LEED Flash Cards Deck 1
Who can use the USGBC MEMBER Logo?
Only USGBC members in good standing.
What are the Minimum Program Requirements (MPR) for a LEED project?
- Must comply with environmental laws
- Must be complete, permanent building or space
- Must use a resonable site boundry
- Must comply with minimum floor area requirements
- Must comply with minimum occupancy rates
- Must commit to sharing whole-building energy and water usage data
- Must comply with a minimum building area to site area ratio
What is ASHRAE 62.1-2007 related to?
ASHRAE 62.1-2007 is related to ventilation, controlling air contaminant levels, humidity, and temperature within a space.
What is ASHRAE 55-2004 related to?
ASHRAE 55-2004 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 relates to occupant thermal comfort.
What is ASHRAE 90.1-2007 related to?
ASHRAE 90.1-2007 relates 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, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
What can be used to assist with the certification of projects in a campus or multi-building setting such as corporate campuses, college campuses and government installations?
The LEED for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building rating system provides direction in applying LEED for New Construction to projects in a campus or multi- building setting such as corporate campuses, college campuses and government installations (i.e., a single owner or common property management and control). It is intended for projects where either several buildings are constructed at once or in phases, or a single building is constructed in a setting of existing buildings with common ownership or planning with the ability to share amenities or common design features. (USGBC)
What ASHRAE standards would be used for the Energy and Atmosphere category?
ASHRAE 90.1-2007
What ASHRAE standards would be used for the Indoor Environmental Quality category?
ASHRAE 62.1-2007 is related to ventilation and ASHRAE 55-2004 is related to the thermal comfort criteria of occupants
What standard addresses the thermal comfort of building occupants?
ASHRAE 55-2004
What LEED category would SMACNA standards be used for?
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ).
What LEED category would the Green-e standard be used for?
Energy and Atmosphere (EA)
What LEED categories contain standards related to VOC emissions?
Materials & 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 ratings range from 1 (least efficient) - 16 (most efficient)
What is the EPAct of 1992?
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992) covers many products and services related to energy. It also sets standards for toilets and other water fixtures in both commercial and residential models.
What is ISO 14021?
The ISO 14021 series standards, Environmental Labels and Declaration, are communication tools that convey information on environmental aspects of a product or service to the market. This standard is used for recycled materials to label their pre and/or post consumer content.
What is IESNA?
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Publisher of lighting design and illumination standards.
What is Green-e?
Green-e is a program established to promote green electricity products and provide consumers with a nationally recognized method to identify those products.
What does an ENERGY STAR rating refer to?
The ENERGY STAR rating is a measure of a building’s energy performance compared with that of similar buildings, as determined by ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. A score of 50 represents average building performance.
What does Certification by FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL mean?
Certification means forest managers have adopted environmentally and socially responsible forest management practices. And certification allows companies to manufacture and sell products made from sustainable wood.
What is Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Certification?
Chain of Custody refers to chronological documentation or paper trail. CoC is important in LEED when dealing with certified wood. Companies that process, manufacture, and/or sell products made of certified wood can earn CoC certification by having an audit done of their documentation. This certification shows the FSC that the name and logo are being used correctly.
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 maximum 600 words. The CIR may NOT include attachments, cut-sheets, plans or drawings.
CIRs can be used for what purpose(s)?
CIRs are use 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
Who can volunteer for LEED committees?
Anyone
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.
Where can the LEED Score Card be found?
USGBC’s website
What is Environmental Building News?
A monthly newsletter featuring comprehensive, practical information on a wide range of topics related to sustainable building. -BuildingGreen.com
What are the LEED Reference Guide’s 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 the LEED Reference Guide’s contain?
Strategies, case studies, and documentation requirements for each credit and prerequisite in a rating system.
What types of information can be found on USGBC’s website?
Updated information on the rating systems.
What is the LEED PROJECT BOUNDARY?
It is the portion of the project site that is submitted for LEED certification and must be used consistently.
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, Project photos/drawings, Typical floor plans, 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 is the LEED Technical Advisory Group responsible for?
Providing a consistent source of technical advice to LEED committees and working groups with respect to credit and prerequisite improvement and supporting tool development. -USGBC
How does GERRYMANDERING relate to a LEED project boundary?
Gerrymandering of a LEED project boundary is prohibited: 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 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.
Why do projects need to meet prerequisites?
Prerequisites represent the key criteria that define green building performance.
How many CERTIFICATION LEVELS are available to a LEED project?
4
What are the different certification levels LEED projects can earn?
Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum
Who authorizes use of the USGBC logos?
The USGBC marketing department authorizes use of the USGBC logos.
How are CIRs submitted?
Credit interpretation requests 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 should be submitted for a CIR?
Provide a brief but clear description of the challenge countered, emphasize the intent of the prerequisite or credit,andifpossible,theprojectteamshouldoffer potential solutions to the problem or a proposed interpretation.
What is considered a construction HARD COST?
Construction hard cost are considered to be CSI Master Format 2004 Edition Divisions 03_10, 31 (Section 31.60.00Foundations)and32(Sections32.10.00Paving, 32.30.00 Site Improvements, and 32.90.00 Planting
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, roofing.
What are some examples of construction hard costs?
Cement, steel, drywall, wood, land
What are CONSTRUCTION SOFT COSTS?
Soft costs are expense items that are not considered direct construction costs such as legal fees and building permitting.
What is meant by LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT?
A Life-Cycle assessment is an analysis of the environment aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service.
What type of Rating System is not available through LEED Online?
LEED for Homes
What is the minimum Floor Area requirement for New Construction, Core and Shell, Schools, Ex- isting Buildings: Operations and Maintenance?
The LEED project must include a minimum of 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) of gross floor area.
What are some examples of construction SOFT COSTS?
Examples include architectural, engineering, financing, and legal fees.
How much does it cost for USGBC members to register a project?
$900
How much does it cost for USGBC non-members to register a project?
$1,200
What does an APPEAL cost per credit?
$500
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.
What is the cost for a Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)?
$220
LEED promotes what type of approach to sustainability?
A whole building approach
If a project is awarded LEED Platinum certification, what does the project receive?
The project will receive a rebate for ALL certification fees.
What has USGBC adapted to establish metrics and rating systems to measure building performance?
Triple bottom line
When can a LEED project be eligible to display the LEED plaque and other marketing material?
LEED projects are eligible following the acceptance of a final certification review.
What does each category in the LEED rating system consist of?
Prerequisites and credits
What LEED rating systems are available?
- New Construction (Building Design and Construction),
- Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (Green Buildings: Operations and Maintenance)
- Commercial Interiors (Interior Design and Construction)
- Core & Shell
- Schools
- Retail
- Healthcare
- Homes
- Neighborhood Development
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 across all the 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 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 in LEED 2009 for Building Design and Construction?
110 possible points
What are the different point levels for LEED certification?
- Certified, 40-49 points
- Silver, 50-59 points
- Gold, 60-79 points
- Platinum, 80+ points
If four LEED AP’s are on a project, what is the total number of points a project team can earn?
One
What is SMACNA used for?
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor_s National Association (SMACNA) guidelines play a key role in construction activity pollution prevention. The standard provides an overview of air pollutants associated with construction, control measures, construction process management, quality control, among other things.
What is Green Seal used for?
Green Seal is an independent nonprofit organization that indentifies and promotes products that are environmentally preferable. Several of its standards measure VOC limits in products.
What type of products are related to the Green Seal standard?
Paints and primers
What LEED credit category has credits that reference the Green Seal standard?
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ).