LEED-AP-BD+C LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C) Questions and Answers

A split review is an optional review process that allows project teams to submit the design and construction portions of their projects separately. This can help teams determine if the project is on track to achieve LEED certification at its preferred level, and identify any issues or clarifications needed before the final review. A split review also reduces the documentation burden and review time for the construction review12.

LEED awards Innovation points for Exemplary Performance when a project significantly exceeds standard credit requirements.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Credit: Low-Emitting Materials qualifies for an Innovation point if a project achieves additional thresholds for compliance.

Daylight (Option A) does not have an Exemplary Performance pathway.

Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance (Option C) is a prerequisite, so it cannot earn an Innovation point.

Acoustic Performance (Option D) also does not qualify for Exemplary Performance points.

Low-Emitting Materials (Option B) is eligible for Exemplary Performance, making it the correct answer.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

This option applies to projects that renovate an existing building that meets the definition of abandoned or blighted, and use new materials for at least 50% of the surface area. The project meets these criteria, as the warehouse is an existing building that is presumably abandoned or blighted, and the new construction will use new materials for 40% of the interior and some of the exterior. References: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Materials and Resources Credit, Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction, Option 4: Renovation of Abandoned or Blighted Building

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While increased ventilation improves indoor air quality, it can also lead to higher energy consumption, impacting LEED BD+C Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Optimize Energy Performance.

More ventilation requires more heating/cooling energy, which can increase energy use and reduce overall energy efficiency.

This can lower the points earned for energy optimization, since LEED rewards projects that minimize energy consumption.

Other credits (Options A, B, and D) are not directly affected by increased ventilation rates.

Energy performance is negatively impacted when additional ventilation leads to increased HVAC energy demand.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

For the Materials and Resources Credit, Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction, Option 2. Renovation of Abandoned or Blighted Buildings, up to 25% of the building surface area may be excluded from the credit calculation due to deterioration or damage1.

According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Option 2 of the Location and Transportation Credit, Green Vehicles requires the project to inventory the school fleet to develop and create a plan for all buses to meet the emission requirements. The plan must include a timeline for implementation and a budget. The emission requirements are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for heavy-duty vehicles1. References: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Location and Transportation Credit, Green Vehicles, Option 2: Green Buses or School-Owned Vehicles1

Makeup water meters, conductivity controllers and overflow alarms

According to the Water Efficiency Prerequisite for Indoor Water Use Reduction, cooling towers and evaporative condensers must be equipped with makeup water meters, conductivity controllers and overflow alarms to reduce water consumption and prevent water waste. These devices help monitor and control the water quality, flow rate and level of the cooling system, and alert the operators of any malfunctions or leaks.

This option requires the project team to calculate the weighted daily average of the number of trips per day for each qualifying route, using the formula provided in the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide. This option ensures that the transit service frequency is accurately represented and meets the minimum thresholds for weekday and weekend trips, as shown in Table 1 and Table 2 of the guide.

For LEED BD+C Location and Transportation (LT) Credit: Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses, Option 1: Surrounding Density, the project team must measure:

Residential density in dwelling units per acre (DU/acre) or dwelling units per hectare (DU/ha).

Non-residential density based on floor area ratio (FAR).

The density must be measured within a ¼-mile (0.40 km) radius of the project boundary.

This credit promotes high-density development and reduces urban sprawl, thereby improving access to amenities and public transportation.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

Using economizer strategies (A) can offset the additional energy required to increase ventilation. Economizers allow the HVAC system to bring in cooler outdoor air when conditions permit, thus reducing mechanical cooling needs. This method aligns with LEED’s goals for energy efficiency while maintaining indoor air quality. High MERV filters (B) may increase energy usage due to airflow resistance, and reducing duct size (D) can limit airflow efficiency, counteracting ventilation improvements.

According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the Thermal Comfort credit requires providing individual comfort controls for at least 50% of individual occupant spaces, and group controls for 100% of shared multioccupant spaces1. Individual comfort controls allow occupants to adjust one or more of the following: air temperature, air speed, radiant temperature, or humidity. Group controls are shared by two or more occupants within a thermal zone. The credit aims to promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well-being by providing quality thermal comfort. References: EQ Credit Thermal Comfort, LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction123

Smoking tobacco products must be prohibited within a building as a prerequisite to LEED certification, according to the Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite, Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control1. This prerequisite aims to prevent or minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air distribution systems to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), which is a known human carcinogen and a source of indoor air pollution2. The prerequisite requires the project to meet one of the following options:

Option 1. No Smoking. Prohibit smoking in the building and within 25 feet (8 meters) of all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.

Option 2. Smoking Areas. Designate smoking areas outside the building and at least 25 feet (8 meters) from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows. If smoking areas are enclosed, they must be negatively pressurized and vented directly to the outdoors. Prohibit smoking in all common areas of residential buildings and provide signage to indicate smoking and nonsmoking areas.

The other activities, such as burning fossil fuels, preparing non-organic foods, and manufacturing toxic chemicals, are not explicitly prohibited by any LEED prerequisites, although they may have negative impacts on the environment, health, and energy performance of the building.

The Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Interior Lighting, requires the project team to provide individual occupant lighting control for at least 90% of the individual occupant spaces, or at least 50% of the shared multi-occupant spaces. The lighting control must enable occupants to adjust the lighting to suit their individual tasks and preferences, and must have at least three lighting levels, excluding off1. Therefore, a three level (on, 25%, off) lighting control meets the requirements of this credit, while a two level (on, off) lighting control does not. A three level (on, 50%, off) or a three level (on, 75%, off) lighting control may also meet the requirements, depending on the lighting power density and the daylight availability in the space2.

LEED Building Design and Construction: Healthcare has additional appliance and process water requirements in Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction

LEED Building Design and Construction: New Construction and LEED Building Design and Construction: Healthcare have the same Water Efficiency credits, except for the Cooling Tower Water Use credit, which is only applicable to the former. However, the Indoor Water Use Reduction prerequisite differs between the two rating systems, as the Healthcare version requires additional calculations for appliance and process water use, such as medical equipment, laundry, and kitchen equipment.

The system boundary that a building life cycle analysis must be defined to account for is the cradle-to-grave stage, which includes the production, construction, use, and end-of-life stages of the building. This stage covers all the inputs and outputs of the building system, such as materials, energy, water, emissions, waste, and maintenance.

ENERGY STAR® (C) provides tools recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that assist with energy management strategies, benchmarking, and procurement guidelines. ENERGY STAR offers resources for energy performance benchmarking, operational efficiency, and product standards, which help project managers optimize energy use in line with LEED requirements. Green Seal (A) and SCAQMD (B) focus on materials and emissions, while SMACNA (D) provides guidelines for air quality management.

The basis of energy consumption in determining the percentage of green power or carbon offsets is the quantity of energy used by the project, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or British thermal units (Btu). Green power is electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, or geothermal. Carbon offsets are reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions from a project or activity that compensates for the emissions from another source. According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1, the Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Green Power and Carbon Offsets, requires the project to engage in a contract for qualified resources that meet the following requirements:

The contract term is at least five years.

The green power or carbon offsets are based on the quantity of energy consumed by the building.

The green power is Green-e Energy certified or the equivalent.

The carbon offsets are Green-e Climate certified, Verified Carbon Standard certified, Gold Standard certified, or the equivalent.

A benefit of earning Regional Priority credits is that the LEED project can achieve more sustainable outcomes by recognizing the issues that are a priority in the project’s location. Regional Priority credits are not new LEED credits, but instead are existing credits that USGBC regional councils and chapters have designated as being particularly important for their areas1. The incentive to achieve the credits is in the form of a bonus point. If an RP base credit is earned, then a bonus point is awarded to the project’s total points1. This way, the project can address the geographically specific environmental, social equity and public health priorities of its location2. References:

Regional priority credit lookup | U.S. Green Building Council

Regional Priority (RP) credits – U.S. Green Building Council

The credit that should be pursued when considering the regional context of frequent power supply grid fluctuations (brown-outs) is Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Demand Response. This credit encourages participation in demand response programs that reduce peak electricity demand and help stabilize the grid. It also provides an opportunity to earn regional priority points, which are bonus points for credits that address regional environmental issues. The other credits are not directly related to the regional context of brown-outs.

The LEED BD+C Location and Transportation (LT) Credit: Access to Quality Transit requires that a project be located near public transit options that meet ridership frequency requirements.

For bus stops, the project must be within ½ mile (0.8 km) walking distance of at least one qualifying bus route with two stops.

For rail, ferry, or streetcar stops, the project must be within ¼ mile (0.4 km) walking distance.

Planned transit must be both funded and scheduled for completion within the project’s timeline.

Only Option B meets LEED’s public transit access criteria.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

Detailed Explanation:

To meet the requirements for EVSE compliance under LEED, the equipment must adhere to regional, state, or local standards for electrical connectors. This ensures alignment with the local codes and practices for electric vehicle infrastructure, supporting accessibility and usability of EVSE. LEED prioritizes sustainable transportation by promoting infrastructure that meets standardized requirements, enabling efficient and effective EV charging.

The Basis of Design (BOD) is the document that contains the design team’s interpretation of the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR). The BOD describes the proposed systems and how they will meet the OPR, as well as the assumptions and criteria used for the design. The BOD is a key document for the Integrative Process credit and the Enhanced Commissioning credit in LEED BD+C12. References: LEED BD+C Reference Guide, Integrative Process, page 301; LEED BD+C Reference Guide, Enhanced Commissioning, page 681

Detailed Explanation:

Exemplary Performance for Rainwater Management requires achieving both Option 1 (Percentile of Rainfall Events) and Option 2 (Natural Land Cover Conditions). This demonstrates a superior level of stormwater management by addressing both the volume and quality of runoff, aligning with LEED’s goals of reducing stormwater impacts on surrounding ecosystems and water infrastructure.

Detailed Explanation:

The design charrette is a collaborative, multidisciplinary session aimed at optimizing green strategies throughout the project. This early-phase effort allows stakeholders to explore synergies among building systems, identify sustainability opportunities, and align project goals with LEED requirements. It is a prerequisite for the Integrative Process, fostering holistic design and operational performance improvements.

The Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Renewable Energy Production rewards projects that use renewable energy systems to offset building energy costs1. According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction2, the credit has two options: Option 1. On-Site Renewable Energy and Option 2. Off-Site Renewable Energy. Option 1 requires the project to use renewable energy systems that are located on the project site and that produce electricity or thermal energy for the project. The amount of renewable energy production is calculated based on the percentage of the annual energy cost that is offset by the renewable energy systems. Option 2 requires the project to use renewable energy systems that are located off the project site and that are owned by the project or have a long-term contract with the project. The amount of renewable energy production is calculated based on the percentage of the annual energy use that is offset by the renewable energy systems.

Therefore, among the given options, only Option D is relevant to the credit requirements, as it implies that the solar photovoltaic system is located on the project site and that the produced electricity is consumed by the project. The other options, such as carbon offsets, daylighting strategies, and passive solar strategies, are not directly related to the credit requirements, although they may have other benefits for the project.

According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1, the Integrative Process Prerequisite, Integrative Project Planning and Design, requires the project to assemble an integrated project team that includes at least four key project team members, in addition to the owner or owner’s representative. The key project team members are those who have the authority and responsibility to make design decisions and implement them during construction. The integrated project team should include professionals from different disciplines, such as architecture, engineering, landscape, interior design, construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance. The integrated project team should collaborate throughout the project phases, from discovery to occupancy, to achieve the project goals and optimize the building performance.

In the context of improving indoor environmental quality, specifically regarding lighting, the LEED BD+C guidelines recommend minimizing the use of direct-only overhead lighting to enhance occupant comfort and reduce glare. To achieve this, projects should ensure that no more than 25% of the total connected lighting load for all regularly occupied spaces is composed of direct-only overhead lighting. This approach encourages the use of alternative lighting strategies, such as indirect or diffused lighting, which contribute to a more comfortable and visually appealing environment. ​

This option requires the project to include all parking spaces that are outside the project boundary but are used by the project occupants, visitors, or customers in the calculations for the reduced parking footprint credit1. This option ensures that the project accounts for the total parking demand and supply associated with the project, regardless of the location of the parking spaces2.

A flexible dress code that permits seasonally appropriate clothing can promote both energy efficiency and thermal comfort in a building. This is because it allows occupants to adjust their clothing to the indoor and outdoor temperature variations, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. It also enhances the occupants’ satisfaction and productivity by allowing them to choose comfortable clothing. Surveying occupants about their comfort can help identify and address thermal comfort issues, but it does not necessarily improve energy efficiency. Providing individual space heaters can increase energy consumption and create thermal discomfort for other occupants. Turning off the lights after cleaning can save some energy, but it does not affect thermal comfort.

For LEED BD+C Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite: Fundamental Commissioning and Verification, the CxA is responsible for verifying that building systems are properly installed and functioning correctly.

This ensures compliance with the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and basis of design (BOD).

Developing a systems manual (Option D) is required for Enhanced Commissioning, not Fundamental Commissioning.

Reviewing the building after 10 months (Option B) is also part of Enhanced Commissioning, not Fundamental Commissioning.

Training verification (Option C) is beneficial but not a core responsibility for Fundamental Commissioning.

Verifying installation and performance (Option A) is the primary requirement for the CxA under Fundamental Commissioning.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, the Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction requires the project to reduce the aggregate water consumption from plumbing fixtures and fittings by at least 20% from the baseline. The baseline water consumption is determined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and subsequent rulings by the Department of Energy, or a local equivalent for projects outside the U.S. The plumbing fixtures and fittings that apply to the calculations are toilets, urinals, lavatory faucets (both private and public), showerheads, and kitchen sink faucets1. Pre-rinse spray valves, dishwashers, and commercial kitchen filling operations faucets are not included in the calculations, as they are considered process water uses1. Therefore, the correct answer is C, urinals, public lavatory faucets, kitchen sink faucets. References: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction, Requirements1

The bonus location valuation factor in several Materials and Resources credits under LEED AP BD+C V4 is intended to incentivize the purchase of products that support the local economy. Products extracted, manufactured, and produced within 100 miles (161 km) of the project are valued at 200% of their cost within the calculations1. This adds value to locally produced products and materials2.

Exemplary performance credits are one of the options to earn innovation points under the LEED v4.1 rating system. They are typically awarded for achieving double the credit requirements or the next incremental percentage threshold of an existing LEED v4.1 prerequisite or credit that allows exemplary performance. For example, to earn an exemplary performance point for the Energy and Atmosphere credit Optimize Energy Performance, the project must demonstrate a percentage improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared to the baseline building performance rating per ASHRAE 90.1-2010 by at least 12 percentage points for new construction, or by at least 16 percentage points for major renovations.

Discussing the project goals to help identify the credits and options that the team should attempt is an example of developing the LEED Scorecard. The LEED Scorecard is a tool that shows the potential points that a project can achieve under each credit category of the LEED rating system1. Developing the LEED Scorecard involves selecting the most appropriate credits and options based on the project’s goals, location, budget, and design2. The scorecard helps the project team track their progress and prioritize their actions throughout the design and construction process1. References:

LEED scorecard | U.S. Green Building Council

LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide - U.S. Green Building Council

This strategy would qualify as an innovation credit because it is not addressed in the LEED green building rating system, and it achieves significant, measurable environmental performance by educating the students and the community about the benefits of green building. The project team would need to identify the intent, requirements, submittals, and design approach of this strategy in the Basis of Design document1. This strategy is also listed as an example of innovation in the LEED Innovation Catalog2.

Providing a vehicular access drive that is less than 16 ft. (5 m) in width is considered an acceptable minor improvement within the wetland buffer for Location and Transportation Credit, Sensitive Land Protection. This credit requires avoiding development on land that meets one or more of the following criteria: prime farmland, floodplains, threatened or endangered species habitat, water bodies, wetlands, or land within 100 feet (30 meters) of these water bodies or wetlands1. However, the credit allows minor improvements within the wetland buffer if they are necessary for the project and have minimal environmental impact2. Examples of minor improvements include trails, boardwalks, stormwater outfalls, and utility crossings2. References:

Credit: Sensitive land protection | U.S. Green Building Council

NC-v4.1 LTc2: Sensitive land protection | LEEDuser

The rating system that is being used if all of the credits below have been submitted towards certification is Building Design and Construction: Hospitality. This is because the Location and Transportation Credit, Reduced Parking Footprint and the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Acoustic Performance are only available for the Hospitality rating system among the four options. The other two credits are common for all the rating systems. References: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, p. 301; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, p. 401; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, p. 411; LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, p. 421

According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Federal Renewal Community sites are designated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as areas that are eligible for tax incentives to encourage businesses to locate and hire residents within the community. These sites are considered High Priority Sites for project development, as they support the revitalization of economically distressed areas. The other federal agencies listed do not designate Federal Renewal Community sites. References: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Location and Transportation Credit, High Priority Site, Requirements1; U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Renewal Communities2

remediate sites already in decline

When a project team sustainably develops a project site, the design should aim to remediate sites already in decline, such as brownfields, degraded lands, or abandoned properties. By doing so, the project can restore the environmental quality, ecological functions, and social value of the site, as well as reduce the pressure on undeveloped lands and natural habitats. LEED offers credits for projects that choose to locate on and remediate sites already in decline, such as the Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Assessment and the Sustainable Sites Credit, Brownfields Remediation1.

The LEED Platinum certification requires the project to achieve exemplary performance in at least one credit that allows it, as specified in the LEED Reference Guide1. One of the credits that meets this criterion is the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, which focuses on providing healthy and comfortable indoor environments for occupants. The credit has two options: Quality Views and Enhanced Commissioning. Quality Views requires the project to have windows that provide views of natural scenery or water bodies, which can enhance the well-being and satisfaction of occupants. Enhanced Commissioning requires the project to have a comprehensive commissioning plan that ensures all systems are properly installed, tested, and operated before occupancy. Both options can help reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and create a positive sensory experience for occupants.

Detailed Explanation:

The energy-related systems analysis must align with the requirements of the Minimum Energy Performance prerequisite. This prerequisite ensures that energy systems are modeled to optimize performance and meet baseline criteria outlined in ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (or applicable standard). Including all system loads and occupants provides a comprehensive understanding of energy demands.

Using a non-native or non-adapted plant species on both the vegetated roof and ground level will impact the Sustainable Sites credit Site Development-Protect or Restore Habitat the most. This credit requires that at least 20% of the site area (excluding building footprint) or 5% of the site area (including building footprint) must be vegetated with native or adapted plants. Non-native or non-adapted plants do not qualify for this credit and may also have negative impacts on the local ecosystem and biodiversity. The other credits are not directly affected by the choice of plant species, although they may have other requirements related to vegetation, such as shading, reflectance, or lighting.

Regular building occupants are individuals who consistently use the building. According to LEED, this includes:

Staff (employees working full-time or part-time)

Primary and secondary students (school occupants)

Higher education students (university students who regularly attend)

Residents (permanent occupants of a residential building)

Retail customers, visitors, and periodic volunteers are considered transient occupants and are not classified as regular occupants.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

According to the LEED Campus Guidance, the campus approach allows projects that share a single location and site attributes to achieve separate LEED certification for each project, building space, or group on the master site. The campus approach can be used for certain credits that are influenced by the site conditions and infrastructure, such as Sustainable Sites credits. The LEED Campus Guidance provides a list of eligible credits for the campus approach, which includes the following Sustainable Sites credits1:

•Site Assessment

•Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat

•Open Space

•Rainwater Management

•Heat Island Reduction

•Light Pollution Reduction

Therefore, Heat Island Reduction, Light Pollution Reduction, and Rainwater Management are Sustainable Sites credits that are eligible to be used as a campus approach. Places of Respite, Site Master Plan, and Direct Exterior Access are not Sustainable Sites credits, but other credits or prerequisites that are not eligible for the campus approach1.

Materials and Resources Credit, Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Sourcing of Raw Materials, Option 2. Leadership Extraction Practices

Natural rubber flooring is a bio-based material that can contribute to the achievement of Option 2 of the Sourcing of Raw Materials credit, which requires using products that meet at least one of the responsible extraction criteria for at least 25%, by cost, of the total value of permanently installed building products in the project1. By meeting the Sustainable Agriculture Standard (SAN), the natural rubber flooring demonstrates that it has been produced in a way that conserves biodiversity, protects natural resources, and enhances social and economic well-being2. Therefore, the cost of the substituted flooring ($80,000) can be counted towards the credit threshold.

Under LEED BD+C Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, major renovations must achieve a minimum energy cost savings of 3% when incorporating renewable energy systems.

New construction projects require a 5% minimum savings.

Major renovations must achieve at least 3% savings.

Core and shell projects must achieve 2% savings.

For major renovations, LEED requires at least 3% energy savings, making Option B correct.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

Interior paint must always be included in Materials and Resources credits. This is because interior paint is considered as a permanently installed product, which is defined by the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction as "a product that is installed in a project permanently or semi-permanently, such that removal would require demolition or substantial renovation."1 Permanently installed products must be included in the calculations for the following Materials and Resources credits: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction, Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Environmental Product Declarations, Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Sourcing of Raw Materials, and Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients.1 The other options are not always included in Materials and Resources credits. Faucets (option A) and fire suppression systems (option D) are considered as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components, which are excluded from the scope of Materials and Resources credits unless they are specifically addressed by the credit requirements.1 Furniture (option B) is considered as a non-permanently installed product, which is optional to include in Materials and Resources credits, except for the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients credit, where furniture must be included if it is within the project scope.1 References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 5791; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 5801; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 5811; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 5821; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 5831

According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and U.S. Department of Energy, buildings account for approximately 40% of total energy consumption in the United States.

This includes electricity, heating, and cooling loads across residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

Buildings are the largest energy consumers, surpassing transportation and industry sectors.

LEED emphasizes energy efficiency to help reduce this 40% energy demand.

Buildings account for 40% of all energy consumption, making Option C the correct answer.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

For the building to receive one point for Location and Transportation Credit, Green Vehicles, the rate for green vehicles must be 80% less than the regular parking rate. Therefore, if the discounted parking rate is $450 per month, the rate for green vehicles must be $90 per month (20% of $450).

ASHRAE 90.1-2010 is the reference standard used to determine compliance with the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance when the whole building energy modeling option is used. This prerequisite requires demonstrating a 5% improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared to the baseline building performance rating per ASHRAE 90.1-2010, Appendix G1. The baseline building performance rating is based on a building design that meets the minimum requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-20102. References:

Prerequisite: Minimum energy performance | U.S. Green Building Council

Minimum Energy Performance - ASHRAE 90.1 - 2010

To achieve the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Demand Response, a project must create a comprehensive plan for responding to a demand response event (D). This includes a strategy for reducing electrical load when a demand response event is triggered by the utility provider. The plan should outline actions for shifting or reducing energy use during peak demand times to support grid stability. Permanent reductions (A), submetering (B), and specific load shift reductions (C) are not required for this credit.

For LEED BD+C Location and Transportation (LT) Credit: Sensitive Land Protection, Option 2, projects must be located outside of high-risk flood zones.

LEED aligns with FEMA’s 100-year floodplain definition, meaning projects must be located outside areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding annually.

Projects in flood-prone areas require additional mitigation measures.

The other options (B, C, and D) use incorrect flood frequency thresholds that do not align with LEED standards.

LEED requires projects to be entirely outside a 100-year floodplain (1% annual chance of flooding).

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

For Location and Transportation (LT) Credit: High Priority Site, Option 1: Historic District, the project team must confirm that at least 75% of land areas within 1/2 mile (0.80 km) are previously developed (B). This demonstrates that the project site is part of an infill area, supporting LEED’s goal to revitalize and use previously developed urban spaces while protecting undeveloped land. Options like Federal Renewal Community status (C) or brownfield designation (D) apply to different site categories.

The correct sequence for LEED certification is: Choose Rating System, Register, Submit documentation through LEED Online, Review, Certify (C). Projects begin by selecting the appropriate LEED rating system, then register with USGBC, followed by documentation submission for review. After review, certification is granted based on achieved points. This structured approach ensures accurate and consistent compliance with LEED standards.

LEED project boundaries that include multiple similar buildings which are all eligible for certification can be registered as a group project. A group project allows multiple buildings (or interior spaces within multiple buildings) on a shared site to be certified as a single LEED project. These projects must meet the criteria outlined in the LEED Campus Guidance for Projects on a Shared Site, such as having the same construction contract, ownership, management, space type, rating system, and compliance paths. A group project will receive one certification and rating for the entire group.

Detailed Explanation:

Projects located in areas with significant cultural value can attempt the Priority Designation option under LEED Location and Transportation credits. This designation rewards projects in high-priority locations, such as cultural heritage sites, promoting development that respects and preserves the historical and cultural significance of the area.

Detailed Explanation:

Regional Priority credits address environmental issues specific to a project’s geographic location. These credits encourage project teams to focus on local priorities, such as water conservation in arid regions or stormwater management in flood-prone areas, making sustainability efforts more context-sensitive.

This option requires the project to classify wood derived fuel as a recycled material that contributes towards the credit, because it is a waste material that is converted into a useful energy source1. Wood derived fuel can be used for heating, electricity generation, or co-firing with other fuels2. According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, recycled materials are those that have been reprocessed or remanufactured from recovered materials3.

Changing lighting fixtures in a conference room can affect multiple LEED credits. For LEED AP ID+C certification, the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Optimize Energy Performance and the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Credit: Interior Lighting are directly impacted, as updated lighting can improve energy efficiency and provide better control over light quality. Improved fixtures may optimize energy use, helping to achieve credits in energy performance. Additionally, achieving better interior lighting quality can positively influence occupant well-being.

The land associated with the project supports typical operations

According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the LEED project boundary must include all contiguous land that is associated with the project and supports its typical operations. This includes land altered as a result of construction and features used primarily by the project’s occupants, such as hardscape (parking and sidewalks), septic or stormwater treatment equipment, and landscaping1. Therefore, statement C is correct when defining the project boundary. Statement A is incorrect because the LEED project boundary must be contiguous. Statement B is incorrect because the LEED project boundary can include more than one building, as long as they are on the same site and share a common scope of work. Statement D is incorrect because there is no such requirement for the gross floor area of the LEED project to be a certain percentage of the gross land area within the LEED project boundary.

Source control is one of the control measures recommended by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA) for the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan. Source control means minimizing the generation and emission of indoor air pollutants from the construction activities and materials. Some examples of source control are1:

•Using low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and flooring systems that comply with the VOC limits of the applicable LEED credit.

•Storing absorptive materials in a protected area and covering them with plastic sheeting to prevent moisture and mold growth.

•Scheduling the installation of finish materials after the completion of wet and dusty work, such as concrete pouring, drywall sanding, and painting.

•Isolating work areas where high levels of contaminants are generated or used, such as welding, cutting, grinding, and solvent cleaning, and providing adequate ventilation and exhaust.

•Prohibiting smoking, eating, and drinking in the work areas, and providing designated areas for these activities.

The correct answer is D. Document total waste per building floor area.

According to the LEED v4.1 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Option 2 of the Construction and Demolition Waste Management credit requires projects to reduce the total construction waste generated by the project to less than 12.2 kilograms per square meter (2.5 pounds per square foot) of the building’s floor area1. This option rewards projects for implementing waste prevention strategies, such as designing for material optimization, prefabrication, modular construction, deconstruction, and reuse1. To meet the requirements of this option, projects must document the total weight or volume of all construction waste generated by the project, excluding land-clearing debris and excavated soil, and divide it by the building’s floor area1. Projects must also provide a narrative describing the waste prevention measures taken during design and construction1.

The Integrative Process Credit is a credit in LEED Building Design and Construction that supports high-performance, cost-effective project outcomes through an early analysis of the interrelationships among systems1. The credit requires project teams to perform analyses for both energy- and water-related systems before completing the schematic design, and to use the findings to inform the owner’s project requirements, basis of design, and design and construction documents1. The example given in the question is an illustration of how selecting a paint color with a higher light reflectance value can reduce the energy use and cost of lighting fixtures, which is an energy-related system. This strategy shows how the project team applied an integrative process to evaluate the impacts of different design options on the building performance and environmental benefits. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Integrative Process Credit.

According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the project must provide outdoor space that is at least 30% of the total site area (including the building footprint), of which at least 25% must be vegetated. In this case, the project must provide 0.3 x 240,000 ft2 = 72,000 ft2 (6 689 m2) of outdoor space, of which 0.25 x 72,000 ft2 = 18,000 ft2 (1 672 m2) must be vegetated. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 5411

A pilot credit identified by the LEED AP that is relevant to the project would be documented in LEED Online as an Innovation Credit. Pilot credits are proposed credits that are used to test and evaluate a strategy before they can be considered for incorporation into the LEED consensus process for approval by USGBC membership1. All other LEED v4 and v4.1 projects may register for pilot credits and pilot ACPs in LEED Online1.

Under LEED BD+C Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Renewable Energy Production, renewable biofuels must be sustainably sourced and not contaminated.

Non-mill residue forestry biomass waste qualifies as renewable biofuel because it consists of untreated wood residues from sustainable forestry operations.

Municipal solid waste is not considered renewable due to its mixed content.

Wood coated with paints, plastics, or resins is not renewable as it contains harmful chemicals.

Animal waste is not explicitly recognized by LEED as a renewable fuel.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

Detailed Explanation:

The LEED boundary for Phase 1 can include only the building site (Phase 1) but must commit to keeping the Phase 2 grounds undisturbed until the second phase begins. This approach aligns with LEED's requirement to define boundaries where work occurs and ensures environmental protection for future development areas.

An intensive vegetated roof is a roof that has a thick layer of soil and plants that provide shade, evapotranspiration, and stormwater management. It can reduce the heat island effect by lowering the surface and air temperature of the roof and the surrounding area. Artificial turf grass does not reduce the heat island effect because it is not a living plant and does not provide cooling benefits. A steep sloped roof with initial SRI of 35 does not meet the minimum requirement of 39 for Option 1 or 32 for Option 2 of the Heat Island Reduction credit. A low sloped roof with initial SRI of 64 exceeds the minimum requirement of 82 for Option 1 or 64 for Option 2, but it is not the best option among the choices because it only reflects solar radiation and does not provide other benefits such as shading, evapotranspiration, and stormwater management. References:

Heat Island Reduction credit in LEED BD+C: New Construction v4.1 - LEED v4.11

SpecTopics: Heat Island Reduction Credit and LEED® V4/V4.12

LEED Principle: Urban Heat Island Mitigation and Roofing3

The intent of the Sustainable Sites Prerequisite. Construction Activity Pollution Prevention is to reduce pollution from construction activities by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation. The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction states that "construction activities can have significant negative impacts on the environment, both at the project site and beyond. Erosion and sedimentation can degrade water quality, damage aquatic habitats, and increase flooding risks. Airborne dust can affect air quality, human health, and visibility. Construction vehicles and equipment can generate noise, traffic, and greenhouse gas emissions"1. The project team must implement an erosion and sedimentation control (ESC) plan that conforms to the 2012 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Construction General Permit or local equivalent, whichever is more stringent. The ESC plan must cover all construction activity on the project site, including clearing, grading, excavating, and demolition.

The distance between the project site and the manufacturing location is determined by the straight line distance. This is because the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction states that the distance should be measured as the crow flies1. The straight line distance is the shortest distance between two points on a plane, regardless of the mode of transportation or the road conditions. The image that you sent shows the straight line distance between the project site and the manufacturing location as the line segment AB.

Quality views are defined in LEED as those which consist of multiple elements of nature, weather, or movement that allow for a connection beyond the interior space. Views that allow a clear line of sight to the exterior via vision glazing, with a view factor of 3 or greater, qualify for this credit. Fixed glazing in common spaces can also contribute to this credit.

 According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1, the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Indoor Air Quality Assessment, Option 1. Flush-Out requires the project to perform a building flush-out by supplying a total air volume of 14,000 cubic feet of outdoor air per square foot of gross floor area while maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60°F and no higher than 80°F and relative humidity no higher than 60%. The gross floor area of the building is 1,000 ft2 and the ceiling height is 10 ft, so the required volume of supply air for the entire building flush-out is:

14,000 ft3/sf x 1,000 sf = 14,000,000 ft3

Light Emitting Diode (LED) is an energy efficient lamp type that is free from mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal that can pose health and environmental risks when released from broken or discarded lamps. LED lamps do not contain mercury or other hazardous substances, and they also have longer lifespans and lower energy consumption than other lamp types12. References: No mercury Lights | LEEDuser; LED Lighting

For Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Advanced Energy Metering, any individual energy end uses that represent 10% or more of the total annual energy consumption must be metered (A). This credit promotes ongoing energy management and helps identify large energy-consuming systems for efficiency improvements. Metering data from major end uses can provide insights into energy patterns, facilitating targeted actions to reduce consumption.

This option requires the project team to exclude public right-of-way areas, such as streets, sidewalks, and alleys, from the calculations of the surrounding existing density1. This option ensures that the density is measured based on the buildable land area, which is the area available for development or construction2.

For LEED BD+C Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Credit: Enhanced Air Quality Strategies, specific spaces that contain hazardous or odorous materials must be properly separated and ventilated to prevent contamination.

Chemical storage rooms require:

Deck-to-deck partitions (or hard ceilings) to contain contaminants.

Self-closing doors to reduce air transfer.

Dedicated exhaust systems to remove pollutants.

Data closets (Option A), conference rooms (Option B), and open offices (Option D) do not contain hazardous materials, so these ventilation strategies are not required.

Chemical storage areas require these measures to ensure air quality and occupant safety.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

According to the LEED AP BD+C V4 reference guide for Healthcare, places of respite must be outdoors or located in interior spaces with views of nature, and have options for shade or indirect sun for a portion of seating spaces. The other options are either incorrect or not required by the credit. References: LEED AP BD+C V4 reference guide for Healthcare, Places of respite

A sink in a hotel room bathroom is classified as a private lavatory faucet under Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use Reduction. According to the LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, a private lavatory faucet is defined as “a faucet that is not generally accessible and is used only by the building’s occupants and not by the public or visitors” 1. A sink in an office restroom, a school classroom, or a shared office restroom are examples of public lavatory faucets, which have different baseline flow rates and requirements.

Detailed Explanation:

Incorporating rooftop solar panels addresses glare concerns effectively by replacing reflective surfaces with photovoltaic modules while simultaneously supporting LEED credits for renewable energy production. This strategy avoids negative impacts on other credits, such as Heat Island Reduction or Energy Performance, and contributes positively to overall project sustainability.

The Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Demand Response rewards projects that participate in demand response programs that aim to reduce peak electricity demand and shift the load to off-peak periods. The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction states that "the intent of this credit is to increase participation in demand response technologies and programs that make energy generation and distribution systems more efficient, increase grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions"1. The project team must either implement a permanent demand response program or develop a plan to implement a program within a year of occupancy. The project team must also demonstrate that the building has the capability to reduce its peak electricity demand by at least 10% in response to demand response signals.

For LEED BD+C Materials and Resources (MR) Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization, teams must prioritize material selection based on environmental and sustainability attributes.

Including material requirements in project specifications ensures that all contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders follow the necessary sustainability criteria.

Selecting locally sourced materials (Option B) is beneficial, but it is not the primary focus of this credit.

Whole-building life-cycle analysis (Option C) is related to a different LEED credit (MR Credit: Whole-Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction).

Procuring materials directly from raw suppliers (Option D) is not a LEED requirement and does not ensure compliance with disclosure and optimization requirements.

Option A is the correct choice because defining sustainability criteria in specifications helps ensure LEED-compliant materials are used throughout the project.

(Source: Official LEED BD+C Reference Manual)

The Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance, Option 2. Prescriptive Compliance: ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide allows projects to follow the recommendations of the ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs) for different building types and climate zones. The AEDGs provide design guidance for buildings that use 50% less energy than those built to the requirements of the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2004 commercial code1. However, not all building types and sizes are covered by the AEDGs. According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction2, the following building types and sizes are eligible for this option:

Small to Medium Office buildings up to 100,000 ft2 (9 290 m2)

Medium to Large Retail buildings up to 100,000 ft2 (9 290 m2)

K-12 School buildings up to 200,000 ft2 (18 580 m2)

Warehouse and Distribution Center buildings up to 500,000 ft2 (46 450 m2)

Therefore, among the given options, only the school project is eligible to pursue this option, as it falls within the size limit for the K-12 School AEDG3.

According to the LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, the bicycle network must connect to a rapid transit stop that is within 3 mi. (5 km) biking distance of the project boundary. This is one of the options to meet the requirement for Option 1: Bicycle Network and Storage. The other options are to connect to at least 10 diverse uses or to connect to a school or employment center that is within 3 mi. (5 km) biking distance of the project boundary. References: LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Location and Transportation Credit: Bicycle Facilities, Option 1: Bicycle Network and Storage1

According to the LEED BD+C Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs), a project's gross floor area must be no less than 1% of the gross land area within the LEED project boundary. This requirement ensures that the project includes a building component that is significant enough to warrant LEED certification, distinguishing it from projects that are primarily land developments without substantial building structures. ​

Data centers is the only LEED BD+C rating system that mandates a preliminary LEED meeting with the principal members of the project team to create a LEED action plan that includes the anticipated certification tier, targeted credits and parties responsible for each credit. This is because data centers have unique design and operational characteristics that require a more integrative and customized approach to achieve LEED certification. The preliminary LEED meeting is intended to facilitate early goal setting, alignment, and communication among the project team members12. References: LEED BD+C Reference Guide, Data Centers, page 91; LEED v4.1 BD+C: Data Centers

Massing and orientation are important factors that affect the energy performance of a building. Massing refers to the shape and size of the building, and orientation refers to the direction that the building faces. By rotating the building 90 degrees, the project team can evaluate how the change in orientation affects the energy loads of the building, such as heating, cooling, and lighting. For example, a building that faces south may receive more solar heat gain and daylight than a building that faces north, which may reduce the need for artificial lighting and heating, but increase the need for cooling and shading. The project team can use the results of the analysis to optimize the massing and orientation of the building to achieve the best energy performance.

Showers are addressed under Water Efficiency (WE) Prerequisite: Indoor Water Use Reduction and Location and Transportation (LT) Credit: Bicycle Facilities. Showers in indoor water use reduction help minimize potable water consumption, while in the Bicycle Facilities credit, they support cycling commuters by providing end-of-trip facilities. The other options refer to credits or prerequisites unrelated to shower facilities.

Detailed Explanation:

For the Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses credit, LEED requires project teams to calculate residential and non-residential densities within a 1/4-mile (0.40 km) radius of the project boundary. This measurement ensures that projects are located in areas with sufficient infrastructure and services to reduce dependency on vehicles and promote walkability.

The WaterSense label or local equivalent requirement in Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction ensures that eligible newly installed plumbing fixtures will be both water efficient and high performing. The WaterSense label is a voluntary program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that identifies and promotes water-efficient products that meet EPA’s specifications for water efficiency and performance. The label applies to tank-type toilets, water-using urinals, private lavatory faucets, and showerheads. For projects outside the U.S., local equivalents may be used if they meet the same criteria as WaterSense or are listed on the USGBC website. The label does not imply that the fixtures are LEED compliant, comply with mandatory federal government regulations, or comply with all international plumbing system requirements. References:

Water Efficiency Prerequisite: Indoor Water Use Reduction in LEED BD+C: New Construction v4.1 - LEED v4.11

What is the WaterSense Label and How Does it Apply?2

LEED QUALIFICATION GUIDE - v43

WaterSense Labeled Homes4

This option requires the project to increase the breathing zone outdoor airflow by at least 20% above the minimum rates required by ASHRAE 62.1-2010. Therefore, the minimum design zone outdoor airflow is 0.120 CFM/ft2 x 1.2 = 0.144 CFM/ft2.

The minimum scope of analysis for a product-specific declaration is cradle-to-gate, which means from raw material extraction to the factory gate. This option requires the use of at least 20 different permanently installed products sourced from at least five different manufacturers that have product-specific declarations.

An economic advantage of the infill site is that it reduces the need for new utility infrastructure. This is because the infill site is located within an existing urban area that already has access to water, sewer, electricity, and other utilities1. The developer can save on the costs of extending or installing new utility lines and services to the rural greenfield site, which may not have adequate or reliable utility infrastructure2. The other options are not economic advantages, but rather environmental benefits of the infill site. Protecting greenfields and farmland, preserving habitat and natural resources, and reducing potential damage to an existing stream are all positive outcomes of avoiding development on the rural greenfield site, but they do not directly translate into monetary savings for the developer3.

LEED requires that at least 50% of a building’s annual electricity consumption be offset by green power or carbon offsets to achieve the Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Green Power and Carbon Offsets. For this building with a projected annual consumption of 2,200,435 kWh, half of this amount, 1,100,218 kWh, must be purchased from green sources to meet the credit requirements. This strategy helps mitigate carbon emissions by promoting the use of renewable energy.

Peak-hour is a term used to describe the time period when the traffic noise is highest, usually during morning and evening rush hours. Peak-hour noise level is measured by the equivalent continuous sound level (Leq), which is an energy-average of the noise level over a specified sample time. For minimum acoustic performance, LEED requires projects to implement acoustic treatment and other measures to minimize noise intrusion from exterior sources for high-noise sites (peak-hour Leq above 60 dBA during school hours).

Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low-Impact Development (LID) rainwater management strategies improve upon the conventional approach for rainwater management by replicating a site’s natural hydrology. GI and LID are design approaches that use various practices to mimic the natural water cycle and reduce the negative impacts of development on the environment. They aim to preserve, restore, or create natural features that can capture, infiltrate, evaporate, or reuse rainwater on site, rather than conveying it to a centralized stormwater system. By doing so, they can reduce runoff volume and peak flow, improve water quality, enhance groundwater recharge, increase biodiversity, and create more attractive and resilient landscapes. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. The other options are not true for GI and LID strategies. Discharging rainwater at a faster rate (option B) would increase the risk of flooding, erosion, and pollution downstream. Increasing a site’s impervious surface (option C) would reduce the infiltration and evaporation of rainwater and increase runoff and heat island effects. Providing a greater volume of rainwater detention (option D) would not necessarily improve the site’s hydrology, as detention is only a temporary storage of rainwater that does not address the runoff quality or quantity issues. For more information on GI and LID rainwater management strategies, you can refer to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1 or the Green CE course on Rainwater Management for LEED v4.1 Projects2.

The intent of the Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Outdoor Water Use Reduction is to reduce outdoor water consumption by either eliminating the need for irrigation or reducing the irrigation demand by at least 30% from the baseline. This prerequisite requires project teams to evaluate the project’s outdoor water budget and irrigation water demand using the EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool or a local equivalent. This will help project teams to estimate and optimize water use in landscape designs by selecting appropriate plant species and irrigation system efficiency.

The Integrative Process credit under the LEED BD+C v4 rating system encourages the coordination of all the project team members, starting from the predesign phase, to discover unique opportunities for project design, enhanced building performance, and green features. The three phases within the Integrative Process Credit are:

Discovery phase: This involves investigating at least two energy-related and several water-related sustainable design strategies prior to the end of schematic design1.

Design and Construction (implementation) phase: This requires the project teams to turn their findings into reality2.

Occupance, Operations, and Performance Feedback phase: This phase involves the evaluation of the implemented strategies and their effectiveness3.

Using plug-in devices can affect the energy performance of the building, which is one of the criteria for achieving Indoor Environmental Quality Credit. Thermal Comfort. The LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction states that "the project team must demonstrate that the proposed design meets the minimum energy performance requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010, Appendix G, with errata"1. Plug-in devices are considered as part of the process loads in the energy model, and they can increase the energy consumption and demand of the building. Therefore, the project team must account for the plug-in devices in the energy model and ensure that the proposed design meets or exceeds the baseline performance rating.