📝 Common Construction Abbreviations
Quick reference for abbreviations and acronyms used in construction documents, contracts, and daily communication.
General Project Terms
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| A/E | Architect/Engineer |
| AIA | American Institute of Architects |
| ASCE | American Society of Civil Engineers |
| BIM | Building Information Modeling |
| CAD | Computer-Aided Design |
| CM | Construction Manager |
| GC | General Contractor |
| PM | Project Manager |
| PE | Professional Engineer |
| RFI | Request for Information |
| RFP | Request for Proposal |
| RFQ | Request for Quote |
| SOV | Schedule of Values |
| VDC | Virtual Design and Construction |
Document Types
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| ASI | Architect's Supplemental Instructions |
| CO | Change Order |
| COR | Change Order Request |
| DR | Daily Report |
| JSA | Job Safety Analysis |
| O&M | Operations & Maintenance |
| PCO | Potential Change Order |
| RCP | Reflected Ceiling Plan |
| RFI | Request for Information |
| SDS | Safety Data Sheet |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure |
| SWPPP | Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan |
Financial & Legal
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| AIA | American Institute of Architects (contract forms) |
| AP | Accounts Payable |
| AR | Accounts Receivable |
| COI | Certificate of Insurance |
| EMR | Experience Modification Rate |
| G&A | General & Administrative |
| LD | Liquidated Damages |
| OCIP | Owner Controlled Insurance Program |
| P&P | Profit & Profit (overhead and profit) |
| T&M | Time & Material |
| WIP | Work in Progress |
Safety & Compliance
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation |
| EMR | Experience Modification Rate |
| HAZWOPER | Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response |
| JHA | Job Hazard Analysis |
| JSA | Job Safety Analysis |
| LOTO | Lockout/Tagout |
| MSDS | Material Safety Data Sheet (now SDS) |
| OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment |
| SDS | Safety Data Sheet |
| SWPPP | Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan |
Materials & Specifications
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| AC | Asphalt Concrete |
| CMU | Concrete Masonry Unit |
| EPS | Expanded Polystyrene |
| GFRC | Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete |
| GFRP | Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer |
| HDPE | High-Density Polyethylene |
| OSB | Oriented Strand Board |
| PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride |
| RCP | Reinforced Concrete Pipe |
| SFRM | Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Material |
| SIP | Structural Insulated Panel |
| WPC | Wood-Plastic Composite |
Structural & Engineering
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| ACI | American Concrete Institute |
| AISC | American Institute of Steel Construction |
| ASD | Allowable Stress Design |
| LRFD | Load and Resistance Factor Design |
| PSF | Pounds per Square Foot |
| PSI | Pounds per Square Inch |
| PSF | Pounds per Square Foot |
| WLL | Working Load Limit |
Electrical
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| AC | Alternating Current |
| AFCI | Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter |
| DC | Direct Current |
| GFCI | Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter |
| HP | Horsepower |
| kW | Kilowatt |
| kVA | Kilovolt-Ampere |
| NEC | National Electrical Code |
| V | Volt |
| VA | Volt-Ampere |
Mechanical & HVAC
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| AHU | Air Handling Unit |
| CFM | Cubic Feet per Minute |
| DX | Direct Expansion |
| HVAC | Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning |
| RTU | Rooftop Unit |
| VAV | Variable Air Volume |
Plumbing
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| CPVC | Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride |
| DWV | Drain, Waste, and Vent |
| GPM | Gallons per Minute |
| HWT | Hot Water Tank |
| PEX | Cross-Linked Polyethylene |
| W.C. | Water Closet (toilet) |
Measurements & Units
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| BF | Board Feet |
| CF | Cubic Feet |
| CY | Cubic Yards |
| EA | Each |
| LF | Linear Feet |
| LS | Lump Sum |
| SF | Square Feet |
| SY | Square Yards |
| SY | Square Yards |
Quality & Testing
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| AQL | Acceptable Quality Level |
| NCR | Non-Conformance Report |
| QA | Quality Assurance |
| QC | Quality Control |
| RFI | Request for Inspection |
Scheduling
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| ASAP | As Soon As Possible |
| FF | Finish to Finish |
| FS | Finish to Start |
| LF | Late Finish |
| LS | Late Start |
| SF | Start to Finish |
| SS | Start to Start |
Common Contract Terms
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|
| AIA | American Institute of Architects |
| DBB | Design-Bid-Build |
| DB | Design-Build |
| GMP | Guaranteed Maximum Price |
| IFB | Invitation for Bid |
| LDB | Low Bid |
| NTP | Notice to Proceed |
| RFP | Request for Proposal |
Tips for Using Abbreviations
- Define First Use - Spell out full term first, then use abbreviation
- Be Consistent - Use same abbreviation throughout document
- Avoid Ambiguity - Some abbreviations have multiple meanings (AC = Alternating Current or Asphalt Concrete)
- Context Matters - Use abbreviations appropriate to your audience
- Don't Overuse - Too many abbreviations make documents hard to read