LEED Process AP

Question 1

A 10 acre multi-building development have five buildings. How is the LEED boundary determined if each building will be a separate LEED project? A. The LEED boundary is at the edge of each building’s footprint. B. Each building has the boundary at the edge of a two-acre area. C. The project team determines the LEED boundary for each LEED project. D. The LEED boundary is at the perimeter of the ten-acre area

Answer 1

C. The project team determines the LEED boundary for each LEED project. The LEED boundary is the 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. For multiple building developments, the LEED project boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team. (-USGBC)

Question 2

Once a project administrator has been selected to lead the group through the LEED application and documentation process what recommended next steps will help facilitate credit compliance?
(Choose 2) A. Determining the performance period schedule B. Assigning responsibility for water meter reading, purchase tracking, and vendor management C. Double-checking that all assignments for surveys, tracking, and audits are clear D. Mapping the LEED project boundary E. Investigating any special certification programs

Answer 2

B. Assigning responsibility for water meter reading, purchase tracking, and vendor management
This helps ensure documentation is completed.
C. Double-checking that all assignments for surveys, tracking, and audits are clear
This helps ensure documentation is completed.

Question 3

What best defines the project boundary?
A. Portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification B. Platted property line of the project defining land and water within it C. Total area within the legal property boundaries of the site; this encompasses all areas of the site, including constructed and nonconstructed areas D. Total area within the platted property line not including any non-constructed areas

Answer 3

B. Platted property line of the project defining land and water within it

Question 4

A project has many leased spaces. Under what conditions can the project take an additional 10% exemption for a credit?
(Choose 2)
A. If the project team can’t gather the necessary tenant data for the credit B. If the project is a located outside of the United States C. If the project already has an ENERGY STAR rating D. If the project is in its initial performance period E. If the applicant does not have control over the required element

Answer 4

A. If the project team can’t gather the necessary tenant data for the credit. E. If the applicant does not have control over the required element

Question 5

A project team for a school is preparing for recertification. During the performance period no major changes have occurred. What will the project team need to submit for review?
A. Purchasing policies B. Site management policies C. Site infrastructure information D. Only performance documentation

Answer 5

D. Only performance documentation

Unless major changes occur (as defined as a renovation, addition, or management turnover) only performance documentation needs to be submitted for recertification.

Question 6

How is the LEED boundary defined for a single building development?
(Choose 2)
A. The entire project scope - generally limited to the site boundary B. The edge of the building footprint C. The edge of the development footprint D. The portion of project site submitted for LEED certification

Answer 6

A. The entire project scope - generally limited to the site boundary. D. The portion of project site submitted for LEED certification

Question 7

A hotel project in a historic district requests that the walkoff mats in the primary direction of travel for the main building’s entrance be less than 10 feet (3 meters) long due to the constraints of the historic building porch depths. Who should address this request?
A. The project administrator B. A GBCI certification reviewer C. The USGBC steering committee D. LEED technical customer service

Answer 7

B. A GBCI certification reviewer

If a project team needs guidance on an issue before submitting for certification review, the project CIR process is available to them. The project CIR will be determined by a GBCI Certification Reviewer familiar with the project’s specific circumstances.

Question 8

A project has achieved one pilot credit, has earned exemplary performance in three credits, and has used a strategy for innovation. How many points would this project earn?
A. 5 B. 2 C. 4 D. 3

Answer 8

C. 4

Question 9

Having the right structures for internal and external personnel to make sure the project team is keeping on top of tracking is important for:
A. Meeting minimum program requirements B. Current Facilities Requirements C. Owner’s Project Requirements D. Recertification

Answer 9

D. Recertification

Continuous tracking is critical to the success of recertification.

Question 10

If the requirements described on a credit form do not match the rating system and/or reference guide material, which action should a project team take next?
A. Submit the issue via the feedback button within leedonline.com B. Submit a LEED interpretation C. Submit a project CIR D. Contact LEED technical customer service

Answer 10

A. Submit the issue via the feedback button within leedonline.com

For assistance with broken prerequisite/credit forms and/or functionality within leedonline.com, submit issues via the feedback button, found on every page in leedonline.com.

Question 11

A Pilot Credit proposal includes all of the following except:
A. Project that will be implementing the credit B. Survey feedback questions C. Identified guest expert D. Submittal documentation

Answer 11

A. Project that will be implementing the credit
USGBC member companies can submit pilot credits.
Pilot credits are not submitted based on the project they would initially be applied to.

Question 12

A project team has identified existing policies, practices, equipment, contracts, and budgets to set a baseline for improvement for a new office project. How should the strategies be prioritized?
A. By selecting strategies that reduce the demand for virgin resources B. By selecting strategies that are aligned with environmental and organizational values and operational realities C. By selecting strategies that preserve the ecological integrity of the site D. By selecting strategies that can be implemented the fastest

Answer 12

B. By selecting strategies that are aligned with environmental and organizational values and operational realities

Question 13

A project team member finds an issue not addressed in the LEED reference guide regarding indoor plumbing fixtures and submits a suggested approach to the credit during the standard LEED review process. What is true about this approach?
A. The approach will be rejected because it is outside the scope of the review process B. They will receive a determination in the review comments at the discretion of the reviewer assigned to the project. C. The approach will be rejected and a Project CIR will need to be submitted instead D. If the approach is accepted it can be precedent-setting and can be used in future project reviews

Answer 13

B. They will receive a determination in the review comments at the discretion of the reviewer assigned to the project.

When dealing with an issue not addressed in available LEED guidance material, project teams have the option of submitting a suggested approach during the standard LEED certification process. They will receive a determination in the review comments at the discretion of the reviewer assigned to the project.

Question 14

A project has the following credits and end dates for their performance periods:
WE Credit Outdoor Water Use April 1, 2015
SS Credit Site Management April 25, 2015
EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance April 26, 2015

What is the latest date the project team can submit the project application?

A. In 60-days, counting from April 27 B. In 60-days, counting from April 26 C. In 30-days, counting from April 26 D. In 60-days, counting from April 1

Answer 14

A. In 60-days, counting from April 27

60 days after starting on the day after the last day of the performance period.

Question 15

A project team member has excluded a section of land in order to meet the requirements of one of the LEED credits. Which statement is true about this action?
A. This action is allowed if the gross floor area of the LEED project building is less than 2% of the gross land area within the LEED project boundary. B. This action is not allowed. C. Certain sections of land can be excluded from the site boundary if a responsible party submits a licensed professional exemption form. D. This action is only allowed if a project narrative is written to explain the exclusion.

Answer 15

B. This action is not allowed.

Land cannot be excluded for the purposes of complying with a credit/prerequisite. This is known as gerrymandering.

Question 16

A team is gathering to discuss the project goals. What should the project goals reflect?
(Choose 3)
A. Targets to achieve for sustainability B. Achieving the least costly LEED credits C. Value engineering D. Operational realities E. The values of the organization that owns the building

Answer 16

A. Targets to achieve for sustainability D. Operational realities E. The values of the organization that owns the building

Question 17

What details in a tracking system are important for recertification?
(Choose 2)
A. Number of FTEs B. Newer versions of LEED C. Number of computers D. Minimum occupancy requirements

Answer 17

A. Number of FTEs C. Number of computers

Question 18

Which action would earn a project an IN Credit?
A. Achieve double the requirements or meet the next incremental percentage threshold of an existing LEED credit B. Implementing an Environmental Tobacco Smoke control policy for the entire building C. Having a LEED Green Associate work on a project as a principal participant D. Using 100% passive ventilation (natural ventilation) in a building

Answer 18

A. Achieve double the requirements or meet the next incremental percentage threshold of an existing LEED credit

For exceptional performance, doubling the requirements or meeting the next incremental percentage threshold can earn an IN credit.

Question 19

How often are projects eligible to be recertified?

A. Every 12 months B. Every 3 months C. Every 5 years D. Every 24 months

Answer 19

A. Every 12 months

Projects must recertify within five years of the previous certification and are eligible to recertify every 12 months.

Question 20

What best describes the performance period?
A. The continuous implementation of the strategies set during the establishment period B. An analysis of systems in relation to seasonal fluctuations in temperature C. Annual statistics on greenhouse gas emissions and waste recycling from operations D. The time when building infrastructure is assessed

Answer 20

A. The continuous implementation of the strategies set during the establishment period

Question 21

Unless otherwise noted in the credit requirements how long is the initial performance period?
A. At least 12 months but no longer than 5 years B. At least three months but no more than 24 months C. At least 8 months but no longer than 36 months D. At least 12 months

Answer 21

B. At least three months but no more than 24 months

Question 22

Establishment requirements fall into what two categories of credits?
(Choose 2)
A. Those that require ongoing tracking and measurement over time B. Those that require discrete actions C. Those based on building components and site infrastructure D. Those based on policies and plans

Answer 22

C. Those based on building components and site infrastructure

This is a category for the establishment requirements.

D. Those based on policies and plans

This is a category for the establishment requirements.

Question 23

A project team is reviewing the pilot credit for ergonomics. Which action should occur if the team decides to pursue the credit?
A. The team should submit a fee to register for the credit. B. The team should document the pilot credit like other Innovation options. C. The team should register for the pilot credit immediately through the pilot credit library. D. During documentation review, the team should register for the pilot credit in LEED Online.

Answer 23

C. The team should register for the pilot credit immediately through the pilot credit library.

Pilot credit availability can change over time, so if a project team waits to register, the pilot credit may no longer be available.

Question 24

When determining the project’s goals with the owner’s and tenant’s organization values the following should be examined to help support the business case of the project EXCEPT:
A. Shareholders’ concerns B. Tenant leases for neighboring properties C. Corporate social responsibility report D. Human resource policies

Answer 24

B. Tenant leases for neighboring properties

This would likely not be used to set a project’s goals.

Question 25

A Green Education program is widely known as an innovative strategy worthy of an ID point in the LEED rating systems. What characteristics does this program display that must be present in all innovative performance strategies?
(Choose 2)
A. Comprehensive B. Unique C. Quantifiable D. Rare

Answer 25

A. Comprehensive C. Quantifiable

Question 26

How can a project team avoid errors and expenses in LEED documentation prior to submitting the project for review?
(Choose 3)
A. Require that each person assigned to a credit store their own documentation until submission B. Proofread the submission C. Verify that numeric values (FTE, site area, etc.) are consistent across credits D. Request that the USGBC LEED reviewer does a quality assurance review E. Check for completeness F. Wait until the project is substantially complete before collecting material quantities

Answer 26

B. Proofread the submission
C. Verify that numeric values (FTE, site area, etc.) are consistent across credits
E. Check for completeness

Question 27

What credit is going to include peak visitors in the calculations?
A. LT Credit Alternative Transportation B. EQ Credit Interior Lighting C. EQ Credit Occupant Comfort Survey D. WE Prerequisite / Credit Indoor Water Use

Answer 27

A. LT Credit Alternative Transportation

This credit includes peak visitors in the survey and the transportation rate.

Question 28

After project registration you find a credit the project is attempting is listed as applicable under the ‘Applicable credits’ section of the Interpretations database. What must the project team do?
A. Review the Addenda database B. Resubmit the credit C. Submit a Project CIR D. Review the interpretation and apply it if it makes sense to do so

Answer 28

D. Review the interpretation and apply it if it makes sense to do so

Question 29

What are examples of information that would be required for a compliant policy?
(Choose 2)
A. Joe Smith, Senior Facility Manager, will implement this policy B. The project reduced GHG emissions by 15% in 2012 C. 50% of waste (measured by volume) will be diverted from the landfill D. The building has 900 regular building occupants

Answer 29

A. Joe Smith, Senior Facility Manager, will implement this policy

Each policy must list a responsible party.

C. 50% of waste (measured by volume) will be diverted from the landfill

Each policy must include goals and objectives.

Question 30

A project was registered in January of 2013. In April 2013 USGBC published Addenda for a credit the project team is pursuing. What statements are true regarding this project?
(Choose 2)
A. The project team must follow any addenda published in April, 2013 B. The project team must follow any addenda published prior to January, 2013 C. The project team can choose to follow any addenda published after April, 2013 D. The project team can choose to follow any addenda published prior to January, 2013

Answer 30

B. The project team must follow any addenda published prior to January, 2013
C. The project team can choose to follow any addenda published after April, 2013

Question 31

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 part of a larger campus project B. The land is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building C. The land will be donated for the purposes of earning an ID point D. The land will be included in a future LEED certification

Answer 31

B. The land is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building

See Reasonable Site Boundary in the reference.

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.

Question 32

What is the maximum gap a project can have in between performance periods?
A. None B. 8 months C. 3 months D. One full week

Answer 32

D. One full week

Gaps are limited to one full week.

Question 33

Which of the following would be a good candidate for a Pilot Credit?
A. A green building topic not found in the rating system B. A method to reduce the heat island effect using shading C. A strategy that requires the use of a specific brand of material to improve the indoor environment D. An energy saving technology that can only be met with ENERGY STAR products

Answer 33

A. A green building topic not found in the rating system

The LEED Pilot Credit Library is a rating system development tool designed to test new and revised LEED credit language, alternative compliance paths, and new or innovative green building technologies and concepts.

Question 34

What credit includes a minimum occupancy requirement?
A. EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance B. WE Prerequisite Indoor Water Use Reduction C. EQ Prerequisite Minimum Indoor Air Quality D. EQ Credit Thermal Comfort

Answer 34

A. EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance

In LEED 2009 the MPRs included minimum occupancy. Some of these requirements got rolled into credits (it’s not an MPR anymore). The ENERGY STAR rating requires occupants for the calculations.

Question 35

A building operator has noticed in the month of June the cooling system is using 10% more energy than any year in the prior four years. What information would be available to highlight this operational deficiency?
A. Maintenance schedule B. Site analysis C. Energy benchmark D. Energy signature

Answer 35

D. Energy signature

An energy signature is an analysis of measured energy use in relation to seasonal fluctuations in temperature. The signature helps identify operating inefficiencies.

Question 36

All performance periods must overlap and conclude within how many days of each other?
A. 3 months B. 10 days C. 30 days D. 7 days

Answer 36

C. 30 days

Question 37

A school project is vacant for two months during summer vacation. How should the project team address the occupancy rates varying over the performance period?
A. The two months should be excluded from any credit calculations B. The credit calculations should use a time-weighted average C. The project team doesn’t have to address the change in vacancy D. The two months should be excluded from the performance period

Answer 37

B. The credit calculations should use a time-weighted average

‘When occupancy rates vary over the performance period, that variation should be reflected in credit calculations via a time-weighted average.’

Question 38

A project has many leased spaces but the building owner still wants to try to pursue LEED certification. Because of the lease arrangement the project team is going to exclude 10% of the total gross building floor area from the LEED project boundary. Which credit cannot have the 10% area excluded from the submission?
A. EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance B. EQ Credit Green Cleaning - Custodial Effectiveness Assessment C. EQ Prerequisite Minimum IAQ Performance D. EQ Prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control

Answer 38

D. EQ Prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control

ETS Control applies to 100% of the building with no tenant space exclusions.