Draft
In the construction industry, the word ‘draft’ might refer to:
- Drafting drawings. For more information see: Manual drafting techniques.
- Drafting documents, in particular legal documents such as contracts.
- A preliminary version of something such as a drawing or document, sometimes circulated for comment by others before a final version is prepared.
- Draughts. Draft is the US spelling of the UK ‘draught’, meaning a noticeable current of air inside a building that can make its occupants uncomfortable. For more information see: Draught.
NB The 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), published by the International Code Council (ICC) defines draft as: ‘The pressure difference existing between the appliance or any component part and the atmosphere, that causes a continuous flow of air and products of combustion through the gas passages of the appliance to the atmosphere.’
It defines induced draft as. ‘The pressure difference created by the action of a fan, blower or ejector, that is located between the appliance and the chimney or vent termination.’
And natural draft as. ‘The pressure difference created by a vent or chimney because of its height, and the temperature difference between the flue gases and the atmosphere.’
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