USGBC LEED-GA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

USGBC LEED-GA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  Which strategy is an example of permanent entryway systems used to reduce dust, dirt and contaminants brought into a facility?

  A. Providing sensors at all entrances
  B. Conducting a thermal comfort survey
  C. Installing outdoor air monitoring equipment
  D. Placing grilles, grates or mats at all major entrances
  D. Placing grilles, grates or mats at all major entrances

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  explanation:

  Placing grilles, grates or mats at all major entrances is an example of permanent entryway systems used to reduce dust, dirt and contaminants brought into a facility. Permanent entryway systems are designed to capture dirt and particulates from people's shoes and prevent them from entering the indoor environment. This improves the indoor air quality and reduces the need for cleaning and maintenance. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving indoor

  environmental quality is to "use permanent entryway systems (grilles, grates, mats) to reduce particulate matter being brought into buildings at regular entryways" [1, p. 16]..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Indoor Environmental Quality | U.S. Green Building Council]

• Question 2:

  Which of the following includes impacts quantified by life-cycle costing (CCC)?

  A. Energy use reduction
  B. Acidification reduction
  C. Eutrophication potential
  D. Global warming potential
  A. Energy use reduction

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  explanation:

  Life-cycle costing (LCC) is a method of estimating the total cost of owning and operating an asset over its entire life span..LCC considers all costs associated with the acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal of the asset12..LCC can help businesses make better decisions about purchasing, budgeting, pricing, and investing in assets2. LCC does not quantify environmental impacts such as acidification, eutrophication, or global warming. These impacts are measured by life-cycle

  assessment (LCA), which is a method of evaluating the environmental effects of a product or service throughout its life cycle..LCA considers the inputs and outputs of materials, energy, and emissions at each stage of the product or service life cycle34..LCA can help businesses identify opportunities to reduce their environmental footprint, improve their sustainability performance, and comply with environmental regulations4.

  However, LCC and LCA are often used together to compare different alternatives based on both economic and environmental criteria. For example, a business may use LCC to estimate the energy costs of different lighting options, and LCA to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of each option. By combining LCC and LCA results, the business can select the option that minimizes both costs and emissions.

• Question 3:

  Flush out process is performed to remove which of the following?

  A. voc
  B. Waste
  C. Graywater
  D. Blackwater
  A. voc

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  explanation:

  Flush out process is performed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the indoor air after construction or renovation12..VOCs are chemicals that can evaporate at room temperature and cause health problems, such as headaches, nausea, and irritation3..Flush out process involves supplying 100% outdoor air to the building for a certain period of time or until a certain amount of air changes are achieved12. Flush-out documentation | LEEDuser1 Building flushout - option 2 | LEEDuser2 Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality | Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) | US EPA3

• Question 4:

  The WaterSense label program was developed by which federal agency to promote water-efficient products and resources?

  A. General Services Administration (GSA)
  B. Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE)
  C. Department of Energy (DOE)
  D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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  explanation:

  According to the LeadingGreen Study Guide:

  "WaterSense is an EPA-sponsored program that promotes and certifies water-efficient products, programs,

  and practices."

  TheEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)is the correct federal agency.

• Question 5:

  Which of the following is an appropriate way to use non-potable water in a building?

  A. Using captured stormwater for showering
  B. Using wastewater from a sink for dishwashing
  C. Flushing a toilet with wastewater from bathroom sinks
  D. Incorporating air conditioner process water for washing clothes
  C. Flushing a toilet with wastewater from bathroom sinks

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  explanation:

  Non-potable water is water that is not suitable for human consumption, but can be used for other purposes that do not require potable quality water. Non-potable water sources include rainwater, reclaimed/recycled water and greywater..Greywater is wastewater from sinks, showers, bathtubs, washing machines and dishwashers that can be reused for applications such as toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling tower make-up water12..Using non-potable water can reduce the demand for potable water and contribute to LEED water efficiency credits. References.:= SRI Calculator | LEEDuser What Is Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of Materials? Water Efficiency and LEED Certification | Contractor Water Balance Analysis - ASHRAE What is LEED? | Net Zero Water Inc. - Net Zero Water

• Question 6:

  Which of the following standards addresses guidance for sustainable construction in complying with building codes?

  A. ASHRAE 72
  B. ASHRAE 62.1
  C. ASHRAE 90.1
  D. ASHRAE 189.1
  D. ASHRAE 189.1

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  explanation:

  ASHRAE 189.1 is a standard that provides guidance for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings that comply with building codes and voluntary rating systems..The standard covers topics such as site sustainability, water efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the impact of materials and resources..

  References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, ASHRAE's Standard 189.12

• Question 7:

  Where could a project be located to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)?

  A. Almost anywhere
  B. Where utilities are deregulated
  C. Only with cooperating local utilities or power markets
  D. Near hydroelectric dams, wind farms or other sources of renewable energy
  A. Almost anywhere

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  explanation:

  Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are tradable, non-tangible energy commodities that represent the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, hydro, or biomass1..RECs can be purchased by anyone, regardless of their location or utility provider, to support the development of renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint2..RECs can also help projects earn points for the LEED v4 Innovation credit for Green Power and Carbon Offsets,which requires the purchase of at least 50% of the total building energy use from renewable sources or offsets for a minimum of five years. Using Renewable Energy for LEED Certification Renewable Energy Certificates For Green Building Explained LEED v4, Renewable Energy, and Carbon Offsets

• Question 8:

  LEED for Neighborhood Development encourages

  A. development on federally regulated wetlands
  B. employment of Fair Trade Certified day laborers
  C. development within and near existing communities or public transportation infrastructure
  D. development in rural areas within 1 mi. (1.60 km) of public transportation, and 3/4 mi. (1.20 km) from a school, medical facility, park and shopping center
  C. development within and near existing communities or public transportation infrastructure

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  explanation:

  LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) is a rating system that aims toinspire and help create better, more sustainable, well-connected neighborhoods1..It looks beyond the scale of buildings to consider entire communities1..One of the main goals ofLEED ND is to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the location and design of neighborhoods that are accessible by foot or public transportation234. Therefore, LEED ND encourages development within and near existing communities or public transportation infrastructure, which is option C. LEED certification forneighborhood development LEED for Neighborhood Development - Wikipedia LEED. for Neighborhood Development - Grow Smart RI LEED for Neighborhood Development - s3.amazonaws.com

• Question 9:

  The LEED Project team performs an initial review that indicates 34 credit points can be achieved from the credit categories. How many additional points would result in the project achieving LEED Silver?

  A. 10 additional points
  B. 15 additional points
  C. 20 additional points
  D. 30 additional points
  C. 20 additional points

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  explanation:

  LEED certification is awarded based on the number of points a project earns across several categories of green building performance. The range of points required to achieve LEED Silver is 50-59, out of a possible 110 points..The other levels of LEED certification are: Certified (40-49 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80 or more points)12..Therefore, if a project initially has 34 credit points,it would need 20 additional points to reach the minimum threshold for LEED Silver..

  References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2

• Question 10:

  Which of the following methods of documentation is used to demonstrate that basic community resources exist within a specified radius of a project?

  A. Site map showing locations of services
  B. Zoning ordinances for the market area
  C. Color photographs of services
  D. Copies of building permits for services
  A. Site map showing locations of services

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  explanation:

  A site map is required to show the locations of community resources within the specified radius to meet Location and Transportation credits. It visually demonstrates compliance with LEED requirements for access to diverse uses.