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We use a lot of acronyms in the A/E/C industry. We’ve already covered 14 common ones, but there are so many, here are 14 more.

1. CAD (Computer-Aided Design or Drafting)

CAD software replaces manual drafting and is used to create precision drawings. It can be used to create two-dimensional or three-dimensional drawings.

2. GSF (Gross Square Footage) 

Gross square footage represents the actual footprint of the building or space including the interior and exterior walls and partitions.

3. COW (Cost of Work)

Cost of Work is the sum of all the expenses incurred by the contractor in the performance of a contract.

4. LS (Lump Sum)

In a lump sum contract, the contractor agrees to a single lump sum price to complete all the work. The owner transfers the cost risk to the contractor. This method works best when the construction drawings are complete, so the contractor can accurately price the work.

5. T&M (Time & Materials)

Time & Materials is a written agreement between the owner and the contractor where payment is based on the contractor's actual cost for labor, equipment, materials and services plus a fixed amount to cover the contractor’s overhead and profit.

6. RFP (Request for Proposals)

A company interested in procuring services, often through a bidding process, distributes an RFP to potential suppliers to submit business proposals.

7. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

PPE refers to safety attire everyone on a job site should be wearing. This includes a hard hat, work boots, safety glasses and a safety vest or high visibility clothing.

8. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)

A building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are responsible for the thermal comfort of the building occupants, including indoor air quality and air circulation throughout the building.

9. MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection)

The abbreviation that refers to all the mechanical trades including HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire protection.

10. SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan)

If your project needs a storm water permit, it needs an SWPPP. The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan identifies all the potential sources of pollution that may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of storm water discharges from the construction site. The plan describes practices to be used to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges from the construction site. Finally, it helps assure compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit when the plan is designed for the individual site and is fully implemented.

11. PCO (Potential Change Order)

A potential change order is an item the contractor expects or anticipates might result in extra work or additional costs. It usually results from owner directives, bulletins, clarifications or changes to the original drawings or specifications.

12. COR (Change Order Request)

A change order request is issued when work is added to or deleted from the original scope of work in the contract. Change orders are common in almost every project.

13. CO (Certificate of Occupancy)

A Certificate of Occupancy certifies that a building complies with building codes and other laws and is issued by the local Building Department. This is achieved after all inspections have been completed and passed.

14. TCO (Temporary Certificate of Occupancy)

A temporary certificate of occupancy grants residents and building owners the same rights as a certificate of occupancy, however it is only for a temporary period of time.

Read our first post defining 14 acronyms. Did we miss anything?

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