Exam 3
How would access to quality transit be documented? A. By a map showing the project, project boundary, transit stop locations, walking routes, and distances to those stops B. By a map showing the project site, location, type of transportation resources, and driving distances to each location. C. By an area plan or map showing the project site and location of transit stop locations within a 1/2 mile (800-meter) radius of the project site D. By an area plan or map showing the project site and location of transit stop locations within a 1/4 mile (400-meter) radius of the project site
A. By a map showing the project, project boundary, transit stop locations, walking routes, and distances to those stops
Proper ventilation systems remove which of the following contaminants? (Choose 3) A. CO2 concentrations B. CFCs C. Radon D. Material off-gassing E. Phosphorus
A. CO2 concentrations C. Radon D. Material Off-gassing
What are examples of structural incentives that may be available to a developer to encourage green building? (Choose 2) A. Expedited review of permits B. Fee waivers C. Density bonuses D. Grants E. Tax credits
A. Expedited review of permits C. Density Bonuses
What type of water can NOT be used for irrigation purposes? A. Blackwater B. Rainwater C. Laundry water D. Potable water
A.Blackwater Waste water from toilets and urinals is considered blackwater and cannot be used for irrigation (unless it has been treated first).
To qualify for LEED, carbon offsets must be which of the following? A. Green-e Climate certified (or equivalent) B. Purchased and used within the same state or locale. C. ENERGY STAR labeled D. Green-e Energy certified (or equivalent)
A. Green-e Climate certified (or equivalent) Green-e Climate certification is for qualifying carbon offsets for LEED.
A project team is evaluating materials to help reduce heat islands for a building's roof and parking lot in a dense urban center. Which of the following would be most effective? (Choose 2) A. High SRI materials B. Black materials C. Materials low up-front costs D. Recycled materials E. Reflective materials
A. High SRI materials E. Reflective Materials
A project that specifies soil restoration as part of its site design is contributing to which of the following environmental benefits? A. Restoring habitat B. Reducing heat islands C. Preventing construction activity pollution D. Increasing open space
A. Restoring habitat Part of restoring habitat is restoring soil characteristics to support the native plants that will be used.
What are three important factors of the LEED Green Building Rating System? (Choose 3) A. It is market-driven B. It is consensus-based C. It is government-financed D. It is voluntary E. It is the only green building standard
A. Its Market Driven B. Its consensus based D. It is voluntary
What statement is true regarding HydroFluoroCarbons (HFCs)? A. Many HFCs have a significant global warming potential B. The HFC refrigerant group includes NH3, CO2, and propane C. HFCs are scheduled to be banned under the Montreal Protocol D. HFCs have high ozone depletion potential
A. Many HFCs have a significant global warming potential HFCs typically have a low ozone depletion potential but a high global warming potential.
What are the basic types of LEED improvements that are updated through revisions on a regular development cycle? (Choose 3) A. Next version of LEED B. Adaptations C. LEED reviewer comments D. Credit interpretation requests E. Errata and Addenda F. LEED technical requests
A. Next version of LEED B. Adaptations E. Errata and Addenda
The purchasing policies for the ongoing operations of a building should address which of the following? (Choose 2) A. Ongoing consumables B. Designing for flexibility C. Durable goods D. Pest control service E. Utility rates F. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
A. Ongoing consumables C. Durable goods
Which of the following project areas would retrocommissioning aid? A. Operational energy efficiency B. Identifying system problems prior to occupancy C. Selecting environmentally preferable products D. Advanced energy metering
A. Operational energy efficiency Retrocommissioning is 'a commissioning process that can be performed on existing buildings to identify and recognize system improvements that make the building more suitable for current use.' - USGBC Retrocommissioning usually occurs at least one year after the building has been occupied.
Which of the following materials, if reused, would be considered pre-consumer recycled content? (Choose 3) A. Walnut shells B. Sunflower seed hulls C. Construction and demolition debris D. Milk jugs E. Sawdust
A. Walnut Shells B. Sunflower seed hulls E. Sawdust
What does the built environment refer to? A.Any environment that is human-made and provides a structure for human activity B.A process of continually improving buildings C.Structures that provide stronger connections to nature D.The green building movement
A.Any environment that is human-made and provides a structure for human activity The term built environment refers to any environment that is human-made and provides a structure for human activity, ranging in scale from personal shelter and buildings to neighborhoods and cities that can often include their supporting infrastructure, such as water supply or energy networks.
In what instances would a project team submit a Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)? (Choose 2) A. When the reference guide does not address a specific issue B. When a conflict in a credit or prerequisite requires resolution C. When appealing a credit that has been denied D. When the person registering the project has a question about the registration process
A. When the reference guide does not address a specific issue B. When a conflict in a credit or a prerequisite requires resolution
What is each LEED rating system made up of? A. A combination of credit categories B. Interpretations C. Impact categories D. 3rd party standards
A. a combination of credit categories
What helps utilities optimize their supply-side energy generation and delivery systems? A. Customers that enroll in a demand response program B. Daylighting automation systems C. Building owners that purchase carbon offsets D. Building submetering
A.Customers that enroll in a demand response program 'Demand response allows utilities to call on buildings to decrease their electricity use during peak times, reducing the strain on the grid and the need to operate more power plants, thus potentially avoiding the costs of constructing new plants.' - USGBCAn example might be that during a very hot day, the utility company could reduce a building's energy demand by 5%, resulting in the building's HVAC systems to power down slightly and keep the building slightly warmer.
Which of the following assess environmental performance of products and services and provide guidance on improving their environmental performance? A. ISO 14000 B. ASHRAE C. IESNA D. LEED
A.ISO 14000
Which of the following should a green cleaning policy include? A. Standards for selecting products and technologies and certification of cleaning equipment B. The replacement of Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) filters and the selection of low VOC materials, furniture, and finishes C. A waste stream audit of recyclable materials and instructions for calibrating indoor air quality sensors D. Measures to prevent against unwanted pests and the amount of waste to divert from the waste stream
A.Standards for selecting products and technologies and certification of cleaning equipment A green cleaning policy should include:1. The standards used to select products and technologies such as Green Seal or California Code of Regulations.2. Certification of cleaning equipment from the carpet and rug institute.
An owner wants to offset the environmental impact of a building's energy use. What is a benefit of purchasing off-site renewable energy or renewable energy certificates (RECs) over installing onsite renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic panels? A. The upfront costs to the building owner would be lower B. Off-site renewable energy and RECs are less expensive than grid-source non-renewable energy C. RECs only have to be purchased one-time to offset the building's lifetime energy use D. RECs can be shared across multiple LEED projects
A.The upfront costs to the building owner would be lower Onsite renewable energy systems typically have high upfront costs (first costs). These costs can be offset (but not always) by leasing systems or getting tax credits and other incentives.By purchasing RECs or green power from a utility company the building owner can reduce emissions while not having the large upfront costs of an onsite system.
A wood product is environmentally preferable if it has which of the following attributes? A. Wood that is sustainably grown and harvested B. Wood harvested from an unmanaged forest C. Wood harvested from the land of an indigenous tribe D. Wood that does not rot from the treatment of carcinogenic chemicals
A.Wood that is sustainably grown and harvested Products that are sustainably grown and harvested are preferable.
In LEED which approach is taken in the Water Efficiency category to conserve water? A. Using nonpotable water first B. Efficiency first C. Using alternative sources of water first D. Treating and reusing wastewater on site
B. Efficiency first
If a developer is looking for water efficient appliances to install in residences what label should they look for on the appliances? A. LEED Certified B. ENERGY STAR C. Green-e D. EPA Approved
B. Energy Star
A laboratory project requires a lot of special-use equipment and systems to keep the areas inside sterile. What would a sub-contractor need to safely handle a product during installation? A. The quantity of recycled content in a product B. A Material safety data sheet (MSDS) C. MERV 13 filters D. A Health product disclosure (HPD)
B. A Material safety data sheet (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheets are intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures to safely handle a product during fabrication, installation, or in a life-safety event. The information given in an MSDS is not a comprehensive disclosure of contents, nor does it fully address all potential health hazards that may be associated with a product.
Which of these sites if selected would most help with increasing diversity of uses? A. A site that has underground parking and open space on the property B. A site within walking distance to a public park C. A site located within walking distance of a commuter rail line D. A site located next door to an ATM
B. A site within walking distance to a public park A diverse use is a distinct, officially recognized business, nonprofit, civic, religious, or governmental organization, or dwelling units (residential use) or offices (commercial office use). It has a stationary postal address and is publicly available. It does not include automated facilities such as ATMs, vending machines, and touchscreens. Examples include: 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
What green building codes can be enforced by law? (Choose 2) A. ENERGYSTAR B. ASHRAE 189.1 C. International Green Construction Code D. LEED
B. ASHRAE 189.1 C. International Green Construction Code
How can a project team in a hot climate reduce a building's energy use and increase daylighting? A. By siting the building in an area surrounded by other buildings that can provide shade B. By installing appropriately sized and located windows C. By installing glass over the entire exterior of the building D. By locating private offices along the perimeter of the building walls
B. By installing appropriately sized and located windows Installing windows that are appropriate for the climate and that are strategically located is the correct choice. This refers back to the integrative process and discussing the best options.
A building owner in a hot climate wants to include a green roof for insulation and an air-tight building for energy efficiency. During the integrative process what would need to be discussed as part of this strategy? A. The green roof will increase the heat island effect B. Bringing in additional fresh air for indoor air quality C. If the building has extensive glazing cooling loads will increase D. Acoustic performance will be poor
B. Bringing in additional fresh air for indoor air quality A negative synergy with a tight building envelope is the air inside becomes stagnant. Fresh air and increased ventilation needs to be brought in to improve air quality. However by increasing ventilation more energy is needed.
What does the LEED Volume Program help with? A. Comparing baseline energy use among buildings B. Cost-effective LEED certification on a volume scale C. Policy support for LEED documentation D. Comparing design case energy use among buildings
B. Cost-effective LEED certification on a volume scale Among other things the LEED Volume Program provides a cost-effective path to achieving LEED certification on a volume scale
What is the impact of creating a dense, compact mixed-use neighborhood? A. Decreased availability of alternative transportation B. Less pavement for roads and less infrastructure for utilities C. Increased in flooding from stormwater runoff and the heat island effect D. Increased in the travel time to work for occupants
B. Less pavement for roads and less infrastructure for utilities If buildings are closer together and hold more occupants, less roads and utility infrastructure is required. This saves on materials which reduces demand for virgin materials and transportation of those materials.
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. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) C. Obtaining energy from a geothermal system D. Installing a rooftop photovoltaic array
B. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) 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. 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.
What is an example of an ongoing operating cost? A. Attorney fees for building contracts B. Salaries for janitorial services in a building C. Carpet installation D. Design of a sedimentation control plan
B. Salaries for janitorial services in a building Operating costs are another type of cost for a building in addition to hard and soft costs. These costs occur after the building is complete and up and running. These costs include utilities such as water and electricity as well as the costs of maintenance personnel - janitorial, landscape, security.
What has the greatest long-term impact on building performance and on the environment? A. Water use B. Site selection C. The use of recycled materials D. Purchase of green power
B. Site selection Site selection impacts a building's performance more than any other decision. Density, diverse uses, access to public transportation, daylighting strategies, rainwater management, etc. are all impacted by the location of the site
When would a project team member use the HERS Index? A. When measuring the amount of rainfall on a site B. When determining the minimum energy performance of a two-story residential project C. When calculating the minimum indoor air quality of a warehouse D. During the Discovery phase of water-related systems
B. When determining the minimum energy performance of a two story residential project
Which of the following are often considered types of blackwater? (Choose 2) A. Municipally reclaimed water B. Water from kitchen sinks C. Dishwasher water D. Process water for cooling towers
B. Water from kitchen sinks C. Dishwasher water Notes: Blackwater definitions vary, but wastewater from toilets and urinals is always considered blackwater. Wastewater from kitchen sinks (perhaps differentiated by the use of a garbage disposal), showers, laundry, or bathtubs is considered blackwater under some state or local codes.
Green buildings have on average energy use intensities that are ____ lower than in typical buildings. A. 16% B. 24% C. 12% D. 28%
B.24% This comes from an independent study by the New Buildings Institute.
Once occupants are in a building, how can the project team maintain ongoing energy efficiency? (Choose 2) A. By comparing the performance against ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager B. By retrocommissioning C. By monitoring building automation systems D. By purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
B.By retrocommissioning Retrocommissioning is 'a commissioning process that can be performed on existing buildings to identify and recognize system improvements that make the building more suitable for current use.' - USGBC C.By monitoring building automation systems Building automation systems (BAS) collect data about a building's systems and track it over time. The data can be used to determine trends or anomalies, which can then serve to help fix or update the systems.
What is the minimum certification level in LEED? A. certified B. Certified C. Accredited D. Approved
B.Certified The LEED levels are Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
What product for an entryway system allows for good indoor air quality and is a good material choice? A. Wood flooring made in another country B. Low VOC rubber mat C. Stone tiles extracted and manufactured locally D. Carpeted tile shipped from overseas
B.Low VOC rubber mat LEED entryways should be grills, grates, or mats to help clean people's shoes off as they walk in. This keeps dust/dirt/contaminants out.The low VOC material is the best choice available.
A business owner that purchases a fleet of green delivery vehicles reduces what externality? A. Additional parking spaces for green vehicles B. Pollution added to the environment C. The comfort of the drivers D. Sales tax revenue to the community
B.Pollution added to the environment By purchasing the green vehicles the externality of pollution is reduced.
Which of the following must occur to ensure energy-efficient design is carried through to efficient performance? A.Yearly maintenance of all non-energy related systems B. Staff training C. Sixty day post occupancy review after the building is certified D. Indoor air-quality monitoring
B.Staff training The staff must understand the systems and how to use them or else the design of the systems is irrelevant. For example, if a building has occupancy sensors to control lighting but someone turns on the manual override and never turns it back off, the automated lighting is no longer working as designed to save energy.
A study by the New Buildings Institute found that in green buildings, average energy use intensities (energy consumed per unit of floor space) are _____ than in typical buildings A. 32% lower B. 16% lower C. 24% lower D. 5% higher
C. 24%
In the United States buildings account for ____ electricity consumption. A. 66% B. 56% C. 72% D. 74%
C. 72%
Which of the following documents establishes the terms and conditions of the LEED Certification Program to which the building owner is bound? A. LEED certification B. Agent's authority C. Certification agreement D. Owner's project requirements
C. Certification Agreement
Why is it important to categorize spaces in LEED? A. It helps with floor area calculations B. The types of spaces are used to determine building density C. Depending on the space categorization, the credit requirements may not apply D. Smaller spaces have lower baseline requirements
C. Depending on the space categorization, the credit requirements may not apply The space types in LEED sometimes have different requirements. For example, the lighting requirements may differ for an individual occupant (task lighting) or for a shared multi-occupant space (occupancy sensors).
What should be included in a construction waste management plan? A. Which existing building materials - if any - will be reused B. The distance products were purchased from the construction site C. If any construction waste materials to be recycled will be commingled or separated D. New technologies and materials that will help reduce waste
C. If any construction waste materials to be recycled will be commingled or separated The construction waste management plan will describe where construction and demolition debris is going to go. The plan outlines diverting construction debris from landfills through reusing, salvaging, and recycling materials. Part of this decision is to use commingled or separate recycling.
Which responsibilities would belong to the general contractor during construction to improve indoor air quality? (Choose 2) A. Implementing a pest control management plan B. Verifying construction waste is placed in the proper trash bins C. Making sure someone is sweeping periodically to control dust D. Overseeing the rainwater management plan E. Capping the ducts to mechanical systems
C.Making sure someone is sweeping periodically to control dust E.Capping the ducts to mechanical systems
Which of the following has the most synergy with other credits? A. Quality of views B. Acoustics C. Site assessment D. Green cleaning
C. Site Assessment
Which of the following does a facility operator need in order to optimize water consumption? A. The operating times of the building B. The schedules of the occupants C. Submetering of water-using systems D. Fixture cutsheets of waterless urinals
C. Submetering of water-using systems To optimize systems, the systems must be measured. Submetering helps monitor which systems are using more water than others, which are using too much water, and which may have leaks.
Locating a project in any of the high-priority site types can increase the likelihood of which of the following: A. The project being located on a greenfield B. The project site having sensitive habitat C. The project being in a dense area served by transit and diverse uses D. The project not being located on a brownfield
C. The Project being in a dense area served ny transit and diverse uses
Energy efficiency is defined as: A. Any strategy that reduces resource use 10% or more from a baseline comparison B. The replacement of any older building product with a newer building product C. The use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function as a conventional item D. Any strategy that reduces resource use 20% from a baseline comparison
C. The use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function as a conventional item A LED light bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light is an example of energy efficiency. The decision to replace an incandescent light bulb with a LED is an example of energy conservation.
What review practice identifies design alternatives that reduce costs while yielding higher performance? A.Life cycle assessment B.Life cycle costing C. Value Engineering D. Environmentally responsive design
C. Value Engineering
Projects may be able to use some of the same techniques for both ______________: A. exterior lighting reduction and quality views. B. site assessment and submetering. C. construction activity pollution prevention and habitat conservation and restoration. D. designing for flexibility and open space.
C. construction activity pollution prevention and habitat conservation and restoration. Both of these are intended to preserve and protect greenfields during the construction process. A project team may be able to share strategies between them and achieve synergy.
When thinking about room layouts early in the design process, which of the following should be considered? A. Using materials with recycled content B. Entryway systems C. Acoustics D. Environmental tobacco smoke control
C.Acoustics Acoustics are often overlooked, but they should be considered early in the design process when designing room layouts in order to select a room design that aids this element.
Which of the following are enforceable within the building industry? A. Quality of views B. Material sourcing C. International Green Construction Code (IgCC) D. Acoustic design
C.International Green Construction Code (IgCC) The IgCC provides the building industry with language that both broadens and strengthens building codes in a way that will accelerate the construction of high performance green buildings.Jurisdictions that adopt the IgCC into their building codes can enforce them.
An existing office building has a 20-year old chiller that uses CFC-11. An owner is considering a major renovation of the building and applying for LEED for New Construction certification. What statement is true about the project's ability to earn LEED certification? A. The owner will not be able to achieve a Platinum level certification B. The owner must replace the chiller to earn LEED certification C. The owner can implement a phase-out plan to earn LEED certification D. The owner can leave the existing system in place as-is
C.The owner can implement a phase-out plan to earn LEED certification Existing buildings that have CFC based systems are still eligible for certification. A phase out plan must be implemented if a third party audit shows that the simple payback for the new system would be 10 years or less.
For what purpose would a project team do a life-cycle assessment? A. To measure the VOC content between different paints B. To compare the raw materials of different products C. To understand the trade-offs of material selection and energy performance D. To calculate a project's indoor baseline water use
C.To understand the trade-offs of material selection and energy performance One reason to do an LCA of a building is to be able to compare different material choices and see how they impact the project over the building's life.
What minimum indoor water savings are LEED projects required to achieve? A. 10% B. 15% C. 0% D. 20%
D. 20% The Water Use Reduction prerequisite requires a 20% reduction of the design case compared to the baseline case.
What is an example of a negative feedback loop? A. Increased heat islands require more mechanical cooling which generates more greenhouse gas emissions causing the need for more cooling B. A warmer atmosphere melts more ice, changing the Earth's albedo which further warms the atmosphere C. Warming oceans releasing greenhouse gasses which would warm the ocean even more D. A thermostat whose temperature feedback indicates to the system when to turn off
D. A thermostat whose temperature feedback indicates to the system when to turn off A negative feedback loop is a system where the output may signal the system to stop changing. Here the thermostat tells the system to stop running if a certain temperature threshold is reached.
A team wants to provide quality open space on the project site. Which of the following strategies should it consider? A. A community garden located adjacent to the project boundary B. A private garden for company executives C. A water-detention pond D. A walking trail on the property
D. A walking trail on the property
Which of the following building components contribute to the plug load? A. Elevators B. HVAC system C. Recessed lighting D. Computers
D. Computers The plug load or receptacle load is 'the electrical current drawn by all equipment that is connected to the electrical system via a wall outlet.' - USGBCPlug loads are a part of the calculation for a building's energy use.
If a project team is interested in developing on a previously developed site but this option is infeasible, which of the following options should the project team consider next? A. Locating prime farmland B. Developing on a greenfield C. Conducting a soil survey D. Not disturbing sensitive land types
D. Not disturbing sensitive land types If previously developed land is not an option, the next best thing is trying not to disturb sensitive land types: Prime farmland Floodplains Endangered habitat Water bodies Wetlands
For which of the following reasons is it important to provide individual lighting and thermal comfort controls to building occupants? A. Occupant controls help improve indoor air quality B. Occupant controls help improve acoustics C. Occupant controls help increase ventilation D. Occupant controls help improve productivity
D. Occupant controls help improve productivity
Which of the following are the environmental benefits of reusing a building? (Choose 2) A. Increases water efficiency B. Preserves a site's historical, cultural, and aesthetic values C. Reduces CFCs D. Reduces demands on virgin resources E. Makes landfills last longer
D. Reduces demands on virgin resources ' E. Makes landfills last longer
What are the long term effects of climate change? (Choose 3) A. Increased glaciers B. Reduced CO2 emissions C. Increased ozone layer D. Higher temperatures E. Higher sea levels F. Longer droughts
D.Higher temperatures E.Higher sea levels F.Longer droughts
What is one difference between LEED Interpretations and project CIRs? A. LEED interpretations can only be used by the project that submitted them. B. LEED interpretations are not published publicly. C. LEED interpretations are created by certification review teams. D. LEED interpretations are precedent-setting.
D.LEED interpretations are precedent-setting. LEED interpretations are precedent setting.
How does USGBC support achievement of its mission 'to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life'? (Choose 2) A. GBCI B. Financial incentives C. Free consulting D. Local chapters E. LEED green building program
D.Local chapters E.LEED green building program
A project team for a school project is designing classrooms that will improve the learning experience. Which of the following building components meet this goal while maintaining preferable life-cycle impacts? A. Refurbished desks that contain recycled content B. New polyester carpet tiles C. Single-pane glazing D. Reused acoustic tiles
D.Reused acoustic tiles School projects have a prerequisite for acoustics. This choice is a reused product, which is preferable because it doesn't require any raw material extraction.
Which of the following is NOT a component of the impact category Enhance Social Equity, Environmental Justice, Community Health and Quality of Life? A. Provide Affordable, Equitable and Resilient Communities B. Create a Strong Sense of Place C. Promote Human Rights and Environmental Justice D. Promote Access to Neighborhood Completeness Resources E. Support Occupant Comfort and Well-Being
E. Support Occupant Comfort and Well-Being Support Occupant Comfort and Well-Being is a component of the impact category Enhance Individual Human Health and Well-Being.
Notes: There are three significant ways in which LEED Interpretations are different from Project CIRs: 1. Precedent-setting LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. A Project CIR can only be used by the project that submitted it. 2. Published Online LEED interpretations will be published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. Project CIRs are not published publicly. 3. Subject to consensus-based review LEED interpretations undergo review by the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) member-selected volunteer LEED committees. Project CIRs are created by the certification review teams at the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
Notes: There are three significant ways in which LEED Interpretations are different from Project CIRs: 1. Precedent-setting LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. A Project CIR can only be used by the project that submitted it. 2. Published Online LEED interpretations will be published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. Project CIRs are not published publicly. 3. Subject to consensus-based review LEED interpretations undergo review by the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) member-selected volunteer LEED committees. Project CIRs are created by the certification review teams at the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).
