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SOLAS Carpentry practice questions

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Question 1Carpentry

In SOLAS construction, which structural member is the primary longitudinal strength member running along the bottom of the hull?

  1. The stanchion
  2. The keel Correct answer.
  3. The deck beam
  4. The bulkhead

Explanation

The keel is the central longitudinal backbone of the hull, running along the bottom centerline and providing the main longitudinal strength and stiffness. Deck beams run transversely under decks, bulkheads are vertical partitions, and stanchions are vertical pillars, so none of them serve this backbone function.

Question 2Carpentry

Which material is used for the watertight bulkhead plating on a SOLAS-classed steel vessel?

  1. Plywood sheathing
  2. Aluminium foil laminate
  3. Tempered glass
  4. Marine-grade steel plate Correct answer.

Explanation

Watertight bulkheads on steel SOLAS vessels are built from marine-grade steel plate welded to stiffeners, giving the required strength and watertight integrity. Plywood, foil laminate, and glass lack the structural strength and are not used for primary subdivision boundaries.

Question 3Carpentry

What is the main purpose of a collision bulkhead in a SOLAS vessel?

  1. To separate the cargo hold from the fuel tanks
  2. To limit flooding if the bow is damaged Correct answer.
  3. To support the engine bedplate
  4. To carry the mast load to the keel

Explanation

The collision bulkhead is a watertight transverse bulkhead near the bow that limits the extent of flooding if the forward hull is breached. It is a subdivision boundary, not a machinery support or mast load path, and it is not positioned to separate cargo from fuel tanks.

Question 4Carpentry

In a SOLAS carpentry context, what does a watertight door in a bulkhead primarily provide?

  1. Ventilation between compartments
  2. A sight line for the bridge
  3. A mounting point for pipe hangers
  4. Passage between compartments while maintaining subdivision integrity Correct answer.

Explanation

A watertight door allows personnel to move between compartments while preserving the watertight integrity of the bulkhead when closed. It is not a ventilation opening, a structural mounting point, or a viewing port.

Question 5Carpentry

Which tool is most appropriate for checking that a newly fitted wooden door frame is plumb?

  1. A caulking iron
  2. A spirit level Correct answer.
  3. A try square
  4. A claw hammer

Explanation

A spirit level indicates whether a member is truly vertical (plumb) or horizontal, making it the correct tool for checking a door frame. A hammer, try square, and caulking iron serve driving, right-angle checking, and seam sealing respectively.

Question 6Carpentry

What is the standard purpose of a wooden deck covering (sheathing) laid over a steel deck?

  1. To increase the vessel's displacement
  2. To provide a walking surface and thermal insulation Correct answer.
  3. To replace the steel deck's structural strength
  4. To act as a watertight subdivision boundary

Explanation

Wooden deck sheathing provides a durable, comfortable walking surface and adds a degree of thermal insulation over the steel deck. It is not intended to add displacement, form a subdivision boundary, or replace the steel deck's structural role.

Question 7Carpentry

Which fastening method is typical for securing marine plywood panels to a steel frame in accommodation spaces?

  1. Dovetail joints
  2. Screws into tapped or welded studs Correct answer.
  3. Mortise and tenon joints
  4. Rivets through the steel plate

Explanation

Marine plywood linings are commonly fixed with screws into tapped inserts or welded studs so panels can be removed for access. Rivets, mortise and tenon, and dovetail joints are woodworking or sheet-metal methods unsuited to this panel-to-steel fixing.

Question 8Carpentry

What does the term 'camber' refer to when describing a ship's deck?

  1. The fore-and-aft rise of the bow
  2. The thickness of the deck plating
  3. The upward curvature of the deck from side to side Correct answer.
  4. The spacing of deck beams

Explanation

Camber is the transverse upward curvature of a deck, highest at the centerline and sloping down to the sides to aid water drainage. It is distinct from sheer (fore-and-aft rise), plating thickness, and beam spacing.

Question 9Carpentry

A carpenter must fit a wooden batten around a curved bulkhead. Which technique best produces a fair curve?

  1. Clamp the batten to a single point and cut straight
  2. Bend the batten beyond its elastic limit
  3. Cut the batten to a series of straight segments
  4. Spring the batten and mark from the natural curve Correct answer.

Explanation

Springing a flexible batten against fixed pins lets it take up a natural fair curve, which is then marked and cut. Cutting straight segments produces a faceted edge, over-bending causes permanent set or breakage, and clamping to one point gives no controlled curve.

Question 10Carpentry

When installing a watertight door, why must the coaming and frame be checked for flatness before fitting the gasket?

  1. Flatness allows the door to swing faster
  2. A flat mating face ensures even gasket compression and a watertight seal Correct answer.
  3. Flatness improves the paint finish
  4. Flatness reduces the weight of the door

Explanation

A watertight door relies on uniform gasket compression around its entire perimeter; an uneven face causes local gaps and leakage. Flatness does not affect door weight, swing speed, or paint finish in any meaningful way.

Question 11Carpentry

A wooden handrail on an external deck is to be fitted. Which measure best protects the fixing from corrosion?

  1. Use stainless steel fastenings with isolating washers Correct answer.
  2. Weld the rail to the deck
  3. Bed the rail directly on bare steel
  4. Use plain mild steel screws

Explanation

Stainless fastenings resist marine corrosion, and isolating washers prevent galvanic coupling between dissimilar metals. Plain mild steel corrodes rapidly, direct bedding on bare steel promotes corrosion, and welding timber is not feasible.

Question 12Carpentry

What is the function of a deck beam in a ship's structure?

  1. To provide a watertight boundary
  2. To act as the main longitudinal strength member
  3. To support the deck plating and transmit loads to the frames Correct answer.
  4. To carry the propeller shaft

Explanation

Deck beams are transverse members that support the deck plating and transfer deck loads to the ship's frames and sides. They are not watertight boundaries, do not carry the propeller shaft, and are not the main longitudinal strength member.

Question 13Carpentry

A joiner is fitting an internal bulkhead lining and must maintain a fire-rated boundary. Which action preserves the fire rating?

  1. Drill extra ventilation holes for airflow
  2. Omit the seals around cable penetrations
  3. Maintain the approved lining specification and seal all penetrations correctly Correct answer.
  4. Replace the rated board with thinner plywood

Explanation

Fire-rated boundaries depend on the specified lining material and correctly sealed penetrations to prevent fire and smoke passage. Extra holes, thinner substitutes, and omitted seals all breach the rating.

Question 14Carpentry

Which property makes marine plywood preferable to standard interior plywood for shipboard joinery?

  1. Water-resistant adhesive and void-free construction Correct answer.
  2. Brighter natural colour
  3. Greater flexibility
  4. Lower cost per sheet

Explanation

Marine plywood uses water-resistant adhesive and is manufactured with limited voids, giving it durability and strength in damp marine conditions. Cost, colour, and flexibility are not the reasons it is specified.

Question 15Carpentry

A carpenter is asked to fit a wooden stairway tread on a steel stringer. What is the key check before fixing?

  1. Confirm the tread is level and the going and rise are uniform Correct answer.
  2. Confirm the tread is the lightest available
  3. Confirm the stringer is welded on both sides
  4. Confirm the tread is painted before fitting

Explanation

Safe stairs require each tread to be level with uniform rise and going so users are not tripped by inconsistent steps. Paint, weld detail, and tread weight are not the governing checks for safe stepping geometry.

Question 16Carpentry

What does 'scantling' mean in ship structural terminology?

  1. The number of coats of paint
  2. The dimensions of a structural member Correct answer.
  3. The weight of the cargo
  4. The spacing between rivets only

Explanation

Scantling refers to the dimensions (thickness, breadth, depth) of a structural member as required by the rules. It is not a paint specification, a rivet-only spacing term, or a cargo weight.

Question 17Carpentry

When caulking a wooden deck seam, what is the purpose of the caulking cotton driven into the seam?

  1. To increase the deck's camber
  2. To form a backing that stops the sealing compound passing through Correct answer.
  3. To add colour to the seam
  4. To replace the deck plank fastenings

Explanation

Caulking cotton is driven into the seam to form a firm backing that prevents the sealing compound from dropping through and helps it set. It does not colour the seam, change camber, or substitute for plank fastenings.

Question 18Carpentry

Which document would a carpenter consult to confirm the approved fire rating of a bulkhead lining on a SOLAS vessel?

  1. The engine room logbook
  2. The cargo manifest
  3. The crew list
  4. The approved fire control plan and construction drawings Correct answer.

Explanation

Approved fire control plans and construction drawings specify the required fire ratings of boundaries and linings. The engine log, cargo manifest, and crew list contain operational data, not structural fire specifications.

Question 19Carpentry

A wooden door in a watertight bulkhead is found to have a worn gasket. What is the correct action?

  1. Paint over the gasket to seal it
  2. Adjust the hinges to force the door closed
  3. Replace the gasket with the approved type and re-test the door Correct answer.
  4. Leave it until the next dry-docking

Explanation

A worn gasket must be renewed with the approved type and the door re-tested to confirm watertightness. Painting, forcing the hinges, or deferring the repair leaves the subdivision boundary compromised.

Question 20Carpentry

In a ship's framing system, what distinguishes a longitudinal framing arrangement from a transverse one?

  1. Closely spaced longitudinal stiffeners run fore-and-aft with widely spaced transverse frames Correct answer.
  2. It eliminates the need for deck beams
  3. Closely spaced transverse frames run athwartships with widely spaced longitudinals
  4. It uses timber frames throughout

Explanation

Longitudinal framing uses closely spaced fore-and-aft stiffeners supported by widely spaced transverse webs, which improves longitudinal strength. The transverse system is the reverse, and neither system uses timber throughout or removes the need for deck beams.

Question 21Carpentry

A carpenter observes that a wooden deck has developed 'working' seams opening and closing with the ship's flexing. Which design feature best accommodates this movement?

  1. Seams fully filled with rigid epoxy
  2. Planks nailed hard against each other
  3. Seams with a flexible sealing compound over a cotton backing Correct answer.
  4. Planks butt-jointed without clearance

Explanation

Flexible seam compound over a compliant cotton backing allows the planks to move with hull flexing without splitting the seam. Rigid epoxy, zero clearance butt joints, and tightly driven planks cannot accommodate movement and lead to cracking or buckling.

Question 22Carpentry

When evaluating a proposed substitution of a thinner plywood for an approved bulkhead lining, what is the primary structural concern?

  1. Loss of the approved fire rating and reduced stiffness of the boundary Correct answer.
  2. Increased cost of the lining
  3. Increased weight of the bulkhead
  4. Change in the lining's colour

Explanation

Substituting thinner plywood can downgrade the approved fire rating and reduce the stiffness of the boundary, compromising both fire safety and structural performance. Cost, colour, and weight are secondary to these safety concerns.

Question 23Carpentry

A watertight door frame is found to be distorted so the door seals at the top but leaks at the bottom. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

  1. The frame face is not flat, causing uneven gasket compression Correct answer.
  2. The hinges are too large
  3. The gasket is too thick at the top
  4. The door is too light

Explanation

Leakage at one edge while sealing at the other indicates the mating face is not flat, so gasket compression varies around the perimeter. Gasket thickness, hinge size, and door weight do not explain a localized seal failure in this pattern.

Question 24Carpentry

In a longitudinal-framed deck, why are transverse webs spaced further apart than in a transverse-framed deck?

  1. Transverse webs are only decorative
  2. Longitudinal framing removes the need for any transverse structure
  3. Wider spacing reduces the deck's fire rating
  4. The closely spaced longitudinals already provide the local support, so fewer transverse webs are needed Correct answer.

Explanation

In longitudinal framing, the closely spaced fore-and-aft stiffeners carry local loads, so transverse webs can be spaced more widely while still supporting the longitudinals. Transverse webs remain structural, some transverse structure is always required, and spacing does not govern fire rating.

Question 25Carpentry

A joiner must fit a fire-rated lining around a steel pillar. Which approach best maintains the boundary's integrity?

  1. Use the thinnest board available to save weight
  2. Leave a gap around the pillar for expansion
  3. Omit the seal at the pillar to allow drainage
  4. Detail the lining and any penetration seals to the approved fire-rated specification Correct answer.

Explanation

Maintaining a fire-rated boundary around a pillar requires the lining and any penetration details to follow the approved fire-rated specification, including correct sealing. Expansion gaps, thinner boards, and omitted seals all compromise the rating.

Question 26Carpentry

On a SOLAS vessel, which material is normally used for the core of a fire-rated B-class bulkhead lining panel?

  1. Solid kiln-dried softwood boarding
  2. Non-combustible mineral wool or calcium silicate board Correct answer.
  3. Plywood bonded with phenolic resin
  4. Expanded polystyrene foam

Explanation

B-class divisions must be constructed of non-combustible materials and remain impermeable to smoke and flame for the rated period. Mineral wool and calcium silicate boards are the usual cores because they are incombustible and dimensionally stable under heat. Timber and foam cores cannot satisfy the non-combustibility requirement.

Question 27Carpentry

A carpenter is measuring the rise and going of an inclined accommodation ladder inside a deckhouse. Which combination gives the correct relationship for a comfortable stair?

  1. Rise plus going of roughly 450 mm with two rises plus one going near 450 mm Correct answer.
  2. Rise plus going of roughly 300 mm with two rises plus one going near 300 mm
  3. Rise plus going of roughly 750 mm with two rises plus one going near 750 mm
  4. Rise plus going of roughly 600 mm with two rises plus one going near 600 mm

Explanation

Shipboard stairways follow the same ergonomic rule as shore stairs: two rises plus one going should total about 600 to 630 mm, and the rise plus going about 450 mm. This produces a comfortable pace for crew moving between decks. The other totals give steps that are either too steep or too shallow to climb safely.

Question 28Carpentry

Which grade of steel is typically specified for mild-steel structural members such as deck beams and pillars in ship construction?

  1. Grade A or AH36 shipbuilding steel Correct answer.
  2. Cast iron
  3. Galvanised cold-rolled sheet
  4. Grade 316 stainless steel

Explanation

Ship structural steel is normally ordinary-strength Grade A or higher-strength AH36 to recognised classification rules. These grades have controlled chemistry and toughness suitable for welding thick sections. Stainless, thin sheet and cast iron are not used for primary hull and deck structure.

Question 29Carpentry

A joiner is installing a timber ceiling in a refrigerated provision store. Which fixing detail best prevents cold bridging and condensation at the battens?

  1. Fit timber spacers or a continuous thermal break between the batten and the steel structure Correct answer.
  2. Use aluminium battens fixed with pop rivets
  3. Fix the battens with long steel screws passing through the insulation
  4. Bolt the battens directly through the insulated lining to the steel deck

Explanation

Any fixing that conducts cold from the steel structure through the insulation creates a cold bridge where condensation and ice form. A timber spacer or proprietary thermal break interrupts that path. Direct metal-to-metal contact through the insulation defeats the purpose of the lining.

Question 30Carpentry

What is the purpose of a margin plate at the lower edge of a wooden deck laid over steel?

  1. To give a fixing edge and close the gap between the deck planking and the ship's side Correct answer.
  2. To increase the camber of the deck
  3. To provide a drainage channel along the deck edge
  4. To act as a fire stop between decks

Explanation

A margin plate or margin plank is the shaped edge board that closes the gap between the parallel deck planks and the curved ship's side. It also provides a solid fixing edge for the plank ends. It is not a drainage, camber or fire-stopping element.

Question 31Carpentry

A carpenter is fitting a wooden door into a steel doorframe in an accommodation bulkhead. Which clearance is normally left around the door leaf to allow for seasonal movement and ship flexing?

  1. About 3 mm at the head and stiles with a slightly larger gap at the sill Correct answer.
  2. A tight interference fit with no gap
  3. About 1 to 2 mm all round
  4. About 10 mm all round

Explanation

Doors in steel frames need a small but controlled gap so the leaf does not bind as the ship works and the timber moves with humidity. Roughly 3 mm at the head and stiles, with a slightly larger gap at the sill for drainage and clearance, is typical. A tight fit will jam and a very large gap will not seal.

Question 32Carpentry

Which adhesive is most suitable for bonding marine plywood and hardwood in a damp shipboard environment?

  1. Starch-based paste
  2. Contact adhesive
  3. Resorcinol-formaldehyde or phenol-resorcinol glue Correct answer.
  4. Animal glue

Explanation

Resorcinol and phenol-resorcinol adhesives are waterproof and gap-filling, and they are approved for structural timber joints in damp marine conditions. They cure at room temperature without special equipment. Animal glue, starch paste and contact adhesive all lose strength when wet.

Question 33Carpentry

A wooden handrail capping is fitted on top of a steel bulkhead. Which detail best avoids water traps at the joint?

  1. Fix the capping with countersunk screws and no sealant
  2. Butt the capping tightly with a vertical joint and no backing
  3. Seal the underside with a continuous fillet of approved sealant and slope the top surface Correct answer.
  4. Leave a small gap between capping and bulkhead for drainage

Explanation

Water collecting under a capping promotes corrosion of the steel and rot of the timber. A continuous sealant fillet closes the gap, and a slight slope sheds water off the top. Leaving a gap or omitting sealant allows water to stand at the joint.

Question 34Carpentry

In a wooden deck laid over steel, which fastening method is commonly used to secure the planks while allowing later removal?

  1. Riveting through the plank into the deck plate
  2. Welding the planks to the steel deck
  3. Gluing the planks directly to the steel with epoxy
  4. Countersunk screws driven into steel upstands or battens Correct answer.

Explanation

Deck planks are normally fixed with countersunk screws into steel upstands or timber battens welded to the deck, with the heads plugged. This holds the plank securely while allowing it to be lifted for inspection or repair. Welding, riveting and direct gluing make later removal and maintenance very difficult.

Question 35Carpentry

A carpenter is asked to produce a curved wooden trim to follow a radiused bulkhead corner. Which method gives the most accurate result?

  1. Use a standard right-angle joint and fill the gap with sealant
  2. Cut a straight batten and force it to the curve with clamps
  3. Bend a thin template on site and transfer the shape to a wider board Correct answer.
  4. Estimate the radius and cut freehand

Explanation

The reliable approach is to make a thin, flexible template that follows the actual bulkhead, then transfer that profile to the final board and cut to the line. Forcing a straight batten or freehand cutting produces an unfair curve. Sealant cannot correct a badly shaped trim.

Question 36Carpentry

What is the primary purpose of a wooden ceiling (lining) fitted to the inside of a steel deckhead in accommodation?

  1. To provide a finished surface, conceal services and improve thermal and acoustic comfort Correct answer.
  2. To stiffen the deck beams
  3. To carry structural loads from the deck above
  4. To act as a primary fire boundary

Explanation

A ceiling lining is a non-structural finish that hides the steel, services and insulation, and improves comfort by reducing heat loss and noise. It does not carry structural loads or stiffen the ship's structure. Fire boundaries are formed by approved bulkhead and deck divisions, not by the lining alone.

Question 37Carpentry

A carpenter must fit a timber sole (floor) in a store where occasional water ingress is expected. Which detail is most important?

  1. Provide removable panels with drainage gaps and a slight fall to a drain Correct answer.
  2. Use untreated softwood and rely on ventilation
  3. Lay the boards tight with no gaps and seal the edges
  4. Fix the boards permanently with adhesive

Explanation

In a space where water may enter, the floor should be laid so water can drain away and the panels can be lifted for cleaning and inspection. Removable panels with gaps and a fall to a drain achieve this. Tight, glued or untreated boards trap water and promote rot.

Question 38Carpentry

Which property of a marine plywood is most important when it is used as a structural panel in a ship's joiner work?

  1. Its light colour
  2. Its decorative face veneer
  3. Its low cost
  4. Its waterproof phenolic bond and freedom from voids Correct answer.

Explanation

Marine plywood is made with waterproof phenolic adhesive and has a core free from voids, giving consistent strength and resistance to delamination in damp conditions. Decorative veneer, cost and colour are secondary considerations. Void-free construction is what allows the panel to be relied on structurally.

Question 39Carpentry

A joiner finds that a fire-rated door in an accommodation bulkhead will not close fully because the frame has been distorted during welding nearby. What is the correct course of action?

  1. Fit a larger gasket to take up the gap
  2. Plane the door leaf until it fits and refit the gasket
  3. Report the distortion and have the frame corrected or replaced to the approved detail before refitting Correct answer.
  4. Leave the door open until the distortion settles

Explanation

A fire-rated door assembly is an approved item, and modifying the leaf or gasket changes its certification. Distortion of the frame must be corrected so the approved door and gasket can seal as designed. Planing the leaf or fitting a larger gasket compromises the rating.

Question 40Carpentry

In ship construction, what is the function of a bracket in way of a deck beam-to-frame connection?

  1. To provide a decorative finish
  2. To transfer load between the beam and frame and reduce stress concentration Correct answer.
  3. To support the ceiling lining
  4. To act as a drain for deck water

Explanation

A bracket is a triangular or curved plate that connects two structural members and spreads the load over a larger area, reducing stress concentration at the joint. It is a structural element, not a finish or drainage detail. Linings are supported by separate grounds or battens.

Question 41Carpentry

A carpenter is asked to fit a wooden batten along a steel bulkhead to carry a lining. Which fixing method is most appropriate?

  1. Suspend the batten from the deckhead above
  2. Glue the batten with contact adhesive
  3. Fix the batten with self-tapping screws into tapped pads or welded studs on the bulkhead Correct answer.
  4. Weld the batten directly to the bulkhead

Explanation

Battens are normally secured to tapped pads, welded studs or similar steel fittings so they can be removed for maintenance and do not damage the bulkhead plating. Welding timber is impossible, and adhesive or suspension fixings are not reliable for a lining ground.

Question 42Carpentry

What does the term 'rise of floor' describe in a ship's hull form?

  1. The height of the floor plates above the baseline at the centreline
  2. The upward slope of the bottom shell from the keel to the bilge Correct answer.
  3. The vertical distance from the keel to the main deck
  4. The camber of the weather deck

Explanation

Rise of floor is the upward slope of the bottom shell plating measured from the keel outward toward the bilge. It affects drainage and hull form. It is not a deck height, a floor plate dimension or deck camber.

Question 43Carpentry

A joiner is fitting a timber capping rail around the top of a steel bulwark. Which detail best accommodates the difference in thermal expansion between steel and timber?

  1. Fill the joint with rigid epoxy and no movement allowance
  2. Fix the capping rigidly at every point with no allowance
  3. Weld the capping directly to the bulwark
  4. Use slotted or oversized holes with washers so the timber can move slightly Correct answer.

Explanation

Steel and timber expand and contract differently, so a rigid fixing will cause splitting or loosening. Slotted or oversized holes with washers allow small relative movement while holding the capping in place. Rigid fixing and welding are not appropriate for a timber capping.

Question 44Carpentry

Which document should a carpenter consult to confirm the required fire integrity of a deck covering in a category A machinery space boundary?

  1. The engine room logbook
  2. The approved fire control plan and classification society rules Correct answer.
  3. The ship's stability booklet
  4. The paint schedule

Explanation

Fire integrity requirements for boundaries and coverings are set out in the approved fire control plan and the applicable classification society rules, which reflect SOLAS requirements. The stability booklet, logbook and paint schedule do not contain fire rating data.

Question 45Carpentry

A wooden stairway in accommodation has developed a squeak where the tread meets the steel stringer. Which action best addresses the cause?

  1. Add a layer of carpet to hide the noise
  2. Inspect the fixing and bearing, then renew the packing or tighten the fixing to restore a firm bearing Correct answer.
  3. Increase the tread thickness without checking the fixing
  4. Apply oil to the joint

Explanation

A squeak usually indicates movement at the tread-to-stringer joint caused by a loose fixing or inadequate bearing. The correct action is to inspect and restore a firm bearing by renewing packing or tightening the fixing. Oiling, carpeting or thickening the tread does not address the movement.

Question 46Carpentry

A carpenter must fit a timber lining around a steel pillar that passes through a fire-rated deck. Which approach best maintains the fire boundary?

  1. Continue the approved fire-rated lining detail around the pillar and seal penetrations with approved material Correct answer.
  2. Fit a decorative cover with no fire-rated backing
  3. Pack the gap with combustible foam
  4. Leave a gap between the lining and the pillar for ventilation

Explanation

The fire boundary must be continuous around the pillar, so the approved lining detail is carried around it and any penetration is sealed with approved non-combustible material. Gaps, decorative covers and combustible packing break the integrity of the division.

Question 47Carpentry

What is the purpose of a waterway (gutter) at the edge of a wooden deck?

  1. To increase the deck camber
  2. To collect and lead deck water to the scuppers Correct answer.
  3. To support the deck planks
  4. To provide a fixing for the handrail

Explanation

A waterway is the channel at the deck edge that collects water and leads it to the scuppers for discharge overboard. It is a drainage feature, not a fixing, camber or plank support element.

Question 48Carpentry

A joiner is assessing a proposal to replace an approved mineral-wool core in a B-class lining with a lighter honeycomb core. What is the primary consideration?

  1. The appearance of the finished panel
  2. Whether the alternative has an equivalent approved fire test and is accepted by the administration Correct answer.
  3. The weight saving alone
  4. The cost saving alone

Explanation

Any substitution in a fire-rated division must be supported by an equivalent approved fire test and accepted by the flag administration or classification society. Appearance, cost and weight savings are secondary to maintaining the certified fire integrity.

Question 49Carpentry

Which tool is most appropriate for checking that a steel doorframe is flat before fitting a gasket?

  1. A tape measure
  2. A chalk line
  3. A straightedge and feeler gauge Correct answer.
  4. A spirit level only

Explanation

Flatness of a doorframe is checked with a straightedge laid across the frame and a feeler gauge used to measure any gap. A spirit level checks level, a tape measure checks length and a chalk line marks a straight line, none of which measure flatness.

Question 50Carpentry

A carpenter is fitting a wooden door in a watertight bulkhead. Which requirement applies to the door and its frame?

  1. The door and frame must be of an approved watertight type tested to the required head of water Correct answer.
  2. The door may be of timber with no gasket if painted
  3. The door may be left open at sea for ventilation
  4. The door may be of ordinary joinery construction with a standard gasket

Explanation

Openings in watertight bulkheads must be fitted with approved watertight doors and frames capable of withstanding the design head of water. Ordinary joinery doors, unsealed timber and doors left open do not meet this requirement.