LEED Flashcards
What are the minimum program requirements (MRP) for a LEED project?
- Must be in a permanent location on existing land.
- Must use a reasonable site boundary.
- Must comply with the project size requirements.
What is ASHRAE 62.1 related to?
ASHRAE 62.1 is related to ventilation, controlling air contaminent levels, humidity, and temperature within a space.
What is ASHRAE 55 related to?
ASHRAE 55 is related to the comfort criteria of specific design conditions that take into account temperature, humidity, air speed, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity, seasonal clothing and expected activity. these all relate to occupant thermal comfort.
What is ASHRAE 90.1 related to ?
ASHRAE 90.1 related to HVAC systems. HVAC systems are defined as: equipment, distribution systems, and terminals that provide the processes of heating, ventilating, or air conditioning.
What does ASHRAE stand for?
American Society of Heating, Refridgerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers
What ASHRAE standards would be used for the Energy and Atmosphere category?
ASHRAE 90.1
What ASHRAE standards would be used for the Indoor Environmental Quality category
ASHRAE 62.1 is related to ventilation and ASHRAE 55 is related to the thermal comfort criteria for occupants
What standard addresses the thermal comfort of occupants?
ASHRAE 55
What LEED category would SMACNA standards be used for?
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
What LEED categories contain standards related to VOC emissions?
Materials and Resources (MR) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
What is a MERV rating?
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). MERV ratings are used to rate the ability of an air conditioning filter to remove dust from the air as it passes through the filter. MERV readings range from 1 (least efficient) to 16 (most efficient).
What does LEED stand for?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system
What parts of the LEED rating system are optional?
Credits are optional, prerequisites are required.
How is LEED developed?
LEED rating systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEED volunteer committees
What is the total number of points available a LEED project can earn?
110 possible points
What are the different point certification levels for LEED certification?
Certified, 40-49
Silver, 50-59
Gold, 60-79
Platinum, 80+
What are LEED credit templates?
The documentation forms used to prove the requirements of a prerequisite or credit have been met. These will be filled out on LEED Online.
What is a preliminary rating?
The target score the project team will attempt to achieve. The final score, based on the number of points awarded, may be more or less than the preliminary rating.
Can a project earn multiple certifications?
Yes, projects can earn more than one LEED certification depending on the rating systems.
What are some ways the triple bottom line is referred to?
Ecology, Environment, Economic
People, profit, planet
Economics, Ecology, social Equity
What is the triple bottom line
A change from being primarily financially driven to considering economics, environment, and social responsibility
What is a LEED credit?
Part of the LEED rating system. Projects earn points by meeting the requirements of credits in order the archive building certification.
What is the highest LEED certification level?
Platinum
What credit categories are shared among most LEED rating systems?
Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation
What is required for LEED Accredited Professional credit?
One LEED AP with a specialty appropriate for the project
When can certification be revoked?
Certification may be revoked from any LEED project upon gaining knowledge of non-compliance with any Minimum Program Requirement (MPR). If such a circumstance occurs, registration and or certification fees will not be refunded.
What are some examples of construction soft costs?
Examples include architectural, engineering, financing, and legal fees
What factors dictate how much a projects certification fees will cost?
The rating system in which the project is registered under, the size of the project in square feet, and the date in which the project was registered.
LEED promotes what type of approach to sustainability?
A whole building approach
When can a LEED project be eligible to display the LEED plaque and other marketing material?
LEED projects are eligible to display the LEED plaque and other marketing material following the acceptance of a final certification review.
What does each category in the LEED rating system consist of?
Prerequisites and credits.
What are the names of the LEED rating systems?
Building Design and Constriction (BD+C)
Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)
Operation and Maintenance (O+M)
Neighborhood Development (ND)
Homes
What is LEED?
An internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. (USGBC)
What is a LEED category?
A subset of the LEED rating system. Each rating system has several green building categories.
What is a CIR?
A CIR is a credit interpretation ruling and is a process for project applicants seeking technical and administrative guidance on how LEED apply to their projects and vice versa.
What is USGBC?
U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit trade organization that promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built, and operated.
What does sustainability mean?
Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Who develops LEED?
Volunteer committees
What types of projects would LEED BD+C be used for?
New construction and major tenovations
What types of projects would LEED ID+C be used for?
Interior fit-outs
What types of projects would LEED BD+C: Core & Shell be used for?
For designers, builders, developers and new building owners who want to address sustainable design for new core and shell construction. Covers base building elements such as structure, envelope, and the HVAC system.
What types of projects would LEED for homes be used for?
High performance green homes
What types of projects would LEED O+M be used for?
Existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction.
What types of projects would LEED for neighborhood development be used for?
New land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, non-residential uses, or a mix
What types of projects would LEED BD+C: Healthcare be used for?
Sustainable planning design and construction of high performance healthcare facilities.
True or false: can a product earn LEED certification?
False
True or false: LEED projects are more expensive than traditional projects
False, generally this is false, but sometimes they cost more or less depending on the situation. This point is often argued among the building community.
What does the building footprint consist of?
The area on a project site used by the building structure and defined by the perimeter of the building plan.
What is value engineering?
Analysis of the requirements of a project for the purpose of achieving the essential functions at the lowest total costs
How does the integrative whole building approach apply to LEED projects?
The integrative whole building approach is the most effective way to optimize energy efficiency, by collaboration among all team members, beginning at the start of a project , this method is necessary in designing building systems.
What is a design Charette?
The design Charette is an intense, collaborative, design activity that allows project teams (I.e. project owner, architect, and design team) to develop and plan project strategies, evaluate and identify both financial and environmental impacts, and reveal any opportunistic synergies for the entire project.
Who is the project administrator?
The individual who initially registers the project will be identified by GBCI as the project administrator
What does the wholistic approach pertain to?
The wholistic approach evaluates energy consumption early in the design process to allow project teams to target methods to improve the building energy consumption and performance.
During the site selection process, what members should a project team include?
Landscape architects, ecologists, environmental engineers, and civil engineers, as well as local professionals who can provide site specific expertise
What should a project vision include?
A statement that embraces sustainable principles and an integrative process. A vision statement should support and enforce the sustainability goals throughout the project.
What is the pre design phase of environmentally responsive design?
An added step to the design process which includes the integrative process, defining environmental design guidelines, and assembling an integrative project team.
What steps occur in the pre design phase?
-Develop green vision
-Establish project goals and green design criteria
-set priorities
-develop building program
- Establish budget
- Assemble green team
- Develop partnering strategies
- develop project schedule
- review laws and standards
-conduct research
At what stage is it critical to incorporate green building practices into the project?
Pre-design
Who fills out the LEED scorecard?
The project team does this during the LEED Charette
Who can become a LEED AP with a specialty ?
Anyone that passes GBCI’s exams
What do LEED APs with specialty do on a project?
Help streamline the certification process
What is systems thinking?
A understanding of the built environment as a series of relationships in which all parts influence many other parts
Who uses LEED
Architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, lenders and government officials, all use LEED to help transform the built environment to sustainability
What is the integrative process used for?
To support high-performance, cost-effective project outcomes through an early analysis of the interrelationships among systems
What is the purpose of a LEED scorecard?
The LEED scorecard is to assist in determining the total project score and achievable credits at the inception of a LEED project.
What are I-codes ?
The international codes, or I-Codes, published by ICC, provide minimum safeguards for people at home, at school, and in the workplace. The I-codes are a complete set of comprehensive , coordinated building safety and fire prevention codes.building codes benefit public safety and support the industry’s need for one set of codes without regional limitations.
What additional building construction costs need to be included in a green building project budget?
- life cycle cost analysis
- green building experts
- contingency plans for additional research
What is USGBC’s mission?
To transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
What is USGBC’s vision?
Buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.
What are the roles of GBCI?
- administration of the LEED exams
- overseeing LEED credential maintenance
- third-party technical reviews of registered LEED projects
What other green building rating systems are available?
- Green Globes
- BREEAM
- Green Star
- IgCC
What are LEED interpretations?
LEED Interpretations, just like Project Credit Interpretation Rulings (Project CIRs), are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements.
What are LEED Addenda?
USGBC publishes clarifications (also called addenda) to address errors in the LEED rating systems and reference guides.
What are USGBC’s seven guiding principles?
- promote the triple bottom line
- establish leadership
- reconcile humanity with nature
- foster social equity
- maintain integrity
- be inclusive
- exhibit transparency
What does the LEED Volume Program help with?
Cost-effective LEED Certification on the volume scale
When would the Campus Program be used?
The Campus Program is used when there are less than twenty-five projects and they are non-uniform in size. The projects do not have to be adjacent.
How many LEED adaptations are there?
21
What LEED rating system has recertification?
LEED O+M. Recertification is for O+M projects with an initial O+M certification. Projects must recertify within five years of the previous O+M certification and are eligible to recertify as often as every 12 months.
How often must LEED O+M projects recertify?
Every 5 years.
What are the LEED impact categories?
- reverse contribution to global climate change
- enhance individual human health and well-being
- protect and restore water resources
- protect, enhance and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services
- promote sustainable and regenerative material resources
- build a greener economy
- enhance social equity, environmental justice, and community quality of life.
What are three important factors of the LEED Green Building Rating System?
- voluntary
- consensus-based
- market-driven
What are the point values of a LEED credit based on?
The ability to mitigate the environmental harms of a building and promote beneficial effects.
In what 3 ways are LEED interpretations different than project CIRs?
- Precedent-setting
- Published online
- Subject to consensus
What are 3 benefits of LEED Interpretations?
- can be applied to multiple projects
- part of the LEED conversation
- Reviewed by USGBC committees
What LEED developments address specific space types and international requriements?
LEED Rating System adaptations
What is the LEED Pilot Credit Library
Allows credits to be refined through LEED project evaluations before they complete the balloting process for introduction into LEED
What type of project requires a master site for registration?
Campus
What is an LPE?
Licensed Professional Exemption (LPE) is an optional credit documentation path in which professionals can submit license information and a declaration of compliance in lieu of a number of otherwise required submittals.
What are the phases of the LEED integrative process?
- Discovery
- Design and Construction (Implementation)
- Occupancy, Operations, and Performance Feedback
What are the benefits of LEED-certified buildings
- Lower operating costs and increased asset value
- reduced waste sent to landfills
- energy and water conservation
- more healthful and productive environments for occupants
- reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
- qualification for tax rebates, and zoning allow
What is the IgCC
the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) provides the building industry with language that both broadens and strengthens building codes in a way that will accelerate the construction of high performance green buildings.
What are the Minimum Program Requirements (MPR) for a LEED project?
- Must be in a permanent location on existing land
- Must use a reasonable site boundary.
- Must comply with the project size requirements
What are Credit Interpretation Rulings (CIR)?
They are designed for technical and administrative guidance for MPR, Prerequisites, and Credits. They may be submitted any time after the project is registered and must be completed using LEED Online. Do not write as a letter. Include only the inquiry and essential information. CIRs can contain a maximum of 600 words. The CIR may not include attachments, cut sheets, plans or drawings.
CIRs can be used for what purpose(s)?
CIRs are used to ask one clear and concise question for technical and administrative guidance on MPRs, Prerequisites, or Credits.
For multiple building developments who determines the LEED Project Boundary?
The project team
What is LEED Online
LEED Online is the primary resource for managing the LEED documentation process.
What are some of the features of LEED Online?
Through LEED Online, project teams can manage project details, complete documentation requirements for LEED credits and prerequisites, upload supporting files, submit applications for review, receive reviewer feedback, and ultimately earn LEED certification.
Where can the LEED Score Card be found?
USGBC’s website
What are the LEED reference guides used for?
A user’s manual that guides a LEED project from registration to certification of the design and construction of a project
What do LEED reference guides contain?
Strategies, case studies, and documentation requirements for each credit and prerequisite in a rating system.
Who can access LEED Online?
Anyone assigned to a project by the project administrator.
What general documentation must be submitted for LEED certification?
Project Narrative
1. Project photos and drawings
2. Typical floor plans
3. Elevations
What organization is responsible for LEED project registration?
GBCI
What is a LEED intent?
Identifies the main sustainability goal or benefit of the prerequisite or credit (USGBC)
What does a prerequisite represent?
A prerequisite represents the key criteria that define green building performance. They must be completed for a project to earn certification.
How many certification levels are available for a LEED project?
4
What is a construction hard cost?
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. Examples of hard costs include masonry, wood, steel, carpet, tile, mechanical systems, and roofing.
What are some examples of construction hard costs?
Cement, steel, drywall, wood, land
What are construction soft costs?
Construction hard costs are considered to be CSI Master Format 2004 Edition Divisions 03-10, 31 (section 31.60.00 Foundations) and 32 (sections 32.10.00 Paving, 32.30.00 Site Improvements, and 32.90.00 Planting.
Why do projects need to meet prerequisites?
Prerequisites represent the key criteria that define green building performance.
What are the three important factors of the LEED Green Building Rating System?
Voluntary Consensus based Market-driven
What are the three types of LEED improvements made on a regular basis?
Errata and addenda Adaptations Next version of LEED
What is a closed system?
A closed system is a system with a closed loop, and is thought of as more sustainable. For example, plants growing in a field, grow, produce, oxygen, take in water, then die and decay, which helps plants grow.
What is an open system?
An open system is a system that constantly takes in items from outside the system, uses them and then releases them as waste. This system has no feedback loop. Think of a normal home where groceries, products, or water come into the home, are used and then released as waste water or garbage.
What is a negative feedback loop?
A negative feedback loop is a system where the output may signal the system to stop changing.
What are the phases of the LEED integrative process?
- Discovery
- Design and Construction (Implementation)
- Occupancy, Operations, and Performance Feedback.
How does integrative design differ from the conventional building process?
The integrative process is iterative.
What is at the core of the integrative process?
Collaborative team members
What are examples of structural incentives for green building?
- Expedited review / permitting process
- Density and height bonuses
What are examples of financial incentives for green building?
- Tax credits
- Fee reductions / Waivers
- Grants
- Revolving loan funds (low-interest loans)
What are examples of non-financial incentives for green building?
- Technical assistance
- Marketing assistance
What is the most important phase of the integrative process?
Discovery
How are CIRs submitted?
Credit interpretation requests (CIRs) must be submitted through LEED Online.
What are the amount of points a credit can earn (credit weighting) based on?
How well the credit address environmental and health concerns.
What is environmental sustainability?
Long-term maintenance of ecosystem components and functions for future generations (EPA)
What are environmental externalities
Transactions in which one of more parties to the transaction are not compensated and may have little choice in the transaction. Air pollution, for example, is a visible externality of manufacturing, the cost of which is generally paid by others.
What are USGBC’s seven guiding principles?
- Promote the triple bottom line.
- Establish leadership.
- Reconcile humanity with nature.
- Foster social equity.
- Maintain integrity.
- Be inclusive
- Exhibit transparency
