ABBE LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSMENT ABBE LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSMENT (QCF)

SAMPLE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

The purpose of this document is to provide examples of typical questions and how they are presented under the main topics covered in the examination. Please note that these questions have come from past examination papers and may reflect legislation and/or specifications that have since been updated; the main purpose is to give an indication of the level and focus of what to expect. Answers are not provided for these questions. We hope that by reviewing this sample you enter the exam room with more confidence as to what to expect. Good luck!

Examination duration: 40 minutes

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 1

Category: Building Construction: Walls (2 questions) You are inspecting a semi-detached house, built in the 1990s. You observe that the walls are constructed with an outer surface of brickwork, laid in stretcher bond but with a decorative string course laid in headers. The window frames are set into this outer leaf. You also note, when inspecting the roof space, that the gable party walls are constructed of block-work. Based on these observations only, which ONE of following options correctly describes the typical wall construction in accordance with the RdSAP data entry? A B C D Timber frame Cavity brick Solid brick System built

Q1.

Q2.

You are inspecting a property built in 1978. It has a sun room that was added to the building 2 years later. 50% of the walls to the sun room are glazed to full height, while 25% of the roof is similarly glazed. The room is entered from the original dwelling via an internal quality door. How would this part of the building be recorded in RdSAP? A Enter the sun room as an extension and use the extended glazing option in the RdSAP program to record that there is more than typical glazing to this part of the property Enter the sun room as a non-separated conservatory Enter the sun room as part of the main dwelling and use the extended glazing option in the RdSAP program to record that there is more than typical glazing to the property Enter the sun room as a separated conservatory

B C

Category: Building Construction: Roofs and Floors (2 questions)

Q3.

The two photos show the underside of a floor from different angles. What type of floor is illustrated?

Photo1

Photo 2

A B C D

Purlin and rafter Ring beam Floating floor Pot and beam

Q4.

The diagram represents a split level house built into a gentle hillside. The construction is cavity brick and the house is as originally built. All sections A - D are occupied in accordance with the RdSAP definition. Select the ONE correct option from those listed that correctly identifies which if any of the following descriptions is the correct way to record the floor areas and number of floors in RdSAP: 1. Sections C & D would be treated as the total lowest occupied area as they are both on the ground floor, while sections A & B would be treated as the next occupied area (or first floor). 2. Alternatively the dwelling could be recorded with section C as the lowest occupied area, section D as the next (first floor) occupied area, section A as the second floor and section B as the top most or third floor

A B C D

Both statements are correct Neither statement is correct Only statement 1 is correct Only statement 2 is correct

Category: Building Construction: Windows (1 question)

Q5.

How can you identify the age of double glazing to verify if it was installed pre- or post-2002? A Pre-2002 windows show the date of manufacture etched in the corner of the glazing pane as part of the "kite" mark Post-2002 windows show the date of manufacture etched in the corner of the glazing pane as part of the "kite" mark Pre-2002 windows show a date of manufacture stamped into the metal strip sandwiched between the panes of glazing Post-2002 windows show a date of manufacture stamped into the metal strip sandwiched between the panes of glazing

Category: Building Construction: Property Age and Type (2 questions) Q6. A house visited by a domestic energy assessor has been correctly described as a Woolaway system-build house. In which decades is the house MOST likely to have been built? A B C D 1920s and 1930s 1940s and 1950s 1960s and 1970s 1980s and 1990s

Q7.

The four diagrams illustrate different forms of terraced housing. In accordance with the definitions used in the RdSAP for categories of built form, which ONE of the following, marked as "subject" in each diagram, is defined as a mid terrace? Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

Diagram 4

A B C D

Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Diagram 3 Diagram 4

Category: Building Construction: Services (2 questions)

Q8.

From these two photographs taken in the same property (the kitchen and linen airing cupboard) identify the means of hot water supply to the property that would be entered for RdSAP purposes?

Photo 1

Photo 2

A B C D

An indirect cylinder and immersion heater A direct cylinder and dual immersion heater An instant gas water heater A direct electric water heater and back-up dual immersion heater

Q9.

What is the panel attached to the roof of the building in the photo?

A B C D

An evacuated tube solar panel used to heat hot water A solar flat plate panel used to heat hot water A polychrystalline photovoltaic solar panel used to heat hot water An amorphous silicon photovoltaic solar panel used to heat hot water

Category: Building Construction: Boilers (2 questions) Q10. What type of boiler is shown in the photograph?

A B C D

Standard (not condensing, not combination) Combination (not condensing) Standard Condensing (not combination) Condensing Combination
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Q11.

Which ONE of the following types of post-1998 gas boilers has the HIGHEST efficiency percentage level? A B C D Non-condensing (including combis) with permanent pilot Non-condensing (including combis) with automatic ignition Room heaters and back boilers Condensing (including combis) with automatic ignition

Category: Building Construction: CH types/Controls (1 question)

Q12.

No allowance can be made in RdSAP for which ONE of the following secondary heating systems? A B C D Oil heating systems Solid fuel heating systems Gas heating systems Electric heating systems

Category: RDSAP Conventions (7 questions)

Q13.

ONE of the four items below is NOT used for the calculation of energy use in RdSAP. Which ONE is it? A B C D Domestic hot water heating Electricity for household appliances Electricity for lighting Electricity for pumps and fans (including mechanical ventilation if present)

Q14.

The Gross Internal Floor area as defined in the RICS Code of Measuring Practice 6th Edition excludes which ONE of the following. A B C D Areas occupied by internal walls and partitions Columns, piers, chimney breasts and stairwells En suite bathrooms Party walls
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Q15.

The lighting in a dwelling is recorded as follows: The 4 bedrooms, study and dining room each have one standard fixed light fitting with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in the fixed light fittings The living room and utility room each have two fixed light fittings with ordinary tungsten lamps fitted. The kitchen has 6 fluorescent tube strip lights fitted under cupboards and a grid of 8 Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps fitted in the ceiling. What percentage of low energy lights should you enter into the RdSAP software program?

A B C D

40% low energy lighting 50% low energy lighting 80% low energy lighting 84% low energy lighting

Q16.

RdSAP requires the terrain type to be inputted into the software. For what purpose is this required? A So that the software can determine whether the propertys exposure will impact on the recommended depth of roof insulation So that the software can determine whether the propertys exposure will impact on recommendations to insulate cavity walls So that the software can determine the average wind speed and therefore assess whether the recommendation to install a wind turbine is appropriate So that the software can determine the average light levels and therefore assess whether the recommendation to install solar panels is appropriate

Q17.

A SAP rating of 40 equates to which ONE of the following SAP bands A B C D Band C Band D Band E Band F

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Q18.

Which, if any, of the two statements are correct?

Statement 1 A lounge/dining room where the door was temporarily removed (i.e. architrave and hinges still there) is two habitable rooms.

Statement 2 A lounge/dining room with the door permanently removed (hinge holes filled etc) is two habitable rooms.

A B C D

Statement 1 only is correct Statement 2 only is correct Both statements are correct Neither statement is correct

Q19

What would be the most appropriate way of considering the room count for RdSAP purposes when submitting data for the energy assessment for the quarter-house represented in the photographs and diagram?

Photo 1

11

Diagram 1

Photo 2

12

Discount the bathroom but treat the open plan living room only as one habitable room Discount the bathroom but treat the open plan living room and balcony bedroom as two habitable rooms Discount the bathroom but count the bedroom only as a habitable room Discount the bathroom but count the open plan living room together with the balcony bedroom as one habitable room

Category: Recommendations (1 question) Q20. What is the minimum increase in SAP rating that additional low energy lighting would need to generate in order for the software to recommend it? A B C D 0.25 of a SAP point 0.5 of a SAP point 0.75 of a SAP point 1 SAP point

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SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2

Category: Building Construction: Walls (2 questions) Q1. It is important that a DEA can distinguish granite/whinstone from sandstone. Which if any of the two statements are correct? Statement 1: Sandstone contains crystals because it has been formed from the cooling of molten magma Statement 2: Sandstone usually contain fossils

A B C D

Statement 1 only is correct Statement 2 only is correct Both statements are correct Neither statement is correct

Q2.

You are inspecting a property built in 1978. It has a sun room that was added to the building 2 years later. 50% of the walls to the sun room are glazed to full height, while 25% of the roof is similarly glazed. The room is entered from the original dwelling via an internal quality door. How would this part of the building be recorded in RdSAP? A Enter the sun room as an extension and use the extended glazing option in the RdSAP program to record that there is more than typical glazing to this part of the property Enter the sun room as a non-separated conservatory Enter the sun room as part of the main dwelling and use the extended glazing option in the RdSAP program to record that there is more than typical glazing to the property Enter the sun room as a separated conservatory

B C

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Category: Building Construction: Roofs and Floors (2 questions)

Q3.

Which ONE of the following descriptions correctly defines a mansard roof? A B C D A roof that contains dormer windows A roof with coach bolted shallow trusses A roof that has four hips culminating in an apex and no ridge line A roof with dual pitches divided into a lower steep pitch and shallower upper pitch

Q4.

In this property, the roof area is insulated by 100mm of fibreglass quilt laid between the ceiling joists which are 80mm deep. Half of the area has been over-boarded for storage, applied directly to the upper surface of the ceiling joists, and the other half topped up with a further 100mm covering of polystyrene insulation over fibreglass felt to provide a total insulation depth of 200 mm thick. In collecting data to complete the energy assessment, what is the depth of insulation to be entered in the RdSAP software?

A B C D

280mm 200mm 140mm 80mm

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Category: Building Construction: Windows (1 question)

Q5.

You are inspecting a house with various forms of single, double and triple glazing. The DEA is required to identify not only the proportion of windows that are multiple glazed but also the type of multiple glazing: As pre 2002 double glazing; as post 2002 double glazing; as "secondary glazing"; or, as "triple glazing". How are the various windows that are multiple glazed recorded in the RdSAP software when the multiple glazing is of mixed types? A The windows with multiple glazing are recorded as the newest form of glazing noted on site, irrespective of relative U value The windows with multiple glazing are recorded as the oldest form of glazing noted on site, irrespective of relative U value The software allows the various forms of windows with multiple glazing to be individually recorded by breaking down the property into extensions The windows with multiple glazing are recorded as the glazing type that is most prevalent

16

Category: Building Construction: Property Age and Type (2 questions)

Q6.

From the photographic evidence, which ONE of the following options is likely to be the age of the construction?

Photo 1

Photo 2

A B C D

Pre 1920 1920-1945 1960-1975 1985-1995

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Q7.

How is a maisonette that has accommodation located on three floors, the upper floor being in the roof space (see diagram) and that complies with the definition of a room in the roof, entered into RdSAP?

Diagram 1

It is entered as a maisonette but treating all three floors as floors within the block (no room in the roof) It is entered as a maisonette but treating the first two floors as floors within the block and the top floor as a room in the roof It is entered as a maisonette but treating both floors as floors within the block and treating the room in the roof as an extension of timber frame construction This type of layout cannot be entered into RdSAP and a full SAP calculation is required

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Category: Building Construction: Services (2 questions)

Q8.

You inspect a property that has a range cooker, fuelled by gas, present. The range cooker supplies domestic hot water but not heating, how is the water heating entered into the RdSAP software? A Enter as secondary heating as a gas closed room heater with boiler as this is the best comparable fit Enter as an independent electric immersion heater as this is the best comparable fit Enter as an instantaneous gas multipoint heater as this is the best comparable fit Enter as an instantaneous electric heater as this is the best comparable fit

Q9.

Which of these lamps would you describe as low energy lighting? 1. 2. 3. 4. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) Fluorescent tubes Low voltage tungsten lamps Standard tungsten lamps

A B C D

All of the lamps 1, 2 & 3 only 1 & 3 only 1 & 2 only

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Category: Building Construction: Boilers (2 questions)

Q10.

The photo shows the terminal of a fan assisted balanced flue. It is made of plastic. What does this indicate about the heating appliance that the flue is connected to?

A B C D

It is connected to a conventional boiler It is connected to a gas fire of less than 5Kw output It is connected to a condensing boiler It is connected to a combination (combi) boiler

Q11.

When inspecting a dwelling you note that heating is provided by two boilers. Which ONE should be entered as the primary heating source in the RdSAP assessment? A B C D The boiler with the highest (most efficient) SEDBUK rating) The boiler with the lowest (least efficient) SEDBUK rating) The newer of the two boilers The boiler providing heating to the greatest volume of the dwelling (and hot water if applicable)

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Category: Building Construction: CH types/Controls (1 question)

Q12.

RdSAP 9.83 introduced a addendum section to the EPC to allow DEAs to add pre-defined comments about specific features of a dwelling that cannot be modelled in RdSAP. One of these comments is dwelling has micro-CHP. What is micro-CHP? A Micro-CHP is defined as the management system used to distribute heating from a community heating scheme Micro-CHP is defined as a combined heating and power boiler Micro-CHP is another term for ground source heat pumps Micro-CHP is another term for small scale wind turbines

B C D

Category: RDSAP Conventions (7 questions) Q13. You jointly own a small portfolio of rental properties with your brother and, as a qualified DEA, have decided to provide EPCs for each of them even though they are all let and there is no immediate change of tenants. How should you record this in the RdSAP software under the related party disclosure field? A B C No related party Relative of homeowner or occupier of the property Owner or Director of the organisation dealing with the property transaction Financial interest in the property

21

Q14.

Various data about meter types and the fuel they are associated with is collected by the Domestic Energy Assessor when gathering data for RdSAP. Which ONE of the meters pictured is ignored when collecting data? Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

22

Photo 4

A B C D

Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4

Q15.

Which ONE of the following building construction types is classified as cavity in RdSAP?

Photo 1

23

Photo 2

Photo 3

24

Photo 4

A B C D

Photo 1 - Trusteel Photo 2 - Crosswall Photo 3 - Laing Easiform Photo 4 - Wimpey No Fines

25

Q16.

Look carefully at the diagram which represents a cross-section through the property in the photograph (a quarter-house), from the back party wall to the front elevation wall. For the purposes of providing the data for the energy assessment for RdSAP, what ceiling height measurements should be entered for each floor of the accommodation? Choose ONE of the following options.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3
26

Ground floor = (X + e + Y) X 0.75. First floor = Y +e. Ground floor = (Y + e) x 0.75 + X. First floor = Y. Ground floor = (Y + e) x 0.5 + X. First floor = Y. Ground floor = (Y +e) x 0.25 + X. First floor = Y.

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Q17.

Which, if any, of the two statements are correct? Statement 1: A lounge/dining room where the door was temporarily removed (i.e. architrave and hinges still there) is two habitable rooms. Statement 2: A lounge/dining room with the door permanently removed (hinge holes filled etc) is two habitable rooms.

A B C D

Statement 1 only is correct Statement 2 only is correct Both statements are correct Neither statement is correct

Q18.

The property is a mid-terraced house where the original accommodation has been subsequently up-dated, altered and renovated, now providing a through ground floor living room, a kitchen, and a first floor landing with linen airing cupboard, two bedrooms, and a bathroom with toilet. Which ONE option correctly states both the heat loss perimeter and area for the ground and first floors of the house?

Photo 1

28

Photo 2

24 metres (ground floor) and 11 metres (first floor) heat loss perimeter. 30 square metres ground floor and 30 square metres (first floor) area 15 metres (ground floor) and 11 metres (first floor) heat loss perimeter. 24 square metres (ground floor) and 30 square metres (first floor) area 15 metres (ground floor) and 17 metres (first floor) heat loss perimeter. 24 square metres (ground floor) and 24 square metres (first floor) area 9 metres (ground floor) and 11 metres (first floor) heat loss perimeter. 30 square metres (ground floor) 24 square metres (ground floor) area

Q19

How does the Domestic energy assessor record the presence of photovoltaic cells in RdSAP? A B C Photovoltaic cells are not recorded in RdSAP Record the size and shape of the photovoltaic cells Estimate and record the size of the panels as a proportion of the total roof area Estimate and record the remaining proportion of the total roof area not covered by the panels

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Category: Recommendations (1 question)

Q20.

The RdSAP rating used to complete the EPC has to be correct to within: A B C D +/- 1 SAP point or 1% +/- 5 SAP points or 5% +/- 10 SAP points or 10% +/- 15 SAP points or 15%

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