Trivia
Here is a little bit of trivia…for the inside and out.
For what it’s worth………
Outside Trivia
The Crane
When tall buildings are under construction, cranes are used in the building process.
From the outside, it appears as though the height of the crane increases in height with the structure. However, inside, the height of the crane itself remains the same from start to finish.
Steel components make up the tower of the crane. They are secured to a concrete base. The base and tower of the crane are typically situated where the elevator shaft of the building is located.
A cabin for the operator of the crane is added to the top of the steel tower. Also added is a triangular shaped unit to support the arms of the crane.
The concrete walls of the shaft for the elevator are built in stages around the crane.
When several floors of the structure are constructed, hydraulic jacks move the crane up to a new position. The tower of the crane remains at its original height. The base of the crane is supported on steel beams that are tightly fitted into ledges created in the shaft when the concrete is poured. The same process continues until the structure reaches its full height and is complete.
When it is time to take down the crane it is taken apart piece by piece.
The outstretched arms are disassembled first.
All the pieces are lowered to the ground through various methods.
It all depends on the height of the building.
One method is by a crane located on a truck on the ground.
Another method is through a lift system attached to the outside of the building.
For extremely high structures, a helicopter transports the pieces from the top to the ground.
Arches
Masonry arches are a popular architectural feature on both old and new buildings.
They are as distinct as they are interesting.
Open or closed, each style has a name.
Examples of Roman and Gothic are shown below.
"Roman"
To view an illustration of the different types of
masonry arches, click on the heading below.
The Different Arch Styles
Adobe Reader is required to view this drawing.
"Gothic"
Mullions & Muntins
Mullions and Muntins are the terms used to describe the fames on windows and glass doors.
Mullions are the framing members supporting the glass panel. Typically, mullions are 2 or 4 inches wide.
Muntins are the thin strips separating panes of glass in a panel. Traditionally, thin wood frames actually support individual panes. Often with aluminum or vinyl construction the strips are fixed onto both sides of a single glass panel to give the impression of individual panes.
Inside Trivia
The Thirteenth Floor
Elevator panels in building with fourteen floors or more do not display the number thirteen.
The numbers on the panel go from twelve to fourteen.
This does not mean that the thirteenth floor is not there.
The thirteenth floor really does exist. Only on the panel is it skipped.
Even in the complexity of building superstition places a role.
Wood Grain Trivia
On quality furniture or millwork the wood grain on vertical surfaces runs vertically.
This is typical on the sides or front of cabinets, on wood doors or on wood wall paneling.
In theory it imitates the growth direction of a tree.
When working with wood grains, whether solid, veneer or plastic laminate, build like a professional. Ensure the grain direction on vertical surfaces is vertical.
The Range
Most electric ranges (the one which sits next to your kitchen counter) have their own set of fuses.
Typically they are located under a flip up top, on the back panel where the dials are located.
A legend describing the purpose for each fuse is usually found under the panel.
Metric or Imperial
Inside/ Outside Trivia
Back in 1970 Canada made the decision to implement the metric system for measurements and weights. It has been incorporated into highway/ road speed limit signs, for example travel speed on a city street may be listed as 40 km/h. It has been incorporated in the price of gasoline. Gas prices are listed per litre. And weights are referred to as kilograms or grams. Even the weather forecasters use metric, as in expect 5 cm of rain or snow tomorrow.
Yet, when it comes to design or building, dimensions are still called out in feet and inches.
Measuring tapes and rulers provide imperial measurements along one edge and metric along the other edge. It appears that the imperial system just won’t go away.
Most building departments require all drawing submissions to be in metric.
Most still accept drawings produced using the imperial system, providing some overall dimensions or square footages are also listed in metric.
Millimeters (mm) are the standard unit used for drawings. This means all dimensions (length, width, height, diameters, radii) are indicated as mm, rather than centimeters or metres.
The following are some useful numbers for converting from imperial to metric or vice versa.
Inches multiplied by 25.4 = Millimeters
(Feet multiplied by 12 = Inches)
Example: 5 feet x 12 = 60 inches x 25.4 = 1524 mm
Millimeters multiplied by .0394 = Inches
Example: 1524mm x .0394 = 60.0456 inches = 60 inches
It’s Not Trivia
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