Dictionary of Interior Designing

Foundation - It is the lowest part of the structure below the ground level which is in direct contact with the ground and transmits all the dead , live and other loads to the soil on which the structure rests.

Floors - Floors are flat supporting elements of a building. They divide building into different levels thereby creating more accomodation on a given plot of land.

Footing - A foundation unit constructed in brick work , masonry or concrete under the base of a wall or column for the purpose of distributing the load over a large area.

Fan light - The function of fan light is to ensure cross ventilation in the room even when the door is closed. It also assists in providing natural light in the corridirs or passages.

Front - As applied to a building means the portion facing the street from which it has access.

Frog - It is a depression on the top face of a brick. It provides a recess for the mortar which on setting forms a key and prevents the displacement of the brick above.

Facia board - It is a wooden planck usually 25mm thick and 15cm wide fixed along the eaves connecting the feet of the common rafters.

Fender piles - When the piles are used to protect concrete deck or other water front structures from the abrasion or impact that may be caused from the ships or barges (whan they are tied up at the deck ) they are called fender piles.

Finishing coat - This is the last coat applied on the surface after the undercoat is properly dry.

Flag stone - Any laminiscated sandstone available in uniform thickness is called flag stone.

Flat arch - It is also known as straight or camber arch and is laid with its bed joints radiating to centre. When used over opening of door or window , the flat arch acts similar to a lintel.

Flat slab flooring - Flat slab , also known as beamless slab , is a type of construction in which the flooring slab is directly supported on columns without the agency of beams and girders.

Flat roof - A roof laid at an angle of less than 10 degrees to the horizontal is known as flat roof.

Flat varnish - It is sometimes desired that the varnished surface should present dull appearance. To attain this , manufactures make varnishes which dry with reduced gloss by adding such material as wax , metallic soap and finely divided silica.

Flemish bond - In this arrangement of bonding brick work , each course consists of alternate headers and strechers. The alternate headers of each course are centered over the strechers in the course below. Every alternate course starts with a header at the corner.

Flight - A series of steps without any platform , break or landing in their direction.

Flier - It is a straight step having a parallel width of tread.

Floor traps - Trap provided in floors to collect used water from floors of bathroom , kitchen or washing floor etc. are known as the floor traps.

Flying shores - It is a system of providing temporary support to the party walls of two buildings where the intermediate building is to be pulled down and rebuild.

Flush pointing - In this type of pointing , the mortar is pressed into the raked joints and finished off flush with the edges of the bricks or stones , so as to give a smooth appearance.

Flushing cistern - A flushing cistern is used for storage and discharge of water for flushing of contents from a W.C. or urinal.

Float valve - It is used to supply water to a storage tank or flushing cistern and to automatically shut off the supply when the pre-determined level is reached.