Question 1
Construction and demolition debris includes all but which of the following?
A Concrete from a demolished building
B Steel from a demolished building
C Drywall
D Rocks
Notes:
Reference: O&M Glossary
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris is defined as: 'Waste and recyclables generated from
construction, renovation, and demolition or deconstruction of preexisting structures.'
Rocks would be part of the excavation of the site area.
The steel and concrete are all debris that came from the existing building.
Drywall can come from an existing building or as scraps from new construction.
Hazardous materials, excavated soil (rocks) and land-clearing debris do not contribute to LEED
credits but these items should still be addressed in a construction waste management plan.
Question 2
What should be included in a construction waste management plan?
A Asbestos removal
B Where construction debris will be diverted
C Erosion control
D The percent of recycled materials
Notes:
The plan should include the goals of the team as well as what will be diverted, where to, and by
whom.
Hazardous waste is not included and must be disposed of based on local codes.
Question 3
Show Answer Legend
A project team discovers a new way to avoid the heat island effect. How does the
LEED certification process reward this new concept?
A Heat Island Effect is covered by LEED, so no additional points would be given
B An innovative performance point would be awarded
C An exemplary performance point would be awarded
D An extra Heat Island Effect point would be awarded
Notes:
Innovative performance as part of the Innovation in Design or Operations category
is meant for green building categories not specifically addressed by LEED.
Innovation credits are not awarded for the use of a particular product or design
strategy if the technology aids in the achievement of an existing LEED credit.
USGBC/GBCI uses the CIR process for cases like this. A CIR could be submitted
that specifies an alternate way to earn the Heat Island credit. However only the
Heat Island credit would be earned, not an ID point or extra points.
Question 4
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following does not help achieve a water-efficient landscape?
A Micro misters
B Green roof
C Planting with adaptive plants
D Planting with native plants
Notes:
Micro misters, drip irrigation, native and adaptive plants are all strategies to reduce
the quantity of water needed for irrigation.
A green roof does not necessarily reduce water needs.
Question 5
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following projects would not meet the minimum program requirements
for certification?
A A new building on an office campus located next door to an existing certified building
B A modular classroom that can be moved to another location on the school property
C A building project that is three stories high
D A new laboratory building that will be located partially underground
Notes:
Reference: GBCI website, Policy Manual
Structures must be permanent - a temporary classroom would not qualify.
Question 6
Show Answer Legend
The addition or increasing the use of graywater in a building can help with:
A Reducing potable water use in faucets
B Reducing stormwater runoff
C Reducing potable water used by urinals
D Reducing rainwater harvesting
Notes:
Graywater can be used for flushing in water closets and urinals, or process water
needs for some systems.
Graywater would not be recycled for people to use for hand washing.
Question 7
Show Answer Legend
What environmental issue is associated with refrigerants used in HVAC&R systems?
A Damage to the Earth's ozone layer
B Increased use of fossil fuels
C Pollution of water bodies
D Increased air pollution
Notes:
Reference: Treatment by LEED of HVAC Refrigerants
Refrigerants have ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential
(GWP) due to greenhouse gas emissions. Low values of each are best for
refrigerant choices.
Question 8
What has the lowest priority in building design?
Show Answer Legend
A Building codes
B Fire protection codes
C Plumbing codes
D LEED Rating System
Notes:
Although the LEED Rating System is critical to a successful green building project,
all local, state, and federal codes and regulations have precedent over any LEED
standards. A project team can't ignore local codes in favor of a green building
strategy. Both must be addressed.
Certain locales have their own set of green codes, which must be addressed as
well.
Question 9
Biomass is what type of material?
A Landfill gas
B Fly-ash
C Plant material
D Animal waste
Notes:
Reference: O&M Glossary
Show Answer Legend
Biomass is plant material converted to heat energy to produce electricity.
Question 10
What information is needed to calculate the SRI of a material?
Show Answer Legend
A Reflectance
B Thickness of the material
C Emissivity
D Thermal gradient
Notes:
SRI is calculated by using emissivity and reflectance values.
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is a value that incorporates both solar reflectance
and emittance in a single value to represent a material's temperature in the sun.
SRI quantifies how hot a surface would get relative to standard black and standard
white surfaces. It is expressed as a fraction (0.0 to 1.0) or percentage (0% to
100%). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving.
The higher the SRI number the more the sunlight the material can reflect. Black
asphalt has an SRI of 0.
Question 11
Show Answer Legend
What is the benefit of installing bicycle racks?
A Reducing automobile use
B Innovation in Design
C Reducing heat islands
D Communitiy connectivity
Notes:
Bicycle use is one of the ways to promote alternative modes of transportation in the
Sustainable Sites section.
Question 12
Show Answer Legend
What site features are included in the landscape area?
A The building
B Paved bicycled path
C Walkway made of recycled rubber tires
D Area with invasive plants
Notes:
The landscape area of the site is the total site area less the building footprint,
hardscape area, water bodies, etc.
The question asked what areas are included. Any area that has plants must be
included, whether the plants are invasive or not.
Even though the area includes invasive plants which are undesirable, they must still
be included in the calculation. Invasive plants should be removed from the
landscape if possible.
Question 13
How can regional priority credits be earned?
Show Answer Legend
A Addressing green measures or strategies that are more important to a climate or region
B Using 100% native plants for the site's landscaping
C Developing an educational or training system that addresses local building issues
D Using materials that are located within 500 miles of the project site
Notes:
Regional credits are bonus points awarded for addressing needs specific to a region.
Do not confuse the following terms:
Regional Priority Credits - these are bonus points for encouraging teams to attempt
LEED credits that address specific environmental priorities in the project's region.
Each zipcode in the U.S. has 6 LEED credits that are extra important to that
zipcode. A project that achieves one of those credits earns a bonus point, up to a
maximum of 4. Here is an example. In Georgia zipcode 30002 saving water is
important, because Georgia has had a lot of droughts lately.
See what is important in your zipcode here:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1984
Regional Materials - building materials or products that have been extracted,
harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project
site.
Regional Variations - These are only found in reference guides and are specific to
each credit. A regional variation 'outlines concerns specific to the geographic
location of the building'. For example in some areas there aren't great recycling
programs, or they may be nonexistent. In regards to construction waste
management the regional variation states 'hey, check your local recycling program
before you get to deep into this credit because if you can't recycle anything your
chances of earning the credit go down'.
Question 14
Which vehicle is not considered an alternative-fuel vehicle?
A Efficient gas-electric hybrid
B Electric car
C Natural gas powered car
Show Answer Legend
D Gas powered Honda that has achieved a Green Score of 40
Notes:
Alternative-fuel vehicles use nongasoline fuels such as:
electricity
hydrogen
propane
compressed natural gas
liquied natural gas
methanol
ethanol
efficient gas-electric hybrids
Hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius are not, of themselves, alternative fuel
vehicles - clever use of a battery, motor/generator, merely means that a more
efficient but less powerful engine can be used. Essentially all the power comes from
petroleum.
For LEED, low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that are
either classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the California Air Resources
Board or have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for
an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide.
A green score of 40 does not imply a fuel efficiency of 40 mpg or more or that the
car is powered with alternative fuel. In fact most cars that are eligible for LEED
don't come anywhere close to that. The score is based on emissions not on fuel
efficiency. For a complete list look at:
http://www.greenercars.org/leedvehicles%2000-09.xls
Question 15
Show Answer Legend
The use of native plants on the project site can most assist projects teams with
what other sustainable intents?
A Using sustainable materials
B Construction waste management
C Protecting existing local habitat
D Reducing stormwater quantity
Notes:
Native plants are those that grow naturally in an area, or that have been in an area
for many years. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. These
plants can be trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses. Adaptive plants are non-native
plants that perform well in the local climate. Native and adaptive plants require less
water, and are more disease resistant because they are suited to the region's usual
rainfall, soil, and temperature.
Native plants help with both protecting and restoring local ecosystems and habitat.
Native plants don't necessarily perform any better at reducing stormwater quantity.
A stormwater management plan that included vegetated areas would help, but the
plants could be either native or non native and still do the job.
Native plants are not a building material, so using sustainable materials would not
be a correct choice.
Question 16
Show Answer Legend
What helps minimize the space requirements of occupant recycling?
A Installing can crushers
B Having multiple bins for each recycled material
C Locating the recycling bins in the basement of the building
D Having onsite cardboard bailers
Notes:
Can crushers and cardboard bailers help reduce the volume of the materials to be
recycled.
Multiple bins would increase space requirements, compared to comingled recycling.
Locating bins in the basement would deter recycling due to the inconvenience
involved.
Question 17
Show Answer Legend
What important documents should be created for the purpose of selecting the
design team?
A Request for qualifications
B Operations and maintenance manuals
C Statement of work
D Bidding documents
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual Part II, pg. 6
From the guide: 'The Statement of Work (SOW) includes the project criteria,
including green building issues. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) identifies the
skills required for participation in the project, including green building expertise.'
Question 18
Show Answer Legend
What resources are available to team members to find more information about
other LEED projects?
A USGBC's monthly magazine
B LEED Online
C USGBC Chapters
D USGBC publications
Notes:
Reference: USGBC website
USGBC publications provide information about LEED projects.
USGBC Chapters are local resources that help spread the word about LEED.
USGBC has no monthly magazine.
LEED Online is for use by the project team and does not contain information about
other projects. LEED Online can be used to show/restrict public information about
the project. These public facing details can be viewed using USGBC project search
tool on their website.
Question 19
Show Answer Legend
What tool is used to determine the target certification level?
A LEED Score Card
B LEED Online
C EPA's Target Finder
D CIR
Notes:
The LEED Scorecard helps teams decide what credits to achieve.
Question 20
Show Answer Legend
How many points are listed for prerequisites on the LEED Scorecard?
A 1
B 2
C 0
D 18
Notes:
Prerequisites are required and are not assigned any points.
Question 21
Show Answer Legend
How can the site boundary differ from the LEED project boundary?
A The site boundary is the property line while the LEED project boundary the portion of the site submitted for LEED
B
The site boundary is the portion of the site submitted for LEED while the LEED project boundary marks where the LEED project
ends
C They are exactly the same
D They can be the same, but site boundary includes only the area submitted for LEED
Notes:
USGBC Definition of LEED project boundary - portion of the project site submitted
for LEED certification. For single building developments, this is the entire project
scope and is generally limited to the site boundary - they are not necessarily the
same thing.
Question 22
Show Answer Legend
What type of fixture can earn EPA's WaterSense label?
A HET dual flush toilet
B Kitchen sink faucets
C Washing machine
D Dishwasher
Notes:
Reference: EPA WaterSense
WaterSense helps consumers identify water efficient fixtures.
The WaterSense label applies to showerheads, toilets, urinals, and bathroom sinks.
Kitchen sink faucets do not usually come in low flow varieties or with flow
restrictors because these would only serve to make it take longer to fill up a pot of
water rather than save water.
Question 23
Show Answer Legend
What does the Montreal Protocol ban?
A CFCs
B Coal-fired power plants
C Mercury in light bulbs
D Incandescent light bulbs
Notes:
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are now banned under the Montreal Protocol. Refer to
the Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants.
Under the Montreal Protocol, CFC production in the United States ended in 1995. To
implement the Montreal Protocol, the EPA established Section 608 of the EPA Clean
Air Act for regulating the use and recycling of ozone-depleting compounds.
Question 24
Show Answer Legend
A project will include underground parking. This change can have a positive impact
on what issue?
A Community connectivity
B Pedestrian access
C Heat island effect
D Parking capacity
Notes:
The heat island effect would be reduced because the parking has been moved
underground.
The parking capacity would remain unchanged.
Pedestrian access to the surrounding buildings and services would not be affected.
The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures
than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight
heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of
heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather
than reflect it.
LEED defines a heat island as one whose temperatures are at least 10 degrees
higher than those of surrounding suburban or rural areas.
Question 25
Which items are considered pre-consumer recycled content?
Show Answer Legend
A Excavated soil
B Wooden pallets used by a shipping company
C Leftover drywall from a renovation
D Magazine overruns
Notes:
Pre-consumer content is content from industry scraps that was diverted from the
waste stream and used for other purposes. Examples include sawdust, wood
shavings, wood chips, and print overruns. Excluded are materials that are reincorporated into the same manufacturing process that generated it.
Print overruns are considered pre-consumer recycled content.
Pallets are post-consumer waste since the shipping company did not manufacture
them (they used them, they did not make them).
Question 26
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following strategies have earned innovation in design / operations in
the past?
A Implementing an educational outreach program
B Implementing a green parking design
C Using high volume fly ash in concrete
D Using organic foods in a cafeteria
Notes:
Green education is one of the most common innovation points projects often add.
These programs outline the green building strategies used in the building. The
programs may include self-guided tours or computer kiosks in the main entryway of
the building so visitors can learn about the building.
Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal and can be used to offset the quantity of
cement used in concrete mix.
Reducing the parking requirements is covered in LEED in the reduced parking
design credits.
Organic food use is not considered an innovative design.
Question 27
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following is not a LEED Rating System?
A LEED for Retail
B LEED for Small Buildings
C LEED for Neighborhood Development
D LEED for Schools
Notes:
LEED for Small Buildings does not exist. Small buildings are covered in the LEED for
New Construction rating system for new buildings, or LEED Operations and
Maintenance for existing buildings.
Question 28
Show Answer Legend
What project issues are addressed by guidelines from SMACNA?
A VOCs in materials
B Refrigerant quantities
C Carpet durability
D Air quality issues from construction or renovation
Notes:
The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA)
has a set of indoor air quality guidelines that are used to help manage air quality
issues resulting from construction and renovation.
Question 29
What are attributes of native plants?
A Require less pruning
B Require less pesticides
C Require less sunlight
Show Answer Legend
D Require less fertilizer
Notes:
Native plants are those that grow naturally in an area, or that have been in an area
for many years. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. These
plants can be trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses. Adaptive plants are non-native
plants that perform well in the local climate. Native and adaptive plants require less
water, and are more disease resistant because they are suited to the region's usual
rainfall, soil, and temperature.
Sunlight is dependent on the plant requirements, as is pruning.
Question 30
Show Answer Legend
LEED Online can be used for all of the following except:
A Managing public facing project details
B Accessing online reference guides
C Document compliance with LEED Credit Requirements
D Submit technical inquiries regarding LEED Credits
Notes:
Reference: leedonline.com introduction page
Reference guides are not available in LEED Online
Using LEED Online you can:
-Submit documentation to USGBC for review
-Document compliance with LEED Credit Requirements
-Coordinate resources among project team members
-Manage public facing project details
-Submit technical inquiries regarding LEED Credits
-Track progress towards LEED Certification
What are public facing project details?
You can search USGBC's website to find out about specific projects going on. LEED
Online can be used to show/limit what is displayed to the public. For example using
LEED Online you would enter in 'Project ABC is going to have a budget of $10M'.
You probably don't want anyone to see the project budget so you could hide that
detail from public view.
Managing the public facing details of the project means this: The person who is the
administrator of the project can use LEED online to pick and choose what details
they want to make available to the public. For example, 'do you want everyone to
know your project budget', check yes or no. 'Do you want everyone to know the
project's address', check yes or no. Using LEED Online the administrator restricts or
allows access to this and other various project information. USGBC may then reveal
any information that has been marked as publically available.
Question 31
Show Answer Legend
How can the heat island effect on the roof of a building be reduced?
A Covering the roof with high VOC materials
B Installing a cistern on the roof
C Painting the surface with dark colored coatings
D Installing a green roof
Notes:
Heat islands on a roof can be reduced by reducing the amount of area that is dark,
either through solar panels or a green roof, or painting exposed areas with light
colored materials. A material with an SRI of 100 is light colored.
Green roofs help reduce heat islands. They also help provide greater insulation of
the roof to reduce energy consumption, and they have a longer life-cycle than
traditional roofs.
The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures
than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight
heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of
heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather
than reflect it.
LEED defines a heat island as one whose temperatures are at least 10 degrees
higher than those of surrounding suburban or rural areas.
Question 32
Show Answer Legend
What defines the density of a nonresidential building?
A Floor Area / Acre of Buildable Land
B Building Footprint / Acre of Buildable Land
C Floor Area / 120,000 sq. ft.
D Site Area / Acre of Buildable Land
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System, Glossary
The glossary defines density for both residential and nonresidential buildings:
'The quantity of structures on a site, measured for residential buildings as dwelling
units per acre of buildable land available for residential uses, and for nonresidential
buildings as floor area ratio per net acre of buildable land available for
nonresidential uses.'
Question 33
What does ASHRAE 55-2004 specify?
A Thermal comfort
B Indoor air quality
Show Answer Legend
C Commuting surveys
D Energy performance
Notes:
ASHRAE 55-2004 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy help
with defining what makes a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. Indoor
conditions are considered acceptable if 80% or more of occupants find them
acceptable.
Question 34
Show Answer Legend
How is the quantity of locally harvested and manufactured materials used on a
project calculated?
A By the amount of leftovers diverted from landfills
B By the number of board feet
C By the materials' proportion of cost
D By the materials' average distance from the project site
Notes:
Regional materials are calculated based on the proportional (percent) cost of all
materials' total value.
If the building materials for a project cost $500,000 and the quantity of regional
materials out of the total materials purchased amounted to $250,000, the project
would have 50% regional materials.
Simplified:
$500,000 of total materials purchased
Of that $500,000, $250,000 were purchased within 500 miles
$250,000 regional materials / $500,000 total materials = 50% regional materials
Question 35
Show Answer Legend
What is the most common way to meet the requirements of off-site renewable
energy?
A Directly purchasing green power from local utility companies
B Obtaining energy from a geothermal system
C Purchasing RECs
D Installing a rooftop photovoltaic array.
Notes:
The most common way (according to LEED) of meeting the requirements of off-site
renewable energy is by purchasing RECs. Many local utility companies currently are
either closed markets or do not offer renewable alternatives.
Photovoltaic arrays and geothermal systems are types of on-site renewable energy.
RECs represent the reduced emissions of renewable energy compared to
conventional fossil fuels. RECs are sold separately allowing people to purchase the
'greenness' of the electricity. This allows anyone to purchase an REC even if the
power to their building is not green power.
RECs have no geographic constraints, because they are sold separately from
electricity. A project in Maine can purchase RECs from any other state.
Question 36
Show Answer Legend
What is the minimum occupancy rate required for an Existing Buildings O&M project
(Building Operations & Maintenance) to earn certification?
A 75% of FTEs
B 1 FTE
C 80% of FTEs
D Typical physical occupancy
Notes:
Reference: GBCI website, Policy Manual, Minimum Occupancy Rates
For O&M the building must be in a state of typical physical occupancy.
For example, a hotel usually has a typical occupancy of about 60% of the rooms
rented out. The O&M certification could not be attempted until the hotel was at
least 60% occupied. If the hotel was just constructed and didn't have any
occupants the certification could not be earned.
A school dormitory is another example. If the dormitory was completed in April but
will not be occupied until the fall semester in September, the project is not yet in
typical occupancy because no students are living in the dorm between April August.
Question 37
Show Answer Legend
What is the best type of site to develop on?
A Nature preserve
B Greenfield
C Previously developed site
D Wetland
Notes:
Selecting a previously developed site avoids disturbing natural areas that have not
been developed.
Question 38
Show Answer Legend
A LEED AP on a project works exclusively on the HVAC system and does not serve
as a principal participant. What statement is true regarding this scenario?
A The project would earn a Regional Priority credit
B The project would earn an Innovation in Design credit
C The project would earn an Energy and Atmosphere credit
D No Innovation in Design credit would be earned for having the LEED AP work on the project
Notes:
The purpose of having a LEED AP on the project is to work on sustainable design
and synergies, and streamlining the process. Working in isolation, which is not an
integrated design, does not meet the Innovation in Design credit requirements.
For example if your project has a LEED AP that comes in and sweeps the floors of
the construction site for 20 minutes a day during construction but doesn't
participate in any other way, that doesn't meet the intent of the credit.
The spirit of the credit is to have a LEED AP work in a significant role. It is possible
to thwart the system and put in a LEED AP who never worked at all on the project,
or who sat in on only one conference call. It's also possible to earn a LEED plaque
by submitting a non-existent building and phony documentation. That isn't the
spirit of LEED or of this credit, which is what the question is pointing out.
Question 39
Show Answer Legend
On what should the priorities for the project design criteria be based?
A Environmental guidelines
B Carbon offsets
C Value engineering
D Project constraints
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual Part II, pg. 5
'Prioritize design options based on environmental guidelines and project constraints'
Question 40
What must occur if a project includes a CFC phase-out plan?
Show Answer Legend
A The CFC-based refrigerants must be replaced with HCFCs
B The project must implement green house gas emissions reporting
C The annual leakage of CFC-based refrigerants must be reduced to 5% or less
D The CFC-based refrigerants must be replaced with low ODP refrigerants
Notes:
The project team can take 5 years from project completion to phase out CFC-based
refrigerants, as long as the annual leakage rate of CFC-based refrigerants is
reduced to 5% or less.
Projects that have a shown a simple-payback of CFC based refrigerant systems will
take more than 10 years can be exempt from this requirement, but must still
reduce the annual leakage rate to 5% or less.
Simple payback takes the cost of an item or strategy and divides that number by
the yearly savings that product or strategy creates. If replacing a CFC-based
system costs $150,000 but saves a property manager $50,000 a year, the project
will have a simple payback period of 3 years.
Question 41
Show Answer Legend
What is a way LEED encourages the purchase and use of low-emitting and fuelefficient vehicles?
A Providing discounted parking passes, if parking fees exist
B Setting up a carpool notification system
C Implementing car share membership
D Locating the project in a densely developed neighborhood
Notes:
Discounted parking passes given to the owners of these vehicles may encourage
their purchase by offsetting any parking costs.
Locating the project in a densely developed neighborhood helps channel
development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protect greenfields and
preserver habitat and natural resources.
Question 42
Show Answer Legend
What amount of parking will encourage alternative transportation and maximize
open space?
A Enough for parking for FTE building occupants
B The minimum amount required by any local code
C 25% less parking spaces than the peak occupant demand
D Enough parking to handle peak occupant demand
Notes:
Maximizing open space requires less parking. Providing carpool programs, shuttle
services, etc. while providing no more parking spaces as required by local code
helps encourage alternative transportation.
For the purposes of LEED, open space is the property area minus the development
footprint, when local zoning does not define open space.
Question 43
Show Answer Legend
A Green Education program is widely known as an innovative strategy worthy of an
ID point in the LEED rating systems. What characteristics does this program display
that must be present in all innovative performance strategies?
A Quantifiable
B Unique
C Rare
D Comprehensive
Notes:
Reference: ID Credit Guidance
The 3 basic criteria for achieving an ID credit for a category not found in the LEED
rating system is:
1. Quantitative. This means the concept must have measurable/quantifiable
environmental benefits. Establish a baseline and compare it with the final
outcome to determine the improvement. How much environmental benefit
did the strategy achieve?
2. Comprehensive. The process or specification must be comprehensive. For
example, if a new material could be used in every floor of a building, the
project team can't use it in just one floor. A process that only addresses a
part of the project isn't considered comprehensive and does not meet the
credit requirements.
3. Transferrable. The concept must be able to be used on other projects by
other project teams. It can't be a concept that only applies to a unique
aspect of one project.
Question 44
What information can be entered in the LEED Score Card?
Show Answer Legend
A USGBC Member ID
B Certification estimate
C Points attempted for prerequisites
D If the credit will be streamlined
Notes:
Reference: Any LEED v2009 Score Card
Question 45
What would be included in hard cost estimates?
Show Answer Legend
A Art
B Carpet
C Furniture
D Fire sprinkler system
Notes:
Soft costs: These costs involve all of the other fees involved in the completion of the project.
You would include your attorney fees, other professional fees, testing, appraisal, marketing,
office, overhead expenses here.
Soft costs are those expenditures necessary to complete a project but not directly 'bricks and
mortar,' such as design and consultant fees, communications costs, interim housing, moving or
relocation costs, and additional district staffing.
A primary soft-cost category is fixtures, furnishing and equipment (FF&E). During the planning
stages of a project the soft costs usually are allocated as a percentage of the total project
budget. As the planning and design of a project progresses, the percentage can be increased or
decreased.
The hard-cost categories are the bricks and mortar of the project.
Art and furniture are not fixed assets (they can be moved) and are thus not considered in the
hard cost calculations. Think of a home. There is the price of the home and the price of the
furnishings. The furnishings are not included in the price of the home or the mortgage because
they are not fixed assets.
Question 46
Show Answer Legend
If local code permits, what types of water should be used for flushing toilets?
A Dishwasher water
B Stormwater
C Well water
D Graywater
Notes:
Reference: USGBC Glossary
Waste water from toilets and urinals is considered blackwater and cannot be used for irrigation
(unless it has been treated first).
Graywater is defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPS) as untreated house-hold wastewater
which has not come into contact with toilet waste or kitchen sinks.
Some states and local codes have other definitions.
Graywater includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from
clothes-washer and laundry tubs.
Dishwasher water is considered blackwater (by most jurisdictions), and cannot be used without
being treated first. Local code will define blackwater, however it is almost 100% likely no local
code will allow dishwater to be used for flushing toilets, regardless if the local code defines the
dishwater as blackwater or not.
Question 47
When does a successful integrated project begin?
A In the construction phase
B At the project handover
C In the pre-design phase
Show Answer Legend
D After occupancy
Notes:
Reference: AIA Integrated Project Delivery
Successful integrated projects will begin in the pre-design phase when all team members get
together and discuss the project's vision, the projects green building goals, the technologies and
strategies that will be used, etc. When projects wait until later phases to start integrated, its
often too late and becomes much more expensive. The reason green buildings perform better is
because the systems are integrated and work together to achieve maximum benefits.
Please refer to the Sustainable Building Technical Manual Part II referenced in the GBCI
Candidate Handbook for detailed information on the differences between the pre-design and
design phases:
http://www.gbci.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3591
Question 48
What will NOT help with water efficient landscaping?
Show Answer Legend
A Xeriscaping
B Creating a sediment basin
C Mulching around plants
D Planting native plants
Notes:
A sediment basin is useful strategies for stormwater management, but is not used
to reduce water use in landscaping.
Question 49
Show Answer Legend
What design decisions would help reduce the quantity or improve the quality of
stormwater runoff?
A Adding a constructed wetland
B Replacing all roads and hardscapes with impervious asphalt
C Using drip lines for irrigation
D Placing the building next to a park or other natural area
Notes:
Adding constructed wetlands reduces the quantity of stormwater runoff by
providing a location for the stormwater to collect.
Using drip lines vs. conventional irrigation does not impact stormwater. However
the source of the water for irrigation is important - potable vs. stormwater or
graywater.
Placing the building next to a park or natural area does not address the issue.
Replacing all roads and hardscapes with impervious asphalt is incorrect.
Use pervious pavement to allow water to filter through.
Question 50
Show Answer Legend
In an integrated design approach, when does the green building process end?
A At the construction phase
B At the bidding phase
C At the design phase
D At final occupancy
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual Part II
The extra phases of green building begin in the pre-design and end at final
occupancy. The integrated team doesn't meet just once in the design phase; they
communicate throughout the entire project to ensure that the green goals are
being met.
Question 51
Show Answer Legend
How long can a project team take after project completion to phase-out any CFCbased refrigerants?
A 4 years
B 2 years
C 3 years
D 5 years
Notes:
The project team can take 5 years from project completion to phase out CFC-based
refrigerants, as long as the annual leakage rate of CFC-based refrigerants is
reduced to 5% or less.
Question 52
What type of water has the highest quality?
Show Answer Legend
A Well water
B Graywater
C Stormwater
D Non-potable water
Notes:
Potable water is water that is suitable for drinking.
Potable water is water that meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water standards and comes from
wells or the municipal water supply.
Question 53
What is the EPAct of 1992 used for?
Show Answer Legend
A To set the baseline water flow requirements of toilets and fixtures
B To define ODP and GWP limits for refrigerants
C To determine the baseline building energy performance for buildings 20,000 sq. ft. or less
D To define the VOC content limits of certain building materials
Notes:
EPAct of 1992 set water flow limits on toilets and fixtures.
Question 54
What landscaping strategy will best eliminate the need for irrigation?
Show Answer Legend
A Drip irrigation
B Micro-irrigation
C Mulching
D Xeriscaping
Notes:
Xeriscaping is a landscaping method that employs drought-resistant plants to minimize or
eliminate water use.
Micro-irrigation and drip irrigation are both irrigation techniques.
Mulching helps retain moisture for plants, but it is not the BEST strategy from the choices given.
Question 55
Show Answer Legend
If a building has already earned LEED for New Construction certification, what additional
certifications could the project earn?
A Neighborhood Development
B Operations & Maintenance
C Core & Shell
D Commercial Interiors
Notes:
Core & Shell cannot occur after New Construction certification.
Neighborhood Development applies to the community, not to a building.
Question 56
Which of the following is not a strategy to reduce construction waste?
A Sell unused materials
B Use salvaged materials
Show Answer Legend
C Recycle materials
D Maximize the building footprint
Notes:
Note the question asks what is not a strategy.
To reduce construction waste, divert any unused materials from the waste stream-namely,
landfills and incinerators.
Materials can be donated, sold, or recycled, to keep them out of landfills and to help reduce the
demand for virgin materials.
Question 57
What are the life cycle costing benefits of a vegetated roof?
Show Answer Legend
A Reduced heat islands
B Longer product life
C Reduction in storm water runoff
D Lower maintenance costs
Notes:
Life cycle costing is used to evaluate economic performance and takes into account
operational and maintenance costs throughout the life of the product.
Reducing stormwater runoff and heat islands are environmental benefits which
would be determined by life-cycle analysis (environmental analysis).
Question 58
Show Answer Legend
In many buildings the most significant savings associated with water efficiency
result from:
A Keeping contaminants at safe levels in reservoirs and aquifers
B Reduced development costs
C Reduced maintenance costs
D Reduced energy costs
Notes:
Energy is used to heat, cool, and distribute water within a building. Water heating
in commercial buildings accounts for 15% of total energy use (CBECS). Reducing
the quantity of water used has a direct impact on the energy it takes to heat, cool,
and distribute the water.
Municipal energy is also saved because less water must be treated at sewage
plants.
Question 59
What types of green energy qualify as green power for LEED projects?
Show Answer Legend
A On-site renewable energy
B Using no refrigerants
C Energy reductions
D Renewable energy certificates
Notes:
Reference: Guide to Purchasing Green Power
Green power is off-site generated power.
Green power is not generated on site (that is called on-site renewable energy).
RECs can be purchased to show green power is used for the building's energy
supply.
There is the general term 'green power' which tends to mean renewable energy.
You might hear this term on the news. However in LEED renewable energy has
distinct credits.
On-Site Renewable Energy - energy the building produces on site. This could be a
solar panel or an onsite windmill.
Green Power - a completely different LEED credit. This credit deals with renewable
energy from the grid (utility providers) and comes from off-site. This could be
solar power from a solar power farm, or a wind farm, low impact hydro, etc. In
LEED, RECs contribute to the Green Power credit. If a project has no access to a
solar power farm from their local utility provider, RECs can be purchased to earn
the Green Power credit.
This can be confusing. You might look at the BD+C rating system and check out the
Green Power and On-Site Renewable Energy credits.
Question 60
Show Answer Legend
What type of plants should be used on a green roof?
A Plants with high watering needs
B Tall plants that provide shade
C Lightweight plants
D Native plants
Notes:
The vegetation for a green roof should use native plants, just like the rest of the
project landscape.
Native plants are those that grow naturally in an area, or that have been in an area
for many years. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. These
plants can be trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses. Adaptive plants are non-native
plants that perform well in the local climate. Native and adaptive plants require less
water, and are more disease resistant because they are suited to the region's usual
rainfall, soil, and temperature.
Green roofs help reduce heat islands. They also help provide greater insulation of
the roof to reduce energy consumption, and they have a longer life-cycle than
traditional roofs.
Question 61
Show Answer Legend
What organization publishes Ozone Depletion and Global Warming Potential scores?
A USGBC
B World Meteorological Organization
C Montreal Protocol
D United Nations
Notes:
The Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants states that
values are published by the Environmental Protection Agency [3-6] and the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO). Because the WMO values are better
documented, we use that publication as the preferred source, supplemented with
values from the EPA where necessary.
Question 62
Show Answer Legend
What would qualify as preferred parking for LEED?
A Visitor drop-off areas
B Delivery truck parking
C Bicycle parking
D Providing discounted parking passes
Notes:
Preferred parking spaces are for particular users and are parking spaces that are
closest to the main entrance of a project. They do not include handicapped parking.
For LEED, other forms of preferred parking include discounted parking passes,
designated covered spaces, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system.
Preferred parking is a strategy by LEED to reduce the pollution from automobiles.
Preferred parking is reserved for carpools, vanpools, and occupants who drive lowemitting and fuel efficient vehicles. Each of these drivers help reduce automobile
use and/or emissions.
LEED allows providing discounted parking passes to owners of low-emitting and
fuel-efficient vehicles. The discounted passes may help to encourage the purchase
of these vehicles that are better for the environment.
Question 63
What should potable water be used for?
A Irrigation
Show Answer Legend
B Flushing toilets
C Cooling towers
D Drinking
Notes:
Potable water meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water standards. Potable water can
be used for any purpose, though the intent of the water efficiency credits is to
reduce the use of potable water.
Question 64
Show Answer Legend
What are attributes of open space?
A Open space is vegetated
B Open space is 100 ft. beyond the building perimeter
C Open space is shaded
D Open space is pervious
E Open space has been previously developed
Notes:
Open space are the ground areas that are vegetated and pervious.
Green roofs can be considered open space but only for urban areas.
For the purposes of LEED, open space is the property area minus the development
footprint, when local zoning does not define open space.
Question 65
Show Answer Legend
A vehicle must meet which requirement to be considered low-emitting and fuelefficient?
A Green Label score of 40 or more
B Green score of 40 or more
C Green-e score of 40 or more
D Green Seal score of 40 or more
Notes:
Vehicles must be classified as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) by the California Air
Resources Board or have a green score of 40 or more from the ACEEE annual
vehicle rating guide.
Question 66
Show Answer Legend
Green power refers to electricity products that include significant proportions of
electricity generated from energy resources that
A Come from hydroelectric sources
B Are environmentally preferable
C Have zero emissions
D Are greenhouse gas neutral
Notes:
Reference: Guide to Purchasing Green Power
Green power is synonymous with renewable energy.
The term 'green power' refers to electricity products that include significant
proportions of electricity generated from energy resources that are both renewable
and environmentally preferable (such as a wind farm).
Question 67
Show Answer Legend
Why does the USGBC outline rules on use of its trademarks and logos?
A USGBC wants to make sure it retains control over what is said about LEED
B USGBC wants to make sure its message is spread accurately
C USGBC wants to be able to charge a fee for logo use
D USGBC wants customers to be directed to its website for clear information
Notes:
This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark
usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many
comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may
come up on your exam.
The USGBC Logo Guidelines assist the community in the use of USGBC proprietary
marks and corresponding language that accurately and consistently convey
USGBC's messages and identity.
Question 68
Show Answer Legend
What credit category is given the greatest weighting?
A Sustainable Sites
B Water Efficiency
C Materials and Resources
D Energy and Atmosphere
Notes:
The Energy and Atmosphere category has the most points available and the most
environmental impact.
Question 69
Show Answer Legend
What strategy does the EPA rank highest as having the greatest impact on waste
reduction?
A Recycling
B Source reduction
C Reuse
D Selecting sustainable materials
Notes:
Reference: EPA - http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/reduce.htm
Reducing waste at its source is the best way to reduce waste. Less packaging and
fewer materials reduce the demand for virgin materials.
Question 70
Show Answer Legend
Some wood flooring recovered onsite from a renovation project was refurbished
and reused onsite. What type of material is the wood flooring considered?
A Virgin wood
B Salvaged material
C Regional/local material
D Recycled content
Notes:
The question is asking about which groups of materials the wood flooring would be
included in.
The flooring would be a salvaged material since it was found and used onsite. This
material would also be a regional/local material since it came from onsite.
Do not confuse recycled content with salvaged materials. Recycled content contains
materials that have been recycled. An example is insulation made from recycled
newspapers. Salvaged materials are construction materials recovered from building
sites and reused on different building sites in the same or a different capacity.
Examples can include flooring, brick, beams, and doors.
Virgin wood is new wood. Since the wood flooring was obtained from the renovation
project the wood was not new and was not cut down from a forest specifically for
the use in the project.
You may hear regional materials also referred to as local materials. Exam objective
V.B from the GBCI handbook is 'Locally (regionally) Harvested and Manufactured
Materials'. The USGBC GA study guide also has 'Regional/Locally Sourced Materials'
in the book's definitions. The terms mean the same thing.
Question 71
Show Answer Legend
A site described as accessible means the site meets the requirements of which
standard?
A AIA
B GBCI
C ADA
D USGBC
Notes:
Reference: Code of Federal Regulations, ADA Standards for Accessible Design
ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act.
Accessible describes a site, building, facility, or portion thereof that complies with
the guidelines outlined in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Question 72
Show Answer Legend
What accounting methodology is used to evaluate the economic performance of a
product or system over its useful life?
A Cradle-to-cradle analysis
B Life-cycle assessment
C Life-cycle costing
D Triple bottom line accounting
Notes:
Life cycle costing evaluates a product's 'economic performance'. This differs from
life cycle assessment which evaluates a products 'environmental impact'.
Question 73
Show Answer Legend
Who decides if wastewater from showers can be used for irrigation?
A Project team
B USGBC via the CIR process
C Universal plumbing code
D Local authorities with jurisdiction in the area
Notes:
Reference: USGBC Glossary
Blackwater does not have a single definition accepted nationwide. Adjacent cities
may have different codes that allow or prohibit the use of sink/shower water for
non-potable uses. On jurisdiction may define sink/shower water as blackwater and
not permit its use, while another may define it as graywater and will permit its use.
Review local codes before making design decisions based on the use of wastewater.
Question 74
In sustainable building, what should a project's budget include?
A Lifecycle cost analysis
B Project goals
C Statement of work
D Industry-related standards relevant to the project
Show Answer Legend
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual Part II
The project budget should include:
-relevant design fees and construction costs (include the green building measures)
-life-cycle-cost analysis for the green building measures
-green building expertise to help your project with the design and costs
-contingency measures for alternatives in case a new green technology or strategy
doesn't work out
Whole building design looks at the project over its lifetime, so a lifecycle cost
analysis helps define the long-term operations and maintenance costs. For
example, if a Carpet A costs $10,000 but only lasts 5 years, and Carpet B costs
$20,000 but lasts 20 years, Carpet B is a better choice because it has lower
lifecycle costs.
Question 75
Show Answer Legend
With regards to refrigerants, what is a natural conflict between the prevention of
ozone depletion and global warming?
A Refrigerants contain ozone layer gases
B Refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer are less efficient
C Refrigerants that are neutral to the ozone layer are less efficient
D Refrigerants contain global warming gases
Notes:
See Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants. If a cooling
system achieves greater efficiency only at the environmental price of using a
chlorine-containing refrigerant, an inevitable environmental conflict exists.
Question 76
Show Answer Legend
What two terms mean the same thing?
A SRI
B Albedo
C Solar reflectance
D Emissivity
E Heat island
Notes:
Solar reflectance (aka albedo) is a measure of a material's ability to reflect sunlight
(including the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths) on a scale of 0 to 1. An
albedo value of 0.0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation, and a 1.0
albedo value represents total reflectivity.
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI): a value that incorporates both solar reflectance and
emittance in a single value to represent a material's temperature in the sun. SRI
quantifies how hot a surface would get relative to standard black and standard
white surfaces. It is expressed as a fraction (0.0 to 1.0) or percentage (0% to
100%). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving.
Question 77
Show Answer Legend
If an HVAC engineer is a LEED AP and also a principle participant on a project, what
type of credit can be earned??
A Platinum
B Bonus
C Innovation in Design
D Quantifiable
Notes:
Projects can earn one Innovation in Design point (and only one) for having at least
one principle on the project that is a LEED AP.
Question 78
Show Answer Legend
Why should a project team aim to achieve more points than are required for the target
certification level?
A Achieving more points will increase the energy efficiency of the building
B If some credits are denied, the project will still earn enough points for the target certification
C To earn regional priority credits
D In case extra points are achieved during the construction process, the next certification
level can be achieved
Notes:
Achieving five or more points than the target certification level helps the project hit the target if
some credits are denied.
Extra points are not normally achieved during construction. If they were that would be a sign of
poor design, indicating the team either didn't model correctly or made late decisions that may
have a negative impact on the whole building design.
Achieving more points doesn't necessarily increase the energy efficiency of the building.
Question 79
Show Answer Legend
What is the most commonly used energy code in the United States and includes information
such as R-values for insulation?
A International Energy Conservation Code
B ENERGY STAR Rating
C RESCHECK
D HERS
Notes:
The International Energy Conservation Code is used as the basis for energy codes in the US for
many building components.
Question 80
If a refrigeration system is inefficient, what is the indirect impact?
Show Answer Legend
A Increased energy consumption
B Decreased water use
C Increased heat islands
D Decreased green house gas emissions
Notes:
Reference: Treatment by LEED of HVAC Refrigerants
Systems with low efficiency will have an indirect impact through increased energy use.
Increased energy use generates additional CO2 emissions due to electricity consumption.
Using a CFC-based refrigeration system is an example of a direct impact because CFCs have
a direct impact on depleting ozone.
Question 81
Show Answer Legend
A granite countertop taken from a demolition project and reused in a residence is what type of
product?
A Locally extracted
B Locally manufactured
C Locally recovered
D Salvaged
Notes:
While the product may be a local material, it is definitely a salvaged material.
Question 82
Why choose a project site with a high development density?
Show Answer Legend
A The project site would be near a public rail line
B The project would have access to public parking
C The project would reduce sprawl
D The project would have access to at least 10 basic services
Notes:
Development density and community connectivity help to reduce urban sprawl.
Development density does not mean access to a given number of basic services. Development
density is the measure of how much development exists in a given area. The more dense the
development, the less sprawl there is (usually).
Dense development does not mean proximity to public transportation will exist. Some cities
have very poor public transportation systems despite having dense developments.
A dense development does not mean public parking will be available.
Question 83
Show Answer Legend
What is a working fluid that flows through a machine that is designed to pump heat from a lower
temperature to a higher temperature?
A Graywater
B Green power
C Potable water
D Refrigerants
Notes:
The Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants states that a
'refrigerant' is a working fluid that flows through a machine that is designed to pump heat from a
lower temperature to a higher temperature.
Question 84
Show Answer Legend
A product made in part from cardboard boxes collected at curbside pickups or from an onsite
comingled recycling area is an example of what material?
A Recycled materials
B Durable materials
C Remanufactured materials
D Salvaged materials
Notes:
Reference: See O&M Glossary
Post-consumer material - is material recycled from consumer waste. (USGBC)
Postconsumer recycled content - is the percentage of material in a product that was consumer
waste. The recycled material was generated by household, commercial, industrial, or
institutional end-users and can no longer be used for its intended purpose. It includes returns of
materials from the distribution chain. Examples include construction and demolition debris,
materials collected through recycling programs, discarded products (e.g., furniture, cabinetry,
decking), and landscaping waste (e.g., leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings). (ISO 14021)
Pre-consumer content - formerly known as post-industrial content, is the percentage of material
in a product that is recycled from manufacturing waste. Examples include planer shavings,
plytrim, sawdust, chips, bagasse, sunflower seed hulls, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials,
print overruns, overissue publications, and obsolete inventories. Excluded are materials such as
rework, regrind, or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the
same process that generated it (ISO 14021).
Question 85
What are acceptable ways to reference LEED in product literature?
Show Answer Legend
A ABC Bamboo flooring complies with all requirements of MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials under LEED
B ABC Bamboo flooring contributes to satisfying MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials under LEED
C ABC Bamboo flooring complies with MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials
D ABC Bamboo flooring is a LEED product
E ABC Bamboo flooring is LEED qualified product
Notes:
This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark
usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many
comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may
come up on your exam.
Reference: USGBC logo guidelines,
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3885
This question asks about how LEED can be used by various parties/organizations
when referenced in product literature. Manufacturers are allowed to say certain
things regarding their products and how they can be used for LEED credits.
Claiming that product is 'LEED certified' for example is wrong.
Question 86
Show Answer Legend
LEED Minimum Project Requirements prohibit gerrymandering. What does this mean?
A Making the project building area < 2% of the site area
B Hiding project costs in ROI calculations
C Defining the site area to exclude green space between campus projects
D Adjusting a project boundary for the benefit of earning credits/prerequisites
Notes:
Reference: GBCI website, Minimum Project Requirements
Gerrymandering is prohibit: 'The boundary may not unreasonably exclude sections of land to
create boundaries in unreasonable shapes for the sole purpose of complying with prerequisites
or credits'.
Question 87
What items would NOT be included in comingled recycling?
Show Answer Legend
A Cardboard
B Plastic
C Aluminum cans
D Stone
Notes:
At a minimum, a recycling program should include paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and metal.
For LEED, stones, dirt, hazardous materials, batteries, mercury-containing light bulbs, and food
waste would not be included.
Question 88
What type of land is NOT considered previously developed?
Show Answer Legend
A Farmland
B Tree mill
C Site of an old drive-in theatre
D Graded site that has grown over with grass
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Homes Glossary
Previously developed land has pre-existing paving, construction, or significantly altered
landscapes. Land that has been altered and turned into a natural use such as agricultural,
forestry, or nature preservation does not count.
Question 89
Show Answer Legend
What attribute should recycled materials have in order to take advantage of synergies with
regional materials?
A Lower life-cycle costs
B More durability
C Remanufactured regionally
D Low VOCs
Notes:
Only the choice of being remanufactured regionally would help with earning credit for
regional/locally sourced materials.
You may hear regional materials also referred to as local materials. Exam objective V.B from
the GBCI handbook is 'Locally (regionally) Harvested and Manufactured Materials'. The USGBC
GA study guide also has 'Regional/Locally Sourced Materials' in the book's definitions. The
terms mean the same thing.
For LEED, regional materials are materials that originate within 500 miles of the project site. To
be considered regional the materials must be extracted, processed, and manufactured within
500 miles of the project site. For example if lumber is extracted 1,000 miles away and turned
into flooring 250 miles from the project site the flooring would not be considered a regional
material.
Question 90
Which projects would not be eligible for LEED certification?
Show Answer Legend
A An existing building project that phases out the use of CFC-based refrigerants no later
than 5 years after the project is completed
B A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants
C An existing building project that reduces CFC-based refrigerants by 95% prior to submitting
the LEED application and will continue to use this system for another 10 years
D A new building project that uses no refrigerants
E A new building project that uses hydrocarbons (HCs) as refrigerants
Notes:
New buildings cannot use CFC-based refrigerants. This is called Fundamental Refrigerant
Management in LEED.
For existing buildings with CFC-based refrigerants, a phase out plan must be in place that
eliminates all CFC-based refrigerants within 5 years of project completion. For such projects,
the refrigerant leakage rate must be reduced to no more than 5% each year.
The answer choice of 'An existing building project that reduces CFC-based refrigerants by 95%
prior to submitting the LEED application' would not be eligible unless the project had a phaseout plan in place at the time of the application and the CFC-based system was phased out
within 5 years (not 10 years).
Hydrocarbons (HCs) are a category of refrigerants called natural refrigerants, such as Propane,
Butane, Ammonia (NH3), etc.
The use of no refrigerants is preferred, when possible.
Question 91
Show Answer Legend
What standard might need to be consulted for increasing building energy
performance?
A ISO 14020
B SMACNA
C Green-e
D ASHRAE 90.1-2007
Notes:
ASHRAE 90.1-2007 is used to measure building energy performance.
Question 92
Show Answer Legend
What environmental issue occurs from stormwater runoff?
A Heat islands
B Blackwater
C Sedimentation
D Ozone depletion
Notes:
Stormwater consists of rainwater and melted snow that run off streets, lawns,
farms, and construction and industrial sites. Stormwater runoff can lead to
sedimentation. Sedimentation is where pollutants from natural or human activities
add particles to water bodies. Pollutants come from soil, fertilizer, oil or gas on
roadways, pesticides, etc.
Stormwater runoff should be controlled onsite by harvesting the water, increasing
open space, and reducing impervious surfaces.
Question 93
Show Answer Legend
What is not a credit category in LEED?
A Sustainable Sites
B Water Efficiency
C Indoor Air Quality
D Materials and Resources
Notes:
The intent of this question is to learn the common categories of the LEED rating
systems.
The LEED credit categories common among the rating systems are:
Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation in Design (or Operations for O+M)
The correct category is Indoor Environmental Quality, not Air. Air quality is a subset
of IEQ.
Question 94
Show Answer Legend
If a mechanical engineer on a LEED project team needs guidance on whether a
particular software package can be used to measure energy efficiency, how should
the engineer proceed?
A Submit a CIR to the project administrator
B Submit a CIR to the LEED Steering Committee
C Submit a CIR using LEED Online
D See if the credit is marked 'Anticipated' during the design phase review
Notes:
Because it is unclear whether the strategy applies to the given credit, a CIR must
be submitted using LEED Online. The design phase review would not mark a credit
as 'Denied' in this case for choosing one software package over another.
Anyone on the project team (after being added to LEED Online for that project) can
submit the CIR, then someone has to cut a check to GBCI for the review.
Question 95
Show Answer Legend
What should be used during all project phases to verify the green building goals are
being met?
A LEED Score Card
B Commissioning plan
C Materials checklist
D ID Credit Catalog
Notes:
The LEED Score Card is the quick list of what credits the project team has decided
to pursue in the pre-design phase, based on the project vision and the project's
green building goals.
Through each phase this checklist is consulted to ask 'are we on track and are we
working towards meeting those credits we set out to do?'
The commissioning plan is used to verify the installed systems are working as
designed.
The ID Credit Catalog is a list of all ID credits previous projects have achieved.
The materials checklist would be used by contractors to purchase materials needed
for the project.
Question 96
Show Answer Legend
How can green power be purchased for use in LEED projects?
A By purchasing any renewable energy source
B By installing solar panels
C By purchasing biofuel based power
D By selecting a Green-e certified power provider
Notes:
Green-e is the organization that certifies green power.
Question 97
Show Answer Legend
What best defines non-potable water?
A Reclaimed water
B Recycled water from a municipal supply
C Water that is not treated to drinking water standards
D Water obtained from rainwater harvesting
Notes:
Non-potable water is water that is not treated to drinking water standards and is
not meant for human consumption.
Question 98
What environmental benefit does green power have?
Show Answer Legend
A Avoiding electricity blackouts
B Reduced environmental regulation
C Emission reductions
D Stability of electrical prices
Notes:
Reference: See Guide to Purchasing Green Power
The environmental attributes of green power differ from the financial benefits.
Emission reductions are an environmental benefit. The other choices are financial
benefits.
Question 99
Show Answer Legend
What does the global warming potential measure?
A Lifespan of refrigerants
B Chemical contribution to global warming
C Harm done by refrigerants to the ozone layer
D Embodied energy of a refrigerant
Notes:
See The Treatment of LEED of the Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants
reference materials, page iv.
Question 100
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What types of old materials/items does LEED NOT suggest reusing on a project?
A Flooring
B Asphalt
C Showerheads
D Furniture
Notes:
Old plumbing fixtures tend to be more inefficient than newer models and consume
more water. For new construction or renovations, consider higher efficiency models,
such as waterless urinals.