Abbreviations Used in Construction Industry - Part 1 (A to C)

Dear Readers,

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, understanding construction management acronyms, construction estimating abbreviations, and construction project management acronyms is key to success in the industry. With so many acronyms in circulation, finding the right one can be challenging, but with a construction acronym finder, you can quickly and easily find the acronym you need.

This article will be a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of the construction industry. Here is the list of approximately 330 acronyms used in the construction industry and EPC projects. It will be posted part by part.

1) 3D Printing – The Use of Advanced Technology to Create Physical Objects from Digital Models.

2) ABW – Average Basic Wages. It is used to calculate the basic wages of work force deployed.

3) A/C - Air Conditioner.

4) AC/DC – Alternating Current / Direct Current.

5) AG / UG – Above Ground / Under Ground.

6) AGL – Above Ground Level.

7) AHU – Air Handling Unit.

8) ALM – Alarm.

9) ALUM – Aluminium.

10) AMC – Annual Maintenance Contract.

11) APX – Approx.

12) AR (Augmented Reality) – The Use of Technology to Overlay Digital Information onto the Physical World.

13) Arbitration – A Form of Alternative Dispute Resolution Where a Neutral Third Party Makes a Binding Decision.

14) ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

15) ASPH – Asphalt.

16) AWS – American Welding Society.

17) Backfill – The Process of Filling in a Trench or Excavation with Soil or Other Materials.

18) BG – Bank Guarantee.

19) BGL – Below Ground Level.

20) BH – Bore Hole.

21) BIM (Building Information Modelling) – A Digital Representation of The Physical and Functional Characteristics of a Building or Construction Project.

22) Bldg. – Building. Generally, denotes civil buildings.

23) BLR – Boiler.

24) BMS (Building Management System) – An automated system for controlling and monitoring building systems.

25) BOM (Bill of Materials) – A List of All the Materials Required for a Construction Project.

26) BOP – Balance of Plant.

27) BOQ (Bill of Quantities) – A list of materials, quantities, and prices for a Construction Project.

28) BOS – Bottom of Steel / Slab.

29) BOT – Built Operate Transfer.

30) BTG – Boiler, Turbo Generator. 

31) Budget – A Financial Plan for a Construction Project, Including Estimated Costs and Revenue.

32) BWF – Barbed Wire Fence.

33) BWL – Brick Work.

34) BYND – Beyond.

35) CAD (Computer-Aided Design) – The Use of Computer Software to Create 2D And 3D Design Drawings.

36) Canopy – It is denoting Roof or shelter of the equipment or building or any object.

37) CAPEX – Capital Expenditure.

38) Cat. – Category. 

39) C to C or C/C – Centre to Centre. In dimensional callouts, centre-to-centre indicates the spacing between the centre of an item or component and adjacent items or components, such as reinforcing steel, columns, footings, rails, etc.

40) CGL – Centre of Gravity Line. It is used to calculate for rigging (erect the object) purpose.

41) CI – Cast Iron.

42) CoCP – Code of Construction Practice.

43) Construction Contracting: Understanding Types of the Construction Contract.

44) Change Order (CO)– A Document That Outlines Changes to The Original Scope of Work for a Construction Project.

45) CL – Centre Line used in construction drawing.

46) Cladding – The Exterior Material Used to Cover the Walls of a Building.

47) Claim Management – The Process of Managing and Resolving Claims in a Construction Project.

48) CM (Construction Manager) – A Professional Responsible for Overseeing the Construction Process and Ensuring It Meets Budget, Timeline, and Quality Requirements.

49) CO (Certificate of Occupancy) – A Document That Certifies a Building Is Safe to Occupy.

50) COC – Certificate of Completion / Compliance.

51) Code Compliance – Ensuring a Construction Project Meets All Relevant Building Codes and Regulations.

52) COL – Column.

53) Commissioning – The Process of Testing and Verifying the Functionality of Systems and Equipment in A Completed Construction Project.

54) Completion Certificate (CC) – It is a certificate issued by the builder to the Authority.

55) CONC – Concrete.

56) Conflict Resolution – The Process of Resolving Disputes and Conflicts that arise in a Construction Project.

57) Constructability Review – An Evaluation of the Feasibility and Ease of Construction for a Project.

58) Construction Management – The Process of Managing and Coordinating the Construction Process from Start to Finish.

59) Construction Waste Management – The Management and Control of Waste Generated During a Construction Project.

60) Contingency Plan – How to Handle Unexpected Events or Situations in a Construction Project.

61) Contracts – A Legal Agreement Between Two Or More Parties That Outlines the Terms and Conditions of a Construction Project.

62) Cost Control – The Process of Managing and Controlling the Costs of a Construction Project.

63) Cost Estimating – The Process of Determining the Cost of a Construction Project.

64) Cost-Benefit Analysis – An Analysis of The Costs and Benefits of a Construction Project. 

65) Cost Statement (CS) - It is a statement that shows the cost incurred till that period.

66) CPB – Chain Pulley Block. It is a lifting arrangement/ Tool.

67) CPI – Cost Performance Index – In earned value analysis, the CPI is a comparison of the actual work completed to the actual cost incurred.

68) CPM (Critical Path Method) – A project management technique for scheduling and controlling construction projects.

69) Critical Path – The Sequence of Activities in A Construction Project That Determines the Overall Project Completion Date.

70) CRM - Customer Relationship Management.

71) CRS – Cold Rolled Steel.

72) CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility.

73) CVL – Civil.

74) CW – Cold Water.

75) CWI – Catchment Wetness Index.

Part-2 will be followed later.