Scribd
Upload
3K views4 pages

BPI Exams Review PDF

The document provides a review of past Building Performance Institute (BPI) exam papers from 2012 to 2009. It summarizes the exam structure, typical exam questions, marking schemes, and suggested topics to focus on in preparation. These include building elements like brick walls, pitched roofs, and flat roofs that are prone to issues like dampness, cracking, and fungal growth. The review recommends keeping a journal with notes on causes, investigations, and remedial measures. It also outlines common "action words" used in exam questions and general advice like timing, planning answers according to the marking scheme, and visualizing problems.

Uploaded by

May
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3K views4 pages

BPI Exams Review PDF

The document provides a review of past Building Performance Institute (BPI) exam papers from 2012 to 2009. It summarizes the exam structure, typical exam questions, marking schemes, and suggested topics to focus on in preparation. These include building elements like brick walls, pitched roofs, and flat roofs that are prone to issues like dampness, cracking, and fungal growth. The review recommends keeping a journal with notes on causes, investigations, and remedial measures. It also outlines common "action words" used in exam questions and general advice like timing, planning answers according to the marking scheme, and visualizing problems.

Uploaded by

May
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

BPI EXAMS REVIEW

Josh’s survey of past years BPI exams paper and indicative marking scheme for each question part.

Compulsory Choose 2 out of 4


Year/ Month Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5
2012 / Dec Building Analysis External wall Warm pitched roof 3 common types of timber Building cracks
(4 marks ?) Rain penetration/ defect
3 defects surface condensation (3 x 10marks) Causes
1) Finishes – efflorescence Cause / effect Principles of construction Symptoms / cause (10 marks)
2) Timber decay (15 marks?) (15 marks) (2.5 marks)
3) Roofing Procedure for
Report Preventive/ remedial Vapour permeable / Rectification / prevention monitoring / assessing
Cause/ significance/ repairs / investigations measures bituminous underlays (15 (2.5 marks each) the significance of
(3 x 3+3+3+3)= 36 marks? (15 marks?) marks) crack
(20 marks)
2010 / Aug Building Analysis External wall Warm pitched roof 3 common types of timber Building cracks
(4 marks ?) Rain penetration/ defect
3 defects surface condensation Disposal of asbestos roof (3 x 10marks)
1) Finishes – efflorescence Cause / effect sheeting Symptoms / cause Causes
2) Timber decay (15 marks?) (10 marks) (2.5 marks) (10 marks)
3) Plaster crack / spalling
Report Preventive/ remedial Principles of construction Rectification / prevention Procedure for
Cause/ significance/ repairs / investigations measures (10 marks) (2.5 marks each) monitoring / assessing
(3 x 3+3+3+3)= 36 marks? (15 marks?) the significance of
Vapour permeable / crack
bituminous underlays (10 (20 marks)
marks)
Compulsory Choose 2 out of 4
Year/ Month Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5
2010 / May Building Analysis Moisture bridging Destructive / Non- Growth of fungal attack 3 common types of
(4 marks ?) Thermal bridging destructive testing Describe primary condition flat roof failures
3 defects (10 marks)
1) Mould growth Explain Structural / non-structural (3 x 10marks)
2) Slate - delamination (10 marks each) cracking Serpula Lacrymans Symptoms / cause
3) Brickwall spalling/ joint erosion Detection (2.5 marks)
Report Examples Woodrotting / non- (6 marks)
Cause/ significance/ sketches (5 marks?) woodrotting fungi Likely locations Rectification /
(3 x 4+4+4)= 36 marks? (6 marks) prevention
Differentiate Remedial Actions (2.5 marks each)
(7 marks) (8 marks)

Examples (3 marks)
2009 / Aug Building Analysis Scheme 2 Survey Destructive / Non- Rising dampness 3 common types of
(4 marks ?) Foundation Failure destructive testing flat roof failures
3 defects Settlement Discuss
1) Chimney leaning Structural / non-structural What is dampness (3 x 10marks)
2) Mould growth in bathroom Cause / Remedy / cracking (5 marks) Symptoms / cause
3) Brickwall spalling/ joint erosion Sketches Causes (5 marks) (2.5 marks)
Report (5 marks each) Woodrotting / non- Situations (5 marks)
Cause/ significance/ sketches woodrotting fungi Rising dampness (10 Rectification /
(3 x 4+4+4)= 36 marks? Further investigation marks) prevention
Form / procedure Differentiate Conclusion (5 marks) (2.5 marks each)
(15 marks) (7 marks)

Examples (3 marks)
SUGGESTED PERSONAL LEARNING IN PREPARATION FOR EXAMS

 Focus on
o Brickwall
o Pitch roof
o Flat roof
o Foundation failure
o Building crack
o Dampness / rain penetration / moisture bridging
o Fungal attack / woodrotting / timber problem
 Keep a journal (paper or electronic) and make notes in these format
o Causes
o Situation / symptoms
o Type of investigation
o Remedial
o Sketches (for you to practise the visualization)
o Google images / take pictures (for you to visualise)
o Brief analysis of UK houses
EXAM QUESTIONS ACTION WORDS

 Report – outline / structure / formal / objective – content – conclusion or recommendation


 Letter – similar to report but add in the person to address to and who are you
 Outline – similar to report but focus on structure
 Differentiate – differences in all aspects
 Describe – general explanation of certain requirements – what , where, when, why and how
 Identify – specific factors / list and explain
 Diagnose – cause and remedy like a doctor

OTHER ADVICE FOR BPI EXAM

 Timing – 120 minutes


o Q1 – 50 minutes
o Q2 and Q3 – 35 minutes each
 Plan your answers – page by page
 Write according to the marking scheme – 1 point for 1 mark

You might also like