LEED Process & Project Surroundings: LEED Green Associate Part 1

What statements are not true regarding the LEED Certification Process? (Choose 2)

• The project administrator must be a LEED AP

• Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs) have a submission fee

• Appeals for credits can be filed for any of the LEED Rating Systems

• The Credit Interpretation Request (CIR) process is available to all rating systems except LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance

Answer explanation

The Credit Interpretation Request (CIR) process is available to all rating systems except LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. CIRs are available to all projects regardless of the rating system.. The project administrator must be a LEED AP. There are no requirements that the project administrator needs to be a LEED AP.

LEED Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) may rule on what topic?

• Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs)

• Waiving certification fees

• Credit appeals

• Completed LEED Project Applications

Answer explanation

Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs).

 

LEED Technical Advisory Groups are specialists that rule on CIRs. All other answer choices are reviewed by GBCI Project Review Team.

What statement is true regarding the property boundary and the LEED Project Boundary?

• The property boundary is the total area within the legal property boundaries of a site while the LEED project boundary is the portion of the site submitted for LEED

• The definitions are the same

• They can be the same, but the property boundary includes only the area submitted for LEED

• The property boundary is the portion of the site submitted for LEED while the LEED project boundary marks where the LEED project ends

Answer explanation

The property boundary is the total area within the legal property boundaries of a site while the LEED Project Boundary is the portion of the site submitted for LEED. The LEED Project Boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED Certification. For single building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary. For multiple building developments, the LEED Project Boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team. The property boundary is the total area within the legal property boundaries of a site

What more should a project do to submit and document RP Credits for LEED certification?

• Submit separate documentation through LEED Online

• No additional documentation is required to earn Regional Priority Credits

• Submit with construction submittals

• Projects should implement RP Credit first and wait until project completion to document them

Answer explanation

No additional documentation is required to earn Regional Priority Credits. When projects document compliance for the selected credits, the related RP Bonus Points for their achievement will be awarded automatically.

A new construction project was registered in December of 2013. In May 2014, USGBC published addenda for a credit the project team is pursuing. What statements are true regarding this project? (Choose 2)

• Submit a CIR for clarification

• The project team can choose to follow any addenda published after May 2014

• The project team must follow any addenda published prior to December 2013

• The project team must follow any addenda published in May 2014

• The project team can choose to follow any addenda published prior to December 2013

Answer explanation

All LEED Projects must follow Addenda published prior to their project’s registration date. Addenda’s can be located on USGBC website. It’s also recommended that project teams also follow Addenda published after their registration date but it’s up to the project team

 

In this particular question, the project must follow addenda prior to December 2013 (project registration date) and may choose to follow any addenda released after the project is registered.

 

For more guidance on addenda, please visit http://www.usgbc.org/help-topic/addenda-(corrections-+-interpretations)

Who is responsible for identifying Regional Priority credits for LEED Projects? (Choose 2)

• USGBC member companies

• Volunteers from LEED International Roundtable

• LEED Accredited Professionals

• Volunteers from USGBC Local Chapters

• LEED TAGs

Answer explanation

Volunteers from USGBC Chapters and the LEED International Roundtable have identified distinct environmental priorities within their areas and the credits that address those issues.

How many RP Credits are identified for every location?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Answer explanation

USGBC established a process that identified six RP Credits for every location and every rating system within chapter or country boundaries

Which design decision can earn a project IN Credit Option 1 Innovation in a new construction project?

• Providing 10% on-site renewable energy

• Implementing a Closed Pilot Credit

• Implementing a credit from LEED O+M

• Providing 15% on-site renewable energy

• Providing 100% of a project’s electricity using green power

Answer explanation

The question asked for “innovation” not exemplary or pilot credits. The only innovation strategy listed is the “implementing a credit from another rating system”. Innovation Points can be earned by achieving selected credits from other LEED Rating Systems. For example a LEED BD+C Project may qualify for a innovation credit if it implements a credit from Operations and Maintenance that assists the project after occupancy.

 

Innovation strategies that are closed pilot credits are not available unless they are listed in the Online Innovation Database.

How is the LEED Boundary determined for multibuilding development especially when each building in the property will be a separate LEED Project?

• The project team submits a CIR

• The project team contacts LEED Technical Resources

• The project team uses the same boundary for all of the LEED Projects

• The project team divides the land equally among the LEED Projects

• The project team should determine the LEED Boundary for each LEED Project

Answer explanation

Refer the study guide and additional guidance for FTE where we talk about LEED Project Boundary.

 

The LEED Boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED Certification. For single-building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary. For multiple building developments, the LEED Project Boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team

Which of the following are perks for a company that receives LEED Platinum awards for its HQ Project?

• The company could now become a LEED Reviewer

• Government rebates

• LEED Plaque

• Branding and public relations (PR)

Answer explanation

Branding and a good PR opportunity are perks a project can expect after obtaining LEED Platinum certification.  The other choices don’t address benefits of achieving such a high certification level exclusively.