What do fixtures mean in construction?

In construction, fixtures refer to the items of equipment and finishing hardware that are permanently attached to a building and connected to its utility systems, as distinct from the structural elements (foundations, walls, roofs) and the movable contents of the finished building. Construction fixtures typically fall into several standard categories: plumbing fixtures, meaning toilets, lavatories, bathtubs, showers, bidets, and faucets, all connected to water supply and drainage lines; electrical and lighting fixtures, meaning ceiling lights, sconces, recessed lighting, and other hardwired luminaires; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning fixtures such as radiators, vents, and wall-mounted units; and built-in fixtures like fitted kitchens, wardrobes, and cabinetry. Building codes regulate fixtures closely, specifying the minimum number required for different occupancy types and using "fixture units" to size the water and drainage pipes serving them. On construction drawings and bills of quantities, fixtures appear as line items under "fixtures and equipment" or "specialties," and contractors schedule their installation during the finishing stages of a project, after rough plumbing and wiring are complete. The distinction between fixtures and other items matters contractually: fixtures become part of the real property, while unattached items supplied separately remain personal property. In a related industrial sense, construction and manufacturing also use the word fixture for jigs and work-holding devices that position components during fabrication and assembly, such as welding fixtures used to hold steel members in alignment while they are joined. In all construction usages, the core idea remains permanently attached, installed equipment.