Question 1
Which item can contribute to Construction Waste Management?
Show Answer Legend
A Hazardous construction debris
B Fill dirt
C Concrete
D Steel and wallboard
Notes:
Hazardous debris does not qualify for this credit; therefore, hazardous construction debris is
incorrect.
Fill dirt does not qualify for this credit; therefore, fill dirt (excavated soil) is incorrect.
Question 2
Show Answer Legend
A project team has decided to shrink the building footprint. This change can have a positive
impact on what issue?
A Car pool parking
B Parking capacity
C Pedestrian access
D Open space
Notes:
Reducing the size of the building footprint may allow for more open space (fields, grasslands,
landscaping, etc.)
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 3
What would contribute to community connectivity?
Show Answer Legend
A A site with pedestrian access between basic services
B A site near mass transit
C A site near public parking
D A site near a restaurant
Notes:
Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This
includes areas with walkways and areas near basic services.
Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services that
people might use regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service
without being blocked by walls, highways, or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access).
LEED encourages building near a variety of basic services, not just one type of service such as
twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides examples of basic services as:
Bank
Church
Supermarket / convenience store
Day care
Dry cleaner / laundry mat
Fire station
Salon
Hardware store
Library
Medical / dental office
Park
Pharmacy
Post office
Restaurant
School
Theatre / museum
Community center
Gym
Access to public transpiration (mass transit) helps with reducing automobile use in the LEED
Rating System, however picking a site near mass transit does not help earn the community
connectivity credit.
The answer choice of 'public parking' is incorrect because a parking lot or parking garage is not
defined by LEED as a service. A public park is defined by LEED as a basic service.
Question 4
Who is responsible for the development of the LEED Rating Systems?
Show Answer Legend
A Architects, engineers, and contractors only
B Product manufacturers
C Local, state, and federal government agencies
D Volunteers
Notes:
The intent of this question is to learn the LEED Rating Systems are developed by committees of
volunteers from all types of backgrounds.
From USGBC's website:
'LEED Rating Systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEED
committees. Each volunteer committee is composed of a diverse group of practitioners and
experts representing a cross-section of the building and construction industry.'
While it is true employees of local, state, and federal government agencies can volunteer for the
committees, as can product manufacturers and architects, engineers, and contractors, it is
volunteers that make up the committees from these professions as well as many others.
Question 5
What is the goal of providing secure bicycle storage?
Show Answer Legend
A To keep bicycles dry
B To meet local regulations
C To prevent theft
D To increase the life cycle of bicycles
Notes:
Glossary: Secure storage is any method or methods that prevent theft
Question 6
Wastewater from sinks can:
Show Answer Legend
A Sometimes be recycled and used for irrigation, depending on local codes
B Always be recycled and used for irrigation
C Never be recycled and used for irrigation
D Always be used for makeup water in cooling towers
Notes:
Reference: USGBC Glossary
Wastewater treatment systems are sometimes used in projects to treat wastewater and reuse it
onsite for non-potable uses such as irrigation and for flushing fixtures.
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 7
What is the baseline water demand of a building?
A The annual fixture and fitting water consumption based on the rates from the EPAct 1992 standard
B The annual installed fixture and fitting water consumption rate
C The amount of graywater and rainwater harvesting a building is planning to use
D The annual water rate as determined by water bills
Notes:
Show Answer Legend
To calculate water consumption in a building, a baseline water demand is compared
to an installed design case.
The baseline demand uses the fixture and flow rates from the EPAct 1992 standard.
For example, commercial toilets have 1.6 gallons per flush, commercial urinals
have 1.0 gallons per flush. These rates for all toilets, urinals, and faucets are used
to create a baseline. Also used is the number of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) to
determine how frequently the fixtures will be used.
The design case water consumption (or design demand) calculates the rates based
on the higher efficiency fixtures that will be installed. For example if waterless
urinals are used the design case will calculate them at their zero gallon per flush
rate. The percent in water savings is determined by dividing the design case by the
baseline case and subtracting that from the number 1
Example:
Baseline case: 100,000 gallons of water / year
Design case: 60,000 gallons of water /year
60,000/100,000 = 0.6
1 -0.6 = 0.4
Percent reduction = 40% reduction
Question 8
Show Answer Legend
What types of systems are not acceptable by LEED as sources of renewable energy?
A Low-impact hydroelectric power systems
B Biomass
C Wind
D High-impact hydroelectric power systems
Notes:
This question asks what choices are not acceptable by LEED as sources of
renewable energy.
While low-impact hydroelectric power systems are accepted, high-impact
hydroelectric power systems are not. High-impact hydropower is not considered
environmentally friendly because of water quality issues, and the negative impact it
has on fish and wildlife.
Question 9
What is a characteristic of open-grid pavement?
A It is 100% impervious
B Vegetation can grow in it
Show Answer Legend
C It is at least 50% impervious
D It is at least 75% impervious
Notes:
Reference: O+M Glossary
Open grid pavement is pavement that is less than 50% impervious and contains
vegetation in the open cells.
Here is an example of open grid pavement:
http://i.treehugger.com/files/th_images/hastings.jpg
Open grid pavement is different than pervious pavement.
Pervious pavement is designed to allow percolation or infiltration of stormwater
through the surface into the soil below where the water is naturally filtered and
pollutants are removed. In contrast normal pavement is an impervious surface that
sheds rainfall and associated surface pollutants forcing the water to run off paved
surfaces directly into nearby storm drains and then into streams and lakes.
Here is an example of pervious pavement:
http://www.us-concrete.com/images/news_pervious_a.jpg
Question 10
Show Answer Legend
In a state with a closed electricity market, how can off-site green power be
purchased?
A Through an ENERGY STAR approved utility provider
B Enroll in a Green-e renewable power program from the utility provider
C Have certified wood scraps delivered onsite for burning
D Purchase power from a USGBC approved provider
Notes:
Some utility companies allow the purchase of renewable energy, sometimes for a
price premium. Make sure the source of the energy is Green-e certified.
Question 11
Show Answer Legend
Ozone-friendly refrigerants differ from ozone-damaging refrigerants in what way?
A Ozone-friendly refrigerants are global warming neutral
B Ozone-friendly refrigerants may cause less global warming
C Ozone-friendly refrigerants may cause more global warming
D Ozone-friendly refrigerants are more energy efficient
Notes:
According to Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants,
'some refrigerants cause more ozone depletion than others, but the most ozonefriendly refrigerants cause more global warming.'
HFCs, while generally better for the environment in regards to ozone depletion
potential, are less efficient than HCFCs. Because they are less efficient a building
that uses HFC refrigerants must spend more energy to keep the building as cool
compared to using HCFC refrigerants. Using more energy to cool the building uses
more fossil fuels to run the HVAC equipment and generates more pollution, thereby
increasing the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Question 12
Show Answer Legend
At a minimum, a project team must successfully do which of the following to obtain
LEED certification?
A Gather documentation for the prerequisites
B Hire a USGBC approved consultant
C Record all vendors used on the project
D Gather documentation for 40 points of the 110 points available
Notes:
Projects must meet all prerequisites to earn LEED certification.
The minimum number of points required for certification is 40.
USGBC consultants are not required for projects.
The product vendors are not needed when submitting documentation on the
project.
Question 13
Show Answer Legend
What issues do the ASHRAE standards NOT address?
A Plumbing codes
B Thermal comfort
C Energy efficiency
D Heat island measurement
Notes:
ASHRAE 62.1-2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum
ventilation rates. These rates are used to improve indoor air quality as part of the
IEQ credit category.
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.
ASHRAE 90.1-2007 establishes minimum requirements for the energy efficient
design of buildings (not included are single family homes or multifamily homes less
than 3 stories).
Question 14
Show Answer Legend
LEED for New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, and Existing Buildings:
Operations & Maintenance were designed to evaluate what building types?
A High-rise residential buildings
B Interior spaces
C Commercial buildings
D Community development
E Institutional buildings
Notes:
Reference: GBCI website, Minimum Project Requirements
You should go to gbci.org and review the Minimum Project Requirements page.
Question 15
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following does not help achieve a water-efficient landscape?
A Installing hardscapes
B Perennials
C Adaptive plantings
D Overhead sprinklers
Notes:
Overhead sprinklers contribute to runoff and evaporation by wind and sun.
Hardscapes can increase the heat island effect and stormwater runoff, but they do
reduce the size of the area that needs irrigation.
Question 16
What type of water is rainwater?
A Graywater
B Blackwater
C Non-potable water
D Potable water
Show Answer Legend
Notes:
Potable water is water which is fit for consumption by humans and other animals. It
is also called drinking water, in a reference to its intended use. Water may be
naturally potable, as is the case with pristine springs, or it may need to be treated
in order to be safe.
In most jurisdictions rainwater is considered non-potable and is therefore
considered non-potable.
Question 17
Show Answer Legend
A door found onsite and turned into a table as part of a major renovation would
automatically qualify as:
A Comingled material
B Regional material
C Rapidly renewable material
D Pre-consumer content
Notes:
The door would be extracted (salvaged) and used within 500 miles, qualifying it as
regional material.
Question 18
Show Answer Legend
What does the IPMVP Volume III provide information on?
A Best practices for verifying the energy performance of a new building
B Best management practices for construction activity pollution prevention
C Government restrictions for the water flow limits of fixtures
D Best design techniques for acoustics in schools
Notes:
The IPMVP Volume III is used for measurement & verification, and provides best
practice techniques for verifying the energy performance of a new building.
You can view the IPMVP v3 here if you want to take a quick look:
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/41/40512.pdf
Don't spend too much time in this document - the link is only provided to reinforce
your knowledge. The document isn't in the exam reference materials so don't read
this document for more than a minute.
The standard is used in the rating systems and you should be familiar with what the
standard is used for.
Question 19
Show Answer Legend
How should a project team view all green building costs when budgeting for a
project?
A Individually
B As soft costs
C Synergistically
D Cumulatively
Notes:
The best answer for this question is synergistically. Costs are not cumulative since
the cost of adopting one sustainable strategy for LEED may assist in earning points
in other areas. Costs are also not individual costs for this reason. LEED of course
includes soft costs, but not all LEED elements will be soft costs.
Question 20
Show Answer Legend
What needs to be done for water management?
A Install an onsite wastewater system
B Use waterless urinals
C Use drip irrigation
D Establish a baseline water demand
Notes:
The first step in water management is determining how much water is being used,
or will be used. This 'baseline' allows project teams to determine how much they
can save.
Question 21
Show Answer Legend
How long must an existing building be occupied before the LEED application process
may begin for LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance
certification?
A The application process can begin as soon as regular occupancy is reached
B 3 months
C 6 months
D 12 months
Notes:
This question is asking about the Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance
rating system.
For this rating system, the LEED project must be in a state of typical physical
occupancy, and all building systems must be operating at a capacity necessary to
serve the current occupants, for a period that includes all performance periods as
well as at least the 12 continuous months immediately preceding the first
submission for a review.
In short, for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance you must wait twelve
months after the building is occupied before applying (not registering, applying).
LEED requires this because this provides 12 months worth of utility bills which are
needed for measurements.
Question 22
What does the baseline water case represent?
Show Answer Legend
A Flow and flush rates of all design case fixtures
B The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992) flow and flush rates
C The amount of water metered for the building's indoor areas
D The amount of water metered for the entire project
Notes:
All Water Efficiency credits measure water savings by comparing a baseline case against the
proposed design case. The baseline case uses the flow and fixture rates from the EPAct 1992
standard.
The baseline water usage is based on estimated occupant usage (Full Time Equivalent
calculations) and the water fixtures and fittings, such as:
Commercial toilets have a baseline water use of 1.6 gallons per flush
Commercial urinals have a baseline water use of 1.0 gallons per flush
Commercial lavatory faucets have a baseline water use of 2.2 gallons per minute
Residential toilets have a baseline water use of 1.6 gallons per flush
Residential lavatory faucets have a baseline water use of 2.2 gallons per minute
Residential kitchen faucets have a baseline water use of 2.2 gallons per minute
Residential showerheads have a baseline water use of 2.5 gallons per minute
Question 23
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following is a strategy to prevent stormwater runoff?
A Minimizing the quantity of open space in the project boundary
B Installing a vegetated roof
C Replacing native plants with turf grass to capture and filter the water
D Locating the building 40 feet from a water body
Notes:
A vegetated roof helps capture stormwater on a roof.
Minimizing open space would negatively affect runoff - you need to maximize open
space.
Turf grass should be avoided because it requires more watering than native plants.
Replacing plants with turf grass may have a negative effect, because turf grass
may have more compact soil and not infiltrate as well.
Question 24
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following causes depletion of the ozone layer?
A Propane
B Ammonia
C CFCs
D CO2
Notes:
Reference: Treatment by LEED of HVAC Refrigerants
CO2, ammonia, and propane are natural refrigerants that are not detrimental to the
ozone layer.
Question 25
Show Answer Legend
What type of water has the highest quality?
A Waste water
B Process water
C Potable water
D Green 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 26
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following are counted as part of the buildable land area?
A Public rights-of-way
B Public streets
C Areas with trees
D Land excluded from residential development by law
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System, Compact Development
Buildable land is the portion of the site where construction can occur. When used in
density calculations, the calculation for buildable land excludes public streets and
other public rights of way, and land excluded from development by law.
Question 27
Show Answer Legend
What would planting native trees near a parking lot help with?
A Minimizing energy performance
B Improving water quality
C Reducing heat islands
D Source reduction
Notes:
By shading the parking lot the trees help reduce the heat island effect (non-roof).
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 28
Show Answer Legend
At what point can a project earn points for credits?
A After the construction phase
B After the design phase
C After the LEED Scorecard is completed and submitted
D After the statement of work has been uploaded to LEED Online
Notes:
No points can be earned after the design phase.
Points may be marked as Anticipated in LEED Online after the design phase but
points are only Achieved after the construction phase. This is true of all credits and
prerequisites.
Question 29
Show Answer Legend
Economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility define a
project's:
A Triple bottom line
B Innovation
C Minimum Program Requirements
D Federal, state, and/or local regulations
Notes:
One of USGBC's Guiding Principles is to promote the Triple Bottom Line: 'USGBC
will pursue robust triple bottom line solutions that clarify and strengthen a healthy
and dynamic balance between environmental, social, and economic prosperity.'
The triple bottom line (also known as 'people, planet, profit') captures an expanded
spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal) success:
economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
In practical terms, triple bottom line accounting means expanding the traditional
reporting framework to take into account ecological and social performance in
addition to financial performance.
'People, planet and profit' succinctly describes the triple bottom lines and the goal
of sustainability.
Question 30
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following are strategies to reduce construction waste?
A Give unused materials to a salvage yard
B Use FSC certified materials
C Haul unused materials to a landfill
D Select sustainable building materials
Notes:
To reduce construction waste, divert any unused materials from the waste streamnamely, 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 31
Show Answer Legend
What environmental issue is associated with refrigerants used in HVAC&R systems?
A Increasing greenhouse gas emissions
B Groundwater contamination
C Soil contamination
D Increased CO2 indoors
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 32
Show Answer Legend
What information is needed to determine if a product will help with the heat island
effect of a non-roof surface?
A SRI of the material
B Life cycle costs of the material
C Run-off coefficients for the material
D Emissivity of material
Notes:
Reference: LEED O+M Glossary:
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.
Many outdoor materials now come with the SRI value printed on the label so
purchasers know how the product will impact the urban heat island effect. The
higher the SRI number the more solar heat the material can reflect. Black asphalt
has an SRI of 0.
LEED defines a heat island as one whose temperatures are at least 10 degrees
higher than those of surrounding suburban or rural areas.
LEED defines solar reflectance as: A measure of the ability of a surface material to
reflect sunlight-visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths-on a scale of 0 to 1.
Solar reflectance is also called albedo. Black paint has a solar reflectance of 0;
white paint (titanium dioxide) has a solar reflectance of 1.
LEED defines solar reflectance index (SRI) as: A measure of a material's ability to
reject solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. Standard black
(reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white (reflectance 0.80,
emittance 0.90) is 100. For example, a standard black surface has a temperature
rise of 90 degrees F (50 C) in full sun, and a standard white surface has a
temperature rise of 14.6 F (8.1 C). Once the maximum temperature rise of a given
material has been computed, the SRI can be computed by interpolating between
the values for white and black.
Project teams do not need the emittance of a material. They do need the SRI value
because that is what is needed for the LEED credits. Emittance is used by
manufacturers to calculate the SRI, but a project team doesn't need that info.
Question 33
Show Answer Legend
The baseline water demand within a building includes the measurements of which
of the following items?
A Irrigation systems
B Urinals
C Cooling towers
D Bathroom faucets
E Toilets
Notes:
The baseline water demand within a building includes the measurement of fixtures
and fittings (toilets, faucets). Toilets are measured in gallons per flush, while
fixtures are measured in gallons per minute.
Question 34
Show Answer Legend
An office park design includes a parking lot. How could the parking be redesigned
to reduce the heat island effect?
A Designate preferred parking spaces
B Encourage occupants to use public transportation one day a week
C Place the parking underground
D Use black asphalt for the parking lot
Notes:
Moving a parking lot/spaces under the building is one way to reduce the heat island
effect. This reduces the amount of impervious area above ground.
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 35
How is ozone created?
A A sunlight-driven chemical reaction between molecules
B Emissions from incinerators
C Emissions from factories
D Transportation emissions
Show Answer Legend
Notes:
See the reference guide glossary entry for Ozone.
Question 36
Show Answer Legend
A product's materials were extracted 300 miles from a project site, while the
product was manufactured 600 miles from the project site. What statement is true
about the product?
A The product counts toward source reduction
B The product is considered a locally harvested and manufactured material
C The product can count as a salvaged material
D The product does not count as a locally harvested and manufactured material
Notes:
LEED gives credit when certain percentages of materials are extracted, harvested
or recovered, and manufactured within 500 miles.
In this example the material was extracted within 500 miles, but it was
not manufactured within 500 miles. An example would be bricks where the material
used to make the bricks was extracted out of the ground 300 miles from the project
site, but the bricks were baked 600 miles from the project site.
Question 37
Show Answer Legend
In whole building design, at what starting point in the process would the facilities
managers, end users, contractors, and architects all be involved at the same time?
A Pre-design
B Design phase
C Construction phase
D Pre-occupancy
Notes:
Reference: AIA Integrated Project Delivery
In whole building design, all team members begin at the earliest point in the
building process to define common goals.
Question 38
Which items are considered pre-consumer recycled content?
A Wood chips from a mill
B Soda cans
C Cardboard boxes
Show Answer Legend
D Milk jugs
Notes:
Sawdust, shavings, and wood chips are pre-consumer material that can be used
elsewhere, even if they are used for landscaping purposes.
Question 39
Show Answer Legend
Who rules on CIRs?
A Green Raters
B Local USGBC Chapter
C Technical Advisory Group
D LEED Standards Board
Notes:
Make sure you understand what CIRs are and how they work:
http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=142
Also see Guidelines for CIR Customers from USGBC.
There is no such thing as the LEED Standards Board. This choice was provided as a
distracter.
Question 40
Show Answer Legend
What needs to occur to have an integrated team?
A Quarterly meetings between engineers
B Regular meetings of the owner, architect, and contractor
C Durability planning
D Regular meetings of all key project members
Notes:
Reference: AIA Integrated Project Delivery
Frequent meetings of all key project members and the ability to call emergency
meetings if a decision must be made quickly are both needed for project team
decision making.
Question 41
Show Answer Legend
Within what distance must a material be extracted, harvested, recovered, or
manufactured to be considered a regional material?
A 100 miles
B 250 miles
C 500 miles
D 200 miles
Notes:
Reference: See O&M Glossary
Question 42
Show Answer Legend
What is NOT a natural refrigerant?
A NH3
B CO2
C HC
D HFC
Notes:
Reference: Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants.
There are five refrigerants that are benign to the earth's atmosphere. They are:
CO2 - Carbon dioxide
H2O - Water
NH3 - Amonia
HC - Hydrocarbons, such propane, butane, ethane, isobutene, and isopentane
Air
Make sure you do not confuse HC, which is good refrigerant, with HFC or HCFC,
which are refrigerants that cause environmental issues.
Question 43
Show Answer Legend
What is purchasing products with less packaging an example of?
A Construction waste management
B Comingled recycling
C Source reduction
D Waste diversion
Notes:
Reference: O&M Glossary
Source reduction is the EPA's top-ranked strategy for reducing waste. Source
reduction chooses products with less packaging and material, which have a greater
environmental impact throughout the product's life cycle.
Question 44
Show Answer Legend
How do the LEED Rating Systems reward the development and adoption of new
technologies and strategies that can produce quantifiable environmental and
human health benefits?
A Additional plaque for showing creativity
B Upgrade to the next certification level
C Additional points
D Discounts in certification fees
Notes:
Reference:
Additional points (ID points) can be earned for implementing strategies or
measures not addressed in the current rating systems.
Question 45
What types of water should be used for irrigation?
Show Answer Legend
A Stormwater
B Blackwater
C Potable water
D Graywater
Notes:
Blackwater is water from toilets or kitchen sinks that has not been treated.
Potable water usually comes from wells or municipal supplies and should not be
used for irrigation. Onsite waste water treatment systems can turn stormwater,
graywater, and blackwater into potable water as well.
Graywater is water from laundry machines or showers that is not suitable for
drinking, but can be used for other purposes such as irrigation and flushing toilets.
Graywater is defined by the International Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing
Code. Some states and local codes have differing definitions.
Question 46
Which of the following includes standards for accessible design?
A ASHRAE
B Americans with Disabilities Act
C Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
D Fair Housing Amendments Act
Show Answer Legend
Notes:
The Americans with Disabilities Act includes accessibility guidelines.
Question 47
Show Answer Legend
Which is not a LEED 2009 MPR (Minimum Program Requirements)?
A Permanent building / space
B Minimum floor area
C Minimum height
D Minimum building ratio
Notes:
Minimum Program Requirements:
Must
Must
Must
Must
Must
Must
Must
comply with environmental laws
be a complete, permanent building or space
use a reasonable site boundary
comply with minimum floor area requirements
comply with minimum occupancy rate
commit to sharing whole-building energy and water usage data
comply with a minimum building area to site area ratio
Question 48
Show Answer Legend
What does a building need to have for community connectivity?
A Pedestrian access to basic services
B Pedestrian access to mass transit within 1/4 mile
C Pedestrian access to nearby buildings
D Density of 60,000 sq. ft. / acre
Notes:
Community connectivity helps channel development to urban areas with existing
infrastructure. Pedestrian access is needed for occupants to take advantage of basic
services.
Access to public transpiration (mass transit) helps with reducing automobile use in
the LEED Rating System, however picking a site near mass transit does not help
earn the community connectivity credit.
Question 49
How can the heat island effect on the roof of a building be reduced?
A Providing underground parking
Show Answer Legend
B Painting the roof with a high SRI coating
C Increasing the amount of roof insulation
D Covering the roof with recycled materials
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.
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 50
Show Answer Legend
What standard sets the baseline for commercial plumbing fixtures when
establishing a water use reduction strategy?
A EPAct of 1992
B UPC and IPC Standards for Plumbing Fixture Water Use
C EPA's WaterSense
D EPAct of 2005
Notes:
The EPA Act of 1992 is used to determine the baseline for commercial fixtures,
fittings, and appliances.
Commercial toilets: 1.6 gpf
Commercial urinals: 1.0 gpf
Commercial faucets: 2.2 gpm
Etc.
Question 51
Which of the following statements are true about a CIR?
A Product vendors can access all CIRs to meet any updated credit requirements
B CIRs can only be submitted during the design phase of a project
C CIRs cannot be submitted for the LEED Accredited Professional credit
D CIRs can be submitted for prerequisites
Notes:
Show Answer Legend
CIRs can be submitted for any prerequisite or credit for the project's rating system.
CIRs can be submitted at any time up until the project administrator submits all of
the documentation for certification.
Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is
technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question
or a set of related questions. It is often helpful to discuss the inquiry within context
of the credit's intent.
Anyone on the project team (after being added to LEED Online for that project) can
submit the CIR, then someone has to pay GBCI for the review of the CIR.
Anyone on the project team can access the CIRs for that specific project. A project
vendor does not have access to all CIRs.
Question 52
Show Answer Legend
The LEED project boundary may not include land that is owned by a party other
than that which owns the LEED project unless:
A The land is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building
B The land is part of a larger campus project
C The land will be donated for the purposes of earning an ID point
D The land will be included in a future LEED certification
Notes:
Reference: GBCI website, Policy Manual, Reasonable Site Boundary
The only exception to the LEED project boundary of land not owned by the project
owner is land that is associated with and supports normal building operations for
the LEED project building.
Question 53
Show Answer Legend
What does USGBC's Portfolio Program help with?
A Comparing design case energy use among buildings
B Policy support for LEED documentation
C Comparing baseline energy use among buildings
D Cost-effective LEED certification on a volume scale
Notes:
Reference: USGBC website
Question 54
Show Answer Legend
What standard helps businesses and households compare and select clean
renewable energy options?
A Green Label
B Green Seal
C Green Score
D Green-e
Notes:
LEED accepts Green-e certified power as a Green Power source.
Question 55
Which of the following are mandatory for LEED certification?
Show Answer Legend
A Earning at least 50 points
B Meeting all prerequisites
C Earning Innovation in Design points
D Meeting the Minimum Program Requirements
E Achieving all Regional Priority credits
Notes:
Reference: GBCI website, Policy Manual
MPRs and prerequisites are mandatory for certification. Credits are optional, though
a certain number of credits are needed for certification. The project team chooses
which credits to pursue. Prerequisites are not a choice.
Question 56
Show Answer Legend
What is the primary purpose of registering your project for LEED?
A To get your company and the project media publicity
B To obtain free USGBC consulting
C To gain access to project tools and resources
D To qualify for local, state, and federal incentives
Notes:
See the GBCI website for registration:
http://www.gbci.org/ProjectNav.aspx?PageID=1&CMSPageID=117
The purpose for registering a project is to gain access to the project tools needed
for the certification process.
Question 57
Show Answer Legend
Cement, steel, tile, and construction worker labor are all what type of project
expense?
A Soft cost
B Direct cost
C Indirect cost
D Hard cost
Notes:
Hard costs: By far the largest portion of the expenses in a construction budget, the
hard costs are mostly comprised of the actual construction costs incurred to build
the project. In most cases, it will include the land, but that particular cost is usually
separated in order to find out the actual construction expenses.
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, LEED certification fees,
LEED documentation costs, communications costs, interim housing, moving or
relocation costs, and additional district staffing.
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.
Question 58
Show Answer Legend
What site and/or project characteristics would contribute to maximizing open
space?
A Planting non-invasive plants
B Developing a soil and erosion management plan
C Installing rain gardens to capture stormwater
D Clustering the parts of the development
Notes:
Clustering the development reduces the expanse of hardscapes (roads, walkways,
parking lots) from the property.
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 59
Show Answer Legend
What is SRI?
A Measure of air quality
B Measure of a material's ability to reflect solar heat
C Measure of VOC levels in paint
D Measure of an automobile's emissions
Notes:
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 solar heat the material can reflect. Black
asphalt has an SRI of 0.
Question 60
Which of the following is a natural refrigerant?
Show Answer Legend
A HCFC
B HFC
C CFC
D CO2
Notes:
Reference: Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants
Question 61
Show Answer Legend
What type of plants do the most to help reduce water use for landscaping?
A Native plants
B Trees
C Annual flowers
D Turf grass
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.
Question 62
Show Answer Legend
An old door taken from one project site and reused on another project site is considered what
type of material?
A Locally harvested
B Certified wood
C Rapidly renewable
D Salvaged
Notes:
Salvaged materials or reused materials are construction materials recovered from existing
buildings or construction sites and reused. The materials may be used for the same purpose (a
door used as a door) or a different purpose (a door turned into a table). Some common material
that is salvaged includes old flooring, brick, doors, cabinets, and structural beams.
Question 63
Letter templates must be signed by which person?
Show Answer Legend
A Project manager
B Assignator
C Project owner
D Declarant
Notes:
The declarant is the person who will sign a submittal template. Each template can have a
different declarant.
Each rating system will have its own set of forms that must be completed and submitted for
documentation and verification. These forms are called submittals or credit templates, and are
dynamic PDF forms that can be filled out and saved on a computer then uploaded directly back
to LEED Online.
The credit forms are also referred to as letter templates, credit templates, submittal templates,
or submittals.
Show Answer Legend
Question 64
What statements are true regarding regional priority credits (RPCs)?
A RPCs reward the use of salvaged materials
B RPCs are prerequisites
C RPCs are referenced by zip code
D RPCs reward the use of local materials
Notes:
Reference: RPC FAQ
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
Pre-2009 rating systems are not eligible unless the project moves to the LEED 2009
rating system.
RPCs are not new credits in the sense of they do not address new environmental
issues beyond the existing credits in the rating systems. They are called Regional
Priority credits and earn bonus points for meeting the requirements of existing
credits.
Question 65
Show Answer Legend
How are the sections in the LEED Scorecard grouped?
A By environmental category
B Alphabetically
C By credit weight
D By cost
Notes:
The LEED Scorecard is organized just like the LEED Rating System - by
environmental category
Question 66
Show Answer Legend
LEED addresses ozone depletion by setting requirements on the following:
A Automobile reduction
B Green power use
C Fire suppression system chemicals
D Refrigerants
Notes:
Refrigerants are a requirement that must be addressed for certification. The use of
green power and automobile use are credits, not prerequisites.
Question 67
What does a REC represent?
Show Answer Legend
A The quantity of fossil fuels avoided by purchasing renewable energy, expressed in tons
B The amount of energy an electricity provider purchases from renewable sources
C The amount of energy purchased from a Green-e supplier
D The environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power generated by renewable resources
Notes:
Reference: Guide to Purchasing Green Power
A REC represents the environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power
generated by renewable resources. These attributes may be sold separately from
the underlying commodity electricity.
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 68
Show Answer Legend
What area would NOT be considered previously developed?
A Old torn down steel mill
B Parking lot grown over into a field
C Unoccupied big-box retail store
D Cotton field
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 69
Show Answer Legend
What project team meeting is used to integrate green strategies across all aspects
of the building design, drawing on the expertise of all participants?
A LEED roundtable
B Steering committee
C Technical Advisory Group
D Design charrette
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System, Integrated Project Planning
Question 70
Show Answer Legend
What is the root cause of global climate change?
A Topsoil loss
B The use of halons
C Greenhouse gases
D
Ozone depletion
Question 71
What is true about setting the preliminary rating of the project?
Show Answer Legend
A The project team cannot change their target certification level
B The project is guaranteed to achieve the target certification level
C Project fees are assessed based on the preliminary rating
D The preliminary rating determines what credits have been selected to meet the target
award level
Notes:
The preliminary rating defines the green building goals of the building, what credits will be
attempted, and the targeted certification level.
Question 72
What practice identifies and removes unnecessary expenditures?
Show Answer Legend
A Life cycle costing
B Value engineering
C Environmentally responsive design
D Life cycle assessment
Notes:
Value engineering (VE) is a systematic method to improve the 'value' of goods or products and
services by using an examination of function. In conventional building many building features
are VEd out to cut the budget. Because of the integrated design in green buildings, VEing out a
feature often messes up the performance of the system as a whole. For example if a building
owner decides to take out better quality and more costly insulation, the building's utility bills will
most likely go up and the HVAC system could be undersized.
Environmentally responsive design is a design approach that incorporates sustainable
strategies into the design of a building.
Life-cycle-analysis (LCA, also known as life cycle assessment, ecobalance, and cradle-to-grave
analysis) is the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or
service caused or necessitated by its existence. LCA evaluates a products 'environmental
impact'.
Life cycle costing is used to evaluate economic performance. Life-cycle costing is a method of
costing that looks at a product's entire value chain from a cost perspective. Other types of
costing generally look only at the production process, whereas life-cycle costing tracks and
evaluates costing from the research and development phase of a product's life, through to the
decline and eventual conclusion of a product's life. This differs from value engineering because
life cycle costing considers the products impact over the life of the building, whereas value
engineering tends to look a product's cost relative to the building's current budget (in the
present, without regards for future implications).
Question 73
Show Answer Legend
What should be included in a building program detailing the project's green building
requirements?
A Statement of the project's environmental vision and goals
B Room-by-room description of the project
C Building construction budget
D General description of the project
E Statement of Work
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual Part II, pg. 5
A building program details the project's green building requirements. It includes the project's
vision, the green building goals, and a general and room-by-room description of the project.
Question 74
Show Answer Legend
After project registration for a commercial project how can the project team use the LEED
Certification Mark?
A The LEED Certification Mark can be used in press releases
B The LEED Certification Mark can be used in advertisements or marketing materials
C The LEED Certification Mark can be used to indicate pre-certification
D The LEED Certification Mark cannot be used
Notes:
Reference: USGBC logo guidelines
'The LEED Certification Mark combines the LEED Logo with a distinctive banner that
designates a level of LEED certification across its face. Once a project has been certified, the
LEED Certification Mark appropriate to the level of certification (see below: Certified, Silver,
Gold, Platinum) may be used in collateral and other marketing materials to promote the
associated LEED project.'
Project registration does not permit usage of the LEED Certification Mark. A project can use the
logo once the project is LEED certified.
Question 75
Show Answer Legend
Purchased power must meet which certification's standards to qualify as off-site renewable
sources of energy for LEED projects?
A Green Seal
B Green-e
C Green Label Plus
D Green Label
Notes:
Off-site renewable energy must come from renewable resources that meet the Green-e
certification requirements as defined by the Center for Resource Solutions.
Question 76
Show Answer Legend
What does the success of an integrated project team depend on?
A Meeting the project schedule
B The choice of materials used
C Commitment to the sustainability goals
D Leniency of building codes
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual Part II
Question 77
Show Answer Legend
How many Innovation & Design Process Points can a non-home project earn in
LEED v3?
A 4
B 10
C 8
D 6
Notes:
Reference: USGBC website, any v3 Reference Guide
In LEED v3 a non-home project can earn up to 6 Innovation in Design points.
Question 78
Show Answer Legend
What strategies does the EPA recommend for waste reduction?
A Recycling
B Reuse
C Source reduction
D Sustainable materials
E Locally manufactured materials
Notes:
Reference: EPA
Source reduction, reuse, and recycling are the three ways EPA ranks as reducing
waste the most.
Question 79
Show Answer Legend
Which of the following is a way to reduce pollution associated with automobile use?
A Shade all parking spaces with trees
B Only provide enough parking to meet the peak parking demand
C Provide shuttle services to mass transit
D Install low albedo parking surfaces
Notes:
Shuttle services to mass transit allow employees to take public transportation. The
shuttle service would ferry occupants from mass transit to their building/home.
Question 80
Show Answer Legend
What are the collection requirements for the storage and collection of recyclables in
a building?
A Collect either light bulbs or batteries
B Collect light bulbs and batteries
C Include space to collect organic materials (food)
D The area must be easily accessible
Notes:
The collection of recycled materials (at a minimum these materials include paper,
corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals) requires an easily accessible
dedicated area for collection and storage. When implementing the storage area
consider using signs to help people find the area, and to show what materials go in
what bins (for non-comingled recycling). If the storage area is outside make sure it
is protected from the elements and nobody can steal your materials (metals can be
worth a lot of money).
At a minimum, a recycling program must include:
paper
cardboard
glass
plastics
metals
Stones, dirt, hazardous materials, batteries, mercury-containing light bulbs, and
food waste would not be included.
Question 81
Show Answer Legend
Which vehicle is NOT considered an alternative-fuel vehicle by the LEED Rating
Systems?
A Shuttle used for mass transit powered only by gasoline
B Electric car
C Propane powered vehicle
D Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle
Notes:
For LEED, alternative-fuel vehicles are defined as those vehicles that 'use fuels such
as electricity, hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas,
methanol, and ethanol. Efficient gas-electric hybrids are also included in this
group.'
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 shuttle powered only by gasoline would not be considered an alternative-fuel
vehicle.
Question 82
Show Answer Legend
Which rating system can be used to compare the energy performance of two
buildings?
A LEED
B Energy-10TM
C DOE-2 eQUEST
D ENERGY STAR
Notes:
ENERGY STAR is specific to energy performance. LEED compares the greenness of
two buildings, which includes much more than just the energy performance.
Question 83
Show Answer Legend
How many points would a project earn for having 3 LEED APs as principal
participants on a project?
A 3
B 0
C 2
D 1
Notes:
No matter how many LEED APs are working on a project, there is still only one
point available for this credit.
For example if a project had 100 LEED APs working on a project as principal
participants, the project would not earn 100 points and get a Platinum certification.
Question 84
Show Answer Legend
What is a financial benefit of implementing an occupant recycling program?
A Reduced extraction of virgin materials
B Reduced landfill fees
C Minimized air pollution
D Reduced energy use
Notes:
Recycling can result in reduced landfill and tipping fees since the materials are
diverted from landfills. Sometimes the recycled materials can be sold to waste
haulers, creating a net gain.
Question 85
Show Answer Legend
In a new building how much CFC-based refrigerant can be used?
A 5% of the total refrigerants
B None
C 5% of the total refrigerants, as long as they are not used in fire suppression systems
D 2% of the total refrigerants
Notes:
The rating systems have a prerequisite for Fundamental Refrigerant Management
which requires zero use of CFCs. CFCs are known to cause ozone depletion.
For buildings with existing systems that use CFC-based refrigerants, the systems
must be phased out within 5 years after the project is completed, unless a thirdparty audit shows the simple payback for retrofitting/replacement is more than 10
years.
Fundamental Refrigerant Management differs from Enhanced Refrigerant
Management which requires either using no refrigerants or using refrigerants that
have low Ozone Depletion Potential and Global Warming Potentials (ODP and GWP).
Question 86
Show Answer Legend
To earn LEED credits for environmentally preferable materials, wood used on a
project should be:
A ASHRAE approved
B Green Seal certified
C Harvested within 1,500 miles of the project site
D FSC certified
Notes:
FSC certified wood is the type of wood LEED accepts as environmentally preferable
due to how the forest is managed.
Question 87
What site features are included in the landscape area?
Show Answer Legend
A Tree save area
B Parking lot with high albedo surfaces
C Neighboring green space property
D Open grid paved surfaces
Notes:
Landscape area: the total site area less the building footprint, paved surfaces,
water bodies, and patios. (USGBC)
The tree save area would be included in the landscape area.
The neighboring property is outside of the LEED project boundary.
Open grid pavement is a strategy for reducing heat islands and for stormwater
control. Open-grid pavement is considered part of the site hardscape.
Question 88
Show Answer Legend
On a project with older existing HVAC&R system that uses CFCs, what can the
project team do to earn LEED certification?
A Recharge the equipment with CFCs
B Get a state exemption for the HVAC&R system
C Make a phase out plan for the removal of the CFC based refrigerants
D Eliminate all refrigerant leaks
Notes:
The project team can replace or retrofit the existing system with one that is CFCfree, or agree to have a phase out plan that is completed 5 years after project
completion.
Question 89
Show Answer Legend
What type of program is Zipcar?
A An alternative vehicle refueling program
B Car pooling program
C Preferred parking program
D Car share membership program
Notes:
Car sharing is an alternative to car rental and car ownership. Cars are located
throughout cities in convenient locations. People who sign up for the program can
reserve the cars and use them for a short period of time. See zipcar.com for an
example.
Question 90
Show Answer Legend
The EPAct 1992 standard does NOT address what type of water consuming devices?
A Dishwashers
B Water closets
C Faucets
D Showerheads
Notes:
References: EPAct 1992 standard
Dishwashers and clothes washers are outside the scope of EPAct.
EPAct 1992 has a 2.5 gpm flow restriction on showerheads. WaterSense doesn't
cover showerheads yet.
Question 91
Show Answer Legend
A vehicle meeting which standard would be considered low-emitting and fuel
efficient?
A Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board
B Green-e Certified
C EPA Transportation and Air Quality standard
D SCAQMD air quality standards
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.
The LEED Credit is named Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles and ZEVs qualify
under that credit. The question doesn't ask about Zero-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient
Vehicles because there is no LEED credit by that name.
Question 92
Show Answer Legend
What LEED Rating System is used for interior tenant improvements?
A LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance
B LEED for New Construction
C LEED for Core & Shell
D LEED for Commercial Interiors
Notes:
USGBC defines the Rating Systems as follows:
'LEED for Commercial Interiors is a benchmark for the tenant improvement market
that gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers.'
'The LEED for New Construction Rating System is designed to guide and distinguish
high-performance commercial and institutional projects, including office buildings,
high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities,
manufacturing plants and laboratories.'
'The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators
measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with
the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental
impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and
maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior
maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing
buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously
certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell.'
'LEED for Core & Shell is a green building rating system for designers, builders,
developers and new building owners who want to address sustainable design for
new core and shell construction. Core and shell covers base building elements such
as structure, envelope and the HVAC system. LEED for Core & Shell is designed to
be complementary to the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system, as both
rating systems establish green building criteria for developers, owners and tenants.'
'LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of
high-performance green homes. Green homes use less energy, water and natural
resources, create less waste, and are more durable and comfortable for occupants.
'
Question 93
Show Answer Legend
How many of the 110 possible LEED points address regionally specific
environmental issues?
A 10
B 2
C 4
D 1
Notes:
Reference: USGBC Website:
http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/Regional%20Priority%20Credits.pdf
LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect
their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available,
four of which address regionally specific environmental issues.
All rating systems with 110 points (any of the LEED 2009 rating systems) have 4
points for regional priority.
Question 94
Show Answer Legend
Landscaping restrictions would be least impacted by which of the following?
A Building codes
B Local ordinances
C Neighborhood covenants
D Energy efficiency laws
Notes:
Neighborhood covenants, local ordinances, and even some building codes may
dictate how your landscape can look.
Energy efficiency laws do not dictate your landscape design.
Question 95
Show Answer Legend
When project team members discuss the albedo of a product, to what are they
referring?
A Emissivity
B Solar reflectance
C VOC content
D Recycled content
Notes:
Reference: LEED O+M Glossary:
Solar Reflectence (Albedo) is: 'A measure of a material's ability to reject solar heat,
as shown by a small temperature rise.
Standard black (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white
(reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. For example, a standard black surface
has a temperature rise of 90 degrees F (50 degrees C) in full sun, and a standard
white surface has a temperature rise of 14.6 degrees F (8.1 degrees C).
Once the maximum temperature rise of a given material has been computed, the
SRI can be computed by interpolating between the values for white and black.'
Question 96
What is the minimum certification level in LEED?
Show Answer Legend
A Accredited
B Certified
C Approved
D certified
Notes:
Buildings are certified, people are accredited. Sometimes people get that backwards.
The LEED levels are Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
'certified' with a lowercase 'c' is incorrect.
Question 97
What are acceptable ways to reference a LEED Registered Project?
Show Answer Legend
A XYZ Building is LEED Qualified
B XYZ Building is registered with the certification goal of Platinum
C Upon completion, XYZ Building will apply to become LEED certified
D XYX Building is registered under the LEED Green Building Rating System
E XYZ Building is LEED Platinum registered
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/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1835
The reason 'Upon completion, XYZ Building will apply to become LEED certified' is acceptable
compared to 'LEED Certified' with a capital C is because USGBC allows a lowercase c to be
used when speaking of general LEED certification. It refers to the certification program itself and
not the lowest level of certification - LEED Certified.
Question 98
Which refrigerant has the lowest Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)?
Show Answer Legend
A CFC
B HCFC
C Halon
D HFC
Notes:
Reference: Treatment by LEED of HVAC Refrigerants
Question 99
What type of products would carry a Green Seal Label?
Show Answer Legend
A Paints
B Brick
C Wood
D HVAC systems
Notes:
Green Seal is a nonprofit organization that has created several standards used to certify
products that are more environmentally friendly. This includes paints, coatings, and cleaning
products.
Question 100
What item would NOT be included in comingled recycling?
Show Answer Legend
A Metal
B Glass
C Food waste
D Cardboard
Notes:
At a minimum, a recycling program should include paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and metal.
Stones, dirt, hazardous materials, batteries, mercury-containing light bulbs, and food waste
would not be included.