Building component
A component is a constituent part of a building (or other built asset) which is manufactured as an independent unit, subsystem or subassembly, that can be joined or blended with other elements to form a more complex item. Generally, components are ‘self-contained’ and sourced from a single supplier, typically the complete unit provided by that supplier rather than its constituent parts.
Assessing risks in insulation retrofits using hygrothermal software tools, Heat and moisture transport in internally insulated stone walls, by Joseph Little, Calina Ferraro and Beñat Arregi, published by Historic Environment Scotland in 2015, states: ‘Each building component has a specific assembly of building materials, with specific properties and performances. It may be pre-fabricated or erected on site at one time or, in the case of retrofit, over many years.’
A combination of components may be described as an ‘assembly’.
For a list of articles on Designing Buildings Wiki about building components, click here.
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