1. Synergistic Opportunities and LEED Application Process Answers

Synergistic Opportunities and LEED Application Process

Answers:

1. C

Reference guides are not available in LEED Online.

Reference: LEED Online website

Using LEED Online you can: ‐Submit documentation to USGBC for review ‐Document compliance with LEED Credit Requirements ‐Coordinate resources among project team members ‐Manage public facing project details ‐Submit technical inquiries regarding LEED Credits ‐Track progress towards LEED Certification

2. D & E

D: CIRs should contain one concise question not in excess of 600 words or 4,000 characters.

E: Each CIR can be submitted for a fee of $220.00

Reference: GBCI Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)

3. D

From USGBC: The hallmark of LEED and its ability to affect market transformation is its continuous improvement cycle that enables the rating system to increase in scope and stringency as market readiness increases and new technologies become widely available. With LEED 2009, the primary changes were foundational changes, such as rating system content alignment, credit point value allocation, the development of LEED Online v3, and changes to the professional credentials and certification process. These foundational changes continue to be refined in the context of LEED 2009, but will not be fundamentally changed again with the next update of LEED. For LEED 2012, USGBC will focus on increasing the technical rigor of the rating system, expanding the market sectors able to use LEED, and striving for simplicity in terms of

usability. LEED 2012 builds on LEED 2009 in a thoughtful way. It optimizes the foundations in LEED 2009, and will continue to improve the clarity, usability, functionality and interconnectedness of the rating systems through future version development.

Reference: USGBC Website

4. C

LEED awards more points for strategies that will have greater positive impacts on the environment and human health, such as energy efficiency and CO2 reductions.


5. D

An onsite renewable energy system is a mechanical system and would be a hard cost.

Reference: n/a

Hard costs: 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. Examples include masonry, wood, steel, carpet, tile, mechanical systems, roofing.

6. D

Value engineering (VE) is a review process that identifies and selects the lowest lifecycle cost options in design, materials and processes that achieves the desired level of performance, reliability and customer satisfaction. USGBC defines value engineering to mean reducing costs while improving performance. In this example the project team is reducing cost by switching to crushed gravel and reducing the heat island effect by using a higher SRI product (thus improving performance). Gravel roads also allow for water to get through the pervious surface.

Reference: GBES LEED Green Associate Study Guide

7. B

The manual states project teams should determine relevant design fees and construction costs. Also address: 1. Life‐cycle cost analysis 2. Design and cost advice from experienced green building professionals 3. Contingencies for research of unconventional techniques or materials Life cycle costing is used to evaluate economic performance and takes into account operational and maintenance costs throughout the life of the product.

Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II

8. C

Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question or a set of related questions. Projects spend money on CIRs for prerequisites for the same reason as for credits ‐ to find out if a particular solution qualifies the project for meeting the requirements. The project may meet the requirements of the prerequisite but sometimes submitting a CIR is the only way to find out.

Reference: Guidelines for CIR Customers

9. D

Land cannot be excluded for the purposes of complying with a credit/prerequisite. This is known as gerrymandering.

Reference: LEED 2009 Minimum Program Requirements

10. D

This is a LEED for Homes specific credit category. In the commercial building rating systems the topics of Awareness and Education are covered under the Innovation and Design / Innovation in Operations category.

11. C

This benefits the people and surrounding community with additional tax revenue.


12. A

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.

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

13. B

The LEED Volume Program (formerly the USGBC Portfolio Program) lets organizations achieve LEED certification on a volume scale. For example if the organization has dozens of buildings across the country.

Reference: LEED Volume Program (formerly the USGBC Portfolio Program)

14. B

The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single‐building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary. For multiple building developments, the LEED project boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team. (‐USGBC)

15. A

The LEED Score Card is the quick list of what credits the project team has decided to pursue in the pre‐design phase, based on the project vision and the project's green building goals. Through each phase this checklist is consulted to ask 'are we on track and are we working towards meeting those credits we set out to do?'

Reference: Sample credit checklist for LEED v3

16. C

ASHRAE 55‐2004 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy help with defining what makes a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. Indoor conditions are considered acceptable if 80% or more of occupants find them acceptable.

17. D

ENERGY STAR is specific to energy performance and can be used to compare building performance.

18. B & C

B: Tenant fit‐outs are part of the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system.

C: FF&E are part of the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system. Furniture is also addressed in LEED for New Construction.


Core and shell covers the base building elements:

• Structure • Envelope • HVAC System

19. A

When materials are released outside the system the system is considered open.


20. B

Structures must be permanent ‐ a temporary classroom would not qualify.

Reference: Minimum Program Requirements

21. B

This is USGBC's definition of a LEED intent.

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

22. B

When a project registers and pays the registration fee, the team will have immediate access to LEED Online, LEED project tools and resources and will be entered into the LEED project database.

23. C

Legal documents are not required for the application process.

Reference: n/a

24. D

A mixed use project for new construction would use the LEED for New Construction rating system.


25. C

CIR submissions are available only after a project has been registered.

Reference: n/a

26. A & D

A: All credits for the rating system ‐ along with the credit's status ‐ are displayed to all team members.

D: Any project team member can submit a CIR after paying the fee.

Reference: n/a

27. E

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.

Reference: USGBC website

28. D

The project scorecard is available free of charge from USGBC's website.

29. A

Any updates, changes, errata to any LEED rating system are found on USGBC's website and nowhere else.

Reference: n/a

30. C


Any type of maintenance should be a reminder of the operations and maintenance of a building. 'The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole‐building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell.' ‐ USGBC

31. A

Prerequisites are required and are not assigned any points.


32. A

The square footage of the project is the primary cost consideration for LEED certification. Remember certification and registration fees are not the same.

GBCI Website, Certification Fees

33. B & C

B: All Minimum Program Requirements must be met.

C: ALL prerequisites must be met for the rating system. If even a single prerequisite cannot be achieved in the rating system being certified under the project cannot earn LEED certification.

Reference: n/a

34. D

A building that has a prior LEED certification is in a better position to earn additional LEED certifications.

35. C

Green Seal is a nonprofit organization that has created several standards used to certify products that are more environmentally friendly. This includes paints, coatings, and cleaning products.


36. B

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service. LCA evaluates environmental performance. This view takes into account the whole life of a product or project (not assessing it from a single point in time).

37. C

Among other things the LEED Volume Program (formerly the USGBC Portfolio Program) provides a cost‐effective path to achieving LEED certification on a volume scale.

Reference: LEED Volume Program (formerly the USGBC Portfolio Program)

38. C

All parts of the building process are considered as a part of the life cycle assessment. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service. LCA evaluates environmental performance. This

view takes into account the whole life of a product or project (not assessing it from a single point in time). The goal of LCA is to compare the full range of environmental and social damages assignable to products and services, to be able to choose the least burdensome one.

39. C

The Construction Carbon Calculator estimates embodied carbon. Embodied carbon is the carbon released when a product is manufactured, shipped to a project site and installed. This calculator looks at an entire project, and takes into account the site disturbance, landscape and ecosystem installation or restoration, building size and base materials of construction. (BuildingCarbonNeutral.org)

Reference: Construction Carbon Calculator

40. A & C

A: The minimum number of points required for certification is 40.

C: Projects must meet all prerequisites to earn LEED certification and submit documentation for the credits being attempted.

41. A

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.


42. C

Embodied energy is an accounting methodology which aims to find the sum total of the energy necessary for an entire product lifecycle. This lifecycle includes raw material extraction, transport, manufacture, assembly, installation, disassembly, deconstruction and/or decomposition. For example consider a clay brick. This includes the energy to extract the clay, transport it to the brick‐works, form the brick, fire it in the kiln, transport it to the building site and put the brick into place. It also includes all the indirect energy required, i.e., all the energy required to manufacture the equipment and materials needed to manufacture a

brick, e.g. trucks, kilns, mining equipment, etc. All have a proportion of their energy invested in the brick. When selecting a building material there are three things that should be considered: 1. Performance ‐ How will the material perform compared to other alternatives? Consider insulation ‐ should the project use foam insulation, batt insulation, or something else for the best insulating properties? 2. Adaptability ‐ Can the insulation be reused in the future when the building is at the end of its life or will it need to be disposed of? 3. Embodied energy ‐ How much energy went into manufacturing each type of insulation being considered. Was the insulation sourced close by or was manufactured in an environmentally unfriendly plant and then shipped from overseas?


43. D

This is the triple bottom line. In practical terms, triple bottom line accounting means expanding the traditional reporting framework to take into account environmental and social performance in addition to financial performance. You might hear the triple bottom line referred to in different ways: Economic growth, ecological balance, and social progress: The World Business Council for Sustainable Development Economic viability, environmental stewardship, social awareness: USGBC


44. B

The LEED Rating System adaptations can be considered extensions of existing rating system to address specific types of spaces or requirements for international projects. For example the LEED for New Construction rating system currently has the following adaptations: ‐ LEED for Schools ‐ LEED for Healthcare

LEED for Retail is an offshoot of LEED for New Construction and can also fall under LEED for Commercial Interiors.


45. C

The key here is interior fit‐out. LEED for Commercial Interiors is appropriate if at least 60% of the certifying gross area is being fit‐out.

Reference: LEED Rating System Selection Policy

46. C

Embodied energy is an accounting methodology which aims to find the sum total of the energy necessary for an entire product lifecycle. This lifecycle includes raw material extraction, transport, manufacture, assembly, installation, disassembly, deconstruction and/or decomposition. For example consider a clay brick. This includes the energy to extract the clay, transport it to the brick‐works, form the brick, fire it in the kiln, transport it to the building site and put the brick into place. It also includes all the indirect energy required, i.e., all the energy required to manufacture the equipment and materials needed to manufacture a brick, e.g. trucks, kilns, mining equipment, etc. All have a proportion of their energy invested in the brick.

47. C

ASHRAE 90.1‐2007 is used to measure building energy performance.


48. D

A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These can be architectural, legal, financing, engineering fees, commissioning, and other costs incurred before and after construction.

49. D

LEED MPRs require 1 FTE on an annual average.


50. C

After selecting a rating system a project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points to be certified.

Reference: GBCI LEED Certification Policy Manual

51. B

The LEED Score Card is a tool used to determine how many points the project can reasonably assume will be awarded.


52. A & B & C


From GBCI Website GBCI Policy Manual: A project must adhere to the LEED Minimum Program Requirements, (MPRs) in order to achieve LEED certification. LEED projects must comply with each applicable MPR. These requirements define the types of buildings that the LEED Green Building Rating Systems were designed to evaluate, and taken together serve three goals:

1. to give clear guidance to customers 2. to protect the integrity of the LEED program 3. and to reduce complications that occur during the LEED Certification process

MPRs have 3 goals (above), and 7 things that must be complied with. The difference is goals vs. tasks. MPRs are minimum characteristics that a project must possess in order to be eligible for LEED Certification. MPRs do not ensure prerequisites are met. The certification process (leedonline) and the people reviewing LEED applications ensure the prerequisites are met and that the building has met the credits applied for.

In addition to the Minimum Program Requirements, each version of LEED contains unique prerequisite requirements that must be satisfied in order to achieve certification. The term prerequisite refers to a mandatory project characteristic, measurement, quality, value or function as identified within the LEED rating system. Prerequisites represent the key criteria that define green building performance. Each project must satisfy all specified prerequisites outlined in the LEED rating system under which it is registered. Failure to meet any prerequisite will render a project ineligible for certification.

53. A

The scorecard is used as a reference to make sure the project is on track for the green goals. The LEED Credit Checklist is also called the LEED Scorecard.


54. D

Use of the USGBC logo is granted through their marketing department. 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 logo cannot be used to link to third‐party websites or for product certification. The USGBC Member logo is used to denote USGBC membership, not the USGBC logo. The USGBC logo cannot be used to indicate membership ‐ the USGBC member logo is required to be used. There is both a USGBC logo and a USGBC member logo, both of which have differing uses and requirements.


55. D

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). Once a CIR is submitted a payment must be made to GBCI in order for GBCI to review the CIR. A CIR can be used for administrative inquiries, although doing so is rare. Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question or a set of related questions. It is often helpful to discuss the inquiry within context of the credit's intent. (GBCI)


56. A & C & E


Each commercial (non‐homes) rating system is comprised of a series of the following elements: 1. Minimum Program Requirements 2. Prerequisites 3. Credits

57. B

The manual states project teams should determine relevant design fees and construction costs. Also address: 1. Life cycle costing 2. Design and cost advice from experienced green building professionals 3. Contingencies for research of unconventional techniques or materials Life cycle costing compares different designs to determine the best long‐term investment. All building expenses are included in the analysis including: Initial costs (design + construction)

Operating costs (utilities, water, electricity, people) Maintenance costs (repair, replacement, upkeep)


58. D

There is no minimum height requirement.


The Minimum Program Requirements are: Must comply with environmental laws Must be a complete, permanent building or space Must use a reasonable site boundary Must comply with minimum floor area requirements Must comply with minimum occupancy rate Must commit to sharing whole‐building energy and water usage data Must comply with a minimum building area to site area ratio

59. A

SMACNA guidelines are used for some LEED credits in the Indoor Environmental Quality credit category. The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) has a set of indoor air quality guidelines that are used to help manage air quality issues resulting from construction and renovation.

60. B

For O&M the building must be in a state of typical physical occupancy. For example, a hotel usually has a typical occupancy of about 60% of the rooms rented out. The O&M certification could not be attempted until the hotel was at least 60% occupied. If the hotel was just constructed and didn't have any occupants the certification could not be earned. A school dormitory is another example. If the dormitory was completed in April but will not be occupied until the fall semester in September, the project is not yet in typical occupancy because no students are living in the dorm between April ‐ August.


61. C

LEED Interpretations are precedent‐setting rulings reviewed by USGBC on formal inquiries submitted by LEED project teams that can be applied to multiple projects.

62. A

All LEED rating systems award projects for innovative or exemplary performance

Reference: n/a

Every LEED rating system has prerequisites and credits. Most of the prerequisites and credit names are common among the rating systems, though their requirements may differ.

63. B

LEED Core & Shell covers base building elements such as structure, envelope and the HVAC system. Once a tenant has been established then additional certifications can be earned. Projects where 50% or less of the leasable square footage is owner‐occupied are generally not candidates for LEED for New Construction.

64. B

LEED for Homes is appropriate for single family and low‐rise (1‐3 stories) multifamily residential buildings that are undergoing new construction or a gut rehab. Projects with kitchens, dormitories and assisted living facilities may use LEED for Homes. Mid‐rise (4‐6 stories) multifamily residential buildings, dormitories, and assisted living facilities may use either LEED for Homes or the LEED for Homes Mid‐Rise Pilot Rating System. This depends on whether kitchens are present in the units.


65. D

Green Label Plus certified carpets have low VOC content.


66. A & D

A: The 40/60 rule is provided for guidance. Ultimately the project team decides.

D: LEED has a 40/60 rule to help project teams decide on a rating system:

• If a particular rating system is appropriate for 40% or less of a LEED project building or space, then that rating system should not be used.

• If a particular rating system is appropriate for 60% or more of a LEED project building or space, then that rating system should be used.

• Project teams with buildings and spaces that do not fall into the scenarios described in a) and b) must independently assess their situation and decide which rating system is most applicable.


67. B

A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These include building permit fees, architect fees, legal, financing, engineering fees, commissioning, and other costs incurred before and after construction.

Reference: n/a

68. C

CIRs can be submitted for any prerequisite or credit for the project's rating system.


69. A

After the formation of the USGBC, the members realized that the sustainable design industry needed a system to define and measure green building.


70. B

A natural pond is not part of the built environment.


The term built environment refers to any environment that is human‐made and provides a structure for human activity, ranging in scale from personal shelter and buildings to neighborhoods and cities that can often include their supporting infrastructure, such as water supply or energy networks.

71. A

A life cycle approach considers all stages of a project, product or service. For example a life cycle approach for materials would consider growing raw materials and production, to distribution, consumer use and product disposal. This approach considers longevity. For a building the life cycle approach continues through design, planning, construction, operation and maintenance, and renovation. The approach ends when the project reaches its end‐of‐life and the components are recycled or reused.

72. D

A declarant is 'A LEED project team member who is technically qualified to verify the content of a LEED credit submittal template, and is authorized by the project administrator to sign the template and upload it to LEED Online. The Declarant must have had a significant degree of responsibility for the credit, i.e., participation with and/or oversight of either implementing the credit in the project building or of verifying its outcome.' (USGBC) The declarant is the person who will sign a submittal template. Each template can have a different declarant. Each rating system will have its own set of forms that must be completed and submitted for documentation and verification. These forms are called submittals or credit templates, and are accessed with LEED Online. The project administrator assigns credits/prerequisites to individuals (declarants) to complete.

73. B

Prerequisites represent the key criteria that define green building performance. (GBCI)

Reference: LEED Certification Policy Manual

74. C

Because it is unclear whether the strategy applies to the given credit, a CIR must be submitted using LEED Online. The design phase review would not mark a credit as 'Denied' in this case for choosing one software package over another. Anyone on the project team (after being added to LEED Online for that project) can submit the CIR, then someone has to cut a check to GBCI for the review.


75. A

LEED suggests projects that are less than 50% owner‐occupied should pursue LEED for Core & Shell certification when the project includes a major HVAC renovation, significant envelope modifications, and major interior rehabilitation.

Reference: LEED Rating System Selection Policy, LEED NC Introduction

76. D

The LEED levels are Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

77. D

This question is explicitly addressed in the USGBC Trademark Policy on page 16. 'LEED certification' with lowercase 'c' is used to describe the certification process. 'LEED certified' with lowercase 'c' is used to describe a project that has been certified. 'LEED Certified' with capital 'C' is used to describe a project that has been certified to the base level: Certified. The certification levels are: Certified Silver Gold

Platinum A building can be 'certified' without being 'Certified', but in that case it would have received Silver/Gold/Platinum certification.

Reference: USGBC Trademark Policy

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

78. B

'The LEED Certification Mark combines the LEED Logo with a distinctive banner that designates a level of LEED certification across its face. Once a project has been certified the LEED Certification Mark appropriate to the level of certification (see below: Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum) may be used in collateral and other marketing materials to promote the associated LEED project.'


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.

79. D

Fundamental Refrigerant Management is a LEED prerequisite which requires zero use of CFCs. This is not an MPR.


80. B

Yes, the credit/prerequisite requirements must still be met.


81. B & D

B: Life cycle costing (LCC) is the evaluation of the total cost of a building or product over its useful life, including initial, maintenance, repair and replacement costs as well as savings. LCC evaluates economic performance.

D: According to some studies and some LEED documentation vegetated roofs have a longer product life than conventional roofs. Maybe that is due to the yearly maintenance and upkeep that should occur.

82. C

A project must adhere to the LEED Minimum Program Requirements, (MPRs) in order to achieve/retain LEED certification. Failure to comply with MPRs may result in the certification being revoked. No fees will be refunded. A project can meet the MPRs prior to certification, then earn project certification, and later on something may change where the project no longer meets the MPRs. An example of this scenario is if the occupancy rate of the building decreases. Note that after the project is certified (attained any LEED certification at any level) the project must continue to meet the MPRs or certification can be revoked. For example if a hotel is certified and then the hotel shuts down, the hotel is not maintaining the minimum occupancy levels required by the MPRs. The certification could be revoked.

83. D

The LEED Pilot Credit Library facilitates the introduction of new prerequisites and credits to LEED. The process allows projects to test credits that haven't been through USGBC's complete drafting and balloting process.


84. B

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.


85. D

The LEED Volume Program (formerly the USGBC Portfolio Program) is designed for owners that have a lot of new/existing buildings and want to implement LEED on a large scale.


86. D

The score card allows users to select credit achievement as Yes/Maybe/No


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

87. A


The Construction Carbon Calculator estimates embodied carbon. Embodied carbon is the carbon released when a product is manufactured, shipped to a project site and installed. This calculator looks at an entire project, and takes into account the: site disturbance landscape and ecosystem installation or restoration building size base materials of construction (BuildingCarbonNeutral.org)

88. A & C

A: Irrigation costs are an operational cost that would be included.

C: Inspection fees are a maintenance cost issue that would be included.

Life cycle costing compares different designs to determine the best long‐term investment. All building expenses are included in the analysis including: Initial costs (design + construction) Operating costs (utilities, water, electricity, people) Maintenance costs (repair, replacement, upkeep)

89. C & D & E

C: 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

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

E: LEED is a consensus process that has a balanced and transparent committee structure.

Reference: LEED Rating Systems

90. B & C

B: LEED CI could be earned for the interior spaces.

C: O&M could be earned for the ongoing operations of the building.

91. B

The LEED project boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single‐building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary. For multiple building developments, the LEED

project boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team. (‐USGBC) The property boundary is the total area within the legal property boundaries of a site. (‐USGBC).

92. B

TAGs are specialists that rule on CIRs.


http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6198

93. A

Each LEED category is listed, along with the credits and prerequisites for that category.

Reference: LEED NC Checklist

94. D & E


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. This question asks about how LEED can be used by various parties/organizations when referenced in product literature. Manufacturers are allowed to say certain things regarding their products and how they can be used for LEED credits. Claiming that product is 'LEED certified' for example is wrong.

95. C

One of USGBC's Guiding Principles is to promote the Triple Bottom Line: 'USGBC will pursue robust triple bottom line solutions that clarify and strengthen a healthy and dynamic balance between environmental, social, and economic prosperity.' The triple bottom line (also known as 'people, planet, profit') captures an expanded

spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal) success: economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. In practical terms, triple bottom line accounting means expanding the traditional reporting framework to take into account ecological and social performance in addition to financial performance. 'People, planet and profit' succinctly describes the triple bottom lines and the goal of sustainability.

96. C

The giveaway in this question are the words 'upgrades' and 'minor'. 'Upgrades' lets you know this is an existing building. Minor changes are part of the LEED EB: O&M scope.


97. C

LEED NC is for complete construction. It is appropriate for buildings that are undergoing new construction or major renovation (or gut rehab, for low‐ and mid‐rise residential) and a complete interior fitout. LEED NC is for buildings that do not primarily serve K‐12 educational, retail, or designated healthcare uses.

Reference: LEED Rating System Selection Guidance

98. A & B

A: The reference guides do not contain sample credit forms.

B: Reference guides are not part of LEED Online.

Reference: n/a

99. D

The LEED Scorecard helps teams decide what credits to achieve.


100. D

There are no space requirements for LEED CI certification, other than the Minimum Program Requirements for any certification which requires: 'The LEED project must include a minimum of 250 square feet (22 square meters) of gross floor area.'


101. C

LEED for Schools is used for the new construction or major renovation of K‐12 projects. This rating system can also be used for higher‐level learning facilities such as colleges and universities.


102. A

Gerrymandering is prohibit: 'The boundary may not unreasonably exclude sections of land to create boundaries in unreasonable shapes for the sole purpose of complying with prerequisites or credits'.


103. A

This rating system is appropriate for interior spaces that are undergoing alteration work for at least 60% of the certifying gross floor area.


104. A & B

A: The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single‐building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary. For multiple building developments, the LEED project boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team. (‐USGBC)

B: The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single‐building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary.

105. A & D

A: CIRs should be used when there are conflicts in a credit/prerequisite.

D: CIRs should be used when you can't find the answer in the reference guide.


106. B

The intent of this question is to learn the LEED Rating Systems are developed by committees of volunteers from all types of backgrounds. From USGBC's website: 'LEED Rating Systems are developed through an open, consensus‐based process led by LEED committees. Each volunteer committee is composed of a diverse group of practitioners and experts representing a cross‐section of the building and construction industry.' While it is true employees of local, state, and federal government agencies can volunteer for the committees, as can product manufacturers and architects, engineers, and contractors, it is volunteers that make up the committees from these professions as well as many others.

107. B

The IAQ Management Plan defines practices to be employed on jobsites to assure a healthy work environment during construction and assure a healthy work environment for eventual building occupants. The plan should implement solutions for:

‐ Specifying less harmful/low‐emitting materials ‐ Protecting building materials during construction ‐ Scheduling construction activities to minimize occupant exposure ‐ Isolate areas of work to prevent contamination of clean/occupied spaces ‐ Ventilating the space to remove air contaminants

108. C

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

Reference: Logo Guidelines

109. D

This is the description of the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs), not USGBC's LEED Volume Program.


The LEED Volume Program is designed for owners that have a lot of new/existing buildings and want to implement LEED on a large scale. This program is a way to achieve volume certification more easily.

110. C

There will be times when a credit planned on being earned may not be achievable. For example, maybe not enough electricity can be saved for an EA credit, or maybe the building owner changes his or her mind about a particular credit to cut building costs. If a credit cannot be earned, do not include that credit in the final application. Note that the question asks what should be done regarding this credit, not what should be done to achieve certification. If the loss of the credit impacts the number of points needed for

certification or a certain level of certification, the project team needs to find a way to make up the lost points.

111. D

The project boundary is the platted property line of the project defining land and water within it. (‐USGBC)

Reference: n/a

While you may have a different definition of some terms the LEED exams test on the USGBC definitions, not on personal experience or beliefs. Therefore the practice tests include the definitions from USGBC.

112. C

LEED Platinum is earned for projects with 80+ points.

Reference: n/a

113. C

By taking into consideration the building site, the building structure, all of the systems, and the use of the building, the project team applies a 'whole building' approach.

114. A & D

A: CIRs are available to all projects regardless of the rating system.

D: There are no requirements that the project administrator needs to be a LEED AP.


115. C

LEED for Neighborhood Development integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design.

116. D

The Construction Carbon Calculator estimates embodied carbon. Embodied carbon is the carbon released when a product is manufactured, shipped to a project site and installed. This calculator looks at an entire project, and takes into account the site disturbance, landscape and ecosystem installation or restoration, building size and base materials of construction. (BuildingCarbonNeutral.org)


117. D

Sustainability in the building sector can be measured by achieving the triple bottom line: sustainable practices that benefit the planet, people, and profit.


You might hear the triple bottom line referred to in different ways: Economic growth, ecological balance, and social progress: The World Business Council for Sustainable Development Economic viability, environmental stewardship, social awareness: USGBC The three P's: profit, planet, and people The three E's: economics, ecology, social equity

118. B

Upon receipt of a completed application for certification, a formal application review will be initiated. Once a project has been certified, the LEED Certification Mark appropriate to the level of certification (see below: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Certified) may be used in collateral and other marketing materials to promote the associated LEED project.

Reference: USGBC Trademark Guidelines

119. B & C & E

B: A life cycle approach considers all stages of a project, product or service. For example a life cycle approach for materials would consider growing raw materials and production, to distribution, consumer use and product disposal.

C: Systems thinking is a process of understanding how each part of the built environment affects every other part. It is the belief that the component parts of a system can best be understood in the context of relationships with each other and with other systems, rather than in isolation. These parts include project materials, building systems, site, people, and information.

E: Integrated process is the approach of having separate stakeholders or designers work together to ensure the project is benefiting from synergy which allows for greater levels of sustainability throughout the project's life.


120. B & C

B: Meeting the prerequisites are mandatory for certification. Credits are optional, though a certain number of credits are needed for certification. The project team chooses which credits to pursue. Prerequisites are not a choice.

C: MPRs are mandatory for certification.


121. D

A residential building must be four or more stories to use LEED for New Construction, otherwise LEED for Homes should be used. Even if all of the other answers sound right because they use familiar terms found in the MPRs, go with what you know about the LEED NC rating system.

Reference: LEED for New Construction Rating System

122. A

The conceptual design is not part of the preliminary rating process.

The preliminary LEED rating would include three things: 1. The targeted LEED award level (Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). 2. The credits that have been selected to meet the targeted award level. 3. A completed LEED Score Card to help determine the target certification level.

123. D

Projects must earn a minimum of 40 points. Anything less does not earn certification.

Reference: n/a

124. C

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. Use of the USGBC member logo is limited to member companies. See the logo usage document for the limits on use. From the document: Member Logo on Product Packaging USGBC does not review, certify, or endorse products. As such, the Member Logo may not be used to indicate any kind of endorsement by USGBC of any product or service, to indicate that any official status for any product or service has been conferred by or is otherwise associated with USGBC, or to show any kind of relationship with USGBC other than to signify the company is a USGBC member. A company could use the logo in their letterhead for marketing purposes. This is why USGBC created the logo guidelines and why the issue is addressed in the logo guidelines.

Reference: USGBC Website on Logo use

125. D

The preliminary rating defines the green building goals of the building, what credits will be attempted, and the targeted certification level.

126. B & E

B: Acceptable.

E: Acceptable.


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.

127. B

Life cycle costing (LCC) is the evaluation of the total cost of a building or product over its useful life, including initial, maintenance, repair and replacement costs as well as savings. LCC evaluates economic performance. LCC compares different designs to determine the best long‐term investment. All building expenses are included in the analysis including: Initial costs (design + construction) Operating costs (utilities, water, electricity, people) Maintenance costs (repair, replacement, upkeep)

Reference: n/a

128. B

There is no uniform site boundary requirement.


The Minimum Program Requirements are: Must comply with environmental laws Must be a complete, permanent building or space Must use a reasonable site boundary Must comply with minimum floor area requirements Must comply with minimum occupancy rate Must commit to sharing whole‐building energy and water usage data Must comply with a minimum building area to site area ratio

129. B

Zero use of CFC‐based refrigerants is the prerequisite for Fundamental Refrigerant Management. This is not a MPR ‐ it is a prerequisite.

Reference: GBCI Minimum Project Requirements

130. C

The gross floor area of a LEED project must be certified under a single rating system. Projects can't exclude some of the floor area of the project in order to achieve credits more easily.


131. D

A closed system is a system with a closed loop, and is thought of as more sustainable. For example, plants growing in a field, grow, produce oxygen, take in water, then die and decay which helps plants grow. Closed systems can be linked so one system uses the byproducts of another.


132. C

'Once a project is registered as a LEED for Core & Shell project, the project team may apply for precertification. LEED for Core & Shell precertification is a formal recognition by the USGBC given to a candidate project for which the developer/owner has established a goal to develop a LEED for Core & Shell building. Once precertification is granted, the developer/owner can market the building's proposed green features to potential tenants and financiers.' –USGBC


133. B

The primary purpose for registering a project is to gain access to the project tools needed for the certification process.

Reference: GBCI website for registration

134. A

CIRs can only be submitted for registered projects through LEED Online.

Reference: n/a

135. D


1,000 sq. ft. minimum for commercial projects. 250 sq. ft. for commercial interior projects.

136. C

According to Cost of Green Revisited ‐ The 2006 study shows essentially the same results as 2004: there is no significant difference in average costs for green buildings as compared to non‐green buildings.

Reference: Cost of Green Revisited

137. A

The property boundary and/or property area is the total area within the legal property boundaries of the site; it encompasses all areas of the site, including constructed and nonconstructed areas. (‐USGBC)

Reference: n/a

138. A

See LEED Today in reference. LEED looks at the environmental performance of a building through the building's entire life cycle, from pre‐design until deconstruction.


139. B

A negative feedback loop is a system where the output may signal the system to stop changing. Here the thermostat tells the system to stop running if a certain temperature threshold is reached.


140. C

A major renovation usually includes major HVAC renovation.

141. C

The IPMVP Volume III is used for Measurement and Verification credit. The standard is used in the rating systems and you should be familiar with what the standard is used for. Measurement and Verification plans are used to account for a building's energy consumption over time to optimize energy performance, minimize environmental impacts, and save on building operating costs. New Construction projects can earn a Measurement and Verification credit for implementing this type of plan.

142. C

The term built environment refers to any environment that is human‐made and provides a structure for human activity, ranging in scale from personal shelter and buildings to neighborhoods and cities that can often include their supporting infrastructure, such as water supply or energy networks.


143. A

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

A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These include building permit fees, architect fees, legal, financing, engineering fees, commissioning, and other costs incurred before and after construction.

144. A

The Minimum Program Requirements for LEED EB: O&M require 1 FTE. A building with no people in it doesn't meet that requirement.


145. A

CIRs should contain one concise question.


146. B

There are 7 categories for a LEED commercial project: Sustainable Sites (SS) Water Efficiency (WE) Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Materials and Resources (MR) Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Innovation in Design (ID) / Innovation in Operations (IO) Regional Priority


147. D

If the project team was denied a credit the team may appeal. Appeals are allowed for design phase and construction phase credits if a split review is being done. Otherwise the appeals come after the final review. Appeals are $500 per credit ‐ no discounts.

Reference: GBCI Website

148. D

T he LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. (‐USGBC) For single building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary ‐ they are not necessarily the same thing. In the case of a multiple building project the LEED boundary is that part of the entire project being submitted for certification as determined by the project team. For example for a campus project that might have 5 buildings, each building is submitted

separately for certification. The LEED boundary is set for each of the 5 buildings though they cannot overlap if they property is contiguous.

Reference: n/a

149. B

Each rating system will have its own set of forms that must be completed and submitted for documentation and verification. These credit forms accessed via LEED Online. Credits/prerequisites are assigned by the project administrator. Whoever has been assigned responsibility for the credit/prerequisite by the administrator fills out the credit form using LEED Online. Once all of the credit forms are completed for those credits being attempted, the project administrator will submit the project for review. The credit forms are also referred to as credit templates, submittal templates, or submittals.

150. D

ASHRAE 62.1‐2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum ventilation rates. These rates are used to improve indoor air quality as part of the IEQ credit category.


151. B

See Reasonable Site Boundary in the reference. The only exception to the LEED project boundary of land not owned by the project owner is land that is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building.


152. A

Operating costs are another type of cost for a building in addition to hard and soft costs. These costs occur after the building is complete and up and running. These costs include utilities such as water and electricity as well as the costs of maintenance personnel ‐ janitorial, landscape, security.

Reference: n/a

153. C

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America is the publisher of lighting design and illumination standards. For LEED these standards are used to help reduce light pollution from a project.


154. B

This is the definition of the declarant.

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

155. B

The prerequisites are the key criteria that define green building performance. – GBCI


156. C

When calculating minimum energy performance the building performance rating method of Appendix G of ASHRAE 90.1‐2007 is used.


157. D

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. The control measures and quality guidelines from SMACNA need to be followed during construction to minimize indoor air quality issues.

158. A & C & E


You should go to gbci.org and review the Minimum Project Requirements page.

159. A & B & C


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. This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA Candidate Handbook. The reason 'Upon completion, XYZ Building will apply to become LEED certified' is acceptable compared to 'LEED Certified' with a capital C is because USGBC allows a lowercase c to be used when speaking of general LEED certification. It refers to the certification program itself and not the lowest level of certification ‐ LEED Certified.

160. C

The LEED for Homes rating system can earn a higher certification level based on the number of bedrooms compared to the square footage of the home.

Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System

161. B & C & E

B: ASHRAE 55‐2004 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy help with defining what makes a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. Indoor conditions are considered acceptable if 80% or more of occupants find them acceptable.

C: ASHRAE 90.1‐2007 establishes minimum requirements for the energy efficient design of buildings (not included are single family homes or multifamily homes less than 3 stories).

E: ASHRAE 62.1‐2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum ventilation rates. These rates are used to improve indoor air quality as part of the IEQ credit category.

162. C

In addition to the Minimum Program Requirements, each version of LEED contains unique prerequisite requirements that must be satisfied in order to achieve certification. The term prerequisite refers to a mandatory project characteristic, measurement, quality, value or function as identified within the LEED rating system. Prerequisites represent the key criteria that define green building performance. Each project must satisfy all specified prerequisites outlined in the LEED rating system under which it is registered. Failure to meet any prerequisite will render a project ineligible for certification.

163. B

The intent of this question is to learn the common categories of the LEED rating systems. The LEED credit categories common among the rating systems are: Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy and Atmosphere Materials and Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation in Design (or Operations for O+M) The correct category is Indoor Environmental Quality, not Air. Air quality is a subset of IEQ.

164. B

Net‐zero energy projects use no more energy from the electrical grid than can be produced from on‐site renewable energy systems.


165. D

LEED has a 40/60 rule to help project teams decide on a rating system:

• If a particular rating system is appropriate for 40% or less of a LEED project building or space, then that rating system should not be used.

• If a particular rating system is appropriate for 60% or more of a LEED project building or space, then that rating system should be used.

• Project teams with buildings and spaces that do not fall into the scenarios described in a) and b) must independently assess their situation and decide which rating system is most applicable.


166. A

LEED for Small Buildings does not exist. Small buildings are covered in the LEED for New Construction rating system for new buildings, or LEED Operations and Maintenance for existing buildings.

167. B & D

B: Labor for installing materials is a hard cost.

D: Masonry is a hard cost.

Reference: n/a

Hard costs: 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. Examples include masonry, wood, steel, carpet, tile, mechanical systems, roofing. A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These include building permit fees, architect fees, legal, financing, engineering fees, commissioning, and other costs incurred before and after construction.

168. B

Adaptive reuse is the design and construction of a building so that it can serve a future use that is different than its current use. In this example the building can have offices now but in 20 years could be updated to apartments more easily than if the design did not include this option.


169. C

All LEED projects must comply with a minimum building to site area ratio. The gross floor area of the LEED project building must be at least 2% of the gross land area (LEED project boundary). 100,000 X 2% = 2,000 square feet


170. B

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 Awarded or Denied. Points may be marked as Anticipated in LEED Online after the design phase but points are only Awarded (earned) after the construction phase. This is true of all credits and prerequisites.

171. A

The manual states project teams should determine relevant design fees and construction costs. Also address: 1. Life‐cycle cost analysis 2. Design and cost advice from experienced green building professionals 3. Contingencies for research of unconventional techniques or materials Life cycle costing is used to evaluate economic performance and takes into account operational and maintenance costs throughout the life of the product.


172. C

Adaptive reuse is the design and construction of a building so that it can serve a future use that is different than its current use. In this example the building can have offices now but in 20 years could be updated to apartments more easily than if the design did not include this option.


173. A

This is the correct definition of cradle to cradle.


174. D

The LEED Scorecard is organized just like the LEED Rating System ‐ by environmental category


175. B

Natural (or passive) ventilation uses the natural forces of wind and buoyancy to deliver fresh air into buildings through doors, windows, or other designed opening (chimneys). ASHRAE 62.1‐2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum ventilation rates.


176. C

LEED for Commercial Interiors is a benchmark for the tenant improvement market that gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers. (‐USGBC)

177. C

All projects, regardless of the rating system, must meet the MPRs defined by GBCI. All federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations must be complied with. For LEED EB: O&M projects, this includes complying with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations starting at the performance period through the expiration date of the LEED certification. For LEED NC, CI, CS, School, and Retail, projects must be in compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations when the project is registered (or before the schematic design, whichever is first).


1. Synergistic Opportunities and LEED Application Process Answers

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