The other floors of each storey about the ground level are known as the ___________
Try it first: pick an option, then read the explanation.
Understanding Building Storey Terminology
In architecture and construction, it's crucial to use precise terms to describe different parts of a building. The classification of floors is based on their vertical position relative to the ground. The most fundamental distinction is between the floor at ground level and all the floors constructed above it.
Ground Floor: This is the floor built directly on the ground sub-base. It is the lowest storey of a building that has a significant portion of its walls above ground level.
Upper Floor: This is the standard, technical term for any floor constructed above the ground floor. It encompasses the first floor, second floor, and so on, up to the highest storey.
Detailed Analysis of the Options
Let's examine why the other options are incorrect.
(a) Roofing
Why it's incorrect: Roofing refers to the material layer that covers the roof structure of a building. Its purpose is to provide protection from the elements (rain, sun, wind). It is the top-most covering of the building, not a floor for habitation or use.
(b) Lower floor
Why it's incorrect: This is a relative and non-technical term. For example, in a three-storey building, the second floor is a "lower floor" compared to the third, but it's an "upper floor" compared to the ground floor. The term lacks the precise definition required in construction.
(c) Roof Floor
Why it's incorrect: This term is not standard terminology. It could be misconstrued as a flat, accessible roof (a terrace), but it is not the general term for all the floors between the ground level and the roof itself.
(d) Upper floor
Why it IS the correct answer: This is the correct and universally accepted technical term in the building industry. It unambiguously refers to any and all floors constructed in the storeys above the ground floor. It is a collective term for all suspended floors that are not in direct contact with the ground.
Summary of Key Building Levels
A simple hierarchy of a building's main horizontal structures:
- Foundation: The base below the ground that supports the structure.
- Ground Floor: The first habitable floor, resting on or near the ground.
- Upper Floor(s): All subsequent floors (first, second, etc.) suspended above the ground floor.
- Roof: The top structure and its covering (roofing) that encloses the building from above.