fabric
Cloth made by weaving, knitting or felting fibers.

fading
The process of a color to loss its brightness.

Fahrenheit
A temperature scale, where 32º F represents the freezing point and 212º F represents the boiling point.

fallout
See cross contamination.

fascia
The front facing surface of trim on a structure, above the soffit, but below the roofline.

ferrous metal
A metal where the principal ingredient is iron.

fiberglass
Glass fibers formed as a continuos thread, used in the manufacturing of insulation, pipe, bathroom fixtures, etc.

filter
A porous device used to remove solids from air or water.

fire extinguisher
A portable device used to put out fires.

fire partition
An interior wall rated by the hour to allow ample time before fire or heat will penetrate it.

fire wall
A wall between two areas designed to prevent the penetration of a fire from one room to another, constructed from the foundation to above the roofline.

first aid
Emergency treatment before medical assistance is obtained.

flood plain
A low-level area along a river subject to flooding.

foam block
A polystyrene block or cube used to protect furnishing from wet carpet and hard flooring.

fogger
A mechanical/electrical device used to dispense deodorants or disinfectants, micro in size; Thermo fogger, ULV fogger.

forced air
Terminology used to describe a warm air furnace system consisting of a furnace, blower and ductwork.

framing
An assembly of structural timber; walls, floor and roof.

freeze dry
To freeze an item or group of items under vacuum pressure, a process used to dry documents, books, blue prints, etc.

fungicide
A biocide used to destroy (kill) fungus.

fungus
Fungi, mold, mildew, without chlorophyll, lives on dead or living organic matter.

furring
Wood or metal strips as fastened to a surface (block wall) allowing an air space between the surface and the finished interior wall.

fuse
An overcurrent device, consists of a metal strip that melts when an electrical circuit is overloaded or short-circuited.

gases
A aeriform fluid consisting of fine particles as suspended in air, having an indefinite expansion or shape, gaseous particles will expand by their same fraction for every degree that the temperature rises.

gauge
Judge, estimate, or appraise, the designated thickness of an item or material based on a definite scale.

generator
A motor driven mechanical device that produces electricity, a temporary means of power.

germicide
An agent used to destroy (kill) germs, microorganisms.

gauss
One one-hundred millionth of a volt, the unit of magnetic induction equal to the magnetic flux density that will induce electromotive forces.

glutaraldehyde
C5H8O2, a sanitizing agent used in the food processing industry, from alydehyde.

grade
(1) The elevation of land. (2) Slope or incline of land.  (3) The classification of materials.

gram
The metric unit of mass weight, 1-pound equals 453.6 grams.

grain(s)
(1) The formation or direction of fibers in wood.  (2) The weight or measurement of moisture.  (3) The texture of a surface.

Gray Water
Category 2, Gray Water, can pose health risks and can contain significant levels of chemical and biological contamination. Examples of gray water are water
discharged from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers, aquariums
and waterbeds.

grease
Fatty or oily matter, lubrication, the melted fat of an animal.

green board
A water-resistant sheetrock board used in bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms.

grit
A granule used in sandpaper or as a blasting media.

ground water
Water from beneath the soil, below standing water, generally excluded from basic insurance policies.

grout
Mortar, the filling of joints with grout; ceramic tile, masonry, anchor bolts, etc.

gypsum board
CaSO42H2O, sheetrock, drywall, made from lime and paper faced.

hardware
Metal or plastic fasteners, hinges, doorknobs (pulls); used on cabinetry, doors and contents items.

hatch
A removable or hinged cover in a roof or floor system.

hazardous substance
A chemical or agent that is harmful or can cause injury by any degree to humans or animals.

header
A structural member that crosses over an opening, used to support trusses, joists, etc.

heat
The vibration of molecules, energy, can change the substance of a chemical, also used to structurally dry water damaged buildings.

heat line
 A distinct line along a wall or ceiling representing areas effected by heat.

heat quantity
Common unit of measure of the quantity of heat is the British Thermal Unit (Btu).

heat transfer
Heat always flows toward a substance of lower temperature until the temperatures of the two substances equalize, and travels by; conduction, convection or radiation.

HEPA
High efficiency particulate arresting filter, capable of collecting 99.8% of air particles.

hidden damages
Damages that are not readably noticeable, hidden behind a wall, between floors, etc.; latent reaction or discovery.

highly porous
Materials having a permeance factor of > 10, having an excellent absorption and evaporation rate.

hot water extraction
A carpet and upholstery cleaning process where soils are sprayed with a cleaning agent and hot water and removed with a vacuum; truck mount or portable.

humidifier
An electrical/mechanical device used to increase moisture in the air.

humidity
Dampness, measurement of moisture in the air.

HVAC
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning, a mechanical system consisting of a furnace, air conditioner and ductwork, HVAC system.

hydraulics
The operation of machinery through the force of a liquid.

hydrocarbon
A compound containing hydrogen and carbon atoms which are associated with current and past life.

hydrofluoric acid
H6F6, H4F4, H2F2 or HF dependent on temperatures, the reaction of sulfuric acid with solid fluorides, corrosive, used in etching glass.

hydrogen
H, flammable colorless gas.

hydrogen chloride
HCl, gaseous matter, produced in fires from the decomposition of PVC, will turn into hydrochloric acid of the same formula HCl when mixed with moisture through a process called hydrolysis.

hydrogen ion
The positively charged ion in an acid.

hydrogen peroxide
H2O2, a bleaching agent, very unstable, antiseptic, produced when moisture is mixed with ozone, O3.

hydrolysis
A chemical reaction, the decomposition of a chemical by taking water, hydrogen chloride when mixed with water turns into hydrochloric acid.

hydrostatic pressure
Water pressure, generally on or against the exterior of a basement blockwall.

hydroxyl
The negative charged OH (oxygen + hydrogen) radicals in an organic compound.

hygrometer
A meter or device that measures the humidity of the air.

hygroscopic
To absorb and retain water from the air.

hypochlorite
Chlorine bleach, salt of hypochlorous acid.