USGBC Updated LEED-Green-Associate Exam Questions and Answers by arnie

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is the approach that refers to the identification and quantification of environmental effects throughout the life of the materials and products used in a project as well as the project itself. LCA evaluates the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service from cradle to grave, or from raw material extraction to disposal or reuse. LCA considers various impact categories, such as global warming potential, ozone depletion potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, smog formation potential, and human health impacts. LCA can help to compare the environmental performance of different design options, select more sustainable materials and products, and reduce the environmental footprint of a project

The reclaimed wood doors can be used to meet the Materials Reuse credit under the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization category in LEED v4. This credit rewards projects for reusing materials that have been recovered from existing buildings or products, and reduces the demand for virgin materials and the associated environmental impacts. The credit does not have any distance requirements for the source of the reused materials, unlike the Recycled Content and Regional Materials credits.

References:

• LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide1, page 36
• LEED v4 and Low Carbon Building Materials2, page 19

The Commissioning Authority (CxA) should be brought onto the project team early in the Schematic Design (SD) phase, as recommended by the LEED rating system1. This allows the CxA to participate in the design process and provide input on the owner’s project requirements, the basis of design, and the commissioning plan. The CxA can also help to identify and resolve potential issues before they become costly problems during construction or operation.

References:

• LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, p. 36
• LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, p. 11
• Commissioning Authority Guide
• Commissioning Authority | WBDG - Whole Building Design Guide

Xeriscaping is a landscaping practice that uses drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants to reduce water use and maintenance. Xeriscaping also incorporates other strategies such as mulching, efficient irrigation, soil improvement, and appropriate design and zoning. By using xeriscaping, projects can conserve water, protect natural habitats, reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, and enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of the site. References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 123 1; [Xeriscape Colorado website]