USGBC LEED AP BD+C Exam Questions

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101.

If a team is using the Campus Approach, which of the following would most likely describe the project? 

  • The project includes multiple different buildings in the same location that are all owned by the same entity

  • The project includes multiple different buildings in different locations that are all owned by the same entity

  • The project includes multiple similar buildings in the same location that are all owned by the same entity

  • The project includes multiple different buildings in the same location that are all owned by separate entities

Correct answer: The project includes multiple different buildings in the same location that are all owned by the same entity

The Campus Approach helps streamline the certification process for projects that include multiple types of buildings in the same location and owned by the same entity. 

The Campus Approach would not work for projects that include multiple buildings that are in different locations, are owned by different entities, or are similar in kind because these kinds of projects would not meet its qualifications. Projects with multiple buildings of a similar kind can use the LEED Volume Program, but projects with buildings on different sites and/or owned by different entities still do not qualify and would have to become certified individually. 

102.

Which of the following standards can be used as an alternative to document measures that reduce unregulated loads? 

  • COMNET Modeling Guidelines and Procedures

  • Baseline building performance rating

  • ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, G2.5

  • Energy Star Performance Profile Manager 

Correct answer: COMNET Modeling Guidelines and Procedures

COMNET Modeling Guidelines and Procedures can be used as an alternative to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, G2.5. 

ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, G2.5, is the main set of standards used for EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance, not the alternative. Baseline building performance rating and Energy Star Performance Profile Manager are not sets of standards. 

103.

How often do project teams need to perform the potable water analysis required for WE Credit–Cooling Tower Water Use? 

  • Only once

  • At the time of installation and then a second time a month later

  • Yearly until the ownership of the building changes

  • Monthly until the date of certification

Correct answer: Only once 

The potable water analysis is a one-time procedure for teams hoping to earn WE Credit–Cooling Tower Water Use. This analysis should measure at least five control parameters. 

Performing the analysis yearly, monthly, or even once at installation and then again a month later would be overkill. One potable water analysis is all that is required for this credit. 

104.

For projects larger than 20,000 SF (1,860 m2), who may not be the commissioning authority? 

  • A qualified member of the design or construction team 

  • A disinterested subcontractor 

  • An independent consultant 

  • A qualified employee of the owner 

Correct answer: A qualified member of the design or construction team 

Only if the project is less than 20,000 SF (1,860 m2) is the commissioning authority allowed to be a qualified member of the design or construction team. 

A commissioning authority may be a disinterested subcontractor, an independent consultant, or a qualified employee of the owner. 

105.

What does not qualify as material diverted from disposal?

  • Alternative Daily Cover (ADC)

  • Concrete

  • Metal

  • Wood

Correct answer: Alternative Daily Cover (ADC)

When providing the required waste report for all major waste streams in MR Prerequisite–Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning, projects may not include Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) in their disposal and diversion rates. 

Concrete, metal, and wood are materials that are permitted to be used in the disposal and diversion rates. 

106.

A project team is hoping to earn points in Option 2: Diverse Uses of LT Credit: Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses. How far can the surrounding diverse uses be in order to win the project points? 

  • Within a 1/2-mile (800-meter) walking distance from the main entrance 

  • Within a 1/2-mile (800-meter) radius from any functional entrance

  • Within a 1/4-mile (800-meter) walking distance from any functional entrance

  • Within a 1/4-mile (800-meter) radius from the main entrance 

Correct answer: Within a 1/2-mile (800-meter) walking distance from the main entrance 

The only eligible diverse uses that can be counted for Option 2: Diverse Uses of LT Credit–Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses must be within a 1/2-mile (800 meters) walking distance from the main entrance. 

A distance of 1/4 mile is not relevant to this credit, and the distance must be measured using walking distance rather than a radius. This credit also measures distance from the main entrance of the project rather than from any functional entrance. 

107.

What qualification must the commissioning authority have?

  • Experience with the documented commissioning process 

  • Experience with the integrative design process

  • Experience with the LEED BD+C process 

  • Experience as a building engineer 

Correct answer: Experience with the documented commissioning process 

The CxA must have documented commissioning process experience on at least two projects of similar scope. 

Experience with the integrative design process, LEED, or engineering is not required. 

108.

A project team is assessing the basic envelope attributes and the site conditions of the project. Which of the following credits or prerequisites is the team trying to achieve? 

  • IP Credit–Integrative Process

  •  IP Prerequisite–Integrative Project Planning and Design

  • EA Credit–Optimize Energy Performance 

  • EA Prerequisite–Fundamental Commissioning and Verification

Correct answer: IP Credit–Integrative Process

Teams hoping to achieve IP Credit–Integrative Process are required to do a simple box energy model analysis. Teams must choose at least two of six applicable aspects of the project. 

Based on the assessments being made, the project is not attempting the Integrative Process prerequisite, Energy and Atmosphere Credit–Optimize Energy Performance, or Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite–Fundamental Commissioning and Verification in the scenario. 

109.

Which of the following projects would be eligible for Option 3: Prescriptive Compliance: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide of EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance? 

  • Retail projects less than 100,000 SF (9,290 m2)

  • Healthcare projects less than 100,000 SF (9,290 m2)

  • Warehouse projects less than 100,000 SF (9,290 m2)

  • Laboratory Projects less than 100,000 SF (9,290 m2)

Correct answer: Retail projects less than 100,000 SF (9,290 m2)

Retail projects less than 100,000 SF (9,290 m2) comply with the size requirement for this option and are eligible. 

Healthcare, warehouses, laboratory projects and any project over 100,000 SF (9,290 m2) are ineligible for Option 3 of this prerequisite. 

110.

Which of the following options are required for mechanically ventilated spaces in Option 1 of EQ Credit–Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies?

  • Entryway systems, interior cross-contamination prevention, filtration

  • Natural ventilation design calculations

  • Mixed-mode design calculations

  • Description of exterior noise sources

Correct answer: Entryway systems, interior cross-contamination prevention, filtration

Mechanically ventilated projects are required to comply with the requirements for entryway systems, interior cross-contamination prevention, and filtration. 

Naturally ventilated projects are required to provide natural ventilation design calculations, and mixed-mode systems are required to provide natural ventilation design calculations and mixed-mode design calculations. A description of exterior noise sources is documentation for EQ Prerequisite–Minimum Acoustic Performance. 

111.

What percentage is the maximum allowed for structure and enclosure materials in compliant building products?

  • 30%

  • 50%

  • 10%

  • 100%

Correct answer: 30%

To meet the requirements of Option 2 in MR Credit–Building Product Disclosure and Optimization–Sourcing of Raw Materials, structure and enclosure materials cannot constitute more than 30% of the value of the compliant building products. 

A structure and enclosure materials percentage of 50% or 100% is too high to meet the requirements; 10% is acceptable but not the maximum. 

112.

A project team has just received the results of a simple box energy model. What is their next step to fulfill the requirements of IP Credit–Integrative Process? 

  • Document how the results of the simple box energy model analysis will inform the design of the project

  • Nothing else needs to be done regarding this part of the credit

  • Submit the results of the simple box energy model analysis to LEED Online

  • Hire a commissioning agent to make recommendations based on the results

Correct answer: Document how the results of the simple box energy model analysis will inform the design of the project

The next step after a team completes the simple box energy model analysis is to document how the results will inform the building design. This encourages teams to use the information they gather to build a better, more sustainable project. 

There is more that needs to be done regarding the simple box energy model analysis. Submission is not the next step. Bringing in a commissioning agent early in the project is not a bad idea, but this credit does not require projects to have one make recommendations based on the results of the simple box energy model analysis. 

113.

Which of the following must be assessed for the indoor water demand option? 

  • Flow and flush fixture design case demand volumes

  • Landscape irrigation design case demand volume 

  • Kitchen and laundry cooling tower demand volumes 

  • Potential nonpotable water supply source volumes 

Correct answer: Assess flow and flush fixture design case demand volumes

Assessing indoor water demand includes assessing flow and flush fixture design case demand volumes. 

Landscape irrigation design case demand volume is related to outdoor water demand. Kitchen and laundry cooling tower demand volumes are related to process water demand. Potential nonpotable water supply source volumes are related to supply sources. 

114.

Which of the following would not be exempt from SS Credit–Light Pollution Reduction? 

  • A project located in MLO lighting zone 1 with a small outdoor light for the national flag

  • A hospital emergency department's outdoor lighting

  • A local theater that uses lighting for outdoor stage performances

  • A project in MLO lighting zone 3 with landscape lighting

Correct answer: A project located in MLO lighting zone 1 with small outdoor lights illuminating the national flag

Lights illuminating the national flag can be exempt only if the project is located in MLO zones 2, 3, or 4. This project's lights are not exempt because the project is in MLO lighting zone 1. 

A hospital emergency department's outdoor lighting, outdoor theatrical lighting, and landscape lighting in MLO lighting zones 3 and 4 are all exempt from SS Credit–Light Pollution reduction, but they must be controlled separately from the nonexempt lighting. 

115.

Who would confirm a project's conformance to the secretary of the interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties?

  • A preservation professional

  • The building owner 

  • The commissioning authority 

  • The local government 

Correct answer: A preservation professional

When a building is not subject to historic review, project teams must include a preservation professional to confirm the project's conformance to the secretary of the interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. 

The building owner is in charge of the Owner's Project Requirements. The commissioning authority is in charge of the commissioning process. The local government is not involved in the LEED process. 

116.

What is one of the strategies a project team may assess for site conditions in IP Credit–Integrative Process? 

  •  Shading and exterior lighting 

  • HVAC efficiency and energy consumption 

  • Envelope and building orientation 

  • Massing and thermal comfort ranges 

Correct answer: Shading and exterior lighting

To assess site conditions for IP Credit–Integrative Process, project teams must assess shading, exterior lighting, hardscape, landscaping, and adjacent site conditions. 

HVAC efficiency, energy consumption, envelope, building orientation, massing, and thermal comfort ranges are not appropriate systems to assess for compliance with the option to assess site conditions.

117.

What is the minimum internal temperature required for a building flush-out?

  • 60°F (15°C)

  • 95°F (35°C)

  • 55°F (12.8°C)

  • 80°F (27°C)

Correct answer: 60°F (15°C)

EQ Credit–Indoor Air Quality Assessment, Option 1: Flush-Out has two paths that projects can choose from, but both options require the internal temperature of the building to be maintained at a minimum of 60°F (15°C) but no higher than 80°F (27°C). 

A temperature of 55°F (12.8°C) is below the required minimum for this credit, while 95°F (35°C) is above the required maximum. 

118.

What types of issues could Regional Priority credits address?

  • Both naturally occurring and human-caused issues

  • Only naturally occurring issues

  • Only human-caused issues

  • Only social issues

Correct answer: Both naturally occurring and human-caused issues

The Regional Priority credit category encourages project teams to focus on their local environmental needs and address them with relevant strategies. These local environmental needs include both naturally occurring and human-caused issues. 

Social issues are not included as a focus for this credit category. 

119.

ASHRAE Standard 55-2010 would be used in which of the following? 

  • Designing heating, ventilation, and HVAC systems 

  • Providing guidelines for solar installations 

  • To analyze and interpret thermal comfort in places of assembly

  • To determine the appropriate VOC and CO2 levels 

Correct answer: Designing heating, ventilation, and HVAC systems 

ASHRAE Standard 55-2010 is used in EQ Credit–Thermal Comfort, Option 1. Projects must design heating, ventilation, and HVAC systems according to, and the building envelope must meet the requirements of, ASHRAE Standard 55-2010. 

This standard is not used for solar installations, VOC and CO2 level measurements, or thermal comfort analysis and interpretation. 

120.

What is the minimum number of points for a project to achieve LEED Platinum? 

  • 80 points 

  • 100 points 

  • 90 points 

  • 110 points

Correct answer: 80 points 

The minimum number of points needed to achieve LEED Platinum is 80 points. In BD+C rating systems, the maximum number of points that can be achieved is 110.