CHAPTER 5 - SUSTAINABLE SITES

Question 1

first step towards any project

Answer 1

SITE SELECTION

Question 2

interacts with the Location and Transportation credit category as SS also depends on the chosen location but focuses on the existing site conditions rather than its surroundings.

Answer 2

SUSTAINABLE SITES (SS)

Question 3

considers the whole development footprint
including landscaping and hardscapes. The goal of the site design is to determine the site’s ability to support the building while minimizing its environmental impacts.

Answer 3

SUSTAINABLE SITE DESIGN

Question 4

It is essential to minimize environmental impacts during the construction process. Construction activities result in:
● The loss of the topsoil
● Loss of nutrients, soil compaction and decreased biodiversity
● Water pollution due to water runoff which carries pollutants and
sediments to receiving water
● Airborne dust which causes environmental and health issues
● The degradation of water bodies and aquatic habitats

Answer 4

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY POLLUTION PREVENTION – SSP1

Question 5

The project team must develop and implement an ________________ to reduce construction pollution; the ESC plan must comply with the 2012 EPA General Construction Permit or local codes, whichever is more stringent.

Answer 5

Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan (ESC)

Question 6

The first credit is part of the integrative process and logically deals with determining existing site conditions.

Answer 6

SITE ASSESSMENT - SSC1

Question 7

Contour mapping and slope stability risks.

Answer 7

TOPOGRAPHY

Question 8

Flood hazard areas, delineated wetlands and other bodies of water

Answer 8

HYDROLOGY

Question 9

Solar exposure, heat island effect potential, sun angles, winds, precipitation and temperature

Answer 9

CLIMATE

Question 10

Plant types, tree mapping, threatened or
endangered species, and unique habitat

Answer 10

VEGETATION

Question 11

prime farmland, healthy soils, previous development, disturbed soils

Answer 11

SOILS

Question 12

Views, transportation infrastructure, adjacent
properties and materials effects

Answer 12

HUMAN USE

Question 13

Proximity of vulnerable populations, and
proximity to sources of air pollution

Answer 13

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS

Question 14

The intent of this credit is to conserve the existing natural
features and attempt to restore what was originally on the
site.
This credit has two options:

1. Protect 40% of greenfield area (if greenfield exists) - AND -
   Restore 30% of developed land (including building footprint) with
   native/adaptive vegetation
   - OR -
2. Provide financial support ($0.40/sf) for total site area to a Land Trust Alliance organization within the same EPA ecoregion

Land Trust – non-profit organization that actively
works to conserve land through conservation
easement or acquisition

Answer 14

SITE DEVELOPMENT: PROTECT AND RESTORE HABITAT – SSC2

Question 15

Open Space is equal to the property area, subtracting the development’s landscape footprint and is essentially the vegetated land on site. Open space provides a habitat for vegetation and wildlife; while reducing the urban heat island
effect, increasing storm water infiltration and connecting humans to the outdoors. A compact high- rise building with the same square footage as a low-rise building reduces the building footprint and minimizes the disturbance of the
existing ecosystem.

This credit has requirements based on open space set aside:
1. 30% of site area (including building footprint) must be open space
– 25% of that open space must be vegetated or have a tree canopy
– Outdoor space must be accessible and useful for building occupants

These spaces can be used for many purposes such as social and physical activities and community gardens.

Answer 15

SITE DEVELOPMENT: MAXIMIZE OPEN SPACE – SSC3

Question 16

vegetative roof not designed for
human access and minimal maintenance

Answer 16

Extensive Green Roof

Question 17

vegetative roof with a variety of plants
and human uses. Native and adaptive plants are
encouraged

Answer 17

INTENSIVE GREEN ROOF

Question 18

Projects that achieve a density of___________, vegetated roofs can be used toward the minimum 25% vegetation requirement

Answer 18

1.5+ floor-area ratio (FAR)

Question 19

often includes strategies to collect and reuse storm water to reduce the water runoff from the site.

Answer 19

A storm Water Management plan (SWP)

Question 20

strategies to manage stormwater addresses both water

Answer 20

quality and quantity

Question 21

– Capture and treat 95th percentile rainfall events (IE (95% of all
rainfall events do not exceed the 95th percentile runoff volume)

Answer 21

USE LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Question 22

– Amount to manage = (Post Development Runoff - natural land cover condition runoff)

Answer 22

NATURAL LAND COVER CONDITION MANAGEMENT

Question 23

management approaches and
technologies that help water infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural
hydrologies

Answer 23

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Question 24

emphasizes on-site natural
features to protect water quality, by replicating the natural land cover hydrologic regime of watersheds, and
addressing runoff close to its source (IE. maintain vegetative swales, rain gardens and minimize impervious cover.

Answer 24

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT

Question 25

defined as the thermal differences between developed and undeveloped areas. Urban areas experience higher temperatures as compared to their surrounding rural counterparts due to: - The abundance of dark hardscapes such as asphalt and concrete which absorb and store heat during day and release it at night. - Insufficient ventilation due to narrow streets, high buildings, vehicles exhaust - The lack of evapotranspiration which increases the heat island effect and contributes to urban smog.

Answer 25

HEAT ISLAND - HEAT ISLAND REDUCTION - SSC5

Question 26

as the rise in temperatures from 2 to 10 degrees in urban areas higher than surrounding rural areas, addressing both roof and non-roof components in two different credits under the sustainable sites category. Cool pavements and cool roofs are terms referring to materials with lower emissivity and higher albedo and subsequently higher Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).

Answer 26

LEED REFERING TO HEAT ISLAND

Question 27

emissivity is the ability of a material to emit heat by radiation.

Answer 27

EMITTANCE

Question 28

albedo is the fraction of the solar energy reflected by a surface defined as a number between 0 and 1. The higher the number the better the roof reflects energy.

Answer 28

SOLAR REFLECTANCE

Question 29

the measure of the constructed surface ability to reject solar heat, a combined value of reflectivity and emissivity. It is defined so that standard black is zero (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) and standard white is 100 (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90). This is used for roof surfaces.

Answer 29

SOLAR REFLECTANCE INDEX (SRI)

Question 30

Decrease areas of impervious _____________and use higher solar reflectance materials. Use cool pavements with three year aged SR of .28 (or Initial SR of 0.33) or higher, or open grid systems which are 50% or more previous.

Answer 30

hardscapes

Question 30

the fraction of solar energy that is reflected by a surface on a scale of 0 to 1. Black paint is 0 and white paint is 1. This is used for non-roof surfaces

Answer 30

SOLAR REFLECTANCE (SR)

Question 31

provide shading for 50% of the hardscape area by taking advantage of existing tree canopies OR new trees anticipating their size and shade within 10 years of installation OR add shading structures covered by solar panels OR architectural features with SR .28 or higher.

Answer 31

SHADING

Question 32

locate 75%+ of parking spaces under roofs or shades with Initial SRI > 39 - or - 3 year aged SRI > 32, or a vegetative root or energy generation systems.

Answer 32

PARKING

Question 33

SLOPE OF LOW-SLOPED ROOF

Answer 33

<= 2:12

Question 34

SLOPW OF STEEPED SLOPED ROOF

Answer 34

>2:12

Question 35

INITIAL SRI OF LOW-SLOPED ROOF

Answer 35

82

Question 36

INITIAL SRI OF STEEP SLOPED ROOF

Answer 36

39

Question 37

3-YEAR AGED SRI OF SLOPE ROOF

Answer 37

64

Question 38

3-YEAR AGED SRI OF STEEP SLOPED ROOF

Answer 38

32

Question 39

Excessive or intrusive artificial night lights cause_____________. _______disrupts ecosystems, affects health and reduces night sky observation.

Answer 39

light pollution

Question 40

LEED promotes well designed lighting systems that reduce light pollution. ______________credit’s intent is to minimize light trespass from the building and its site, reduce sky glow to increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility through glare reduction and reduce development impact on nocturnal environments.

Answer 40

LIGHT POLLUTION REDUCTION – SSC6

Question 41

Determine the project’s lighting zone according to the requirements of IESNA RP-33 as follows: -No Ambient Lighting

Answer 41

LZ0

Question 42

Determine the project’s lighting zone according to the requirements of IESNA RP-33 as follows: -Dark (park and rural settings)

Answer 42

LZ1

Question 43

Determine the project’s lighting zone according to the requirements of IESNA RP-33 as follows: -Low (residential areas and neighborhood business districts)

Answer 43

LZ2

Question 44

Determine the project’s lighting zone according to the requirements of IESNA RP-33 as follows: -Medium (commercial/industrial and high density residential)

Answer 44

LZ3

Question 45

Determine the project’s lighting zone according to the requirements of IESNA RP-33 as follows: -High (major city centers and entertainment districts)

Answer 45

LZ4

Question 46

Based on the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) TM standard – do not exceed luminaire ratings per zone

Answer 46

Backlight-Uplight-Glare (BUG) Method

Question 47

Do not exceed the maximum allowed percentage of total luminaire lumens emitted above horizontal/vertical

Answer 47

Calculation Zone

Question 48

- Reduce power to all non-emergency lighting with a direct line of sight to building envelope openings, such as windows and doors during off-schedule hours or curfew times. - Provide automatic shielding, for all non-emergency lighting with a direct line of sight to building envelope openings, such as windows and doors. - Develop a computer model for more accurate design and selection of lighting systems and fixtures - Comply with ASHRAE 90.1 lighting densities - Use low angle lights and full cutoff light fixtures

Answer 48

Light Pollution Reduction Strategies Interior Lighting

Question 49

Achieve 4 of the following 6 credits: · LT Credit: High Priority Site · SS Credit: Site Development Protect or Restore Habitat · SS Credit: Open Space · SS Credit: Rainwater Management · SS Credit: Heat Island Reduction · SS Credit: Light Pollution Reduction

Answer 49

SCHOOLS ONLY - SITE MASTER PLAN SSC7

Question 50

Ensure the school’s facilities are optimally utilized through sharing them with the general public or specific services such as a police office or health clinic. Alternatively share a space owned by another organization such as an offsite gymnasium. Ensure that there is direct pedestrian access and toilet access after hours.

Answer 50

SCHOOLS ONLY – JOINT USE FACILITIES – SSC8

Question 51

The project team must create an easily understandable document to ensure tenants understand the sustainable features and utilize them in case they fit it out in the future.

Answer 51

CORE AND SHELL ONLY - TENANT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES– SSC7

Question 52

Human health is directly linked to healthcare facilities and as a result the built-environment should do as much as it can to promote occupant wellbeing. These credits deal with mimicking the outdoor environment indoors (places of respite) or creating an accessible outdoor space such as courtyards or terraces (Direct Exterior Access).

Answer 52

HEALTHCARE ONLY – PLACES OF RESPITE AND DIRECT EXTERIOR ACCESS – SSC7 + SSC8