What standard addresses Indoor Environmental Quality?
Correct Answer: B
ASHRAE 62.1 is the standard for ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality in commercial and institutional buildings. It specifies the minimum ventilation rates and other measures to provide good indoor air quality for occupants. LEED v4 references ASHRAE 62.1 as a prerequisite for the Indoor Environmental Quality credit category. Reference: ASHRAE 62.1 from the LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 18. Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) from the WBDG website, section on Adequate Ventilation and Exhaust.
Question 82
During which stage of a project is implementation of the Integrative Process most effective in improving performance?
Correct Answer: B
The Integrative Process is most effective during the early design stage of a project. This is when key decisions about the project are being made that can have a significant impact on its sustainability performance. By considering sustainability objectives from the outset, teams can identify opportunities for synergies and cost savings that may not be apparent later in the project. Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources
Question 83
Waste water from kitchen sinks is considered blackwater unless
Correct Answer: B
Explanation Blackwater is wastewater that contains fecal matter and pathogens, such as from toilets. Greywater is wastewater that is less contaminated, such as from showers, sinks, and washing machines1. However, the classification of kitchen sink wastewater may vary depending on local codes and regulations. Some states and authorities consider kitchen sink wastewater as blackwater because it may contain food waste and germs123. Others consider it as greywater if it meets certain quality standards and is used for beneficial purposes, such as irrigation or toilet flushing45. A CIR (Credit Interpretation Request) is a process to seek clarification on a specific credit or prerequisite in a LEED rating system, but it does not change the definition of blackwater or greywater. References: Greywater Reuse | WaterSense | US EPA4 Greywater - California Department of Water Resources5 What Is Greywater? What Is Blackwater? | HomeServe USA1 Grey Water / Reclaimed Water | University of Maryland Extension2 What is meant by the terms Gray water and black water3 Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs) | U.S. Green Building Council
Question 84
An architect found a source for reclaimed wood doors from a recently demolished building 600 mi. (966 km) away from the project site. Towards which of the following sustainable criteria can the doors be used?
Correct Answer: B
The reclaimed wood doors can be used to meet the Materials Reuse credit under the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization category in LEED v4. This credit rewards projects for reusing materials that have been recovered from existing buildings or products, and reduces the demand for virgin materials and the associated environmental impacts. The credit does not have any distance requirements for the source of the reused materials, unlike the Recycled Content and Regional Materials credits. Reference: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide1, page 36 LEED v4 and Low Carbon Building Materials2, page 19
Question 85
Which of the following strategies contributes to reducing heat island effect and managing rainwater runoff?
Correct Answer: A
Explanation A vegetated roof, also known as a green roof, is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, such as soil or compost. A vegetated roof can help reduce the heat island effect and manage rainwater runoff by providing the following benefits12: It reduces the surface temperature of the roof by reflecting solar radiation and cooling the air through evapotranspiration, which is the process of plants releasing water vapor from their leaves. This can lower the ambient temperature of the surrounding area and improve thermal comfort for occupants and pedestrians. It reduces the amount and speed of stormwater runoff by retaining and filtering rainwater in the vegetation and growing medium. This can prevent flooding, erosion, and pollution of downstream water bodies, as well as reduce the demand for potable water for irrigation or other purposes. It enhances the biodiversity and habitat of the urban environment by providing a space for plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms to thrive. This can improve the ecological health and resilience of the ecosystem and provide aesthetic and recreational benefits for humans. Other strategies that can contribute to reducing the heat island effect and managing rainwater runoff are: White cement roof pavers: These are tiles made of concrete that have a high solar reflectance index (SRI), which measures how well a surface reflects solar radiation. White cement roof pavers can help reduce the surface temperature of the roof by reflecting more solar radiation than darker or less reflective materials. However, they do not provide any benefits for stormwater management, as they are impervious surfaces that do not retain or filter rainwater34. A rainwater collection system: This is a system that captures and stores rainwater from roofs or other surfaces for reuse. A rainwater collection system can help reduce stormwater runoff by diverting rainwater from landfills or incinerators to other destinations, such as irrigation, toilet flushing, or cooling. However, it does not provide any benefits for reducing the heat island effect, as it does not affect the surface temperature of the roof or the surrounding air5 . Shading structures that include photovoltaic panels: These are structures that provide shade for roofs or other surfaces by blocking direct sunlight. Shading structures that include photovoltaic panels can help reduce the heat island effect by lowering the surface temperature of the roof or the shaded area. They can also help generate renewable energy from solar power, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. However, they do not provide any benefits for stormwater management, as they do not retain or filter rainwater .
