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LEED Green Associate Exam and
Answers 202 5
What are the three tiers of LEED AP designation? - โ LEED Green Associate LEED AP with Specialty LEED AP Fellow What are the five AP specialty designations? - โ BD&C (Building Design and Construction) ID&C (Interior Design and Construction) O&M (Operations and Maintenance) Homes ND (Neighborhood Development) Describe the responsibilities of GBCI and USGBC with respect to LEED. - โ GBCI- Administers the LEED credentials, oversees evaluation of project applications and determinations of LEED certifications USGBC-Responsible for development of LEED rating systems, publication of the LEED reference guides, and educational programming How many hours of continuing education must a LEED Green Associate complete biennially? - โ 15 hours (3 hours must be LEED specific) There is also a $50 fee biennially What does opt in mean in regard to LEED credentials? - โ Signing the GBCI disciplinary policy and agreeing to participate in the credentialing maintenance program. If you don't opt in, you will not have a specialty designation (This applies to those who were already LEED AP prior to the 2009 changes) What are the LEED rating systems and how should they be applied to projects? - โ LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED NC)- applies to entire commercial buildings such as offices, retail store, hotels, institutional facilities (such as libraries and churches), and residential buildings with four or more habitable stories. LEED for Core & Shell Development (LEED CS)- designed to complement the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system (It covers core building elements such as structure, building envelope, and HVAC systems) LEED for Schools (LEED S)-used for certification of K-12 educational facilities and can also be used for prekindergarten or post-secondary buildings
LEED for Healthcare (LEED HC)- used for inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care facilities LEED for Retail: New Construction (LEED R-NC)- adapted to the needs of the retail environment LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED CI)- used for certification of tenant spaces in commercial and institutional buildings LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors (LEED R-CI)- interior retail spaces LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED EBO&M)- designed to encourage sustainable maintenance, cleaning, and operation of existing commercial structures. LEED for Homes (LEED H)- applies to single family homes and low-rise residential construction (fewer than 4 stories) LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND)- emphasizes the elements of site selection, design, and construction that create vibrant, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods List four things that are new to the LEED 2009 rating system. - โ 1. Revised rating systems were released for LEED NC, LEED CI, LEED CS, LEED EBO&M, and LEED S.
- Upgrades were made to LEED Online to improve and streamline the application process and help resolve technical problems.
- Responsibilities for building certification were assigned to GBCI.
- The LEED AP credentialing program was comprehensively revised, including the launch of the tiered credentialing system administered by GBCI.
- New rating systems were announced for health care, retail, existing schools, and neighborhood development. What are the seven credit categories of the LEED rating systems? - โ Sustainable Sites (SS) Water Efficiency (WE) Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Materials and Resources (MR) Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Innovation in Design/Operations (ID or IO) Regional Priority (RP)
Which LEED rating system includes a minimum occupancy requirement? Why? - โ LEED EBO&M-the project must be fully occupied for at least one year before the certification application is submitted, and at least 75% of spaces withing the building must be physically occupied at normal capacity during that time. The gross area of the project building may not be less than ___% of the LEED project site area. - โ 2% LEED NC projects must have a minimum of _____ square feet of indoor, enclosed building area. - โ 1000 gross sf List two reasons that ID credits may be awarded. - โ 1. Up to 3 points may be earned for 'exemplary performance' by exceeding the requirements of up to three other credits.
- Additional points for ID Credit 1 (up to a total of 5 points) may also be awarded for 'comprehensive strategies which demonstrate quantifiable environmental benefits.' In which rating system may a project use a streamlined path for credits already earned under another rating system? - โ LEED EBO&M Projects seeking certification under the LEED EBO&M rating system that have already earned certain credits under another rating system may submit documentation for those same credits using a streamlined submittal template. Which LEED rating system requires a minimum level of acoustical performance? - โ LEED for Schools Three LEED Accredited Professionals are working on a project. How many ID credits will be awarded for their participation? - โ 1 An owner will occupy one-third of a new office building. Which LEED rating system should be used for certification? - โ LEED for Core & Shell Development LEED CS can be used for buildings where the property owner will occupy 50% or less of the leasable square footage. How often must LEED EBO&M buildings submit for recertification? - โ They can be recertified as often as every year and MUST submit for recertification at least every 5 years to maintain their status. Describe the performance period. - โ Applicable to LEED EBO&M: The performance period begins after the project is registered and strategies have been implemented, and ends within 60 days of the certification application submittal. The evaluation and documentation of the buildings operation through the performance period is required.
USGBC will refund the application fee if a project achieves what certification level? - โ Platinum After a project team has submitted application materials and payment, what will it receive first from USGBC? - โ Project Number and access to LEED Online The person who coordinates a LEED project in LEED Online is called the __________.
- โ Project Administrator When can a project submit a CIR? Briefly describe the submission process. - โ CIRs are used when a project team encounters an issue with a credit or an unusual project circumstance that doesn't fit the credits.
- The team should first try to answer the question using the online CIR library and LEED reference guide.
- Contact LEED customer service to see if it warrants a new CIR.
- Submit the CIR (Each CIR can address one credit only). Submission text is limited to 600 words. The primary tool used in LEED Online to track progress on a project is what? - โ LEED Online Scorecard What is a TAG, and what is its role in the CIR process? - โ TAG- Technical Advisory Group The TAGs determine whether an action proposed by a project team fulfills the intent of the LEED credit requirements. The TAG chairs meet to debate the CIRs and finalize the rulings. What are the advantages of a split review? - โ LEED NC, CI, CS, and S rating systems offer the option of splitting the review phase into 2 phases: design phase and construction phase. If the project team chooses to split is application into the 2 phases, they may submit credits achieved during the design phase for review in advance of substantial completion. Any credits denied in the design phase review can be appealed at the end of the construction phase review. How many times can a LEED credit decision be appealed? - โ Twice (The initial appeal as well as a final appeal) What is a provider? A green rater? - โ Provider- In LEED for Homes, "an organization that recruits, trains and coordinates LEED for Homes Green Raters to serves as third-party verifiers of LEED homes. Providers are the official certifiers of LEED for Homes on behalf of USGBC." Green Rater- In LEED for Homes, "an individual that performs field inspections and performance testing of LEED for Homes measures for the LEED for Homes Provider.
What is characteristic of the design team when the whole-building design approach is being used? - โ It is essential that the design team be fully integrated from the projects's inception. Describe integrated project delivery and how it differs from design-bid-build and design- build project delivery methods. - โ Design-Bid-Build: The owner contracts directly with the designer and contractor (separately). The design team creates CDs which are put out for bid. The owner selects the contractor to complete the job. The owner handles all communication between parties. Design-Build: The owner contracts directly with a single entity that both designs and builds the space. Integrated Project Delivery: The owner contracts with a designer and contractor, but the designer handles all subcontractors as does the contractor. In the IPD approach, despite the set up of the contracts, all parties communicate as a team and work together as a whole. List three ways of structuring IPD agreements. - โ Project Alliances-cover direct costs but tie additional compensation to performance. Participants waive their liability to each other. Single purpose entities-new independent corporate structures formed specifically for a project. All implications of starting a new business (Taxes, insurance, corporate structure, legal status, licensing, and so on) must be fully considered. Relational Contracts- used to limit parties liability, but liability is not waived. In the absence of team consensus, the owner is charged with making final decisions. Building operations in the United States account for _____% of total US energy use. - โ 30%-40% List at least five things that should be accomplished during the pre-design phase. - โ *Evaluate the building's purpose and set project goals *Set the project budget and schedule *Define the property boundary and LEED project boundary *Review applicable building codes and standards *Select the project team and assign responsibilities *Lay the foundation for building commissioning activities *Consider durability planning and management *Evaluate opportunities for innovative and regional design Who is responsible for determining the project budget? - โ The Owner
Define LEED project boundary and property boundary. - โ LEED Project Boundary must include all of the contiguous land owned by the building owner. OMitting surfaces not associated with the LEED construction contract that arise from natural features or infrastructure or owned by other parties (rivers, roads, train tracks, rights-of-way, and easements) is permitted. At a minimum, include all the land that was or will be disturbed for the purpose of constructing the building or performing alterations/additions to the project. Property boundary generally refers to a parcel of contiguous land owned by the owner and is defined in the property deed. The LEED project boundary may be smaller than the property boundary, or, in the case of "master plan" projects, the project boundary may exceed the owner's property boundary. In a multi-prime delivery model, coordination of the work is the responsibility of the _______. - โ Owner True or False? The Americans with Disabilities Act is a building code. - โ False What are the two methods of complying with ASHRAE Standard 90.1? - โ Prescriptive Method: the designer strictly follows the guidelines laid out in the standard, such as providing a recommended constant level of ventilation air to a space. Performance Method: the overall building performance meets the intent of the standard. (Complying with the intent of the standard using the performance method and adapting the requirements for the specific needs of a particular project often results in a building that consumes less energy and still maintains healthy and comfortable indoor conditions.) Who may NOT be a building commissioner on a LEED NC project of more than 50, square feet? - โ Anyone on the project's design or construction management team When should the commissioning process begin? - โ Pre-design phase What five things must the commissioning team do to earn credit for enhanced commissioning? - โ *Review the design before mid-construction documents are produced *Review contractor submittals for commissioned systems *Verify that training requirements are met *Review building operation within 10 months of substantial completion Which LEED rating system requires a durability management plan? - โ LEED for Homes
What are some strategies for water efficient landscaping? - โ Xeriscaping Recycle or use water collected by graywater or process recycling systems Rainwater or stormwater collection What does full-time equivalent occupancy mean? - โ The FTE occupancy is essentially the total number of occupant-hours spent in the building, divided by 8 hours, which is regarded as the length of one standard full-time occupancy. A LEED 2009-certified building must use at least ___% less water indoors than a baseline water use calculated for the building. - โ 20% What kind of materials should be used for the envelope of a building in a hot/dry climate? - โ Hot/Dry: Materials with a high thermal mass-adobe and masonry List two ways insluation could be added to an existing building. - โ Add EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system) on the outside of the current building skin. Add blown-in insulation in the wall cavities and seal any points where air infiltration has been identified. What is thermal bridging? - โ Heat transfer to the inside or outside (or vice versa) via the building envelope. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of using steel in building construction? - โ Advantages: impervious to termites, added resistance to fire and earthquake, and they can span greater distances Disadvantages: conducts heat 300x faster than wood (they can create thermal bridges to the outside of the building) and by adding the additional insulation, it might reduce the cost-effectiveness. What is a Trombe wall? - โ A trombe wall is a special type of masonry wall used for thermal storage in passive solar building. It consists of a masonry wall coated with a dark, heat-absorbing material and faces with a single or double layer of glass. HEat from sunlight passing through the glass is absorbed by the dark surface, stored in the wall, and conducted slowly inward through the masonry. How do roof designs and materials typically differ for commercial and residential buildings? - โ Commercial buildings typically have low-slope or flat roofs, while the roofs on most homes are pitched at a slope greater than 3:12. Commercial projects often use rubber or built-up roofing materials, while residential projects are more likely to use asphalt shingles or metal. A vapor barrier should be placed on the ______ side of a wall. - โ warmer side
Describe three ways to purchase green power. - โ *Renewable energy products can be purchased either as a fixed energy quantity block or as a percentage of monthly use. (The project must be located in a region that offers this option) *Renewable energy certificates (RECs) can often be purchased even if the local utility does not offer renewable energy products. RECs aren't offered in all areas. *On-site renewable generation requires the purchase and installation of some sort of equipment that generates electricity. (Solar cells, wind turbines, steam turbine powered by burning biomass, fuel cells, or equipment that converts methane gas to electricity) *Off-site renewable energy is produced by equipment owned and operated by the utility company or its subsidiaries at a location other than the project site. What is distributed generation, and what are its advantages? - โ Distributed generation involves placing small, modular electricity generators close to where the power is used, which helps utilities defer or eliminate costly investments in transmission and distribution system upgrades while providing customers with better quality, more reliable energy supplies and a cleaner environment. Name five cooling strategies. Under what conditions is each strategy most appropriate?
- โ *Design the building to take advantage of natural ventilation (Humid climates) *Consider radiative cooling in appropriate climates (Effective in climates and during seasons of the year when the temp differences between day and night are significant) *Consider ground-coupled cooling *Consider evaporative cooling strategies (Dry climates- such as the southwest) *Use dehumidification in humid climates (Climates with high humidity levels) What are the three components of the daylight that hits a work surface, and how can the balance of these components be enhanced? - โ The exterior reflected component The direct sun/sky component The internal reflected component Balance: a room with a higher ration of ceiling height to depth will have deeper penetration of daylight, whether that daylight enters through sidelighting (windows) or toplighting (skylights and clerestories). Raising the window head height will also result in deeper penetration and more illumination. A more even distribution can be achieved with horizontal strip windows. Skylights and clerestory windows are examples of ________ strategies. - โ Toplighting What are the characteristics of sustainable building materials? - โ Nontoxic Recyclable or made from recycled material Renewable Obtained from local sources Certified, labeled, or otherwise recognized as compliant with sustainability standards.
What two procedures can be used to demonstrate compliance with ANSI/ASHRAE 62.1, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality? - โ Ventilation Rate Procedure and Indoor Air Quality Procedure Which credit category references definitions from the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for wetlands and prime farmlands? - โ Sustainable Sites Which credit category references the Energy Policy Act of 1992? - โ Water Efficiency Which organization certifies responsible forest management and operations? - โ FSC- Forest Stewardship Council Projects in __________ can substitute compliance with local energy codes for compliance with ASHRAE Standard 90.1. - โ California What does the fan pressurization method test? Which prerequisite references this test?
- โ The airtightness of the building envelope. Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control prerequisite What is the Energy Star Portfolio Manager used for? - โ It allows facility managers to track and monitor energy and water consumption at all buildings in the company's portfolio. It can be used to evaluate building performance, set goals for improvement, or verify information for Energy Star building recognition. Which LEED rating system references standards for cleaning products? - โ EBO&M A building receives a score of 1 on an assessment based on APPA's Custodial Staffing Guidelines. Does this score represent a good or bad result? - โ Good This rating system is used to determine a facility's level of cleanliness and effectiveness of the custodial staff. Rating of 1-5 (1 being the best)
