USGBC LEED AP ID+C Exam Questions

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21.

What must be considered waste and not diversion in the calculations for MR Credit–Construction and Demolition Waste Management?

  • Materials destined for Alternative Daily Cover (ADC)

  • Wood waste converted to fuel (biofuel)

  • Excavated soil

  • Land-clearing debris 

Correct answer: Materials destined for Alternative Daily Cover (ADC)

Materials destined for ADC should be calculated as waste and not as diversion. 

Wood waste converted to fuel (biofuel) can be calculated as diversion. Excavated soil and land-clearing debris shouldn't be included in calculations at all. 

22.

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.

23.

A project team calculates the percentage of water use reduction for the WE category. How is the calculated percentage reduction of water use different in WE Prerequisite and WE Credit–Indoor Water Use Reduction?

  • The prerequisite includes only fixtures within the tenant space whereas the credit includes all fixtures used by the occupants

  • The prerequisite and the credit have different baseline flow and flush rates

  • The prerequisite includes all fixtures used by the occupants, whereas the credit includes only the fixtures within the tenant space

  • The prerequisite includes only the restrooms but not showerheads

Correct answer: The prerequisite includes only fixtures within the tenant space, whereas the credit includes all fixtures used by the occupants

The credit takes into account all fixtures and fittings even if they are located outside of the tenant space, such as shared restrooms and showers of a base building. Therefore, the existing fixtures and fittings in the base building are important for the ID+C certification.

The prerequisite and the credit baseline values are identical, and they both include all fixtures and fittings in the calculations.

24.

A team is starting a new project and is having a hard time choosing a rating system. Their project's gross floor area is 42% retail and 58% office space. Which of the following rating systems should they use? 

  • Either ID+C: Retail or ID+C: Commercial Interiors is appropriate

  • The team must use ID+C: Retail

  • The team must use ID+C: Commercial Interiors

  • There is no appropriate rating system in ID+C; the project should choose from BD+C rating systems

Correct answer: Either ID+C: Retail or ID+C: Commercial Interiors is appropriate

According to the 40/60 rule, if the floor area using one rating system in a project is between 40% and 60%, then the choice of rating system is at the project team's discretion. Either of these two rating systems would be appropriate for this project.

The team could use ID+C: Retail or ID+C: Commercial Interiors, but they don't have to use one or the other. The team does not have to choose from BD+C rating systems; there are options for this team in ID+C.

25.

According to IEQ Prerequisite–Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control, where should designated smoking areas be located?

  • At least 25 feet (7.5 meters) away from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows

  • Within 10 feet (3 meters) of all building entrances

  • Inside the building in specifically designated areas

  • Around any entrances to the building 

Correct answer: at least 25 feet (7.5 meters) from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows

 IEQ Prerequisite: Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control requires all designated smoking areas to be located at least 25 feet (7.5 meters) away from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows to prevent contamination of indoor air.

"No smoking" signage must be posted within 10 feet (3 meters) of all building entrances. Designated smoking areas must not be inside the building or near any entrances. 

26.

What is the value of end-use products certified Cradle to Cradle v3 Gold? 

  • 150% of cost 

  • 100% of cost 

  • 90% of cost

  • 50% of cost 

Correct answer: 150% of cost 

Cradle to Cradle certified end-use products are valued based on their certification:

  • Cradle to Cradle v2 Gold: 100% of cost
  • Cradle to Cradle v2 Platinum: 150% of cost
  • Cradle to Cradle v3 Silver: 100% of cost
  • Cradle to Cradle v3 Gold or Platinum: 150% of cost

No certification earns 90% or 50% of cost. 

27.

What is the required length of entryway systems according to IEQ Credit–Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies?

  • At least 10 feet (3 meters) 

  • Over 12 feet (3.5 meters) 

  • Around 8 ft (2.5 meters) 

  • Approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) 

Correct answer: At least 10 feet (3 meters) 

LEED requires permanent entryway systems to be at least 10 feet (3 meters) long in the primary direction of travel. 

Over 12 feet (3.5 meters) would meet this requirement, but this is not the minimum. A length of 8 ft (2.5 meters) or 5 feet (1.5 meters) is too short according to IEQ Credit–Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies. 

28.

For which projects should the perimeter area be used to determine sDA for EQ Credit–Daylight?

  • Healthcare projects

  • Commercial projects

  • Residential projects

  • Educational projects

Correct answer: Healthcare projects

EQ Credit–Daylight, Option 1, requires project teams to demonstrate that they have achieved an sDA of at least 55% for two points or 75% for three points. While other projects should use the regularly occupied floor area, healthcare projects should use the perimeter area for their calculations.

29.

When pursuing EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance, Option 1: Whole-Building Energy Simulation, what percentage of improvement is the minimum that an ID+C project needs to demonstrate? 

  • 3%

  • 10%

  • 5%

  • 2%

Correct answer: 3% 

Using ASHRAE 90.1 standards and the project’s design case, ID+C projects must demonstrate improvement of 3% or more in energy performance

Improvements of 10% or 5%, while great accomplishments, are not the minimum required in EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance, Option 1: Whole-Building Energy Simulation. A 2% improvement is not enough to meet the requirements of this prerequisite. 

30.

What is the value of products with third-party verified corporate sustainability reports for credit achievement calculation?

  • One whole product

  • Half a product

  • One-tenth of a product

  • One-third of a product

Correct answer: One whole product

MR Credit–Building Product Disclosure and Optimization–Sourcing of Raw Materials, Option 1, requires project teams to use at least 20 different permanently installed products from at least five different manufacturers that have publicly available reports on their raw material suppliers. Products with third-party verified CSRs are valued at one whole product. 

Products sourced from manufacturers with self-declared reports are valued as half a product. LEED does not cover products valued at one-tenth or one-third of a product. 

31.

When is the best time to incorporate the integrative process?

  • During the early design stages

  • After the OPR and the BOD are complete 

  • During the construction phase

  • After occupancy and operation

Correct answer: During the early design stages

For the integrative process to be most effective, project teams should incorporate it during the early design stages. 

Implementing the integrative process during the construction phase or after occupancy and operation of the building would not be effective. The OPR and the BOD are created in the early stages of the design phases.

32.

According to EQ Credit–Interior Lighting, what percentage constitutes midlevel lighting?

  • 30% to 70% of the maximum illumination level (not including daylight contributions)

  • 50% to 100% of the maximum illumination level (not including daylight contributions)

  • 20% to 60% of the maximum illumination level (not including daylight contributions)

  • 40% to 80% of the maximum illumination level (not including daylight contributions)

Correct answer: 30% to 70% of the maximum illumination level (not including daylight contributions)

To earn EQ Credit–Interior Lighting, project teams must offer individual lighting controls for at least 90% of individual occupant spaces with at least three lighting levels (on, off, and midlevel). Midlevel is 30% to 70% of the maximum illumination level (not including daylight contributions). 

33.

Option 2 of MR Credit–Disclosure and Optimization–Material Ingredients requires project teams to use products that have optimized ingredients for at least what percentage by cost? 

  • 25%

  • 20% 

  • 15%

  • 10% 

Correct answer: 25%

Option 2 of MR Credit–Disclosure and Optimization–Material Ingredients requires project teams to use products that have optimized ingredients for at least 25% percent by cost of the total value of permanently installed products used on the project. 

However, 20%, 15%, and 10% are below the minimum requirement for this credit. 

34.

What should team members do during the integrative process?

  • Collaborate to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of every system

  • Work individually without coordination

  • Meet once to establish broad project goals 

  • Have a charette of at least four hours 

Correct answer: Collaborate to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of every system

The integrative process was designed to encourage collaboration among all project team members. This collaboration should enhance efficiency and effectiveness. 

The integrative process encourages team members to work together, not individually or without any coordination. Ideally, project teams that are using the integrative process will meet multiple times throughout the project. A four-hour charette is not required to earn the integrative process credit. 

35.

What percentage of the total Energy Star eligible products should be installed in the project to comply with Option 2 of EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance?

  • 50%

  • 100%

  • 75%

  • 25%

Correct answer: 50%

According to Option 2 of EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance, project teams should install Energy Star appliances for 50% of the total products used on the project that are eligible for Energy Star. 

Installing 100% or 75% Energy Star appliance is acceptable but not required. However, 25% would not meet the minimum requirement. 

36.

Which certification level in LEED ND is associated with ten points for ID+C projects hoping to earn LT Credit–LEED for Neighborhood Development Location? 

  • Silver

  • Gold 

  • Certified 

  • Platinum 

Correct answer: Silver

The number of points a project can earn due to being within a LEED Neighborhood Development (ND) depends on the level of certification that the LEED ND has achieved. Certified earns projects eight points, Silver earns ten points, Gold earns 12 points, and Platinum earns 18 points. 

37.

Which standard should be used to calculate the baseline energy performance rating?

  • ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010

  • ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005

  • IgCC/ASHRAE 189.1

  • ASHRAE Guideline 1.1–2007

Correct answer: ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010

The standard used to establish a project's baseline energy performance for EA Prerequisite–Minimum Energy Performance is ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010. 

ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 and ASHRAE Guideline 1.1–2007 are the standards used for the commissioning process. IgCC/ASHRAE 189.1 is the standard used in cooling tower and evaporative condenser requirements. 

38.

One of the minimum program requirements for all LEED projects is "Have a reasonable LEED project boundary." Why is a reasonable boundary so important? 

  • Defining a reasonable LEED boundary will ensure an accurate evaluation of the project

  • Defining a reasonable LEED boundary helps to maintain pollution caused by construction

  • Defining a reasonable LEED boundary ensures that habitats are protected 

  • Defining a reasonable LEED boundary is important only for the Sustainable Sites credit category

Correct answer: Defining a reasonable LEED boundary ensures accurate evaluation of the project

Defining a reasonable LEED boundary is one of LEED's three Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs). These requirements establish a baseline to ensure that all projects are appropriate for pursuing LEED certification. This particular MPR ensures that the evaluation of the project is accurate, which is important because most of the credits relate to the area around the building, not just to the building itself. 

Defining a reasonable LEED boundary does not pertain only to the Sustainable Sites category and doesn't necessarily ensure that habitats will be protected or that pollution caused by construction will be maintained. 

39.

What is the minimum frequency at which energy consumption must be tracked according to EA Credit–Advanced Energy Metering?

  • One-month intervals

  • One-week intervals

  • Three-month intervals

  • Every other month

Correct answer: One-month intervals

The meters must track energy consumption at one-month intervals at a minimum to comply with the requirements of this credit. 

Every other month or three-month intervals would not meet these requirements. One-week intervals would work but are not necessary. 

40.

Which project type can earn all 12 points in WE Credit–Indoor Water Use Reduction by achieving additional potable water savings of 50%? 

  • Commercial interiors 

  • Retail 

  • Hospitality 

  • None of the project types can earn all 12 points from this strategy alone 

Correct answer: Commercial interiors 

Commercial interiors projects can earn the full number of possible points in WE Credit–Indoor Water Use Reduction by achieving 50% additional potable water savings through the use of alternative water sources. 

Retail and hospitality projects can earn 10 and 11 points, respectively, using this strategy and then additional points for selecting appliance or process water systems that meet the standards in the credit requirements.