Free Practice Questions for USGBC LEED-Green-Associate Exam

A minimum program requirement for LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations projects is to be a permanent building or space on existing land. This means that the project must be designed and constructed for a fixed location on land that is legally defined and has legal boundaries. The project cannot be a temporary structure, such as a trailer or a tent, or a movable structure, such as a boat or a vehicle. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that this is one of the four minimum program requirements that apply to all LEED rating systems [1, p. 9]. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Minimum Program Requirements | U.S. Green Building Council]

The best way to prevent a building’s indoor pollutant(s) is to eliminate or control pollutants at the source. Indoor pollutants are substances or particles that can adversely affect the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a building and the health, comfort, and productivity of the occupants. Indoor pollutants can originate from various sources, such as building materials, furnishings, cleaning products, combustion appliances, outdoor air, or occupant activities. Eliminating or controlling pollutants at the source can prevent them from entering or spreading in the indoor environment, which can reduce the exposure and risk for the occupants. Some examples of source control strategies are: using low-emitting materials, installing local exhaust ventilation, sealingcombustion appliances, implementing green cleaning practices, and prohibiting smoking13. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA’s Indoor Air Quality3

A building that is located on a site without access to public transportation can have a high environmental impact associated with how the occupants get to and from the building, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, energy consumption, and traffic congestion. One of the strategies that a project team can implement in order to reduce this impact is to provide incentives for carpooling, which is a form of alternative transportation that involves sharing a vehicle with other passengers who have similar travel routes or destinations. Providing incentives for carpooling can encourage the occupants to reduce their single-occupancy vehicle trips and use fewer vehicles, which can save fuel, reduce emissions, and lower parking demand. Some examples of incentives for carpooling are: subsidies, vouchers, discounts,prizes, recognition, or preferential parking12. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2

These strategies are core components ofLow Impact Development (LID)andgreen infrastructureapproaches for rainwater management:

“LID emphasizes… minimizing land disturbance, preserving vegetation, minimizing impervious cover…”

These help reduce runoff volume and replicate the site’s natural hydrology, improving rainwater management.

Installing concrete sidewalks and parking areas will increase the quantity of the rainwater that is discharged from a site. Rainwater is the water that falls as precipitation on a site. Rainwater discharge is the amount of rainwater that leaves a site as surface runoff or subsurface flow. Rainwater discharge can affect the quantity and quality of water resources downstream by causing erosion, flooding, sedimentation, pollution, and habitat loss. Concrete sidewalks and parking areas are examples ofimpervious surfaces that prevent rainwater from infiltrating intothe soil and increase rainwater discharge by creating more runoff1 . References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA’s Stormwater Management

Air movement is a factor that affects the thermal comfort of occupants, as it influences the heat exchange between the human body and the surrounding air1. Air movement can be controlled by mechanical systems, such as fans, or natural systems, such as operable windows2. LEED v4 requires that at least 50% of individual occupant spaces have thermal comfort controls that allow occupants to adjust air movement in their local environment3.

 1 LEED (BD+C)- Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Thermal comfort2 Get to Know LEED®: How to Provide Thermal Comfort in a LEED for Homes … 3 CI-v4.1 EQc5: Thermal comfort | LEEDuser.

The scope of the LEED impact category component Protect Human Health from Direct Exposure to Negative Health Impacts is building occupants and design and construction crew during the construction phase and use phase of the building cycle, within the project boundary and its immediate surroundings. This component aims to reduce the exposure of people to harmful substances or conditions that may affect their health and well-being. This includes indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting quality, noise levels, water quality, and safety hazards. The component covers both the construction phase and the use phase of the building cycle, as both stages can pose potential health risks to people involved or affected by the project. The component also considers both the project boundary and its immediate surroundings, as some health impacts may extend beyond the site itself. References: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Introduction, page 9

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a third-party verification organization that certifies forest products that are sourced from responsibly managed forests that meet environmental, social, and economic standards12. FSC-certified wood products are considered environmentally preferable products under the LEED v4 Materials and Resources category, as they reduce the negative impacts of deforestation, habitat loss, and biodiversity loss34.

What is FSC? | FSC International1

Forest Stewardship Council - Wikipedia2

LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide - U.S. Green Building Council3

Credit’s Supporting LEED’s Materials and Resources Category | Legrand4