Pan
The bottom flat part of a roof panel, which is between the ribs of the panel.
Panels
See "Cladding".
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.
Pan Panel
A panel that has a broad flat surface with vertical sides and no space between the edge
profile.
Parapet
That portion of the vertical wall of a building that extends above the roof line.
Parts and Portions
See "Components and Cladding".
Pascal
SI unit of measure for force per unit area (N/m2).
Peak
The uppermost point of a gable.
Peak Sign
A sign attached to the peak of the building at the endwall identifying the building
manufacturer.
Pendant-Operated Crane
Crane operated from a pendant control unit suspended from the crane.
Personnel Doors
A swinging 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.
Pinned Base
A column base that is designed to resist horizontal and vertical movement, but not
rotation.
Pin Connection
A connection designed to transfer axial and shear forces between connecting members,
but not moments.
Pitch
The peak height of a gabled building divided by its overall span.
Pittsburgh Lock Seam
A method of interlocking metal sheets where each of two sheets are folded with two
180° bends.
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.
Power 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.
Pretensioning
A method of prestressing reinforced concrete in which the tendons are tensioned before
the concrete has been placed.
Pre-Painted Coil
Coil of metal that has received a paint coating.
Press Brake
A machine used in cold-forming metal sheet or strip into desired sections.
Prestressed 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 prestress is commonly introduced by tensioning the
tendons.
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 that supports roof covering.