4) Sustainable Sites (50)
Which of the following project features does NOT promote biodiversity? A. A soccer field B. An intensive green roof C. An extensive green roof D. Financially supporting a conservation organization
A. A soccer field This is correct. A soccer field would have turf grass on it. Monocultures are a single species of plant such as turf grass. Monocultures do not promote biodiversity. B. An intensive green roof C. An extensive green roof D. Financially supporting a conservation organization In LEED v4, one option for protecting or restoring habitat is to provide financial support for off-site protection and restoration.
A team wants to provide quality open space on the project site. Which of the following strategies should it consider? A. A walking trail on the property B. A water-detention pond C. A community garden located adjacent to the project boundary D. A private garden for company executives
A. A walking trail on the property This is correct. A walking trail on the project site encourages social interaction and physical activity, so it would count as open space. B. A water-detention pond Detention ponds do not count because they don't promote physical activity or social interaction. C. A community garden located adjacent to the project boundary The open space must be within the project's boundary to count. D. A private garden for company executives A key requirement of open space is it must be ACCESSIBLE. A private garden is not accessible to all.
Which of the following can increase the heat island effect in urban areas? A. Air-conditioners B. A cloudy sky C. Buildings that have passive ventilation D. Rooftops covered with a high SRI material
A. Air-conditioners This is correct. Other causes of the heat island effect include air-conditioners, vehicle exhaust, and calm and sunny weather. B. A cloudy sky C. Buildings that have passive ventilation Passive ventilation impacts energy use but would not increase the heat island effect. D. Rooftops covered with a high SRI material High SRI materials with reflect the heat rather than absorb it and radiate the heat back later on.
A project site in an urban area has already been selected by an owner. The team is researching how it can reduce the heat-island effect and have open space at the lowest cost. Which of the following should be considered for a rooftop design? A. An artificial turf soccer field on the roof B. An intensive vegetated roof C. An extensive vegetated roof D. A roof covered with high SRI material
A. An artificial turf soccer field on the roof A high SRI artificial turf roof might help with the heat-island effect, but artificial turf does not count as open space. B. An intensive vegetated roof An intensive vegetated roof is one that, compared with an extensive vegetated roof, has greater soil volume, supports a wider variety of plants (including shrubs and trees), and allows a wider variety of uses (including human access). The depth of the growing medium is an important factor in determining habitat value. The native or adapted plants selected for the roof should support the site's endemic wildlife populations. (USGBC) C. An extensive vegetated roof This is correct. An extensive vegetated roof is covered with plants and typically not designed for general access. Usually an extensive system is a rugged green roof that requires little maintenance once established. The planting medium in extensive vegetated roofs ranges from 1 to 6 inches in depth. (USGBC)Extensive vegetated roofs are less expensive than intensive vegetated roofs because they don't require as much structural support. D. A roof covered with high SRI material This helps with reducing heat islands but not with open space.
A project team has decided to modify a low SRI roof design to include a vegetated roof to help with rainwater management. What other credit would this decision help with? A. Heat island reduction B. Light pollution reduction C. On-site renewable energy D. Construction activity pollution prevention
A. Heat island reduction This is correct. A green roof can help with reducing the heat island effect. Vegetation is a good insulator against the heat from the sun and would keep a building cooler compared to low SRI material.
A project owner is locating an office building on a greenfield near a wetland. The project team has goals of protecting sensitive ecosystems, reducing the heat-island effect, designing a healthy building, and reducing energy demand. Given these goals, where should the project team start? A. By completing an early site assessment B. By sourcing local materials C. By determining if a demand response program is available from the local utility company D. By finding out if the owner can lease a renewable energy system
A. By completing an early site assessment This is correct. The question lists four goals: - Protect sensitive ecosystems - Reduce the heat island effect - Design a healthy building - Reduce energy demand The site assessment is the one choice that impacts all of these other goals. If a project team has the opportunity to pick where the building will be built, nearly every other LEED credit is going to tie into that single decision. Before the project team commits to a building location, they first need to know why they would want to put it there. The team can't make that decision without a site assessment, asking questions such as the following: Where on the site is the shade? Which way does the wind blow? Where does the rainwater flow? Where are there sensitive ecosystems? How far away from any roads is the building? Where are the utilities?
A data center is located in a remote, forested area. In which of the following ways could the project team reduce light pollution? A. By installing surfaces and lights that reduce glare B. By placing exterior lights close to the project boundary C. By increasing the number of exterior lights D. By installing lights that shine upward
A. By installing surfaces and lights that reduce glare This is correct. Good exterior lighting design results in the reduction of three forms of light pollution: uplight, glare, and light trespass. B. By placing exterior lights close to the project boundary Lights placed near the project boundary increase light trespass outside of the project boundary and should be avoided. C. By increasing the number of exterior lights Increasing the quantity of lights increases the light pollution. D. By installing lights that shine upward Lights should point downward, not upward.
How can the heat island effect on the roof of a building be reduced? A. Covering the roof with recycled materials B. Painting the roof with a high SRI coating C. Providing underground parking D. Increasing the amount of roof insulation
A. Covering the roof with recycled materials The SRI of a material is an important factor in reducing heat islands for roofs. Whether the material is recycled or not is not important to reducing heat islands. B. Painting the roof with a high SRI coating This is correct. 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. C. Providing underground parking Providing underground parking is a LEED strategy for reducing the heat islands of non-roof surfaces. D. Increasing the amount of roof insulation Increasing the insulation may help reduce energy bills, but it does not reduce absorption of the sun's heat by the roof surface.
What material attribute would a project team use to compare different products' abilities to reject solar heat? A. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) B. Emissivity C. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) D. ENERGY STAR label
A. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) B. Emissivity The emissivity of a material is the ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature. It is a measure of a material's ability to radiate absorbed energy. C. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) This is correct. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0 (standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. LEED requires materials with certain SRI values to meet the requirements of some credits. Materials come with SRI values to allow comparison. D. ENERGY STAR label ENERGY STAR labels are for appliances.
Which of the following strategies can a project team combine to mimic natural systems and manage rainwater? A. Green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) B. Piping and conveyance C. Xeriscaping and monitoring yearly rainfall D. Submetering irrigation systems and replacing potable water with non-potable water
A. Green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) This is correct. Green infrastructure is "a soil- and vegetation-based approach to wet-weather management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green infrastructure management approaches and technologies infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies." - USGBC Low-impact development is "an approach to managing rainwater runoff that emphasizes on-site natural features to protect water quality by replicating the natural land cover hydrologic regime of watersheds and addressing runoff close to its source. Examples include better site design principles (e.g., minimizing land disturbance, preserving vegetation, minimizing impervious cover) and design practices (e.g., rain gardens, vegetated swales and buffers, permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting, soil amendments). These are engineered practices that may require specialized design assistance." - USGBC B. Piping and conveyance This conventional approach tries to move rainwater into centralized large facilities at the base of drainage areas. C. Xeriscaping and monitoring yearly rainfall Monitoring rainfall isn't a design strategy, it is just an observation. D. Submetering irrigation systems and replacing potable water with non-potable water
The use of open grid pavement can help a project achieve points in what LEED areas? A. Heat Island Reduction B. Protect and Restore Habitat C. Outdoor Water Use Reduction D. Open Space
A. Heat Island Reduction This is correct. Open grid pavement is pavement that is less than 50% impervious and contains vegetation in the open cells. LEED accepts this type of pavement for the use of reducing heat islands. The reason behind this is because the vegetation in the open cells replaces heat absorbing surfaces just like any other plant. B. Protect and Restore Habitat C. Outdoor Water Use Reduction Open grid pavement does not affect irrigation demand. D. Open Space The use of open grid pavement does not affect the quantity of open space.
What does the use of light-colored, pervious paving help with? A. Heat island reduction B. Rainwater management C. Open space D. Both A and B
A. Heat island reduction Light colored paving, or paving with a high SRI value, helps reduce the heat island effect. 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. B. Rainwater management Pervious paving helps with reducing runoff by allowing rainwater to percolate through the pavement. C. Open space D. Both A and B This is correct.
What are 2 ways to reduce water pollution from runoff? A. Impervious concrete hardscapes and Rain gardens B. Rain gardens and Open grid paving C. Open grid paving and Increasing the building footprint D. Rain gardens and Increasing the building footprint
A. Impervious concrete hardscapes and Rain gardens Impervious materials increase runoff, as does increasing the size of the building footprint. B. Rain gardens and Open grid paving This is Correct. A rain garden is used to capture runoff. Open grid paving and pervious surfaces allow rainwater to percolate through the surface instead of running off. C. Open grid paving and Increasing the building footprint D. Rain gardens and Increasing the building footprint Increasing the building footprint reduces the quantity of open space. By decreasing open space runoff can be increased since there is less natural area to absorb runoff.
Which of the following actions can a project team take to help manage runoff on-site in a dense urban area? A. Increase the size of the drainage pipes B. Underground Parking C. Install a green roof D. Design all parking under the building
A. Increase the size of the drainage pipes This would get rid of the runoff faster, not manage it. B. Underground Parking C. Install a green roof This is correct. Projects in an urban site with a zero lot line (the building footprint is on the site limit) will have to use green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) rainwater management strategies since there is no land. Low-impact development (LID) is "an approach to managing rainwater runoff that emphasizes on-site natural features to protect water quality by replicating the natural land cover hydrologic regime of watersheds and addressing runoff close to its source. Examples include better site design principles (e.g., minimizing land disturbance, preserving vegetation, minimizing impervious cover) and design practices (e.g., rain gardens, vegetated swales and buffers, permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting, soil amendments). These are engineered practices that may require specialized design assistance." - USGBC Green infrastructure is "a soil- and vegetation-based approach to wet-weather management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green infrastructure management approaches and technologies infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies." - USGBC D. Design all parking under the building This is not managing the runoff.
What is a benefit of increasing the quantity of open space on a project? A. Increased durability of the overall project B. Increasing rainwater infiltration C. Conserving Native Plant Habitat D. Reducing potable water use
A. Increased durability of the overall project There is no correlation between open space and durability. B. Increasing rainwater infiltration This is correct. Increasing open space helps provide habitat for vegetation and wildlife, rainwater management, and reducing the urban heat island effect. C. Conserving Native Plant Habitat Open space does not have to be planted with native plants. D. Reducing potable water use More open space may increase water needs due to an increase in landscape size.
Why would a landscape designer choose native landscaping in an arid climate? A. Increased evapotranspiration B. Support integrated pest management (IPM) C. Heat island reduction D. Increase occupant well-being and productivity E. Provide linked habitat corridors in urban areas
A. Increased evapotranspiration Evapotranspiration is the combination of evaporation and plant transpiration into the atmosphere. Evaporation occurs when liquid water from soil, plant surfaces, or water bodies becomes vapor. (USGBC) In arid climates selecting plants with increased evapotranspiration increases watering needs. B. Support integrated pest management (IPM) This is correct. Native plants help with an IPM strategy. C. Heat island reduction Plant choice does not impact heat island reduction. D. Increase occupant well-being and productivity Providing open space to allow occupants connect with the outdoors increases their well-being and productivity. Plant selection does not increase or decrease open space. E. Provide linked habitat corridors in urban areas One of the positive environmental aspects of open space is providing linked habitat for species in urban areas, allowing the species to move about more easily.
What design strategy would promote biodiversity the most? A. Increasing open space and covering it with turf grass B. Installing a rock garden C. Installing a dry pond planted with invasive plants D. Planting a variety of indigenous plants
A. Increasing open space and covering it with turf grass Maximizing open space is the starting point to promote biodiversity. However planting turf grass or a single species (monoculture) is not diverse. B. Installing a rock garden A rock garden does not promote biodiversity. C. Installing a dry pond planted with invasive plants A dry pond with invasive plants would not promote biodiversity as much as indigenous plants. D. Planting a variety of indigenous plants This is correct. Native (or indigenous) 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.
What design strategy would reduce the light trespass from a site to help prevent light pollution? A. Install shielded fixtures B. Up-lighting C. Paint all hardscapes white D. Install lamp posts every 20 feet (6 meters) around the entire property line
A. Install shielded fixtures This is correct. Light pollution is 'waste light from building sites that produces glare, is directed upward to the sky, or is directed off the site. Waste light does not increase nighttime safety, utility, or security and needlessly consumes energy.' - USGBC Light pollution also negatively impacts animals that are nocturnal. There are several strategies to reduce light trespass from a site: - Design to avoid over-lighting - Avoid up-lighting - Reduce glare - Direct full cutoff fixtures downward - Reduce the contrast between light and dark areas - Use shielded fixtures B. Up-lighting C. Paint all hardscapes white This would increase glare and increase light pollution. D. Install lamp posts every 20 feet (6 meters) around the entire property line This is not a strategic design. Putting lamps on the property line will result in light trespass past the property line.
What type of plants should be used on a green roof to promote biodiversity? A. Monocultures B. Tall plants that provide shade C. Native plants D. Plants with high watering needs
A. Monocultures Monocultures are a single species of plant such as turf grass. Monocultures do not promote biodiversity. B. Tall plants that provide shade The roof doesn't really need to be shaded. The vegetation addresses the heat island effect. C. Native plants This is correct. The vegetation for a green roof should use native plants, just like the rest of the project landscape. Native (or indigenous) 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. D. Plants with high watering needs The plants should have low watering needs.
The project owner of a LEED BD+C Retail project has decided NOT to provide financial support to a local land trust. Which of the following will this decision impact? A. Open space B. Habitat protection or restoration C. Surrounding density and diverse uses D. Reduced-parking footprint
A. Open space Contributing to a land trust does not count toward open space. B. Habitat protection or restoration This is correct. In LEED v4, one of the options available to on-site restoration is to provide financial support for off-site restoration (such as to a qualified land trust). By removing the financial support, this credit could be impacted. C. Surrounding density and diverse uses Contributing to a land trust is unrelated to density and diverse uses. D. Reduced-parking footprint Contributing to a land trust is unrelated to parking.
What environmental issue occurs from runoff? A. Ozone depletion B. Sedimentation C. Heat islands D. Increased municipal wastewater treatment costs
A. Ozone depletion B. Sedimentation This is Correct. Rainwater consists of rainwater and melted snow that run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites. runoff can lead to sedimentation. Sedimentation is where pollutants from natural or human activities add particles to water bodies. Pollutants come from soil, fertilizer, oil or gas on roadways, pesticides, etc. runoff should be controlled onsite by harvesting the water, increasing open space, and reducing impervious surfaces. C. Heat islands This is an economic cost from needing to build more infrastructure as the population and built environment increases. D. Increased municipal wastewater treatment costs
What are the economic benefits of installing a vegetated roof? A. Provides occupants a connection to the outdoors B. Increased habitat for birds C. Lower cooling costs for HVAC D. Lower investment cost compared to roof surfaces with high SRI
A. Provides occupants a connection to the outdoors This is a social benefit, as part of the triple bottom line. B. Increased habitat for birds Vegetated roofs provide habitat for birds and insects. This is an environmental benefit. C. Lower cooling costs for HVAC This is correct. Vegetated roofs are great insulators. They act as a barrier between the sun's heat and keep that heat from entering the building through the roof. Because of this added insulation the costs to cool the building can be reduced. D. Lower investment cost compared to roof surfaces with high SRI Vegetated roofs will have a higher upfront cost compared to a roof that has a EPDM covering or paint applied to it.
Which of the following can increase the heat island effect in urban areas? A. Reduced air flow from tall buildings and narrow streets B. Hardscapes shaded by trees C. Large areas of turf grass D. Underground parking
A. Reduced air flow from tall buildings and narrow streets This is correct. The primary cause of the heat island effect is dark surfaces such as rooftops or dark asphalt pavement that absorb heat and radiate it into the surrounding areas. Reduced air flow between buildings and narrow streets also increases the effect. Other causes of the heat island effect include air-conditioners, vehicle exhaust, and calm and sunny weather. B. Hardscapes shaded by trees Hardscapes shaded by trees is a strategy to reduce the heat island effect. C. Large areas of turf grass Any type of vegetation will help reduce the heat island effect. Plants absorb the heat and do not radiate it. D. Underground parking Underground parking is a LEED strategy to reduce the heat island effect because it reduces the need for paved parking surfaces exposed to the sun.
In an integrated approach to rainwater management, which of the following actions should a project team take to reduce runoff volume and improve water quality? A. Replicate the natural hydrology and water balance of the site B. Provide habitat and promote biodiversity C. Control soil erosion from construction activities D. Assess the site for environmental contamination
A. Replicate the natural hydrology and water balance of the site This is correct. This question asks about the intent and goals of rainwater management. B. Provide habitat and promote biodiversity This is the intent of protecting and restoring habitat. C. Control soil erosion from construction activities This is the intent of construction activity pollution prevention. D. Assess the site for environmental contamination This is the intent of an environmental site assessment.
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. Preventing construction activity pollution C. Increasing open space D. Reducing heat islands
A. Restoring habitat This is correct. Part of restoring habitat is restoring soil characteristics to support the native plants that will be used. B. Preventing construction activity pollution Construction activity pollution prevention protects the area it does not address restoring soil. C. Increasing open space Open space allows people to connect with the outdoors and preserves the environment. Restoring soil is not part of having open space. D. Reducing heat islands The type of soil is unrelated to reducing heat islands in LEED.
What information is needed to calculate the SRI of a material? A. Shine B. Reflectance C. Thermal gradient D. Thickness of the material
A. Shine B. Reflectance This is correct. SRI is calculated by using emissivity and solar reflectance values. C. Thermal gradient This is outside the scope of LEED. Thermal gradient is the rate of temperature change with distance; for example, its increase with depth below the surface of the earth. D. Thickness of the material The thickness of a material is not part of the SRI calculation.
Which of the following has the most synergy with other credits? A. Site assessment B. Acoustics C. Quality of views D. Green cleaning
A. Site assessment This is correct. Site assessment is one of the most important parts of the integrative process and informs good design decisions. The site assessment influences over a dozen other LEED credit areas, some directly and others indirectly. For example: Access to Quality Transit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses Sensitive Land Protection Bicycle Facilities Open Space Rainwater Management Heat Island Reduction Energy Performance Daylight Quality Views Renewable Energy Production
Which part of the development process would inform design decisions, such as locating community gardens in areas with fertile soils? A. Site assessment B. Energy modeling C. Environmental site assessment D. Construction activity pollution prevention
A. Site assessment This is correct. Site assessment is one of the most important parts of the integrative process and informs good design decisions. The site assessment influences over a dozen other LEED credit areas, some directly and others indirectly. For example: Access to Quality Transit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses Sensitive Land Protection Bicycle Facilities Open Space Rainwater Management Heat Island Reduction Energy Performance Daylight Quality Views Renewable Energy Production B. Energy modeling C. Environmental site assessment Environmental site assessment differs from site assessment, in that the intent is to assess for environmental contamination where a site assessment evaluates sustainable options to inform the site design decisions. D. Construction activity pollution prevention
A project team will provide outdoor space to encourage occupant health and activity. Which of the following are examples of quality open space? A. Small strips of turf in parking lots B. An artificial turf for an outdoor soccer field C. Garden space dedicated to community gardens D. A jogging trail in the park next store
A. Small strips of turf in parking lots This is not a quality open space. B. An artificial turf for an outdoor soccer field Artificial turf does not count as a quality open space. C. Garden space dedicated to community gardens This is correct. A community garden is considered a quality open space. D. A jogging trail in the park next store Pedestrian-orientated paving areas that encourage physical activity may count as 5% of the open space, however, it must be within the project boundary.
Reducing the building's footprint will have positive synergies with which of the following? A. Surrounding density B. Access to diverse uses C. Preservation of historic districts D. Rainwater management
A. Surrounding density The surrounding density is not impacted by the building's own density. B. Access to diverse uses The building's footprint does not impact access to uses. C. Preservation of historic districts When preserving a building in a historic district, the building's footprint would likely be unaltered and not reduced. D. Rainwater management This is correct. Reducing the quantity of impermeable surfaces is a strategy for rainwater management.
Which of the following project team member(s) is typically responsible for developing the erosion and sedimentation control (ESC) plan for construction activity pollution prevention? A. The civil engineer(s) B. The project owner(s) C. The architect(s) D. The LEED AP
A. The civil engineer(s) This is correct. The civil engineer is usually responsible for the plan. The landscape architect or general contractor may work on the plan's development.
What is true about a project that is located in an urban area? A. The design of the project within the project boundary is unlikely to contain open space B. The project team will likely have to select a site on previously undeveloped land C. The project will need to be located near mass transit to achieve LEED certification D. The project is likely to experience higher cooling costs due to the heat island effect
A. The design of the project within the project boundary is unlikely to contain open space Even in an urban area the project team can design the project to leave some of the area as open space. B. The project team will likely have to select a site on previously undeveloped land Urban developments usually have access to previously developed land. It is in suburban areas where a project is more likely to find a greenfield to develop on. C. The project will need to be located near mass transit to achieve LEED certification Locating a project near mass transit is not a prerequisite for projects in urban areas. D. The project is likely to experience higher cooling costs due to the heat island effect This is correct. The heat island effect refers to the ability of dark, non-reflective paved areas-city streets, rooftops, and sidewalks-to absorb and radiate heat, making urban areas and the surrounding suburbs noticeably hotter than rural towns nearby. Other contributors include reduced air flow due to tall buildings and narrow streets, calm and sunny weather, and auto exhaust. Because the air around the building is heated, more air conditioning is required in the building to keep it cool. This in turn, further heats the surrounding air and creates a vicious cycle.
A project owner is concerned about the safety of building occupants during the evening hours as they walk to the parking lot. What exterior lighting strategy would ensure occupant safety, prevent light pollution, and conserve energy? A. Use shielded LED fixtures that are on 24 hours day B. Install up-lighting in the parking lot C. Installing timers that switch to motion activation after the building is closed D. Strategically place lighting to shine into the roads surrounding the property
A. Use shielded LED fixtures that are on 24 hours day Lights that are on 24 hours per day do not conserve energy, even if they are LEDs. B. Install up-lighting in the parking lot Up-lighting is to be avoided for light pollution. C. Installing timers that switch to motion activation after the building is closed This is correct. Timers that shut off the lights after the building is closed would achieve all three goals. D. Strategically place lighting to shine into the roads surrounding the property This is an example of light trespass, which is trying to be avoided.
A LEED project is in the pre-design phase, and a previously developed site has already been selected. The team wants to protect or restore habitat. Which of the following strategies should they consider? A. Using pervious paving materials for the parking area B. Increasing the floor-to-area ratio of the building C. Restoring compacted soils and re-vegetating D. Implementing a construction activity pollution plan
A. Using pervious paving materials for the parking area This would help with rainwater management. B. Increasing the floor-to-area ratio of the building This would help increase open space. C. Restoring compacted soils and re-vegetating This is correct. On-site restoration involves restoring compacted soils and re-vegetating. D. Implementing a construction activity pollution plan This would help with minimizing water, dirt, and airborne pollutants during construction.
What does LEED accept as part of a building design to qualify as open space for projects in urban areas? A. Vegetated (green) roofs B. Higher density buildings C. Balconies D. Shaded parking lots
A. Vegetated (green) roofs This is correct. A vegetated roof may count as open space for projects in urban areas. B. Higher density buildings Higher density buildings do not contribute to open space requirements. C. Balconies Balconies are not considered open space. D. Shaded parking lots Shaded parking lots are not considered open space.
A project design includes low-impact development and erosion and sedimentation control. Which of the following will be aided by these strategies? A. Walkability B. The creation of buffers between development and water resources C. An increase of the floor-area ratio D. Access to diverse uses
A. Walkability B. The creation of buffers between development and water resources This is correct. When a project implements erosion and sedimentation control, waterways are being protected through the use of some type of buffer. C. An increase of the floor-area ratio Neither strategy would change the floor area ratio. D. Access to diverse uses The term "low-impact development" can conjure up all kinds of strategies that would seem to make a likely answer. It is important to understand what LID is and what it is not.
Projects may be able to use some of the same techniques for both ______________: A. construction activity pollution prevention and habitat conservation and restoration. B. exterior lighting reduction and quality views. C. site assessment and sub-metering. D. designing for flexibility and open space.
A. construction activity pollution prevention and habitat conservation and restoration. This is correct. 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. B. exterior lighting reduction and quality views. Exterior lighting and quality views are unrelated. C. site assessment and sub-metering. Sub-metering is unrelated to the site assessment. D. designing for flexibility and open space. Designing for flexibility is for the interior while open space addresses the exterior.
Construction activity pollution prevention has synergies with which of the following other project areas? A. Construction and demolition Waste Mangement B. Protecting or restoring habitat C. Outdoor water use D. Heat island reduction
B. Protecting or restoring habitat This is correct. When properly implemented, construction activity pollution prevention can reduce the compacting of the site's soil due to grading, construction vehicle traffic, and erosion. By avoiding disturbing the soil, natural infiltration from rainwater can be improved and land can be protected (preserving greenfields).
A project developer is creating an erosion and sedimentation control plan. The plan must conform to which of the following requirements? A. The LEED ESC Plan B. The EPA Construction General Permit or the local equivalent C. The landscape architect's site elevations D. The Owner's Project Requirements (OPR)
B. The EPA Construction General Permit or the local equivalent This is correct. An erosion and sedimentation control plan is required for the Construction Activity Pollution Prevention prerequisite. The plan must conform to the EPA Construction General Permit or local equivalent, whichever is more stringent.
What does the emissivity of a material refer to? A. The environmental benefits of the material over time B. The ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature C. How hot a surface gets relative to standard black and standard white surfaces D. The measure of a material's ability to reflect sunlight (including the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths) on a scale of 0 to 1
B. The ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature This is correct. The emissivity of a material is the ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature. It is a measure of a material's ability to radiate absorbed energy.
Construction activity pollution prevention should address what environmental protection measures? A. Greenhouse gas emissions B. Waterway sedimentation C. Ozone protection D. Fresh water consumption
B. Waterway sedimentation This is correct.
Which of the following does a site assessment evaluate? A. Existing structures and Surrounding density B. Hydrology and Shading C. Hydrology and Geology D. Shading and Existing structures E. Surrounding density and Existing structures
C. Hydrology and Geology This is correct. A site assessment is "an evaluation of an area's above ground and subsurface characteristics, including its structures, geology, and hydrology. Site assessments typically help determine whether contamination has occurred and the extent and concentration of any release of pollutants. Remediation decisions rely on information generated during site assessments." - USGBC
A project team decides to build up, instead of out, to reduce the building footprint. This strategy could help with _____. A. Increasing diverse uses B. Increasing surrounding density C. Increasing open space D. Construction activity pollution prevention
C. Increasing open space This is correct. Reducing the building footprint could result in more open space around the building, assuming it wasn't then paved over.
A bioswale would be used to help earn credit in what LEED category? A. Water Efficiency B. Energy and Atmosphere C. Sustainable Sites D. Indoor Environmental Quality
C. Sustainable Sites This is correct. Bioswales are landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water during and after construction. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides and filled with vegetation, compost and/or riprap. Bioswales would be used to help capture and improve the quality of runoff.
A United Nations study indicates that which of the following percentages of the ecosystem services that have been assessed worldwide are currently degraded or used unsustainably? A. 30% B. 40% C. 50% D. 60%
D. 60% This is correct.
When evaluating materials that would help with heat-island reduction, which of the following is the MOST important material attribute? A. Thermal emittance B. An SRI C. An SR D. A three-year aged SR value
D. A three-year aged SR value This is correct. New in LEED v4 is the three-year aged SRI value as a performance measurement of roofing/hardscape materials. The three-year aged SR or SRI value is "a solar reflectance or solar reflectance index rating that is measured after three years of weather exposure." - USGBC What this indicates is how good the product is going to be performing after three years outside. Consider a highly reflective white roof. When it's installed, it's clean and bright white, but the sun beats down on it day after day, it gets rained on, dust in the air collects on it, etc. After a period of time, it's no longer as bright, and thus performs less optimally. The three-year aged rating takes this into account.
Which of the following can happen as a result of increased rainwater runoff? A. Decreased energy performance B. Increased heat islands C. Increased potable water use D. Eutrophication
D. Eutrophication This is Correct. Eutrophication is the ecosystem response to the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system. Additional hardscapes can contribute to eutrophication and harm aquatic ecosystems and species. Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water acquires a high concentration of nutrients, especially phosphates and nitrates. These typically promote excessive growth of algae. As the algae die and decompose, high levels of organic matter and the decomposing organisms deplete the water of available oxygen, causing the death of other organisms, such as fish. Eutrophication is a natural, slow-aging process for a water body, but human activity greatly speeds up the process.
What is a strategy for construction activity pollution prevention that would prevent waterway sedimentation? A. Protecting on-site materials B. Reducing fertilization C. Increasing soil compaction D. Providing natural buffers around the property
D. Providing natural buffers around the property This is correct. Waterway sedimentation occurs when exposed top soil is washed off a property during a rain event. Creating buffers between construction activity and the project boundary traps sediment on-site, thus preventing it from reaching waterways.
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? A. Black materials B. Materials low up-front costs C. Recycled materials D. Reflective materials
D. Reflective materials This is correct. Materials with high SRI values or reflective materials reduce heat gain, which thereby reduces the cooling demand of the building.
The Sustainable Sites category focuses on all of the following EXCEPT which of the following: A. Restoring project site elements B. Integrating the site with local and regional ecosystems C. Preserving the biodiversity on which natural systems rely D. The ways in which community infrastructure affects occupants' behavior and environmental performance.
D. The ways in which community infrastructure affects occupants' behavior and environmental performance. This is correct. This choice is the focus of the Location and Transportation category.
