MOCK EXAM III Flashcards by Jacob Rodman

How can encouraging cycling not positively contribute to sustainability?

Impact of weather on commuting habits

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It is understood that parking leads to a variety of negative environmental effects. How can a project minimize its amount of parking spaces? (CHOOSE 3)

Selecting a site in a dense and diverse area
Building in places near transit
Instituting transportation demand management strategies

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When calculating the baseline water usage of a building, the EPAct of 1992 does not include which one of the following:

Dishwashers

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What is the total land area of a project site that is covered by buildings, streets, parking areas, and other typically impermeable surfaces constructed as part of the project?

Development footprint

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The EPAct of 1992 as amended is used:

To set the baseline water flow requirements of toilets and fixtures

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How can a higher level of occupant comfort due to task lighting, thermostats, and adjustable air diffusers positively impact the Triple Bottom Line?

Increased occupant performance

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A project uses an on-site wastewater treatment plan and uses the treated wastewater to replenish the aquifer below, helping to:

Reduce the demand for wastewater treatment infrastructure

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LeadingGreen has almost completed all LEED documentation for its new office tower. The USGBC believes that it has found an error in the LEED rating system. How should USGBC address this error?

LEED Addenda

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Impact Categories were developed for incorporation into LEED v4 to address which of the following?

LEED’s goals

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What was missing in the green building industry that the USGBC, along with LEED, has filled?

A standard measurement and definition of green building

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What standard must a project’s ESC (Erosion and Sedimentation control) plan comply with?

EPA Construction General Permit or the local equivalent

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Construction and demolition debris are responsible for a large amount of the waste in our landfills. How can a project team reduce the energy use and waste associated with demolition? (CHOOSE 3)

Restore existing buildings
Re-build an historic project
Select a blighted building

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After substantial completion and occupancy, how can the project team maintain ongoing energy efficiency via a third party?

Through retrocommissioning

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“Location, location, location!” Location is a very important item for LEED in multiple credit categories. Which location choice can unexpectedly reduce the demand for new materials in a project?

A dense, mixed-use neighborhood

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The Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) is a great tool to find information about buildings across America. What would a LEED Green Associate use the GBIG for?

Exploring and comparing the green dimensions of the built environment

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A team is trying to track its project’s energy usage over time using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. What tool on LEED Online can be used to take a snapshot of the project’s progress?

The project timeline

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A project team is attempting to get the most bang for their buck and minimize the project’s water use. Which strategy will best accomplish this?

Xeriscaping

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A new development implemented ESC (Erosion and Sedimentation Control) and LID (Low Impact Development) plans throughout its site, which helps with 2 of the following: (CHOOSE 2)

On-site rainwater management
The creation of buffers between development and water resources

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Donald Sterling only cares about the economic return of a building, so why would he certify it as LEED?

Certified green office buildings rent for 2% more than comparable buildings

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A developer cannot determine how many buildings he wants to locate on a large site. What LEED rating system extends past the project and into the local and regional communities?

LEED ND

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LeadingGreen owns 100% of the LEED® boundary. The project includes a major HVAC renovation, significant envelope modifications, and core plumbing renovation but may also allow for future tenant fit-outs. Which LEED rating system should be selected based on the 40/60 rule?

LEED BD+C: Core and Shell

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Rabinowitz Development wants to certify their 9-story multi-family residential project but needs to determine a baseline to compare itself to by:

Calculations made using ASHRAE 90.1

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Which is a renewable resource?

Biomass

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What is one of the primary goals of the commissioning process?

The project complies with the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)

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LEED v4 introduced new compliance paths for its rating systems. When would the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index be used?

When determining the minimum energy performance of a two-story residential project

A project engineer is responsible for signing off on a number of LEED credits but is missing the legally binding documents that describe the quality of the materials to be used on the project. What are these documents called?

Specifications

A project team is having difficulty at different stages of a project’s LEED process. When would a project team choose to submit a Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)? (CHOOSE 2)

- When a conflict in a credit or prerequisite requires resolution - When the reference guide does not address a specific issue

Which of the following demonstrates Systems Thinking?

Researching how occupants will travel to the project

A project team is holding its first LEED Charrette and wants to brainstorm water efficiency improvements. What legal requirements would team members be researching during the integrative process?

Non-potable water sources

What should the project team do if it changed its mind and decided not to pursue a credit initially attempted?

Remove the credit

LEED for Neighborhood Development has two rating systems within it. It also has some unique credit categories. Which one of the following is not one of them?

Awareness and Education

Green Cleaning used to be a commonly used ‘Innovation in Design’ point for LeadingGreen’s Canadian projects. Now it is an actual credit. What standard can projects outside the United States use for green cleaning products?

Global Ecolabeling Network

A project team decided to increase the building floor to site area ratio by building up as opposed to out. In doing so which impact category would be targeted?

Protect, Enhance and Restore Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control (EQp2)?

Smoking is not permitted in residential projects

How many points does a project need to become exactly LEED Certified?

The EPA’s WaterSense label is encouraged by LEED for all new fixtures purchased throughout the building’s life. Which of the following does it apply to? (CHOOSE 3)

- Private/public faucets - Showerheads - Toilets

The city of Toronto is attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its municipally owned buildings and should encourage: (CHOOSE 2)

- The improvement of the energy efficiency of communities - The improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings

One way to discourage the use of conventional gas-operated vehicles is to encourage the use of alternative green vehicles by:

Install preferred parking spots for specified vehicles

What process uses heat recovery to capture heat from electricity generation and then turns the recovered heat into thermal energy that can be used to heat a building?

Cogeneration

Commercial construction is responsible for what percentage of all carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S.?

38%

If you show exemplary performance in the SS category where are you awarded the points?

Innovation in Design

How does LEED address the demands of different geographic and climactic regions?

Regional priority credits

What type of buildings do ‘LEED BD+C: New Construction’, ‘LEED BD+C: Core and Shell’, ‘LEED BD+C: Schools’, and ‘LEED O+M: Existing Buildings’ evaluate? (Choose 3)

- High-rise residential buildings - Institutional buildings - Commercial buildings

LEED v4 takes a new approach to the water efficiency credit category and requires which strategy/approach?

Conservation first

Refrigerant management is a large factor which detrimentally affects the environmental side of the triple bottom line by:

Contributing greenhouse gas emissions

How is Floor Area Ratio (FAR) defined?

FAR is the measure of the density of non-residential land-use on buildable land

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is an important factor in determining energy usage. What does EUI refer to?

The amount of energy consumed per unit of floor space

A new project is being built in an area with a high number of dwelling units per acre and as a result, is within walkable proximity to a number of diverse uses, mitigating environmental impacts from: (CHOOSE 2)

Air pollution & Greenhouse gas

Which term describes the positive or negative consequences of an economic activity experienced by unrelated third parties?

Externalities

What should an indoor air quality plan during the construction phase entail?

Protect materials from moisture damage, flush out the building before occupancy, and restrict entry of dust

What is the total land area of a project site that is covered by buildings, streets, parking areas, and other typically impermeable surfaces constructed as part of the project?

Development footprint

Green building design attempts to reduce emissions from out buildings and transportation systems, which produce about ______ of combined global emissions?

2/3

Select one low-cost structural incentive that a municipality can give to a developer to encourage green building?

Allowing increases in the floor-area ratio

Which of the following describes site energy?

The amount of heat and electricity consumed by a building as reflected in utility bills

Why are VOCs limited?

They can be carcinogenic

California has had many forest fires and the team on a project nearby wants to provide financial support for reforestation by investing in:

Carbon offsets

Minimum program requirements and prerequisites must be met if a building wants to eventually become LEED certified. Which of the following situations would not be eligible? (CHOOSE 2)

- A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants - An existing building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants without having a CFC phase-out plan

RioCan just purchased the Yonge-Sheppard Center and will retrofit the envelope, HVAC, domestic hot water, and electric systems. Tenants will still control their own spaces, which will not be upgraded. Which LEED rating system should be used?

LEED BD+C: Core and Shell

How can you, as a LEED consultant, make a suggestion that would lower operating costs and increase energy efficiency in a new school?

Install all LED lighting

The building code in Pittsburgh allows for smoking in restaurants. As a result, a consultant for a new bar suggests having a dedicated smoking room, which would mean:

The project can not be certified

A team is trying to decide between two different office desks. One is made from overseas-imported bamboo and the other is made from local maple. How can the environmental attributes of the products be compared?

Through a life-cycle assessment

The LEED Integrative Process has three phases crucial to the project’s ongoing success. What are they? (CHOOSE 3)

- Occupancy, Operations, and Performance Feedback - Discovery - Design and Construction (Implementation)

There are 7 LEED credit categories that make up 100 points. Some of the points are awarded for strategies that minimize the impact on ecosystems and water resources under what credit category?

Sustainable Sites

The Regional Priority credit category is specific to:

The LEED project type (schools, healthcare, data centers, etc.)

The LEED certification process can add over $50,000 to typical building costs. Which of the following has the lowest associated soft cost?

Self-guided education program on the green features of a project

Prior to submitting a LEED Interpretation, a project team must first do the following:

Have the inquiry go through the project CIR process

LEED used to only award points for selecting contaminated brownfields, but now priority designation in the high priority site credit is also rewarded. Why is it worth points now?

To encourage investment in economically disadvantaged or low-income areas

A new tenant is taking over a floor in an historic building. What does LEED recognize as sustainable flooring? (CHOOSE 2)

- Ceramic tile that a manufacturer takes back after its end of life and recycles - Wood flooring that a manufacturer takes back after its end of life and refinishes

A delivery truck had a leak in its roof, and as a result, some building materials got wet. What should the project team do with these materials when they get to the site?

Replace the materials

Credit interactions and synergies are key to reducing the cost of LEED certification. Once those interactions and synergies are identified, the project team can develop strategies to better tackle which of the following? (CHOOSE 2)

- Construction activity pollution prevention - Habitat conservation and restoration

The Environmental Protection Agency lists numerous ways to reduce solid waste leaving your site. Which is the priority?

Source reduction

Temperature, air speed, and humidity are addressed by which standard?

ASHRAE 55-2010

ASHRAE, MERV, FSC and ISO are some of the standards embedded in the LEED rating system. While MERV defines the amount of particulates allowed to pass through a filter, what helps teams with implementing in a comprehensive Integrative Process?

Integrative Process (IP) ANSI Consensus National Standard Guide 2.0 for Design and Construction of Sustainable Buildings and Communities

Which of the following statements is an accurate description of a stakeholder meeting?

A meeting with everyone that has a vested interest in the outcome of a project

Natural ventilation is a very effective strategy when the climate allows for it, but can also result in many issues if implemented improperly. Which credit category does this technology affect?

Energy and Atmosphere

A project team for a new office tower decides to increase the tower’s floor area ratio (FAR), which of the following will it help with most?

Increasing open space

If there are 3 LEED professionals, an architect, a construction person and an engineer, how can their expertise be most directly awarded in LEED?

1 Points for having a LEED AP+ working on the project

When conducting a site assessment to show compliance with LEED, which of the following does not need to be included?

Financing Instruments

There are many ways to fight the damages caused by refrigerants, but this is not one of them:

Select refrigerants that have long atmospheric lives

How can a project team prevent pollution and sedimentation due to construction?

Install natural buffers around the property

Which of the following can a project do to minimize its certification review fees?

Become a USGBC corporate member

Looking at water metering in more detail which of the following subsystems may be 80% metered to earn a point? (CHOOSE 2)

- Indoor plumbing fixtures - Domestic hot water

LeadingGreen is developing a new campus project in an area without zoning. When would LeadingGreen use the ITE Transportation Planning Handbook?

To determine the amount of parking needed

What is the primary reason for performing energy audits?

To inspect, survey, and analyze energy flows

A site assessment is a key part of the integrative design and must include the investigation of: (CHOOSE 3)

- Hydrology and vegetation - Existing physical structure - Geology

It is understood that parking leads to a variety of negative environmental effects. How can a project minimize its amount of parking spaces? (CHOOSE 3)

- Selecting a site in a dense and diverse area - Instituting transportation demand management strategies - Building in places near transit

TD Bank is not very pleased with its annual energy consumption at its headquarters, and thus wants to make some changes. What LEED rating system would be applicable to minor renovations in a building?

LEED O+M: Existing Buildings

A project owner in Colorado is hoping to reduce the amount of potable water used for irrigation through rainwater harvesting and should first look at:

Local/state regulations

A Health Product Declaration (HPD) leads to the purchase of what kind of materials?

Those with fewer negative health effects

Natural ventilation can lead to ample points through the Energy Performance credit but its most troubling factor is that:

The system may not be able to provide enough fresh outdoor air

Looking at the LEED rating system, it is very complex with many different paths to achieve each credit. Some even have an LPE option. What is an LPE?

A Licensed Professional Exemption

Standards are an integral part of LEED, as they avoid the need of reinventing the wheel. What are Green Seal and Environmental Choice used for?

Cleaning products

The material specification team requires information on the environmental impact of a manufacturer’s extraction operations and the product’s supply chain. How can this be found?

By reviewing the manufacturer’s corporate sustainability report

During a charrette, the project team establishes an integrated design approach toward what major goal?

To compare notes and identify opportunities for synergy

A project team is trying to source sustainable fertilizer for its landscaping. What can a composting fixture help with?

Reducing indoor water use

How many LEED rating systems are there?

A Building Automation System can help the facility manager reduce impacts from all of the following except:

Automobile engines

ISO 14021 defines the different types of recyclable materials. Which of the following would be considered a “pre-consumer” material if it is recycled one day? (CHOOSE 3)

- Sunflower seed hulls - Walnut shells - Sawdust

LEED incorporates strategies and sustainable practices, such as open and closed systems, into its holistic rating system. Which of the following is FALSE in regards to a closed system in the built environment?

Resources that have been fully used are then released outside the system

Water is becoming an increasingly finite resource as we pollute our sources. What percentage of the United States’ water usage can be attributed to buildings, including landscaping?

12%

If 16 people work for 4 hours a day, 20 people work for 6 hours a day and 10 people work for 8 hours a day, how many FTEs are there?

33 [(16×4)+(20×6)+(10×8)] / 8 hr/day = 33 1 FTE = 8 hour/day or = 40 hour per week use the day rate

When is a project allowed to show its LEED certification plaque?

Following the acceptance of a final certification review