LEED Sustainable Sites AP

Question 1

A project building has a zero-lot-line. What must be addressed in the site management policy? A. Heat island reduction B. Erosion and sedimentation control C. Green cleaning program D. Light pollution reduction

Answer 1

B. Erosion and sedimentation control. All projects must address erosion and sedimentation control even if they have a zero-lot-line.

Question 2

A project team is developing a policy to encourage environmentally sensitive site management practices. To earn SS Credit Site Management the project team could implement any of the following EXCEPT:
A. Limiting turf area B. Reducing emissions from site management equipment C. Using all manual or electric powered equipment D. Restoring natural site hydrology

Answer 2

D. Restoring natural site hydrology

The other three choices are all options for the credit.
This choice is part of SS Credit Rainwater Management.

Question 3

For LEED O+M:Schools projects what areas must a Site Management Policy include?
A. Football field within the LEED project boundary B. Any adjoining land the project owner provided financial support for as part of SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat C. Soccer fields located off-site and shared through a Joint Use of Facilities arrangement D. Public park adjoining the project boundary

Answer 3

A. Football field within the LEED project boundary

For LEED O+M: Schools projects the policy must include athletic or playing fields within the LEED project boundary.

Do not confuse this with Option 1. Limited Turf Area

Limit turf to 25% or less of the vegetated area. Playgrounds and athletic fields in schools or parks are excluded from this option.

For that option the fields are excluded, but for the other options and the overall policy the fields are included.

Question 4

A project team is meeting with school authorities to identify the best opportunities for shared use in a school project. What is an important point to consider when sharing facilities?
A. Proximity to diverse uses B. Access to bicycle networks C. Student bus schedule D. Parking capacity limits

Answer 4

D. Parking capacity limits

Parking is going to be a primary issue when sharing facilities.

Question 5

A project site already meets the 5% vegetation threshold for SS Credit Site Improvement Plan during the performance period. What does the site improvement plan need to include to meet the credit requirements?
A. A requirement to increase the vegetated area to 10% B. The irrigation schedule for the area C. How the existing vegetated area will be protected D. The maintenance plan for the existing vegetated area

Answer 5

C. How the existing vegetated area will be protected

Document in the plan how the existing area will be protected

Question 6

A project team reviews a project design and finds that the design does not comply with SR Credit Heat Island Reduction using the standard non-roof/roof calculation due to the project having multiple roof angles and materials that fall above and below the minimum SRI and SR values. Which action should the project team take next?
A. Locate at least 30% of the parking spaces under cover B. Submit a CIR for clarification on the how the roof angles can be calculated C. Incorporate additional mitigation strategies D. Use the weighted non-roof/roof calculation to see if the design will comply

Answer 6

D. Use the weighted non-roof/roof calculation to see if the design will comply

The next step is using the second equation.

Question 7

Who should be included in the project team for SS Credit Site Improvement Plan?
A. Waste hauler B. Hydrologist C. Plumbing engineer D. Lighting designer

Answer 7

B. Hydrologist

Anyone having to do with the land should be involved with this credit as part of the integrated team:
Landscape architect
Hydrologist
Civil engineer
Restoration ecologist
Landscape designers
Maintenance staff

Question 8

Which strategy would help a project team earn exemplary performance for SS Credit Heat Island Reduction on a project with a zero-lot line and a low-sloped roof?
A. Shade the entire roof with a renewable energy system B. Have 100% underground parking and install a vegetated roof on top of the building C. Cover 100% of the building roof with a material that has an initial SRI of 39 D. Cover 100% of the building roof with a three-year aged SRI material of at least 64

Answer 8

B. Have 100% underground parking and install a vegetated roof on top of the building

For exemplary performance there are 4 options.

Option 4 is to locate at least 95% of parking under cover.

Question 9

For a 5-year site improvement plan what does the project team need to do?
A. Implement any objective related to the 5% vegetated area B. Replace all invasive species with non-invasive species C. Track how occupants were impacted by any changes D. Implement all no and low-cost measures established in the improvement plan by the end of the performance period.

Answer 9

D. Implement all no and low-cost measures established in the improvement plan by the end of the performance period.

Teams must include some no and low-cost measures as a part of their improvement plan and implement them.

Question 10

Perimeter measurements are more appropriate for a project team to perform for Light Pollution Reduction under the following conditions EXCEPT:
A. When the project has all of the fixtures shielded B. When the project has unshielded fixtures that do not spill over the project boundary C. When the project team has lighting measurement tools D. When the project has little lighting

Answer 10

A. When the project has all of the fixtures shielded

If the fixtures are already shielded Option 1 is more appropriate.

Question 11

An urban project with a zero-lot-line has a 4,000 SF (371 m2) vegetated roof. The total site area is 20,000 SF (1,858 m2). What would the project team need to do to earn SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat?
A. Donate $1,000 / year to a qualifying land trust B. Protect or restore 100% of the vegetated roof with native or adaptive vegetation C. Plant 800 SF (74 m2) of the vegetated roof with native or adaptive vegetation D. Monitor the vegetated roof for invasive species

Answer 11

A. Donate $1,000 / year to a qualifying land trust

Option 1 On-site restoration requires a minimum native or vegetated area of at least 5,000 SF (465 m2). Since the green roof is less than that size the team must pursue Option 2.

20,000 SF total site area X $0.05 = $1,000 year financial support.A

Question 12

Project teams choosing on-site restoration for SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat can count what elements toward the restored area?
A. Area planted with native bushes B. Areas with 75% dead trees
C. Potted plants D. Pervious pathways

Answer 12

A. Area planted with native bushes

The native bushes are a strategy for restoration.

Question 13

The current vegetated area of a project site already exceeds the required area of the credit threshold for SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat. The site is covered with native vegetation. What must the project team additionally do - if anything - to earn the credit?
A. Implement a fertilization and landscape maintenance plan B. Provide financial support equivalent to at least $0.05 SF ($0.50 / m2) for the total site area to a land trust C. Restore an additional 20% of the total site area D. Nothing, the project meets the credit requirements

Answer 13

D. Nothing, the project meets the credit requirements

If the site is already protected or restored with native/adaptive vegetation and meets the area requirements no further action is necessary.

Question 14

A project team is working with landscape contractors to identify areas to be restored. What strategies would NOT contribute to SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat?
A. Replacing invasive species with mulch B. Planting turf grass if it doesn’t require mowing, fertilization, pesticides, and irrigation C. Enhancements to natural site elements D. Restoring areas adjacent to greenfield sites

Answer 14

A. Replacing invasive species with mulch

Mulching is not a type of restoration.

Question 15

A project team is assessing existing luminaires for Light Pollution Reduction and found some fixtures emit light at a vertical angle more than 90 degrees from straight down. What statement is true regarding the project’s ability to earn the credit?
A. The credit can be earned if the average light emitted is 90 degrees or less from straight down B. The credit can be earned if 90% or more of the fixtures meet the requirements C. The team can earn the credit if all of the lamps have an initial lamp lumen of 2,500 or less D. The team must retrofit or replace the non-compliant fixtures to earn the credit

Answer 15

D. The team must retrofit or replace the non-compliant fixtures to earn the credit

The luminaires must be retrofitted or replaced to earn the credit.

Question 16

What fixtures need to be shielded for Light Pollution Reduction?
A. Fixtures with more than 70 picograms of mercury per lumen hour B. Fixtures with a light spill 90 degrees or less from horizontal C. Fixtures with a mean lamp lumen of 2,500 or more D. Fixtures with an initial lamp lumen of 2,500 or less

Answer 16

C. Fixtures with a mean lamp lumen of 2,500 or more

Question 17

What minimum perimeter measurements are required for Light Pollution Reduction?
A. One measurement at each corner of the building B. At least 8 measurements with no more than 100 ft (30 m) between measurement points C. One measurement at each functional entrance of the building D. One measurement at each luminaire

Answer 17

B. At least 8 measurements with no more than 100 ft (30 m) between measurement points

Question 18

A site includes impervious hardscapes and a parking lot, as well as protected habitat. How much runoff does the project need to manage for the 95th percentile storm event for SS Credit Rainwater Management?
A. Only the runoff from the developed portion of the site B. 25% of the impervious surfaces C. 100% of the total site runoff D. 95% of the total site runoff

Answer 18

B. 25% of the impervious surfaces

Question 19

A project team is documenting the various site areas of a school for SS Credit Site Management. When calculating the total vegetated area what areas would be included?
(Choose 2)
A. Planter boxes B. Vegetated roof C. Playground D. Baseball field

Answer 19

A. Planter boxes

Planter boxes count as vegetated areas.

B. Vegetated roof

Vegetated roofs count as vegetated areas.

Question 20

Under what conditions are the requirements of SS Credit Light Pollution Reduction considered fulfilled?
A. If the project is located in MLO lighting zone zero B. If the project building was certified under the LEED BD+C rating system and earned the Light Pollution Reduction credit C. If the project includes lamps with BUG ratings D. If the project does not have any exterior facing interior lights

Answer 20

B. If the project building was certified under the LEED BD+C rating system and earned the Light Pollution Reduction credit

This is correct and helps streamline the O+M documentation.

Question 21

The project team for an urban school project is reviewing options to integrate the school with the community. Which strategy would NOT count toward SS Credit Joint Use of Facilities?
A. Using a shared swimming pool owned by a nearby gym B. Making the school gymnasium open to the general public after school hours C. Providing walkable access to 10 or more diverse uses D. Contracting with an organization to share a parking lot

Answer 21

C. Providing walkable access to 10 or more diverse uses

This would not count toward joint use.

Question 22

Which tool would a project team use to calculate the 95th percentile rainfall event for SS Credit Rainwater Management?
A. USGBC Rainfall Events Calculator B. LEED Online C. EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool D. National Climatic Data Center database

Answer 22

A. USGBC Rainfall Events Calculator

Download and explore the Excel calculator provided by USGBC.

Question 23

A project design will include bioretention areas, porous paving, rain gardens, and pervious decking. Which type of strategies are these?
A. Soil-restoration strategies for restoring habitat B. Erosion- and sedimentation-control strategies for pollution prevention C. Open-space strategies for increasing human interaction with the surroundings D. Green-infrastructure and low-impact development strategies for rainwater management

Answer 23

D. Green-infrastructure and low-impact development strategies for rainwater management

These are LID and GI strategies for rainwater management.

Question 24

What are some project areas a project team should consider for long-term improvement opportunities at no/low cost to achieve higher levels of certification in the future when the building recertifies?
(Choose 2)
A. Heat island reduction B. Quality views C. Renewable energy production D. Rainwater management

Answer 24

A. Heat island reduction

Shading with trees or replacing hardscapes over time may allow the project to earn this credit if it could not initially.

D. Rainwater management

This might not be feasible initially but no/low cost site improvements may allow the project to earn the credit in the future.

Question 25

A project team is replacing existing noncompliant luminaires for Light Pollution Reduction, resulting in reducing the sum for mean lamp lumens. What is a drawback of this strategy?
A. Lights with lower mean lamp lumens have higher mercury content B. Lighting measurements will need to be taken C. Sky glow will increase D. The brightness will be reduced

Answer 25

D. The brightness will be reduced

Lower lumens results in reduced brightness.

Question 26

What type of fertilizers are preferable for the environment?
(Choose 3)
A. Animal derived fertilizers B. Ammonia-based fertilizers C. Biosolid-based fertilizers used for continuous application D. Organic fertilizers E. Weed-and-feed fertilizers F. Slow-release fertilizers

Answer 26

A. Animal derived fertilizers D. Organic fertilizers F. Slow-release fertilizers. Prevent the over application of nutrients. Use no ammonia-based fertilizers, biosolid-based fertilizers (for continuous application), synthetic quick-release fertilizers, or ?weed and feed? formulations. Blanket applications of herbicides are prohibited; turf weeds may be controlled by spot spraying only.

Question 27

A project building in a cold climate has a total paving area of 10,000 SF (929 m2) for walkways, driveways, and a parking lot. What strategies if implemented during the project’s performance period would help earn SS Credit Site Management?
A. Deice no more than 5,000 SF (464 m2) of the paved areas B. Use only sodium chloride deicers C. Use pre-wetted salt wherever possible D. Apply deicers with vehicles with electronic spreader controls for more precise allocation

Answer 27

A. Deice no more than 5,000 SF (464 m2) of the paved areas

This would meet the 50% reduction required.

Question 28

A building has a 100,000 SF (9,290 m2) roof. The roof area includes both high-reflectance surfaces and a vegetated area. What will the facility manager need to make sure occurs every 3 years for the performance period of SS Credit Heat Island Reduction?
(Choose 2) A. Re-paint the roof B. Replace any invasive plants on the roof with native or adaptive plants C. Clean the high-reflectance surfaces D. The plants on the roof are healthy

Answer 28

C. Clean the high-reflectance surfaces

D. The plants on the roof are healthy

Question 29

A project team is working with school authorities, neighborhood agencies, and outside companies to identify eligible facilities owned by other organizations that could be made accessible to students. Which space would count toward SS Credit Joint Use of Facilities?
A. An auditorium located three miles away via a bicycle network B. A fast-food restaurant within a 1/4-mile (400 meter) walking distance of the main entrance of the school C. A parking lot across the street from the school accessible via a continuous sidewalk D. A soccer field across a busy road without crosswalks

Answer 29

C. A parking lot across the street from the school accessible via a continuous sidewalk. The space must include direct pedestrian access from the school.

Question 30

A project’s total site area is 280,000 SF (26,000 m2). The total developed area on site is 100,000 SF (9,290 m2). The building footprint is 50,000 SF (4,645 m2). How much financial support would an owner have to provide to earn SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat?
A. $5,000 / year B. $14,000 / year C. $11,500 / year D. $2,500 / year

Answer 30

B. $14,000 / year
For Option 2 Financial Support, the requirement is as follows:

$0.05/SF ($0.50/m2) for the total site area including the building footprint, YEARLY.

280,000 X $0.05 = $14,000 / year

Question 31

What best practices should a project team follow for habitat restoration?
(Choose 3)
A. Keep records of the origins of the plant material used B. Organic waste management C. Perform a site assessment D. Use local ecotypes E. Writing a plan to address flooding

Answer 31

A. Keep records of the origins of the plant material used C. Perform a site assessment
D. Use local ecotypes

Question 32

A project team is working with a general contractor to develop a site-specific plan before the start of some facility upgrades. What must the construction activity plan address for SS Credit Site Management?
(Choose 2)
A. Preventing air pollution from construction dust B. Replacing turf areas C. Restoring any eroded soils D. Reducing the emissions from construction equipment

Answer 32

A. Preventing air pollution from construction dust C. Restoring any eroded soils

Question 33

What are examples of things a project team would need to do during the performance period for SS Credit Site Improvement Plan?
(Choose 2)
A. Install plants to preserve eroding soil B. Replace impervious parking lot with pervious paving C. Replace 10% of the turf area with native plants D. Install a rainwater harvesting system E. Install a vegetated roof

Answer 33

A. Install plants to preserve eroding soil C. Replace 10% of the turf area with native plants

Question 34

A team is pursuing the nonroof option of SS Credit Heat Island Reduction and is evaluating compliance of the current site. What minimum portion of the site must meet the nonroof requirements?
A. 50% of the non-shaded areas B. 50% of impervious surfaces C. 50% of the site paving D. 50% of the above ground parking

Answer 34

C. 50% of the site paving

50% of the hardscape must have heat island reduction strategies.

Question 35

A project team is discussing synergies to achieve both SS Credit Rainwater Management and SS Credit Heat Island Reduction. The project design will include covered parking. Which strategy would help earn both credits?
A. Include a photovoltaic system that will recharge green vehicles B. Include parking by shaded by trees C. Include a vegetated roof D. Include decking with a three-year aged SRI of at least 32

Answer 35

C. Include a vegetated roof. Any roof used to shade or cover parking must (1) have a three-year aged SRI of at least 32 (if three-year aged value information is not available, use materials with an initial SRI of at least 39 at installation), (2) be a vegetated roof, or (3) be covered by energy generation systems, such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaics, and wind turbines.

Question 36

For SS Credit Site Management how frequently must an irrigation system be checked during the operating season for leaks, breaks, irregularities in water usage, and system time settings?
A. Once every performance period B. Once per month C. At least every two weeks D. Once at the beginning of the operating season

Answer 36

C. At least every two weeks

Question 37

By managing rainwater on site a project team is trying to mimic natural hydrologic function. This includes all of the following EXCEPT:a
A. Capture and reuse B. Infiltration C. Evapotranspiration D. Piping and conveyance

Answer 37

D. Piping and conveyance

This is the conventional method of runoff management, of which the credit strategies tries to avoid.

Question 38

A building has a 100,000 SF (9,290 m2) roof. What roofing materials, if present, would qualify the roof for SS Credit Heat Island Reduction?
A. 25,000 SF (2,322 m2) area of high-reflectance roof B. 50,000 SF (4,645 m2) area of high-reflectance roof C. 25,000 SF (2,322 m2) area of vegetated roof D. 20,000 SF (1,858 m2) area of high-reflectance roof and 40,000 SF (3,716 m2) area of vegetated roof

Answer 38

D. 20,000 SF (1,858 m2) area of high-reflectance roof and 40,000 SF (3,716 m2) area of vegetated roof

Use the weighted equation of the option:

20,000 SF / 0.75 + 40,000 SF / 0.5 >= 100,000 SF

26,666 SF + 80,000 SF = 106,666 SF >= 100,000 SF

Question 39

A project building includes 84 on-site parking spaces and 24 off-street parking spaces. The on-site parking includes 4 motorcycle spaces and 4 bicycle parking spaces. How many parking spaces must be placed under cover for SS Credit Heat Island Reduction?
A. 78 B. 81 C. 60 D. 40

Answer 39

D. 40. Here is one of those questions for which a portion of the requirement is buried into the reference guide itself rather than in the rating system documents.
Motorcycle spaces DO count as parking spaces.
Bicycle spaces DO NOT count as parking spaces
Total parking is based on what is in the LEED Project Boundary (not off-site parking).
The question said 84 spaces are on site. That is the starting point - 84 spaces within the LEED project boundary.
4 of those spaces are for motorcycles, so there are still 84.
4 of those spaces are for bicycles - subtract those to get to 80.
80 X 50% = 40 spaces need to be covered.

Question 40

A project team is assessing the nonroof areas of a site and found the existing conditions are not sufficient to meet the credit requirements of SS Credit Heat Island Reduction. What could they incorporate as additional mitigation strategies to help earn the credit?
A. Decrease the size of the parking lot B. Restore a portion of the paved areas with native or adaptive vegetation C. Implement a maintenance program to clean existing paved areas D. Use paving materials with a three-year aged solar reflectance (SR) value of at least 0.28

Answer 40

D. Use paving materials with a three-year aged solar reflectance (SR) value of at least 0.28

This is one of the options for the credit.

Question 41

A project’s total site area is 280,000 SF (26,000 m2). A landscape architect has categorized all areas of a site as either greenfield (180,000 SF/16,700 m2) or developed (100,000 SF/9,290 m2). Which strategy could the project team use to earn SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat?
A. Protect or restore 56,000 SF (5,202 m2) of the total site area B. Preserve 20% of the greenfield C. Restore 20% of the previously developed area D. Donate 40% of the greenfield to a land trust

Answer 41

A. Protect or restore 56,000 SF (5,202 m2) of the total site area.

For the credit remember:

Restore 20% (including building footprint) of the total site area (including the building footprint).
OR
Provide financial support (donated land does not count).

Restore 280,000 X 20% = 56,000

Question 42

When documenting the existing site conditions for SS Credit Site Improvement Plan what can the results be used for?
A. Determining which maintenance and cleaning equipment can be replaced B. Identifying access to quality transit C. Providing natural areas that can be shared with the community D. Finding lower-cost opportunities to divert rainwater flows from impervious areas to existing landscape areas

Answer 42

D. Finding lower-cost opportunities to divert rainwater flows from impervious areas to existing landscape areas

This is one of the synergies between the credit and SS Credit Rainwater Management.

Question 43

Landscaped areas designed for SS Credit Rainwater Management can be counted towards what other credit?
A. SS Prerequisite Site Management Policy B. SS Credit Site Management C. SS Credit Site Improvement Plan D. SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat

Answer 43

D. SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat

If the landscape area uses native or adaptive vegetation it would count towards both credits.

Question 44

A landscape architect is performing a yearly inspection of LID measures used for rainwater management and notices some standing water in a bioretention pond from a storm that occurred 3 days earlier. During the performance period what statement is true regarding the inspection?
A. The pond will need to be pumped out B. Standing water for longer than 72 hours is not an issue C. The issue will need to be addressed within 60 days D. As long as the pond does not overflow during the next rain event nothing needs to be done

Answer 44

C. The issue will need to be addressed within 60 days

Issues found during the yearly inspection have to be corrected within 60 days.

Question 45

Which strategy is the most effective for reducing overall heat island effect while additionally supporting the achievement of other LEED credits?
A. Limiting the amount of hardscapes on the site and increasing the landscaping area B. Covering non-roof and roof surfaces with a three year aged solar reflectance value of at least 0.28 C. Placing parking underground D. Planting with native plants

Answer 45

A. Limiting the amount of hardscapes on the site and increasing the landscaping area

This is the best strategy.

Question 46

A campus project has extensive landscaping and organic waste. What can be used as a strategy to divert plant material from landfills that would qualify for SS Credit Site Management?
A. Diverting no more than 50% of the materials to landfills B. Using backpack blowers to blow the waste onto streets outside the property lines. C. Spraying the waste with herbicides D. Diverting to a waste-to-energy facility

Answer 46

D. Diverting to a waste-to-energy facility

Waste-to-energy is an acceptable solution for the credit.

Question 47

Which eligible non-roof inclusions would mitigate the heat island effect for SS Credit Heat Island Reduction?
(Choose 3)
A. A paved area shaded by solar thermal collectors B. Carports with a three-year aged SR of 0.28 C. High-reflectance paving with an initial SR of 0.33 D. Vegetated planters with artificial turf E. New plants for shading purposes installed after the certification application F. Open-grid paving that is 25% unbound

Answer 47

A. A paved area shaded by solar thermal collectors
B. Carports with a three-year aged SR of 0.28
C. High-reflectance paving with an initial SR of 0.33.

Make sure to review tables 2, 3, and 4 in the reference guide for the full list of strategies, rules, and tips.

Question 48

During the performance period for a school project in a suburban area a facility manager has identified an invasive species of plant growing on a steep slope within the LEED project boundary. What is the facility manager required to do?
A. Eradicate the plants using low-impact means B. Contain the species use landscape barriers such as rubber or steel guards C. Nothing because the plants assist with erosion control of the steep slope D. Compost the plants onsite

Answer 48

A. Eradicate the plants using low-impact means

Invasive and exotic plant species management is required for the SS Prerequisite Site Managment Policy.

Question 49

Which manufacturer data, if present, would a project team use to best determine the heat island mitigation of a device used to shade cars in a parking lot?
A. Initial SRI value B. Three-year aged SR value C. Initial SR value D. Emittance

Answer 49

B. Three-year aged SR value

The three-year aged SR value if available is the best attribute for comparing products.

Question 50

A landscape designer is performing a site inventory to assist in creating a site improvement plan. What should the designer consider when developing the plan?
(Choose 3)
A. Surface runoff B. Light pollution C. The soil characteristics D. Proximity to diverse uses E. SRI of hardscapes F. The wildlife corridors on the site

Answer 50

A. Surface runoff. C. The soil characteristics. F. The wildlife corridors on the site.

The designer would consider the vegetation, hydrology, and soils for the site. See a complete list of important characteristics to consider under Further Explanation / Site Inventory.

Question 51

Under what conditions would a project team choose the fixture shielding option for SS Credit Light Pollution Reduction?
(Choose 2)
A. If most of the fixtures are already shielded B. If the project includes lamps that are known to include quantities of mercury C. If the team does not have light measurement tools D. If the project is certified under the LEED BD+C rating system and earned the Light Pollution Reduction credit

Answer 51

A. If most of the fixtures are already shielded

This is one of the two cases where teams would pursue option 1.

C. If the team does not have light measurement tools

This is one of the two cases where teams would pursue option 1.

Question 52

A school will be providing the community with access to some of the school’s facilities including playing fields and a gymnasium. What must be provided for Joint Use of Facilities when a school is providing the facilities?
A. Shower facilities B. Adequate parking C. Separate entries to the spaces intended for joint use D. Toilets

Answer 52

D. Toilets

Question 53

A project team is using the USGBC equipment emissions reduction calculator to establish baseline emissions. At a minimum what information is needed to calculate the baseline?
A. Equipment type, approximate number and duration of uses/events each year, and approximate usage hours B. The total size of turf areas and hardscape areas C. The landscaping activity logs from the previous performance period D. Manufacturer product documentation

Answer 53

A. Equipment type, approximate number and duration of uses/events each year, and approximate usage hours

This information is necessary for the calculator.

Question 54

The project civil engineer, landscape architect, and hydrologist are meeting to confirm that the green infrastructure and low-impact development measures selected for the site are sufficient to manage the required volume of runoff for the 95th percentile of rain events. If they find the current site conditions and strategies cannot manage the required volume of runoff, which action should be taken next?
A. Increase the amount of hardscape for the project B. Manage the volume for only the 90th percentile of rain events C. Increase the size of the pipe to the public stormwater system D. Adjust the design based on the volume each technique can manage

Answer 54

D. Adjust the design based on the volume each technique can manage

Adjusting the design will be necessary.

Question 55

A lighting designer is using a lighting measurement tool to determine if the external lighting for a project is compliant with Light Pollution Reduction. Which of the following would be considered compliant?
A. An average illumination with the lights off must be 20% less across the project boundary B. The average light level with the lights on must be no more than 2,500 lumens C. Each measurement point can be no more than 500 lumens brighter with the lights on compared to with the lights off D. No more than 20% above the level of the illumination with the lights off at all measurement points

Answer 55

D. No more than 20% above the level of the illumination with the lights off at all measurement points

Once the measurements have been taken, compare the illumination measurements with lights off versus the lights on at each measurement point along the boundary. The illumination with the lights on must be no more than 20% above the level of the illumination with the lights off. This requirement must be met at all measurement points. You cannot take an average across the project boundary.

Question 56

What type of project would benefit from calculating a reduction in emissions from site management equipment as part of SS Credit Site Management?
A. Large project sites with extensive turf grass and an array of equipment B. Project with vegetated areas but very little turf grass C. Projects with a zero-lot-line D. Projects with minimal maintenance needs

Answer 56

A. Large project sites with extensive turf grass and an array of equipment

This option is best when flexibility is required and the project has lots of equipment and turf areas.

Question 57

A project team is working on a phase-out plan to reduce the emissions from maintenance equipment. What will help reduce the cost of replacement equipment?
A. Replacing a 2-stroke equipment with 4-stroke equipment B. Decreasing the frequency of mowing C. Using mulching mowers on turf areas D. Converting lawn to restored habitats

Answer 57

D. Converting lawn to restored habitats

To reduce the cost of replacement reduce the need for equipment by converting lawn areas on the site to restored habitats, native plants, mulched areas, or grass that doesn’t need mowing.