If you’re new to Canadian construction sites, you’ll encounter unfamiliar terminology even if your English is fairly solid. Some terms are conceptually similar to what you’d use in Korea but expressed differently; others don’t exist in the Korean context at all; and conversely, Canada has its own systems and regulations you’ve never seen before. This guide is a practical reference covering key terms actually used on Canadian construction sites, organized by category.
1. Project Structure & Contracts
Canadian construction projects are clearly divided by roles and responsibilities through contracts. Knowing the terminology precisely is essential to understanding your position and scope of responsibility.
| Term | Korean Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | 발주처, 건축주 | The party that commissions the project |
| General Contractor (GC) | 종합건설사, 원도급사 | The prime contractor overseeing the entire project |
| Subcontractor (Sub) | 하도급사 | A trade contractor hired by the GC for a specific scope (electrical, plumbing, steel, etc.) |
| Prime Contractor | 원수급자 | Under WorkSafeBC, the party with overall site safety responsibility. Often the same as GC but a legally distinct concept |
| Consultant / Design Team | 설계사, 감리단 | The Architect, Structural Engineer (SE), MEP Engineers responsible for design and field review |
| Architect of Record (AoR) | 설계 책임 건축사 | The licensed architect who signs the building permit and occupancy documents |
| Engineer of Record (EoR) | 설계 책임 엔지니어 | The P.Eng who signs off on each discipline (structural, mechanical, electrical) |
| Owner’s Representative | 감독관, CM | The person managing the project on behalf of the Owner |
| Trades | 전문 공종 | Collective term for all specialty trades: Electrical, Plumbing, Steel, Waterproofing, etc. |
| Lump Sum Contract | 총액 도급 계약 | Fixed total price contract |
| Unit Price Contract | 단가 계약 | Payment based on quantity × unit price |
| Cost Plus Contract | 실비 정산 계약 | Actual cost + fee |
| GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) | 최대 보증 금액 계약 | Cost Plus with a capped maximum |
| Tender / Bid | 입찰 | Tender is more common for public work; Bid for private projects |
| RFP (Request for Proposal) | 제안 요청서 | Procurement that evaluates methodology and technical approach, not just price |
| Change Order (CO) | 설계 변경, 추가 공사 지시서 | Formal document for work outside the original contract scope |
| PCO (Potential Change Order) | 변경 가능성 문서 | Preliminary review stage before a CO is finalized |
| RFI (Request for Information) | 질의서 | Formal query from the contractor to the design team on unclear design items |
| Submittal | 자재 승인 신청서 | Formal submission of materials/products to the design team for approval |
| Shop Drawing | 시공 상세 도면 | Prepared by fabricator or contractor; approved by design team before fabrication/installation |
| As-Built Drawing | 준공 도면 | Final drawings revised to reflect actual constructed conditions |
| Deficiency List / Punch List | 하자 목록 | List of incomplete or defective items identified before substantial completion |
| Substantial Completion | 실질적 준공 | The state when the building can be used for its intended purpose; triggers warranty and lien periods |
| Holdback | 유보금 | 10% of contract value held back under provincial Lien Acts (BC: Builder’s Lien Act) |
| Lien | 유치권 | A legal claim registered against real property for unpaid construction work |
| Warranty Period | 하자 보증 기간 | Period after substantial completion during which the contractor is responsible for defects; varies by trade |
2. Permits & Administration
The following is based on BC. Terminology is largely consistent across provinces, though specific procedures differ.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) | The authority with permitting power — in BC, typically the local municipality’s Building Department |
| Building Permit | The foundational permit required from the AHJ before construction begins |
| Mechanical Permit | Separate permit for mechanical systems (HVAC, exhaust, etc.) |
| Plumbing Permit | Separate permit for plumbing systems |
| Electrical Permit | Separate permit for electrical work (BC: administered by Technical Safety BC) |
| Development Permit | Land use/planning permit required before the Building Permit |
| Occupancy Permit (OCP) | Final permit required to occupy and use the building |
| BCBC (BC Building Code) | BC’s adopted and amended version of the National Building Code |
| NBC (National Building Code of Canada) | The national model code adopted by provinces |
| Inspection | AHJ Building Inspector’s review after completion of each phase |
| Special Inspection | Third-party inspection for specific scopes: high-strength concrete, structural welding, SFRM, etc. |
| Field Review | Design engineer’s or architect’s on-site verification that construction matches design intent |
| Variance | An approval to waive or relax a code requirement for a specific project |
| Code Compliance | Whether the work meets code requirements |
| Non-Conformance | A condition where work does not meet code or contract requirements |
| Close-in Inspection | Inspection before drywall installation, after all in-wall rough-in work is complete |
3. Design & Structure
| Term | Korean Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| P.Eng (Professional Engineer) | 기술사 (유사) | A licensed engineer registered with the provincial engineering association (BC: EGBC); authorized to stamp drawings |
| EIT (Engineer-in-Training) | 수련 엔지니어 | Pre-P.Eng stage; eligible to write P.Eng exam after required experience |
| Geotechnical Report | 지반 조사 보고서 | Soil investigation report |
| IFC (Issued for Construction) | 시공용 도면 | The permitted drawing set used for construction |
| IFR (Issued for Review) | 검토용 도면 | Drawings distributed for review before approval |
| Structural Drawing (S-Series) | 구조 도면 | Numbered S1, S2… |
| Architectural Drawing (A-Series) | 건축 도면 | Numbered A1, A2… |
| Civil Drawing (C-Series) | 토목 도면 | Numbered C1, C2… |
| Grade Beam | 기초 보 | Horizontal foundation beam at grade level |
| Spread Footing | 독립 기초 | Isolated footing under a column |
| Mat Foundation | 매트 기초 | Full-coverage slab foundation |
| Slab-on-Grade (SOG) | 기초 슬래브 | Concrete slab poured directly on prepared subgrade |
| Composite Deck | 합성 데크 | Steel beam + metal deck + concrete composite floor system |
| HSS (Hollow Structural Section) | 각관, 원형관 | Square, rectangular, or round hollow steel sections; written as HSS 4x4x1/4 |
| W-Shape / Wide Flange | H형강 | Written as W8x31, W12x50 (imperial units) |
| LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) | 집성재 보 | Engineered lumber beam used for long spans in wood-frame construction |
| Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber) | 집성목 | Used in large timber structures |
| CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) | 직교집성판 | Used for walls and floors in mass timber structures; rapidly growing in Canada |
| Bearing Wall | 내력벽 | A wall that transfers vertical loads |
| Shear Wall | 전단벽 | A wall that resists lateral forces (wind and seismic) |
| Moment Frame | 모멘트 골조 | A frame where beam-column connections transfer moment |
| Braced Frame | 가새 골조 | A frame that resists lateral loads through bracing members |
| Drag Strut / Collector | 집력재 | A structural member that collects and transfers lateral loads to shear walls |
| Camber | 캠버 | A pre-induced upward curve in a steel beam to compensate for anticipated deflection under load |
| Deflection | 처짐 | Downward displacement of a structural member under load |
| Embedment | 매립, 앵커 매립 | Steel hardware embedded within concrete |
| Rebar / Reinforcement | 철근 | Bar sizes in imperial: #4 = 1/2 inch diameter, #5 = 5/8 inch diameter, etc. |
| PT (Post-Tensioning) | 포스트텐션 | Tensioning of steel tendons after concrete is placed |
| Topping Slab | 토핑 슬래브 | A thin concrete layer poured on top of existing slabs or decks |
4. Architectural Finishes & Envelope
| Term | Korean Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Building Envelope | 건물 외피 | All elements separating interior from exterior: walls, roof, windows |
| Rainscreen | 레인스크린 | An exterior wall system with an air gap behind the cladding to drain water; nearly mandatory in BC |
| Vapour Barrier | 방습층 | Membrane that limits moisture vapour transmission |
| Air Barrier | 기밀층 | A system that controls air infiltration; distinct from vapour barrier |
| Firestopping | 방화충전 | Sealing penetrations and joints in fire-rated assemblies |
| Fireproofing | 방화피복 | Fire-resistance protection applied to structural steel |
| EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing System) | 드라이비트 | Exterior insulation + mesh + finish coat system |
| Soffit | 처마 밑면 | The horizontal underside of a roof overhang or beam |
| Fascia | 파사드 마감판 | The vertical finish board at the edge of a roof |
| Parapet | 파라펫 | A low wall at the perimeter of a flat roof |
| Curtain Wall | 커튼월 | A non-structural glass and aluminum exterior wall system |
| Spandrel | 스팬드럴 | Opaque panel in a curtain wall system that conceals the floor slab edge |
| Fenestration | 창호 | Formal term for all windows, doors, and skylights in a building |
| IGU (Insulated Glass Unit) | 복층 유리 | Double- or triple-pane glass with sealed air/gas space between layers |
| Gyp Board / Drywall | 석고보드 | The most common interior wall finish; often shortened to “Gyp” |
| Type X Gypsum Board | 내화 석고보드 | 5/8 inch fire-rated gypsum board used in fire-rated assemblies |
| Resilient Channel | 탄성 채널 | Sound-isolation channel installed between gypsum board and framing |
| T-Bar Ceiling | T바 천장 | Suspended grid ceiling system with lay-in tiles; standard in commercial interiors |
5. MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
| Term | Discipline | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MEP | All | Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing — the three primary building systems disciplines |
| HVAC | Mechanical | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning — the entire climate control system |
| AHU (Air Handling Unit) | Mechanical | Conditions air (heat/cool/filter) and distributes it to occupied spaces |
| RTU (Rooftop Unit) | Mechanical | A self-contained HVAC unit mounted on the roof |
| VAV (Variable Air Volume) | Mechanical | Modulates airflow to each zone based on load |
| MAU (Makeup Air Unit) | Mechanical | A unit dedicated to supplying outside (fresh) air |
| HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) | Mechanical | Energy recovery ventilation unit that transfers heat from exhaust to supply air |
| ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) | Mechanical | HRV with added moisture exchange capability |
| Damper | Mechanical | A movable blade in a duct that regulates airflow |
| Fire Damper | Mechanical | Damper installed at duct penetrations through fire-rated assemblies |
| Smoke Damper | Mechanical | Damper designed to prevent smoke migration |
| Combination Fire/Smoke Damper | Mechanical | Rated for both fire and smoke control |
| DX (Direct Expansion) | Mechanical | Refrigerant-based cooling (standard air conditioning) |
| Chiller / Boiler | Mechanical | Central equipment that generates chilled water / hot water |
| FCU (Fan Coil Unit) | Mechanical | A terminal unit with a coil and fan connected to chilled/hot water piping |
| Domestic Water | Plumbing | Potable and service water supply |
| Sanitary / Drain | Plumbing | Wastewater drainage system |
| Storm / Rainwater | Plumbing | Stormwater drainage system |
| Grease Trap | Plumbing | Interceptor that captures grease before it enters the sanitary system |
| Backflow Preventer | Plumbing | Device that stops water from flowing backward into the supply |
| Cleanout | Plumbing | Access point for clearing drain blockages |
| Hydronic | Plumbing/Mechanical | A heating or cooling system that uses water as the heat transfer medium |
| In-Floor Radiant | Mechanical | Radiant floor heating using hot water tubes; similar in principle to Korean ondol |
| Panel Board | Electrical | Distribution panel (breaker panel) |
| Switchgear / Switchboard | Electrical | Main service equipment for high-voltage power distribution |
| Transformer | Electrical | Voltage transformation equipment |
| EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) | Electrical | Thin-wall metal conduit; the most common type for interior use |
| Conduit | Electrical | General term for any raceway that protects electrical wiring |
| Cable Tray | Electrical | Open ladder or trough system that supports bundles of cables |
| Circuit Breaker | Electrical | Overcurrent protection device |
| GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) | Electrical | Required in wet locations such as bathrooms and kitchens |
| AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) | Electrical | Arc-fault protection required in bedrooms and other specified areas |
| Generator / Genset | Electrical | Emergency standby generator |
| UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) | Electrical | Battery backup system for continuous power |
| Low Voltage (LV) | Electrical | Low-voltage systems including data, security, communications, and fire alarm |
| Fire Alarm | Fire Protection | Fire detection and alarm system; administered by Technical Safety BC in BC |
| Sprinkler | Fire Protection | Automatic sprinkler system designed to NFPA 13 standards |
6. Civil & Foundation
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Excavation | Removal of earth to a required depth |
| Cut and Fill | Balancing earthwork by cutting high areas and filling low areas |
| Backfill | Replacing soil around a foundation or structure after construction |
| Compaction | Mechanical densification of soil; typically 95%+ Proctor density required |
| Shoring | Temporary support for excavation walls or existing structures |
| Lagging | Timber planks or boards placed between soldier piles to retain soil |
| Tie-Back / Soil Anchor | Earth anchor drilled into soil to support shoring walls |
| Dewatering | Removal of groundwater during excavation |
| Frost Line / Frost Depth | Depth to which soil freezes; approximately 0.3 to 0.6 m in BC Lower Mainland, deeper inland |
| Bearing Capacity | The maximum load a soil can support per unit area |
| Settlement | Downward movement of a foundation due to soil compression |
| Pile / Caisson | Deep foundation element; types include Driven Pile and Drilled Pier |
| Helical Pile | Screw-type pile installed by small equipment; widely used in BC |
| Subgrade | The native soil below a foundation or pavement structure |
| Sub-base / Base Course | Granular layer (gravel, crushed stone) beneath a slab or pavement |
| Granular Fill | Compacted gravel or crushed stone used for fill |
| Geotextile | Permeable fabric used for filtration, separation, or reinforcement |
| Swale | A shallow, sloped channel designed to manage surface water runoff |
7. Site Management & Safety
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Prime Contractor | The party designated by WorkSafeBC as responsible for overall site safety |
| WorkSafeBC | BC’s workplace safety authority — equivalent to Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor combined with KOSHA |
| OHSR (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation) | WorkSafeBC’s core safety regulations |
| Site Safety Plan | A documented plan outlining safety procedures for the project |
| FLHA (Field Level Hazard Assessment) | A task-level hazard identification completed before each work activity |
| Toolbox Talk | A brief pre-task safety meeting with the crew |
| MSDS / SDS (Safety Data Sheet) | Hazardous material information sheet required for chemical handling |
| PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) | Hard hat, safety boots, high-vis vest, gloves, eye protection, etc. |
| Fall Arrest System | Equipment (harness, lanyard, anchor) that stops a worker in a fall |
| Hot Work Permit | Required authorization before any work involving open flame or sparks |
| Confined Space | Any space with limited entry/egress; requires permit and attendant before entry |
| Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) | Energy isolation procedure required before servicing any equipment |
| Superintendent | The GC’s on-site construction manager; commonly called “Super” |
| Foreman | Trade crew leader responsible for day-to-day work direction |
| Labourer | General construction worker; performs unskilled or semi-skilled tasks |
| Journeyman | A fully certified tradesperson (electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.) |
| Apprentice | A trainee working toward a journeyman certificate |
| Red Seal | A nationally recognized trades certification valid across all Canadian provinces |
| Site Instruction (SI) | A formal written direction issued by the design team to the contractor on-site |
| NCR (Non-Conformance Report) | Formal document issued when construction deviates from drawings or specifications |
| Daily Field Report (DFR) | A daily log of site activities, manpower, weather, and events |
| Schedule of Values (SOV) | A breakdown of contract value by line item; the basis for progress claims |
| Progress Claim / Progress Draw | A payment application for work completed to date, based on the SOV |
8. Common Unit Conversions
Canadian construction sites still mix Imperial (yard-pound) and Metric (SI) units. Imperial dominates in wood framing, steel, and piping.
| Imperial | Metric (Approximate) | Site Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 25.4 mm | Standard reference |
| 1 foot (12 inches) | 304.8 mm | Standard reference |
| 3/4 inch | 19 mm | “Three-quarter” |
| 1-1/2 inch | 38 mm | “Inch and a half” |
| 16 inch OC (On Center) | 406 mm spacing | Standard stud spacing |
| 24 inch OC | 610 mm spacing | Stud or joist spacing |
| 4 x 8 sheet | 1220 x 2440 mm | Standard plywood / drywall sheet size |
| 1 PSI | 6.895 kPa | Pressure unit |
| 1 PCF (lb/ft3) | 16.02 kg/m3 | SFRM density unit |
Closing Thoughts
Canadian construction terminology can feel unfamiliar at first, but each term precisely defines a specific role, responsibility, or procedure. Treating terms as “close enough” can come back as contract disputes, safety incidents, or quality failures down the line.
In particular, contract terms (Change Order, Substantial Completion, Holdback) and safety terms (Prime Contractor, FLHA) carry direct legal liability — get them right.
If there are terms not covered here or anything you’d like clarified, drop a comment. More in-depth posts by trade are in the works.
This guide is primarily based on BC. Procedures and terminology in other provinces may differ.