SFP Managing Sustainable Facilities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which greenhouse gas has the highest 100-year global warming potential (GWP) among common refrigerants?
- R-410A
- R-134a
- SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) (Correct answer)
- CO2 (R-744)
Correct answer: SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride)
SF6 has a GWP of approximately 23,500 over 100 years, far exceeding common refrigerants and CO2.
Question 2: A facility manager implements a commissioning (Cx) process on an existing building. This is best described as:
- Initial construction quality review
- Retrocommissioning to optimize existing systems for current needs (Correct answer)
- LEED certification documentation
- Emergency systems testing only
Correct answer: Retrocommissioning to optimize existing systems for current needs
Commissioning applied to an existing building is called retrocommissioning (RCx), aimed at improving operational performance of installed systems.
Question 3: What does the term 'embodied carbon' refer to in the context of sustainable facilities?
- Carbon emissions from daily building operations
- GHG emissions from materials extraction, manufacturing, transport, and construction (Correct answer)
- Carbon stored in landscaping and green roofs
- CO2 released by occupants through respiration
Correct answer: GHG emissions from materials extraction, manufacturing, transport, and construction
Embodied carbon encompasses all lifecycle GHG emissions tied to materials and construction processes, excluding operational energy use.
Question 4: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom 2012), Safety Data Sheets must follow which format?
- EPA Risk Assessment format
- GHS 16-section format (Correct answer)
- NFPA 704 diamond format
- NIOSH pocket guide format
Correct answer: GHS 16-section format
HazCom 2012 aligns with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), requiring a standardized 16-section SDS format.
Question 5: A facility manager wants to reduce urban heat island effect around a building. Which strategy is MOST effective for paved areas?
- Dark-colored asphalt paving
- High-albedo/reflective pavement materials (Correct answer)
- Impervious concrete with sealant
- Standard gray concrete
Correct answer: High-albedo/reflective pavement materials
High-albedo (reflective) pavements absorb less solar radiation and re-emit less heat, directly reducing the urban heat island effect.
Question 6: In a Scope 1, 2, 3 GHG emissions inventory, which category captures employee commuting emissions?
- Scope 1
- Scope 2
- Scope 3 (Correct answer)
- Scope 4
Correct answer: Scope 3
Employee commuting falls under Scope 3 indirect emissions, as it occurs outside of the facility's direct operational control.
Question 7: Which rating system specifically addresses the sustainability of operations and maintenance practices for existing buildings?
- LEED BD+C
- LEED O+M (Operations + Maintenance) (Correct answer)
- BREEAM New Construction
- Green Globes Design
Correct answer: LEED O+M (Operations + Maintenance)
LEED O+M (Operations + Maintenance) is designed to certify the sustainability of ongoing operations in existing buildings.
SFP Managing Sustainable Facilities 3
Which greenhouse gas has the highest 100-year global warming potential (GWP) among common refrigerants?