Flashcards
(128 cards)
1
Q
A measure of greenhouse gas emissions associated with
an activity. A comprehensive carbon footprint includes
building construction, operation, energy use, building
related transportation, and the embodied energy of
water, solid waste, and construction materials
A
Carbon Footprint
2
Q
An intensive process in which the owner, project team
and other relevant stakeholders convene to establish
the project’s green building goals, identify prospective
strategies to reach those goals, and outline the ‘next
steps’ required to hone the green building approach.
A
ecocharrette
3
Q
A structure designed to conserve water and energy; use
space, materials, and resources efficiently; minimize
construction waste; and create a healthful indoor
environment.
A
high-performance green
building
4
Q
All the individuals involved in a building project from
early in the design process, including the design
professionals, the owner’s representatives, and the general
contractor, subcontractors and key stakeholders.
A
integrated design team
5
Q
An optional LEED Green Building Rating System™
component whose achievement results in the earning of
points toward certification.
A
LEED credit
6
Q
A formal GBCI process in which a project team
experiencing difficulties in the application of a
LEED prerequisite or credit can seek and receive
clarification, issued as a credit interpretation.
Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are
not directly addressed by LEED reference guides or a
conflict between credit requirements arises
A
LEED credit interpretation
request
7
Q
The primary goal of each prerequisite or credit
A
LEED intent
8
Q
The LEED Green Building Rating System™ represents
USGBC’s effort to provide a national benchmark for
green buildings. Through its use as a design guideline
and third-party certification tool, the LEED Green
Building Rating System aims to improve occupant
well-being, environmental performance, and economic
returns using established and innovative practices
A
LEED® Rating System™
9
Q
A required LEED Green Building Rating System™
component whose achievement is mandatory and does not
earn any points
A
LEED prerequisite
10
Q
An evaluation of the environmental effects of a product
from cradle to grave, as defined by ISO 14040–2006 and ISO
14044–2006
A
life-cycle assessment
10
Q
A committee consisting of industry experts who assist
in interpreting credits and developing technical
improvements to the LEED Green Building Rating
System™
A
LEED technical advisory group
(TAG)
11
Q
Systematic improvements in the performance of
a market or market segment. For example, environmental
product declarations (EPDs) and health product declarations
(HPDs) are communication tools to promote transparency,
innovation and quality of databases
A
market transformation
12
Q
Sustainable plans for built environments that improve
existing conditions. Regenerative design goes beyond
reducing impacts to create positive change in the local
and global environment
A
regenerative design
13
Q
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs. (Brundtland Commission)
A
sustainability
14
Q
A long-term view for assessing potential effects and best
practices for three kinds of resources: people (social
capital), planet (natural capital), profit (econcomic capital).
A
triple bottom line
15
Q
The precipitation of dilute solutions of strong mineral
acids, formed by the mixing in the atmosphere of
various industrial pollutants (primarily sulfur dioxide
and nitrogen oxides) with naturally occurring oxygen
and water vapor
A
acid rain
16
Q
Non-native, introduced plants that reliably grow well
in a given habitat with minimal winter protection,
pest control, fertilization, or irrigation once their root
systems are established. Adapted plants are considered
low maintenance and not invasive.
A
adapted plants
17
Q
Vehicles achieving a minimum green score of 45 on the
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
annual vehicle rating guide (or a local equivalent for
projects outside the U.S.
A
green vehicles
18
Q
The variety of life in all forms, levels, and
combinations, including ecosystem diversity, species
diversity, and genetic diversity.
A
biodiversity
19
Q
A stormwater control feature that uses a combination
of an engineered basin, soils, and vegetation to slow
and detain stormwater, increase groundwater recharge,
and reduce peak stormwater runoff
A
bioswale
20
Q
Real property or the expansion, redevelopment, or
reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or
possible presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant.
A
brownfield
21
Q
The floor area of the building divided by the total area
of the site (square feet per acre) used to determine a
project’s density.
A
building density
22
Q
The area on a project site that is used by the building
structure, defined by the perimeter of the building
plan. Parking lots, landscapes, and other nonbuilding
facilities are not included in the building footprint.
A
building footprint
23
Q
The amount of connection between a site and the
surrounding community, measured by proximity of
the site to homes, schools, parks, stores, restaurants,
medical facilities, and other services and amenities.
A
community connectivity
24
The total square footage of all buildings within a
particular area, measured in square feet per acre or
units per acre
development density
25
The total land area of a project site covered by buildings,
streets, parking areas, and other typically impermeable
surfaces constructed as part of the project.
development footprint
26
The number of types of spaces or housing types per
acre. A neighborhood that includes a diversity of uses—
offices, homes, schools, parks, stores— encourages
walking, and its residents and visitors are less
dependent on personal vehicles. A diversity of housing
types allows households of different types, sizes, ages,
and incomes to live in the same neighborhood.
diversity of uses or housing
types
27
A change in electricity use by demand-side resources from
their normal consumption patterns in response to changes
in the price of electricity or to incentive payments designed
to induce lower electricity use at times of high wholesale
market prices or when system reliability is jeopardized.
demand response
28
A basic unit of nature that includes a community of
organisms and their nonliving environment linked by
biological, chemical and physical process
ecosystem
29
Obtrusive illumination that is unwanted because of
quantitative, directional, or spectral attributes. Light
trespass can cause annoyance, discomfort, distraction, or
loss of visibility
light trespass
30
Land that is likely to be flooded by a storm of a given
size (e.g., a 100-year storm).
floodplain
31
The density of nonresidential land use, exclusive of
parking, measured as the total nonresidential building
floor area divided by the total buildable land area available
for nonresidential structures. For example, on a site with
10,000 square feet (930 square meters) of buildable land
area, an FAR of 1.0 would be 10,000 square feet (930 square
meters) of building floor area
floor-area ratio
32
A vegetated system applied to the top of a building to
control stormwater and reduce the building’s urban
heat island effect. A green roof may also be referred to
as an eco-roof, vegetated roof, or a living roof.
green roof
33
The thermal absorption by hardscape, such as dark,
nonreflective pavement and buildings, and its subsequent
radiation to surrounding areas. Other contributing factors
may include vehicle exhaust, air-conditioners, and street
equipment. Tall buildings and narrow streets reduce airflow
and exacerbate the effect.
heat island effect
34
The resistance of a material to penetration by a liquid.
The total imperviousness of a surface is expressed as
a percentage of total land area that does not allow
moisture penetration. Impervious surfaces prevent
rainwater from infiltrating into the ground, thereby
increasing runoff, reducing groundwater recharge, and
degrading surface water quality.
imperviousness
35
An approach to managing rainwater runoff that 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.
Examples include better site design principles (e.g.,
minimizing land disturbance, preserving vegetation,
minimizing impervious cover), and design practices (e.g.,
rain gardens, vegetated swales and buffers, permeable
pavement, rainwater harvesting, soil amendments)
low-impact development
36
A species that originates in, and is characteristic of, a
particular region and ecosystem without direct or indirect
human actions. Native species have evolved together with
other species within the geography, hydrology, and climate
of that region
native vegetation
36
The percentage of the surface area of a paving material
that is open and allows moisture to pass through the
material and soak into the ground below
perviousness
37
Land that has the best combination of physical and
chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage,
fiber, and oilseed crops and that is available for these uses,
as defined by US Code of Federal Regulations and identified
in a state Natural Resources Conservation Service soil
survey
prime farmland
38
A stormwater management feature consisting of an
excavated depression and vegetation that collect and
infiltrate runoff and reduce peak discharge rates
rain garden
39
Landscaping that does not require routine irrigation
xeriscaping
40
A measurement of how far a pedestrian and bicyclist would
travel from a point of origin to a destination, such as the
nearest bus stop. This distance is measured along the safe
path and not in a straight line in plan view, in order to better
reflect a bicyclist’s and pedestrian’s access to amenities
taking into account safety, convenience, and obstructions to
movement
shortest path analysis
41
Wastewater containing urine or fecal matter that should
be discharged to the sanitary drainage system of the
building or premises in accordance with the International
Plumbing Code. Wastewater from kitchen sinks (sometimes
differentiated by the use of a garbage disposal), showers,
or bathtubs is considered blackwater under some state or
local codes.
blackwater
42
The amount of water consumed by flush fixtures (water
closets, or toilets, and urinals). The baseline flush rate
for water closets is 1.6 gpf, and for urinals, 1.0 gpf
(EPAct 1992).
gallons per flush (gpf)
43
The amount of water consumed by flow fixtures
(lavatory faucets, showerheads, aerators, sprinkler
heads).
gallons per minute (gpm)
44
Domestic wastewater that has not come into contact with
toilet waste composed of drain water from
bathroom and laundry sinks, bathtubs, showers and
clothes washers. Must not include waste water from kitchen
sinks or dishwashers. Some building code jurisdictions allow
kitchen sink water to be used as graywater, while others
consider it blackwater.
graywater
45
Precipitation captured and used for indoor needs,
irrigation, or both
harvested rainwater
46
The percentage of water delivered by irrigation
equipment that is actually used for irrigation and
does not evaporate, blow away, or fall on hardscape.
For example, overhead spray sprinklers have lower
irrigation efficiencies (65%) than drip systems (90%).
irrigation efficiency
47
Water that does not meet the EPA’s drinking water
quality standards and is not approved for human
consumption. Non-potable water includes harvested rain
water, greywater, and blackwater
non-potable water
48
Water that meets or exceeds EPA’s drinking water
quality standards and is approved for human
consumption by the state or local authorities having
jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal
water systems.
potable water
49
Water that is used for industrial processes and building
systems, such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. It can
also refer to water used in operational processes, such as
dishwashing, clothes washing, and ice making
process water
49
A project-specific method of calculating the amount of
water required by the building and associated grounds. The
budget takes into account indoor, outdoor, process, and
makeup water demands and any on site supply including
estimated rainfall. Water budgets must be associated with
a specified amount of time, such as a week, month, or year
and a quantity of water such as kGal, or liters.
water budget
50
Water that has been used for a purpose and conveyed by
building plumbing systems toward a point of treatment and
disposal. Wastewater from buildings can be classified as
graywater, blackwater, or process wastewater.
wastewater
51
The temperature of the surrounding air or other
medium. (EPA)
ambient temperature
52
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
Conditioning Engineers.
ASHRAE
53
Recording and comparing sustained energy consumption
against previous time periods and national averages and
often uses a metric such as Energy Use Intensity
energy benchmarking
54
Plant material from trees, grasses, or crops that can be
converted to heat energy to produce electricity
biomass
55
The amount of heat required to raise the temperature
of one pound of liquid water from 60° to 61°
Fahrenheit. This standard measure of energy is used
to describe the energy content of fuels and compare
energy use
British thermal unit (Btu)
56
The exterior surface of a building—the walls, windows,
roof, and floor; also referred to as the building shell or the
building enclosure.
building envelope
57
A device that removes heat from a liquid, typically
as part of a refrigeration system used to cool and
dehumidify buildings.
chiller
58
The process of verifying and documenting that a
building and all of its systems and assemblies are
planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and
maintained to meet the owner’s project requirements
commissioning (Cx)
59
A document that outlines the organization, schedule,
allocation of resources, and documentation
requirements of the commissioning process.
commissioning plan
60
A document that details the commissioning process,
including a commissioning program overview,
identification of the commissioning team, and
description of the commissioning process activities
commissioning report
61
A small fluorescent lamp, used as a more efficient
alternative to incandescent lighting; also called a PL,
twin-tube, or biax lamp. (EPA)
compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)
62
A structure that uses water to absorb heat from
airconditioning systems and regulate air temperature in a
facility.
cooling tower
63
The controlled admission of natural light into a space,
used to reduce or eliminate electric lighting.
daylighting
64
A central energy conversion plant and transmission and
distribution system that provides thermal energy to a group
of buildings (e.g., a central cooling plant on a university
campus). It does not include central energy systems that
provide only electricity
district energy systems
65
A control system capable of monitoring environmental
and system loads and adjusting HVAC operations
accordingly in order to conserve energy while
maintaining comfort. (EPA)
energy management system
66
Building components and appliances that use less
energy to perform as well as or better than standard
products.
energy-efficient products and
systems
67
A measure of a building’s energy performance
compared with that of similar buildings, as determined
by the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. A score of 50
represents average building performance. A score of 75
is required to become ENERGY STAR certified.
ENERGY STAR® rating
68
A community’s total greenhouse gas emissions divided
by the total number of residents.
energy or greenhouse gas
emissions per capita
69
Annual energy consumption divided by the number of
square feet in a building, often expressed as British
thermal units (Btus) per square foot per year or as
kilowatt-hours of electricity per square foot per year
(kWh/sf/yr)
energy use intensity
70
Energy derived from ancient organic remains, such as
peat, coal, crude oil, and natural gas. (EPA)
fossil fuel
71
Equipment, distribution systems, and terminals that
provide the processes of heating, ventilating, or
airconditioning. (ASHRAE Standard 90.1–2010)
HVAC systems
71
A relative measurement that estimates a gas’ ability to
trap heat, contributing to global warming
global warming potential
(GWP)
72
The installed lighting power per unit area, usually
measured in watts per square foot.
lighting power density
73
Refrigerants with less ozone depletion potential
(ODP) than traditional CFC refrigerants. Low-impact
refrigerants include HFCs and HCFCs.
low impact refrigerants
74
Typical primary measures of energy consumption
associated with buildings include kilowatt-hours of
electricity, therms of natural gas, and gallons of liquid
fuel.
measures of energy use
75
An international agreement from 1989 that banned CFC
production in developed countries, and placed a ban on
CFC production in developing countries starting 2010.
Montreal Protocol
76
A compound that is not manmade and is used for cooling.
Such substances generally have much lower potential
for atmospheric damage than manufactured chemical
refrigerants. Examples include water, carbon dioxide, and
ammonia
natural refrigerant
77
Not capable of being replaced; permanently depleted
once used. Examples of nonrenewable energy sources
are oil or natural gas, and nonrenewable natural
resources include metallic ores.
nonrenewable
78
The relative amount of degradation a gas causes to the
ozone layer
ozone depletion potential
(ODP)
79
A comparison of the performance of a building system
with a standard, such as ENERGY STAR Portfolio
Manager.
performance relative to
benchmark
79
Designing with the local climate in mind to reduce
unwanted heat gain in the summer, optimize
daylighting, and allow solar heat gain in the winter
passive design strategy
80
A comparison of the performance of a building system
with a baseline equivalent to minimal compliance with
an applicable energy code, such as ASHRAE Standard 90
or California’s Title 24.
performance relative to code
81
Electricity from photovoltaic cells that convert the
energy in sunlight into electricity.
photovoltaic (PV) energy
82
Resources that are not depleted by use. Examples
include energy from the sun, wind, and small (lowimpact)
hydropower, plus geothermal energy and wave and tidal
systems.
renewable energy
83
A tradable commodity representing proof that a unit
of electricity was generated from a renewable energy
resource. RECs are sold separately from the electricity
itself and thus allow the purchase of green power by a
user of conventionally generated electricity.
renewable energy credit
(REC)
84
Commercial or industrial products (other than food or
feed) that are composed in whole, or in significant part,
of biological products, renewable agricultural materials
(including plant, animal, and marine materials), or forestry
materials. For the purposes of LEED, this excludes leather
and other animal hides.
bio-based material
85
Material, other than the principal product, generated
as a consequence of an industrial process or as a
breakdown product in a living system. (EPA)
byproduct
86
Waste and recyclables generated from construction and
from the renovation, demolition, or deconstruction of
preexisting structures. It does not include land-clearing
debris, such as soil, vegetation, and rocks.
construction and demolition
debris
87
A plan that diverts construction debris from landfills
through recycling, salvaging, and reusing.
construction waste
management
plan
88
Waste generated by households or commercial, industrial
and institutional facilities in their role as end users of
a product that can no longer be used for its intended
purpose.
postconsumer recycled content
89
A method of pest management that protects human health
and the surrounding environment, and improves economic
returns through the most effective, least-risk option.
Integrated Pest Management
90
An evaluation of the environmental effects of a product
from cradle to grave, as defined by ISO 14040–2006 and ISO
14044–2006.
life cycle assessment
91
The percentage of material in a product that is
recycled from the manufacturing waste stream
(preconsumer waste) or the consumer waste stream
(postconsumer waste) and used to make new materials.
For LEED, recycled content is typically expressed as a
percentage of the total material volume or weight.
recycled content
92
The amount of a building’s materials that are
extracted, processed, and manufactured close to a
project site, expressed as a percentage of the total
materials cost. For LEED, regional materials originate
within 100 miles of the project site.
regional materials
93
An item that has completed its life cycle and is prepared
for reuse without substantial alteration of its form.
Refurbishing involves renovating, repairing, restoring, or
generally improving the appearance, performance, quality,
functionality, or value of a product.
refurbished material
94
Construction items recovered from existing buildings
or construction sites and reused. Common salvaged
materials include structural beams and posts, flooring,
doors, cabinetry, brick, and decorative items.
Salvaged material
95
The practice of managing forest resources to meet
the long-term forest product needs of humans while
maintaining the biodiversity of forested landscapes.
sustainable forestry
96
Choosing products and services with low environmental
impacts, such as Energy Star appliances and recycled
computer paper. LEED EB: O&M divides materials into
three categories: on-going consumables, durable goods,
and facility alterations.
sustainable purchasing policy
97
Management of a forest to produce in perpetuity a
high-level annual or regular periodic output, through a
balance between incremental and cutting.
sustained yield forestry
98
The amount of waste disposed other than through
incineration or in landfills, expressed in tons. Examples
of waste diversion include reuse and recycling.
waste diversion
99
The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that
are not to be exceeded during a given time in a defined
area. (EPA)
air quality standards
100
The standard governing design for thermal comfort in
buildings.
ASHRAE Standard 55
101
The standard governing that defines minimum
ventilation rates for commercial and institutional
buildings.
ASHRAE Standard 62.1
102
A measure of transportation demand that estimates
the travel miles associated with a project, most often
for single-passenger cars. LEED sometimes uses a
complementary metric for alternative-mode miles
(e.g., in high-occupancy autos).
vehicle miles traveled (vmt)
103
An indicator of ventilation effectiveness inside
buildings. carbon dioxide builds up in a space when
there is not enough ventilation.
carbon dioxide concentrations
104
An unwanted airborne element that may reduce indoor
air quality (ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010).
contaminant
104
A measurement of occupants who have access to direct
control over temperature, airflow, and lighting in their
spaces.
controllability of systems
105
The nature of air inside the space that affects the
health and well-being of building occupants. It is
considered acceptable when there are no known
contaminants at harmful concentrations and a
substantial majority (80% or more) of the occupants do
not express dissatisfaction. (ASHRAE Standard 62.1–
2010)
indoor air quality
105
The operation of mechanical systems using 100 percent
outside air at the end of construction and prior to
building occupancy to ensure good indoor air quality,
by moving a prescribed volume of fresh air through the
building.
flush-out
106
A rating that indicates the efficiency of air filters in the
mechanical system. MERV ratings range from 1 (very
low efficiency) to 16 (very high).
minimum efficiency reporting
value (MERV)
107
The emission of volatile organic compounds from
synthetic and natural products
off-gassing
108
Solid particles or liquid droplets in the atmosphere. The
chemical composition of particulates varies, depending
on location and time of year
particulates
109
Any substance introduced into the environment that
adversely affects the usefulness of a resource or the
health of humans, animals, or ecosystems. (EPA) Air
pollutants include emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2),
sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury
(Hg), small particulates (PM2.5), and large particulates
(PM10)
pollutant
110
A combination of symptoms, experienced by occupants
of a building, that appear to be linked to time spent in
the building but cannot be traced to a specific cause.
Complaints may be localized in a particular room or
zone or be spread throughout the building. (EPA)
sick building syndrome (SBS)
111
The temperature, humidity, and airflow ranges within
which the majority of people are most comfortable,
as determined by ASHRAE Standard 55–2004. Because
people dress differently depending on the season,
thermal comfort levels vary with the season
thermal comfort
112
The amount of air circulated through a space,
measured in air changes per hour (the quantity of
infiltration air in cubic feet per minute divided by the
volume of the room).
ventilation rate
113
The amount of carbon compounds that participate in
atmospheric photochemical reactions and vaporize
(become a gas) at normal room temperatures,
measured in grams per liter. VOCs off-gas from many
materials, including adhesives, sealants, paints,
carpets, and particle board
volatile organic compounds
(VOCs)
114
The capture, diversion, and storage of rain for future
beneficial use. Typically, a rain barrel or cistern stores the
water; other components include the catchment surface
and conveyance system. The harvested rainwater can be
used for irrigation.
rainwater harvesting
115
The amount of a site that is disturbed by construction
activity. On undeveloped sites, limiting the amount and
boundary of site disturbance can protect surrounding
habitat
site disturbance
116
A ontinuous network consisting of any combination of the
following 1) off street bicycle paths or trails at least 8 feet
(2.5 meters) wide for a two-way path and at least 5 feet (1.5
meters) wide for a one-way path 2) physically designated
on-street bicycle lanes at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide 3)
streets designed for a target speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) or
less
bicycle network
117
Plants that require saturated soils to survive or can
tolerate prolonged wet soil conditions. Wetlands generally
include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas, but
exclude irrigation ditches unless delineated as part of an
adjacent wetland.
wetland vegetation
118
An analysis of a product’s partial life cycle, from resource
extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (before it is
transported for distribution and sale). It omits the use and
the disposal phases of the product.
cradle-to-gate assessment
119
A metric from 0 to 100 that measures how well a material
reflects solar heat, with high numbers signifying better
reflectance. To calculate the SRI for a given material, obtain
its solar reflectance and thermal emittance via the Cool
Roof Rating Council Standard (CRRC-1).
solar reflectance index (SRI)
120
A comprehensive document created by a manufacturer
to show the results of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for a
particular product in accordance with ISO standards. EPDs
state that an item meets the environmental requirements
of ISO 14021–1999, ISO 14025–2006 and EN 15804, or ISO
21930–2007.
environmental product
declaration
121
A standard for product hazard reporting that includes
the ecotoxicity and human toxicity categories. Unlike
EPDs, HPSs report on health-related concerns associated
with product content. HPDs state that an item meets the
environmental requirements of ISO 14021–1999, ISO
14025–2006 and EN 15804, or ISO 21930–2007.
health product declaration
