BArch Bachelor of Architecture Environmental Systems & Sustainability 2

Question 1

Which LEED rating system is most applicable to the design and construction of a new commercial office building?

Accepted Answer

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Answer

LEED BD+C (Building Design and Construction) New Construction applies to new commercial buildings through the design and construction phases, covering site, water, energy, materials, and indoor environment.

Question 2

What is the 'stack effect' in tall buildings, and why is it important for HVAC design?

Accepted Answer

Buoyancy-driven air movement from lower to upper floors in winter, causing infiltration and pressure differences

Answer

Stack effect occurs when warm, less-dense indoor air rises and escapes at the top of tall buildings in winter, drawing cold outdoor air in at the bottom, creating significant pressure differences that affect HVAC performance.

Question 3

In lighting design, what is the difference between 'illuminance' and 'luminance'?

Accepted Answer

Illuminance is light falling on a surface (lux/fc); luminance is light leaving a surface toward the eye (cd/m²)

Answer

Illuminance measures light incident on a surface (in lux or footcandles) and is what lighting designers target for tasks; luminance measures light reflected or emitted from a surface toward an observer's eye (in candela/m²) and relates to visual perception of brightness.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) in a building's mechanical system?

Accepted Answer

Transfer heat and moisture between exhaust and incoming fresh air streams to reduce conditioning loads

Answer

An ERV uses a heat and moisture exchange core to pre-condition incoming fresh air using the energy in building exhaust air, significantly reducing the heating or cooling load required to condition outdoor ventilation air.

Question 5

According to ASHRAE 55, thermal comfort is defined as a condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with which environmental variable combination?

Accepted Answer

Air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, air speed, metabolic rate, and clothing level

Answer

ASHRAE 55 identifies six factors determining thermal comfort: four environmental (air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air speed, humidity) and two personal (metabolic rate and clothing insulation).

BArch Bachelor of Architecture Practice Test

BArch Bachelor of Architecture Practice Test

BArch Bachelor of Architecture Environmental Systems & Sustainability 2