Leed green associate pool a - answer

LEED Green Associate Pool A
Question 1:
What project areas would you find CFCs used in?
A Centrifugal chillers
Centrifugal chillers are a building application that uses CFCs.
B Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a building application that uses CFCs.
C Hot water heating
Hot water heating does not use CFCs.
D Radiant flooring
Radiant flooring is a method for heating floors by embedding materials in the subfloor that can transfer heat.
Notes:
Reference: The Treatment by LEED of the Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants
Question 2:
Which of the following statements are true?
A Using regional materials will help with construction waste management
Selecting materials from nearby does not help earn credit for construction waste management.
B Installing salvaged bicycle racks will help with community connectivity
Bicycle racks do not help with community connectivity.
C Using reflective materials on parking areas will help reduce the heat island effect
Reflective materials such as materials with a high Solar Reflective Index (SRI) help reduce the heat island
effect.
D Installing salvaged windows will help save energy
Projects should not install salvaged windows or toilets because these materials are not as efficient as newer
products.
Notes:
Reference: n/a

Question 3:
A project team reduces indoor water use 50% from a baseline, well above the 40% credit requirements. What type of
performance does this describe?
A Integrated
B Incremental
C Exemplary
Exemplary performance is how LEED describes performance that doubles the credit requirements and/or
achieves the next incremental percentage threshold. For instance, an ID credit for exemplary performance in
water use reduction (LEED for New Construction v3, WE Credit 3) requires a minimum of 45% savings (30%
for 2 points, 35% for 3 points, 40% for 4 points, etc.).
D Innovative
Notes:
Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System
Question 4:
What are local ordinances?
A 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)
B Local government regulations imposed to promote orderly development of private lands and prevent land-
use conflicts
This defines local zoning.
C Recommendations for good building practices
This is not the correct definition.
D 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)
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II

Question 5:
What specifies the set of rules for the minimum acceptable level of safety for buildings?
A Local ordinances
A local ordinance is a law usually found in a municipal code.
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 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.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 6:
A project team is in the process of selecting a site for new office space. What strategy would help the project earn a
Sustainable Sites credit?
A Using native plants in the landscape to reduce outdoor water use
Outdoor water use is addressed in the Water Efficiency category.
B Increasing the size of the building footprint to decrease the building density
Building density is the floor area of the building divided by the total area of the site (square feet per acre).
This choice states the building density would be decreased so this would negatively impact development
density.
C Increasing the parking capacity for the purposes of reducing open space
Both increasing parking capacity and reducing open space would negatively impact the project, not help it.
D Locating the project near basic services to provide community connectivity
Locating a project near basic services helps earn a project credit for community connectivity.
Notes:

Question 7:
What should be addressed in the project and building construction budget?
A Green design criteria
B Statement of work
C Request for qualifications
D Life-cycle costs
See pg. 6 of the reference.
From the guide, it states project teams should determine relevant design fees and construction costs. Also
addressed:
1. Life-cycle cost analysis
2. Design and cost advice from experienced green building professionals
3. Contingencies for research of unconventional techniques or materials
Notes:
Reference: Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Part II
Question 8:
What does the emissivity of a material refer to?
A The measure of a material's ability to reflect sunlight (including the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet
wavelengths) on a scale of 0 to 1
B The ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same
temperature
The emissivity of a material is the ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a
black body at the same temperature. It is a measure of a material's ability to radiate absorbed energy.
C The environmental benefits of the material over time
D How hot a surface gets relative to standard black and standard white surfaces
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Glossary
Question 9:
What strategy to control and reduce stormwater runoff will hold water and reduce the rate of runoff?
A Direct runoff into dry ponds
A dry pond (detention pond) is used to store excess stormwater. Dry ponds are basins whose outlets have
been designed to detain stormwater runoff for some minimum time (e.g., 24 hours). The stormwater will
slowly seep into the ground to recharge aquifers or discharge as determined by the pond design to allow

pollutants to settle. Unlike wet ponds, these facilities do not have a large permanent pool of water.
B Increase the area of permeable surfaces
Increasing permeable surfaces reduces the rate of runoff but this strategy does not retain the water.
C Install pervious pavement
Pervious pavement is designed to allow percolation or infiltration of stormwater through the surface into the
soil below where the water is naturally filtered and pollutants are removed. This would reduce the rate but
not hold any water.
D Reduce the size of the building footprint
Reducing the building footprint will reduce impervious surfaces. This reduces the rate but does not hold
water.
Notes:
Question 10:
A project team has decided to shrink the building footprint. This change can have a positive impact on what project
area?
A Car-pool parking
B Parking capacity
C Pedestrian access
D Open space
Reducing the size of the building footprint may allow for more open space (fields, grasslands, landscaping,
etc.)
Open space are the ground areas that are vegetated and pervious.
Green roofs can be considered open space but only for urban areas.
For the purposes of LEED, open space is the property area minus the development footprint, when local
zoning does not define open space.
Question 11:
Which of these sites would be most appropriate for community connectivity?
A A site located in proximity to schools, parks, stores, and other services and amenities
Community connectivity is the quantity of connection between a site and the surrounding community.
Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This includes
areas with walkways and areas near basic services.
Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services that people might
use regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service without being blocked by
walls, highways, or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access). LEED encourages building near a variety

of basic services, not just one type of service such as twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides
examples of basic services as:
Bank
Church
Supermarket / convenience store
Day care
Dry cleaner / laundry mat
Fire station
Salon
Hardware store
Library
Medical / dental office
Park
Pharmacy
Post office
Restaurant
School
Theatre / museum
Community center
Gym
B A site that has been documented as contaminated
A brownfield is a site that has been documented as contaminated. Brownfield sites may or may not be near
basic services and meet the other requirements for community connectivity.
C A site located within 1/4 mile of two or more bus stops
This would help with providing public transportation access.
D A site located in an urban residential area
Being located in an urban residential area doesn't automatically qualify the site for community connectivity.
Notes:
Question 12:
What general documentation is not submitted for LEED certification?
A Project photos / drawings
Photos/drawings may be used by the review team or as part of a case study.
B Elevations
Elevations may be used by the review team.
C Legal contracts
Legal documents are not required for the application process.
D Project narrative
A project narrative describes the project and the green building goals

E Typical floor plans
Floor plans may be used by the review team.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 13:
Which of the following is not a strategy to reduce construction waste?
A Recycle materials
B Use salvaged materials
C Maximize the building footprint
Increasing the size of the building footprint would likely increase the amount of construction waste.
D Sell unused materials
Notes
Note the question asks what is not a strategy.
To reduce construction waste, divert any unused materials from the waste stream-namely, landfills and incinerators.
Materials can be donated, sold, or recycled, to keep them out of landfills and to help reduce the demand for virgin
materials.
Question 14:
If an HVAC engineer is a LEED AP and also a principal participant on a project, what type of credit can be earned??
A Bonus
Innovation in Design credits and Regional Priority credits are grouped as 'bonus points' but there are no
'bonus credits'.
B Platinum
Platinum is the highest certification level that can be achieved.
C Quantifiable
There is not a 'quantifiable credit'. A requirement of earning an ID point for innovative performance is the
credit must be quantifiable (measurable).
D Innovation in Design
Projects can earn one Innovation in Design point (and only one) for having at least one principal participant
on the project that is a LEED AP.

Notes:
Question 15:
Developing on a greenfield can result in:
A Revitalization of urban areas
Greenfields are found in suburban areas. Building in suburban areas does not revitalize urban areas.
B An increased development footprint
Greenfields require more infrastructure for the development. Existing roads and utilities are not as close to
the development and must be added to support the development.
C Fragmentation and loss of habitat
One of the negative impacts of greenfield development is the encroachment and division of natural habitats.
Selecting sites that are adjacent to or within existing developments can reduce fragmentation of habitat.
D Reducing stormwater runoff
Greenfield development increases stormwater runoff by removing the natural wate filtration provided by open
space.
Notes:
Reference: GBES LEED Green Associate Study Guide
Question 16:
Selecting products that have been developed with a sustainable design is an example of:
A Reuse
B Waste diversion
C Recycling
D Source reduction
Source reduction reduces the materials brought into a building. This includes products that have reduced
packaging and products developed with sustainable design principles.
Question 17:
The USGBC Trademark Policy permits the following uses of the organization's name:
A U.S. GBC

NOT acceptable.
B US Green Building Council
NOT acceptable.
C U.S. Green Building Council
Acceptable.
D USGBC
Acceptable.
E United States Green Building Council
NOT acceptable.
Notes:
Reference: USGBC Trademark Policy
This question pertains to exam objective I.P USGBC Policies (e.g., trademark usage; logo usage) from the LEED GA
Candidate Handbook.
While we receive many negative comments about the relevance of these types of questions the subject
matter may come up on your exam. You are better off seeing questions from every exam objective than being
under-prepared because some questions covering the GBCI exam objectives you will be tested on seem
silly.
Question 18:
What standard might need to be consulted for increasing building energy performance?
A ISO 14020
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.
B ASHRAE 90.1-2007
ASHRAE 90.1-2007 is used to measure building energy performance.
C Green-e
Green-e is a program established to promote green electricity products and provide consumers with a
nationally recognized method to identify those products.
D SMACNA
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor's National Association (SMACNA) guidelines play a key role in
construction activity pollution prevention. The standard provides an overview of air pollutants associated with
construction, control measures, construction process management, quality control, among other things.
Notes:

Question 19:
How is the documentation for Innovation in Design credits for innovative performance submitted?
A Using the CIR process
B Using LEED Online
ID credits are submitted just like any other LEED credit - using LEED Online.
C Using GBCI's website
D Using USGBC's website
Question 20:
When project team members discuss the albedo of a product, to what are they referring?
A Recycled content
Recycled content is a the percent of a material that contains pre or post consumer recycled materials.
B Emissivity
C Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content
VOCs are compounds in building materials that can off gas and contribute to poor indoor air quality.
D The reflectivity of a material
Albedo (or solar reflectance) is a material's ability to reflect sunlight measured on a scale of 0 (black) to 1
(white). A value of 0.0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation and a value of 1.0 represents
total reflectivity.
Notes:
Question 21:
Products that meet ISO 14000 standards are:
A Pre-approved products for LEED
There are no pre-approved products for LEED.
B FSC certified
This certification is for certified wood.

C Mercury-free
There is no mercury-free certification as part of LEED.
D 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.
Question 22:
Reduced emissions are a benefit of purchasing:
A Recycled water
Recycled water supplied by municipalities helps reduce potable water use.
B Materials with high SRI
Materials with high SRI help reduce the heat island effect.
C RECs
RECs are a tradable commodity representing the 'greenness' of green power. They are purchased when a
project does not have access to green power through their utility provider. However, this isn't a way to
bypass purchasing power; when RECs are purchased the project still needs to pay the normal electricity
bills.
RECs represent the reduced emissions of renewable energy compared to conventional fossil fuels. RECs
are sold separately allowing people to purchase the 'greenness' of the electricity. This allows anyone to
purchase an REC even if the power to their building is not green power.
RECs have no geographic constraints, because they are sold separately from electricity. A project in Maine
can purchase RECs from any other state.
RECs cannot be purchased for a project's own on-site renewable energy systems. For example if a project
has a solar array, the building owner could not issue RECs to themselves.
D Certified wood
Sustainable forestry is the environmental benefit of certified wood.
Notes:
Reference: Guide to Purchasing Green Power
Question 23:
A project team for a new home has selected insulation made partly of recycled newspaper. What type of material is
the insulation considered?
A Post-consumer recycled content

The recycled newspaper is a post-consumer recycled material.
B Salvaged
C Rapidly renewable
D Certified recycled wood content
Notes:
Question 24:
What is not covered under the LEED for Core and Shell rating system?
A Envelope
B HVAC system
C Furniture, furnishings, and equipment (FF&E)
FF&E are part of the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system. Furniture is also addressed in LEED for
New Construction.
D Tenant fit out
Tenant fit-outs are part of the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system.
E Structure
Notes:
Reference: USGBC Website
Core and shell covers the base building elements:
 Structure
 Envelope
 HVAC System
Question 25:
What best defines the project boundary?
A Total area within the platted property line not including any non-constructed areas
This is not any type of area.
B Total area within the legal property boundaries of the site; this encompasses all areas of the site, including
constructed and nonconstructed areas
The property boundary is the total area within the legal property boundaries of the site; it encompasses all

areas of the site, including constructed and nonconstructed areas. (-USGBC)
C Portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification
The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. (-USGBC)
For single building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary
- they are not necessarily the same thing.
In the case of a multiple building project the LEED boundary is that part of the entire project being submitted
for certification as determined by the project team. For example for a campus project that might have 5
buildings, each building is submitted separately for certification. The LEED boundary is set for each of the 5
buildings though they cannot overlap if they property is contiguous.
D Platted property line of the project defining land and water within it
The project boundary is the platted property line of the project defining land and water within it. (-USGBC)
Notes:
Reference: n/a
While you may have a different definition of some terms the LEED exams test on the USGBC definitions, not on
personal experience or beliefs. Therefore the practice tests include the definitions from USGBC.
Question 26:
A product made in part from cardboard boxes collected at curbside pickups or from an onsite, commingled recycling
area is an example of what material?
A Recycled material
Post-consumer material - recycled material generated from the waste of household, commercial, industrial,
or institutional end-users
Postconsumer recycled content - is the percentage of material in a product that was consumer waste. The
recycled material was generated by household, commercial, industrial, or institutional end-users and can no
longer be used for its intended purpose. It includes returns of materials from the distribution chain. Examples
include construction and demolition debris, materials collected through recycling programs, discarded
products (e.g., furniture, cabinetry, decking), and landscaping waste (e.g., leaves, grass clippings, tree
trimmings). (ISO 14021)
Pre-consumer content - formerly known as post-industrial content, is the percentage of material in a product
that is recycled from manufacturing waste. Examples include planer shavings, plytrim, sawdust, chips,
bagasse, sunflower seed hulls, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials, print overruns, overissue publications,
and obsolete inventories. Excluded are materials such as rework, regrind, or scrap generated in a process
and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it (ISO 14021).
B Durable material
Durable materials are materials that have longer life spans. A roofing material that lasts 50 years is more
durable than a roofing material that lasts 20 years.
C Remanufactured material
Remanufacturing is a process where a particular product is taken apart, cleaned, repaired, and then
reassembled to be used again. Many different types of products can go through this process, including auto
parts, tires, furniture, laser toner cartridges, computers, and electrical equipment.
A remanufactured product is not a recycled one. Recycling involves using a product or its parts as raw
materials for a different product and is generally applied to consumable goods like newspapers, bottles, and

cans. Very rarely are recycled products resold to be used as they were originally intended, and when they
are, the quality is not as good as a remanufactured product.
D Salvaged material
Salvaged (reused) materials come from construction sites or existing buildings and are reused in the same
or different capacity.
Examples include doors, flooring, ceiling tiles, and bricks.
Notes:
Question 27:
Which of the following would not be considered part of the 'built environment'?
A Personal shelter
This is part of the built environment.
B Single office building
This is part of the built environment.
C A city park developed on the site of a former steel mill
The built environment includes human-made landscapes as opposed to the natural environment. The park is
human-made even if it contains trees and grass to look natural.
D Natural pond
A natural pond is not part of the built environment.
Notes:
The term built environment refers to any environment that is human-made and provides a structure for human
activity, ranging in scale from personal shelter and buildings to neighborhoods and cities that can often include their
supporting infrastructure, such as water supply or energy networks.
Question 28:
Which LEED rating system topic addresses the creation of walkable streets, compact development, and diverse
communities?
A Transportation
B Ongoing performance
C Neighborhood pattern and design
The creation of vibrant, equitable communities that are healthy, walkable and mixed use contribute to good
neighborhood pattern and design.

D Community connectivity
Question 29:
Which of the following does not help achieve a water-efficient landscape?
A Planting with native plants
B Green roof
A green roof does not necessarily reduce water needs. In LEED green roofs help with reducing the heat
island effect. They can also increase the energy efficiency of a building by providing insulation.
C Micro misters
D Planting with adaptive plants
Notes:
Micro misters, drip irrigation, native and adaptive plants are all strategies to reduce the quantity of water needed for
irrigation.
Question 30:
What environmental issue occurs from stormwater runoff?
A Heat islands
B Sedimentation
Stormwater consists of rainwater and melted snow that run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and
industrial sites. Stormwater runoff can lead to sedimentation. Sedimentation is where pollutants from natural
or human activities add particles to water bodies. Pollutants come from soil, fertilizer, oil or gas on roadways,
pesticides, etc.
Stormwater runoff should be controlled onsite by harvesting the water, increasing open space, and reducing
impervious surfaces.
C Ozone depletion
D Blackwater
Question 31:
What may happen if a project does not comply with the minimum program requirements?
A Additional fees or fines may be incurred

B The building's certification may be revoked, if the project has earned a LEED certification
A project must adhere to the LEED Minimum Program Requirements, (MPRs) in order to achieve/retain
LEED certification. Failure to comply with MPRs may result in the certification being revoked. No fees will be
refunded.
A project can meet the MPRs prior to certification, then earn project certification, and later on something may
change where the project no longer meets the MPRs. An example of this scenario is if the occupancy rate of
the building decreases.
Note that after the project is certified (attained any LEED certification at any level) the project must continue
to meet the MPRs or certification can be revoked. For example if a hotel is certified and then the hotel shuts
down, the hotel is not maintaining the minimum occupancy levels required by the MPRs. The certification
could be revoked.
C An alternative compliance path can be used
D The project team will need to submit a CIR
Question 32:
What is an example of a negative feedback loop?
A Increased heat islands require more mechanical cooling which generates more greenhouse gas emissions
causing the need for more cooling
This is a positive feedback loop.
B A warmer atmosphere melts more ice, changing the Earth's albedo which further warms the atmosphere
C A thermostat whose temperature feedback indicates to the system when to turn off
A negative feedback loop is a system where the output may signal the system to stop changing. Here the
thermostat tells the system to stop running if a certain temperature threshold is reached.
D Warming oceans releasing greenhouse gasses which would warm the ocean even more
Notes:
Question 33:
Which statement is true regarding a LEED for New Construction project?
A This rating system can be used for tenant spaces
Projects for tenant spaces would use LEED for Commercial Interiors (CI).
B No refrigerants are used in the building
LEED NC projects allow the use of refrigerants.

C No refrigerants are used in the HVAC systems
Do not confuse no refrigerants with no CFC-based refrigerants. This rating system allows the use of
refrigerants, just not CFC-based ones.
D This rating system is for buildings that do not primarily serve K-12 educational, retail, or designated
healthcare uses
LEED NC is for complete construction. It is appropriate for buildings that are undergoing new construction or
major renovation (or gut rehab, for low- and mid-rise residential) and a complete interior fitout.
LEED NC is for buildings that do not primarily serve K-12 educational, retail, or designated healthcare uses.
Notes:
Reference: LEED Rating System Selection Guidance
Question 34:
A granite countertop taken from a demolition project and reused in a residence is what type of product?
A Salvaged
While the product may be a local material, it is definitely a salvaged material.
B Locally manufactured
C Locally recovered
D Locally extracted
Question 35:
When calculating building energy performance what is included as non-process energy?
A Parking garage ventilation
B Parking garage lighting
C Fans for increased ventilation
D Refrigerator
E Escalator
F Electric kitchen stove
Notes:

When calculating the Minimum Energy Performance of a building the energy calculations take into account process
and non-process energy. The best way to remember the difference is process energy generally comes from
equipment that is plugged into a wall outlet (it has a plug load). Examples of process energy include:
 Computers
 Office equipment
 Kitchen stoves
 Kitchen refrigerators
 Washers and dryers
 Elevators and escalators (these don't have regular plugs, but are considered process energy for LEED)
Non-process, or regulated energy generally includes built-in building components:
 Interior and exterior lighting (parking garage, security, landscape, architectural)
 HVAC (heating, cooling, fans, pumps)

 Hot water heating
 Toilet exhaust
 Parking garage ventilation
See EA Prerequisite 2 for more information about process energy.
Question 36:
A LEED AP on a project works exclusively on the HVAC system and does not serve as a principal participant. What
statement is true regarding this scenario?
A The project would earn a Regional Priority credit
LEED APs do not earn Regional Priority credits.
B No Innovation in Design credit would be earned for having the LEED AP work on the project
The purpose of having a LEED AP on the project is to work on sustainable design and synergies, and
streamlining the process. Working in isolation - which is not part of the integrated process - does not meet
the Innovation in Design credit requirements.
For example if your project has a LEED AP that comes in and sweeps the floors of the construction site for
20 minutes a day during construction but doesn't participate in any other way, that doesn't meet the intent of
the credit.
The spirit of the credit is to have a LEED AP work in a significant role. It is possible to thwart the system and
put in a LEED AP who never worked at all on the project, or who sat in on only one conference call. It's also
possible to earn a LEED plaque by submitting a non-existent building and phony documentation. That isn't
the spirit of LEED or of this credit, which is what the question is pointing out.
C The project would earn an Innovation in Design credit
This is not correct because the LEED AP must be a principal participant.
D The project would earn an Energy and Atmosphere credit
LEED APs do not earn credit in the EA category.
Notes:

Question 37:
Which of the following are not Minimum Program Requirements?
A Minimum use (less than 1%) of CFC-based refrigerants
Fundamental Refrigerant Management is a LEED prerequisite which requires zero use of CFCs. This is not
an MPR.
B Minimum occupancy rate of at least one Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
Projects must serve at least 1 FTE.
C The project must be a permanent building or structure
The building must be a permanent structure and can't be capable of being moved later on.
D Minimum building area to site area ratio
All LEED projects must comply with a minimum building to site area ratio. The gross floor area of the LEED
project building must be at least 2% of the gross land area (LEED project boundary).
Notes:
Reference: LEED 2009 Minimum Program Requirements
Question 38:
A project team is considering registering a two story residential building for LEED for New Construction. Each story is
500 square feet. What statement is true about this scenario?
A The project team could apply for a building size exception in order to use LEED for New Construction
There are no building size exceptions to use the LEED for New Construction rating system.
B LEED for New Construction could be used because the project meets the 1,000 square foot minimum floor
area requirement
While the project meets the minimum floor area requirements, a residential building must be four or more
stories to use LEED for New Construction.
C LEED for New Construction could be used if the LEED project boundary is no more than 50,000 square feet
A residential building must be four or more stories to use LEED for New Construction.
D LEED for New Construction could not be used because residential projects must be at least four-stories high
for this rating system
A residential building must be four or more stories to use LEED for New Construction, otherwise LEED for
Homes should be used. Even if all of the other answers sound right because they use familiar terms found in
the MPRs, go with what you know about the LEED NC rating system.
Notes:
Reference: LEED for New Construction Rating System

Question 39:
What gives the ozone layer legal protection?
A ASHRAE Standards
B Kyoto Protocol
C US DOE
D Montreal Protocol
According to Treatment by LEED of Environmental Impact of HVAC Refrigerants, the legal protection of the
ozone layer is well in place throughout most of the international community via the Montreal Protocol.
Under the Montreal Protocol, CFC production in the United States ended in 1995. To implement the
Montreal Protocol, the EPA established Section 608 of the EPA Clean Air Act for regulating the use and
recycling of ozone-depleting compounds.
Notes:
Question 40:
What would a project team use to compare different products' abilities to reject solar heat?
A Perviousness
Perviousness is how much water a material allows through.
B Albedo
Albedo (or solar reflectance) is a material's ability to reflect sunlight measured on a scale of 0 (black) to 1
(white). A value of 0.0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation and a value of 1.0 represents
total reflectivity.
C Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of
reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0
(standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for
paving.
LEED requires materials with certain SRI values to meet the requirements of some credits. Materials come
with SRI values to allow comparison.
D Emissivity
Notes:

Question 41:
What is a brownfield?
A An infill site
B Previously used or redeveloped land that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution
Brownfields are previously used or redeveloped land that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or
pollution (-USGBC). The land has the potential to be reused once any hazardous substances, pollutants, or
contaminants are remediated.
Projects may get special deals on developing on these sites if the owner cleans them up first.
C Gaps between existing infrastructure
D A site that has been graded
Notes:
Question 42:
What is one of the goals of filling in the LEED Score Card?
A To estimate the ROI of the project
Some type of reporting would determine the ROI.
B To obtain owner buy-in for the project
Owner buy-in is outside the scope of the LEED Scorecard.
C To determine credit responsibilities
This is set in LEED Online and is determined by the project team.
D To determine the target certification level
The LEED Score Card is a tool used to determine how many points the project can reasonably assume will
be awarded.
Notes:
Reference: Sample credit checklist for LEED v3
Question 43:
What are indigenous plants?
A Plants with high watering requirements

B Plants that require lots of fertilizer
C Plants that are high maintenance
D Plants that have been in the area for many years and are not invasive
Native (or indigenous) plants are those that grow naturally in an area, or that have been in an area for many
years. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. These plants can be trees, shrubs,
flowers, or grasses.
Adaptive plants are non-native plants that perform well in the local climate.
Native and adaptive plants require less water, and are more disease resistant because they are suited to the
region's usual rainfall, soil, and temperature.
Question 44:
Within what distance must a material be extracted, harvested, recovered, or manufactured to be considered a
regional material?
A 250 miles
B 500 miles
Regionally harvested (or extracted) and processed materials Materials that come from within a 500-mile
radius of the project site. (-USGBC)
C 100 miles
D 200 miles
Notes:
Question 45:
How can the heat island effect of a parking lot be reduced for LEED credit?
A Installing shaded parking covers that have low SRI values
Shaded parking covers would need high SRI values to help reduce the heat island effect.
B Installing asphalt that has a high SRI value
Any covering with a high SRI will help reduce the heat island effect.
C Orienting the building so that the building shades the parking lot from any afternoon sun
Shading with vegetation (trees) or architectural devices is acceptable but the shade must occur all day.
D Reduce the size of the parking lot
Reducing the size of the parking lot reduces the heat island effect but LEED does not measure the effect

based on the total area of hardscapes. The reduction is a percentage of shading, underground parking, or
open grid pavement for the total area of the hardscapes.
E Installing pervious paving
Pervious paving helps with stormwater control.
Notes:
Question 46:
Which of the following are NOT soft costs?
A Windows
This is a hard cost. By far the largest portion of the expenses in a construction budget, the hard costs are
mostly comprised of the actual construction costs incurred to build the project.
Examples of hard costs include masonry, wood, steel, carpet, tile, mechanical systems, roofing.
B Commissioning of the building's systems
This is a soft cost.
Commissioning is systematic process of assuring that a building and its systems performs in accordance
with the design intent and the owner's requirements.
C Project drawings
D City permits
Notes:
A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These include building permit
fees, architect fees, legal, financing, engineering fees, commissioning, and other costs incurred before and after
construction.
Question 47:
Which LEED category has the greatest total number of points a project can earn?
A Indoor Environmental Quality
B Water Efficiency
Water efficiency (WE), while of great importance, can earn the least number of points out of the possible
choices. In some LEED rating systems Materials and Resources can earn slightly less points, though on
average the WE category has the least number of points.
C Sustainable Sites

D Energy and Atmosphere
Energy and Atmosphere has the greatest number of points available to earn in any of the LEED rating
systems. The LEED volunteer committees weighed this group, and thus energy consumption, as having the
greatest impact on the environment.
Notes:
Question 48:
Which of the following are sources of graywater?
A Toilets
Toilet water that is flushed becomes blackwater.
B Municipal potable water supply systems
This is potable water, just like it says.
C Showers
Shower water that goes down the drain is then classified as graywater, depending on local code.
D Washing machines
This is usually classified as graywater depending on local code.
E Wells
Well water is usually potable water.
Notes:
Graywater is water from laundry machines or showers that is not suitable for drinking, but can be used for other
purposes such as irrigation and flushing toilets.
Graywater is defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPS) as untreated house-hold wastewater which has not come
into contact with toilet waste or kitchen sinks.
Some states and local codes have other definitions.
Question 49:
Which of the following materials, if reused, would be considered pre-consumer recycled content?
A Construction and demolition debris
Construction and demolition debris is a post-consumer material. For example wood and steel scraps that are
left over from installation can be recycled and turned into something else.
B Sawdust

Sawdust can be taken from a lumber mill and sent to another manufacturer where they turn it into medium
density fiberboard (MDF).
C Walnut shells
Walnut shells are a type of pre-consumer recycled content. The walnut shells are taken from the walnut
processing line at the food plant and shipped somewhere else to be turned into composite wood products
such as cabinetry.
D Sunflower seed hulls
Sunflower seed hulls are a type of pre-consumer recycled content.
E Milk jugs
Any curbside pickup material is a post-consumer material. If you recycle soda cans at your house, or
newspapers, cereal boxes, cardboard, milk jugs - those materials are sent to a recycling plant, sorted and
resold to manufacturers that turn them into something else.
Notes:
Post-consumer material - recycled material generated from the waste of household, commercial, industrial, or
institutional end-users
Postconsumer recycled content - is the percentage of material in a product that was consumer waste. The recycled
material was generated by household, commercial, industrial, or institutional end-users and can no longer be used for
its intended purpose. It includes returns of materials from the distribution chain. Examples include construction and
demolition debris, materials collected through recycling programs, discarded products (e.g., furniture, cabinetry,
decking), and landscaping waste (e.g., leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings). (ISO 14021)
Pre-consumer content - formerly known as post-industrial content, is the percentage of material in a product that is
recycled from manufacturing waste. Examples include planer shavings, plytrim, sawdust, chips, bagasse, sunflower
seed hulls, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials, print overruns, overissue publications, and obsolete inventories.
Excluded are materials such as rework, regrind, or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed
within the same process that generated it (ISO 14021).
Question 50:
A project team is removing cisterns from a project design and will install a green roof instead. What project area
would this change impact?
A Heat Island Effect
Green roofs are an accepted LEED strategy for reducing the heat island effect.
B Construction Waste Management
Neither design choice would impact Construction Waste Management.
C Onsite Renewable Energy
Neither design choice would impact Onsite Renewable Energy.
D Stormwater Management
Cisterns are used to store storm water so their removal may impact Stormwater Management.

Question 51:
On a project with an older, existing HVAC&R system that uses CFCs, what can the project team do to earn LEED
certification?
A Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates to offset the CFC use
Renewable Energy Certificates are used for Green Power and are not related to CFC use in a building.
B Replace the CFCs with Halons
CFCs and Halons both cause damage to the ozone layer. Halons are primarily used for fire suppression
systems.
C Purchase carbon credits
This is not a strategy to offset CFC use in a building.
D Replace the CFCs with natural refrigerants
The project team can replace or retrofit the existing system with one that is CFC-free, or agree to have a
phase out plan that is completed 5 years after project completion.
Notes:
Question 52:
What is an example of adaptive reuse?
A Designing classrooms so they can be divided into separate class spaces
A classroom divider is not a type of reuse. The classrooms aren't designed for another purpose in the future.
B Tearing down an old steel mill and putting residences on the property
This is a good example of site reuse.
C Renovating a historic home
This is just renovation.
D Designing a building with a flexible floor plan that can accommodate offices or apartments
Adaptive reuse is the design and construction of a building so that it can serve a future use that is different
than its current use. In this example the building can have offices now but in 20 years could be updated to
apartments more easily than if the design did not include this option.
Notes:

Question 53:
Which of the following is NOT a type of biofuel?
A Soybean oil
B Vegetable oil
C Wood chips
D Geothermal
Geothermal energy comes from the ground.
Notes:
Biofuels are made from organic material, such as animal and plant waste.
Question 54:
What has a long atmospheric life that causes harm to the ozone layer?
A HCs
HC stands for hydrocarbons, a group of refrigerants benign to the atmosphere.
B CFCs
CFCs are refrigerants that were banned because they lead to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.
C HCFCs
HCFCs have a low ozone depletion potential (compared to CFCs) but high global warming potential.
D NH3
NH3 is ammonia, a natural refrigerant.
Notes:
Question 55:
Which of the following are transient occupants?
A Part-time receptionists
B Shoppers

C Full time employees
D Shift workers
E College students in a classroom
Notes:
Transient occupants are occupants that do not use facilities consistently and on a regular or daily basis. Students,
shoppers, and museum visitors are all types of transient occupants.
Full-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant in a project building. An FTE of 1.0 means that the
person is equivalent to a full-time worker, while an FTE of 0.5 signals that the worker is only half-time.
Transient occupants, along with Full Time Equivalents, are used when calculating reductions in water usage, and
some alternative transportation credits.
Question 56:
Which of the following is a strategy to prevent stormwater runoff?
A Minimizing the quantity of open space in the project boundary
Minimizing open space would negatively affect runoff. LEED projects can earn credit for Maximize Open
Space.
B Installing a vegetated roof
A vegetated roof helps capture stormwater on a roof.
C Locating the building 40 feet from a water body
This does not prevent runoff.
D Replacing native plants with turf grass to capture and filter the water
Turf grass should be avoided because it requires more watering than native plants. Replacing plants with turf
grass may have a negative effect, because turf grass may have more compact soil and not infiltrate as well.
Notes:
Question 57:
What does the weighting and level of importance of a LEED credit depend on?
A The ease with which the credit can be earned
Ease of implementation is not part of the weighting process.
B Quantity of resources consumed
While the quantity of resources consumed is important and a part of some of the credits (materials and
resources, water), all of the credits are weighted for environmental and human health concerns.

C Environmental and human health concerns
LEED awards more points for strategies that will have greater positive impacts on the environment and
human health, such as energy efficiency and CO2 reductions.
D Cost of implementation
Cost is not part of how the LEED credit weightings are determined.
Notes:
Question 58:
Which of the following are strategies for conserving potable water?
A Installing a dual flush toilet
A dual flush toilet has two different flow rates depending on the type of waste. These toilets can use less
potable water than a standard toilet.
B Installing a bioretention pond
A bioretention pond helps with stormwater management by slowing the rate at which stormwater leaves the
site.
C Increasing the infiltration of stormwater runoff
Increasing the infiltration of stormwater runoff does not reduce potable water use. It only improves the quality
of the runoff.
D Installing an onsite septic system
A septic system does not reduce potable water use. It reduces the quantity of wastewater that must be
treated by municipal sewage plants.
Notes:
Question 59:
A multi-family building that is 3 stories tall would be certified under what rating system?
A LEED for New Construction
LEED for New Construction is primarily for whole buildings that are new or undergoing major construction.
This rating system is appropriate for any project that does not have another LEED rating system defined
(Schools, Healthcare, Retail).
LEED NC can be used for residential projects of 4 or more stories.
B LEED for Commercial Interiors

LEED for Commercial Interiors is appropriate for interior spaces that are undergoing alteration work for at
least 60% of the certifying gross floor area. (-USGBC)
C LEED for Homes
LEED for Homes is appropriate for single family and low-rise (1-3 stories) multifamily residential buildings
that are undergoing new construction or a gut rehab.
Projects with kitchens, dormitories and assisted living facilities may use LEED for Homes.
Mid-rise (4-6 stories) multifamily residential buildings, dormitories, and assisted living facilities may use
either LEED for Homes or the LEED for Homes Mid-Rise Pilot Rating System. This depends on whether
kitchens are present in the units.
D LEED for Core and Shell
LEED for Core & Shell is a green building rating system for designers, builders, developers and new building
owners who want to address sustainable design for new core and shell construction. Core and shell covers
base building elements such as structure, envelope and the HVAC system. LEED for Core & Shell is
designed to be complementary to the LEED for Commercial Interiors rating system, as both rating systems
establish green building criteria for developers, owners and tenants. (-USGBC)
Notes:
Question 60:
What is a Minimum Project Requirement (MPR) for LEED Certification?
A A minimum occupancy rate of 300 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs)
B A minimum occupancy rate of 100 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs)
C A minimum occupancy rate of 25 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs)
D A minimum occupancy rate of 1 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
LEED MPRs require 1 FTE on an annual average.
Notes:
Reference: Minimum Program Requirements
Question 61:
Reductions in the water use of cooling towers, boilers, and chillers are calculated as part of what usage group for
water efficiency?
A Harvested water
Harvested water is rainwater collected for use to replace potable water for indoor, outdoor, or process water
needs.
B Process water

Process water includes cooling towers and business water usage such as laundry machines and
dishwashers.
C Outdoor water
Outdoor water usage includes irrigation.
D Indoor water
Indoor water usage includes flow and flush fixtures such as sinks and toilets.
Notes:
Question 62:
Which of the following are not required to be identified in writing to achieve an Innovation in Design (ID) credit for
innovative performance?
A The proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance
B The intent of the proposed credit
C The baseline threshold of the existing LEED credit
Innovative performance is for topics not addressed in the LEED rating system, therefore, there would be no
existing LEED credit.
D The proposed requirement for compliance
Notes:
The following are required when submitting an ID credit for innovative performance:
 The intent of the proposed credit
 The proposed requirement for compliance
 The proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance
 The strategies used to meet the requirements
Question 63
What does ASHRAE 55-2004 specify?
A Thermal comfort
B Indoor air quality
C Energy performance

D Commuting surveys
Notes:
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.
Question 64:
What is the primary reason that a LEED project can have higher development costs compared to conventional
development?
A Green building goals were not set in the pre-design phase
The primary reason that a green or LEED building would be more expensive is that the green building goals
were considered an add-on after the design was completed. This approach does not involve an integrated
process and usually results in a more expensive building.
The other primary reason is a lack of an integrated design team or team members not communicating and
sharing responsibilities. When the left hand doesn't talk to the right hand, the process fails-or at least breaks
down.
Value engineering some of the green building goals out might cut development costs, but will almost always
result in higher operating costs. Consider the removal of an on-site wastewater treatment system, which will
lead to lower upfront costs, but higher long-term operating costs.
B Material costs rose
This is not the primary reason.
C Team members worked together instead of separately
Integrated teams reduce mistakes and construction costs.
D New, green building technologies were used
While this can lead to higher costs, it is not the primary reason (based on research).
Notes:
Reference: Cost of Green Revisited
Question 65:
A rainwater harvesting system can help with:
A Heat island effect
Rainwater harvesting does not reduce the heat island effect.
B Water efficiency
Stormwater can be diverted into cisterns or other storage tanks for use in landscaping, inside for fixture

flushing, and for process water needs.
C Stormwater management
Rainwater cisterns (tanks) can be used as a structural measure to remove pollutants from runoff.
The most effective method to minimize runoff volume and treatment requirements is to reduce the amount of
impervious area.
D Site restoration
Rainwater harvesting does not help restore sites.
Question 66:
Which statement is true about CFCs in the United States?
A CFC production in the United States will be phased out by 2010
B CFC production in the United States will be phased out by 2030
C CFCs are no longer used in the United States
D CFC production in the United States ended in 1995
Under the Montreal Protocol, CFC production in the United States ended in 1995. To implement the
Montreal Protocol, the EPA established Section 608 of the EPA Clean Air Act for regulating the use and
recycling of ozone-depleting compounds.
Many refrigeration systems of existing buildings still use CFCs in the United States. For these projects, the
project team can take 5 years from project completion to phase out CFC-based refrigerants, as long as the
annual leakage rate of CFC-based refrigerants is reduced to 5% or less.
Question 67:
What are the best design strategies for improving indoor air quality during operations and maintenance of a building?
A Increase the ventilation in the building
Additional outdoor air can be provided in the building. This is a common trade-off though - when increasing
the ventilation for a mechanical system the energy use of the building goes up.
New Construction projects can earn credit for Increased Ventilation. In milder climates Increased Ventilation
can still be accomplished with natural ventilation through proper design of air flows through the building.
B Use air filters with high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ratings
MERV ratings are a standard comparison of the efficiency of an air filter. The MERV scale ranges from 1
(least efficient) to 16 (most efficient), and measures a filter's ability remove particles from 3 to 10 microns in
size. The ratings were developed by ASHRAE.
C Use natural refrigerants
The type of refrigerant does not directly impact the particulates in the air.
D Orient the building for optimal sun exposure

Building orientation can impact the particulates entering the building due to the direction the wind blows.
However it isn't as big of a factor as the air filters used.
E Use soft surfaces on the interiors
Soft surfaces are good for acoustic design, not air quality.
Notes:
Question 68:
What are some of the economic benefits of green building?
A Reduced utility costs
Water use and energy use should be lower in a green building.
B Increasing the tax base to the community
This would be a social issue that benefits the community rather than something that benefits the building
owner.
C Reduced liabilities due to poor indoor air quality causing health issues
One of the goals of the IEQ category is to create a healthier indoor environment for occupants. This results
in reduced sick days and hopefully cleaner air. Buildings that have mold or contaminants can cause health
problems which can lead to lawsuits from the occupants.
D Reduced disturbance of greenfield sites
Disturbing greenfields is an environmental issue rather than an economic issue.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 69:
For a sustainable site, plants should be selected that minimize evapotranspiration. What is evapotranspiration?
A A plant's ability to attract pests
B The quantity of fertilization a plant requires
C The loss of water from a plant's leaves
A plant with a high evapotranspiration rate will lose more water to the air than a plant with a lower
evapotranspiration rate. What this means is the plant with the higher rate will require more watering, and
thus the consumption of more natural resources. A cactus (low) vs. a perennial (high) is an example.
D The quantity of pesticide a plant requires

Question 70:
Which of the following causes depletion of the ozone layer?
A Solar radiation
B Heat islands
C Mercury
D Halons
Halons are chemicals commonly used in fire suppression systems and cause ozone depletion.
Notes:
Question 71:
What statement is true about RECs?
A RECs provide electricity
RECs are not electricity.
B RECs depreciate in value
RECs do not lose value.
C RECs are reduced from utility bills
RECs are not reduced from utility bills.
D RECs are tradable commodities
RECs represent the reduced emissions of renewable energy compared to conventional fossil fuels. RECs
are sold separately allowing people to purchase the 'greenness' of the electricity. This allows anyone to
purchase an REC even if the power to their building is not green power.
RECs have no geographic constraints, because they are sold separately from electricity.
Notes:
Reference: Guide to Purchasing Green Power
Question 72:
A project team decides to build up, instead of out, to reduce the building footprint. This strategy could help earn what
credit?

A Development Density
The density of the project does not change, so this credit would not be impacted.
B Community Connectivity
Community Connectivity would not be impacted by a change in the building footprint.
C Heat Island Effect, Roof
Changing the size of the building footprint (or the roof size) does not help earn a project Heat Island Effect.
D Maximize Open Space
Reducing the building footprint could result in more open space around the building, assuming it wasn't then
paved over.
Notes:
Question 73:
Which refrigerants are considered environmentally benign?
A Halons
Halons used to be used fire suppression systems until they were banned. Halons, CFCs, and HCFCs
contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion.
B Propane
Propane is a type of hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons are a classification of natural refrigerants which are benign
to the environment.
C Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are a classification of natural refrigerants which are benign to the environment.
Propane, butane, ethane, isobutene, and isopentane are types of hydrocarbons.
D Hydrofluorocarbons
HFCs (HydroFluoroCarbons) are not covered in the Montreal Protocol. These refrigerants have low Ozone
Depletion Potential but typically high Global Warming Potential.
Notes:
Question 74:
ASHRAE standards are used in all of the following LEED categories except:

A Materials and Resources
ASHRAE standards are not used in Materials and Resources.
B Indoor Environmental Quality
In Indoor Environmental Quality ASHRAE 62.1-2007 for providing minimum indoor air quality performance.
C Sustainable Sites
In Sustainable Sites ASHRAE 90.1-2007 defines the limits for exterior lighting power densities, for the
purposes of reducing light pollution outdoors.
D Energy and Atmosphere
In Energy and Atmosphere ASHRAE 90.1-2007 is to calculate the baseline energy use of a building.
Notes:
Question 75:
The Green Label Plus certification is used for what material?
A Carpets
Green Label Plus certified carpets have low VOC content.
B Cleaning products
Green Seal and Environmental Choice are standards LEED accepts for cleaning products.
C Wood
Wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
D Floors
Floors are certified by FloorScore.
Notes:
Question 76:
What practice would be used to investigate lumber from the point where the lumber was extracted to the point where
the lumber was disposed of?
A Regenerative design
This term is sometimes used for cradle to cradle.

B Cradle to cradle
Cradle to cradle is a term used in life-cycle analysis to describe a material or product that is recycled into a
new product at the end of its useful life. Cradle to cradle is an example of a closed system.
C Cradle to grave
Cradle to grave is a view of materials and products where products that have reached the end of their useful
lives are considered worthless. This is a type of open system.
The key in this question is the product was disposed of, indicating the process was linear. If the lumber had
been reused in some way the choice would be cradle to cradle.
D Upcycling
Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of
better quality or a higher environmental value.
Notes:
Question 77:
The selection of a less efficient refrigerant for HVAC&R systems can result in an increase in what types of emissions?
A Radon
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that may cause cancer, and may be found in drinking water
and indoor air. Some people who are exposed to radon in drinking water may have increased risk of getting
cancer over the course of their lifetime, especially lung cancer. Radon in soil under homes is the biggest
source of radon in indoor air, and presents a greater risk of lung cancer than radon in drinking water. (EPA)
B CO2
Less efficient refrigerants will consume more energy (usually consuming fossil fuels) resulting in greater
release of CO2 into the atmosphere by the electricity provider.
C CFCs
CFCs are some of the most efficient refrigerants, but they are bad for the environment and banned under the
Montreal Protocol.
D VOCs
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are an emission from building materials such as carpets and paints.
New car smell is an example of a VOC.
E NH3
NH3 is ammonia and a type of natural refrigerant.
Notes:

Question 78:
Some wood flooring recovered onsite from a renovation project was refurbished and reused onsite. What type of
material is the wood flooring considered?
A Regional/local material
This material would also be a regional/local material since it came from onsite.
You may hear regional materials also referred to as local materials. Exam objective V.B from the GBCI
handbook is 'Locally (regionally) Harvested and Manufactured Materials'. The USGBC GA study guide also
has 'Regional/Locally Sourced Materials' in the book's definitions. The terms mean the same thing.
B Recycled content
Do not confuse recycled content with salvaged materials. Recycled content contains materials that have
been recycled. An example is insulation made from recycled newspapers. Salvaged materials are
construction materials recovered from building sites and reused on different building sites in the same or a
different capacity. Examples can include flooring, brick, beams, and doors.
C Salvaged material
The flooring would be a salvaged material since it was found and used onsite.
D Virgin wood
Virgin wood is new wood. Since the wood flooring was obtained from the renovation project the wood was
not new and was not cut down from a forest specifically for the use in the project.
Notes:
The question is asking about which groups of materials the wood flooring would be included in.
Question 79:
What is the EPAct of 1992 used for?
A To determine the baseline building energy performance for buildings 20,000 sq. ft. or less
ASHRAE standards can be used for this.
B To define the VOC content limits of certain building materials
Manufacturers provide these.
C To define ODP and GWP limits for refrigerants
LEED provides these.
D To set the baseline water flow requirements of toilets and fixtures
EPAct of 1992 set water flow limits on toilets and fixtures.
Notes:

Question 80?
To meet the minimum program requirements for a new welcome center in a park, how big does the welcome center
need to be if the LEED project boundary is 100,000 square feet?
A At least 60% of the LEED project boundary
Don't confuse this with the 40/60 rule used to determine what rating system to use in cases where multiple
rating systems may apply to a project.
B At least 40% of the LEED project boundary
Don't confuse this with the 40/60 rule used to determine what rating system to use in cases where multiple
rating systems may apply to a project.
C 1,000 square feet
Don't confuse this with the minimum floor area requirements. A new construction building must be at least
1,000 square feet, but it must also meet the minimum building to site area ratio.
D 2,000 square feet of gross floor area
All LEED projects must comply with a minimum building to site area ratio. The gross floor area of the LEED
project building must be at least 2% of the gross land area (LEED project boundary).
100,000 X 2% = 2,000 square feet
Notes:
Reference: LEED 2009 Minimum Program Requirements
Question 81:
A project using recycled materials manufactured 750 miles from a project site would not impact what LEED credit?
A Community Connectivity
Community connectivity addresses development in urban areas and helps to use existing infrastructure,
protect greenfields, and preserve habitat.
Using recycled material from far away does not contribute to Community Connectivity.
B Construction Waste Management
The use of any material may impact the amount of construction debris. For example, if a project purchased
steel rebar that contained recycled steel and had to cut the rebar to length, the scraps may end up being
recycled again or going to a landfill.
C Regional Materials
The quantity of regional materials a project uses is determined by the percent of materials used on a project.
Even though the recycled materials are outside of the 500 mile limit, the cost of those materials are still
going to be part of the regional materials calculations.

D Recycled Materials
The question states the materials are recycled, which would impact the total recycled materials.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 82:
What type of construction materials are recovered from building sites and reused on different building sites in the
same or a different capacity?
A Salvaged material
Salvaged materials are construction materials recovered from building sites and reused on different building
sites in the same or a different capacity. Examples can include flooring, brick, beams, and doors.
B Durable material
Durable materials have a longer life.
C Pre-consumer recycled material
Pre-consumer content - formerly known as post-industrial content, is the percentage of material in a product
that is recycled from manufacturing waste. Examples include planer shavings, plytrim, sawdust, chips,
bagasse, sunflower seed hulls, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials, print overruns, overissue publications,
and obsolete inventories. Excluded are materials such as rework, regrind, or scrap generated in a process
and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it (ISO 14021).
D Post-consumer recycled material
Postconsumer recycled content - is the percentage of material in a product that was consumer waste. The
recycled material was generated by household, commercial, industrial, or institutional end-users and can no
longer be used for its intended purpose. It includes returns of materials from the distribution chain. Examples
include construction and demolition debris, materials collected through recycling programs, discarded
products (e.g., furniture, cabinetry, decking), and landscaping waste (e.g., leaves, grass clippings, tree
trimmings). (ISO 14021)
Notes:
Question 83:
What generally defines the LEED project boundary?
A Building footprint
B Building footprint and hardscapes
C Site boundary

Generally the LEED project boundary is the same as that of the site boundary. For multi-building projects the
team may determine the project boundary by the portion the development covers.
D Area of disturbance and all surrounding roadways
Notes:
Question 84:
What should the project team do with the LEED Score Card once it has been completed for a new construction
project?
A Refer to it during the construction process
The scorecard is used as a reference to make sure the project is on track for the green goals.
The LEED Credit Checklist is also called the LEED Scorecard.
B Mail it to GBCI
Scorecards are not mailed to GBCI.
C Use it to determine project soft-costs
Cost analysis and the bidding process are used for this.
D Use it to determine the baseline building water use
Water calculations are used for this.
Notes:
Reference: Sample credit checklist for LEED v3
Question 85:
What statement is true regarding ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs) and HydroChloroFluoroCarbons (HCFCs)?
A CFCs have a greater global warming potential (GWP) than HCFCs
CFCs do have a greater global warming potential (GWP) compared to HCFCs.
See Table 1 in the reference. Every CFC listed has a greater GWP than the HCFCs listed.
B LEED encourages replacing CFC or halon-based fire suppression systems with HCFCs
LEED promotes using fire-suppression systems that do not contain CFCs, HCFCs, or halons.
C The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of HCFCs and CFCs is about the same
HCFCs have much smaller ODP values than CFCs, but their ODP values are not zero. HCFCs do less than
2% ozone damage compared to CFC-11.

D CFCs are banned under the Montreal Protocol while HCFCs are not
Both CFCs and HCFCs are banned under the Montreal Protocol. CFC production in the United States
stopped in 1995. Developing nations that signed the treaty agreed to stop producing CFCs by 2010.
Notes:
Question 86:
The practice of placing windows or other transparent media and reflective surfaces in such a way that during the day
natural light provides effective internal illumination is referred to as:
A Natural ventilation
Natural (or passive) ventilation uses the natural forces of wind and buoyancy to deliver fresh air into
buildings through doors, windows, or other designed opening (chimneys).
B Lighting power density
Lighting power density is the installed lighting power per unit area (the amount of electrical power used to
illuminate a space). It is usually expressed in Watts per unit of area.
Reducing the lighting power density for a project can reduce energy use.
C Passive ventilation
See natural ventilation.
D Daylighting
This is the definition of daylighting.
Notes:
Question 87:
What environmental issue is associated with refrigerants used in HVAC&R systems?
A Pollution of water bodies
B Increased air pollution
C Increased use of fossil fuels
D Damage to the Earth's ozone layer
Refrigerants have ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) due to greenhouse
gas emissions. Low values of each are best for refrigerant choices.

Notes:
Question 88:
What is not true about Innovation in Design (ID) credits?
A ID credits can be awarded for specific environmental issues related to the region the project is located in
Yes, a project's region may yield an innovative idea.
B Exemplary performance is only available for existing LEED credits
Exemplary performance is not available for prerequisites.
C ID credits are awarded for environmental impacts
This is true. ID credits are not awarded for economic savings, such as a project saving 20% on wood costs
by using trees taken from the clearing of the site.
D Each innovative performance credit awarded requires a 12 month follow up to verify the strategy is
comprehensive
Innovative performance does not require a follow up to prove the strategy is comprehensive.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 89:
What area is NOT considered previously developed?
A Stone quarry
A stone quarry is an altered landscape.
B Nature preserve
Previously developed land has pre-existing paving, construction, or significantly altered landscapes. Land
that has been altered and turned into a natural use such as agricultural, forestry, or nature preservation can
no longer count as previously developed.
C Unused parking lot
A parking lot has paving on it and would be considered previously developed.
D Racetrack
A race track is an altered landscape.
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System

Question 90:
A building owner's project includes a major HVAC renovation, significant envelope modifications, and core plumbing
renovation. An interior fit-out is not part of the project. What LEED rating system would be most appropriate for this
project?
A LEED for New Construction
This rating system is appropriate for buildings that are undergoing new construction or major renovation (or
gut rehab, for low- and mid-rise residential) and a complete interior fit-out. (-USGBC)
B LEED for Core and Shell
Core and Shell is appropriate for buildings that are undergoing new construction or major renovation on its
exterior shell and core mechanical, electrical, and plumbing units but NOT a complete interior fit-out. (-
USGBC)
C LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance
This rating system is appropriate for existing whole buildings. Typically, these buildings undergo only
improvement work. (-USGBC)
D LEED for Commercial Interiors
This rating system is appropriate for interior spaces that are undergoing alteration work for at least 60% of
the certifying gross floor area. (-USGBC)
Notes:
Reference: LEED Rating System Selection Policy, LEED NC Introduction
Question 91:
What is source reduction?
A Reducing energy use in a building
Reducing energy use is described as optimized energy performance by LEED.
B Decreasing the materials used for manufacturing products
Reducing waste at its source is the best way to reduce waste. Less packaging and fewer materials reduce
the demand for virgin materials.
C Reducing the heat island effect
This is just reducing the heat island effect - there is no other term for it.
D Reducing the amount of stormwater runoff
This is just reducing the amount of stormwater runoff - there is no other term for it.

Question 92:
Which of the following are not alternative fuel vehicles?
A Liquid natural gas powered van
B Diesel powered car
See SS Credit 4.3
For LEED, alternative-fuel vehicles are defined as those vehicles that 'use fuels such as electricity,
hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, methanol, and ethanol. Efficient gas-electric
hybrids are also included in this group.'
For LEED, low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as 'vehicles that are either classified as Zero
Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board or have achieved a minimum green score of
40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide.'
Some diesel powered cars have a minimum green score of 40 from the ACEEE and qualify as low-emitting
and fuel-efficient vehicles. However these vehicles are not alternative fuel vehicles.
C Gas-electric hybrid
D Methanol powered truck
Notes:
Question 93:
What types of water can NOT be used for flushing toilets?
A Blackwater
Once a toilet is flushed, the water becomes blackwater. However the water cannot be cycled back for more
flushing unless it has been treated first.
B Non-potable water
Non-potable water such as stormwater or graywater is a great choice for offsetting potable water use in toilet
flushing if local code permits it.
C Stormwater
Stormwater is a great choice for offsetting potable water use in toilet flushing if local code permits it.
D Graywater
Graywater is defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as untreated house-hold wastewater which has
not come into contact with toilet waste or kitchen sinks.
Some states and local codes have other definitions.
Graywater includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-
washer and laundry tubs.
We receive many questions on this graywater issue - does the soap from showers matter, what if someone
washed diapers in the laundry - the main points to remember are 1) that the definition of graywater includes
shower and laundry water; and 2) that LEED allows graywater use.

Notes:
Question 94:
How does LEED evaluate the environmental performance of a building?
A By the amount of energy reduction
Energy reduction is only one factor in LEED. Site, water, materials, and the indoor environment are the other
factors.
B Through a cradle to grave analysis
Cradle to grave is the linear view of the life of a product, from creation to the end of useful life, ie disposal.
LEED uses the term 'whole building perspective' or 'whole building approach', not cradle-to-grave.
C Using LEED Online
LEED Online is the tool used for LEED documentation.
D From a whole building perspective over a building's life cycle
See LEED Today in reference.
LEED looks at the environmental performance of a building through the building's entire life cycle, from pre-
design until deconstruction.
Notes:
Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Introduction
Question 95:
Which of the following is a type of graywater?
A Wastewater that has not come in contact with toilet waste or kitchen sinks
Graywater is defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as untreated house-hold wastewater which has
not come into contact with toilet waste or kitchen sinks.
Graywater includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-
washer and laundry tubs. It does not include water from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.
B Stormwater collected and held in a cistern
This is stormwater.
C Rainwater collected in a retention pond
This is stormwater.
D Wastewater from urinals
This is blackwater.

Notes:
Question 96:
What is not an example of a basic service?
A Public park
B Bank
C Mass transit
Mass transit is not considered a basic service
D House of worship
Notes:
Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This includes areas with
walkways and areas near basic services.
Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services that people might use
regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service without being blocked by walls, highways,
or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access). LEED encourages building near a variety of basic services, not
just one type of service such as twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides examples of basic services as:
Bank
Church
Supermarket / convenience store
Day care
Dry cleaner / laundry mat
Fire station
Salon
Hardware store
Library
Medical / dental office
Park
Pharmacy
Post office
Restaurant
School
Theatre / museum
Community center
Gym
Question 97:
What is an example of an ongoing operating cost?
A Design of a sedimentation control plan
Design of a sedimentation control plan is a soft cost.

A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These include building
permit fees, architect fees, legal, financing, engineering fees, commissioning, and other costs incurred
before and after construction.
B Attorney fees for building contracts
Attorney fees are a type of soft cost.
A soft construction cost is one that is not directly related to building, construction, etc. These include building
permit fees, architect fees, legal, financing, engineering fees, commissioning, and other costs incurred
before and after construction.
C Carpet installation
Carpet installation is a hard cost.
Hard costs: By far the largest portion of the expenses in a construction budget, the hard costs are mostly
comprised of the actual construction costs incurred to build the project.
Examples include masonry, wood, steel, carpet, tile, mechanical systems, roofing.
D Salaries for janitorial services in a building
Operating costs are another type of cost for a building in addition to hard and soft costs. These costs occur
after the building is complete and up and running. These costs include utilities such as water and electricity
as well as the costs of maintenance personnel - janitorial, landscape, security.
Notes:
Reference: n/a
Question 98:
Energy efficiency is defined as:
A Any strategy that reduces resource use 20% from a baseline comparison
No specific percentages define if a product is more energy efficient than another.
B Any strategy that reduces resource use 10% or more from a baseline comparison
No specific percentages define if a product is more energy efficient than another.
C The replacement of any older building product with a newer building product
Newer building products are not necessarily more energy efficient. Doors are a good example. A door from
100 years ago was probably solid wood. A new door might be a wood frame with steel veneer and a
Styrofoam core. The old door may have greater insulating properties.
D The use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function as a conventional item
A compact fluorescent light bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same
amount of light is an example of energy efficiency. The decision to replace an incandescent light bulb with a
compact fluorescent is an example of energy conservation.
Notes:
Reference: n/a

Question 99:
A vehicle must meet which requirement to be considered low-emitting and fuel-efficient?
A Green Seal score of 40 or more
Green Seal is a standard used to show that paints have low VOC content.
B Green Label score of 40 or more
Green Label is standard used to show that carpet cushion has low VOC content.
C Green score of 40 or more
Vehicles must be classified as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board or have
a green score of 40 or more from the ACEEE annual vehicle rating guide.
D Green-e score of 40 or more
Green-e is a program established to promote green electricity products and provide consumers with a
nationally recognized method to identify those products.
Notes:
Question 100:
How many of the 110 possible LEED points can be earned for addressing regionally specific environmental issues?
A 1
B 10
C 4
LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential
environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific
environmental issues.
All rating systems with 110 points (any of the LEED 2009 rating systems) have 4 points for regional priority.
D 2
Notes:

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