Pass the USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-AP-BD+C Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

A rainwater harvesting system on site could be recognized in the Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management and the Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction. The Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management rewards projects that reduce runoff volume and improve water quality by replicating the natural hydrology and water balance of the site1. A rainwater harvesting system can help achieve this by capturing and reusing rainwater on site2. The Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction rewards projects that reduce indoor water consumption by installing water-efficient fixtures and fittings3. A rainwater harvesting system can help achieve this by providing an alternative source of water for non-potable uses such as toilet flushing and irrigation4.

The other options are not correct. The Water Efficiency Credit, Water Metering does not recognize rainwater harvesting systems, but rather requires projects to install permanent water meters that measure the total potable water use for the building and grounds. The Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Outdoor Water Use Reduction does not recognize rainwater harvesting systems, but rather requires projects to reduce outdoor water consumption by using plant species that are native or adapted to the region and by using irrigation systems that are efficient and properly controlled. The Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction does not recognize rainwater harvesting systems, but rather requires projects to reduce indoor water consumption by 20% from the baseline by installing water-efficient fixtures and fittings.

ASHRAE 90.1-2010 is the reference standard used to determine compliance with the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance when the whole building energy modeling option is used. This prerequisite requires demonstrating a 5% improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared to the baseline building performance rating per ASHRAE 90.1-2010, Appendix G1. The baseline building performance rating is based on a building design that meets the minimum requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-20102. References:

Prerequisite: Minimum energy performance | U.S. Green Building Council

Minimum Energy Performance - ASHRAE 90.1 - 2010

According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1, the Location and Transportation Credit, Bicycle Facilities, requires the project to provide short-term and long-term bicycle storage and a functional entry or bicycle storage within 200 yards of a bicycle network. The bicycle network is defined as any one of the following:

Off-street bicycle paths or on-street bicycle lanes that are physically marked and separated from motor traffic

Streets designed for a target speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) or less, with traffic calming features such as curb extensions, speed humps, raised crossings, narrowed traffic lanes, median islands, tight corner radii, roundabouts, or landscaping

Streets with a legal speed limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) or less that connect to a larger bicycle network

Therefore, among the given options, only slow speed roadways can define a bicycle network, as they can provide a safer and more comfortable environment for cyclists. One-way streets, bike share, and traffic lights are not sufficient to define a bicycle network, as they do not necessarily indicate the presence of bicycle paths, lanes, or low-speed streets.

The basis of energy consumption in determining the percentage of green power or carbon offsets is the quantity of energy used by the project, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or British thermal units (Btu). Green power is electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, or geothermal. Carbon offsets are reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions from a project or activity that compensates for the emissions from another source. According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1, the Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Green Power and Carbon Offsets, requires the project to engage in a contract for qualified resources that meet the following requirements:

The contract term is at least five years.

The green power or carbon offsets are based on the quantity of energy consumed by the building.

The green power is Green-e Energy certified or the equivalent.

The carbon offsets are Green-e Climate certified, Verified Carbon Standard certified, Gold Standard certified, or the equivalent.

Installing a vegetative roofing system is the best option to address the potential glare resulting from a project’s highly reflective roof. A vegetative roofing system, also known as a green roof, is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. A vegetative roofing system can reduce the reflectivity of the roof surface and mitigate the glare impact on the surrounding environment. It can also provide other benefits, such as reducing heat island effects, improving stormwater management, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing roof insulation. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. The other options are not as effective or desirable as installing a vegetative roofing system. Changing the design to reduce the amount of roofing area (option B) may not be feasible or desirable, as it may compromise the project’s program or performance. Changing the roofing material to a dark material to eliminate the issue (option C) may reduce the glare, but it will also increase the heat absorption and emission of the roof, contributing to heat island effects and increasing cooling loads. Increasing the parapet height (option D) may block some of the glare, but it will also increase the material and construction costs, and it may not be sufficient to prevent glare from all angles. For more information on vegetative roofing systems and their benefits, you can refer to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1 or the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website2.

The Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Assessment requires the project to conduct and document a site inventory and analysis that evaluates the existing conditions and features of the site, such as topography, hydrology, human use, climate, vegetation, soils, and human health effects1. The purpose of the site assessment is to inform the design and development of the site in a way that protects, restores, and enhances the environmental quality and performance of the site1. The site assessment should include the following elements:

Topography: The shape and elevation of the land surface, including slopes, drainage patterns, and erosion potential.

Hydrology: The movement, distribution, and quality of water on the site, including surface water, groundwater, precipitation, and runoff.

Human use: The current and planned use of the site and its surroundings, including zoning, land use, transportation, utilities, and cultural resources.

Climate: The long-term weather patterns and conditions of the site, including temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, and precipitation.

Vegetation: The types, distribution, and condition of plants on the site, including native, invasive, and endangered species, and their ecological functions and values.

Soils: The physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil on the site, including texture, structure, organic matter, pH, fertility, and contamination.

Human health effects: The potential impacts of the site conditions and features on the health and well-being of the occupants and the surrounding community, such as noise, air quality, water quality, and exposure to hazardous substances.

Under LEED BD+C Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Renewable Energy Production, renewable biofuels must be sustainably sourced and not contaminated.

Non-mill residue forestry biomass waste qualifies as renewable biofuel because it consists of untreated wood residues from sustainable forestry operations.

Municipal solid waste is not considered renewable due to its mixed content.

Wood coated with paints, plastics, or resins is not renewable as it contains harmful chemicals.

Animal waste is not explicitly recognized by LEED as a renewable fuel.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

Detailed Explanation:

The project must meet the more stringent requirement, which in this case is 500 CFM (14.1 CMM) as per the local code. LEED Enhanced Indoor Air Quality prerequisites and credits prioritize compliance with the highest applicable ventilation standards to improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort.

the local equivalent standard is more stringent than ASTM E1527-05

According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, a Phase I ESA is required for all projects, except for those located on previously developed land that has not been used for industrial, commercial, or agricultural purposes. The Phase I ESA must follow the ASTM E1527-05 standard or a local equivalent. However, if the local equivalent is more stringent than the ASTM standard, then the project must comply with the local equivalent. Therefore, if the new building project is located in a jurisdiction that has a more rigorous standard for Phase I ESA than ASTM E1527-05, then it must complete a new Phase I ESA, regardless of the previous ESA done for the certified facility.

For LEED BD+C Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite: Fundamental Commissioning and Verification, the CxA is responsible for verifying that building systems are properly installed and functioning correctly.

This ensures compliance with the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and basis of design (BOD).

Developing a systems manual (Option D) is required for Enhanced Commissioning, not Fundamental Commissioning.

Reviewing the building after 10 months (Option B) is also part of Enhanced Commissioning, not Fundamental Commissioning.

Training verification (Option C) is beneficial but not a core responsibility for Fundamental Commissioning.

Verifying installation and performance (Option A) is the primary requirement for the CxA under Fundamental Commissioning.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)