Free Practice Questions for USGBC LEED-AP-O+M Exam

The correct option regarding project boundaries in LEED is that the gross floor area (GFA) of the LEED project should be no less than 2% of the gross land area within the LEED project boundary. This requirement ensures that the project size is significant enough relative to the land area to make the application of LEED meaningful and impactful.References:LEED AP Operations + Maintenance Reference Guide, Project Site Factorssection.

When identifying regularly occupied spaces in a project, the LEED AP should consider the maximum number of intended occupants, whether standing or seated, in each space. This is important for ensuring consistency in floor area values across various credits, such as those related to indoor environmental quality or space utilization. The consideration of occupants helps in determining space functionality and occupancy patterns, which are critical for accurate LEED assessments.References:LEED AP Operations + Maintenance Reference Guide, Indoor Environmental Quality section.

CFC-11 was phased out due to the Montreal Protocol because it is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that contributes to ozone depletion. The protocol aimed to phase out substances with high ozone-depleting potential (ODP).

References: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a global agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including CFCs1.

The calculation used to achieve the Materials and Resources Credit, Purchasing - Ongoing, focuses on the cost of compliant furniture. This approach aligns with the intent of the credit, which is to encourage the purchase of sustainable and environmentally friendly products. By assessing the cost of compliant furniture, the credit incentivizes the selection of products that meet specific environmental criteria, thereby contributing to a more sustainable procurement practice.

To earn the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit for Green Cleaning - Custodial Effectiveness Assessment, facilities must conduct an assessment of their custodial operations using the APPA Leadership in Educational Facilities' Custodial Staffing Guidelines. The highest score a facility may achieve to meet this credit's requirements is 5.5, which represents a level of cleanliness that is orderly and conducive to the intended use of the space, balancing effective cleaning practices with sustainability considerations.References:The Indoor Environmental Quality section of the LEED O+M Reference Guide details the requirements for the Green Cleaning - Custodial Effectiveness Assessment credit, including the use of APPA's Custodial Staffing Guidelines to evaluate cleaning effectiveness.

This credit has exemplary performance because it allows projects to earn an additional point by reducing outdoor water use by 75% or more from the calculated baseline1.The credit requires projects to reduce outdoor water use by at least 50% from the calculated baseline, which is determined by the EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool2. The credit encourages projects to use native or adapted plants, efficient irrigation systems, alternative water sources, or no irrigation at all.

References: =LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting, page 23;LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council, page 23;WaterSense Water Budget Tool | WaterSense | US EPA

The strategies that are eligible for reducing landscape water demand in the Water Efficiency Credit, Outdoor Water Use Reduction, include selecting plant species that require less water and improving irrigation efficiency. These measures are part of a comprehensive approach to minimize water use in landscaping.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M reference materials highlight the importance of plant species selection and irrigation system efficiency as primary strategies for achieving outdoor water use reduction1.

Reducing landscape water demand in the Water Efficiency Credit, Outdoor Water Use Reduction, can be achieved through strategic plant species selection and improving irrigation efficiency. Choosing native or adapted plants that require less water helps reduce the demand for irrigation. Simultaneously, employing efficient irrigation technologies and practices, such as drip irrigation or smart controllers, minimizes water waste. These strategies work together to significantly lower the amount of water needed for landscaping, contributing to water conservation and sustainability goals.

References:These strategies are discussed in the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance reference guide within the section on Water Efficiency Credit, Outdoor Water Use Reduction. The guide provides best practices for selecting plant species and irrigation methods that align with LEED's objectives for reducing water use in landscapes.

Outlet powered task lighting under the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Interior Lighting, contributes towards compliance for individual occupant spaces. This is because task lighting allows individual occupants to control their own lighting levels, which can improve comfort and productivity.

References: LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide1, LEED certification for existing buildings and spaces2.

When documenting a LEED Pilot Credit, it is required to provide an innovation narrative. This narrative should include the intent of the proposed innovation strategy, the proposed requirements for compliance, the proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance, and the design approach or strategies used to meet the requirements. The innovation narrative is a critical element that clearly communicates the innovative aspects of the project, how they comply with LEED requirements, and the specific strategies implemented to achieve the pilot credit.References:LEED v5 O+M: Existing Buildings beta version

To promote both energy efficiency and thermal comfort in a building, instituting a flexible dress code that permits seasonally appropriate clothing is an effective strategy. This approach allows occupants to adjust their clothing to suit the indoor temperature, which can lead to more relaxed thermostat settings and reduced energy use for heating or cooling.References:LEED AP Operations + Maintenance Reference Guide, Indoor Environmental Quality section.