Summary of Technical and Business English Vocabulary

## Introduction Technical English Unit 9 covers specialized vocabulary and concepts commonly used in engineering, construction, and building services. This material breaks down terms related to HVAC, sensors, surveying, structural components, and business-related project terms. It is written for self-study and focuses on clear definitions, practical examples, and real-world applications. ## HVAC and Building Services > **HVAC:** heating, ventilation and air conditioning — a system that can heat or cool a building or allow fresh air to move around. - Purpose: provide thermal comfort and control indoor air quality while reducing energy use. - Real-world application: office buildings use HVAC controls to maintain temperature and ventilation schedules to save energy. Fun fact: Many modern HVAC systems connect to building management systems that adjust settings automatically based on occupancy and time of day. ### Related verbs and actions - **keep an eye on**: to watch or take care of something. - Example: We've asked the neighbours to keep an eye on the house for us while we are away. - **set off an alarm**: to cause an alarm to start ringing. - Example: Opening this door will set off the alarm. - **cut down on**: to reduce. - Example: The doctor told him to cut down on his drinking. ## Security and Intrusion Terms > **intruder:** a person who enters a building or area illegally. > **intrusion:** the act of entering a private place or where you may not be wanted. - Use in practice: alarm systems detect intruders and set off alarms; CCTV helps confirm intrusions. ## System Design and Scalability > **scalable:** describing a system that can be made larger, for example by adding extra hardware, without loss of performance. - Practical note: Cloud services are considered scalable because they allow resources to expand under increased load. - Example sentence: Many internet companies use highly scalable technology to reduce the requirement for many new employees. ## Problem Solving and Focus - **pinpoint:** find and show the exact position or time. - Example: It is not possible to pinpoint precisely the time of death. - **tackle:** try to deal with something. - Example: There is a great deal of indecision over how to tackle the problem. - **home in on / home in on:** to focus on a particular issue. - Example: The report homed in on the weaknesses in the management structure. ## Project Actions and Decisions - **go about:** to begin to do something or deal with something. - Example: We’d like to help but we’re not sure what's the best way to go about it. - **make one's way:** to move or get somewhere. - Example: It's getting late - we should make our way home soon. - **go for:** to choose something. - Example: I think I'll go for the fruit salad. - **bypass:** to go around or avoid a place. - Example: A new road now bypasses the town. - **propose / proposal:** to suggest; a formal suggestion or plan. - Example: Since the idea was first proposed, no action has been taken. - **downturn:** a decline in economic activity. - Example: The building industry is experiencing a severe downturn in its workload. Fun fact: Governments often use subsidies to stabilize prices during economic downturns and protect key industries. ## Finance and Planning Terms - **large-scale:** involving many people or a lot of activity. - Example: The proposals include large-scale investment in agriculture and industry. - **struggle:** to try very hard when it is difficult. - Example: Local workers were still struggling to find employment. - **subsidy:** money granted by a government to assist an industry. - Example: The EU spends billions on subsidies to farmers every year. - **loan:** money borrowed that must usually be repaid with interest. - Example: It took three years to repay my student loan. - **draft:** the first form of a document, containing main points but not all details. - Example: A draft proposal should a