LEED 1
Guiding Principles of USGBC
1. Promote the triple bottom line 2. Establish leadership 3. Reconcile humanity with nature 4. Foster social equity 5. Maintain integrity 6. Be inclusive 7. Exhibit transparency
The EPACT of 1992 states that the baseline water use of an apartment's bathroom faucet is:
2.2 gpm
The greatest threat to global warming potential is presented by which group of refrigerants?
HFCs (HydroFluoroCarbons)
A project has reduced its water consumptions by 65% from EPA's baseline. The owner can now ensure a healthy work environment by monitoring 2 of the following: (CHOOSE 2)
Outdoor airflow Carbon dioxide levels
regenerative design
Regenerative design is "sustainable plans for built environments that improve existing conditions. Regenerative design goes beyond reducing impacts to create positive change in the local and global environment." - USGBC By generating more electricity than the project uses, the system is considered regenerative.
In November 2016, LEED v4 was released after being delayed a year and was renamed from LEED 2012 after an open consensus process. Which of the following ensures this process stays intact?
The balloting process with USGBC membership
visitors are:
retail customers, peak outpatients
Open space can contribute to many credits in multiple credit categories. Select the example of quality open space:
Answer: A jogging trail around a natural wetland A walking/jogging trail around a natural wetland encourages social interaction and physical activity, so it counts as open space. The other options are either off-site or exclusive.
Which LEED rating system has precertification?
LEED BD+C: Core and Shell Once a project is registered as a LEED BD+C: Core and Shell project, the project team may apply for precertification.
LEED Technical Team
LEED Technical Team oversees Tech Advisory Groups and other groups. Its responsibilities include coordinating cross-category matters within LEED, reviewing LEED credits and prerequisites for technical validity and recommending improvements, and assessing LEED's technical rigor, coherency, and achievement trends through a system of performance metrics.
Evaluation of the economic performance of a product over its life-cycle is useful in determining using which procedure?
Life-cycle costing
Energy use intensity is metric of how much energy (kWh) a building uses per area (SF). Green buildings generally have how much of a lower energy use intensity than typical buildings?
24%
Transportation is the second largest contributor of global greenhouse gases at what percentage?
25%
diverse use
A "diverse use" is a distinct, officially recognized space that falls into one of the following categories: food retail, services, community retail, civic & community uses, and education facilities. It has a stationary postal address and is publicly available, and does not include automated facilities such as ATMs, vending machines, and touchscreens.
Charrette and what it does
A charrette is an intense collaborative session in which participants make a concerted effort to solve a problem or plan a design. The charrette is one of the first things that should occur for a new project. During the initial charrette, the project team will: • Decide what rating system to use • Determine the projects green building goals • Set a preliminary rating using the LEED Project Checklist A charrette should be held no later than the design development phase and preferably during schematic design.
Conventionally which of the following has been primary used to replace CFC-11?
Although not the best option, especially for LEED, HCFCs were the first refrigerants to replace CFCs and are the most commonly used alternatives today.
The Integrative Process was previously just a principle of sustainability, but with LEED V4, it is now actually worth a point. Which of the following demonstrates a team using the Integrative Process concept of the Systems Thinking approach?
Answer: Establishing water saving metrics for measuring success Metrics and measuring of success are part of the integrative process. The integrative process continues until the building's end-of-life—not at project handover.
What does every credit category begin within the LEED reference guides?
Answer: Overview The reference guide is designed to elaborate on, and work in conjunction with the rating system. It serves as a roadmap, describing the steps for meeting and documenting credit requirements and offering advice on best practices. Each credit category begins with an overview that discusses sustainability and market factors specific to the category. For each prerequisite and credit, readers will then find the following sections: Intent & Requirements; Behind the Intent; Step-by-Step Guidance; Further Explanation; Required Documentation; Related Credit Tips; Changes from LEED 2009, Referenced Standards; Exemplary Performance; and Definitions. (Is this necessary -> Exemplary Performance identifies the threshold that must be met to earn an Exemplary Performance point. EP points are not available for any prerequisite, and not all credits.)
What does not affect a project's certification fees?
Answer: the amount of credits pursued Prerequisites and MPRs must be met regardless so they are not the answer. The actual number of credits pursued has no affect on the certification fees paid to the GBCI and its reviewers
Building automation systems (BAS)
Building automation systems (BAS) use computer controls to monitor and control building subsystems for maximum operating efficiency and reporting.
Who is the stakeholder on a project team responsible for verifying the performance and testing of building systems?
Commissioning Authority
The existing TD office towers in downtown Toronto, which were constructed with single-pane windows, is retrofitted to include double-pane glass. This can lead to:
Decreased energy demand
Demand Response
Demand Response (DR) Programs involve utility companies contacting consumers with a request to cut back on their power draw during a curtailment event (e.g. severe weather, heavy load on the grid, utility company maintenance). DR is simply a contract agreement between the utility company and consumer (usually large commercial or industrial) and not a form of alternative or renewable energy.
MPRs (Minimum Program Requirements)-3
Each LEED rating system has 3 identical MPRs. The project in question must be in a permanent location on existing land, it must use reasonable LEED boundaries, and it must comply with minimum project size requirements (GFA).
Embodied Energy
Embodied energy is an accounting methodology that aims to find the total energy consumed over a product's entire life-cycle.
14. A project is located in northern Ontario where no mass transit infrastructure exists. How can this project still earn LEED points? (CHOOSE 2)
Encourage carpooling, Enforce compressed work week scheduling
The Build a Greener Economy Impact Category components are:
Enhance the Value Proposition of Green Building • Strengthen the Green Building Industry and Supply Chain • Promote Innovation and Integration of Green Building Products and Services • Incentivize Long Term Growth and Investment Opportunities • Support Local Economies
Renewable energy purchased as a carbon offset must have THIS certification
Green-e Climate Certified
Which one of the following does not need to be considered when setting aside a location for the storage and collection of recyclables?
Having a separate dumpster for each material
LeadingGreen's enormous parking lot utilizes constructed shading towers equipped with PV panels to generate electricity for vehicle recharging stations. Which credits would be impacted by this? (CHOOSE 2)
Heat island Reduction, Green Vehicles
Northeastern University is attempting to create a LEED Platinum® laboratory for its engineering department. What task must the integrative project team complete?
Identify opportunities for synergy
The integrative process is a crucial part of every credit category and results in environmental protection and money saved. How can the architect work with the contractors to ensure that the contractors purchase the correct materials?
Include the specifications in the purchasing policy
What two standards are found in many building codes? (Choose 2)
International and uniform plumbing code
The Integrative Process is used to identify synergies, which result in short and long term cost savings. What is also true about the IP? (CHOOSE 2)
It reduces change orders during construction It can decrease the likelihood of delays and costs resulting from design changes during the construction documents phase the Integrative Process is based on the Integrative Process (IP) ANSI Consensus National Standard Guide 2.0 for Design and Construction of Sustainable Buildings and Communities.
Which LEED Rating system has performance periods?
LEED O+M: Existing Buildings
The date is January 1 2022. LEED® v4 is outdated and will be replaced by LEED 2022. What is the committee that is responsible for overseeing a consensus based approach in accordance with LEED protocols?
LEED Steering Committee is an integrated group of volunteers and staff charged with developing and maintaining LEED as a leadership tool, preserving the integrity of the LEED rating systems, and ensuring the use of the consensus process to evolve LEED in accordance with the mission, guiding principles, and strategic plan of USGBC. A standing committee of USGBC Board of Directors, the LEED Steering Committee is the governing body of all LEED committees.
The LEED rating systems are updated on a regular development cycle. What are the basic types of improvements that keep the rating systems current? (Choose 3)
Maintenance of the current versions of the rating systems Development of Addendas to supplement the rating systems Major updates to provide the next versions of the rating systems
quality views=
Multiple lines of sight 90° apart 2. Be able to see the flora, fauna or sky, movement or objects 25' from window 3. Unobstructed views within 3 times the head height of vision glazing 4. View factor (number of quality views with a 90° line) of 3 or greater
While minimum program requirements are essential to LEED in order to ensure compliance, prerequisites are also mandatory. What do all buildings pursing LEED BD+C: New Construction have to meet?
Must be a permanent structure, use a reasonable site boundary, and have a minimum floor area
A project is located in northern Ontario and wants to take advantage of the area's environmental assets. Which credit category addresses the needs of this unique location?
Regional Priority credits = bonus points that projects can earn by addressing environmental concerns (water shortages) and environmental assets (abundant sunlight) in their areas.
In the site selection credit, which 2 governing bodies discourage developing on sensitive habitats? (CHOOSE 2)
State/local fish and wildlife agencies The Natural Heritage Program
When does commissioning take place?
Substantial completion phase-- Commissioning is the process of verifying and documenting that a building's systems and assemblies are installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. The systems cannot be commissioned until they are installed, thus the process usually takes place prior to occupancy, when the building is substantially completed. Substantial completion means the building's necessities are in place, for example, all of the HVAC systems are in and the building has water and power. Extras like painting, carpets, and tile don't need to be in place for this phase.
For the Building Disclosure and Optimization credit that looks at the ingredients of materials, which standards would help earn points?
The Building Disclosure and Optimization credit category includes the following credits: Environmental Product Declarations (MRc2), Sourcing of Raw Materials (MRc3), and Material Ingredients (MRc4). The goal of this category is to further promote responsible material sourcing and the avoidance of harmful chemicals in building products. Within Material Ingredients (MRc4), there are 3 criteria, each awarding one point. Projects are rewarded through Material Ingredient Reporting, Ingredient Optimization, and Supply Chain Optimization. Ingredient Optimization requires 25% (by cost) of the total value of permanently installed products to be products that have their material ingredient optimization documented through certain standards. These standards include GreenScreen v1.2 Benchmark, Cradle to Cradle Certified, International Alternative Compliance Path - REACH Optimization, and USGBC approved program.
The most significant difference between a conventional linear design process and an Integrative Process is?
The Integrative Process is iterative--The integrative process is an iterative, collaborative approach that involves a project's stakeholders throughout the process, from visioning through completion of construction and during building operation. Both involve all project team members, however the Integrative Process involves all team members meeting as a group at least once. In conventional design, it is not necessary for a team member to engage with all other members (ex. the landscape designer may never speak to the plumber).
What is TRUE about credit forms submitted via LEED Online?
The forms can be changed until they are submitted for review to the GBCI
. According to LEED, who defines the site's open space requirements?
The local zoning authority
What aspect of the Environmental Product Declarations credit is required to know if it leads to LEED points or not?
The number of different permanently installed products used from different manufacturers Use at least 20 different permanently installed products sourced from at least five different manufacturers that meet references standards reward teams for selecting manufactured products which have verified they have improved life cycle impacts. EPDs focus on transparency and document a product's ability to mitigate impact on global warming, ozone depletion, air/water pollution and promote corporate social responsibility. Compliance with different standards result in different multiples of the product's cost (0.25-1). Points can be earned through 2 options 1 - Environmental Product Declarations Use at least 20 different permanently installed products sourced from at least five different manufacturers that meet references standards 2 - Multi-Attribute Optimization Ensure that 50% by cost of materials are third party certified products that demonstrate reduction of 3+ of the Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction factors (see option 4 of MRc1).
LEED v4 has seven Impact Categories to accomplish the goals of the LEED rating system and ensure sustainability. How do the Impact Categories work towards a more sustainable building?
They ensure some credits are achieved without fulfilling all the requirements
What provides legal protection of the ozone layer in the U.S.?
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The LEED rating systems must continue to push the envelope and to ensure that it keeps improving over time. Who develops the ongoing improvements?
USGBC member-based volunteer committees
LEED Technical Advisory Groups (Tags)
Under the direct management of the LEED Technical Committee, Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) recommend technical solutions to rating system development and maintenance issues. The groups provide a consistent source of technical advice to LEED committees and working groups regarding credit and prerequisite improvement and supporting tool development. Technical Advisory Groups are structured to include expertise for specific technical issues: Location and Planning, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.
Where would it be appropriate to use the USGBC member logo for LeadingGreen, a member company of the USGBC?
Use of the USGBC member logo is limited to member companies. The USGBC does not certify or endorse any products, and thus, the member logo may not be used to indicate endorsement for a product. A member company could use the logo in its LETTERHEAD for marketing purposes.
How can a civil engineering team properly grade the site and determine the baseline measurement for outdoor water use on a project?
Use the EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool
Which type of water is permitted as an alternative water source for indoor water use?
Used process water
VOCs
VOCs are substances that vaporize at room temperature and can cause health problems. VOCs off-gas from many materials, including adhesives, sealants, carpets, particleboard, and paints. Granite is naturally occurring, with no VOCs. With acoustic insulation and desks, it depends on the materials used to make them.
value engineering
Value engineering is cutting project costs, often during construction phases affecting the actual value of the project. Many times green technologies and features are 'value engineered' out of the design because the most important aspect of the building is to meet the local building code.
Apple Inc. promotes an open-office concept, but also wants to use daylighting for entire floors, which has a number of trade-offs. How can they ensure that everyone receives adequate light?
Zoned daylighting controls
How can an infill site positively affect the economic side of the triple bottom line?
infill=prev developed site Answer: By reducing infrastructure costs An infill site would already be connected to existing utility lines, streets, and other infrastructure, thus saving money that would otherwise be spent developing these items.
when selecting building material, consider 3 things:
performance, adaptability, embodied energy
. What type of energy is used by products that are powered by means of an ordinary AC plug?
plug load (Process energy is the power that resources consume in support of processes other than conditioning spaces and maintaining comfort and amenities for occupants of a building. This may include refrigeration equipment, cooking and food preparation, clothes washing, and other major support appliances. Unregulated load (aka process load) is the load on a building resulting from the consumption or release of process energy.)
LEED BD+C projects
... is the guide for New Construction, Schools and C&S rating systems
ASHRAE 189.1
ACP for the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) for an entire building; ASHRAE 189.1 Standard for the Design of High Performance Green Buildings - Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings is a set of technically rigorous requirements, which (like the IgCC), covers criteria including water use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, materials and resource use, and the building's impact on its site and its community.
