Awarding Body for the Built Environment

Home Inspector's External Examination

Demonstration questions

Session:

Date:

Venue:

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes (including 10 minutes reading time)

Instructions to candidates:

This is a demonstration exam. You should use it to practice navigating the on-line exam in accordance with the guidance given in the HI Exam Candidate Guidance.

This demonstration contains examples of the questions in the full exam, as an indication of the type and level of questions you are likely to be asked.

• The exam paper is split into three sections;
• Section A contains conventional mutli-choice questions where you must select one of four possible answers. You should circle the letter A, B, C or D with black ink. There are 20 questions @ 1 mark each in this section in the full examination
• Section B contains a variety of question types. These include questions relating to diagrams, questions where possible responses have to be ranked, and others where you will have to match descriptions with other information/data. You should read the instructions for each individual question carefully. There are 30 questions @ 1 mark each in this section in the full examination.
• Section C contains three case study question scenarios. These are more challenging questions that present you with a scenario focused on a particular building defect or issue. Each case study has a number of photographs, a brief scenario description, and 8 or 9 multiple choice questions. There are 25 questions @ 2 marks each in this section in the full examination.
• You should attempt all questions on the paper;
• The marks awarded for each question are indicated.

Personal Details

Surname:
Forename:
Identity No:
I have read and understand the regulations for attendance and conduct at the HI External Examination.
Signature:
Date:

 

Section A

20 questions@ 1 mark each in 16 bins

Choose 1 from 4 optional answers

A1 Walls, Renders and Tile Hanging

You are carrying out an inspection of an end of terrace house constructed in the 1970s and you note cracking in the facing brick of its front elevation cavity wall. The cracks are approximately vertical, about 300 – 500 mm from the corner of the flank wall. The cracking does not extend below the DPC

What do you think is the most likely cause?

A Thermal expansion in the brickwork.

B Sulphate attack.

C Cavity wall tie failure

D Differential movement between the inner and outer parts of the cavity wall.

(Answer: …………)

A2 Windows Doors Lights and Security

In a 1930’s property you discover internal doors with full height original one piece glazing panels. In your report do you indicate:

A The glazing must by law be replaced by safety glazing as stipulated in the Building Regulations

B The glazing does not comply with current safety recommendations

C The glazing should not be replaced, as it is a period feature

D The glazing is satisfactory for a house of this period

(Answer: …….)

 

A3 Floors  

 

A4 Roofs Chimneys and Rainwater goods

 

A5 Finishes, Joinery, Ceiling, Staircases, and Fitments

Where would you find a dado rail?

A At low level

B At intermediate level

C At high level

D At ceiling level

(Answer: ……….)

  

A6 Dampness, Condensation, and Flooding

What does a conductance damp meter actually measure?

 A Electrical resistance

B Electric current

C Vapour pressure

D Water content

(Answer: ………)

A7 Timber Defects

What is serpula lacrymans more commonly known as?

 A Mine fungus

B Cellar fungus

C Wet Rot

D Dry rot  

(Answer: ………)

 

A8 Electric

 

A9 Water Supply & Drainage and Sanitary Services

What is the optimum fall for a domestic drain to achieve a self-cleansing velocity?

A 1:40

B 1:100

C 1:200

D level

(Answer: ……..)

A10 Heating (Gas and other fuels, ventilation)

There is a gas fire with back boiler in the lounge of a house you are inspecting. Which of the following is also required to ensure the safe operation of the unit:

A A permanently open ventilator in the external wall or window

B An opening window of at least one twentieth of the floor area of the lounge

C A carbon monoxide detector

D An extractor fan giving at least 3 air changes per hour

(Answer: ………..)

 

A11 Safe working practices  

During an inspection, the owner’s young child is playing in the rear garden. You wish to inspect the drains by lifting the two manhole covers close by. Do you

A Keep a close eye on the child and carefully open the manhole covers one at a time to complete your inspection.

B Ask the children to go indoors and to stay there while you open the manhole covers to complete your inspection.

C Warn the child about what you are about to do. Open the manholes, but place the covers across the chamber at an angle while you complete your inspection.

D Find the owner, explain what you want to do, and ask the owner to take care of the children while you open and inspect

(Answer: ……..)

 

A12 Condition rating

 

A13 Health & Safety issues with hazard identification (2 questions)

Under what conditions are tests for the presence of radon gas best conducted?

A When the building is vacated

B When the building is occupied normally

C During the summer months only

D Where controlled conditions can be imposed on the ventilation of the building and on movement in and out of the building by the occupiers

(Answer: …….)

  

A14 Legal (2 questions)

'The Party Wall etc. Act' refers to:

A Boundary disputes between neighbours.

B Repairing liabilities of commercial tenants.

C Jointly owned walls and notification of works.

D Maintenance duties of landlords.

(Answer: …….. )

  

Property Particulars produced by Estate Agents are regulated under:

A Consumer Law

B The Goods and Services Act

C The Property Misdescriptions Act

D National Association of Estate Agents Code of Practice

(Answer: ……….)

 

A15 HI Scope (2 questions)

With reference to getting access by a ladder to a typical roof space, would you get off your ladder and walk around the loft?

A I wouldn't go into the loft. It is beyond my conditions of engagement.

B I would only go into the loft if there was a reason to do so (i.e. to look at a defect).

C I would only go into the loft if there were someone to secure the bottom of the ladder.

D I always go into a loft as long my ladders extend that far and it is safe to do so.

(Answer: ………)

 

A16 Foundations and Structural Movement

(2 questions)  

Which of the following cracking patterns would you diagnose as possibly caused by subsidence?

A Rectangular cracks about 1mm wide to ceiling

B Horizontal cracks about 5 mm to gable walls

C Diagonal tapering cracks to external walls about 15mm - 5 mm

D Vertical cracks about 20mm wide at either end of a long terrace of houses

(Answer: ……….)

 

BRE Digest 251 gives the following description of typical damage for a category 3 crack:

‘The cracks require some opening up and can be patched by a mason. Repointing of external brickwork and possibly a small amount of brickwork to be replaced. Doors and windows sticking. Service pipes may fracture. Weathertightness often impaired.’

What is the approximate crack width to which category 3 refers?

A up to 5mm

B 5mm – 15 mm

C 15mm – 25mm

D usually greater than 25mm  

(Answer: ……..)

 

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Section B:

30 questions

Choose 1 from 4 optional answers

B1 Energy and Environment (8 questions)

Which of the following features would help you identify a condensing boiler?

A The small size of the boiler. Condensing boilers are usually smaller than other types.

B The lack of any 'pressure dials' on the boiler unit.

C A plastic drain pipe that runs from the underside of the boiler unit to a nearby drainage point.

D The absence of a hot water tank to a cylinder.

(Answer: ……….)

 
How would you ascertain whether to advise that the property is at risk from flooding?

A Looking for 'tidemarks' during the survey

B Asking the occupiers

C Enquiries to the Local Authority engineers department

D Enquiries to the Environment Agency

 

(Answer: ………)

In relation to a modern electric consumer unit, what does RCD stand for?

A Residual Current Device

B Residual Circuit Device

C Reactive Current Device

D ReactiveCircuit Device

(Answer: ……….)

Condensation is most likely to occur when:

A When warm air meets a cold surface

B When cold air meets a warm surface

C When a warm surface cools to the same temperature as the surrounding air

D When a cold surface warms up

(Answer: ………)

 

B2 Ranking (4 questions)

Choose the ranking of the following tree species which gives the greatest danger of subsidence posed by their roots’ action, according to BRE Guide. Most serious (top), least serious (bottom).

A
Poplar
Ash
Birch
Oak
Sycamore

B
Oak
Poplar
Ash
Sycamore
Birch

C
Birch
Poplar
Ash
Oak
Sycamore

D
Sycamore
Ash
Poplar
Birch
Oak

(Answer: ……..)

 

Choose the correct ranking of the following domestic electrical circuits according to their usual current rating.

	A	B	C	D
Ring main power	30 amps	45 amps	30 amps	45 amps
Lighting	5 amps	5 amps	10 amps	10 amps
Immersion heater	15 amps	10 amps	15 amps	10 amps
Power shower	30 amps	15 amps	15 amps	30 amps
Cookerr	45 amps	30 amps	45 amps	30 amps

(Answer: …….)

B3 Select between options on photos (3 questions)

In the photograph of the window reveal, what is the most likely cause of the warped timber panel to the top of the reveal?

A Drying out due to sunlight

B Wet rot in the timber

C Physical damage where struck with a heavy object

D Warping due to old age

(Answer: ……….)

Which one of the following condition ratings would you choose to report the condition of this chimney stack?

A Condition rating 1 – No repair is presently required. Normal maintenance must be undertaken.

B Condition rating 2 – Repairs are required but you consider these to be neither serious nor urgent.

C Condition rating 3 – Defects of a serious nature or defects requiring urgent repair.

D No Condition rating – You consider you are unable to ascertain the condition with accuracy and you recommend obtaining the advice of a competent structural engineer.

(Answer: ………)

B4 Recognise feature from photo/diagram (3 questions)

  

B5 4 Question Scenarios (3 of) (12 questions)

Scenario 1

The drawings illustrate common brick bonds found in England and Wales. Please study these and answer the questions below.

Which drawing shows Flemish Bond?

A Wall A

B Wall B

C Wall C

D Wall D

(Answer: ……….)

  

Which wall is likely to be a cavity wall?

 A Wall A

B Wall B

C Wall C

D Wall D

(Answer: …….)

  

What vertical spacings would you expect modern wall ties to be placed at?

A 450mm

B 75mm

C 525mm

D 60mm

(Answer: …….)

 

Which of the descriptions below is likely to be caused by sulphate attack?

A Expansion of the mortar

B Cracking of the bricks

C Deterioration of the brick face

D Staining of the brickwork

 (Answer: ………)

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Section C:

 25 questions @ 2 marks each

Choose 1 from 4 options

Up to 4 photos for each scenario

1 of each of the 3 Property Types:

C1 TYPE 1: pre 1920 - 9 questions @ 2 marks = 18 marks

C2 TYPE 2: 1920 - 1950 - 8 questions @ 2 marks = 16 marks

C3 TYPE 3: Post 1950 - 8 questions @ 2 marks = 16 marks

Modern house

The house illustrated in Photos A - C is a detached dwelling built by a national house builder in 1980. It is part of an in-fill estate on a level site with clay sub-soil. The house is traditionally constructed with cavity brick/block walls, interlocking concrete tiled roof and solid ground floor.

     

1. On Photo A there is a climbing plant on the wall above the large ground floor window. In your report, which phrase would be the most appropriate? (2 marks)

A The climbing plant on the front elevation may be causing some damage to the masonry and mortar of the external wall. It is recommended that this plant is removed.

B The climbing plant on the front elevation is an attractive soft landscape feature and may be retained.

C The climbing plant on the front elevation may cause major structural damage. It should be removed immediately and a structural engineer should be engaged to give a report on the structural stability of the front wall.

D The climbing plant on the front elevation should be pruned at regular intervals to prevent undue loading on the external wall.

(Answer: ……….)

 

2. With reference to the glazing used in the type of conservatory shown in photos B and C, if the glass extends below a certain height special safety glazing has to be used. What is this height? (2 marks)

A 650mm

B 800mm

C 950mm

D 1200mm

(Answer:………..)

 

3. The former French window to the rear room of the main house has been

taken out so the original room now extends into the conservatory. What is the

main problem of this feature? (2 marks)

A The high levels of solar gain from the conservatory may make the room overheat during sunny periods.

B Escape in the case of fire might be affected by this alteration.

C Linking both spaces means that the new conservatory must conform to the energy efficiency requirements of the current building regulations.

D Because of the large amounts of glass in the conservatory, the control of condensation becomes very difficult.

(Answer: …………)

 

4. Window replacements are now subject to the control of the Building

Regulations. Window contractors can self certify that they have installed windows that comply with the new standards as long as they belong to a particular trade related organisation. Which one is it? (2 marks)

A GGF

B FENSA

C BWPDA

D BISRIA  

(Answer: ……..)

5. The conservatory has been built up against the main wall of the house. To make sure that water does not penetrate into the new space, what feature should have been included? (2 marks)

A A properly installed lead flashing that covers the junction of the brick wall and the conservatory roof.

B Water proof mastic or sealing tape at the junction of the brick wall and the conservatory roof.

C A water proof detail approved by the installer of the conservatory.

D A cavity tray built into the cavity wall that properly links with a lead flashing at the junction with the conservatory roof.

(Answer: ……..)

6. Can a conservatory be built over an inspection chamber? (2 marks)

A No. Not under any circumstances. The drain would have to be re-routed.

B Yes but the inspection cover would have to be extended to the floor level.

C Yes but only if the drain is surface water only.

D Yes but the drain will have to be protected and a double seal inspection chamber cover installed.

(Answer: …………)

 

7. In the roof void the underside of the sarking felt is observed to be wet to the touch over a wide area. Based on this evidence and your observations of Photos A and C, what is the most likely cause? (2 marks).

A The concrete tiles have been badly laid and are leaking at the junctions

B The water storage tank in the loft void is not properly sealed and water vapour is leaking from it.

C The ridge tiles are defective and water is leaking down from the apex.

D There is insufficient ventilation in the roof void and water vapour from the house below is condensing on the felt’s surface.

(Answer: ………..)

 

8. In photograph A, green patches can be seen on the roof covering over the porch and to the main roof. In your report, which phrase would you be more likely to use? (2 marks)

A The green patches observed on the concrete tile roof coverings to the front of the house are normal variations in colour due to the manufacturing process. No action is required.

B There is some moss and lichen growth evident to the concrete tile roof coverings to the front of the house. This does not require any immediate action and is usual for coverings of this type. However, in the long term, it may need some attention if it continues to spread since it may damage the surface of the tiles.

C Some of the concrete roof tiles on the front elevations are turning green and showing signs of deterioration. The tiles affected require replacement.

D The degree of moss growth to the concrete roof tiles indicates that these tiles are unsuitable for this location and exposure. It is recommended that the roof is recovered with a more suitable and resilient roof covering.

(Answer: ………..)

(end)