ASHRAE Terminology

A Comprehensive Glossary of Terms for the Built Environment
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sick building syndrome

the term may apply to a combination of ailments (a syndrome) associated with a place of work, residence, or assembly. Sick building syndrome can be related to a lack of adequate outdoor air ventilation, improper exhaust, ventilation of odors, chemicals or fumes, or poor indoor-air quality. Other sources of sick buildings may be linked to contaminants produced by outgassing of some types of building materials, VOC, bacteria molds, etc. This syndrome does not conform to a particular illness and is difficult to trace to a specific source. See indoor air quality, volatile organic compounds (VOC).

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About ASHRAE Terminology

ASHRAE Terminology, a free resource, is a comprehensive online glossary of more than 3700 terms and definitions related to the built environment, with a focus on heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as refrigeration, building envelope, electrical, lighting, water and energy use, and measurement terms.

This searchable glossary was designed for use by engineering professionals but is also useful for architects, building owners and operators, educators, public officials, and homeowners.

The terms in ASHRAE Terminology have been assembled and defined and are updated on an ongoing basis by ASHRAE Technical Committee (TC) 1.6, Terminology. TC 1.6 is concerned with terminology, nomenclature, definitions, abbreviations, symbols, and the International System (SI) and Inch-Pound (I-P) units used in the fields of heating, ventilating, air conditioning, water heating, and refrigeration.

To request a free electronic file of the complete list of terms and definitions, email ashraetermseditor@ashrae.org.