Definitions
From the NYS Residential Code
As in any law, rule or regulation, there are certain terms, phrases or words that have very specific meanings. This is no different for any of the NYS Building and Fire Codes. This is especially true when dealing with multiple agencies for the same project. Example may be that a permit is required from the Town of Webb, the Adirondack Park Agency and from DEC. Each have authority, none overrules the other, which means the most restrictive shall apply. Here are definitions as taken straight out of the NYS Residential Code:
R201.2 Interchangeability. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural, the singular.
ALTERATION. Any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than repair or addition. Alterations are classified as Level 1 and Level 2.
FENESTRATION. Skylights, roof windows, vertical windows (whether fixed or moveable); opaque doors; glazed doors; glass block; and combination opaque/glazed doors.
FIREBLOCKING. Building materials installed to resist the free passage of flame to other areas of the building through concealed spaces.
HABITABLE SPACE. A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking, or used as a home occupation. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
MEZZANINE, LOFT. An intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of any story with an aggregate floor area of not more than one-third of the area of the room or space in which the level or levels are located.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL. An individual who is a registered architect (RA) in accordance with Article 147 of the New York State Education Law or a licensed professional engineer (PE) in accordance with Article 145 of the New York State Education Law.
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES. Sources of energy (excluding minerals) derived from incoming solar radiation, including natural daylighting and photosynthetic processes; from phenomena resulting thereform, including wood, wind, waves and tides, lake or pond thermal differences; and from the internal heat of the earth, including nocturnal thermal exchanges.
REPAIR. The restoration to good or sound condition of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance.
SEPTIC TANK. A water-tight receptor that receives the discharge of a building sanitary drainage system and is constructed so as to separate solids from the liquid, digest organic matter through a period of detention, and allow the liquids to discharge into the soil outside of the tank through a system of open joint or perforated piping or a seepage pit.
SINGLE STATION SMOKE ALARM. An assembly incorporating the detector, control equipment and alarm sounding device in one unit that is operated from a power supply either in the unit or obtained at the point of installation.
STORY ABOVE GRADE. Any story having its finished floor surface entirely above grade, except that a basement shall be considered as a story above grade where the finished surface of the floor above the basement is: 1. More than 6 feet (1829 mm) above grade plane. 2. More than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the finished ground level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter. 3. More than 12 feet (3658 mm) above the finished ground level at any point.
TOWNHOUSE. A single-family dwelling unit constructed in a group of three or more attached units in which each unit extends from foundation to roof and with open space on at least two sides.
TRUSS DESIGN DRAWING. The graphic depiction of an individual truss, which describes the design and physical characteristics of the truss.
YARD. An open space, other than a court, unobstructed from the ground to the sky, except where specifically provided by this code, on the lot on which a building is situated.
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Always remember that definitions are written to clarify something, however, definitions for one law, rule or regulation may not be identical for a different law, rule or regulation…Always ask questions if you need to.
