USGBC LEED-GA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

USGBC LEED-GA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 181:

  At which stage should the coordination of building and site systems be addressed to maximize the impact of integrative process?

  A. Predesign
  B. Detailed Design
  C. Post Occupancy
  D. Schematic Design
  A. Predesign

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  The coordination of building and site systems should be addressed at the predesign stage to maximize the impact of integrative process..The integrative process is a method of design and construction that involves the collaboration and coordination of all project stakeholders from the beginning to achieve the project's sustainability goals1..The predesign stage is the earliest phase of the project, where the project vision, scope, budget, schedule, and performance targets are defined2..By addressing the coordination of building and site systems at this stage, the project team can identify and analyze the interrelationships and synergies among various systems, such as energy, water, materials, indoor environmental quality, and site ecology3..This can help the team to optimize the design solutions, reduce costs and risks, enhance performance and quality, and avoid rework and conflicts later in the projec

• Question 182:

  Materials that would otherwise be discarded but are incorporated into a new building are considered to be

  A. reused materials
  B. local materials
  C. recycled materials
  D. renewable materials
  A. reused materials

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  Reused materials are materials that have been used before and are incorporated into a new building without significant alteration1..They are different from recycled materials, which are materials that have been reprocessed into new products or materials2..Reused materials reduce the demand for new resources and the amount of waste sent to landfills1..LEED v4 encourages the use of reused materials by awarding points for Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Sourcing of Raw Materials3. Construction Waste Management | WBDG - Whole Building Design Guide1 Why plastic waste is an ideal building material - BBC Future2 LEED v4 | HPAC Engineering3

• Question 183:

  A site with minimal hardscape that has a large permeable surface results in

  A. reduced rainwater runoff
  B. increased heat island effect
  C. protection of native plant species
  D. preserved space for future development
  A. reduced rainwater runoff

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  A site with minimal hardscape (such as concrete, asphalt, or other impervious surfaces) that has a large permeable surface (such as soil, grass, or other vegetation) results in reduced rainwater runoff. This is because permeable surfaces allow rainwater to infiltrate into the ground, replenishing the groundwater and reducing the amount of water that flows over the surface and carries pollutants into storm drains and waterways..Reducing rainwater runoff is one of the goals of the LEED v4 Location and Transportation category, which offers credits for using strategies such as green roofs, permeable paving, rain gardens, and vegetated swales

• Question 184:

  What plumbing fixture eliminates water use?

  A. Ultrasonic toilet
  B. WaterSense labeled toilet
  C. Low-flow lavatory
  D. Composting toilet
  D. Composting toilet

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  Acomposting toileteliminates water use by not requiring any water for flushing, unlike traditional or low-flow

  fixtures:

  "Composting toilets... operate without water use, thus eliminating indoor water demand for flushing."

  WaterSense toilets and low-flow lavatories reduce water use but do not eliminate it.

• Question 185:

  What rating system should a project use if 55% of the project's gross floor area is appropriate to certify under LEED BD+C and 45% is appropriate under LEED O+M?

  A. Project team must decide which rating system is most applicable
  B. LEED Green Associate must decide
  C. LEED BD+C
  D. LEED O+M
  A. Project team must decide which rating system is most applicable

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  LEED allows flexibility:

  "If a project has overlapping eligibility, the project team must choose the rating system that best aligns with

  the majority of the project scope."

  The team determines applicability based on scope and use.

• Question 186:

  What is the first step in the LEED certification process?

  A. Select the rating system
  B. Submit documentation
  C. Hold a charrette
  D. Develop design documents
  A. Select the rating system

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  According to the LeadingGreen Study Guide:

  "The first step in the certification process is the Project Registration. Projects can be registered on the GBCI website (www.gbci.org)... Before registration, the process begins with selecting the appropriate rating system using the 40/60 rule..."

  Thus, selecting the correctrating systemis the initial key step before registration and documentation submission. The selection ensures alignment with the project type and its characteristics.

• Question 187:

  To reduce the use of potable water for irrigation, which of the following factors should be taken into consideration?

  A. Minimize pervious areas
  B. Minimize green roof area
  C. Maximize use of native species
  D. Maximize use of pervious pavement
  C. Maximize use of native species

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  Native species are plants that are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, and therefore require less water and maintenance than non-native species..By maximizing the use of native species in the landscaping design, the project can reduce the need for potable water for irrigation and achieve the Outdoor Water Use Reduction credit under LEED v4 Water Efficiency category1. LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide1, page 35

• Question 188:

  Which of the following projects would be appropriate to pursue LEED certification according to the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)?

  A. A new parking garage construction occupying a total of 15,000 ft2 gross floor area
  B. A new building that will occupy 12,000 ft2 gross floor area on previously developed land
  C. A historic building intended for restoration occupying 900 ft2 of gross floor area
  D. A movable house attached to a trailer that can be moved from state to state
  B. A new building that will occupy 12,000 ft2 gross floor area on previously developed land

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  LEED MPRs state:

  "Must be in a permanent location on existing land... Must use reasonable LEED boundaries... Must comply

  with project size requirements: BD+C and O+M: minimum 1,000 sq ft..."

  Only option B satisfies all these conditions.

• Question 189:

  What is a reason to clearly identify the project boundary?

  A. To define the limits of site disturbance
  B. To define the building envelope
  C. To give priority for certification to projects with a smaller footprint
  D. To determine the total area of the project classified as a brownfield
  A. To define the limits of site disturbance

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  The project boundary is the area within which the project team has authority to implement the LEED requirements. It is important to clearly identify the project boundary to define the limits of site disturbance, which can affect the environmental performance of the project. For example, limiting site disturbance can help reduce soil erosion, protect natural habitats, and conserve water resources. The project boundary also determines the scope of the site assessment and the applicability of some credits..

  References: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Introduction, page 13

• Question 190:

  Which of the following sites is most appropriate to encourage a walkable street design?

  A. A neighborhood that includes a diversity of use
  B. An area with a decreased building-height-to-street-width ratio
  C. A development that uses many culs-de-sac in the street design
  D. A project in an area designed with streets to facilitate increased speed limits
  A. A neighborhood that includes a diversity of use

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  A neighborhood that includes a diversity of uses is most appropriate to encourage a walkable street design. A diversity of uses means that different types of activities and functions are located within walking distance of each other, such as residential, commercial, retail, educational, recreational, cultural, and civic uses. A diversity of uses creates a vibrant and lively neighborhood that attracts pedestrians and supports social interaction. A walkable street design also incorporates elements such as sidewalks,

  crosswalks, street trees, lighting, benches, bike lanes, public transit stops, and reduced vehicle speeds to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort. The other options are not appropriate to encourage a walkable street design. An area with a decreased building-height-to-street-width ratio creates a wide and open street that exposes pedestrians to more sun and wind, reducing their comfort level. A development that uses many culs-de-sac in the street design creates a disconnected and irregular street network

  that limits pedestrian access and mobility. A project in an area designed with streets to facilitate increased speed limits prioritizes vehicle movement over pedestrian safety and comfort..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 29; USGBC [Location and Transportation], page 2-3.