Leed green associate vii. project surroundings and public outreach answer

1. LEED Green Associate VII. Project Surroundings and Public Outreach
Question 1:
What has the lowest priority in building design?
A Fire protection codes
B LEED Rating System
Although the LEED Rating System is critical to a successful green building project, all local, state, and
federal codes and regulations have precedent over any LEED standards. A project team can't ignore local
codes in favor of a green building strategy. Both must be addressed.
Certain locales have their own set of green codes, which must be addressed as well.
C Plumbing codes
D Local building codes
Local building codes represent the minimum codes that a project must adhere to.
State and local jurisdictions may develop their own regulations or adopt building codes based on national
model codes. State and local codes are typically based on national model codes published by the
International Code Council (ICC)
Question 2:
What will the project team NOT be able to determine without consulting local zoning?
A The number of parking spaces a project will require
Parking requirements are determined by local zoning.
B The proximity to public transportation
Access to mass transit is determined using a map, or driving around the property.
C Access to local recyclers and waste haulers
This would be done with a phone book or the Internet.
D The type of building that can be built on a piece of land
Zoning is a method of land use regulation used by local governments in most developed countries. Zoning
may be use-based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot
coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 3:
What community issues are of primary importance for the project team to research?

2. A Building codes
Building codes are of great importance to any project.
B Local voting records on city sales and other taxes
Voting records on taxes are not of primary importance.
C Requirements for parking spaces
Parking is a part of local zoning that would need to be addressed.
D Availability of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
RECs are not a community issue. They can be purchased from anywhere in the country regardless of the
project's location.
E Local incentives, policies, and regulations that promote green design
Any local green building criteria must be addressed especially if there are local laws that must be followed.
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II
See Typical Green Building Guideline Issues in the reference.
Question 4:
The legal limit on the height of a building for a LEED project will be set by:
A Local zoning
Zoning is a method of land use regulation used by local governments in most developed countries. Zoning
may be use-based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot
coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these.
B The LEED rating system chosen
LEED does not define the legal limits on building height.
C LEED Technical Advisory Group
The LEED TAG does not rule on building height.
D The building owner
The building owner does not set the legal limit on the building height. They building owner will likely decide
how many stories they would like the building to be, but the final height is determined by the local zoning.
Notes:
Reference: n/a

3. Question 5:
What is true about a new building project that uses a Halon-based fire suppression system?
A The system must have a leakage rate of 5% or less annually for the project to earn LEED certification
Leakage rates must be addressed for existing buildings that have CFC-based refrigerants that will be
phased out over a 5 year period after project completion. These systems must reduce the leakage rate to
5% or less annually.
B The system must be installed to meet local fire codes
LEED buildings still require meeting all local codes.
Fire systems must meet local fire codes, plumbing fixtures must meet local plumbing codes, and electrical
systems must meet electrical codes.
C The project would not meet the LEED Minimum Program Requirements
Refrigerant management is not addressed in the Minimum Program Requirements.
D The project could not earn LEED Platinum
The project would still be eligible for LEED Platinum.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 6:
What organization develops building safety and fire prevention codes for the construction of residential and
commercial buildings, including homes and schools?
A ASHRAE
ASHRAE has a number of standards that have been adopted by LEED to meet the credit requirements of
some of the credits.
B Department of Energy (DoE)
DoE is not addressed in LEED.
C International Code Council
The ICC creates codes for building and safety. Many of these codes are adopted by local jurisdictions and
become part of the local building code. The codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated
building safety, plumbing, mechanical, fire prevention, energy efficiency codes, and accessibility.
D Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
Underwriters Laboratory addresses product safety certification.
Notes:

4. Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System
Question 7:
What will the project team NOT be able to determine without consulting local zoning?
A The refrigerant selection for HVAC&R systems
Local zoning does not address refrigerant selection.
B The types of materials that can be used for a tenant fit-out
Local zoning doesn't regulate interior material selection.
C The total square footage the building can be in relation to the site area
Zoning is a method of land use regulation used by local governments in most developed countries. Zoning
may be use-based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot
coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these.
The building size compared to the site size is the building's density, which would fall under local zoning.
D Where in the building recycling containers can be placed
Local zoning doesn't address recycling locations.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 8:
Which of the following assess environmental performance of products and services and provide guidance on
improving their environmental performance?
A ISO 14000
The ISO 14000 product oriented standards include Environmental Labels and Declaration, Life Cycle
Assessment, and Design for Environment. These standards are intended to be applicable for assessing the
environmental performance of products and services as well as providing guidance on improving their
environmental performance.
The ISO 14021 series standards, Environmental Labels and Declaration, are communication tools that
convey information on environmental aspects of a product or service to the market.
These standards are used for recycled materials to label their pre and/or post consumer content.
B ASHRAE
C LEED
D IESNA

5. Question 9:
What is the most commonly used energy code in the United States and includes information such as R-values for
insulation?
A ENERGY STAR Rating
ENERGY STAR is part of the EPA. Homes can earn an ENERGY STAR rating but this is not the basis for
energy codes.
B HERS
The HERS Index is a scoring system established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) in
which a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference Home (based on the 2006 International
Energy Conservation Code) scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero energy home scores a HERS
Index of 0. The lower a home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is in comparison to the HERS
Reference Home.
C RESCHECK
See HERS.
D International Energy Conservation Code
Notes:
The International Energy Conservation Code is used as the basis for energy codes in the US for many building
components.
Question 10:
From where are most local codes adopted?
A California laws
California laws are usually more stringent than other areas of the country. The laws usually migrate over
time to other parts of the United States.
B USGBC
USGBC helps set green building standards through LEED, not local codes.
C Federal regulations
D International Code Council
Local building codes represent the minimum codes that a project must adhere to.
State and local jurisdictions may develop their own regulations or adopt building codes based on national
model codes. State and local codes are typically based on national model codes published by the
International Code Council (ICC)

6. Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 11:
What is incorporated into many local building codes?
A Transportation reduction strategies
How to reduce automobile use is not part of the building code.
B Uniform Plumbing Codes and International Plumbing Codes
UPC defines water-conserving fixtures and fittings. IPC defines the maximum flow rates for plumbing fixtures
and fittings.
C Choices for regional materials
Regional materials would not be found in local building codes.
D ASHRAE standards
ASHRAE publishes a well recognized series of standards and guidelines relating to HVAC systems and
issues. These standards are often referenced in building codes.
Notes:
Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System
Question 12:
There are typical laws and guidelines followed on most projects. Which of the following are specifically relevant to
LEED projects vs. typical construction?
A ASHRAE standards
ASHRAE standards are referenced in many building codes both for green and conventional building.
B ISO 14021
The ISO 14000 product oriented standards include Environmental Labels and Declaration, Life Cycle
Assessment, and Design for Environment. These standards are intended to be applicable for assessing the
environmental performance of products and services as well as providing guidance on improving their
environmental performance.
The ISO 14021 series standards, Environmental Labels and Declaration, are communication tools that
convey information on environmental aspects of a product or service to the market.
These standards are used for recycled materials to label their pre and/or post consumer content.
C Illuminating Engineering Society's lighting standards
IESNA specifies lighting power densities for external lighting to help reduce light pollution.
D Local zoning

7. Local zoning must be followed regardless of the type of project. Local zoning are the local government
regulations imposed to promote orderly development of private lands and prevent land-use conflicts.
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II
Question 13:
Which of the following are not addressed by the International Code Council?
A Fire prevention
B Accessibility
C Building safety
D Environmental aspects of a product
The ISO 14021 series standards (not the ICC), Environmental Labels and Declaration, are communication
tools that convey information on environmental aspects of a product or service to the market.
E Energy efficiency
Notes:
Reference: n/a
The ICC creates codes for building and safety. Many of these codes are adopted by local jurisdictions and become
part of the local building code. The codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety,
plumbing, mechanical, fire prevention, energy efficiency codes, and accessibility.
Question 14:
Products that meet ISO 14000 standards are:
A Pre-approved products for LEED
There are no pre-approved products for LEED.
B Environmentally preferable
The ISO 14000 product oriented standards include Environmental Labels and Declaration, Life Cycle
Assessment, and Design for Environment. These standards are intended to be applicable for assessing the
environmental performance of products and services as well as providing guidance on improving their
environmental performance.
The ISO 14020 series standards, Environmental Labels and Declaration, are communication tools that
convey information on environmental aspects of a product or service to the market.
These standards are used for recycled materials to label their pre and/or post consumer content.
C Mercury-free
There is no mercury-free certification as part of LEED.

8. D FSC certified
This certification is for certified wood.
Question 15:
Which of the following includes standards for accessible design?
A ASHRAE
B Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
C Fair Housing Amendments Act
D Americans with Disabilities Act
Notes:
The Americans with Disabilities Act includes accessibility guidelines.
Question 16:
What green building codes can be enforced by law?
A ENERGYSTAR
B LEED
LEED Rating Systems are not written in the form of enforceable codes, acting as optional approaches.
C ASHRAE 189.1
An alternate path of compliance to the IgCC is the ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES
Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise
Residential Buildings. Like the IGCC, Standard 189.1 is a set of technically rigorous
Requirements covering water use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, materials and
resource use, and the building's impact on its site and its community.
D International Green Construction Code
The IgCC is an actual code that is clear and enforceable, similar to codes for electricity and plumbing.
The IgCC is a 'model' code, requiring adoption by a governing jurisdiction before it becomes law. In this way,
the model language can, if necessary, be adapted to address local conditions and allows for publicly elected
legislative bodies to have the final voice in adoption.
Notes:
Reference: GBES LEED Green Associate Study Guide

9. Question 17:
What specifies the set of rules for the minimum acceptable level of safety for buildings?
A Local zoning
Zoning is a method of land use regulation used by local governments in most developed countries. Zoning
may be use-based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot
coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these.
B American Institute of Architects
The AIA is a leading professional membership association for licensed architects.
C Building codes
The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to
the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures. The building code becomes law of a particular
jurisdiction when formally enacted by the appropriate authority.
D Local ordinances
A local ordinance is a law usually found in a municipal code.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 18:
What are local ordinances?
A A law usually found in a municipal code
This defines what local ordinance is.
Projects should 'Prepare and review a list of the appropriate and applicable laws, codes, local ordinances,
statutes, and industry-related standards relevant to the project.' (Anthony Bernheim)
B Recommendations for good building practices
This is not the correct definition.
C Building codes based on national model codes
This defines local codes.
Local building codes represent the minimum codes that a project must adhere to.
State and local jurisdictions may develop their own regulations or adopt building codes based on national
model codes. State and local codes are typically based on national model codes published by the
International Code Council (ICC)
D Local government regulations imposed to promote orderly development of private lands and prevent land-
use conflicts

10. This defines local zoning.
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II
Question 19:
What residence has at least 15% more efficiency than the 2004 International Residential Code?
A Residence with energy efficient appliances
B Residence built with sustainable materials
C ENERGY STAR residence
ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004
International Residential Code (IRC).
Many of the rating systems use parts of the Energy Star standard for meeting the requirements of some
credits. It is important to know Energy Star is a government standard, because you will come across it.
LEED Homes using Energy Star ratings to measure energy performance. Energy Star is run by the EPA.
D ComfortWise residence
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System
Question 20:
The size of the parking lot for a project will be determined by:
A Size of the property boundary
B Size of the project boundary
C Local zoning
Local zoning, if it exists, will specify the amount of parking required. The size of the project site does not
alone determine the quantity of parking. The type of building and the estimated number of occupants will. A
100 acre site doesn't mean 200 parking spaces are required if the site is only going to have a single 1,000
square foot office.
D Size of the LEED boundary
Question 21:
What issues do the ASHRAE standards NOT address?

11. A Heat island measurement
ASHRAE standards do not address heat island measurement.
B Plumbing codes
ASHRAE standards do not address plumbing codes.
C Thermal comfort
ASHRAE 62.1-2007 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality specifies minimum ventilation rates. These
rates are used to improve indoor air quality as part of the IEQ credit category.
ASHRAE 55-2004 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy help with defining what makes
a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. Indoor conditions are considered acceptable if 80% or
more of occupants find them acceptable.
D Energy efficiency
ASHRAE 90.1-2007 establishes minimum requirements for the energy efficient design of buildings (not
included are single family homes or multifamily homes less than 3 stories).