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SEAI DBER exam

  • 02-11-2020 11:01am
    #1
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭


    Looking into doing the SEAI DBER exam for the first time in January. Has anyone any advice on preparing for it?


Comments

  • #2
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056448441


  • #3
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    This is the type of question that is really tripping me up:

    Consider a detached house with the following specification:
    Fabric insulation: average fabric U-value 0.22 W/m2K, thermal bridging factor y = 0.08 W/m2K; Windows: triple-glazed with low-emissivity coating and argon fill, Air permeability: 3 m3/(h.m2) @ 50 Pa Heating 90% efficient gas-fired condensing boiler controlled by a boiler energy manager: no secondary heating Ventilation: MVHR Renewables: 3m2 of south-facing evacuated tube solar panel (30° tilt) What is the most likely BER primary energy usage?

    a)25 kWh/m2y
    b)75 kWh/m2y
    c)120 kWh/m2y
    d)150 kWh/m2y


  • #4
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    This is the type of question that is really tripping me up:

    Consider a detached house with the following specification:
    Fabric insulation: average fabric U-value 0.22 W/m2K, thermal bridging factor y = 0.08 W/m2K; Windows: triple-glazed with low-emissivity coating and argon fill, Air permeability: 3 m3/(h.m2) @ 50 Pa Heating 90% efficient gas-fired condensing boiler controlled by a boiler energy manager: no secondary heating Ventilation: MVHR Renewables: 3m2 of south-facing evacuated tube solar panel (30° tilt) What is the most likely BER primary energy usage?

    a)25 kWh/m2y
    b)75 kWh/m2y
    c)120 kWh/m2y
    d)150 kWh/m2y

    consider what ratings those values equate to

    25 = A1
    75 = A3
    120 = B2
    150 = C1

    MHRV, decent air tightness, solar tubes, triple glazing, condensing boiler and 2011 standard fabric u values

    i think A3 is the most likely rating, therefore the answer is 75 kWh/m2y

    question like these comes come to knowledge of the building regs and experience in carry out assessments.


  • #5
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    How to tackle this type? More so where to look for the answer?

    1 Kg of Wood pellets manufactured to European standard CEN TS 14961 would typically contain how much energy?

    ~4.8kWh
    ~14.8kWh
    ~44.8kWh
    ~144.8kWh

    The help is much appreciated, sorry about the questions.


  • #6
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    where did you get that question?

    during the exam you will get access to documents such as the applicable TGD L, The DEAP manual, the technical bulletins, the EPBD and SI legislations... and perhaps some more that i cant recall right now.

    The vast majority of answers to the questions will be available in the documents provided, you just have to know where to look.
    some questions will be based on your existing knowledge, uch as a picture and you have to identify it etc

    the answer to the question above is 4.8kWh... but only because i know how much energy different moisture levels of wood contain (rule of thumb 1 to 2 for wet, 1 to 4 for dry), ive no idea how to find that in the DEAP manual or in a TGD L


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  • #7
    Biker1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Biker1


    This link will give you the kWhr for all fuels. https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Domestic-Fuel-Cost-Comparison.pdf .
    That is the type of question that has no relevance to carrying out an assessment but could cause you to fail the exam. There are many more questions that could be interpreted incorrectly.


  • #8
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    where did you get that question?

    during the exam you will get access to documents such as the applicable TGD L, The DEAP manual, the technical bulletins, the EPBD and SI legislations... and perhaps some more that i cant recall right now.

    The vast majority of answers to the questions will be available in the documents provided, you just have to know where to look.
    some questions will be based on your existing knowledge, uch as a picture and you have to identify it etc

    the answer to the question above is 4.8kWh... but only because i know how much energy different moisture levels of wood contain (rule of thumb 1 to 2 for wet, 1 to 4 for dry), ive no idea how to find that in the DEAP manual or in a TGD L

    I came from an old BER Association sample exam paper.


  • #9
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    I'm told that there is a bank of 500 questions used by seai. I have 3 old papers. Are they available online anywhere?


  • #10
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    ive no idea... maybe someone within the BER association might know?


  • #11
    Biker1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Biker1


    The simple answer is no.
    SEAI don't believe we should have access to the questions outside the exam setting.!!!


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  • #12
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Biker1 wrote: »
    The simple answer is no.
    SEAI don't believe we should have access to the questions outside the exam setting.!!!

    and they dont believe we should have access to the answers either :D

    i find it highly ridiculous that they give us an exam, give us the result, but never inform us of the questions that we got incorrect... and thus continue to get incorrect


  • #13
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    Biker1 wrote: »
    The simple answer is no.
    SEAI don't believe we should have access to the questions outside the exam setting.!!!

    Some of the questions are answered based on knowledge from experience. So basically going into it for the first time like myself I have already lost at least 2%? that could be the diff between pass/fail.


  • #14
    picorette
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭picorette


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    and they dont believe we should have access to the answers either :D

    i find it highly ridiculous that they give us an exam, give us the result, but never inform us of the questions that we got incorrect... and thus continue to get incorrect

    Agreed ! I suppose it is because they don't want the questions leaving the exam centre, but it is very frustrating to just be told marks, without any feedback


  • #15
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    I am trying to find available dates/locations to book the exam. Have searched SEAI and Prometric websites, can someone please post a link?


  • #16
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    from seai
    Dear Assessor,

    SEAI are aware of current capacity issues within Prometric Exam Centres. Please be assured that the registration of and/or publishing abilities of any BER assessors will not be impacted by their inability to secure a seat in their preferred exam centre.

    At this time, SEAI ask that if you have an exam renewal date due in 2021 and have not yet booked your exam that you refrain from doing so in order to facilitate SEAI’s review of the current situation.

    Please note that due to current Level 5 restrictions, Prometric’s exam centres will remain closed between the 21st of October and 1st of December 2020. If you have an exam seat booked within this time frame and have not yet cancelled or rescheduled your exam date, please do so as soon as possible to avoid cancellation fees.
    There is currently no charge to reschedule your exam.

    For additional support, please call 042 682 5678 or email seaitest@prometric.com

    Further updates will be provided to all BER assessors in due course.

    If you have any queries please do not hesitate to call the helpdesk.
    Kind regards,

    BER Helpdesk


  • #17
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    from seai

    This is exactly what I thought the situation was. It's no help to someone trying to take the exam for the first time.


  • #18
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    This is exactly what I thought the situation was. It's no help to someone trying to take the exam for the first time.

    ring the number and see how quickly you can get on the list for when things reopen


  • #19
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    ring the number and see how quickly you can get on the list for when things reopen

    Did that, April.


  • #20
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    Did that, April.

    we're in second lockdown now.. november


  • #21
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    we're in second lockdown now.. november

    No, next April


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  • #22
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    No, next April

    jesus !!

    thats some backlog!!


  • #23
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    jesus !!

    thats some backlog!!

    Are prometric even carrying out exams during lockdown?


  • #24
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    Are prometric even carrying out exams during lockdown?

    not according to that email i posted above


  • #25
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    They told me on Friday that dates were on their website and to keep checking. It's not much use to me. I can't upload surveys.


  • #26
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    They told me on Friday that dates were on their website and to keep checking. It's not much use to me. I can't upload surveys.

    are you already a registered assessor ??

    or are you looking to do the test for the first time in order to become registered?


  • #27
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    are you already a registered assessor ??

    or are you looking to do the test for the first time in order to become registered?

    Looking to get registered for the first time.


  • #28
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    Looking to get registered for the first time.

    then why are you trying to upload surveys??


  • #29
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    then why are you trying to upload surveys??

    I am not trying to upload at this time, its for after the exam. If I cannot get an exam before April it means no work before April. The job is there for when I pass the exam.


  • #30
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    New dates up online this morning. Booked for mid January.


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  • #31
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    From what I heard today the DBER assessor exams have been abolished. Is this correct?


  • #32
    picorette
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭picorette


    Yes.
    So you have the option to cancel your appointment and wait until after February, or go ahead with the exam.
    "For new entrants looking to register as a non-domestic BER assessor for the first time, candidates will be required to fulfill the pre-qualification registration requirements currently outlined on SEAI’s website, supply the relevant registration documentation to SEAI and complete a mandatory validation exercise on an example building.
    Once successfully registered as a BER assessor, new entrants will be required to complete a pre- publication mentoring audit and will be subject to current standard QA auditing processes."


  • #33
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    picorette wrote: »
    Yes.
    So you have the option to cancel your appointment and wait until after February, or go ahead with the exam.
    "For new entrants looking to register as a non-domestic BER assessor for the first time, candidates will be required to fulfill the pre-qualification registration requirements currently outlined on SEAI’s website, supply the relevant registration documentation to SEAI and complete a mandatory validation exercise on an example building.
    Once successfully registered as a BER assessor, new entrants will be required to complete a pre- publication mentoring audit and will be subject to current standard QA auditing processes."

    I was scheduled to sit my first dber exam on Jan 15.

    Hypothetically if I was to sit it and fail, how would that affect me in February? Been trying to secure an exam place for 6 months. Could do with starting work again.


  • #34
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    I have an eligibility number and an exam booked but did not receive any notification from seai about any changes.


  • #35
    MOTM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 412 ✭✭MOTM


    worlds goodest teecher wrote: »
    I have an eligibility number and an exam booked but did not receive any notification from seai about any changes.

    Ditto. I've a DBER exam booked and paid for late January but haven't heard anything about exam disruption. Where did you hear they were abolished and what did you actually hear?


  • #36
    picorette
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭picorette


    Email from SEAI to all existing BER assessors on Friday
    I would contact SEAI for clarification


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  • #37
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    Spoke to SEAI yesterday. They seemed to know as much about the details of this change as I do, damn all. All that they could do was read the letter which was sent out. What exactly is meant by mentoring in the context of being qualified? Will you be required to undertake a survey while being observed?


  • #38
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    Cancelled exam earlier today. Prometric were not notified about the changes.


  • #39
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,831 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Surely prometric work under contract and you'd think they would be fully aware of the situation??


  • #40
    worlds goodest teecher
    Registered Users Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭worlds goodest teecher


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    Surely prometric work under contract and you'd think they would be fully aware of the situation??

    When I cancelled earlier the guy that I spoke with in Prometric asked me did SEAI change the rules as I was the second person to cancel in the past couple of days.


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