V4 Green Associate Test 2 (Part 1)

Question 1 Explanation:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - The Fish and Wildlife Service keeps a list of threatened and endangered species. The NatureServe Heritage Program - NatureServe classifies species and ecological communities under different ratings. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations – defines prime farm land. US EPA Land Trust Alliance is used for Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat in order to know what land to finance. US EPA ECO-regions is used for Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat in order to know what land to finance. FEMA defines floodplains.

Question 3 Explanation:

Compensated and may have little choice in the transaction. Air pollution, for example, is a visible externality of manufacturing, the cost of which is generally paid by others. Externalities can be either negative or positive for both parties affected. Consider the effects of locating an oil refinery adjacent to a residential neighborhood: air pollution and associated health effects, noise pollution, light pollution, increased traffic, risk of industrial accident (all negative externalities) and availability of high-paying jobs, increased tax base for schools and other infrastructure (positive effect).

Question 4 Explanation:

See study guide v4 for explanations

Question 5 Explanation:

Both open and closed systems are part of the Systems Thinking process, which is crucial for green buildings. A closed system is a circular loop where there is extraction, use and then reuse. A system that creates, then redefines itself after its useful life to serve another purpose. In a closed system, there is no waste—cradle to cradle. An open system is a linear progression where there is extraction, use and then disposal. A system that creates, serves its intended purpose, then perishes as waste after use—cradle to grave. Systems Thinking requires an understanding of how parts of a system function with the whole. For example, how does the selection of the building’s glazing system affect the performance of the building’s HVAC systems, which in turn affects power consumption. In systems thinking, a leverage point is a place in a system’s structure where a solution element can be applied. It’s a low leverage point if a small amount of change force causes a small change in system behavior. It’s a high leverage point if a small amount of change force causes a large change in system behavior.

Select three different ways that an urban planning consultant on a LEED for Neighbourhood Development project would suggest?

Question 6 Explanation:

These are examples of source reduction and space-efficient strategies

Question 8 Explanation:

The purpose (or intent) of having a LEED AP on the project is to 'support and encourage the design integration required by LEED to streamline the application and certification process. Although projects will receive a point for having the correct LEED AP specialty on the project, this is not their purpose.

Question 9 Explanation:

Other solutions will need to be found to reduce potable water use indoors.

Question 10 Explanation:

The other options deal with economic or social benefits from Green buildings

Question 11 Explanation:

All aspects of the project should be performed together in an integrative and holistic manner – not separately.

Question 13 Explanation:

REACH is the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. REACH requires all companies manufacturing or importing chemical substances into the European Union in quantities of one ton or more per year to register these substances. The main aims of REACH are to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, the promotion of alternative test methods, the free circulation of substances on the internal market, and enhancing competitiveness and innovation. REACH makes the industry responsible for assessing and managing the risks posed by chemicals and providing appropriate safety information to their users. LEED products that do not contain substances in the Authorization List or Candidate List can be used to meet certain credit requirements in the Materials and Resources category

Question 14 Explanation:

LEED BD+C: Homes and Multifamily Lowrise: Single-family homes and multi-family residential buildings of 1 to 3 stories. Projects 3 to 5 stories may choose the Homes rating system that corresponds to the ENERGY STAR program in which they are participating.

Question 15 Explanation:

This question asks the greatest means in which the roof can pay for itself. Since energy prices are the most expensive part of building operations, it is the correct answer.

Question 16 Explanation:

This is accomplished in the EQ credit category.

Question 17 Explanation:

Consider the information given and the goals of LEED - to curb climate change. Are snowpacks growing or shrinking due to climate change? Overall they are shrinking. If a building or area depends on the snowpack and the snowpack is diminishing, building design should consider water conservation for the future.

Question 18 Explanation:

Installing windows that are appropriate for the climate and that are strategically located is the correct choice

Question 19 Explanation:

The way to reduce costs LEED projects and green building in general is through the use of the integrative process. It is when green building is an add-on to the traditional construction process that it becomes more expensive.

Question 20 Explanation:

Projects that achieve a density of 1.5+ floor-area ratio (FAR), vegetated roofs can be used toward the minimum 25% vegetation requirement.

Question 21 Explanation:

Sound isolation is part of acoustic performance. In healthcare, patient privacy is important - discussions between doctors and patients should be private

Question 22 Explanation:

Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is found in outdoor air and in the indoor air of buildings of all kinds. Radon is a proven carcinogen and exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

Question 23 Explanation:

Renewable energy sources are sustainable, unlike nonrenewable sources which are limited cannot be replenished as fast as they are being consumed. This question asks about an economic benefit – avoiding nonrenewable pricing fluctuations.

Question 24 Explanation:

process energy generally comes from equipment that is plugged into a wall outlet (it has a plug load). Examples of process energy include: • Computers • Office equipment • Kitchen stoves • Kitchen refrigerators • Washers and dryers • Elevators and escalators (these don't have regular plugs, but are considered process energy for LEED) Non-process, or regulated energy generally includes built-in building components: • Interior and exterior lighting (parking garage, security, landscape, architectural) • HVAC (heating, cooling, fans, pumps) • Hot water heating • Toilet exhaust • Parking garage ventilation

Question 25 Explanation:

Dry pond (detention pond) is used to store excess rainwater. Dry ponds are basins whose outlets have been designed to detain runoff for some minimum time (e.g., 24 hours). The rainwater will slowly seep into the ground to recharge aquifers or discharge as determined by the pond design to allow pollutants to settle.