CIVIL TECHNOLOGY: CIVIL SERVICES
GRADE 12 
NSC EXAMS
PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
NOVEMBER 2018

MEMORANDUM 

QUESTION 1: OHSA, MATERIALS, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND JOINING  (GENERIC) 
1.1 
1.1.1 F ✔ (1)
1.1.2 A ✔ (1)
1.1.3 G ✔ (1)
1.1.4 E ✔ (1)
1.1.5 B ✔ (1) 
1.2

• Do not throw any tools or materials from a scaffold. ✔ 
• Never jump on to and off a scaffold. ✔ 
• Never overload a scaffold.
• Remove or cover sharp edges or corners.
• Always attach free-standing scaffoldings to a building.
• Use a ladder to get on and off a scaffold.
• Keep free of waste or any other obstruction.
• Never jump on a scaffold while working on it.
• Responsible/qualified person must ensure that scaffolding is safe,  rigid, stable and firm or has no defects.
• Scaffold must be supplied with guard rails/toe boards.
• Scaffolds must be levelled on uneven ground.
• Do not work on a scaffold in bad weather.
• Wear a safety harness when working on scaffolding.
• Do not throw tools on/off a scaffold.
  ANY TWO OF THE ABOVE (2) 

1.3

• It prevents workers from falling off the scaffold. ✔ 
• It is used as a handrail. ✔ 
• It is used to strap on safety harnesses.
• To protect the worker working on the scaffold.
  ANY TWO OF THE ABOVE (2) 

1.4

• The primary purpose of painting is to protect metals, wood and other  material against corrosion and decay. ✔ 
• Provides a decorative/aesthetic appearance/finishing. ✔
• Protects surfaces from moisture penetration. 
• Protects surfaces from rust/uv rays.
  ANY TWO OF THE ABOVE (2)

1.5 The curing of concrete: 

• Increases the strength of concrete. ✔ 
• Decreases the permeability of hardened concrete. 
• Improves durability of concrete by reducing cracks.
• Makes concrete more watertight.
• Minimises shrinkage cracks in concrete.
• Provides volume stability.
• Cured concrete can carry more weight without breaking/crumbling   than uncured concrete.
• Prevents rapid drying of concrete.
• Curing ensures that the hydration process continues.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)

1.6 
1.6.1 Multi detector ✔ (1) 
1.6.2 Tool A is used: 

• to detect materials found in/behind walls, ceilings and   underneath floors, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals,   electrical wiring, wood and metal studs. ✔ 
• to locate steel bars and copper pipes. ✔ 
• in carpentry, plumbing, and construction.
• to measure the distance to/from covered objects.
  ANY TWO OF THE ABOVE (2) 

1.6.3 The batteries must be removed from the tool: 

• to prevent the battery from running flat/battery can die. ✔
• to prevent acid leaks from batteries damaging the tool.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)

1.7 
1.7.1

• A – Bolt and nut/Bolt ✔ 
• B – Rawl bolt ✔ (2) 

1.7.2 Bolt and nut 

• Bolts and nuts are used to secure pipe supports to metal   parts. ✔ 
• To join components together. 

Rawl bolt 

• A Rawl bolt is used to fix a truss hanger to a wall. ✔ 
• To fix brackets/structures/panels to a wall/concrete. 
•  For construction, renovation and industrial work
  ANY TWO OF THE ABOVE (2) [20]

QUESTION 2: GRAPHICS AS METHOD OF COMMUNICATION (GENERIC)  
ANSWER SHEET 2

QUESTION 3: CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATED WITH CIVIL SERVICES, OHS AND QUANTITIES (SPECIFIC) 
3.1
3.1.1

• A manhole is a chamber that allows entrance to a drain. ✔ (1) 
• Allow access to the sewage pipes of a sewage system.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE 

3.1.2 Benching/Sloping/Haunching ✔ (1)
3.1.3 Pipe channel/Open channel/Channel ✔ (1) 
3.1.4 Manholes are set in frames and have greased double seals for the  following reasons: 

• To make the manhole airtight. ✔
• To make the manhole watertight. ✔ 
• To ensure that gasses cannot escape. 
• To ensure that liquids cannot escape.(2) 

3.2 
(10) 

3.3

• If the sides are not properly supported, no person is allowed  to work in the trench. ✔
• The supervisor ensures that no load, material or heavy  machinery is placed near the edge of any excavation. ✔
• Excavations must be adequately protected by a fence. ✔
• Red warning lights and signs should be placed at regular  intervals and be clearly visible.
• Orange warning signals must always be visible.
• Deep trenches should have shoring. 
• Wear a harness. 
• Any person entering an excavation trench must wear  personal protective equipment.
  ANY THREE OF THE ABOVE (3)

3.4
3.4.1 Shoring A ✔ (1) 
3.4.2

• Vertical members/poling boards are closer together. This means  loose or waterlogged soil cannot filter through the openings. ✔
• The loose or waterlogged soil will easily filter through the openings  of B.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)

3.5
3.5.1 Manhole ✔ (1)
3.5.2 Lifeline ✔ (1)
3.6 

QUESTION 4: COLD AND HOT-WATER SUPPLY, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND  MATERIALS (SPECIFIC) 
4.1 
4.1.1 High pressure geyser/Electrical geyser ✔ (1)
4.1.2 Element ✔ (1) 
4.1.3 Gas geyser/Solar geyser/Coal/Biofuel/Wood geyser/Donkey/Solar  panel ✔ (1) 
4.2 
4.2.1 A dripping geyser overflow may be an indication that the pressure  control/relief valve/vacuum breaker is faulty/pipe joint leakage. ✔ (1) 
4.2.2 If there is no hot water, one of the following may be the cause:

• No power to the geyser ✔ 
• Circuit breaker is faulty 
• Electricity supply is interrupted 
• Thermostat may be faulty 
• Element may be faulty 
• Blocked hot-water pipe 
• No sun for solar geyser 
• No gas for gas geyser
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1) 

4.2.3 If water is leaking through the ceiling, one of the following may be  the reason: 

• Burst geyser or major leak. ✔
• Drip tray outlet pipe is blocked or overflowing. 
• The drip tray may be cracked/no drip tray. 
• Pipe joint leakage.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)

4.3
4.3.1 F ✔ (1)
4.3.2 G ✔ (1)
4.3.3 E ✔ (1)
4.3.4 D ✔ (1)
4.3.5 B ✔ (1)
4.4 
(@ 2) 
4.5

• Cut the damaged section from the pipe, using a pipe cutter/. ✔
• Move the pipe slightly sideways to allow the fixing of compression  fittings. ✔ 
• Measure and cut the length of pipe to be replaced. ✔ 
• Slip the nuts over the pipes followed by the ferrules. Push the pipes  into the fittings and tighten using the correct tools. ✔
  OR 
• Dismantle the joint (4)
• Ensure sealing of joint (thread sealing tape)
• Replace compression joint 
• Tighten all nuts properly 
• Test for leaks 

4.6 
4.6.1 P-Trap/Water trap ✔ (1)
4.6.2 PVC/Plastic/Rubber✔ (1)
4.6.3 B ✔ (1)
4.6.4 The seal will ensure a watertight seal and prevent it from leaking. ✔ (1)
4.7 
4.7.1 A Bibcock/Bib tap ✔ (1) B Stopcock/Stop tap ✔ (1) 
4.7.2 A

1. A bibcock can be used for sanitary fitments such as kitchen sinks,  wash troughs, washbasins, dishwashers, washing machine,  fridges, ice machines and baths. ✔ Outside of a house for hose pipes. 
   ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)
2. A stopcock is used to close or shut off the water supply. ✔ (1) 

4.7.3

• Plastic taps do not have the same resale value ✔as brass taps and  is therefore not worth stealing/cheaper. 
• Plastic taps are cheaper than brass taps. (1) 

4.8

• To enable local authorities/consumer to calculate the amount of   water consumed by a household. ✔
• To indicate if there is a leakage in water pipes.
• To enable the user to upload pre-paid water coupons. (1)

4.9 
4.9.1 Description of dezincification: 

• Dezincification is the selective leaching of zinc from copper  alloys. ✔
• It is an electrochemical reaction between zinc and water. ✔ (2) 

4.9.2 Problems caused: 

• Zinc gradually dissolves from the surface of an alloy. ✔
• The material that remains is a weak, spongy copper   layer. ✔
• It can progress through the part/fitting, causing leaks. ✔
• It can form blockages if it forms a deposit. (3)
  ANY THREE OF THE ABOVE 

4.10 Electrolytic cleaning/chemicals/scrubbing with wire brush/sand paper. ✔ (1)
4.11 Hydro-dynamic energy ✔ (1) 
4.12 ∙ Drain cleaning rods ✔ 

•  Jetting machine/drain cleaning machine/plunger 
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)

4.13 Compressed-air test apparatus ✔ (1) [40]

QUESTION 5: GRAPHICS AS MEANS OF COMMUNICATION, ROOF WORK AND  STORM WATER (SPECIFIC) 
5.1  
5.1.1 Stop end ✔ (1)
5.1.2 Pitch of the roof ✔ (1)
5.1.3 Galvanised sheet metal ✔ (1)
5.1.4 Gutter ✔ (1)
5.1.5 Kerb ✔ (1)
5.2 
(7)

5.3 

OR 
5.3 

[30] 

QUESTION 6: SEWERAGE, SANITARY FITTINGS AND JOINING (SPECIFIC)
6.1 
6.1.1 B ✔ (1)
6.1.2 A ✔ (1)
6.1.3 A ✔ (1)
6.1.4 C ✔ (1)
6.1.5 B ✔ (1)
6.2 
6.2.1 C Waste junction135°/Y-junction 135°✔ (1) 
6.2.2

• To allow access to the drainage system. ✔
• To remove blockages from the drainage system.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1) 

6.2.3

• So that drain rods can be inserted easily into the pipe with  the direction of flow. ✔ 
• A 90° junction at this point will make it impossible to use  drain rods.
• A 90º junction will damage the main sewerage pipe if drain  rods are forced into the pipe.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)

6.3 
(10) 
6.4.1 15 mm ✔ (1)
6.4.2 Shower rose/head ✔ (1)
6.4.3 To channel the water towards C. ✔ (1) 
6.4.4

• The shower trap allows water to flow down the drainage   pipes. ✔
• Keeps unwanted odours from entering the atmosphere.
• To ensure that water flows to the shower trap. (1)

6.4.5 Capillary joint/Soldered joint ✔ (1) 
6.5 The function of an anti-siphonage pipe is: 

• To supply air to the short branch pipe of the lower fixture at the time  of suction to prevent loss of the water seal. ✔
• To act as a ventilation pipe for the lower fixtures.
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1) 

6.6 FIGURE A: Used above ground where soil pipe must bend. ✔  Where access to sewage pipes are needed/unblocking of pipes.  To join sewage pipes at 90º. 
FIGURE B: Used to connect soil pipes at an angle. ✔  To join three soil pipes at an angle of 135º (2) 
6.7

• Water closet ✔
• Bidet 
• Urinal
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)   

6.8 
@ (2) 
6.9 Materials that are commonly used for sanitary fittings are: 

• Ceramics ✔
• Cast iron ✔ 
• Stainless steel 
• Plastic/PVC 
• Pressed steel 
• Terrazzo 
• Glass fibre/fibreglass (2) 
• Copper/aluminium
  ANY TWO OF THE ABOVE 

6.10

• 50/50 solder (plain/tinman's solder) ✔ 
• Wiping solder (plumber's solder) ✔ 
• 60/40 solder (fine solder) 
• Lead-free solder
  ANY TWO OF THE ABOVE (2) 

6.11 Chemical anchors can be used to: 

• Mount air conditioners ✔ 
• Fit outdoor lights 
• Fix brackets to walls
• Fix brackets to secure I-beams 
• Fix balconies 
• Fix railings 
• Repair bathrooms
  ANY ONE OF THE ABOVE (1)

6.12 
6.12.1 Rivet head ✔ (1) 
6.12.2 Flange is created by the rivet gun to complete the bond between  the two pieces of material/keep/secure the two parts together. ✔ (1) [40] 

TOTAL: 200