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

Pre-consumer recycled content refers to materials that have been diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process but have not yet been used by a consumer. Sawdust from a lumber mill, which is used to make composite board, is an example of pre-consumer recycled content because it is a by-product of the manufacturing process that is being repurposed into a new product.

References: The LEED v4 reference guide for Interior Design and Construction defines pre-consumer recycled content as material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process. This excludes materials that can be reclaimed within the same process they are created in1. Sawdust from a lumber mill is a waste by-product that is often repurposed into new products like composite board, making it a valid example of pre-consumer recycled content2.

 For the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Fundamental Commissioning and Verification, the final commissioning (Cx) report must include the results of functional performance tests. These tests ensure that the building’s energy-related systems are installed, calibrated, and perform according to the owner’s project requirements, the basis of design, and construction documents1.

References:

LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction Guide2.

Fundamental commissioning and verification - U.S. Green Building Council1.

For Energy and Atmosphere, Enhanced Commissioning, Option 1, one of the additional requirements beyond the basic commissioning is to review the contractor’s submittals to ensure they are in compliance with the design documents. This step is crucial to verify that the construction and installation of systems align with the intended design and performance goals1.

References:

LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction Guide, which includes details on Enhanced Commissioning requirements1.

The LEED Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, which provides guidance on the Enhanced Commissioning process2.

Industry resources that discuss the importance of reviewing contractor submittals as part of the Enhanced Commissioning process13.

Providing additional outside air can impact the energy consumption of a building, as it may require more energy to heat or cool this air to maintain comfortable indoor conditions. This can make it more challenging to achieve the Energy and Atmosphere Credit for Optimizing Energy Performance, which aims to reduce energy use and associated environmental impacts1.

References:

LEED v4: Interior Design + Construction Guide1.

LEED v4.1 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction2.

LEED v4 for Interior Design and Construction - current version3.

For the Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction calculations, all fixtures within the LEED project boundary must be included, both new and existing. The baseline for the existing fixtures should be the same as the baseline flush/flow rates used for the new fixtures. This approach ensures a consistent and fair comparison between the current and proposed water use.

References:

LEED v4 ID+C Reference Guide1

Indoor Water Use Reduction Calculator instructions2

LEED v4 water efficiency credit requirements3.

 Implementing passive design strategies should be the primary focus as they utilize the climate to maintain a comfortable temperature range in the building, reducing the reliance on mechanical heating and cooling systems. This approach can significantly improve energy performance and reduce operational costs by maximizing natural heating, cooling, and daylighting before considering mechanical or electrical systems.

References: The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction emphasizes the importance of passive design strategies within the integrative process for optimizing energy performance1. Additionally, the LEED v4 energy update reflects a focus on increased energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reductions, which can be effectively addressed through passive design23.

 The Integrative Process Credit under LEED AP Interior Design + Construction V4 emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach that includes various phases of a project. The correct phases that should be included to comply with the intent of this credit are Discovery, Design and Construction, Occupancy, Operations, and Feedback. This approach ensures that sustainable strategies are integrated from the earliest stages of the project and continue through to post-occupancy to maximize performance and sustainability.

References: The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction provides detailed guidance on the Integrative Process Credit, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that spans the entire project timeline12.

For a single tenant who occupies an entire building and wishes to achieve LEED certification for only a portion of the building, it is essential that the project boundary encompasses the entire construction scope. This means that all areas undergoing renovation must be included within the project boundary, and this boundary must be delineated by a clear, physical barrier.

References: The LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide stipulates that for LEED certification, the project boundary must include the full extent of the construction scope1. This ensures that all aspects of the renovation are accounted for in the certification process.

Reducing the area planned for surface parking and replacing it with additional green space can significantly increase the rainwater infiltration capacity. Green spaces allow for more rainwater to be absorbed into the ground, reducing runoff and potentially mitigating flooding. This is a sustainable strategy that can contribute to the site’s water management and support LEED credits related to rainwater management.

References:

LEED v4: Interior Design + Construction Guide1

Information on rainwater management and heat island reduction synergies2.

 To achieve the Materials and Resources Credit for Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients, a product can demonstrate material ingredient optimization through the GreenScreen v1.2 Benchmark. This method involves a screening processto assess the hazards of chemicals used in products and aims to reduce the use of chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment1.

References:

LEED v4.1 reference guide for Interior Design and Construction, specifically the section on Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients2.

“ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LEED V4 & V4.1 MRc4 Option 2” by Green Badger, which details the requirements and strategies for achieving Material Ingredient Optimization in LEED v4.11.