee-plus-expense Agreement

Same as cost- plus-fee agreement.

Feebly Hydraulic Lime

Lime obtained from limestone containing a low percentage of clay.
 

Feed Barn

Same as Yankee barn.

Feed Main

A pipe supplying risers or cross mains.

Feed Pump

A pump which supplies feed water to a steam boiler.

Feed Water

The water supplied to a steam boiler. 

Feeder

1.In power distribution,a group of electric conductors which originate at a main distribution center and supply one or more secondary distribution centers,one or more branch-circuit distribution centers,or a combination of these.2.In a water distribution system, a water pipe connecting an appliance to the water supply system.

Feeler Gauge

A series of blades of graduated thickness;used to measure the clearance in a gap.

Feint

A slight bend in the edge of a flashing or counterflashing to form a capillary break.

Feldspar

A group of igneous minerals,all of which are softer than quartz,having the chemical composition of calcium silicates,potassium silicates,or sodium aluminum silicates.
 

Felt

An unwoven fabric,composed of fibers  which are matted together,usually with the aid of moisture and heat,by rolling or by pressure;usually manufactured from cellulose fibers from wood,paper,or rags,or from asbestos or glass fibers.

Felt Nail

Same as clout nail.

Felt Paper

A type of building paper.

Felt-and-gravel Roofing

See built-up roofing. 

Felting Down

Rubbing a dried paint or varnish film witha wet felt pad and an abrasive,to lower surface gloss.
 

Feltwork

Said of asphalt prepared roofing that is built up to form a shaped surface;for example,built to form a gutter slightly below the edge of the roof.

Female Connector

In general,any type of electrical connector having contacts which are set into recessed openings.

Female Coupling

A coupling with the threads on the inside.

Female Thread

Same as inside thread.

Femerall

See femerell.

Femerell

A ventilator,often louvered,drawing smoke through a roof when no chimney is provided.Also see louver.

Femur

The long projecting face between each channel of a triglyph.

Fence

A barrier that defines a property line,encloses,or borders on a field,a yard,or the like.For illustrations and definitions of specific types,see barbed-wire fence,board fence,chain link fence,picket fence,plank fence,post-and-rail fence,rail fence,split-rail fence,sunk fence,Virginia rail fence,worm fence,zigzag fence.

Fencerow

Planting which forms a fence or is adjacent to a fence.

Fender

A protective curb or device,often of timber.

Fender Post

Same as bollard.

Fender Wall

A dwarf wall built in a basement under the hearthstone of a fireplace in the story above.

Fenestella

1.A small glazed opening in a shrine to afford a view of the relics.2.A small niche above a piscina or credence.

Fenestra Bifors

The ancient equivalent of a French window.
 

Fenestra Method

A procedure for predicting the interior illumination provided by daylight through windows.

Fenestral

1.A small window.2.A framed window blind of cloth or paper used prior to the introduction of glass.

Fenestration

The arrangement and design of windows in a building.

Feng-shui

A traditional Chinese technique for planning the layout of a building and for orienting rooms within it,so as to be in harmony with nature and with its surroundings.

Fengite

A type of translucent alabaster or marble,sometimes used for window panes in ancient times.

Fer A Cheval

In the Middle Ages,a fortification having a curved parapet,placed so as to defend a gateway.

Feretory

In a church,a space where major relics are kept,often treated as a chapel behind the main altar.

Ferme Ornée

See cottage orné.

Ferritic Stainless Steel

A stainless steel having a chromium content of 10.5 to 18% and a low carbon content; it is magnetic and cannot be hardened by heat treatment.

Ferrocement,

ferrocemento A composite material consisting of a number of layers of wire mesh embedded and interlayered with a cement sand mortar;provides a relatively thin,flexible,tough membrane;has been used in experimental structures and in fabricating complicated form work for repetitive concrete pours.
 

Ferroconcrete

See reinforced concrete. 

Ferrocyanide Blue

See Prussian blue. 

Ferrous Metal

Metal in which iron is the principal element.
 

Ferruginous

Containing iron;such rocks indicate the presence of iron by reddish brown stains. 

Ferrule

A metal sleeve,esp.one which is fitted with a screwed plug; serves as an opening on the side of a pipe providing access for inspection orcleaning the interior of the pipe.
 

Fertilizer

That which fertilizes,i.e.,acts as a nutrient,whether organic or inorganic;may be natural or artificial.

Fertre

Same as feretory.

Festoon

A festive decoration of pendant semiloops with attachments and loose ends,esp. a swag of fabric,or representations of such decora tions.Also see garland.

Festoon Curtain,festoon Drape

A front curtain on the stage of a theater;raised by lines which pass through rings attached to the reverse side;when raised,the curtain remains partly visible,hanging in swags and framing the stage.