Which of the following are LEED strategies to reduce single occupant automobile transportation to the project site?

Increase the building density

A

Increasing the building density does not address how occupants commute.
B Build the project on a brownfield

Brownfields are contaminated sites. They may or may not be located in

densely populated areas.
C Designate preferred parking spaces for carpools

Providing preferred parking for carpools is a LEED strategy to get more

occupants to carpool.
D Locate the project in a suburban area

This would probably put the project further away from mass transit and increase automobile use.

Notes:

Reference: Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide

What organization develops building safety and fire prevention codes to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and
schools?

Underwriters Laboratory (UL)

A

Underwriters Laboratory addresses product safety certification.

B Department of Energy (DoE)

DoE is not addressed in LEED.

C ASHRAE

ASHRAE has a number of standards that have been adopted by LEED to meet
the credit requirements of some of the credits.
D International Code Council

The ICC creates codes for building and safety. Many of these codes are adopted by local jurisdictions and become part of the local
building code. The codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety, plumbing, mechanical, fire prevention,
energy efficiency codes, and accessibility.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System

EPAct 1992 does NOT address what type of water consuming devices?

Cooling towers
A

EPAct does not address cooling towers.

B Kitchen faucets

EPAct covers flow rates of showers, faucets, and toilets.

C Boilers

EPAct does not address boilers.

D Urinals

EPAct covers flow rates of showers, faucets, and toilets.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

What helps reduce urban sprawl?

Designing buildings that use durable materials

A

Using durable materials helps reduce the demand for virgin resources over the
long term lifetime of a building.
B Reducing the heat island effect

Reducing the heat island effect helps make the surrounding areas cooler.
C Providing pedestrian access

Providing pedestrian access is a way to keep automobiles off the road.

D Community connectivity

Urban sprawl means that cities are no longer compact but are spread out. This can increase commute times. People moving further from
city centers to purchase houses contributes to sprawl but sprawl does not increase home prices. Urban sprawl actually discourages urban
renewal as old buildings and areas are not redeveloped.

Development density and community connectivity help to reduce urban sprawl.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

How many of the 110 possible LEED points can be earned for addressing regionally specific environmental issues?

2
A

B 1
 C 10
D 4

LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Additionally,
10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific environmental issues.

All rating systems with 110 points (any of the LEED 2009 rating systems) have 4 points for regional priority.

Notes:

Reference: USGBC Website

What type of building system might use halons?

A Irrigation
B Electrical
C Fire suppression

Halons are found in HVAC and refrigeration equipment as well as fire

suppression systems. Halons are ozone-depleting substances.
D Plumbing

Notes:

Reference: The Treatment by LEED of the Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants

A product made in part from cardboard boxes collected at curbside pickups or from an onsite comingled recycling area is an example of what
material?

Durable material
A

Durable materials are materials that have longer life spans. A roofing material
that lasts 50 years is more durable than a roofing material that lasts 20 years.
B Recycled material

Post-consumer material - is material recycled from consumer waste. (USGBC)

Postconsumer recycled content - is the percentage of material in a product that was consumer waste. The recycled material was
generated by household, commercial, industrial, or institutional end-users and can no longer be used for its intended purpose. It includes
returns of materials from the distribution chain. Examples include construction and demolition debris, materials collected through
recycling programs, discarded products (e.g., furniture, cabinetry, decking), and landscaping waste (e.g., leaves, grass clippings, tree
trimmings). (ISO 14021)

- formerly known as post-industrial content, is the percentage of

Pre-consumer content
material in a product that is recycled from manufacturing waste. Examples
include planer shavings, plytrim, sawdust, chips, bagasse, sunflower seed
 hulls, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials, print overruns, overissue
publications, and obsolete inventories. Excluded are materials such as rework,
regrind, or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within
the same process that generated it (ISO 14021).
C Remanufactured material

Remanufactured materials are materials that are turned into other products.
(USGBC). Brick that is crushed and used for drainage in landscaping is an
example.
D Salvaged material

Salvaged materials or reused materials are construction materials recovered from existing buildings or construction sites and reused.
(USGBC)

Examples include doors, flooring, ceiling tiles, and bricks.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Glossary

Which projects would not be eligible for LEED certification?

An existing building project that phases out the use of CFC-based refrigerants no later than 5 years after the project is completed
A

For existing buildings with CFC-based refrigerants, a phase out plan must be in
place that eliminates all CFC-based refrigerants within 5 years of project
completion. For such projects, the refrigerant leakage rate must be reduced to
no more than 5% each year.
B A new building project that uses no refrigerants

The use of no refrigerants is preferred when possible.

C A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants

New buildings cannot use CFC-based refrigerants. This is called Fundamental

Refrigerant Management in LEED.
D A new building project that uses hydrocarbons (HCs) as refrigerants

Hydrocarbons (HCs) are a group of refrigerants that are a type of natural

refrigerant. Examples of hydrocarbons include propane, butane, ethane,
isobutene, and isopentane.
An existing building project that reduces CFC-based refrigerants by 95% prior to submitting the LEED application and will continue to
E
use this system for another 10 years
This would not be eligible unless the project had a phase-out plan in place at the time of the application and the CFC-based system was
phased out within 5 years (not 10 years).

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System
At what point can a project earn points for credits?

After the construction phase

A

When a project opts for a split review there are separate reviews for the design phase and the construction phase. For the design phase
those credits that can be reasonably assumed will be earned are marked as Anticipated or Denied. For the construction phase the credits
will be marked as Achieved or Denied.

(earned) after
Points may be marked as Anticipated in LEED Online after the design phase but points are only Achieved
the construction phase. This is true of all credits and prerequisites.
B After the statement of work has been uploaded to LEED Online

The project narrative, typical floor plans, and elevations are part of the
required documentation for all LEED projects. Uploading this documentation
does not earn a project any points.
C After the design phase

No points can be earned after the design phase.

D After the LEED Scorecard is completed and submitted

Uploading the scorecard does not earn a project points.

What are ways to reduce water pollution from stormwater runoff?

Impervious concrete hardscapes

A

Impervious materials increase stormwater runoff, as does increasing the size

of the building footprint.
B Open grid paving

Open grid paving and pervious surfaces allow stormwater to percolate through
the surface instead of running off.
C Rain gardens

A rain garden is used to capture stormwater runoff.

D Increasing the building footprint

Increasing the building footprint reduces the quantity of open space. By decreasing open space stormwater runoff can be increased since
there is less natural area to absorb runoff.

A project schedule for an environmentally responsive design process would include additional time in the schedule for all of the following
except:

Reviewing unconventional materials or building techniques

A

Time for reviewing new or unfamiliar building techniques may be required.

B Pre-occupancy commissioning

Commissioning is usually an extra step in green building projects.

C Any green practices that may be used for the project in connection with its green design criteria

The extra green building practices may require more time for design, review,
or implementation.
D Permitting

Permitting should take the same amount time between conventional and green building projects.

Notes:

Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II

What is the primary difference between LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance and the other LEED rating systems?

Applies to any type of building project

A

This rating system does not apply to LEED for Homes or LEED for
Neighborhood Development.
B Required a LEED AP to be on the building maintenance staff

LEED does not require LEED APs to be part of the building staff.
C Measures building performance over a period of time

LEED EB: O&M measures building performance over time. This allows the
building owner to see how the building is performing and make corrections to
get better performance.
D Can be applied to only part of a building

This rating system must be used in the entire building.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Introduction

A counter made of recycled glass obtained and manufactured within 500 miles of project would contribute toward:

Regional materials only

A

The glass is a Regional material but also a Recycled material. This is an

example of a credit synergy where one design decision can earn credit in
 multiple areas.
B Recycled materials only

The glass is a Recycled material but also a Regional material. This is an

example of a credit synergy where one design decision can earn credit in
multiple areas.
C Both regional and recycled materials

LEED rewards projects for using Regional Materials, which are defined as
building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or
recovered, as well as manufactured within 500 miles of the project.

The glass is considered recycled content (post-consumer). Since the glass

counter was manufactured within 500 miles, it is also a regional/local material.

You may hear regional materials also referred to as local materials. Exam
objective V.B from the GBCI handbook is 'Locally (regionally) Harvested and
Manufactured Materials'. The USGBC GA study guide also has 'Regional/Locally
Sourced Materials' in the book's definitions. The terms mean the same thing.
D Neither regional nor recycled materials

This is not correct.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

What are the results of incorporating green measures through a comprehensive, holistic design?

Longer schedules
A

Green building does not cause a project to have an overall longer project
schedule.
B Cost savings

Green buildings on average cost about the same as convention buildings

(according to research which may differ than personal experience). The cost
savings come in terms of lower operating budgets over time.
C Shorter schedules

Green building does not cause a project to have an overall shorter project
schedule.
D Credit synergies

Synergies among credits and sustainability goals yield a successful whole building design.

Why does the USGBC outline rules on use of its trademarks and logos?
 USGBC wants customers to be directed to its website for clear information
A

This is a valid statement but not the primary reason USGBC created logo rules.
B USGBC wants to be able to charge a fee for logo use

Fees are not charged for logo use directly. If a company becomes a member
the company must pay a fee and then gets access to a logo.
C USGBC wants to make sure it retains control over what is said about LEED

This is a valid statement but not the definition of the logo policies.
D USGBC wants to make sure its message is spread accurately

This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate
Handbook.

While we receive many negative comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject matter may come up on
your exam. You are better off seeing questions from every exam objective than being under-prepared because some questions
covering the GBCI exam objectives you will be tested on seem silly.

The USGBC Logo Guidelines assist the community in the use of USGBC proprietary marks and corresponding language that accurately
and consistently convey USGBC's messages and identity.

Notes:

Reference: Logo Guidelines

What benefit to the environment does a project that uses Recycled Materials contribute?

Supporting the use of local resources

A

This is a social benefit of using Regional Materials because the community is

helped through increased jobs and taxes.
B Reducing in a project's soft costs

Purchased materials are a hard cost, not a soft cost.

C Reducing demand for virgin resources

This is an environmental benefit of using recycled materials.

D Reduced air and water pollution

This is an environmental benefit of using Regional Materials because transportation is reduced.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

For a LEED for Core & Shell project, what is the minimum amount of gross floor area the building must have to meet the minimum program
requirements?
 750 square feet (70 square meters)
A

B 1,000 square feet (93 square meters)

There is a 1,000 square foot (93 square meters) minimum for New
Construction, Core and Shell, Schools, and Existing Buildings: O&M projects.
C 500 square feet (46 square meters)
D 250 square feet (22 square meters)

There is a 250 square feet (22 square meters) of gross floor area minimum for Commercial Interior projects.

Notes:

Reference: GBCI Minimum Project Requirements

For the purposes of LEED certification, a project building includes all areas except:

Parking lots
A

Parking lots are part of the project building.

B Shared parking structure on a neighboring property that is part of another LEED project

Shared parking structures that are part of another LEED project would not be
included.
C An occupied and operational building

The building is of course included in the project building.

D The grounds around the building

The grounds are part of the project building.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Glossary

A project building is the real property, including an occupied and operational building(s) and the associated grounds that is registered for and
actively pursuing LEED certification.

While it may seem correct to use the term 'project boundary' in the question instead of 'project building', the O+M glossary uses the term 'Project
Building' so that is what we have used in the question.

What logo is used to designate membership with USGBC?

LEED logo
A
 This logo is for LEED projects.
B USGBC member logo

This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark
usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. While we receive
many comments about the relevance of these types of questions, the subject
matter may come up on your exam.

The use of the USGBC and LEED logos are listed in the exam objectives to
prevent misuse of these logos and to purposely or inadvertently spread
incorrect information about LEED and USGBC. It is important to know how you
can and cannot use the logo so that you help the green building movement
rather than hinder it.

The USGBC member logo is the only logo used to denote membership with
USGBC.
C LEED Chapter logo

This logo denotes USGBC chapters.

D USGBC logo

Use of the USGBC logo is granted through their marketing department.

E LEED AP logo

This logo is for people that are LEED APs.

Notes:

Reference: USGBC website

Cabinetry made from walnut shells would help contribute toward earning what LEED credit?

Building Reuse
A

Building reuse deals with reusing the floors, roofs, and walls of an existing
building.
B Recycled Materials

Pre-consumer content is content from industry scraps that was diverted from
the waste stream and used for other purposes. Examples include sawdust,
wood shavings, wood chips, and print overruns. Excluded are materials that
are re-incorporated into the same manufacturing process that generated it.

Cabinetry made from walnut shells is an example of a pre-consumer recycled

material.
C Construction Waste Management

Cabinets are usually built to order and have minimal waste generated during
 installation. Any waste disposed of would contribute to construction waste
management but not enough information is given in the question to make this
a valid choice.
D Regional Materials

No information was given on the manufacturing distance of the cabinets so this cannot be an answer choice.

Notes:

Reference: n/a

What area would not be considered previously developed?

Unoccupied big-box retail store

A

Any existing building lot is a previously developed area.

B Parking lot grown over into a field

A parking lot is a developed area.

C Old torn down steel mill

Any existing building lot is a previously developed area.

D Cotton field

Previously developed land has pre-existing paving, construction, or significantly altered landscapes. Land that has been altered and
turned into a natural use such as agricultural, forestry, or nature preservation does not count.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Homes Glossary

Which of the following are not required to be identified in writing to achieve an Innovation in Design (ID) credit for innovative performance?

A The strategies used to meet the requirements

B The proposed requirements for compliance
C Regional variations for the credit

Regional variations address concerns that are specific to where a building is

located. This is one of the sections listed for each credit/prerequisite in the
reference guide, but is not part of the submittal process for an ID credit.
D The intent of the proposed credit

Notes:
Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

The following are required when submitting an ID credit for innovative performance:

• The intent of the proposed credit

• The proposed requirement for compliance
• The proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance
• The strategies used to meet the requirements

The Green Label Plus certification is used for what material?

Carpets
A

Green Label Plus certified carpets have low VOC content.

B Floors

Floors are certified by FloorScore.

C Cleaning products

Green Seal and Environmental Choice are standards LEED accepts for cleaning
products.
D Wood

Wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

• Notes:
• Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System
• -----------------------
• What is true about a project that uses a Halon based fire suppression system?

The project would not meet the Minimum Program Requirements

A

Refrigerant management is not addressed in the Minimum Program

Requirements.
B The project could not earn LEED Platinum

The project would still be eligible for LEED Platinum.

C The system must be installed to meet local fire codes

LEED buildings still require meeting all local codes.

Fire systems must meet local fire codes, plumbing fixtures must meet local
plumbing codes, and electrical systems must meet electrical codes.
D The system must have a leakage rate of 5% or less annually

Leakage rates must be addressed for existing buildings that have CFC-based refrigerants that will be phased out over a 5 year period
 after project completion. These systems must reduce the leakage rate to 5% or less annually.

• Notes:
• Reference: n/a
•

The legal limit on the height of a building for a LEED project will be set by:

The building owner

A

The building owner does not set the legal limit on the building height. They
building owner will likely decide how many stories they would like the building
to be, but the final height is determined by the local zoning.
B LEED Technical Advisory Group

The LEED TAG does not rule on building height.

C Local zoning

Zoning is a method of land use regulation used by local governments in most

developed countries. Zoning may be use-based (regulating the uses to which
land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot coverage, and similar
characteristics, or some combination of these.
D The LEED rating system chosen

LEED does not define the legal limits on building height.

Notes:

Reference: n/a

What process identifies the high-performance building systems that will save money over the life of a project?

Energy modeling
A

Energy modeling is only one aspect of measuring a building's performance.

B Value engineering

Value engineering (VE) is a systematic method to improve the 'value' of goods

or products and services by using an examination of function. In conventional
building many building features are VEd out to cut the budget. Because of the
integrated design in green buildings, VEing out a feature often ruins the
performance of the system as a whole. For example, if a building owner
decides to take out better quality and more costly insulation, the building's
 utility bills will most likely go up and the HVAC system could be undersized.
C Life-cycle cost analysis

Life cycle costing is used to evaluate economic performance and takes into
account operational and maintenance costs throughout the life of the product.
D Life-cycle assessment

Life-cycle-analysis (LCA, also known as life cycle assessment, ecobalance, and cradle-to-grave analysis) is the investigation and
valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused or necessitated by its existence.

Life cycle assessment evaluates a products 'environmental impact'. This differs from life cycle costing evaluates a product's 'economic
performance'.

Notes:

Reference: n/a

What strategy to control and reduce stormwater will hold water and reduce the rate of runoff?

Direct runoff into dry ponds

A

A dry pond, also known as a retention pond, is designed to hold stormwater

and reduce the runoff rate. The stormwater collects and sits in the pond and
seeps back into the ground over time.
B Install porous pavement

Porous pavement is a type of permeable surface. This would reduce the rate
but not hold any water.
C Reduce the size of the building footprint

Reducing the building footprint will reduce impervious surfaces. This reduces
the rate but does not hold water.
D Increase the area of permeable surfaces

Increasing permeable surfaces reduces the rate of runoff but this strategy does not retain the water.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

What are three important factors of the LEED Green Building Rating System?

It is the only green building standard

A
 LEED is not the only green building standard - Green Globes is another green
building standard.
B It is voluntary

USGBC member committees develop the LEED Rating System via a robust consensus process that has been refined since its inception.
The key elements of the LEED Rating Systems are:

• A consensus process that has a balanced and transparent committee structure

• Technical Advisory Groups to ensure scientific consistency and rigor
• Opportunities for stakeholder comment and review
• Member ballot of new rating systems and certain changes to existing rating systems

• A fair and open appeals process

C It is government-financed

USGBC is non-profit organization that derives revenue from training classes,

consulting, and reference materials.
D It is consensus-based

LEED is a consensus process that has a balanced and transparent committee

structure.
E It is market-driven

LEED is driven by the market place due to the volunteer committees being made up of people who work in the market place.

Notes:

Reference: LEED Rating Systems

How would a project team member determine if a credit has Regional Priority?

Submit a Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR)

A

CIRs are used for technical guidance on credits. Anyone on the project team
can submit a CIR, as long as the person has access to LEED Online (through
the project administrator).
B Look at the LEED credit checklist

The LEED Credit Checklist helps project teams track their credits against requirements for certification. The LEED Credit Checklist is
also called the LEED Scorecard.

C Visit the USGBC website

Regional Priority credits are listed in an Excel spreadsheet and available from USGBC's website.

Do not confuse the following terms:

Regional Priority Credits - these are bonus points for encouraging teams to attempt LEED credits that address specific environmental
priorities in the project's region. Each zipcode in the U.S. has 6 LEED credits that are extra important to that zipcode. A project that
achieves one of those credits earns a bonus point, up to a maximum of 4. Here is an example. In Georgia zipcode 30002 saving water is
 important, because Georgia has had a lot of droughts lately.

Regional Materials - building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within
500 miles of the project site.

- These are only found in reference guides and are specific to each
Regional Variations
credit. A regional variation 'outlines concerns specific to the geographic
location of the building'. For example in some areas there aren't great
recycling programs, or they may be nonexistent. In regards to construction
waste management the regional variation states 'hey, check your local
recycling program before you get to deep into this credit because if you can't
recycle anything your chances of earning the credit go down'.
D Check the appropriate LEED reference guide

The LEED reference guides do not contain information on which credits are most important to which region.

Notes:

Reference: USGBC website

What tool would a project team use to set the project's green design criteria?

Project schedule
A

The project schedule should occur later on after the design criteria has been
set.
B LEED Score Card

that helps the project team decide what specific design

The LEED Score Card is a tool
criteria will be met.

Usually in the pre-design phase everyone involved in a project will get together
either in person or on a conference call and discuss the project's green
building goals. These goals may have already been set by the project's owner
based on the project vision, or the team may come up with them at this time.
Once the goals are set, the project team will use the LEED score card to check
which LEED credits the project is likely to achieve, and/or which credits the
project team wants to achieve. This meeting is called the LEED charrette. The
LEED score card is a tool to help guide the process and the meeting.

What was just described is a typical approach, but it may not always be
followed this way. There are variations but the end result is the same - a
completed LEED score card that guides the project from beginning to end. At
each step during the project - design, construction, etc, the project team
consults the LEED score card to make sure the project is on track to achieve
the credits the project team set out to achieve.
C Construction bids
 Construction bids should occur later on after the design criteria has been set.
D Vision statement

The project's green building goals should be developed from the vision statement. (Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II)

However the vision statement is not a tool and not what the question is trying to teach.

Notes:

Reference: Sample credit checklist for LEED v3

A project team for a LEED for New Construction project has decided to implement a community recycling program that will allow community
residents to drop off computers and electronics at the project site. What LEED category could the project earn points under?

A Indoor Environmental Quality

B Energy and Atmosphere
C Innovation in Design

This is an example of innovative performance, because the project is creating

a quantifiable program that provides an environmental benefit to the
community.

Also, only allowing the community to recycle computers and electronics

doesn't make the program non-comprehensive.
D Materials and Resources

The prerequisite for projects to have an on-site recycle program found in the Materials and Resources category requires recycling of the
following for the building occupants, not the general community.

• paper
• cardboard
• glass
• plastics

• metals
E Sustainable Sites

Notes:

Reference: Guidance on Innovation & Design (ID) Credits

At a minimum, a project team must successfully do which of the following to obtain LEED certification?

Hire a USGBC approved consultant

A

USGBC consultants are not required for projects.

 B Gather documentation for 40 points of the 110 points available

The minimum number of points required for certification is 40.

C Gather documentation for the prerequisites

Projects must meet all prerequisites to earn LEED certification and submit
documentation for the credits being attempted.
D Record all vendors used on the project

The product vendors are not needed when submitting documentation on the project.

An existing office building has a 20-year old chiller that uses CFC-11. An owner is considering a major renovation of the building and applying
for LEED for New Construction certification. What statement is true about the project's ability to earn LEED certification?

The owner will not be able to achieve a Platinum level certification

A

The project could still achieve any level of certification.

B The owner must replace the chiller to earn LEED certification

Replacement is not always required. If a third party audit shows that the
simple payback for the new system would be more than 10 years the system
does not have to be replaced.
C The owner can implement a phase-out plan to earn LEED certification

Existing buildings that have CFC based systems are still eligible for
certification. A phase out plan must be implemented if a third party audit
shows that the simple payback for the new system would be 10 years or less.
The phase out must occur within 5 years after the project is completed. The
system must be reduced to an annual leakage of 5% or less during the phase
out or if the system will stay in place if the simple payback is more than 10
years.
D The owner can leave the existing system in place if the annual leakage is reduced to 10% or less

The annual leakage must be reduced to 5% or less, and only in cases when there will be a phase out or a third party audit shows that the
simple payback for the new system would be more than 10 years and the old system will be left in place.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

What qualifies for Green Power credit for LEED projects?

Using no refrigerants
A
 Using no refrigerants results in natural or passive ventilation.
B On-site renewable energy

Green Power is not generated on site (that is called on-site renewable energy).
On-Site Renewable Energy is energy the building produces on site. This could
be a solar panel or an onsite windmill.
C Energy reductions

Energy reductions is how energy performance is optimized.

D Renewable energy certificates

The Green Power LEED credit requires off-site generated power.

RECs can be purchased to show green power is used for the building's energy supply.

There is the general term 'green power' which tends to mean renewable energy. You might hear this term on the news. However in
LEED renewable energy has distinct credits.

The Green Power credit deals with renewable energy from the grid (utility providers) and comes from off-site. This could be solar power
from a solar power farm, or a wind farm, low impact hydro, etc. In LEED, RECs contribute to the Green Power credit. If a project has no
access to a solar power farm from their local utility provider, RECs can be purchased to earn the Green Power credit.

Notes:

Reference: Guide to Purchasing Green Power

What project issues are addressed by guidelines from SMACNA?

Air quality issues from construction or renovation

A

SMACNA guidelines are used for some LEED credits in the Indoor
Environmental Quality credit category.

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association

(SMACNA) has a set of indoor air quality guidelines that are used to help
manage air quality issues resulting from construction and renovation.
B VOCs in materials

VOCs in materials are addressed in the Indoor Environmental Quality LEED

credit category by several different standards.
C Refrigerant quantities

Refrigerant quantities are not addressed by LEED.

D Carpet durability

Carpet durability is not addressed by LEED.

What items would NOT be included in comingled recycling?

A Plastic
B Cardboard
C Stone

For LEED, stones, dirt, hazardous materials, batteries, mercury-containing light

bulbs, and food waste would not be included.
D Aluminum cans

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

At a minimum, a recycling program should include paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and metal.

Which of the following would be classified as a soft construction cost?

Civil engineer consulting fee

A

A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building,

construction, etc. These can be architectural, legal, financing, engineering fees
and other costs incurred before and after construction.
B Rental of a dumpster

This is a hard cost.

C Down payment on the property

This is a 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. In most cases, it will include the land, but that
particular cost is usually separated in order to find out the actual construction
expenses. The hard-cost categories are the bricks and mortar of the project.

Examples of hard costs include masonry, wood, steel, carpet, tile, mechanical
systems, roofing.
D Purchase of some steel

This is a hard cost.

Potable water comes from what sources?

Municipal water supply

A

Potable water is water that meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water standards and comes from wells or the municipal water supply.

B Cooling towers

Cooling towers use potable water they do not generate potable water.
C Stormwater cisterns

Cisterns are used to hold liquids. In this case the answer choice stated the
cistern holds stormwater.
D Wells

Potable water is water that meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water standards and comes from wells or the municipal water supply.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Glossary

project team has selected a previously developed lot in an urban area to build a new
condominium. If the project site is near a public library what would this help with?

Meeting local zoning requirements

A
Nothing in this scenario addresses meeting zoning requirements.
B Preserving any historical surroundings
Building on a previously developed lot does not preserve the historical surroundings.
C Reducing the heat island effect
The type of lot selected does not address the heat island effect. It is what happens to the
lot later that can impact the heat island effect, such as the quantity of hardscapes and the
choice of materials used for paving.
D Community connectivity
A public library is a basic service.

Community connectivity is the quantity of connection between a site and the

surrounding community. It is measured by pedestrian access to housing basic services
such as restaurants, post offices, hospitals, libraries, etc.

Notes:

Reference: n/a
Which of the following does not help reduce the non-roof heat island effect?

Increasing the number of above ground parking spaces

A
Increasing the number of parking spaces above ground would increase the heat island
effect.
B Placing parking under cover
Placing parking under cover is an accepted strategy by LEED for reducing the heat island
effect.
C Using paving materials with high SRI values
Materials with high SRI values reduce the heat island effect by reflecting solar radiation
rather than absorbing it.
D Planting large non-native trees for shading
Shading hardscapes is an accepted strategy by LEED for reducing the heat island effect.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than
surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored
surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have
dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.

What is an example of climate change?

A century-long decrease in temperature by 1 degree

A
Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as
temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer)
(Environmental Protection Agency).
B An unexpected snowstorm in Phoenix
This is a weather condition.
C A five-year drought
 Climate change takes place over more than five years.
D A significant two-year increase in wind speeds
Climate change takes place over more than two years.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Glossary
—

Construction waste management should address what items?

Selecting products that have less packaging

A
Selecting products with less packaging does not reduce construction waste diversion from
the point of earning LEED credits for construction waste management. Construction waste
management points are earned when 50% or more waste is diverted from
landfills/incinerators. Consider the packaging for product A that takes up 10 cubic feet
and the packaging for product B that takes up 5 cubic feet. If the packaging for product A
is half recycled and half sent to the landfill, how much waste is diverted? 50%. If the
packaging for product B is half recycled and half sent to the landfill, how much waste is
diverted? 50%. The calculations are based on how much waste is diverted once the waste
is on site. Not how much waste is diverted while the product is being packaged.
B Deciding if comingled vs. separate recycling containers will be used
Construction waste management addresses diverting construction and demolition debris
from landfills. This can be done by recycling materials, donating materials to charitable
organizations, donating materials to salvage yards, etc. The end goal is to keep the C&D
debris out of landfills and incinerators. LEED awards credit for diverting certain
percentages of C&D debris from the waste stream. For New Construction projects must
divert 50% of C&D debris from landfills/incinerators.

When materials are recycled as part of a construction waste management plan, the project
team needs to decide if comingled or separate recycling containers will be used.
C Identifying where new materials will be purchased from
Identifying where new materials will be purchased from is part of selecting sustainable
materials. The type of material and their costs do not impact the construction waste
management calculations.
D Determining what sustainable materials will be used for construction
Identifying what materials will be used is part of selecting sustainable materials. The type
of material and their costs do not impact the construction waste management calculations.
Performance periods are part of which LEED rating system?

LEED for Core & Shell

A
LEED for Core & Shell does not have a performance period.
B LEED for Schools
LEED for Schools does not have a performance period.
C LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
LEED EB: O+M projects have a performance period requirement where various building
systems are measured over time such as water usage and energy usage.
D LEED for New Construction
LEED for New Construction does not have a performance period.

Notes:

Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide,
Introduction

What organization is responsible for qualifying sources of off-site renewable energy acceptable
by LEED?

Center for Resource Solutions

A
The organization that maintains Green-e is the Center for Resource Solutions.
B ASHRAE
ASHREA standards do not address renewable energy sources.
C EPA
The EPA does not specify renewable energy sources for LEED.
D Green-e
Green-e is the actual certification used for RECs.

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System
Which of the following have helped reduce stratospheric ozone depletion?

Not using CFC-based refrigerants in new equipment

A
For new buildings LEED requires zero use of CFC-based refrigerants in new base
building HVAC systems.
B Installing halon-based fire suppression systems
Halons are an ozone depleting substance, just like CFCs and HCFCs. In LEED enhanced
refrigerant management requires not using halons in fire suppression systems.
C Replacing HFC-based refrigerants with HCFC-based refrigerants in existing equipment
HCFCs are scheduled to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol by 2030. Projects
should try to replace HCFCs with HFCs, not the other way round.
D Implementing a phase-out of CFC-based refrigerants in existing equipment
For renovations of existing buildings, implementing a phase-out of CFC-based
refrigerants in existing equipment is a way to reduce ozone depletion

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

The intent of fundamental refrigerant management is to reduce stratospheric ozone depletion.

This question asks about the requirements used to fulfill this intent.

In a new building how much CFC-based refrigerant can be used?

A None
The rating systems have a prerequisite for Fundamental Refrigerant Management which
requires zero use of CFCs. CFCs are known to cause ozone depletion.

For buildings with existing systems that use CFC-based refrigerants, the systems must be
phased out within 5 years after the project is completed, unless a third-party audit shows
the simple payback for retrofitting/replacement is more than 10 years.

Fundamental Refrigerant Management differs from Enhanced Refrigerant Management

which requires either using no refrigerants or using refrigerants that have low Ozone
Depletion Potential and Global Warming Potentials (ODP and GWP).
B 2% of the total refrigerants
 C 5% of the total refrigerants, as long as they are not used in fire suppression systems
D 5% of the total refrigerants

Notes:

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating
System---------------