LEED AP BD+C 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under LEED BD+C, which strategy qualifies for the 'Green Vehicles' credit?
- Providing subsidized bus passes to all employees
- Reserving preferred parking spaces for zero-emission or low-emitting fuel-efficient vehicles (Correct answer)
- Installing EV charging stations accessible only to visitors
- Banning gasoline-powered vehicles from the site
Correct answer: Reserving preferred parking spaces for zero-emission or low-emitting fuel-efficient vehicles
The Green Vehicles credit requires that a percentage of preferred parking spaces be designated for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles, with or without EV charging.
Question 2: Which LEED BD+C credit or prerequisite requires that buildings be protected from tobacco smoke contamination?
- Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies
- Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control Prerequisite (Correct answer)
- Low-Emitting Materials
- Construction IAQ Management Plan
Correct answer: Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control Prerequisite
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control is an IEQ prerequisite requiring prohibition of smoking inside buildings and near entries, operable windows, and air intakes.
Question 3: What is the minimum number of LEED points required to achieve LEED Platinum certification under LEED v4 BD+C?
- 40 points
- 50 points
- 60 points
- 80 points (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 80 points
LEED Platinum requires a minimum of 80 points out of 110 possible points under LEED v4 BD+C.
Question 4: A project team is pursuing the Acoustic Performance credit in a LEED BD+C school project. Which factor is most directly measured for this credit?
- Reverberation time and background noise levels in core learning spaces (Correct answer)
- Number of acoustic ceiling tiles installed
- Distance from the nearest highway or airport
- Percentage of walls with sound-absorbing insulation
Correct answer: Reverberation time and background noise levels in core learning spaces
The Acoustic Performance credit for schools evaluates reverberation time and maximum background noise levels (HVAC and ambient) in classrooms and core learning spaces.
Question 5: Under LEED BD+C, what is a 'credit interpretation ruling' (CIR)?
- A formal GBCI ruling that clarifies how a specific credit applies to an unusual project situation (Correct answer)
- A mandatory design review by the USGBC technical committee
- An alternate compliance path automatically available for all credits
- A waiver that exempts a project from a prerequisite
Correct answer: A formal GBCI ruling that clarifies how a specific credit applies to an unusual project situation
A Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR) is a formal request submitted to GBCI asking for guidance on how a credit applies to a project's unique circumstances.
Question 6: The LEED BD+C Materials and Resources credit 'Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction' primarily rewards which approach?
- Using materials with recycled content above 30%
- Adaptive reuse of existing building structures or interiors to reduce embodied carbon (Correct answer)
- Sourcing all materials from within 100 miles of the project
- Selecting materials with EPDs from at least 20 manufacturers
Correct answer: Adaptive reuse of existing building structures or interiors to reduce embodied carbon
Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction rewards reuse of existing structures, shells, or interiors because preserving embodied energy in existing materials significantly reduces environmental impact.
Question 7: Which statement correctly describes the relationship between LEED prerequisites and credits?
- Prerequisites are optional but earn bonus points; credits are mandatory
- Prerequisites are mandatory with no points awarded; credits are optional and earn points (Correct answer)
- Both prerequisites and credits are optional; only credits earn points
- Prerequisites earn double points because they are required
Correct answer: Prerequisites are mandatory with no points awarded; credits are optional and earn points
All LEED prerequisites must be met to achieve certification and earn zero points; credits are optional and each awarded point contributes toward the certification level.
LEED AP BD+C 5
Under LEED BD+C, which strategy qualifies for the 'Green Vehicles' credit?