Pan Panel

A standing seam panel which has vertical sides and has no space between the panels at the side laps.

Panel Notch

A notch or block out formed along the outside edge of the floor slab to provide support for the wall panels and serve as a closure along their bottom edge.

Panels

See “Cladding”.

Parapet

That portion of the vertical wall of a building which extends above the roof line.

Parts and Portions

See “Components and Cladding”.

Peak

The uppermost point of a gable.

Peak Sign

A sign attached to the peak of the building at the end-wall showing the building manufacturer

Pendant-Operated Crane

Crane operated from a pendant control unit suspended from the crane.

Personnel Doors

A door used by personnel for access to and exit from a building.

Piece Mark

A number given to each separate part of the building for erection identification. Also called mark number and part number.

Pier

A concrete structure designed to transfer vertical load from the base of a column to the footing.

Pig Spout

A sheet metal section designed to direct the flow of water out through the face of the gutter rather than through a downspout.

Pilaster

A reinforced or enlarged portion of a masonry wall to provide support for roof loads or lateral loads on the wall.

Pin Connection

A connection designed to transfer axial and shear forces between connecting members, but not moments.

Pinned Base

A column base that is designed to resist horizontal and vertical movement, but not rotation.

Pitch

The peak height of a gabled building divided by its overall span.

Plastic Design

A design concept based on multiplying the actual loads by a suitable load factor, and using the yield stress as the maximum stress in any member, and taking into consideration moment redistribution.

Plastic Panels

See “Translucent Light Panels”.

Ponding

1) The gathering of water at low or irregular areas on a roof.

2) Progressive accumulation of water from deflection due to rain loads.

Pop Rivet

See “Blind Rivet”.

Porosity

Openings in buildings which allow air to enter during a wind storm.

Portal Frame

A rigid frame so designed that it offers rigidity and stability in its plane. It is generally used to resist longitudinal loads where other bracing methods are not permitted.

Post

See “Column”.

Post and Beam

See “Beam and Column”.

Posttensioning

A method of prestressing reinforced concrete in which tendons are tensioned after the concrete has reached a specific strength.

Powder Actuated Fastener

A device for fastening items by the utilization of a patented device which uses an explosive charge or compressed air to embed the pin in the concrete or steel.

Pre-Painted Coil

Coil of metal which has received a paint coating.

Press Brake

A machine used in cold-forming metal sheet or strip into desired sections.

Pre-stressed Concrete

Concrete in which internal stresses of such magnitude and distribution are introduced that the tensile stresses resulting from the service loads are counteracted to a desired degree; in reinforced concrete the pre-stress is commonly introduced by tensioning the tendons.

Pretensioning

A method of prestressing reinforced concrete in which the tendons are tensioned before the concrete has been placed.

Primary Framing

See “Main Frame”.

Prismatic Beam

A beam with uniform cross section.

Public Assembly

A building or space where 300 or more persons may congregate in one area.

Purlin

A horizontal structural member which supports roof covering.