USGBC LEED AP BD+C Exam Questions

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121.

Which option would a project team most likely employ for MR Credit–Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction? 

  • Historic building reuse 

  • Demolition of an existing building 

  • Constructing on a brownfield 

  • Increased material reuse

Correct answer: Historic building reuse 

Option 1 for MR Credit–Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction involves the reuse of a historic building. 

Demolition of an existing building and increased material reuse would not be sustainable options. Using a brownfield is a sustainable option but not one of the strategies used in this credit. 

122.

What should the ventilation system airflow rate be during air testing?

  • Minimum outdoor airflow rate for the occupied mode

  • No ventilation system is needed

  • Maximum outdoor airflow rate

  • Variable airflow rate throughout the day

Correct answer: Minimum outdoor airflow rate for the occupied mode

All air measurements should be taken before occupancy but during normal occupied hours, and the building's ventilation system should be operating at the minimum outdoor airflow rate for the occupied mode throughout the test. 

A ventilation system is necessary. The maximum outdoor airflow rate or a variable airflow rate throughout the day would not meet the credit's requirements. 

123.

A school project is attempting to earn SS Credit–Site Master Plan. They have achieved LT Credit–High Priority Site, SS Credit–Heat Island Reduction, and SS Credit–Light Pollution Reduction. They must earn at least four of the six eligible credits. Which of the following is not one of them? 

  • SS Credit–Site Assessment 

  • SS Credit–Open Space

  • SS Credit–Rainwater Management 

  • SS Credit–Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat 

Correct answer: SS Credit–Site Assessment 

SS Credit–Site Assessment is not one of the six credits that school projects can choose from to achieve SS Credit–Site Master Plan. School projects must choose at least four of six options: LT Credit–High Priority Site, SS Credit–Heat Island Reduction, SS Credit–Open Space, SS Credit–Rainwater Management, SS Credit–Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat, and SS Credit–Light Pollution Reduction. 

SS Credit–Open Space, SS Credit–Rainwater Management, and SS Credit–Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat are eligible options for this project to earn to achieve SS Credit– Site Master Plan. 

124.

A school project team has just finished the tasks required in WE Prerequisite–Indoor Water Use Reduction. Which of the following is the documentation they need to submit to prove compliance? 

  •  Product cut-sheets, manufacturer's information, and indoor water use calculations

  • Water Budget Tool report 

  • Meter declaration and sharing commitment 

  • Potable water analysis results, potable water analysis narrative, and cycles of concentration calculation

Correct answer: Product cut-sheets, manufacturer's information, and indoor water use calculations

All projects except core and shell projects require the following to prove compliance with WE Prerequisite–Indoor Water Use Reduction:

  • Product cut-sheets
  • Manufacturer's information
  • Indoor water use calculations 

Core and shell projects must document this prerequisite with a tenant lease agreement and a tenant scope of work narrative. 

The Indoor Water Use Reduction credit and prerequisite use Energy Star, while the Outdoor Water Use Reduction credit and prerequisite use the Water Budget Tool. Meters aren't part of the Indoor Water Use Reduction prerequisite; this documentation is a requirement for WE Prerequisite–Building-Level Water Metering. Potable water analysis results, potable water analysis narrative, and cycles of concentration calculation are the documentation required for WE Credit–Cooling Tower Water Use. 

125.

Which of the following documentation is required for both options of LT Credit–Sensitive Land Protection? 

  • A site map showing the project boundary, development footprint, any previous development, any sensitive areas, and any minor improvements in required buffers

  • An explanation of the previous development on the site

  • A description of how the project team verified prime farmland and sensitive habit criteria

  • A mission statement addressing the team's dedication to sensitive land protection

Correct answer: A site map showing the project boundary, development footprint, any previous development, any sensitive areas, and any minor improvements in required buffers

An explanation of the previous development on the site is required for Option 1. A description of how the project team verified prime farmland and sensitive habit criteria is required for Option 2. A mission statement addressing the team's dedication to sensitive land protection is not required for this credit. 

126.

A project that will hold up to 75% computer equipment, mostly storage systems for the company, wants to become LEED Certified. Which of the following rating systems would be best for this project? 

  • LEED BD+C: Data Centers 

  • LEED BD+C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers

  • LEED BD+C: Core and Shell Development

  • LEED BD+C: New Construction and Major Renovation

Correct answer: LEED BD+C: Data Centers 

Because this project is made up of more than 60% computer equipment, LEED BD+C: Data Centers is a good fit. 

LEED BD+C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers would not be appropriate because this project is not a warehouse or a distribution center. LEED BD+C: Core and Shell Development would not be the best choice because computers require special considerations concerning their environment that may not be able to be met by keeping more than 40% of the gross floor area incomplete. LEED BD+C: New Construction and Major Renovation could work, but it is not designed to accommodate the specific needs of a computer center the way LEED BD+C: Data Centers is, so it is not the best among these choices. 

127.

A project team needs four more points to reach their desired LEED certification level. Which of the following credit categories offers four potential points? 

  • Regional Priority 

  • Innovation

  •  Sustainable Sites 

  • Indoor Environmental Quality 

Correct answer: Regional Priority 

The Regional Priority credit category offers up to four points to projects that achieve credits corresponding to local environmental concerns. 

Innovation offers a total of six possible points, Sustainable Sites offers a total of 10 possible points, and Indoor Environmental Quality offers a total of 16 possible points. 

128.

The project you’re working on is a 31,723 SF office building. Your team has decided not to pursue EA Credit–Optimize Energy Performance and wishes to use a prescriptive path for EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance. Which is the best option for this project?

  • Option 3: Prescriptive Compliance: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide

  • The size of the project makes it ineligible for either of the prescriptive paths

  • Option 2: Prescriptive Compliance: ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide

  • Office buildings are ineligible for Option 3, so the project must use Option 2

Correct answer: Option 3: Prescriptive Compliance: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide

Option 3: Prescriptive Compliance: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide should be used for projects less than 100,000 SF that are not hospitals, laboratories, or warehouses. It should also be used for projects that do not want to pursue credit.

The project is not ineligible for Option 3, nor does its size make it ineligible for the prescriptive paths. While the project could use Option 2, this is not the best option given the scenario. Projects that are not looking to achieve EA Credit–Optimize Energy Performance and are an eligible size should use Option 3.

129.

In Option 4: Whole Building Life-Cycle Assessment of MR Credit–Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction, how many impact categories must show a minimum of 10% reduction compared to a baseline building?

  • Three

  • Four

  • One

  • Six

Correct answer: Three

To comply with this option, project teams must show a minimum of 10% reduction in at least three of the six impact categories. 

Being able to show reduction in four or in all six impact categories would be a great achievement but is not required. Showing a reduction in only one category would not meet the requirements for this credit. 

130.

For projects smaller than 20,000 SF (1860 m2), which of the following is not a requirement for the commissioning authority? 

  • Have documented commissioning process experience on at least one building project

  • Be an independent consultant 

  • Be a qualified employee of the owner 

  • Be a qualified member of the design or construction team 

Correct answer: Have documented commissioning process experience on at least one building project

All commissioning authorities, regardless of the project size, must have documented commissioning process experience on at least two, building projects of a similar scope, not just one project. 

The commissioning authority may be an independent consultant or a qualified employee of the owner. The commissioning authority may be a qualified member of the design or construction team for projects that are smaller than 20,000 SF (1,860 m2).

131.

Which of the following is the appropriate documentation for WE Credit–Outdoor Water Use Reduction? 

  • An alternative water source and controls calculations

  • A potable water analysis results and narrative

  • A water metering strategy narrative 

  • A site plan showing the locations and sizes of landscape zones

Correct answer: An alternative water source and controls calculations

The only documentation required for WE Credit–Outdoor Water Use Reduction are the alternative water source and controls calculations. 

A water metering strategy narrative is the required documentation for WE Credit–Water Metering. Potable water analysis results and narrative are required for WE Credit–Cooling Tower Water Use. Potable water analysis results and narrative are two required documents for WE Credit–Indoor Water Use Reduction. 

132.

For residential projects, how much short-term storage needs to be provided according to LT Credit–Bicycle Facilities?

  • At least 2.5% of all peak visitors

  • At least 0.5% of all peak visitors

  • At least 1% of all peak visitors 

  • At least 2% of all peak visitors 

Correct answer: At least 2.5% of all peak visitors

Commercial, institutional, and residential projects are required to provide short-term bicycle storage for at least 2.5% of all peak visitors. No more than four spaces should be provided per building. 

The figures 0.5%, 1%, and 2% are not used in this credit and are not high enough to meet the requirements for short-term bike storage. 

133.

To qualify for WE Credit–Cooling Tower Water Use, the one-time potable water analysis must measure at least how many control parameters? 

  • Five

  • Four

  • Three

  • Two 

Correct answer: Five 

For the potable water analysis to comply with the requirements of WE Credit–Cooling Tower Water Use, the analysis must measure at least five control parameters. 

Measuring fewer control parameters would not be enough to meet the requirements of the credit. 

134.

Which of the following can be reviewed by a qualified member of the design or construction team according to the requirements of EA Prerequisite–Fundamental Commissioning and Verification? 

  • The exterior enclosure design 

  • The Basis Of Design 

  • Renewable energy systems 

  • Mechanical systems 

Correct answer: The exterior enclosure design 

The exterior enclosure design can be reviewed by a qualified member of the design or construction team as long as that individual is not directly responsible for the design of the building envelope. 

The commissioning authority should be the one to review the Basis Of Design (BOD), any renewable energy systems, the exterior enclosure design, and the mechanical systems. 

135.

Projects should provide individual thermal comfort controls for at least what percentage of individual occupant spaces to comply with EQ Credit–Thermal Comfort? 

  • 50%

  • 45%

  • 30% 

  • 25%

Correct answer: 50%

To comply with the requirements of EQ Credit–Thermal Comfort, new construction, schools, retail, data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, and hospitality projects must provide individual thermal comfort controls for at least 50% of individual occupant spaces. 

Compliance of 45%, 30%, or 25% of these spaces would not meet the minimum requirement for this credit. 

136.

Your project team has signed up for a six-month DR program for 10% of their peak electricity demand. Which of the following is true? 

  • The team will not achieve points for EA Credit–Demand Response 

  • The team will achieve one point for EA Credit–Demand Response

  • The team will achieve two points for EA Credit–Demand Response

  • The DR program must account for at least 15% of the project's peak electricity demand, so the team will not achieve points

Correct answer: The team will not achieve points for EA Credit-Demand Response 

To achieve this credit, projects must sign up for at least one-year programs for at least 10% of their peak electricity demand. The project will not earn any points, but DR programs that account for at least 10% of the project's peak electricity demand are eligible as long as the team signs up for at least one year. 

137.

For SS Credit–Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat, which of the following are exempt from the soils requirements? 

  • Athletic fields

  • Food gardens 

  • Vegetated playgrounds 

  • Sloped areas

Correct answer: Athletic fields 

If athletic fields are used exclusively for athletic purposes, they are exempt from soil requirements of SS Credit–Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat. 

Food gardens, vegetated playgrounds, and sloped areas must meet the soil requirements of SS Credit–Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat. 

138.

Your project team just wants the basic level of LEED certification. What range of points should you aim for to achieve this goal? 

  • 40–49 points 

  • 50–59 points 

  • 60–79 points 

  • 80+

Correct answer: 40–49 points 

To achieve LEED Certified, projects need to earn 40–49 points. This is the lowest tier of certification; higher certification levels require more points.

139.

Schools may be exempt from the requirements of EQ Prerequisite–Minimum Acoustic Performance under what circumstance? 

  • Limited scope of work or historic preservation requirements 

  • Presence of VOCs

  • Lack of a mechanical ventilation system

  • Project is below size requirement

Correct answer: Limited scope of work or historic preservation requirements 

Schools are required to meet the requirements set out by EQ Prerequisite–Minimum Acoustic Performance unless there is a limited scope of work or historic preservation requirements. 

The presence of VOCs, the size of the project, and the lack of a mechanical ventilation system would not exempt a school project from this prerequisite. 

140.

As part of the action plan created in the preliminary LEED meeting, healthcare projects should determine what level of LEED certification they wish to pursue. What are the options?

  • Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum 

  • Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum 

  • Certified, Silver, Bronze or Platinum

  • Certified, Bronze, Gold, or Platinum

Correct answer: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum 

The levels of certification for LEED are Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. 

Bronze is not a certification level in LEED.