CCM CCM Sustainability and Environmental Management Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does LEED stand for in the context of sustainable construction?
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Correct answer)
- Licensed Engineering and Environmental Development
- Low Energy Efficiency Design
- Land Evaluation and Environmental Documentation
Correct answer: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the most widely recognized green building certification program in the US.
Question 2: Which federal law primarily governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste on construction sites?
- Clean Air Act
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (Correct answer)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act
- Davis-Bacon Act
Correct answer: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
RCRA governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, setting standards for managing construction-generated waste and hazardous materials.
Question 3: What is a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?
- A budget plan for stormwater drainage infrastructure
- An EPA-required document to manage and prevent runoff pollution from construction sites (Correct answer)
- A flood insurance policy for construction projects
- A maintenance schedule for on-site drainage systems
Correct answer: An EPA-required document to manage and prevent runoff pollution from construction sites
A SWPPP is required by the EPA under the Clean Water Act to identify pollution sources and describe practices to prevent stormwater pollution from construction sites.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on a construction project?
- To estimate total project costs
- To evaluate potential environmental effects before project approval (Correct answer)
- To certify contractor environmental qualifications
- To assess worker health risks only
Correct answer: To evaluate potential environmental effects before project approval
An EIA evaluates potential environmental effects of a proposed project, informing decision-makers and the public before construction is approved.
Question 5: Which construction practice most effectively helps reduce the urban heat island effect?
- Using dark-colored roofing materials
- Increasing impervious paved surfaces
- Installing green roofs and cool roofs with high solar reflectance (Correct answer)
- Removing vegetation surrounding buildings
Correct answer: Installing green roofs and cool roofs with high solar reflectance
Green roofs and cool roofs reflect solar radiation and reduce heat absorption, directly mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Question 6: Which best practice for construction waste management can also contribute to earning LEED credits?
- Landfilling all excess materials for convenience
- Ordering large material surpluses as a procurement buffer
- Implementing a waste management plan prioritizing recycling and reuse (Correct answer)
- Burning combustible waste on-site to reduce hauling costs
Correct answer: Implementing a waste management plan prioritizing recycling and reuse
A waste management plan prioritizing recycling and reuse reduces landfill impact and qualifies projects for LEED Materials and Resources credits.
What does LEED stand for in the context of sustainable construction?