Observation

Few candidates were able to:

• state one use of site plan and sectional drawing;
• Sketch to illustrate a method of supporting the sides of a trench in a firm soil and label poling board and folding wedges.

However, some of them failed to State three function of each of the following elements in
a suspended timber ground floor:

• air brick;
• sleeper wall;
• oversite concrete.

 

The expected response to question 2 is as given below:

(a)

(i) Use of a Site plan:

•  to identify the location of proposed building in relation to boundary lines;
• it shows the positions of natural features on the site/area;
• it shows utility services eg. Water mains, telephone lines, access roads, electric cables;
• it shows properties of other owners.

                                         
(ii) Use of Sectional Drawing:     

• it shows the details of height of walls;
• it shows the details of thickness of walls;
• it shows the details of floors;
• it shows the methods of fixing various components forming the structure.

 (b)  A sketch of a trench support method and labelling of poling board and folding wedges

(c)  Function of each of the following Elements in a Suspended timber ground floor

(i)   Air-brick

- It allows constant air-flow into the underside of the floor.
- It keeps the underside of the building dry.


(ii)   Sleeper Wall

- It suspends/supports the timber floor system above the over-site concrete.
-  It supports the floor joist.
-  It provides for free circulation of air within the space underneath the timber floor system.  

(iii)   Over-Site Concrete

- It is provided to prevent rising moisture from the ground entering the building.
- It prevents the growth of plant life under the floor.
- It serves as a firm support base for the sleeper walls.