US Green Building Council LEED-AP-O+M Exam Questions

This strategy meets the requirement of the Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management, which aims to reduce runoff volume and improve water quality by replicating the natural hydrology and water balance of the site, based on historical conditions and undeveloped ecosystems in the region. The credit requires projects to retain the runoff from the developed site for at least the 80th percentile of rainfall events, using low-impact development and green infrastructure practices. Minimizing impervious cover reduces the amount of runoff generated and allows more infiltration and evapotranspiration of rainwater.

To increase the vegetated area of an existing urban site from 4% to equal or be greater than 5%, one effective strategy is to install a vegetated roof system. This approach not only increases the site's vegetated footprint but also provides additional benefits such as improved stormwater management, increased insulation, and reduction of the urban heat island effect. A vegetated roof system can be implemented on flat or slightly sloped roofs, making it a versatile option for urban environments where ground space may be limited. By converting unused roof space into green space, the project team can meet the goal of increasing the total vegetated area of the site. Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 101; LEED AP O+M Exam Guide, page 306.

The Commissioning (Cx) Plan is a foundational document that outlines the scope and activities of the commissioning process. At a minimum, the plan should include an overview of the Cx program, which details the objectives and goals, the roles and responsibilities of the project team members involved in the commissioning process, and the sequence and timing of process activities. This ensures that all stakeholders understand the commissioning process and are aligned with its implementation.

The requirements for the contents of a Commissioning Plan are detailed in the Energy and Atmosphere Credit for Existing Building Commissioning under the LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) reference guide. It is also highlighted in the LEED AP O+M training materials that a comprehensive Cx Plan is integral to documenting the systematic process of ensuring building systems perform interactively and efficiently.

LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, p. 1132: LEED v4 - U.S. Green Building Council(https://www.usgbc.org/guide/om)3: What is Blowdown Loss in Cooling Towers?(https://deltacooling.com/resources/faqs/what-is-blowdown-loss-in-cooling-towers).

Cooling tower blowdown is a process used to manage water quality in cooling systems. It involves discharging a portion of the water from the system to control the concentration of dissolved solids and minerals, which accumulate due to the continuous evaporation of water. These dissolved solids can increase the water's conductivity, leading to scale formation, corrosion, and biofouling, all of which can significantly decrease the efficiency and lifespan of the cooling system. By performing blowdown, the system maintains the water quality within acceptable limits, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency of the cooling tower.

The need for cooling tower blowdown due to the accumulation of dissolved solids is discussed within the context of water management practices in cooling systems in the LEED AP O+M documentation. This process is crucial for maintaining system efficiency and is covered under the Water Efficiency category, emphasizing the importance of water management in achieving sustainable building operations.

The Owner Project Requirements (OPR) is a document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. It typically includes key functional and operational parameters such as occupied hours of a building, use by space type, required temperature settings, and lighting levels. The OPR is used as a guiding document throughout the design and construction process to ensure that the team is aligned with the owner's vision and goals.

The Owner Project Requirements (OPR) is a critical document that outlines the functional and operational objectives of a project, reflecting the owner's needs and expectations. This document serves as a foundation for the design team to develop the Basis of Design (BOD) and guides the project through its lifecycle, ensuring that the owner's operational needs, such as occupied hours, use by space type, required temperature settings, and lighting levels, are met. The OPR typically includes information on building occupancy schedules, space usage types, environmental conditions like temperature and lighting requirements, and other owner-driven criteria essential for the building's design and operation. By clearly defining these parameters upfront, the OPR ensures that the project team has a clear understanding of what is expected from the building's performance, facilitating a design that aligns with the owner's vision and operational needs.