| Term | Definition |
| Use permit |
permit issued by a zoning authority that allows property to be used in a manner not ordinarily allowed in the zone where it’s located; primarily for uses that benefit the pubic, such as hospitals, schools and cemeteries. Also called a special exception permit.
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| Unenforceable Contract |
An agreement that a court would refuse to enforce; for example, it may be unenforceable because its contents can’t be proven, or because isn’t in writing, or because the statute of limitations has run out.
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| Unilateral Contract |
When one party promises to do something if the other party performs a certain act, but the other party does not promise to perform it; the contract is formed only if the other party does perform the requested act.
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| Unbonded construction |
Posttensioned concrete construction in which the tendons are not grouted to the surrounding concrete.
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| Uncoursed |
Laid without continuous horizontal joints; random.
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| Undercarpet wiring system |
Flat, insulated electrical conductors that are run under carpeting, and their associated outlet boxes and fixtures.
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| Undercourse |
A course of shingles laid beneath an exposed course of shingles at the lower edge of a wall or roof, in order to provide a waterproof layer behind the joints in the exposed course.
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| Underfire |
The floor of a fireplace.
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| Underlayment |
A panel laid over a subfloor to create a smooth, stiff surface for application of finish flooring.
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| Underpinning |
The process to placing new foundations beneath an existing stucture.
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| Uniform settlement |
Subsidence of the various foundation elements of a building at the same rate, resulting in no distress to the structure of the building.
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| Unit-and-mullion system |
A curtain wall system consisting of prefabricated panel units secured with site-applied mullions.
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| Unit system |
A curtain wall system consisting entirely of prefabricated panel units.
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| Unreinforced |
Constructed without steel reinforcing bars or welded wire fabric.
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| Upside-down roof |
A membrane roof assembly in which the thermal insulation lies above the membrane.
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| Urea formaldehyde |
A water-based foam used as thermal insulation.
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| U-stirrup |
An open-top U-shaped loop of steel bar used as reinforcing against diagonal tension in a beam.
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