Pass the USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-Green-Associate Questions and answers with Dumpstech

Stone that is harvested and processed 80 mi (128.7 km) from the project site and purchased 75 mi (121 km) away is considered a local material because it meets the criteria of being extracted, harvested, recovered, or manufactured within 100 mi (160 km) of the project site. Local materials can help reduce environmental impacts associated with transportation, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and energy consumption. Local materials can also support the local economy and community. LEED projects can earn credits for using local materials under the Materials and Resources category. References: Local Materialsin India3; LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Materials and Resources, page 65

a construction waste management plan is a document that outlines how the project will reduce, reuse, recycle, or dispose of the construction and demolition waste generated on site. One of the key components of a construction waste management plan is to track and document the volume or weight of materials that are diverted from landfills or incinerators by redirecting them to other destinations, such as recycling facilities, salvage yards, donation centers, or reuse on site12.

Tracking and documenting the volume or weight of materials diverted is important for several reasons, such as:

It helps measure the performance and effectiveness of the waste management plan and identify areas for improvement.

It provides evidence and verification for LEED certification, as LEED v4 requires projects to divert at least 50% or 75% of construction and demolition waste (by weight or volume) from disposal in landfills or incineration facilities for one or two points, respectively3.

It demonstrates the environmental and economic benefits of waste diversion, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, saving disposal costs, and creating jobs12.

The number of dumpsters used is not a relevant metric for tracking a construction waste management plan, as it does not indicate how much waste is generated or diverted. The amount of site soils reused on the site is also not a valid indicator, as sitesoils are not considered construction and demolition waste by LEED v43. The amount of post-consumer recycled content is not related to a construction waste management plan, as it refers to the percentage of material in a product that was previously used by consumers and diverted from landfills or incinerators before being incorporated into a new product.

Minimum acoustic performance is a prerequisite requirement that applies to LEED for Schools projects. The prerequisite aims to provide classrooms that facilitate better teacher-to-student and student-to-student communication through effective acoustic design. The prerequisite requires projects to meet the sound transmission class (STC) ratings for walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows; the background noise levels from HVAC systems; and the reverberation time for core learning spaces. By meeting the minimum acoustic performance, projects can improve the indoor environmental quality, enhance the learning outcomes, and reduce the health and stress impacts of noise. References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 545 1; [Acoustical Society of America website]

Stormwater runoff can indeed be treated and used in a facility’s cooling towers. This is an example of using non-potable water (water that is not of drinking quality) for purposes that do not require potable water. Other uses for treated stormwater might include toilet flushing or irrigation. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Installing a solar photovoltaic system can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a building. Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight, a renewable resource, instead of burning fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. While solar panels do require an upfront investment, they can also result in lower energy bills over time. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

LEED certification is awarded based on the number of points a project earns across several categories of green building performance. The range of points required to achieve the Certified level of certification for the commercial LEED Rating System is 40-49, out of a possible 110points. The other levels of LEED certification are: Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80 or more points)12. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2

Systems thinking is a principle that is part of the integrated process, which is a collaborative and holistic approach to green building design, construction, and operation. Systems thinking involves understanding the interrelationships and interactions among the various components of a system, such as the building, its occupants, its site, its climate, and its energy sources. Systems thinking helps to identify synergies, optimize performance, avoid unintendedconsequences, and create multiple benefits for the project13. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide3

Building orientation is the element of design that can be used to take advantage of natural ventilation, solar energy and daylight. Building orientation refers to the position and direction of a building in relation to the sun, wind, and other environmental factors. By orienting a building properly, it can maximize the benefits of passive design strategies such as daylighting, natural ventilation, and solar energy. For example, a building can be oriented to face the south or north in temperate climates to capture more sunlight for heating and lighting, or to face the east or west in hot climates to avoid excessive solar heat gain and glare. A building can also be oriented to align with the prevailing wind direction to enhance natural ventilation and cooling. Building orientation can also affect the shape, size, and placement of windows, doors, roofs, and other architectural elements that influence the performance and comfort of a building. References: Passive Design Strategies | Sustainability Workshop, section “Building Massing & Orientation”; Back to Basics: Natural Ventilation and its Use in Different Contexts | ArchDaily, section “Orientation”; Courtyard configuration to optimize shading, daylight and ventilation …, section “Introduction”

Drip irrigation is a method of watering plants that delivers water directly to the roots through a network of pipes, tubes, valves, and emitters. Drip irrigation is not a plumbingfixture, but a landscaping technique that can reduce outdoor water use by minimizing evaporation, runoff, and overspray12.

Plumbing fixtures are devices that provide water for various purposes, such as washing, bathing, cooking, or flushing. Plumbing fixtures include urinals, showerheads, kitchen faucets, and other types of faucets, toilets, bidets, and sinks. Plumbing fixtures are subject to indoor water use reduction strategies in LEED certification, such as installing low-flow or high-efficiency models, using automatic sensors or timers, or implementing water reuse systems34.

Building-level energy metering is a prerequisite in LEED that requires the installation of energy meters to track the total energy usage of a building12. It helps to monitor and optimize the energy performance of the building and to report the data to USGBC3. Green metering, site evaluation data, and energy savings records are not terms used in LEED.