V4 Green Associate Test 3 (Part 4)

The current headquarters of LeadingGreen Training and Consulting Inc. is LEED platinum and initially pursued LEED BD+C: New Construction. Which additional certifications could the building earn in the future? (CHOOSE 2)

Question 76 Explanation: LEED for CI could be earned for future tenants to fit out their space or LEED EBOM could be pursued in the future.

One credit is called Green Power and Carbon Offsets which contain strategies including purchasing RECs and carbons offsets. What’s the difference between the two?

What is the frequency at which water must be metered at a building-level? (CHOOSE 2)

Question 78 Explanation: For all items which consume 20%+ of the building’s end water usage

Energy modelling is a great tool for estimating savings. What are some examples of open space? (CHOOSE 2)

Question 79 Explanation: Pedestrian-orientated paving areas that encourage physical activity are considered quality open spaces. A community garden is considered a quality open space.

LeadingGreen is going through the planning of a project and wants to know what should be included in their pre-design phase? (CHOOSE 2)

Cost-effective streamlined certification processes for multiple building certifications is provided by which of the following?

Question 81 Explanation: LEED Online is the tool used to document the project and streamline the process. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is an online tool for facility owners to measure and track energy and water consumption as well as GhG's. LEED Volume Program lets organizations achieve LEED certifications for similar or identical buildings across the country. ENERGY STAR Target Finder is a no-cost online tool which allows owners to set energy targets and receive an EPA energy performance score throughout the design process. LEED Interpretations are a Precedent setting version of Credit Interpretation Rulings

Submetering can result in additional initial costs on a project for both energy and water consumption. So, why install them?

Question 82 Explanation: Only building level metering is a mandatory prerequisite, not submetering. Submetering can result in immense savings as it is a great way to determine where specified performance is not being met.

The project team poorly estimated potential savings and cost-benefit ratios throughout the design and construction phases. They decided to use expensive triple-glazed windows during construction. How would this affect the project?

Question 83Explanation: This type of last-minute effort to improve efficiency is what drives up the costs of green building. If this decision had occurred in the design-phase, the HVAC system could have been downsized and cost less. Replacing the HVAC system would be extremely expensive as vents, ducts and location would all need to be retrofitted mid-construction.

Light trespass is a major issue and a reason why we cannot see the stars at night in the city. There are numerous strategies to reduce trespass, select one of them:

Question 84 Explanation: There are several strategies to reduce light trespass from a site including: • Design to prevent over-lighting • Avoid up-lighting • Reduce glare • Direct full cutoff fixtures downward • Reduce the contrast between light and dark areas • Use shielded fixtures

Apple Inc. Is discovering that their open office mandate is resulting in other issues. What is one possible problem?

Question 85 Explanation: A trade-off with the open office layout is in a large, open space the acoustics are usually poor

Which of the following is not a requirement for achieving the Construction Activity Pollution Prerequisite?

Question 86 Explanation: See prerequisite requirements and intent for further explanation.

A new project is being constructed in Arizona, an arid climate. The landscape architect selected only native vegetation. Why? (CHOOSE 2)

Question 87 Explanation: Evapotranspiration is the combination of evaporation and plant transpiration into the atmosphere. Evaporation occurs when liquid water from soil, plant surfaces, or water bodies becomes vapor and reduces watering needs. Native plants help with pest management as well. Plant choice does not affect the HIE nor does it change the efficiency of the irrigation system

Which of the following is most likely to occur over time if a school has a PV array on its roof top as well as enrols in a demand response program to shift 10% of their energy consumption?

Question 88 Explanation: Demand-response programs usually include financial incentives during demand response events. The utility company asks the building to use less electricity, the building agrees, and the building owner is rewarded with a price break. In turn, the utility company saves money by spending less money on additional transmission lines and power plants

Nthunzi Development has irresponsibly decided to build a new laboratory on a green field. What is the best pathway to achieve the credit Sensitive Land Protection?

Question 89 Explanation: No matter what you cannot locate in the flood level and it needs to be 50 feet away. This is a tough question and will unlikely be presented on the GA.

Biomimicry is a new science that studies nature's models and then uses these designs and processes to solve human problems. How can a civil engineer mimic natural hydrology?

Question 90 Explanation: Green infrastructure is a soil- and vegetation-based approach to wet-weather management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green infrastructure management approaches and technologies infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies. Low-impact development is an approach to managing rainwater runoff that emphasizes on-site natural features to protect water quality by replicating the natural land cover hydrologic regime of watersheds and addressing runoff close to its source. Examples include better site design principles (e.g., minimizing land disturbance, preserving vegetation, minimizing impervious cover) and design practices (e.g., rain gardens, vegetated swales and buffers, permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting, soil amendments). These are engineered practices that may require specialized design assistance.

A developer purchased a piece of land with an existing building on it from the 1950s. What approach to the site would lead to significant reductions in environmental harm over its entire life? (CHOOSE 3)

Question 91 Explanation: Building reuse, materials reuse and conducting an LCA of a building are three ways to reduce the harm done to the environment by construction.

A one storey project with a green roof is located on a near zero lot line site and has not chosen to provide financial support to a local land trust which negatively impacts:

Question 92 Explanation: This was the meanest question in the bunch. There are a number of factors to consider. Although the project has a green roof it cannot count towards SSc2: Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat because it is one story and thus could not have a FAR above 1.5. Since it did not provide financial assistance this credit could not be achieved.

There are many types of spaces within a building including regularly occupied, multioccupant and individual spaces. Select the spaces which are known as individual occupant spaces: (CHOOSE 3)

Question 93 Explanation: A study carrel is a small cubicle for working in libraries and although the concept is open, the individual work space is not. A complete list of space types can be found here: http://www.usgbc.org/guide/bdc

Reza is the facility manager at a brand new sports complex in Toronto. Which statement is true about the facility manager?

Question 94 Explanation: The facility manager would be most involved with the actual day-to-day schedule and operations of an existing building, not its initial design.

Which of the following allows additional options or approaches for achieving LEED credit(s) for project teams with unique project needs? (Choose 2)

Question 95 Explanation: An Alternative Compliance Path (ACP) is unique to the LEED rating system. It provides additional options or approaches to LEED credits that address unique project needs and advancements in science and technology. Alternative Compliance Paths allow LEED to be more flexible and applicable for projects and must be approved by the LEED Steering Committee. The Global Alternative Compliance Paths (Global ACPs) were developed to address the unique needs of projects outside the U.S. These offer additional approaches to credits traditionally more difficult for projects outside of the U.S. To achieve. These ACPs are a first step toward providing globally consistent solutions and will be expanded as new solutions are developed. The Global ACPs are built into LEED Online.

There are a number of parameters involved in reducing building emissions. But the most important design and construction decision is:

Question 96 Explanation: Consider the same building design for one building located in the suburbs and one located in a dense urban center. Which reduces emissions more? The one in the suburbs requires users to drive automobiles to it each day, contributing to more than half of the project's emissions.

Environmental product declaration have caused a lot of outcry from many manufacturers who are unwilling to change their processes to a more transparent reporting process. What standard must EPDs follow?

Question 97 Explanation: The International Standards Organization (ISO) standards are used for EPDs in LEED

What is the best tool that LEED encourages to understand the environmental impact of a building over its entire life?

Question 98 Explanation: A life-cycle assessment provides information on a building over all phases of its life. Using LCA in the design process helps the project team understand which short- and long-term impacts different design decisions will have, allowing them to make better design decisions.

What process is known to help inform design decisions related to urban micro-farms in the community which has high quality soil?

Question 99 Explanation: The site assessment influences over a dozen other LEED credit areas, some directly and others indirectly. For example: • Access to Quality Transit • Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses • Sensitive Land Protection • Bicycle Facilities • Open Space • Rainwater Management • Heat Island Reduction • Energy Performance • Daylight • Quality Views • Renewable Energy Production

A project team is developing a single building in an area that is new to them. Which stakeholder will explain the local context, culture, and history of this project site?

Question 100 Explanation: Local residents understand their own area the best

A project team is new to LEED and contracts a LEED Consultant to assist them with documentation through LEED Online. Which of the following cannot be completed through LEED Online?