Pass the USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-AP-ID+C Questions and answers with CertsForce

Occupancy numbers are a critical factor in multiple LEED credits as they directly influence calculations related to the usage and efficiency of resources and amenities. For the Location and Transportation Credit, Access to Quality Transit, knowing the occupancy numbers helps in understanding the potential demand for public transit facilities. Similarly, for the Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction, occupancy numbers are essential for accurately calculating water use and setting reduction targets. Lastly, the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Quality Views, considers the occupants' access to natural vistas, which is influenced by the number of people using the space. Consistent reporting of occupancy numbers ensures that the assessments for these credits are based on accurate and comparable data, reflecting the true usage patterns and needs of the building.References:

LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction Reference Guide, particularly the sections on Location and Transportation Credit, Access to Quality Transit; Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction; and Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Quality Views

According to LEED v4 requirements, all newly installed fittings and fixtures that are eligible for the WaterSense label must have a WaterSense label (or a local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.). This ensures that the fixtures meet both water-efficient and high-performance testing standards. Among the options provided, a private lavatory faucet is a fitting that would be newly installed and is eligible for the WaterSense label, thus requiring it12.

References:

LEED v4 Water Efficiency Prerequisite 2 (WEp2) mandates that all newly installed fittings and fixtures eligible for the WaterSense label must have it1.

The WaterSense label is a mark of water efficiency and performance, which aligns with the goals of LEED certification2.

The view factor is a measure used in LEED to quantify the quality of views for occupants within a space. In the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Quality Views, the rating scale for view factors ranges from 0 (no view) to 5 (maximum view). In the provided diagram, it appears that the space has large windows that provide ample daylight and a view to the outside, which is a key consideration for quality views.

Although the specific outdoor view cannot be determined from the diagram alone, the presence of large windows and the potential for expansive views suggests a high view factor. View Factor 4 is typically assigned to spaces where the view window head height is at least 7 feet 6 inches above the floor, allowing occupants a clear line of sight to the outdoors. This would contribute significantly to the occupants' connection with the outdoor environment, thus scoring higher on the scale.

It is important to note that the exact view factor cannot be precisely determined without additional context regarding the actual visible content outside the windows. However, based on the scale provided and typical LEED scoring, View Factor 4 seems appropriate given the sizeable windowed areas depicted, assuming they provide a clear and unobstructed view to the exterior.References:

LEED v4 for Interior Design and Construction Reference Guide, specifically the section on Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Quality Views

For the documentation of the energy-related systems of the Integrative Process worksheet, it is required to provide a detailed comparative energy model before completing the schematic design. This model evaluates energy load reduction strategies, including plug load reductions. The process involves analyzing various strategies to understand their impact on the building’s energy performance, thereby enabling the project team to make informed decisions on which strategies to implement1.

References:

Integrative Process Worksheet for the Integrative Process credits in the BD+C and ID+C rating systems1.

Understanding Integrative Design in LEEDv42.

Controlling the admission of natural light into an office space can contribute to the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, specifically the Interior Lighting credit. This strategy aligns with the intent to provide building occupants with comfortable lighting environments that promote productivity and well-being. By managing natural light, the project can optimizethe use of daylight and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, which is a key aspect of the Interior Lighting credit.

References: The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction outlines the requirements for the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, including strategies for interior lighting that involve the control and use of natural light12.

For the LEED AP ID+C V4 Materials and Resources Credit, under Interiors Life Cycle Impact Reduction, Option 1: Interior Reuse, hazardous materials that are remediated as part of the project must be excluded from the calculation. This ensures that the assessment of reused materials does not inadvertently promote the retention of hazardous substances in the interior space.

References: The information is based on the guidelines provided by the U.S. Green Building Council, specifically for the LEED v4 Interior Design and Construction rating system, which outlines the exclusion of hazardous materials from life cycle impact calculations1.

For the Regional Priority Credit under LEED AP ID+C V4, the documentation must include the project’s location. This is because Regional Priority credits are based on geolocation, which is used to identify the environmental, social equity, and public health priorities specific to the project’s region12.

References:

The LEED Credit Library and the Regional Priority database lookup tool, which emphasize the importance of geolocation for determining Regional Priority credits1.

The USGBC support page for Regional Priority (RP) credits, which details the process of using a project’s geolocation to identify RP credits2.

The standard reference used to find minimum ventilation rates for LEED ID+C projects is ASHRAE 62.1-2010. This standard provides the necessary guidelines for ensuring acceptable indoor air quality and specifies the minimum ventilation rates required to achieve this.

References: The LEED v4 reference guide for Interior Design and Construction references ASHRAE 62.1-2010 as the standard for Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance12.

According to the LEED AP ID+C reference guide, for the purpose of achieving the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit under Enhanced IAQ Strategies, CO2 monitoring should be implemented in all densely occupied spaces1. The public areas of a hotel, including the front desk, lobby, restrooms, and corridor, are typically not considered densely occupied spaces. Therefore, a single CO2 monitor in a central location like the lobby could suffice for the entire public area to meet the requirements of the credit.

References:

LEED v4: Interior Design + Construction Guide1.

Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies, LEEDuser1.

According to the EPA’s hierarchy, source reduction is prioritized because it addresses the environmental impacts of materials across their entire life cycle. This includes the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, usage, and end-of-life management, including recycling and disposal. By reducing the amount of material used, source reduction minimizes the environmental footprint throughout the entire process.

References: The explanation aligns with the principles outlined in the EPA’s waste management hierarchy, which emphasizes the importance of source reduction as the most preferred approach to managing materials and waste streams12. This is also consistent with the sustainable materials management strategies detailed in the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction3.