LEED Synergistic Opportunities Practice Test
How are the sections in the LEED Scorecard grouped? A By environmental category B By credit weight C Alphabetically D By cost
A By environmental category The LEED Scorecard is organized just like the LEED Rating System - by environmental category
What minimum floor area is needed for New Construction, Core and Shell, Schools, Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance projects? A 1,000 sq. ft. B There is no minimum C 10,000 sq. ft. D 5,000 sq. ft.
A 1,000 sq. ft. 1,000 sq. ft. minimum for commercial projects. 250 sq. ft. for commercial interior projects.
________ aids the project team with synergies among prerequisites and credits. A A LEED AP B USGBC C LEED Score Card D LEED Online E GBCI
A A LEED AP One of the roles of the LEED AP is to help with synergies among prerequisites and credits.
Which of the following projects would not meet the minimum program requirements for certification? A A modular classroom that can be moved to another location on the school property B A building project that is three stories high C A new building on an office campus located next door to an existing certified building D A new laboratory building that will be located partially underground
A A modular classroom that can be moved to another location on the school property Structures must be permanent - a temporary classroom would not qualify.
USGBC was organized and then LEED was created because the green building industry lacked which important factor? A A standard measurement and definition of green building B A certification award to encourage interest in the real estate industry C A system and organization to spread green building information D An oversight organization to bring together all parts of the green building industry
A A standard measurement and definition of green building According to referenced material, the EBOM introduction, after the formation of the USGBC, the members realized that the sustainable design industry needed a system to define and measure green building.
At what point can a project earn points for credits? A After the construction phase B After the statement of work has been uploaded to LEED Online C After the LEED Scorecard is completed and submitted D After the design phase
A After the construction phase No points can be earned after the design phase. Points may be marked as Anticipated in LEED Online after the design phase but points are only Achieved after the construction phase. This is true of all credits and prerequisites.
Which of the following would be classified as a soft construction cost? A Civil engineer consulting fee B Purchase of some steel C Rental of a dumpster D Down payment on the property
A Civil engineer consulting fee A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These can be architectural, legal, financing, engineering fees and other costs incurred before and after construction.
If a building has already earned LEED for New Construction certification, what additional certifications could the project earn? A Commercial Interiors B Neighborhood Development C Core & Shell D Operations & Maintenance
A Commercial Interiors D Operations & Maintenance Core & Shell cannot occur after New Construction certification. Neighborhood Development applies to the community, not to a building.
A preliminary rating would NOT include what item? A Conceptual design B Targeted LEED certification level C Completed LEED Score Card D Credits that will be attempted
A Conceptual design The preliminary LEED rating would include three things:1. The targeted LEED award level (Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum).2. The credits that have been selected to meet the targeted award level.3. A completed LEED Score Card to help determine the target certification level.
Each commercial (non-homes) rating system is comprised of what elements? A Credits B Strategies C CIRs D Minimum Program Requirements E Prerequisites
A Credits D Minimum Program Requirements E Prerequisites Each commercial (non-homes) rating system is comprised of a series of the following elements: 1. Minimum Program Requirements 2. Prerequisites 3. Credits
At a minimum, a project team must successfully do which of the following to obtain LEED certification? A Gather documentation for 40 points of the 110 points available B Record all vendors used on the project C Gather documentation for the prerequisites D Hire a USGBC approved consultant
A Gather documentation for 40 points of the 110 points available C Gather documentation for the prerequisites Projects must meet all prerequisites to earn LEED certification. The minimum number of points required for certification is 40.USGBC consultants are not required for projects. The product vendors are not needed when submitting documentation on the project.
What statement is true regarding green building? A Green buildings have no major significant cost difference to non-green buildings B Green design is a cost neutral add-on C LEED buildings were increasingly common until construction costs rose 30% in the last two years D LEED teams are achieving certification through widely diverse methods
A Green buildings have no major significant cost difference to non-green buildings According to Cost of Green Revisited - The 2006 study shows essentially the same results as 2004: there is no significant difference in average costs for green buildings as compared to non-green buildings. Green design should not be an add-on. Green design should be considered in the pre-design phase. When green design is considered later (construction) phase the costs go up significantly and the building usually doesn't perform as well. LEED building is still taking place despite increases in construction costs. LEED teams are achieving LEED certification through similar, low cost approaches. Most times the strategies among projects are very similar for those projects that have similar goals. Widely diverse methods would indicate every project is doing something significantly different than other projects.
LEED for New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, and Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance were designed to evaluate what building types? A High-rise residential buildings B Interior spaces C Institutional buildings D Commercial buildings E Community development
A High-rise residential buildings C Institutional buildings D Commercial buildings You should go to gbci.org and review the Minimum Project Requirements page.
What are three important factors of the LEED Green Building Rating System? A It is voluntary B It is market-driven C It is the only green building standard D It is consensus-based E It is government-supported
A It is voluntary B It is market-driven D It is consensus-based USGBC member committees develop the LEED Rating System via a robust consensus process that has been refined since its inception. The key elements of the LEED Rating Systems are: A consensus process that has a balanced and transparent committee structure Technical Advisory Groups to ensure scientific consistency and rigor Opportunities for stakeholder comment and review Member ballot of new rating systems and certain changes to existing rating systems A fair and open appeals process LEED is driven by the market place due to the volunteer committees being made up of people who work in the market place. LEED is not the only green building standard - Green Globes is another green building standard.
What tool is used to determine the target certification level? A LEED Score Card B LEED Online C EPA's Target Finder D CIR
A LEED Score Card The LEED Scorecard helps teams decide what credits to achieve.
What is submitted to document that the requirements of a credit or prerequisite were met? A Letter templates B CIR C LEED Scorecard D Building operating plan
A Letter templates Each rating system will have its own set of forms that must be completed and submitted for documentation and verification. These forms are called letter templates, and are dynamic PDF forms that can be filled out and saved on a computer then uploaded directly back to LEED Online. Credits/prerequisites are assigned by the project administrator. Whoever has been assigned responsibility for the credit/prerequisite by the administrator fills out the letter template and uploads it to LEED Online upon completion. Once all of the letter templates are uploaded for those credits being attempted, the project administrator will submit the project for review. The credit forms are also referred to as letter templates, credit templates, submittal templates, or submittals.
What are the life cycle costing benefits of a vegetated roof? A Lower maintenance costs B Longer product life C Reduction in storm water runoff D Reduced heat islands
A Lower maintenance costs B Longer product life Life cycle costing is used to evaluate economic performance and takes into account operational and maintenance costs throughout the life of the product. Reducing stormwater runoff and heat islands are environmental benefits which would be determined by life-cycle analysis (environmental analysis).
Which of the following are mandatory for LEED certification? A Meeting all prerequisites B Achieving all Regional Priority credits C Meeting the Minimum Program Requirements D Earning Innovation in Design points E Earning at least 50 points
A Meeting all prerequisites C Meeting the Minimum Program Requirements MPRs and prerequisites are mandatory for certification. Credits are optional, though a certain number of credits are needed for certification. The project team chooses which credits to pursue. Prerequisites are not a choice.
A LEED AP on a project works exclusively on the HVAC system and does not serve as a principal participant. What statement is true regarding this scenario? A No Innovation in Design credit would be earned for having the LEED AP work on the project B The project would earn an Innovation in Design credit C The project would earn a Regional Priority credit D The project would earn an Energy and Atmosphere credit
A No Innovation in Design credit would be earned for having the LEED AP work on the project The purpose of having a LEED AP on the project is to work on sustainable design and synergies, and streamlining the process. Working in isolation, which is not an integrated design, does not meet the Innovation in Design credit requirements For example if your project has a LEED AP that comes in and sweeps the floors of the construction site for 20 minutes a day during construction but doesn't participate in any other way, that doesn't meet the intent of the credit. The spirit of the credit is to have a LEED AP work in a significant role. It is possible to thwart the system and put in a LEED AP who never worked at all on the project, or who sat in on only one conference call. It's also possible to earn a LEED plaque by submitting a non-existent building and phony documentation. That isn't the spirit of LEED or of this credit, which is what the question is pointing out.
What are the goals of the LEED 2009 Minimum Program Requirements? A Protect the integrity of the LEED program B Reduce certification process challenges C Give clear guidance to customers D Ensure prerequisites are met E Verify buildings are meeting environmental goals
A Protect the integrity of the LEED program B Reduce certification process challenges C Give clear guidance to customers From GBCI Website GBCI Policy Manual: A project must adhere to the LEED Minimum Program Requirements, (MPRs) in order to achieve LEED certification. LEED projects must comply with each applicable MPR. These requirements define the types of buildings that the LEED Green Building Rating Systems were designed to evaluate, and taken together serve three goals: 1. to give clear guidance to customers 2. to protect the integrity of the LEED program 3. and to reduce complications that occur during the LEED Certification process MPRs have 3 goals (above), and 7 things that must be complied with. The difference is goals vs. tasks. MPRs are minimum characteristics that a project must possess in order to be eligible for LEED Certification. MPRs do not ensure prerequisites are met. The certification process (leedonline) and the people reviewing LEED applications ensure the prerequisites are met and that the building has met the credits applied for. http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=172 In addition to the Minimum Program Requirements, each version of LEED contains unique prerequisite requirements that must be satisfied in order to achieve certification. The term prerequisite refers to a mandatory project characteristic, measurement, quality, value or function as identified within the LEED rating system. Prerequisites represent the key criteria that define green building performance. Each project must satisfy all specified prerequisites outlined in the LEED rating system under which it is registered. Failure to meet any prerequisite will render a project ineligible for certification.
What should the project team do with the LEED Score Card once it has been completed for a new construction project? A Refer to it during the construction process B Use it to determine project soft-costs C Use it to determine the baseline building water use D Mail it to USGBC
A Refer to it during the construction process The scorecard is used as a reference to make sure the project is on track for the green goals. The LEED Credit Checklist is also called the LEED Scorecard. Download the LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Checklist (XLS)
What would NOT describe a LEED AP? A Someone separate from the integrated project team B Someone with knowledge & skill applicable to the LEED certification process C Someone with knowledge of the requirements, resources, and processes of LEED D Someone with understanding of green building practices and principles
A Someone separate from the integrated project team All project team members should be part of the integrated team and process.
The LEED project boundary may not include land that is owned by a party other than that which owns the LEED project unless: A The land is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building B The land is part of a larger campus project C The land will be included in a future LEED certification D The land will be donated for the purposes of earning an ID point
A The land is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building The only exception to the LEED project boundary of land not owned by the project owner is land that is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building.
What are the benefits of becoming a tenant or owner of a building that is certified under LEED for New Construction if the project team wants to also certify under LEED for Commercial Interiors? A The project will be well situated to earn the additional certification(s) B There are no certification fees C Certification fees are reduced D There is no registration fee
A The project will be well situated to earn the additional certification(s) The fees do not change but the documentation is streamlined and the project will be in a better position for another certification. GBCI offers free registration for LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance for projects certified under LEED for New Construction, LEED for Schools, and LEED for Core & Shell prior to January 1, 2011. If the question had asked about the project team wanting to certify under LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, a correct answer choice would also be 'There is no registration fee'.
How can the site boundary differ from the LEED project boundary? A The site boundary is the property line while the LEED project boundary the portion of the site submitted for LEED B The site boundary is the portion of the site submitted for LEED while the LEED project boundary marks where the LEED project ends C They can be the same, but site boundary includes only the area submitted for LEED D They are exactly the same
A The site boundary is the property line while the LEED project boundary the portion of the site submitted for LEED USGBC Definition of LEED project boundary - portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary - they are not necessarily the same thing.
What does ASHRAE 55-2004 specify? A Thermal comfort B Energy performance C Indoor air quality D Commuting surveys
A Thermal comfort ASHRAE 55-2004 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy help with defining what makes a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. Indoor conditions are considered acceptable if 80% or more of occupants find them acceptable.
What are some of the goals of filling in the LEED Score Card? A To determine the target certification level B To determine credit responsibilities C To estimate the ROI of the project D To obtain owner buy-in for the project
A To determine the target certification level The LEED Score Card is a tool used to determine how many points the project can reasonably assume will be achieved.
Economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility define a project's: A Triple bottom line B Federal, state, and/or local regulations C Minimum Program Requirements D Innovation
A Triple bottom line One of USGBC's Guiding Principles is to promote the Triple Bottom Line: 'USGBC will pursue robust triple bottom line solutions that clarify and strengthen a healthy and dynamic balance between environmental, social, and economic prosperity.' The triple bottom line (also known as 'people, planet, profit') captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal) success: economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. In practical terms, triple bottom line accounting means expanding the traditional reporting framework to take into account ecological and social performance in addition to financial performance. 'People, planet and profit' succinctly describes the triple bottom lines and the goal of sustainability.
What tool provides cost-effective streamlined certification processes for multiple building certifications? A USGBC Portfolio Program B ENERGY STAR Target Finder C LEED Online D ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
A USGBC Portfolio Program The USGBC Portfolio Program lets organizations achieve LEED certification on a volume scale. For example if the organization has dozens of buildings across the country.
What are acceptable ways to use USGBC in text according to the USGBC logo guidelines? A US Green Building Council B USGBC C U.S. GBC D United States Green Building Council E U.S. Green Building Council
B USGBC E U.S. Green Building Council This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may come up on your exam.
How long must an existing building be occupied before the LEED application process may begin for LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance certification? A 6 months B 12 months C 3 months D The application process can begin as soon as regular occupancy is reached
B 12 months This question is asking about the Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system. For this rating system, the LEED project must be in a state of typical physical occupancy, and all building systems must be operating at a capacity necessary to serve the current occupants, for a period that includes all performance periods as well as at least the 12 continuous months immediately preceding the first submission for a review. In short, for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance you must wait twelve months after the building is occupied before applying (not registering, applying). LEED requires this because this provides 12 months worth of utility bills which are needed for measurements.
What does 'LEED Certified' indicate? A The LEED Rating System B A project that has been certified at the base level C The LEED certification process D A project that has been certified
B A project that has been certified at the base level Reference: USGBC logo guidelines 'LEED certification' with lowercase 'c' is used to describe the certification process. 'LEED certified' with lowercase 'c' is used to describe a project that has been certified. 'LEED Certified' with capital 'C' is used to describe a project that has been certified to the base level: Certified. The certification levels are: Certified Silver Gold Platinum A building can be 'certified' without being 'Certified', but in that case it would be have achieved Silver/Gold/Platinum certification.
What standard helps calculate a baseline building energy performance rating for LEED v3? A ASHRAE 62.1-2007 B ASHRAE 90.1-2007 C ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide D Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide
B ASHRAE 90.1-2007 When calculating minimum energy performance the building performance rating method of Appendix G of ASHRAE 90.1-2007 is used. ASHRAE 62.1-2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum ventilation rates. These rates are used to improve indoor air quality as part of the IEQ credit category.
LEED Online can be used for all of the following except: A Submit technical inquiries regarding LEED Credits B Accessing online reference guides C Managing public facing project details D Document compliance with LEED Credit Requirements
B Accessing online reference guides Reference guides are not available in LEED Online Using LEED Online you can:-Submit documentation to USGBC for review-Document compliance with LEED Credit Requirements-Coordinate resources among project team members-Manage public facing project details-Submit technical inquiries regarding LEED Credits-Track progress towards LEED Certification What are public facing project details? You can search USGBC's website to find out about specific projects going on. LEED Online can be used to show/limit what is displayed to the public. For example using LEED Online you would enter in 'Project ABC is going to have a budget of $10M'. You probably don't want anyone to see the project budget so you could hide that detail from public view. Managing the public facing details of the project means this: The person who is the administrator of the project can use LEED online to pick and choose what details they want to make available to the public. For example, 'do you want everyone to know your project budget', check yes or no. 'Do you want everyone to know the project's address', check yes or no. Using LEED Online the administrator restricts or allows access to this and other various project information. USGBC may then reveal any information that has been marked as publicly available.
LEED Minimum Project Requirements prohibit gerrymandering. What does this mean? A Hiding project costs in ROI calculations B Adjusting a project boundary for the benefit of earning credits/prerequisites C Making the project building area < 2% of the site area D Defining the site area to exclude green space between campus projects
B Adjusting a project boundary for the benefit of earning credits/prerequisites Gerrymandering is prohibit: 'The boundary may not unreasonably exclude sections of land to create boundaries in unreasonable shapes for the sole purpose of complying with prerequisites or credits'.
What is the EPAct of 1992 used for? A To determine the baseline building energy performance for buildings 20,000 sq. ft. or less B To set the baseline water flow requirements of toilets and fixtures C To define ODP and GWP limits for refrigerants D To define the VOC content limits of certain building materials
B To set the baseline water flow requirements of toilets and fixtures EPAct of 1992 set water flow limits on toilets and fixtures.
Which of the following statements are true about a CIR? A CIRs can only be submitted during the design phase of a project B CIRs can be submitted for prerequisites C CIRs cannot be submitted for the LEED Accredited Professional credit D Product vendors can access all CIRs to meet any updated credit requirements
B CIRs can be submitted for prerequisites CIRs can be submitted for any prerequisite or credit for the project's rating system. CIRs can be submitted at any time up until the project administrator submits all of the documentation for certification. Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question or a set of related questions. It is often helpful to discuss the inquiry within context of the credit's intent. Anyone on the project team (after being added to LEED Online for that project) can submit the CIR, then someone has to pay GBCI for the review of the CIR. Anyone on the project team can access the CIRs for that specific project. A project vendor does not have access to all CIRs.
What information can be entered in the LEED Score Card? A If the credit will be streamlined B Certification estimate C Points attempted for prerequisites D USGBC Member ID
B Certification estimate
What is the minimum certification level in LEED? A certified B Certified C Accredited D Approved
B Certified Buildings are certified, people are accredited. Sometimes people get that backwards. The LEED levels are Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum .'certified' with a lowercase 'c' is incorrect.
What will have to be included in the project work if the project is to be considered a major renovation? A Carpet and flooring upgrades B Complete HVAC overhaul C Toilet replacements D Installation of a new irrigation system
B Complete HVAC overhaul A major renovation usually includes HVAC replacement.
Letter templates must be signed by which person? A Assignator B Declarant C Project manager D Project owner
B Declarant The declarant is the person who will sign a submittal template. Each template can have a different declarant. Each rating system will have its own set of forms that must be completed and submitted for documentation and verification. These forms are called submittals or credit templates, and are dynamic PDF forms that can be filled out and saved on a computer then uploaded directly back to LEED Online. The credit forms are also referred to as letter templates, credit templates, submittal templates, or submittals.
Cement, steel, tile, and construction worker labor are all what type of project expense? A Indirect cost B Hard cost C Soft cost D Direct cost
B Hard cost D Direct cost Hard costs: By far the largest portion of the expenses in a construction budget, the hard costs are mostly comprised of the actual construction costs incurred to build the project. In most cases, it will include the land, but that particular cost is usually separated in order to find out the actual construction expenses. Soft costs: These costs involve all of the other fees involved in the completion of the project. You would include your attorney fees, other professional fees, testing, appraisal, marketing, office, overhead expenses here. Soft costs are those expenditures necessary to complete a project but not directly 'bricks and mortar,' such as design and consultant fees, LEED certification fees, LEED documentation costs, communications costs, interim housing, moving or relocation costs, and additional district staffing. During the planning stages of a project the soft costs usually are allocated as a percentage of the total project budget. As the planning and design of a project progresses, the percentage can be increased or decreased. The hard-cost categories are the bricks and mortar of the project.
What is not a credit category in LEED? A Water Efficiency B Indoor Air Quality C Sustainable Sites D Materials and Resources
B Indoor Air Quality The correct category is Indoor Environmental Quality, not Air. Air quality is a subset of IEQ.
Which of the following is not a LEED Rating System? A LEED for Neighborhood Development B LEED for Small Buildings C LEED for Schools D LEED for Retail
B LEED for Small Buildings LEED for Small Buildings does not exist. Small buildings are covered in the LEED for New Construction rating system for new buildings, or LEED Operations and Maintenance for existing buildings.
The project team will not meet the threshold requirements of a particular LEED credit. What is the proper course of action that the team should take regarding this credit? A Submit a CIR B Not include the credit in the final application C Appeal the credit D Apply for an exception
B Not include the credit in the final application There will be times when a credit planned on being earned may not be achievable. For example, maybe not enough electricity can be saved for an EA credit, or maybe the building owner changes his or her mind about a particular credit to cut building costs. If a credit cannot be earned, do not include that credit in the final application. Note that the question asks what should be done regarding this credit, not what should be done to achieve certification. If the loss of the credit impacts the number of points needed for certification or a certain level of certification, the project team needs to find a way to make up the lost points.
For a single building development, what determines the LEED project boundary? A The edge of the building footprint B The edge of project site submitted for LEED certification C The edge of the development footprint D The entire project scope
B The edge of project site submitted for LEED certification D The entire project scope USGBC Definition of LEED project boundary - portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary.
How is environmental performance of a building evaluated through the use of LEED? A Through a cradle-to-cradle analysis B Throughout the building's life cycle C Through the amount of energy reduction D Through an integrated design approach
B Throughout the building's life cycle Reference: LEED for Existing Building Operations + Maintenance Introduction, under LEED Today http://www.gbci.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3664 LEED looks at the environmental performance of a building through the building's entire life cycle, from pre-design until deconstruction. An integrated design is used to design the greenest building possible while considering the triple-bottom-line. Energy reduction is only one factor in LEED. Site, water, materials, and the indoor environment are the other factors.
What resources are available to team members to find more information about other LEED projects? A USGBC's monthly magazine B USGBC publications C USGBC Chapters D LEED Online
B USGBC publications C USGBC Chapters USGBC publications provide information about LEED projects. USGBC Chapters are local resources that help spread the word about LEED.USGBC has no monthly magazine. LEED Online is for use by the project team and does not contain information about other projects. LEED Online can be used to show/restrict public information about the project. These public facing details can be viewed using USGBC project search tool on their website.
Which is not a Minimum Program Requirement? A Minimum building to site area ratio B Uniform site boundary C Minimum floor area D Permanent building / space
B Uniform site boundary
The ASHRAE standards cover which LEED topics? A VOC emissions B Ventilation rates C Thermal comfort conditions D Carbon emissions E Minimum requirements for the energy efficient design of most buildings
B Ventilation rates C Thermal comfort conditions E Minimum requirements for the energy efficient design of most buildings ASHRAE 62.1-2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum ventilation rates. These rates are used to improve indoor air quality as part of the IEQ credit category. ASHRAE 55-2004 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy help with defining what makes a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. Indoor conditions are considered acceptable if 80% or more of occupants find them acceptable. ASHRAE 90.1-2007 establishes minimum requirements for the energy efficient design of buildings (not included are single family homes or multifamily homes less than 3 stories).
Who is responsible for the development of the LEED Rating Systems? A Local, state, and federal government agencies B Volunteers C Architects, engineers, and contractors only D Product manufacturers
B Volunteers The intent of this question is to learn the LEED Rating Systems are developed by committees of volunteers from all types of backgrounds. From USGBC's website: 'LEED Rating Systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEED committees. Each volunteer committee is composed of a diverse group of practitioners and experts representing a cross-section of the building and construction industry.' While it is true employees of local, state, and federal government agencies can volunteer for the committees, as can product manufacturers and architects, engineers, and contractors, it is volunteers that make up the committees from these professions as well as many others.
Which of the following are NOT soft costs? A Project drawings B Windows C City permits D Interest payments
B Windows A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These can be architectural, legal, financing, engineering fees and other costs incurred before and after construction.
What are acceptable ways to reference a LEED Registered Project? A XYZ Building is LEED Qualified B XYZ Building is registered with the certification goal of Platinum C Upon completion, XYZ Building will apply to become LEED certified D XYZ Building is LEED Platinum registered E XYX Building is registered under the LEED Green Building Rating System
B XYZ Building is registered with the certification goal of Platinum C Upon completion, XYZ Building will apply to become LEED certified E XYX Building is registered under the LEED Green Building Rating System This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may come up on your exam. Reference: USGBC logo guidelines http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1835 The reason 'Upon completion, XYZ Building will apply to become LEED certified' is acceptable compared to 'LEED Certified' with a capital C is because USGBC allows a lowercase c to be used when speaking of general LEED certification. It refers to the certification program itself and not the lowest level of certification - LEED Certified.
How many points are listed for prerequisites on the LEED Scorecard? A 1 B 2 C 0 D 18
C 0 Prerequisites are required and are not assigned any points.
How many points would a project earn for having 3 LEED APs as principal participants on a project? A 0 B 2 C 1 D 3
C 1 No matter how many LEED APs are working on a project, there is still only one point available for this credit. For example if a project had 100 LEED APs working on a project as principal participants, the project would not earn 100 points and get a Platinum certification.
How many of the 110 possible LEED points address regionally specific environmental issues? A 1 B 2 C 4 D 10
C 4 LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific environmental issues. All rating systems with 110 points (any of the LEED 2009 rating systems) have 4 points for regional priority.
What are acceptable ways to reference LEED in product literature? A ABC Bamboo flooring is a LEED product B ABC Bamboo flooring is LEED qualified product C ABC Bamboo flooring contributes to satisfying MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials under LEED D ABC Bamboo flooring complies with all requirements of MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials under LEED E ABC Bamboo flooring complies with MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials
C ABC Bamboo flooring contributes to satisfying MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials under LEED D ABC Bamboo flooring complies with all requirements of MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials under LEED This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may come up on your exam. Reference: USGBC logo guidelines, http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3885 This question asks about how LEED can be used by various parties/organizations when referenced in product literature. Manufacturers are allowed to say certain things regarding their products and how they can be used for LEED credits. Claiming that product is 'LEED certified' for example is wrong.
What standard might need to be consulted for increasing building energy performance? A ISO 14020 B Green-e C ASHRAE 90.1-2007 D SMACNA
C ASHRAE 90.1-2007 ASHRAE 90.1-2007 is used to measure building energy performance.
What information should not appear in a CIR? A Background information on the issue B Supporting information C Attachments such as photographs, drawings, and product information sheets D Confidential information
C Attachments such as photographs, drawings, and product information sheets D Confidential information Refer to the USGBC Guidelines for CIR Customers:http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1510From USGBC: 'Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question or a set of related questions. It is often helpful to discuss the inquiry within context of the credit's intent.' CIRs will be published so do not include confidential project information. Since there is no way to include attachments, the focus should be on a clearly written statement.
What would be included in hard cost estimates? A Art B Furniture C Fire sprinkler system D Carpet
C Fire sprinkler system D Carpet Soft costs: These costs involve all of the other fees involved in the completion of the project. You would include your attorney fees, other professional fees, testing, appraisal, marketing, office, overhead expenses here. Soft costs are those expenditures necessary to complete a project but not directly 'bricks and mortar,' such as design and consultant fees, communications costs, interim housing, moving or relocation costs, and additional district staffing. A primary soft-cost category is fixtures, furnishing and equipment (FF&E). During the planning stages of a project the soft costs usually are allocated as a percentage of the total project budget. As the planning and design of a project progresses, the percentage can be increased or decreased. The hard-cost categories are the bricks and mortar of the project. Art and furniture are not fixed assets (they can be moved) and are thus not considered in the hard cost calculations. Think of a home. There is the price of the home and the price of the furnishings. The furnishings are not included in the price of the home or the mortgage because they are not fixed assets.
What additional LEED certification could a building earn if the building has already earned LEED Core & Shell? A LEED for Homes B LEED Building Design & Construction (New Construction) C LEED Interior Design & Construction (Commercial Interiors) D LEED Core & Shell post-certification
C LEED Interior Design & Construction (Commercial Interiors) LEED Core & Shell covers base building elements such as structure, envelope and the HVAC system. Once a tenant has been established then additional certifications can be earned.
Prior to project registration, a non-USGBC member company project leader can access which LEED resources? A CIR database B LEED letter templates C LEED Score Card D LEED Online
C LEED Score Card The project scorecard is available free of charge from USGBC's website. LEED Online and LEED letter templates are available only after project registration. Once a project has been registered, the project administrator and anyone assigned to the project can access those sources through LEED Online. USGBC Company Members, LEED Registered Project Team Members, and Workshop Attendees have access to view CIRs. (Note: workshop attendees only have access for one year from the date of the workshop)
What LEED Rating System is used for interior tenant improvements? A LEED for Core & Shell B LEED for New Construction C LEED for Commercial Interiors D LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance
C LEED for Commercial Interiors USGBC defines the Rating Systems as follows: 'LEED for Commercial Interiors is a benchmark for the tenant improvement market that gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers.' 'The LEED for New Construction Rating System is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects, including office buildings, high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities, manufacturing plants and laboratories.' 'The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell.' 'LEED for Core & Shell is a green building rating system for designers, builders, developers and new building owners who want to address sustainable design for new core and shell construction. Core and shell covers base building elements such as structure, envelope and the HVAC system. LEED for Core & Shell is designed to be complementary to the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system, as both rating systems establish green building criteria for developers, owners and tenants.' 'LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. Green homes use less energy, water and natural resources, create less waste, and are more durable and comfortable for occupants. '
What term refers to the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused or necessitated by its existence? A Life-cycle costing B Durability analysis C Life-cycle analysis D Hard cost E Soft cost
C Life-cycle analysis Life-cycle-analysis (LCA, also known as life cycle assessment, ecobalance, and cradle-to-grave analysis) is the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused or necessitated by its existence. Life cycle assessment evaluates a products 'environmental impact'. This differs from life cycle costing evaluates a product's 'economic performance'.
What is a Minimum Project Requirement for LEED Certification? A Minimum Occupancy of 100 FTEs B Minimum Occupancy of 300 FTEs C Minimum Occupancy of 1 FTE D Minimum Occupancy of 25 FTEs
C Minimum Occupancy of 1 FTE LEED MPRs require 1 FTE on an annual average
A member company wants to display its USGBC member logo in several areas. What would be some appropriate uses for a USGBC member logo? A On any partner website of the member company B On the company's website home page linking to the company's LEED projects C On company letterhead D On a company's product next to the member company name with a disclaimer
C On company letterhead D On a company's product next to the member company name with a disclaimer This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may come up on your exam. Reference: USGBC Website on Logo use: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1835Or this PDF: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3885Use of the USGBC member logo is limited to member companies. See the logo usage document for the limits on use. From the document: Member Logo on Product Packaging USGBC does not review, certify, or endorse products. As such, the Member Logo may not be used to indicate any kind of endorsement by USGBC of any product or service, to indicate that any official status for any product or service has been conferred by or is otherwise associated with USGBC, or to show any kind of relationship with USGBC other than to signify the company is a USGBC member. The Member Logo may be placed on product packaging under the following terms and conditions: The logo must be positioned spatially near/adjacent to the name of the member company (not the brand or product name that is featured on the packaging). The logo must not be printed larger than a relative height of 1.50 inches or smaller than 0.5 inches high. The packaging must include the following acknowledgement: The 'USGBC Member Logo' is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission. The logo signifies only that __[COMPANY NAME]__ is a USGBC member; USGBC does not review, certify, or endorse the products or services offered by its members. Placement of the Member Logo on product packaging must be reviewed and approved by the USGBC Marketing Department
What are the key criteria that define green building performance? A Innovative designs B Minimum project requirements C Prerequisites D Third party standards
C Prerequisites The prerequisites are the key criteria that define green building performance. - GBCI
Where in the LEED reference guide can a team find information on differences relating to the geographic location of a project? A Resources B Related Credits C Regional Variations D Requirements
C Regional Variations A regional variation is different than a regional priority. A regional variation is when the approach to a credit varies based on the geography of the project. For example the storm design systems of an area in Arizona (dry and arid) would be much different than those in Seattle, Washington (which gets lots of rain). Another example is refunds and incentives for onsite solar power. California will have much better refunds and incentives than most other states. Do not confuse this with regional priority, which is addressing those credit that are most important to a region.
What factors impact the cost of earning LEED building certification? A The number of stories the building has B The type of land the building was built on C Square footage of the building D The number of FTEs that will occupy the finished building
C Square footage of the building The square footage of the project is the primary cost consideration for LEED certification. The incorrect choices may affect the cost of the project, but not the cost of the certification.
Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs) are most likely used for what part of the LEED process? A Updated rulings for LEED Online B Appeal of denied credits C Technical guidance for LEED credits D Communicating with the project administrator and/or project team
C Technical guidance for LEED credits CIRs are used for technical guidance on credits. Anyone on the project team can submit a CIR, as long as the person has access to LEED Online (through the project administrator). Once a CIR is submitted a payment must be made to GBCI in order for GBCI to review the CIR. A CIR can be used for administrative inquiries, although doing so is rare. Refer to the USGBC Guidelines for CIR Customers:http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=1510 From USGBC: 'Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question or a set of related questions. It is often helpful to discuss the inquiry within context of the credit's intent.'
What is the primary purpose of registering your project for LEED? A To get your company and the project media publicity B To qualify for local, state, and federal incentives C To gain access to project tools and resources D To obtain free USGBC consulting
C To gain access to project tools and resources The purpose for registering a project is to gain access to the project tools needed for the certification process.
SMACNA guidelines should be followed for what reason? A To establish an integrated pest management plan B To develop a green cleaning program C To minimize indoor air quality issues caused by construction D To select carpets with low VOCs
C To minimize indoor air quality issues caused by construction The control measures and quality guidelines from SMACNA need to be followed during construction to minimize indoor air quality issues.
What is the purpose of having a LEED AP on a project? A To submit all project data B For building commissioning C To streamline the LEED process D To serve as the project administrator
C To streamline the LEED process The purpose (or intent) of having a LEED AP on the project is to 'support and encourage the design integration required by LEED to streamline the application and certification process'.
What is the average LEED certification fee for a project registered by a USGBC member? A $1,000 B $10,000 C $5,000 D $2,000
D $2,000 LEED certification fees vary by project size but the average certification cost is $2000. New fees went into effect January, 2010 so over time the average should go up. The current average is based on the thousands of existing buildings that were already certified.
What project issues are addressed by guidelines from SMACNA? A Refrigerant quantities B Carpet durability C VOCs in materials D Air quality issues from construction or renovation
D Air quality issues from construction or renovation The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA) has a set of indoor air quality guidelines that are used to help manage air quality issues resulting from construction and renovation.
What does the IPMVP Volume III provide information on? A Best management practices for construction activity pollution prevention B Government restrictions for the water flow limits of fixtures C Best design techniques for acoustics in schools D Best practices for verifying the energy performance of a new building
D Best practices for verifying the energy performance of a new building The IPMVP Volume III is used for measurement & verification, and provides best practice techniques for verifying the energy performance of a new building.
The Green Label Plus certification is used for what material? A Wood B Floors C Cleaning products D Carpets
D Carpets Green Label Plus certified carpets have low VOC content.
What does USGBC's Portfolio Program help with? A Policy support for LEED documentation B Comparing design case energy use among buildings C Comparing baseline energy use among buildings D Cost-effective LEED certification on a volume scale
D Cost-effective LEED certification on a volume scale
Which rating system can be used to compare the energy performance of two buildings? A DOE-2 eQUEST B Energy-10TM C LEED D ENERGY STAR
D ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR is specific to energy performance. LEED compares the greenness of two buildings, which includes much more than just the energy performance.
Why should a project team aim to achieve more points than are required for the target certification level? A In case extra points are achieved during the construction process, the next certification level can be achieved B To earn regional priority credits C Achieving more points will increase the energy efficiency of the building D If some credits are denied, the project will still earn enough points for the target certification
D If some credits are denied, the project will still earn enough points for the target certification Achieving five or more points than the target certification level helps the project hit the target if some credits are denied. Extra points are not normally achieved during construction. If they were that would be a sign of poor design, indicating the team either didn't model correctly or made late decisions that may have a negative impact on the whole building design. Achieving more points doesn't necessarily increase the energy efficiency of the building.
What does ASHRAE 62.1-2007 specify? A Thermal comfort B Commuting surveys C Energy performance D Indoor air quality
D Indoor air quality ASHRAE 62.1-2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum ventilation rates. These rates are used to improve indoor air quality as part of the IEQ credit category.
If an HVAC engineer is a LEED AP and also a principle participant on a project, what type of credit can be earned?? A Quantifiable B Platinum C Bonus D Innovation in Design
D Innovation in Design Projects can earn one Innovation in Design point (and only one) for having at least one principle on the project that is a LEED AP.
How does a life cycle assessment (LCA) differ from life cycle costing (LCC)? A LCA is cradle-to-cradle while LCC is not B LCA takes into account economic performance while LCC does not C LCA does not take into account environmental performance while LCC does D LCA does not take into account economic performance while LCC does
D LCA does not take into account economic performance while LCC does Life cycle assessment is an analysis that takes into account the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service. Life cycle costing is used to evaluate economic performance.
What should be used during all project phases to verify the green building goals are being met? A Materials checklist B ID Credit Catalog C Commissioning plan D LEED Score Card
D LEED Score Card The LEED Score Card is the quick list of what credits the project team has decided to pursue in the pre-design phase, based on the project vision and the project's green building goals. Through each phase this checklist is consulted to ask 'are we on track and are we working towards meeting those credits we set out to do?' The commissioning plan is used to verify the installed systems are working as designed. The ID Credit Catalog is a list of all ID credits previous projects have achieved. The materials checklist would be used by contractors to purchase materials needed for the project.
Which is not a LEED 2009 MPR (Minimum Program Requirements)? A Minimum floor area B Permanent building / space C Minimum building ratio D Minimum height
D Minimum height Minimum Program Requirements: Must comply with environmental laws Must be a complete, permanent building or space Must use a reasonable site boundary Must comply with minimum floor area requirements Must comply with minimum occupancy rate Must commit to sharing whole-building energy and water usage data Must comply with a minimum building area to site area ratio
What is an appropriate use of the USGBC Logo? A On a website used as a link to a third-party site describing LEED B To indicate that a company is a USGBC member C On a product that can help earn LEED credits such as white roofing material D Next to text that discusses the LEED Rating System
D Next to text that discusses the LEED Rating System This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may come up on your exam. The use of the USGBC and LEED logos are listed in the exam objectives to prevent misuse of these logos and to purposely or inadvertently spread incorrect information about LEED and USGBC. It is important to know how you can and cannot use the logo so that you help the green building movement rather than hinder it. See USGBC Website on Logo use: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3885 The USGBC logo cannot be used to link to third-party websites or for product certification. The USGBC Member logo is used to denote USGBC membership, not the USGBC logo. The USGBC logo cannot be used for to indicate membership - the USGBC member logo is required to be used. There is both a USGBC logo and a USGBC member logo, both of which have differing uses and requirements.
What type of products would carry a Green Seal Label? A HVAC systems B Brick C Wood D Paints
D Paints Green Seal is a nonprofit organization that has created several standards used to certify products that are more environmentally friendly. This includes paints, coatings, and cleaning products.
What term refers to a mandatory project characteristic, measurement, quality, value or function as identified within the LEED rating system? A Credit B Certification Requirement C Minimum Program Requirement D Prerequisite
D Prerequisite A project must adhere to the LEED Minimum Program Requirements, (MPRs) in order to achieve LEED certification. LEED projects must comply with each applicable MPR. These requirements define the types of buildings that the LEED Green Building Rating Systems were designed to evaluate, and taken together serve three goals: 1. to give clear guidance to customers 2. to protect the integrity of the LEED program 3. and to reduce complications that occur during the LEED Certification process http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=172#Rating_Systems-PrerequisitesIn addition to the Minimum Program Requirements, each version of LEED contains unique prerequisite requirements that must be satisfied in order to achieve certification. The term prerequisite refers to a mandatory project characteristic, measurement, quality, value or function as identified within the LEED rating system. Prerequisites represent the key criteria that define green building performance. Each project must satisfy all specified prerequisites outlined in the LEED rating system under which it is registered. Failure to meet any prerequisite will render a project ineligible for certification.
What must a project do to earn any LEED certification? A Earn a minimum number of points only B Satisfy relevant prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points C Pay the relevant fees and have a Green Rater approve the project D Satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points
D Satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points A project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points to be certified. At least 40 points must be earned for a building to be LEED Certified at the base level (Certified) Certified 40-49 points Silver 50-59 points Gold 60-79 points Platinum 80+points
If a mechanical engineer on a LEED project team needs guidance on whether a particular software package can be used to measure energy efficiency, how should the engineer proceed? A Submit a CIR to the LEED Steering Committee B Submit a CIR to the project administrator C See if the credit is marked 'Anticipated' during the design phase review D Submit a CIR using LEED Online
D Submit a CIR using LEED Online Because it is unclear whether the strategy applies to the given credit, a CIR must be submitted using LEED Online. The design phase review would not mark a credit as 'Denied' in this case for choosing one software package over another. Anyone on the project team (after being added to LEED Online for that project) can submit the CIR, then someone has to cut a check to GBCI for the review.
A project team wishes to get a Credit Interpretation Request on a credit and prerequisite that are unrelated. What needs to happen? A Submit one CIR only, for the credit B Submit one CIR only, for the prerequisite C Submit one CIR covering both the credit and prerequisite D Submit two CIRs - one each for the credit and prerequisite
D Submit two CIRs - one each for the credit and prerequisite Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question or a set of related questions. Projects spend money on CIRs for prerequisites for the same reason as for credits - to find out if a particular solution qualifies the project for meeting the requirements. The project may meet the requirements of the prerequisite but sometimes submitting a CIR is the only way to find out.
How should a project team view all green building costs when budgeting for a project? A Individually B Cumulatively C As soft costs D Synergistically
D Synergistically The best answer for this question is synergistically. Costs are not cumulative since the cost of adopting one sustainable strategy for LEED may assist in earning points in other areas. Costs are also not individual costs for this reason. LEED of course includes soft costs, but not all LEED elements will be soft costs.
Who rules on CIRs? A Local USGBC Chapter B LEED Standards Board C Green Raters D Technical Advisory Group
D Technical Advisory Group Make sure you understand what CIRs are and how they work: http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=142 Also see Guidelines for CIR Customers from USGBC. There is no such thing as the LEED Standards Board. This choice was provided as a distracter
After project registration for a commercial project how can the project team use the LEED Certification Mark? A The LEED Certification Mark can be used in advertisements or marketing materials B The LEED Certification Mark can be used to indicate pre-certification C The LEED Certification Mark can be used in press releases D The LEED Certification Mark cannot be used
D The LEED Certification Mark cannot be used 'The LEED Certification Mark combines the LEED Logo with a distinctive banner that designates a level of LEED certification across its face. Once a project has been certified, the LEED Certification Mark appropriate to the level of certification (see below: Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum) may be used in collateral and other marketing materials to promote the associated LEED project.' Project registration does not permit usage of the LEED Certification Mark. A project can use the logo once the project is LEED certified.
What may happen if a project does not comply with the minimum program requirements? A The project team will need to submit a CIR B Additional fees or fines may be incurred C An alternative compliance path can be used D The building's certification may be revoked
D The building's certification may be revoked A project must adhere to the LEED Minimum Program Requirements, (MPRs) in order to achieve/retain LEED certification. Failure to comply with MPRs may result in the certification being revoked. No fees will be refunded. Visit gbci.org and review the Minimum Program Requirements page. A project can meet the MPRs prior to certification, then earn project certification, and later on something may change where the project no longer meets the MPRs. An example of this scenario is if the occupancy rate of the building decreases. Note that after the project is certified (attained any LEED certification at any level) the project must continue to meet the MPRs or certification can be revoked. For example if a hotel is certified and then the hotel shuts down, the hotel is not maintaining the minimum occupancy levels required by the MPRs. The certification could be revoked.
What is true about setting the preliminary rating of the project? A The project is guaranteed to achieve the target certification level B Project fees are assessed based on the preliminary rating C The project team cannot change their target certification level D The preliminary rating determines what credits have been selected to meet the target award level
D The preliminary rating determines what credits have been selected to meet the target award level The preliminary rating defines the green building goals of the building, what credits will be attempted, and the targeted certification level.
A multi-building development has five buildings each on a two-acre site. How is the LEED project boundary determined? A The boundary is at the perimeter of the ten-acre area B Each building has the boundary at the edge of the two-acre area C The boundary is at the edge of the building footprint D The project team determines the boundary
D The project team determines the boundary USGBC definition of LEED project boundary = the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For multiple building developments, the LEED project boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team.
What happens after the project registration fee is paid to GBCI? A The project will have a Green Rater assigned to the project B The project will receive pre-certification C The project will receive a certification plaque D The project team gains access to LEED Online
D The project team gains access to LEED Online When a project registers and pays the registration fee, the team will have immediate access to LEED Online, LEED project tools and resources and will be entered into the LEED project database. Green Raters are specific to LEED for Homes. Pre-certification is available only to LEED Core & Shell, not to every project.
What is the minimum occupancy rate required for an Existing Buildings O&M project (Building Operations & Maintenance) to earn certification? A 1 FTE B 80% of FTEs C 75% of FTEs D Typical physical occupancy
D Typical physical occupancy For O&M the building must be in a state of typical physical occupancy. For example, a hotel usually has a typical occupancy of about 60% of the rooms rented out. The O&M certification could not be attempted until the hotel was at least 60% occupied. If the hotel was just constructed and didn't have any occupants the certification could not be earned. A school dormitory is another example. If the dormitory was completed in April but will not be occupied until the fall semester in September, the project is not yet in typical occupancy because no students are living in the dorm between April - August.
Why does the USGBC outline rules on use of its trademarks and logos? A USGBC wants customers to be directed to its website for clear information B USGBC wants to make sure it retains control over what is said about LEED C USGBC wants to be able to charge a fee for logo use D USGBC wants to make sure its message is spread accurately
D USGBC wants to make sure its message is spread accurately This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive many comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may come up on your exam. The USGBC Logo Guidelines assist the community in the use of USGBC proprietary marks and corresponding language that accurately and consistently convey USGBC's messages and identity.
Sustainable design strategies are effectively implemented only by using a: A Incremental approach B Conventional approach C Flexible approach D Whole building approach
D Whole building approach By taking into consideration the building site, the building structure, all of the systems, and the use of the building, the project team applies a 'whole building' approach. While the LEED Rating System is flexible and independent, effective sustainable design strategies rely on a whole building approach, not a part or incremental approach.
The LEED Credit Checklist allows project teams to mark potential credit achievement as: A Anticipated/Achieved/Denied B Pursuing/Not Pursuing C Yes/No D Yes/Maybe/No
D Yes/Maybe/No The LEED Credit Checklist helps project teams track their credits against requirements for certification. The LEED Credit Checklist is also called the LEED Scorecard. Download the LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Checklist (XLS) here: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=5719