LEED_GLOSSARY_TERMS

Question 1

alternative water source

Answer 1

nonpotable water from other than public utilities, on-site surface sources, and subsurface natural freshwater sources. Examples include graywater, on-site reclaimed water, collected rainwater, captured condensate, and rejected water from reverse osmosis systems (IgCC).

Question 2

annual sunlight exposure (ASE)

Answer 2

a metric that describes the potential for visual discomfort in interior work environments. It is defined as the percentage of an analysis area that exceeds a specified direct sunlight illuminance level more than a specified number of hours per year.

Question 3

appurtenance

Answer 3

a built-in, nonstructural portion of a roof system. Examples include skylights, ventilators, mechanical equipment, partitions, and solar energy panels.

Question 4

ASE1000,250

Answer 4

reports the percentage of sensors in the analysis area, using a maximum 2-foot spacing between points, that are found to be exposed to more than 1000 lux of direct sunlight for more than 250 hours per year, before any operable blinds or shades are deployed to block sunlight, considering the same 10 hour/day analysis period as sDA and using comparable simulation methods

Question 5

assembly

Answer 5

a product formulated from multiple materials (e.g., concrete) or a product made up of subcomponents (e.g., a workstation)

Question 6

attendance boundary

Answer 6

the limits used by school districts to determine what school students attend based on where they live

Question 7

average LED intensity (ALI)

Answer 7

the illumination output for light-emitting diode lamps, as specified in the International Commission on Illumination Standard 127–2007

Question 8

base building

Answer 8

materials and products that make up the building or are permanently and semi-permanently installed in the project (e.g., flooring, casework, wall coverings)

Question 9

baseline building performance

Answer 9

the annual energy cost for a building design, used as a baseline for comparison with above-standard design

Question 10

baseline condition

Answer 10

before the LEED project was initiated, but not necessarily before any development or disturbance took place. Baseline conditions describe the state of the project site on the date the developer acquired rights to a majority of its buildable land through purchase or option to purchase.

Question 11

baseline water consumption

Answer 11

a calculated projection of building water use assuming code-compliant fixtures and fittings with no additional savings compared with the design case or actual water meter data

Question 12

basis of design (BOD)

Answer 12

the information necessary to accomplish the owner’s project requirements, including system descriptions, indoor environmental quality criteria, design assumptions, and references to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines

Question 13

bicycle network

Answer 13

a continuous 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 kmh)

Question 14

bicycling distance

Answer 14

the distance that a bicyclist must travel between origins and destinations, the entirety of which must be on a bicycle network.

Question 15

bio-based material

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

blackwater

Answer 16

wastewatercontaining 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.

Question 17

blowdown

Answer 17

the removal of makeup water from a cooling tower or evaporative condenser recirculation system to reduce concentrations of dissolved solids

Question 18

brownfield

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

BUG rating

Answer 19

a luminaire classification system that classifies luminaires in terms of backlight (B), uplight (U), and glare (G) (taken from IES/IDA Model Lighting Ordinance). BUG ratings supersede the former cutoff ratings.

Question 20

buildable land

Answer 20

the portion of the site where construction can occur, including land voluntarily set aside and not constructed on. When used in density calculations, buildable land excludes public rights-of-way and land excluded from development by codified law.

Question 21

building exterior

Answer 21

a structure’s primary and secondary weatherproofing system, including waterproofing membranes and air- and water-resistant barrier materials, and all building elements outside that system

Question 22

building interior

Answer 22

everything inside a structure’s weatherproofing membrane

Question 23

bus rapid transit

Answer 23

an enhanced bus system that operates on exclusive bus lanes or other transit rights-of-way. The system is designed to combine the flexibility of buses with the efficiency of rail.

Question 24

carbon offset

Answer 24

a unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere (World Resources Institute)

Question 25

chain of custody (CoC)

Answer 25

a procedure that tracks a product from the point of harvest or extraction to its end use, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing, and distribution

Question 26

charrette

Answer 26

an intensive, multiparty workshop that brings people from different disciplines and backgrounds together to explore, generate, and collaboratively produce design options

Question 27

chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based refrigerant

Answer 27

a fluid, containing hydrocarbons, that absorbs heat from a reservoir at low temperatures and rejects heat at higher temperatures. When emitted into the atmosphere, CFCs cause depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.

Question 28

civil twilight

Answer 28

the point in time in the morning (dawn) or evening (dusk) when the center of the sun is geometrically 6 degrees below the horizon. Under good weather conditions, civil twilight is the best time to distinguish terrestrial objects clearly. Before civil twilight in the morning and after civil twilight in the evening, artificial illumination normally is required to carry on ordinary outdoor activities.

Question 29

classroom or core learning space

Answer 29

a space that is regularly occupied and used for educational activities. In such space, the primary functions are teaching and learning, and good speech communication is critical to students’ academic achievement. (Adapted from ANSI S12.60)

Question 30

clean waste

Answer 30

nonhazardous materials left over from construction and demolition. Clean waste excludes lead and asbestos.

Question 31

clear glazing

Answer 31

glass that is transparent and allows a view through the fenestration. Diffused glazing allows only daylighting.

Question 32

closed-loop cooling

Answer 32

a system that acts as a heat sink for heat-rejecting building and medical equipment by recirculating water. Because the water is sealed within the system, some closed-loop cooling systems use nonpotable water (such as recycled process water harvested from an air handler’s cooling coil condensate).

Question 33

color rendering index

Answer 33

a measurement from 0 to 100 that indictes how accurately an artificial light source, as compared with an incandescent light, displays hues. The higher the index number, the more accurately the light is rendering colors. Incandescent lighting has a color rendering index above 95; standard high-pressure sodium lighting (such as orange-hued roadway lights) measures approximately 25; many fluorescent sources using rare earth phosphors have a color rendering index of 80 and above. (Adapted from U.S. ENERGY STAR)

Question 34

combination oven discharge

Answer 34

water released from an oven that includes a steam cycle or option

Question 35

combined heat and power

Answer 35

an integrated system that captures the heat, otherwise unused, generated by a single fuel source in the production of electrical power. Also known as cogeneration. (Adapted from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Question 36

commingled waste

Answer 36

building waste streams that are combined on the project site and hauled away for sorting into recyclable streams. Also known as single-stream recycling.

Question 37

commissioning (Cx)

Answer 37

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

Question 38

commissioning authority (CxA)

Answer 38

the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner’s project requirements.

Question 39

conductivity

Answer 39

the measurement of the level of dissolved solids in water, using the ability of an electric current to pass through water. Because it is affected by temperature, conductivity is measured at 25°C for standardization.

Question 40

conventional irrigation

Answer 40

a region’s most common system for providing water to plants by nonnatural means. A conventional irrigation system commonly uses pressure to deliver water and distributes it through sprinkler heads above the ground.

Question 41

cooling tower blowdown

Answer 41

the water discharged from a cooling tower typically because increased salinity or alkalinity has caused scaling. Cooling tower blowdown may be too saline for use in landscape irrigation.

Question 42

cradle-to-gate assessment

Answer 42

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.

Question 43

cultural landscape

Answer 43

an officially designated geographic area that includes both cultural and natural resources associated with a historic event, activity, or person or that exhibits other significant cultural or aesthetic values

Question 44

current facilities requirements (CFR)

Answer 44

the implementation of the owner’s project requirements, developed to confirm the owner’s current operational needs and requirements

Question 45

dedicated storage

Answer 45

a designated area in a building space or a central facility that is sized and allocated for a specific task, such as the collection of recyclable waste. Signage often indicates the type of recyclable waste stored there. Some waste streams, such as mercury-based light bulbs, sensitive paper documents, biomedical waste, or batteries, may require particular handling or disposal methods. Consult the municipality’s safe storage and disposal procedures or use guidelines posted on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website, at www.epa.gov.

Question 46

demand response (DR)

Answer 46

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

Question 47

demand response (DR) event

Answer 47

a specific period of time when the utility or independent service operator calls for a change in the pattern or level of use in grid-based electricity from its program participants. Also known as a curtailment event.

Question 48

demountable partition

Answer 48

a temporary interior wall that can be easily reconfigured. In a health care facility, acoustical concerns and embedded equipment, as in a surgery suite, may prevent demountable partitions from being used

Question 49

densely occupied space

Answer 49

an area with a design occupant density of 25 people or more per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters)

Question 50

density

Answer 50

a measure of the total building floor area or dwelling units on a parcel of land relative to the buildable land of that parcel. Units for measuring density may differ according to credit requirements. Does not include structured parking.

Question 51

departmental gross area (DGA)

Answer 51

– the floor area of a diagnostic and treatment of clinical department, calculated from the centerline of the walls separating the department from adjacent spaces. Walls and circulations space within the department are included in the calculation. This calculation excludes inpatient units.

Question 52

development footprint

Answer 52

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

Question 53

differential durability

Answer 53

a state in which two materials with different life spans make up one complete component. If one material wears out and cannot be separated and replaced, the entire product must be thrown away.

Question 54

direct access

Answer 54

a means of entering a space without having to leave the floor or pass through another patient’s room, dedicated staff space, service or utility space, or major public space. Patients’ and public circulation corridors, common sitting areas, and waiting and day space may be part of a direct access route.

Question 55

direct sunlight

Answer 55

an interior horizontal measurement of 1,000 lux or more of direct beam sunlight that accounts for window transmittance and angular effects, and excludes the effect of any operable blinds, with no contribution from reflected light (i.e., a zero bounce analysis) and no contribution from the diffuse sky component (Adapted from IES)

Question 56

district energy system (DES)

Answer 56

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.

Question 57

diverse use

Answer 57

a distinct business or organization that provides goods or services intended to meet daily needs and is publicly available. Automated facilities such as ATMs or vending machines are not included. For a full list, see the Appendix.

Question 58

downstream equipment

Answer 58

the heating and cooling systems, equipment, and controls located in the project building or on the project site and associated with transporting the thermal energy of the district energy system (DES) into heated and cooled spaces. Downstream equipment includes the thermal connection or interface with the DES, secondary distribution systems in the building, and terminal units.

Question 59

durable goods

Answer 59

products with a useful life of approximately two or more years and that are replaced infrequently. Examples include furniture, office equipment, appliances, external power adapters, televisions, and audiovisual equipment.

Question 60

durable goods waste stream

Answer 60

the flow of long-lasting products from the project building after they are fully depreciated and have reached the end of their useful life for normal business operations. It includes leased durable goods returned to their owner but does not include durable goods that remain functional and are moved to another floor or building.

Question 61

electric vehicle supply equipment

Answer 61

the conductors, including the ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors, the electric vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets or apparatuses installed specifically for the purpose of delivering energy from the premises wiring to the electric vehicle. (National Electric Codes and California Article 625)

Question 62

electronic waste

Answer 62

discarded office equipment (computers, monitors, copiers, printers, scanners, fax machines), appliances (refrigerators, dishwashers, water coolers), external power adapters, and televisions and other audiovisual equipment

Question 63

elemental mercury

Answer 63

mercury in its purest form (rather than a mercury-containing compound), the vapor of which is commonly used in fluorescent and other bulb types

Question 64

emergency lighting

Answer 64

a luminaire that operates only during emergency conditions and is always off during normal building operation

Question 65

employment center

Answer 65

a nonresidential area of at least 5 acres (2 hectares) with a job density of at least 50 employees per net acre (at least 125 employees per hectare net)

Question 66

enclosure

Answer 66

the exterior plus semi-exterior portions of the building. Exterior consists of the elements of a building that separate conditioned spaces from the outside (i.e., the wall assembly). Semiexterior consists of the elements of a building that separate conditioned space from unconditioned space or that encloses semi-heated space through which thermal energy may be transferred to or from the exterior or conditioned or unconditioned spaces (e.g., attic, crawl space, basement).

Question 67

energy service provider

Answer 67

a designation that allows an outside entity, such as USGBC, to access water and energy usage information that a building management team maintains with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager or a similar tool

Question 68

engineered nanomaterial

Answer 68

a substance designed at the molecular (nanometer) level. Because of its small size, it has novel properties generally not seen in its conventional bulk counterpart. See the Australian National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, nicnas.gov.au/publications/information_sheets/general_information_sheets/nis_nanomaterials_pdf.pdf.

Question 69

environmental product declaration

Answer 69

a statement that the item meets the environmental requirements of ISO 14021–1999, ISO 14025–2006 and EN 15804, or ISO 21930–2007

Question 70

evapotranspiration

Answer 70

the combination of evaporation and plant transpiration into the atmosphere. Evaporation occurs when liquid water from soil, plant surfaces, or water bodies becomes vapor. Transpiration is the movement of water through a plant and the subsequent loss of water vapor.

Question 71

extended producer responsibility

Answer 71

measures undertaken by the maker of a product to accept its own and sometimes other manufacturers’ products as postconsumer waste at the end of the products’ useful life. Producers recover and recycle the materials for use in new products of the same type. To count toward credit compliance, a program must be widely available. For carpet, extended producer responsibility must be consistent with NSF/ANSI 140–2007. Also known as closed-loop program or product take-back.

Question 72

extensive vegetated roof

Answer 72

a roof that is covered with plants and typically not designed for general access. Usually an extensive system is a rugged green roof that requires little maintenance once established. The planting medium in extensive vegetated roofs ranges from 1 to 6 inches in depth. (Adapted from U.S. EPA) exterior vegetated surface area the total area of vegetation on the project site, including vegetated roofs and turf grass

Question 73

external meter

Answer 73

a device installed on the outside of a water pipe to record the volume of water passing through it. Also known as a clamp-on meter.

Question 74

floor-area ratio (FAR)

Answer 74

the density of nonresidential land use, exclusive of parking, measured as the total nonresidential buildingfloor areadivided 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. On the same site, an FAR of 1.5 would be 15,000 square feet (1395 square meters), an FAR of 2.0 would be 20,000 square feet (1860 square meters), and an FAR of 0.5 would be 5,000 square feet (465 square meters).

Question 75

foundation drain

Answer 75

the water discharged from a subsurface drainage system. If a building foundation is below the water table, a sump pump may be required. Discharge from the sump may be stored and used for irrigation.

Question 76

freight village

Answer 76

a cluster of freight-related businesses that include intermodal transfer operations.Freight villages may offer logistics services, integrated distribution, warehousing capabilities, showrooms, and support services.Such support services may include security, maintenance, mail, banking, customs and import management assistance, cafeterias, restaurants, office space, conference rooms, hotels, and public or activity center transportation.

Question 77

functional entry

Answer 77

a building opening designed to be used by pedestrians and open during regular business hours. It does not include any door exclusively designated as an emergency exit, or a garage door not designed as a pedestrian entrance.

Question 78

furniture and furnishings

Answer 78

the stand-alone furniture items purchased for the project, including individual and group seating; open-plan and private-office workstations; desks and tables; storage units, credenzas, bookshelves, filing cabinets, and other case goods; wall-mounted visual-display products (e.g., marker boards and tack boards, excluding electronic displays); and miscellaneous items, such as easels, mobile carts, freestanding screens, installed fabrics, and movable partitions. Hospitality furniture is included as applicable to the project. Office accessories, such as desktop blotters, trays, tape dispensers, waste baskets, and all electrical items, such as lighting and small appliances, are excluded.

Question 79

grams per brake horsepower hour

Answer 79

metric used to communicate how many grams of emissions (e.g., nitrogen oxide or particulate matter) are emitted by an engine of a specific horsepower rating over a one-hour period

Question 80

graywater

Answer 80

“untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washers and laundry tubs. It must not include waste water from kitchen sinks or dishwashers” (Uniform Plumbing Code, Appendix G, Gray Water Systems for Single-Family Dwellings); “waste water discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers and laundry sinks” (International Plumbing Code, Appendix C, Gray Water Recycling Systems). Some states and local authorities allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Other differences can likely be found in state and local codes. Project teams should comply with the graywater definition established by the authority having jurisdiction in the project area.

Question 81

green infrastructure

Answer 81

a soil- and vegetation-based approach to wet weather management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Green infrastructure management approaches and technologies infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies. (Adapted from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Question 82

green power

Answer 82

a subset of renewable energy composed of grid-based electricity produced from renewable energy sources

Question 83

green vehicles

Answer 83

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.).

Question 84

greenfield

Answer 84

area that is not previously developed, graded or disturbed, and could support open space, habitat, or natural hydrology

Question 85

hardscape

Answer 85

the inanimate elements of the building landscaping. It includes pavement, roadways, stonewalls, wood and synthetic decking, concrete paths and sidewalks, and concrete, brick, and tile patios.

Question 86

hazardous material

Answer 86

any item or agent (biological, chemical, physical) that has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors

Question 87

heat island effect

Answer 87

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.

Question 88

highway

Answer 88

a transportation thoroughfare intended for motor vehicles with limited access points, prohibitions on human-powered vehicles, and higher speeds than local roads. A highway generally connects cities and towns.

Question 89

historic building

Answer 89

a building or structure with historic, architectural, engineering, archeological, or cultural significance that is listed or determined to be eligible as a historic structure or building, or as a contributing building or structure in a designated historic district. The historic designation must be made by a local historic preservation review board or similar body, and the structure must be listed in a state register of historic places, be listed in the National Register of Historic Places (or a local equivalent outside the U.S.), or have been determined eligible for listing.

Question 90

historic district

Answer 90

a group of buildings, structures, objects, and sites that have been designated or determined to be eligible as historically and architecturally significant, and categorized as either contributing or noncontributing to the historic nature of the district

Question 91

homogeneous material

Answer 91

an item that consists of only one material throughout or a combination of multiple materials that cannot be mechanically disjointed, excluding surface coatings

Question 92

hydrozone

Answer 92

a group of plantings with similar water needs

Question 93

illuminance

Answer 93

the incident luminous flux density on a differential element of surface located at a point and oriented in a particular direction, expressed in lumens per unit area. Since the area involved is differential, it is customary to refer to this as illuminance at a point. The unit name depends on the unit of measurement for area: footcandles if square feet are used for area, and lux if square meters are used. (Adapted from IES) In lay terms, illuminance is a measurement of light striking a surface. It is expressed in footcandles in the U.S. (based on square feet) and in lux in most other countries (based on square meters).

Question 94

impervious surface

Answer 94

an area of ground that development and building have modified in such a way that precipitation cannot infiltrate downward through the soil. Examples of impervious surfaces include roofs, paved roads and parking areas, sidewalks, and soils that have been compacted either by design or by use.

Question 95

individual occupant space

Answer 95

an area where an occupant performs distinct tasks. Individual occupant spaces may be within multioccupant spaces and should be treated separately where possible.

Question 96

industrial process water

Answer 96

any water discharged from a factory setting. Before this water can be used for irrigation, its quality needs to be checked. Saline or corrosive water should not be used for irrigation.

Question 97

infill site

Answer 97

a site where at least 75% of the land area, exclusive of rights-of-way, within ½ mile (800 meters) of the project boundary is previously developed. A street or other right-of-way does not constitute previously developed land; it is the status of property on the other side of right-of-way or the street that matters.

Question 98

infiltration

Answer 98

(HVAC) uncontrolled inward air leakage to conditioned spaces through unintentional openings in ceilings, floors, and walls from unconditioned spaces or the outdoors caused by the same pressure differences that induce exfiltration. (ASHRAE 62.1–2010)

Question 99

infrared (thermal) emittance

Answer 99

a value between 0 and 1 (or 0% and 100%) that indicates the ability of a material to shed infrared radiation (heat). A cool roof should have a high thermal emittance. The wavelength range for radiant energy is roughly 5 to 40 micrometers. Most building materials (including glass) are opaque in this part of the spectrum and have an emittance of roughly 0.9, or 90%. Clean, bare metals, such as untarnished galvanized steel, have a low emittance and are the most important exceptions to the 0.9 rule. In contrast, aluminum roof coatings have intermediate emittance levels. (Adapted from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

Question 100

inpatient

Answer 100

an individual admitted to a medical, surgical, maternity, specialty, or intensive-care unit for a length of stay exceeding 23 hours

Question 101

inpatient unit

Answer 101

any medical, surgical, maternity, specialty, or intensive-care unit where an individual receives care for more than 23 hours

Question 102

integral labeling

Answer 102

an information conveyance system that cannot be easily removed. For furniture, such labeling may include radio frequency identification, engraving, embossing, or other permanent marking containing information on material origin, properties, and date of manufacture.

Question 103

integrated pest management

Answer 103

a method of pest management that protects human health and the surrounding environment, and improves economic returns through the most effective, least-risk option

Question 104

integrated project delivery

Answer 104

an approach that involves people, systems, and business structures (contractual and legal agreements) and practices. The process harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to improve results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction. (Adapted from American Institute of Architects)

Question 105

intensive vegetated roof

Answer 105

a roof that, compared with an extensive vegetated roof, has greater soil volume, supports a wider variety of plants (including shrubs and trees), and allows a wider variety of uses (including human access). The depth of the growing medium is an important factor in determining habitat value. The native or adapted plants selected for the roof should support the site’s endemic wildlife populations. (Adapted from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities)

Question 106

interior floor finish

Answer 106

all the layers applied over a finished subfloor or stairs, including stair treads and risers, ramps, and other walking surfaces. Interior finish excludes building structural members, such as beams, trusses, studs, or subfloors, or similar items. Interior finish also excludes nonfull spread wet coatings or adhesives.

Question 107

interior wall and ceiling finish

Answer 107

all the layers comprising the exposed interior surfaces of buildings, including fixed walls, fixed partitions, columns, exposed ceilings, and interior wainscoting, paneling, interior trim or other finish applied mechanically or for decoration, acoustical correction, surface fire resistance, or similar purposes

Question 108

intermodal facility

Answer 108

a venue for the movement of goods in a single loading unit or road vehicle that uses successively two or more modes of transportation without the need to handle the goods themselves

Question 109

invasive plant

Answer 109

nonnative vegetation that has been introduced to an area and that aggressively adapts and reproduces. The plant’s vigor combined with a lack of natural enemies often leads to outbreak populations. (Adapted from U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Question 110

IT annual energy

Answer 110

electricity consumption by information technology and telecom equipment which includes servers, networking, and storage equipment over the course of a year

Question 111

lamp

Answer 111

a device emitting light in a fixture, excluding lamp housing and ballasts. Light-emitting diodes packaged as traditional lamps also meet this definition.

Question 112

lamp life

Answer 112

the useful span of operation of a source of artificial light, such as bulbs. Lamp life for fluorescent lights is determined by testing three hours on for every 20 minutes off. For high-density discharge lamps, the test is based on 11 hours on for every 20 minutes off. Lamp lifedepends on whether the start ballast is program or instant. This information is published in manufacturers’ information. Also known as rated average life.

Question 113

land trust

Answer 113

a private, nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in conservation easement or land acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements (Adapted from Land Trust Alliance)

Question 114

land-clearing debris and soil

Answer 114

materials that are natural (e.g., rock, soil, stone, vegetation). Materials that are man-made (e.g., concrete, brick, cement) are considered construction waste even if they were on site.

Question 115

landscape water requirement (LWR)

Answer 115

the amount of water that the site landscape area(s) requires for the site’s peak watering month

Question 116

lead-free

Answer 116

a label, defined by U.S. EPA regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, that allows small amounts of lead in solders, flux, pipes, pipe fittings, and well pumps

Question 117

least-risk pesticide

Answer 117

a registered pesticide in the Tier III (lowest toxicity) category, using the San Francisco Hazard Ranking system, or a pesticide that meets the requirements in the San Francisco Pesticide Hazard Screening Protocol and is sold as a self-contained bait or as a crack-and-crevice treatment used in areas inaccessible to building occupants. Rodenticides are never considered least-risk pesticides.

Question 118

length of stay

Answer 118

the amount of time a person remains in a health care facility as an admitted patient

Question 119

life-cycle assessment

Answer 119

an evaluation of the environmental effects of a product from cradle to grave, as defined by ISO 14040–2006 and ISO 14044–2006

Question 120

life-cycle inventory

Answer 120

a database that defines the environmental effects (inputs and outputs) for each step in a material’s or assembly’s life cycle. The database is specific to countries and regions within countries.

Question 121

light pollution

Answer 121

waste light from building sites that produces glare, is directed upward to the sky, or is directed off the site. Waste light does not increase nighttime safety, utility, or security and needlessly consumes energy.

Question 122

light rail

Answer 122

transit service using two- or three-car trains in a right-of-way that is often separated from other traffic modes. Spacing between stations tends to be ½ mileor more, and maximum operating speeds are typically 40–55 mph (65–90 kmh). Light-rail corridors typically extend 10 or more miles (16 kilometers).

Question 123

light trespass

Answer 123

obtrusive illumination that is unwanted because of quantitative, directional, or spectral attributes. Light trespass can cause annoyance, discomfort, distraction, or loss of visibility.

Question 124

load shedding

Answer 124

an intentional action by a utility to reduce the load on the system. Load shedding is usually conducted during emergency periods, such as capacity shortages, system instability, or voltage control.

Question 125

long-term bicycle storage

Answer 125

bicycle parking that is easily accessible to residents and employees and covered to protect bicycles from rain and snow

Question 126

low-cost improvement

Answer 126

an operational improvement, such as a repair, upgrade, or staff training or retraining. In LEED, the project team determines the reasonable upper limit for low-cost improvements based on facility resources and operating budgets.

Question 127

low-impact development (LID)

Answer 127

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). These are engineered practices that may require specialized design assistance.

Question 128

makeup water

Answer 128

water that is fed into a cooling tower system or evaporative condenser to replace water lost through evaporation, drift, bleed-off, or other causes

Question 129

manage (rainwater) on site

Answer 129

to capture and retain a specified volume of rainfall to mimic natural hydrologic function. Examples of rainwater management include strategies that involve evapotranspiration, infiltration, and capture and reuse.

Question 130

master plan boundary

Answer 130

the limits of a site master plan. The master plan boundary includes the projectarea and may include all associated buildings and sites outside of the LEED project boundary. The master plan boundary considers future sustainable use, expansion, and contraction.

Question 131

mean lumen output a measurement

Answer 131

of a source’s emitted light derived from industry standards, taken with an instant-start ballast that has a ballast factor of 1.0 as measured at 40% of lamp life (except for T-5 lamps, which use a program-start ballast)

Question 132

medical furnishing

Answer 132

an item of furniture designed for use in health care. Examples include surgical tables; procedure, supply, and mobile technology carts; lifting and transfer aids; supply closet carts and shelving; and overbed tables.

Question 133

metering control

Answer 133

a regulator that limits the flow time of water, generally a manual-on and automatic-off device, most commonly installed on lavatory faucets and showers

Question 134

mixed paper

Answer 134

white and colored paper, envelopes, forms, file folders, tablets, flyers, cereal boxes, wrapping paper, catalogs, magazines, phone books, and photos

Question 135

modular and movable casework

Answer 135

shelving and cabinetry designed to be easily installed, moved, or reconfigured. In a retail setting, items that are movable but semipermanently attached using mechanical fastening systems for operational use are considered furniture and not base building elements (e.g., a table or display bolted to the floor, or shelving attached to a wall).

Question 136

mounting height

Answer 136

the distance between ground level (or the workplane) and the bottom of the luminaire (light fixture); the height at which a luminaire is installed. (Adapted from Light a Home)

Question 137

movable furniture and partitions

Answer 137

items that can be moved by the users without the need of tools or assistance from special trades and facilities management

Question 138

multitenant complex

Answer 138

a site that was master-planned for the development of stores, restaurants and other businesses. Retailers may share some services and common areas.

Question 139

NAED code

Answer 139

a unique five- or six-digit number used to identify specific lamps, used by the National Association of Electrical Distributors

Question 140

native vegetation

Answer 140

an indigenous species that occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions. Native species have evolved to the geography, hydrology, and climate of that region. They also occur in communities; that is, they have evolved together with other species. As a result, these communities provide habitat for a variety of other native wildlife species. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement. Also known as native plants.

Question 141

natural refrigerant

Answer 141

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.

Question 142

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soils delineation

Answer 142

a U.S.-based soil survey that shows the boundaries of different soil types and special soil features on the site

Question 143

natural site hydrology

Answer 143

the natural land cover function of water occurrence, distribution, movement, and balance

Question 144

net usable program area

Answer 144

the sum of all interior areas in the project available to house the project’s program. It does not include areas for building equipment, vertical circulation, or structural components.

Question 145

non-inpatient area

Answer 145

a public space, diagnostic or treatment area, ambulatory unit, or any other space in a health care facility that is not for individuals who have been admitted for care

Question 146

nonpotable water

Answer 146

water that does not meet drinking water standards

Question 147

non-regularly occupied space

Answer 147

an area that people pass through or an area used for focused activities an average of less than one hour per person per day. The one-hour timeframe is continuous and should be based on the time a typical occupant uses the space. For spaces that are not used daily, the one-hour timeframe should be based on the time a typical occupant spends in the space when it is in use.

Question 148

nonwater toilet systems

Answer 148

dry plumbing fixtures and fittings that contain and treat human waste via microbiological processes

Question 149

nonwater urinal

Answer 149

a plumbing fixture having a water flush with a trap that contains a layer of buoyant liquid that floats above the urine, blocking sewer gas and odors

Question 150

occupant control

Answer 150

a system or switch that a person in the space can directly access and use. Examples include a task light, an open switch, and blinds. A temperature sensor,photo sensor, or centrally controlled system is not occupant controlled.

Question 151

occupiable space

Answer 151

an enclosed space intended for human activities, excluding those spaces that are intended primarily for other purposes, such as storage rooms and equipment rooms, and that are occupied only occasionally and for short periods of time (ASHRAE 62.1–2010)

Question 152

occupied space

Answer 152

enclosed space intended for human activities, excluding those spaces that are intended primarily for other purposes, such as storage rooms and equipment rooms, and that are only occupied occasionally and for short periods of time. Occupied spaces are further classified as regularly occupied or nonregularly occupied spaces based on the duration of the occupancy, individual or multioccupant based on the quantity of occupants, and densely or nondensely occupied spaces based on the concentration of occupants in the space.

Question 153

ongoing consumable

Answer 153

a product that has a low cost per unit and is regularly used and replaced in the course of business. Examples include paper, toner cartridges, binders, batteries, and desk accessories. Also known as ongoing purchases.

Question 154

on-site wastewater treatment

Answer 154

the transport, storage, treatment, and disposal of wastewater generated on the project site

Question 155

open-grid pavement system

Answer 155

pavements that consist of loose substrates supported by a grid of a more structurally sound grid or webbing. Pervious concrete and porous asphalt are not considered open grid as they are considered bounded materials. Unbounded, loose substrates do not transfer and store heat like bound and compacted materials do.

Question 156

operations and maintenance (O&M) plan

Answer 156

a plan that specifies major system operating parameters and limits, maintenance procedures and schedules, and documentation methods necessary to demonstrate proper operation and maintenance of an approved emissions control device or system

Question 157

ornamental luminaire

Answer 157

a luminaire intended for illuminating portions of the circulation network that also serves an ornamental function, in addition to providing optics that effectively deliver street lighting, and has a decorative or historical period appearance

Question 158

outpatient

Answer 158

a patient who is not hospitalized for 24 hours or more but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated healthcare facility for diagnosis or treatment

Question 159

owner’s project requirements (OPR)

Answer 159

a written document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project

Question 160

patient position

Answer 160

a patient bed, infusion chair, recovery room bay, or other location where a patient receives clinical care

Question 161

peak demand

Answer 161

the maximum electricity load at a specific point in time or over a period of time

Question 162

peak watering month

Answer 162

the month with the greatest deficit between evapotranspiration and rainfall. This is the month when the plants in the site’s region potentially require the most supplemental water typically a mid-summer month. (Sustainable Sites Initiative)

Question 163

permanent interior obstruction

Answer 163

a structure that cannot be moved by the user without tools or assistance from special trades and facilities management. Examples include lab hoods, fixed partitions, demountable opaque full- or partial-height partitions, some displays, and equipment.

Question 164

permanent peak load shifting

Answer 164

the transfer of energy consumption to off-peak hours, when demand for power is lower and energy is therefore less expensive

Question 165

permeable pavement

Answer 165

a paved surface that allows water runoff to infiltrate into the ground

Question 166

persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemical

Answer 166

a substance that poses a long-term risk to both humans and the environment because it remains in the environment for long periods, increases in concentration as it moves up the food chain, and can travel far from the source of contamination. Often these substances can become more potent and harmful to ecosystems the longer they persist. See U.S. EPA’s website on persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals, www.epa.gov/pbt/.

Question 167

place of respite

Answer 167

an area that connects healthcare patients, visitors, and staff to health benefits of the natural environment. (Adapted from Green Guide for Health Care Places of Respite Technical Brief)

Question 168

plug load or receptacle load

Answer 168

the electrical current drawn by all equipment that is connected to the electrical system via a wall outlet.

Question 169

postconsumer recycled content

Answer 169

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

Question 170

potable water

Answer 170

water that meets or exceeds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water quality standards (or a local equivalent outside the U.S.) and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems

Question 171

power distribution unit output

Answer 171

the electrical power from a device that allocates power to and serves information technology (IT) equipment. Power distribution unit (PDU) output does not include efficiency losses of any transformation that occurs within the PDU, but it can include downstream non-IT ancillary devices installed in IT racks, such as fans. If the PDU system supports non-IT equipment (e.g., computer room air-conditioning units, computer room air handlers, in-row coolers), this equipment must be metered and subtracted from the PDU output reading. The metering approach should be consistent with the metering required for the power usage efficiency (PUE) category (e.g., continuous consumption metering for PUE categories 1, 2, and 3).

Question 172

power utilization effectiveness (PUE)

Answer 172

a measure of how efficiently a data center uses its power; specifically, how much power is used by computing equipment rather than for cooling and other overhead

Question 173

powered floor maintenance equipment

Answer 173

electric and battery-powered floor buffers and burnishers. It does not include equipment used in wet applications

Question 174

preconsumer recycled content

Answer 174

matter diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process, determined as the percentage of material, by weight. Examples include planer shavings, sawdust, bagasse, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials, overissue publications, and obsolete inventories. The designation excludes rework, regrind, or scrap materials capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated them (ISO 14021). Formerly known as postindustrial content.

Question 175

preferred parking

Answer 175

the parking spots closest to the main entrance of a building (exclusive of spaces designated for handicapped persons). For employee parking, it refers to the spots that are closest to the entrance used by employees.

Question 176

premature obsolescence

Answer 176

the wearing out or disuse of components or materials whose service life exceeds their design life. For example, a material with a potential life of 30 years is intentionally designed to last only 15 years, such that its remaining 15 years of service is potentially wasted. In contrast, components whose service life is the same as their expected use are utilized to their maximum potential.

Question 177

previously developed

Answer 177

altered by paving, construction, and/or land use that would typically have required regulatory permitting to have been initiated (alterations may exist now or in the past). Land that is not previously developed and landscapes altered by current or historical clearing or filling, agricultural or forestry use, or preserved natural area use are considered undeveloped land. The date of previous development permit issuance constitutes the date of previous development, but permit issuance in itself does not constitute previous development.

Question 178

previously developed site

Answer 178

a site that, prior to the project, consisted of at least 75% previously developed land

Question 179

prime farmland

Answer 179

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 determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (a U.S.-based methodology that sets criteria for highly productive soil). For a complete description of what qualifies as prime farmland, see U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699, Section 657.5.

Question 180

private meter

Answer 180

a device that measures water flow and is installed downstream from the public water supply meter or as part of an on-site water system maintained by the building management team

Question 181

process energy

Answer 181

power resources consumed in support of a manufacturing, industrial, or commercial process other than conditioning spaces and maintaining comfort and amenities for building occupants of a building. It may include refrigeration equipment, cooking and food preparation, clothes washing, and other major support appliances. (ASHRAE)

Question 182

process load or unregulated load

Answer 182

the load on a building resulting from the consumption or release of process energy (ASHRAE)

Question 183

process water

Answer 183

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.

Question 184

product (permanently installed building product)

Answer 184

an item that arrives on the project site either as a finished element ready for installation or as a component to another item assembled on-site. The product unit is defined by the functional requirement for use in the project; this includes the physical components and services needed to serve the intended function of the permanently installed building product. In addition, similar products within a specification can each contribute as separate products.

Question 185

public water supply (PWS)

Answer 185

a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances. To be considered public, such system must have at least 15 service connections or regularly serve at least 25 individuals. (Adapted from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Question 186

rainwater harvesting

Answer 186

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.

Question 187

raw material

Answer 187

the basic substance from which products are made, such as concrete, glass, gypsum, masonry, metals, recycled materials (e.g., plastics and metals), oil (petroleum, polylactic acid), stone, agrifiber, bamboo, and wood

Question 188

reclaimed water

Answer 188

wastewater that has been treated and purified for reuse

Question 189

recycled content

Answer 189

defined in accordance with the International Organization of Standards document ISO 14021 – Environmental labels and declarations – Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labeling)

Question 190

reference evapotranspiration rate

Answer 190

the amount of water lost from a specific vegetated surface with no moisture limitation. Turf grass with height of 120 mm is the reference vegetation.

Question 191

reference soil

Answer 191

a soil native to the project site, as described in Natural Resources Conservation Service soil surveys (or a local equivalent survey outside the United States), or undisturbed native soils within the project’s region that have native vegetation, topography, and soil textures similar to the project site. For project sites with no existing soil, reference soils are defined as undisturbed native soils within the project’s region that support appropriate native plant species similar to those intended for the new project.

Question 192

refurbished material

Answer 192

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.

Question 193

regularly occupied space

Answer 193

an area where one or more individuals normally spend time (more than one hour per person per day on average) seated or standing as they work, study, or perform other focused activities inside a building. The one-hour timeframe is continuous and should be based on the time a typical occupant uses the space. For spaces that are not used daily, the one-hour timeframe should be based on the time a typical occupant spends in the space when it is in use.

Question 194

regularly used exterior entrance

Answer 194

a frequently used means of gaining access to a building. Examples include the main building entrance as well as any building entryways attached to parking structures, underground parking garages, underground pathways, or outside spaces. Atypical entrances, emergency exits, atriums, connections between concourses, and interior spaces are not included.

Question 195

regulated load

Answer 195

any building end use that has either a mandatory or a prescriptive requirement in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1–2010

Question 196

remanufactured product

Answer 196

an item that has been repaired or adjusted and returned to service. A remanufactured product can be expected to perform as if it were new.

Question 197

renewable energy

Answer 197

energy sources that are not depleted by use. Examples include energy from the sun, wind, and small (low-impact) hydropower, plus geothermal energy and wave and tidal systems.

Question 198

renewable energy credit (REC)

Answer 198

a tradable commodity representing proof that a unit of electricity was generated from a renewable resource. RECs are sold separately from electricity itself and thus allow the purchase of green power by a user of conventionally generated electricity.

Question 199

reuse

Answer 199

the reemployment of materials in the same or a related capacity as their original application, thus extending the lifetime of materials that would otherwise be discarded. Reuse includes the recovery and reemployment of materials recovered from existing building or construction sites. Also known as salvage.

Question 200

reused area

Answer 200

the total area of the building structure, core, and envelope that existed in the prior condition and remains in the completed design

Question 201

revenue-grade meter

Answer 201

a measurement tool designed to meet strict accuracy standards required by code or law. Utility meters are often called revenue grade because their measurement directly results in a charge to the customer.

Question 202

rideshare

Answer 202

a transit service in which individuals travel together in a passenger car or small van that seats at least four people. It can include human-powered conveyances, which must accommodate at least two people. It must include an enclosed passenger seating area, fixed route service, fixed fare structure, regular operation, and the ability to pick up multiple riders.

Question 203

salvaged material

Answer 203

a construction component recovered from existing buildings or construction sites and reused. Common salvaged materials include structural beams and posts, flooring, doors, cabinetry, brick, and decorative items.

Question 204

school authority

Answer 204

the authority responsible for decision making about school operations, districts, personnel, financing, and future development. Examples include school boards, local governments, and religious institutions.

Question 205

Scope 1 emissions

Answer 205

direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by the entity, such as emissions from fossil fuels burned on site

Question 206

Scope 2 emissions

Answer 206

indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the generation of purchased electricity, heating/cooling, or steam off site, through a utility provider for the entity’s consumption

Question 207

sDA300/50%

Answer 207

the percentage of analysis points across the analysis area that meet or exceed this 300 lux value for at least 50% of the analysis period

Question 208

server input

Answer 208

the information technology (IT) load as measured at the point of connection (e.g., power receptacle) of the IT device to the electrical power system. Server input captures the actual power load of the IT device exclusive of any power distribution losses and non-IT loads (e.g., rack-mounted fans).

Question 209

service life

Answer 209

the assumed length of time that a building, product, or assembly will be operational for the purposes of a life-cycle assessment

Question 210

shared multioccupant space

Answer 210

a place of congregation, or where occupants pursue overlapping or collaborative tasks

Question 211

shell space

Answer 211

an area designed to be fitted out for future expansion. Shell space is enclosed by thebuilding envelope but otherwise left unfinished.

Question 212

short-term bicycle storage

Answer 212

non-enclosed bicycle parking typically used by visitors for a period of two hours or less.

Question 213

simple box energy modeling analysis

Answer 213

(also known as “building-massing model energy analysis”) a simple base-case energy analysis that informs the team about the building’s likely distribution of energy consumption and is used to evaluate potential project energy strategies. A simple box analysis uses a basic, schematic building form.

Question 214

site assessment

Answer 214

an evaluation of an area’saboveground and subsurface characteristics, including its structures, geology, and hydrology. Site assessments typically help determine whether contamination has occurred and the extent and concentration of any release of pollutants. Remediation decisions rely on information generated during site assessments.

Question 215

site master plan

Answer 215

an overall design or development concept for the project and associated (or potentially associated) buildings and sites. The plan considers future sustainable use, expansion, and contraction. The site master plan is typically illustrated, with building plans (if applicable), site drawings of planned phased development, and narrative descriptions.

Question 216

soft space

Answer 216

an area whose functions can be easily changed. For example, hospital administrative offices could be moved so that this soft space could be converted to a laboratory. In contrast, a lab with specialized equipment and infrastructure would be difficult to relocate.

Question 217

softscape

Answer 217

the elements of a landscape that consist of live, horticultural elements

Question 218

solar garden/ community renewable energy system

Answer 218

shared solar array or other renewable energy system with grid-connected subscribers who receive credit for the use of renewables using virtual net metering(Adapted from solargardens.org)

Question 219

solar reflectance (SR)

Answer 219

the fraction of solar energy that is reflected by a surface on a scale of 0 to 1. Black paint has a solar reflectance of 0; white paint (titanium dioxide) has a solar reflectance of 1. The standard technique for its determination uses spectrophotometric measurements, with an integrating sphere to determine the reflectance at each wavelength. The average reflectance is then determined by an averaging process, using a standard solar spectrum, as documented by ASTM Standards E903 and E892.

Question 220

solar reflectance index (SRI)

Answer 220

a measure of the constructed surface’s ability to stay cool in the sun by reflecting solar radiation and emitting thermal radiation. It is defined such that a standard black surface (initial solar reflectance 0.05, initial thermal emittance 0.90) has an initial SRI of 0, and a standard white surface (initial solar reflectance 0.80, initial thermal emittance 0.90) has an initial SRI of 100. To calculate the SRI for a given material, obtain its solar reflectance and thermal emittance via the Cool Roof Rating Council Standard (CRRC-1). SRI is calculated according to ASTM E 1980. Calculation of the aged SRI is based on the aged tested values of solar reflectance and thermal emittance.

Question 221

sound-level coverage

Answer 221

a set of uniformity criteria that ensure consistent intelligibility and directionality of audible frequencies for all occupants within a space

Question 222

source reduction

Answer 222

a decrease in the amount of unnecessary material brought into a building in order to produce less waste. For example, purchasing products with less packaging is a source reduction strategy.

Question 223

spatial daylight autonomy (sDA)

Answer 223

a metric describing annual sufficiency of ambient daylight levels in interior environments. It is defined as the percentage of an analysis area (the area where calculations are performed, typically across an entire space) that meets a minimum daylight illuminance level for a specified fraction of the operating hours per year (i.e., the Daylight Autonomyvalue following Reinhart & Walkenhorst, 2001).The illluminance level and time fraction are included as subscripts, as in sDA300,50%.The sDA value is expressed as a percentage of area.

Question 224

speech privacy

Answer 224

a condition in which speech is unintelligible to casual listeners (ANSI T1.523–2001)

Question 225

speech spectra

Answer 225

the distribution of acoustic energy as a function of frequency for human speech

Question 226

streetcar

Answer 226

a transit service with small, individual rail cars. Spacing between stations is uniformly short and ranges from every block to ¼ mile, and operating speeds are primarily 10–30 mph (15–50 kmh). Streetcar routes typically extend 2–5 miles (3-8 kilometers).

Question 227

structure

Answer 227

elements carrying either vertical or horizontal loads (e.g., walls, roofs, and floors) that are considered structurally sound and nonhazardous

Question 228

systems manual

Answer 228

provides the information needed to understand, operate, and maintain the systems and assemblies within a building.It expands the scope of the traditional operating and maintenance documentation and is compiled of multiple documents developed during the commissioning process, such as the owner’s project requirements, operation and maintenance manuals, and sequences of operation.

Question 229

Technical Release (TR) 55

Answer 229

an approach to hydrology in which watersheds are modeled to calculate storm runoff volume, peak rate of discharge, hydrographs, and storage volumes, developed by the former USDA Soil Conservation Service

Question 230

thermal emittance

Answer 230

the ratio of the radiant heat flux emitted by a specimen to that emitted by a blackbody radiator at the same temperature (adapted from Cool Roof Rating Council)

Question 231

three-year aged SR or SRI value

Answer 231

a solar reflectance or solar reflectance index rating that is measured after three years of weather exposure

Question 232

time-of-use pricing

Answer 232

an arrangement in which customers pay higher fees to use utilities during peak time periods and lower fees during off-peak time periods

Question 233

undercover parking

Answer 233

vehicle storage that is underground, under deck, under roof, or under a building

Question 234

uninterruptible power supply (UPS) output

Answer 234

the electricity provided by a unit that keeps information technology (IT) equipment functioning during a power outage. UPS output does not include efficiency losses from the unit itself but does include losses from downstream electrical distribution components, such as power distribution units, and it may include non-IT ancillary devices installed in IT racks, such as fans. If the UPS system supports non-IT equipment (e.g., computer room air-conditioning units, computer room air handlers, in-row coolers), this usage must be metered and subtracted from the UPS output reading. The metering approach should be consistent with the metering required for the power usage efficiency (PUE) category (e.g., continuous consumption metering for PUE categories 1, 2 and 3).

Question 235

universal waste

Answer 235

hazardous items that are easily purchased and commonly used. Examples include batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and light bulbs. See epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/universal/index.htm.

Question 236

unoccupied space

Answer 236

an area designed for equipment, machinery, or storage rather than for human activities. An equipment area is considered unoccupied only if retrieval of equipment is occasional.

Question 237

upstream equipment

Answer 237

a heating or cooling system or control associated with the district energy system (DES) but not part of the thermal connection or interface with the DES. Upstream equipment includes the thermal energy conversion plant and all the transmission and distribution equipment associated with transporting the thermal energy to the project building or site.

Question 238

USDA Organic

Answer 238

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s certification for products that contain at least 95% ingredients (excluding water and salt) produced without synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, or hormones. Any remaining ingredients must consist of USDA-approved nonagricultural substances or agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form.

Question 239

vertical illuminance

Answer 239

illuminance levels calculated at a point on a vertical surface, or that occur on a vertical plane.

Question 240

vision glazing

Answer 240

the glass portion of an exterior window that permits views to the exterior or interior. Vision glazing must allow a clear image of the exterior and must not be obstructed by frits, fibers, patterned glazing, or added tints that distort color balance.

Question 241

walking distance

Answer 241

the distance that a pedestrian must travel between origins and destinations without obstruction, in a safe and comfortable environment on a continuous network of sidewalks, all weather-surface footpaths, crosswalks, or equivalent pedestrian facilities. The walking distance must be drawn from an entrance that is accessible to all building users.

Question 242

waste diversion

Answer 242

a management activity that disposes of waste through methods other than incineration or landfilling. Examples include reuse and recycling.

Question 243

waste-to-energy

Answer 243

the conversion of nonrecyclable waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel through a variety of processes, including combustion, gasification, pyrolization, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas (LFG) recovery

Question 244

water body

Answer 244

the surface water of a stream (first-order and higher, including intermittent streams), arroyo, river, canal, lake, estuary, bay, or ocean. It does not include irrigation ditches.

Question 245

water budget

Answer 245

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.

Question 246

wet meter

Answer 246

a device installed inside a water pipe to record the volume of passing water

Question 247

wetland

Answer 247

an area that is inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas, but exclude irrigation ditches unless delineated as part of an adjacent wetland.

Question 248

wood

Answer 248

plant-based materials that are eligible for certification under the Forest Stewardship Council. Examples include bamboo and palm (monocots) as well as hardwoods (angiosperms) and softwoods (gymnosperms)

Question 249

xeriscaping

Answer 249

landscaping that does not require routine irrigation

Question 250

yard tractor

Answer 250

a vehicle used primarily to facilitate the movement of truck trailers and other types of large shipping containers from one area of a site to another. It does not include forklift trucks.Also known as terminal tractor, yard truck, utility tractor rig, yard goat, or yard hustler.

Question 251

zero lot line project

Answer 251

a plot whose building footprint typically aligns or nearly aligns with the site limits