| sap | standard assessment procedure (sap) is an energy rating for buildings. it measures the heating and hot water yearly cost for a building, stated in a scale of 0 - 120. |
| section 102 or 104 | section within the water industry act 1991 permitting the adoption of a sewer, lateral drain or sewage disposal works by the sewerage undertaker. sometimes referred to as s102 or s104. |
| section 106 (town and country planning act 1990) | a section within the town and country planning act 1990 that allows a planning obligation to a local planning authority to be legally binding. |
| section 106 (water industry act 1991) | a key section of the water industry act 1991, relating to the right of connection to a public sewer. |
| section 38 | an agreement entered into pursuant to section 38 highways act 1980 whereby a way that has been constructed or that is to be constructed becomes a highway maintainable at the public expense. a publicly maintainable highway may include provision for drainage of the highway. (drainage of highways is defined in section 100 (9) of the highways act 1980). |
| seer (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) | the total cooling output of an air conditioner during its normal annual usage period for cooling, in kw, divided by the total electric energy input during the same period (in other words, the measure of the energy efficiency of the air conditioner). |
| shading coefficient (sc) | the ratio of solar heat gain passing through a glazing system to the solar heat gain that occurs under the same conditions if the window was made of clear, unshaded double strength glass. the lower the sc number, the better the solar control efficiency of the glazing system. |
| sick building syndrome (sbs) | the occurrence of health problems to occupants of a building related to the construction and mechanical systems of the building. this sickness is characterised by; dizziness, headaches, irritated eyes, nausea, throat irritation and coughing. these reactions typically cease when the person leaves the building for a prolonged period. |
| shingles | shingles are roofing material made from asphalt, wood or slate. tiles of the shingle are laid on the roof in an overlapping pattern to provide water protection. |
| soakaway | a subsurface structure into which surface water is conveyed to allow infiltration into the ground. |
| soakaways | soakaways are vegetated areas of gently sloping ground designed to drain water evenly off impermeable areas and filter out silt and other particulates. although these have been traditionally used in more remote locations away from public sewers or where sewers have reached capacity, soakaways may be used as an alternative connection to the piped system. |
| solar collector | a device (usually flat plates or tubes) for capturing solar energy. windows are a simple device, and solar hot water systems involve more complex devices, with water running through them. |
| solar gain | direct solar radiation (suns rays) passing through glazed areas to provide warmth to rooms and spaces. optimal gains come from south facing glazed areas. |
| solar heat gain coefficient (shgc) | the fraction of total solar energy that enters a space through a window. the total solar gain through a windows equals the shgc multiplied by the incident solar radiation. the shading coefficient (sc) is referenced frequently and equals the shgc for a windows divided by 0.87 (assuming normal incidence). |
| solar panel/collector | device which uses the sun's energy to perform some kind of mechanical advantage which would normally be supplied by a non-renewable energy source. photovoltaic panels (pv's) and solar hot water panels, which pre-heat water before sending it into a hot water heater are two examples. |
| solar radiation | the energy carrying electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. |
| solar thermal | this often refers to hot water systems that are heated by solar energy. |
| solvents | liquids, usually petroleum based that can dissolve solids and keep them in solution; may contribute to pollution through evaporation. |
| sound insulation | the ability of a building element or building structure to reduce the sound transmission through it. the sound insulation is measured at different frequencies, normally 100-4000 hz. airborne sound insulation is expressed by a single value, dn,c,w , rw or r'w. impact sound insulation is expressed by a single value ln,w or l' n,w |
| stack effect | the draught that is created by warm buoyant air as it rises in a tall confined space such as a chimney, stairwell, atrium or lift shaft. |
| stack effect/ventilation | air or gas generally rises in a duct, or vertical passage, when heated. this is due to its lower density compared with surrounding air or gas. passive ventilation works on these principles drawing warm moist air out of rooms. |
| standard assessment procedure (sap) | the standard assessment procedure (sap) incorporated into building regulations provides a straightforward and reliable means of estimating the energy required for space and water heating in new and existing dwellings. this can also provide an indication of the level of carbon dioxide, which is likely to be generated by the dwelling when in use. the standard assessment procedure (sap) is the most widely used means of assessing the energy efficiency of domestic properties. sap is measured on a scale of 1 to 120 - 1 being very poor, 120 being excellent. a typical sap for an average house in england would be 45, and a typical sap rating for a new house would be around 80. the factors that affect sap rating include location and orientation, the size of the dwelling, fuel type and the hot water system used. |
| stay-in-place insulating formwork | concrete formwork made from expanded or extruded polystyrene which is permanent in the structure of the building. such formwork serves as an insulator and can reduce the amount of concrete required. |
| strawbale construction | a construction method using baled straw producing either load bearing structure, or as infill to an independent structural system. straw bales have high insulative properties, are readily available, generally are a waste product from farms and are a renewable material. |
| substrate | in biology a substrate is the surface a plant or animal lives upon |
| sulphur dioxide (so2) | a colourless, irritating gas that is a primary cause of acid rain; a by product of coal combustion. |
| suspended solids | undissolved particles in a liquid. |
| sustainable development | development that meets the needs of current generations without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. it requires a balance between economic, environmental and social impacts. |
| sustainable drainage systems (suds) | sustainable drainage systems or sustainable urban drainage systems: a sequence of management practices and control structures designed to drain surface water in a more sustainable fashion than some conventional techniques. |
| sustainable landscape design | indigenous planting schemes that include drought tolerant species to reduce the need for watering should be including in any landscaping scheme. |
| swale | a shallow vegetated channel designed to conduct and retain water, but may also permit infiltration; the vegetation filters particulate matter |