A new building containing private offices is pursuing Location and Transportation Credit, Access to Quality Transit. Which would comply?
Correct Answer: B
The LEED BD+C Location and Transportation (LT) Credit: Access to Quality Transit requires that a project be located near public transit options that meet ridership frequency requirements. * For bus stops, the project must be within ½ mile (0.8 km) walking distance of at least one qualifying bus route with two stops. * For rail, ferry, or streetcar stops, the project must be within ¼ mile (0.4 km) walking distance. * Planned transit must be both funded and scheduled for completion within the project's timeline. Only Option B meets LEED's public transit access criteria. (Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)
Question 12
When using the Integrative Process, what is the best way for the LEED AP to assess the impact of indoor and outdoor water consumption in a Building Design and Construction project?
Correct Answer: A
Explanation When using the Integrative Process, the best way for the LEED AP to assess the impact of indoor and outdoor water consumption in a Building Design and Construction project is to perform a preliminary water budget analysis before the completion of schematic design. This analysis should include the following steps1: Identify the project's water sources and uses, such as potable water, reclaimed water, rainwater, graywater, blackwater, irrigation, cooling towers, etc. Estimate the baseline water consumption for each use based on the applicable codes, standards, and benchmarks. Identify potential water conservation strategies that can reduce the demand or increase the supply of water, such as low-flow fixtures, native landscaping, rainwater harvesting, graywater reuse, etc. Evaluate the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits of each strategy using a life-cycle approach. Select the most appropriate strategies and document how they inform the design decisions and meet the project goals. Compare the projected water consumption with the baseline and calculate the percentage reduction. Performing a preliminary water budget analysis before the completion of schematic design allows the LEED AP to identify opportunities for water efficiency and innovation early in the design process. It also helps to optimize the integration of water systems with other building and site systems, such as energy, materials, indoor environmental quality, etc. Moreover, it supports the achievement of other LEED credits related to water efficiency, such as WE Prerequisite 1: Outdoor Water Use Reduction, WE Prerequisite 2: Indoor Water Use Reduction, WE Credit 1: Outdoor Water Use Reduction, WE Credit 2: Indoor Water Use Reduction, WE Credit 3: Cooling Tower Water Use2. References: Understanding Integrative Design in LEED v41 LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction2
Question 13
A project team is using the whole building simulation model to quantify the percentage of energy savings for the project. Which of the following should remain the same for both the baseline building and the proposed building?
Correct Answer: A
This option requires the project team to use the same building operating schedule and occupancy hours for both the baseline building and the proposed building in the whole building simulation model1. This option ensures that the energy savings are calculated based on the same level of building activity and occupancy, which are major factors that affect the energy performance of a building2. References: = LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, [Whole Building Energy Simulation - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics].
Question 14
What credit rewards customers who change their normal consumption patterns in response to the varying price of energy over time?
Correct Answer: A
The Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Demand Response rewards projects that participate in demand response programs that aim to reduce peak electricity demand and shift the load to off-peak periods. The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction states that "the intent of this credit is to increase participation in demand response technologies and programs that make energy generation and distribution systems more efficient, increase grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions"1. The project team must either implement a permanent demand response program or develop a plan to implement a program within a year of occupancy. The project team must also demonstrate that the building has the capability to reduce its peak electricity demand by at least 10% in response to demand response signals. References: * LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Demand Response, page 2721 * Demand response | U.S. Green Building Council2
Question 15
A project's total site area is 240,000 ft2 (22 297 m2) and the building footprint is 40,000 ft2 (3 716 m2). How much outdoor space and vegetated space must it provide to earn Sustainable Sites Credit, Open Space?
Correct Answer: C
According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the project must provide outdoor space that is at least 30% of the total site area (including the building footprint), of which at least 25% must be vegetated. In this case, the project must provide 0.3 x 240,000 ft2 = 72,000 ft2 (6 689 m2) of outdoor space, of which 0.25 x 72,000 ft2 = 18,000 ft2 (1 672 m2) must be vegetated. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Reference: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 5411
