Most candidates were able to state the advantages in the use of precast lintel over cast in-situ lintel.

However, they were unable to:

• use sketch to illustrate methods of fixing risers to treads in a timber stair construction;
• sketch a door frame;
• label the given parts of a door frame correctly.

The expected response to question 3 is as given below:

• The advantages of precast lintels over the cast in-situ lintels are that:

• no elaborate in-situ formwork is required, a simple mould is all that is needed.
• it is more convenient to work with and a quality product is ensured.
• there is no danger of collapsing formwork.
• walling can progress uninterrupted, as there is no need to wait for the lintel to gain strength before continuing the walling process.
• It allows for speedy erection.

(b)