K or k:  The symbol for kilo (1,000).  Kilogram (kg = 1,000g). Kilometer (km = 1,000m). In computers, 1K = 1024 bits of information. 64K memory = 65,536 bits.

K Factor:  The insulating value of any material. Also known as conductivity.

K Value:  Erosion rate per unit of erosion index in a cultivated continuous fallow soil.

Kata Thermometer: A special thermometer whose purpose is to measure the cooling power of the environment. Often used as an anemometer.

Keene’s Cement: A white finish plaster that produces an extremely durable wall. Because of its density, it excels for use in bathrooms and kitchens and is also used extensively for the finish coat in auditoriums, public buildings, and other places where walls may be subjected to unusually hard wear or abuse.

Keeper: The metal latch plate in a door frame into which a doorknob plunger latches.

Kelp Beds:  Significant aggregations of marine algae throughout the water column.

Kelvin (K):  The kelvin unit of thermodynamic temperature, is the fraction 1/273, 16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water. The triple point of water is the equilibrium temperature (o,01 °C or 273,16 K) between pure ice, air free water and water vapor.

Kelvin Scale:  Thermometer scale on which unit of measurement equals the Celsius degree and according to which absolute zero is 0 degree, the equivalent of -273.16 0C. Water freezes at 273.16 0K and boils at 373.160K.

Keratin:  The primary protein of skin, hair, and nails.

Keratitis:  Microbial infections of the cornea (eye); when caused by a fungus, it is referred to as mycotic keratitis.

Kerosene:  A type of heating fuel derived by refining crude oil that has a boiling range at atmospheric pressure from 400 degrees to 550 degrees F.

Keyless: A plastic or porcelain light fixture that operates by a pull string. Generally found in the basement, crawl space, and attic areas.

Keystone Species:  A certain species that one or more other species are dependent upon for food, reproduction, or some other basic need.

Keyway: A slot formed and poured on a footer or in a foundation wall when another wall will be installed at the slot location. This gives additional strength to the joint/meeting point.

KG/CM²A:  Kilograms per square centimeter absolute.

Kick Hole: A defect frequently found in perimeter flashings arising from being stepped on or kicked. A small fracture of the base flashing in the area of the cant.

Kickout Type Clutch:  A type of clutch which has a spring loaded jaw or detented rolling element to control torque in an assembly tool.

Kiln-dried Lumber:  Any lumber placed in a heated chamber or “shed” to reduce its moisture content to a specified range or average under controlled conditions. For softwood framing lumber, the moisture content of KD lumber is somewhat based on regional conventions but is most often an average of 12% by weight. In comparison, the moisture content of thoroughly air-dried softwood framing lumber is 15% to 20%.

Kilo:  A thousand.

Kilobar (kb):  A unit of 1,000 bars of pressure.

Kilopascal:  A measure of pressure expressed in metric units; see pressure.

Kilovolt Ampere (kVA):  Unit of electrical flow equal to volts multiplied by amperes and divided by one thousand.

Kilowatt (kW): One thousand watts.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh): One thousand watt-hours.

Kinematic Viscosity:  Is the dynamic viscosity divided by the density.

Kinetic Energy:  Is the energy a substance possesses by virtue of its motion or velocity. Used primarily in calculations for dynamic and ejector type compressors.

King Stud: The vertical 2x4 frame lumber (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate.

Kitchen Recycling Center:  A built-in section of the kitchen cabinetry that allows convenient separation of recyclable materials.

Knife Consistency: Compound formulated in a degree of firmness suitable for application with a putty knife such as used for face glazing and other sealant applications.

Knife Edge Seal:  Narrow, pointed ridge on the sealing surface of an end cap, center seal or cartridges adaptor which provides a seal by biting into the cartridge gasket.

Knit Fabric:  A fabric structure made by interlooping yarns.

Knit Wrist Cuffs:  Knit wrist cuffs are designed to hold the glove in place on the hand and to prevent debris from entering the glove.

Knock Out:  A term used to describe the condensate flow rate.  It can be expressed as gallons per minute (GPM) or pounds mass per minute (lbm/min).

Knockout Box: See Primary Collector.

Knot: In lumber, the portion of a branch or limb of a tree that appears on the edge or face of the piece.

kPa:  Kilopascal; a metric measure of pressure based on force per unit area. (1 kPa = 4.01 inches of water).

Kraft: A heavy, water resistant paper.

kW:  Kilowatt – A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts.

kWh:  Kilowatt hour – A unit of work, being the work done in one hour at the rate of 1,000 watts.

Kynar Coating: Architectural coating that is UV stable and suitable for exterior use on aluminum and other metal surfaces.

Kyoto Protocol: An international agreement adopted in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan.  The Protocol sets binding emission targets for developed countries that would reduce their emissions on average 5.2 percent below 1990 levels.