Discuss US Green Building Council LEED-AP-BD+C Exam Topic 1 Question 17

A facility manager cleaning highly reflective paving material is

Aunnecessarily wasting water

Breducing the heat island effect

Cincreasing the heat island effect

Dlowering the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)

Suggested Answer: B

The heat island effect is the phenomenon of urban areas having higher air temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to the absorption and emission of heat by human-made surfaces, such as buildings, roads, and pavements. The heat island effect can have negative impacts on the environment, human health, and energy consumption. One of the strategies to reduce the heat island effect is to use highly reflective paving materials that have a high solar reflectance index (SRI), which measures the ability of a surface to reflect solar radiation and stay cool. However, over time, the paving materials can accumulate dirt and dust, which can lower their reflectance and increase their heat absorption. Therefore, a facility manager cleaning highly reflective paving material is reducing the heat island effect by restoring the reflectance and cooling potential of the surface12.

* Heat Island Reduction | U.S. Green Building Council1

* SpecTopics: Heat Island Reduction Credit and LEED V4/V4.1 - Carlisle SynTec

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30 comments · newest first

Stefany 10 months ago

Lowering the SRI sounds off; reflective surfaces should stay high!

Kendra 10 months ago

Wait, how does cleaning increase the heat island effect?

Willetta 11 months ago

Isn't it a waste of water though?

Alida 11 months ago

Totally agree, cleaning them is actually beneficial!

Hermila 11 months ago

I read that reflective materials can help reduce heat.

Cecily 11 months ago

I'm a bit confused about the impact of cleaning on the heat island effect. Does it really increase it, or is that just a misconception?

Audria 11 months ago

This question feels familiar; I think we had a practice question about heat islands and reflective surfaces. I might lean towards B.

Malika 12 months ago

I think we discussed how cleaning can sometimes waste water, but I can't recall if it really lowers the SRI.

Graham 12 months ago

I remember something about reflective materials helping with heat, but I'm not sure if cleaning them actually affects that.

Rikki 12 months ago

I got this! Cleaning the reflective paving reduces the heat absorption, so it must be reducing the heat island effect. B is the answer.

Glenna 1 year ago

Okay, let me break this down. Highly reflective paving material would increase the Solar Reflectance Index, so the answer can't be D. I'm leaning towards B, but I'll double-check the other options.

Margarett 1 year ago

Hmm, I'm not sure about this one. The options are a bit confusing. I'll need to think it through carefully.

Bernadine 1 year ago

This question seems straightforward. I think the answer is B - reducing the heat island effect.

Leoma 1 year ago

Option A - unnecessarily wasting water? Nah, the facility manager's just trying to keep their cool, literally!

Justine 1 year ago

It may use water, but the benefits of reducing heat outweigh the water usage.

Paulene 1 year ago

D, lowering the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). Gotta keep those pavements shining bright to beat the heat!

Soledad 1 year ago

I'm voting for C - increasing the heat island effect. What's the point of having reflective paving if you're just going to dull it down with all that cleaning?

Lynsey 1 year ago

↳ replying to Soledad

C: I agree, maybe they should consider alternative cleaning methods to reduce the heat island effect.

Vince 1 year ago

↳ replying to Soledad

B: Yeah, it's important to strike a balance between cleanliness and environmental impact.

Jerilyn 1 year ago

↳ replying to Soledad

A: I think you're right, cleaning it too often might actually be making things worse.

Lenita 1 year ago

But isn't cleaning the material wasting water?

Eloisa 1 year ago

I agree with Justine, it helps to lower the temperature in the area.

Justine 1 year ago

I think cleaning the paving material is reducing the heat island effect.

Marti 1 year ago

Option B, reducing the heat island effect. Keeping those surfaces clean is key to maximizing their reflectivity.

Rebbecca 1 year ago

↳ replying to Marti

B: Yeah, it's important for the facility manager to prioritize cleaning to maintain reflectivity.

Lourdes 1 year ago

↳ replying to Marti

A: I agree, keeping the paving material clean helps reduce the heat island effect.

Aron 1 year ago

Cleaning the reflective paving material? Sounds like a job for a superhero with a mop and bucket!

Audra 1 year ago

↳ replying to Aron

C: I think they might be wasting water though. There could be a more efficient way to clean it.

Heidy 1 year ago

↳ replying to Aron

B: Yeah, that could be it. It's important to keep those surfaces clean.

Serita 1 year ago

↳ replying to Aron

A: Maybe they're trying to reduce the heat island effect.

US Green Building Council LEED-AP-BD+C Exam - Topic 1 Question 17 Discussion