Section 1: Basics Flashcards
LEED refers to a campus as what?
Projects on a Shared Site, which certifies multiple buildings located on one site and under the control of a single entity
What does USGBC stand for?
U.S Green Building Council
What is the triple bottom line?
- Social
- Environmental
- Economic
What does LEED stand for?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
What is the responsibility of the architect?
Responsible for the design of green building strategies, including overall site planning and interior space
What is the MEP engineer responsible for?
Responsible for the design of the energy and water systems of a building, more specifically, the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components, including thermal impacts
What is the responsibility of the landscape architect?
Responsible for the selection of trees and plants, the impacts of shading, and water efficiency for irrigation; also responsible for vegetated roof design
What is the responsibility of the civil engineer?
Responsible for site design, including storm water management, open space requirements, and site protection
What is the responsibility of the contractor?
Responsible for the completion (if required) and construction of a facility, including site work
What is the responsibility of the facility manager?
Responsible for maintaining a building and site during operations
What is the vision of the USGBC?
Buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation
What is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building?
Greenbuild
When was the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) founded?
1992
When was Greenbuild launched?
2002
What are prerequisites?
Prerequisites are required elements or green building strategies that must be included in any LEED-certified project
What are credits?
Credits are optional elements— strategies that projects can elect to pursue to gain points toward LEED certification
Achieving LEED certification requires what?
Satisfying all prerequisites and earning a minimum number of credits
What are the three main categories under the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system?
- Smart location and linkage
- Neighbourhood pattern and design
- Green infrastructure and buildings
What does TAG stand for?
Technical Advisory Group
What does HVAC stand for?
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
What are the six main categories for the LEED rating systems:
- Location & Transportation (LT)
- Sustainable Sites (SS)
- Water Efficiency (WE)
- Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
- Materials & Resource (MR)
- Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ)
What is the minimum number of points for project certification?
40
LEED Certified requires what range of points?
40 - 49
How many points are required for Silver certified?
50 - 59
How many points are required for gold certified?
60 - 79
How many points are required for Platinum certified?
80+
When was LEED launched?
1998
How frequently are correction and clarification of credit language updated?
Quarterly
How are credits weighted?
By the strongest relationship to the impact categories of greatest concern
Why would state and local governments are analyzing and revising their building codes?
To better align with their sustainability goals and green building programs
Many local governments are finding that regulatory minimums for the private sector may need upgrades and more comprehensive enforcement strategies to improve what?
- Public health
- Safety
- Environmental quality
What does IGCC stand for?
The International Green Construction Code
What does GBCI stand for?
Green Building Certification Institute
Give an overview of USGBC?
A nonprofit composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry to promote buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work
Give an overview of GBCI
To provide third-party project certification and professional credentials recognising excellence in green building performance and practice
USGBC is responsible for:
LEED Rating Systems, as well of educational programs and reference guides
GBCI is responsible for:
Project Certification and Professional Accreditation
What is the first step of the LEED certification process?
Registration
What is the final step of the LEED certification process?
Certification or Denial
What are the steps in the LEED project certification process?
- Project registration
- Application preparation
- Submission
- Application review
- Certification
What does CIR stand for?
Credit interpretation request
CIR’s are administered by which body?
GBCI
All LEED Interpretations are publicly posted where?
The online Addenda database
Which LEED accreditation validates basic understanding of green building and the professional field, as gained through experience in sustainability and green building or related educational experience?
LEED Associate
Which LEED accreditation demonstrates a deep familiarity with the LEED rating systems developed through active participation in and contribution to a LEED-registered project?
LEED Accredited Proffessional
Which LEED accreditation distinguishes professional leadership, contribution to the standards of practice and body of knowledge, and continual improvement in the field?
LEED Fellow
Which body is responsible for the appeals process?
GBCI
Feedback loops—positive or negative—depend on what?
Flows of information
Delivering real-time energy information where operators can act on the information and make changes is known as what?
The Prius Effect
Places to intervene in a system which increase effectiveness are known as what?
Leverage Points
Taking materials, use them to make something, and then discard what remains is an example of what kind of system?
Open system
What is value engineering?
A formal review based on the project’s intended function and conducted to identify alternatives that reduce costs and improve performance, this is a critical part of the sustainable design process
What are leverage points?
Places to Intervene in a system which increase effectiveness
In the United States, buildings accounts for what percentage of total electricity consumption?
72%
In the United States, buildings accounts for what percentage of total energy use?
39%
In the United States, buildings accounts for what percentage of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions?
38%
In the United States, buildings accounts for what percentage of total raw materials use?
40%
In the United States, buildings accounts for what percentage of total waste output?
30% (136 million tons annually)
In the United States, commercial construction accounts for what percentage of total potable water consumption?
14%
The built environment contributes to what percentage of all greenhouse gas emissions?
67%
Briefly describe the iterative process
Constantly checking goals against the project vision and to see if goals are being met
Explain what the IgCC does
The IgCC provides model code language to establish baseline regulations for new and existing buildings related to energy conservation, water efficiency, building owner responsibilities, site impacts, building waste, and materials and other considerations.
What does LCC stand for?
Life cycle cost
Explain the life cycle cost
A life cycle cost (LCC) is the sum of all recurring and one-time (non-recurring) costs over the full life span or a specified period of a good, service, structure, or system
What does LCA stand for?
Life-cycle analysis
Explain the life-cycle analysis
The investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused or necessitated by its existence.
LCA addresses environmental impacts while LCC addresses economic impacts
What is a closed system?
A set of actions/materials with a closed loop. Closed systems are considered to be the most sustainable because there is no “waste” or final end product. The system continues on and on independently.
What is an open system?
An open system is a system that constantly takes in items from outside the system, uses them and then released them as waste
Taking in items from outside the system, using them and then releasing them as waste is know as what?
An open system
A system where the output may signal the system to stop changing is known as what?
A negative feedback loop
A system where energy is taken from the output of a system and reapplied to the input, or A produces more of B which in turn produces more of A is known as what?
A positive feedback loop
What is a negative feedback loop?
A system where the output may signal the system to stop changing
What is a positive feedback loop?
A system where energy is taken from the output of a system and reapplied to the input, or A produces more of B which in turn produces more of A
What is the mission statement of USGBC?
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 does CxA stand for?
Commissioning Authority
What is the commissioning authority responsible for?
Responsible for commissioning process, including drawing design and equipment installation and performance review during construction
Building Design + Construction (BD+C) are suitable for what kind of project?
Buildings that are being newly constructed or going through a major renovation
Interior Design + Construction (ID+C) are suitable for what kind of project?
Projects that are a complete interior fit-out
Building Operations + Maintenance (O+M) are suitable for what kind of project?
Existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction
Neighborhood Development (ND) are suitable for what kind of project?
New land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, nonresidential uses, or a mix
What does ASHRAE stand for?
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
For certification, a project must satisfy which three requirements?
- Meet the Minimum Program Requirements
- Satisfy all Prerequisites
- Satisfy a combination of Credits that achieve a certain number of points for the desired certification level
What does MPR stand for?
Minimum Program Requirements
Projects under the LEED BD+C and LEED O+M Rating Systems must be a minimum size of how much?
1,000 square feet (93 square meters) of gross floor area
Projects under the LEED ID+C Rating Systems must be a minimum size of how much?
250 square feet (22 square meters) of gross floor area
What are the project size requirements under the LEED Neighborhood Development Rating Systems?
The LEED project should contain at least two habitable buildings and be no larger than 1500 acres
What are the project size requirements under the LEED for Homes Rating Systems?
Must be a dwelling unit, which must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation
The LEED process begins with holding a what?
Charrette
What are the three MPR’s (Minimum program requirement’s)?
- Must be in a permanent location on existing land
- Must use reasonable LEED boundaries
- Must comply with project size requirements
Only when can points be officially earned?
After the construction phase
What steps should be taken before submitting a formal CIR?
- Consult the reference guide
2. Contact LEED customer service to see if the question can be answered
What is a brownfield site?
A previously used or redeveloped land that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution
ASHRAE Standard 90.1 refers to what?
Minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of buildings, including HVAC and lighting systems
Which standard refers to minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of buildings, including HVAC and lighting systems?
ASHRAE Standard 90.1
Which standard establishes ventilation requirements for acceptable indoor air quality?
ASHRAE Standard 62
Which standard establishes acceptable thermal environmental conditions for occupancy?
ASHRAE Standard 55
Green Label relates to what?
Carpets
What are the 3 P’s that refer to the Triple Bottom Line?
- Planet
- Profit
- People
What are three characteristics of the USGBC’s program development?
- Member-driven
- Committee-based
- Consensus-focused
List the two documents that need to be reviewed by the Commissioning Authority (CxA) for clarity and completeness
- Basis of Design
- Owners Project Requirements
List the three objectives of the LEED minimum program requirements
- Protect the integrity of the LEED program.
- Reduce certification process challenges.
- Give clear guidance to users
What is the approach to ensure effective implementation of a variety of sustainable design strategies?
Whole-building approach
What is a LEED Green Rater?
A Green Rater is an individual who works for a LEED for Homes Provider and performs on-site inspections and testing for the LEED for Homes Rating System
Which rating systems will award a project one or more points for already being LEED-certified in another rating system?
- LEED for Homes
- LEED for Commercial Interiors
- LEED for Operations and Maintenance
What is the basis for LEED Certification fees?
The project square footage
What is the minimum age for a building to participate in the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system?
12 months
Which LEED rating system employs a three-stage review?
LEED for Neighborhood Development
Who can use the USGBC logo?
Only USGBC members in good standing
Which rating system requires the project team to establish a Preliminary Rating?
LEED for Homes
What is the “cornerstone for developing sustainable buildings”?
Integrated building design
What is the most effective way to assure the development and implementation of an integrated building design during the pre-design phase?
Participation of the entire team
When submitting a CIR, what are the two things that should be included?
- The inquiry
- Essential background information
What is the minimum point threshold a LEED for Homes project can achieve to become LEED certified?
45
What is the requirement to maintain LEED AP status?
30 Continuing Education (CE) hours over a 2-year period
List two advantages of having the LEED goal-setting meeting early on in the project
- To evaluate costs of pursuing various credits and strategies
- To receive discounted project registration fees
How are Credit Interpretation Rulings (CIRs) connected to Innovation in Design credits?
An Innovation in Design credit is not guaranteed unless it has been established via the CIR process
These are all examples of what?
design fees & permit expenses project registration & certification fees appeals and CIR fees LEED consultant fees energy modeling fees
Soft costs
Define synergy as it relates to the LEED credits
A credit synergy is achieved when a single strategy aids two or more credits and/or prerequisites
What is the term for when a single strategy for one credit hurts another?
Credit tradeoff
What is another word for the LEED scorecard?
LEED credit checklist
What is the greatest benefit of an integrative design process in terms of achieving LEED Certification?
To capitalize on credit synergies
Who is responsible for the following?
establish user documents register project set up team members assign credit responsibilities submit documents to GBCI
LEED Project Administrator
List some benefits of having a LEED AP on the project team
- Knowledge of LEED & green building practices
- Explain LEED credits
- LEED project experience
- Encourage whole building approach
- Streamline the LEED process
Which rating system deals specifically with speculative buildings where the interior tenant spaces will be built later and/or by a different party?
LEED for Core and Shell
List five examples of soft costs
- Design fees & permit expenses
- Project registration & certification fees
- Appeals and CIR fees
- LEED consultant fees
- Energy modeling fees
Define tradeoff as it relates to the LEED credits
A tradeoff happens when a single strategy for one credit and/or prerequisite hurts another
List some of the LEED Project Administrator’s responsibilities.
- Establish user documents
- Register project
- Set up team members
- Assign credit responsibilities
- Submit documents to GBCI
What book directs the activities of the design group, starting from the pre-design stage through all the successive stages?
The LEED Reference guide
Which substance used in fire sprinklers and fire extinguishers has great ozone depletion potential?
Halon
What is an LSC?
LEED Steering Committee
LEED rating systems are lumped into how many main categories?
5
What are the main rating systems categories in LEED?
– Building Design & Construction (BD&C)
– Interior Design and Construction (ID&C)
– Operations & Maintenance (O&M)
– LEED for Homes
– Neighborhood Development
When can a building be considered an existing building?
After one year of continuous operation
What are the two phases of a LEED split review?
- Design
- Construction
