USGBC Updated LEED-AP-O+M Exam Questions and Answers by angus

The strategies that are eligible for reducing landscape water demand in the Water Efficiency Credit, Outdoor Water Use Reduction, include selecting plant species that require less water and improving irrigation efficiency. These measures are part of a comprehensive approach to minimize water use in landscaping.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M reference materials highlight the importance of plant species selection and irrigation system efficiency as primary strategies for achieving outdoor water use reduction1.

Reducing landscape water demand in the Water Efficiency Credit, Outdoor Water Use Reduction, can be achieved through strategic plant species selection and improving irrigation efficiency. Choosing native or adapted plants that require less water helps reduce the demand for irrigation. Simultaneously, employing efficient irrigation technologies and practices, such as drip irrigation or smart controllers, minimizes water waste. These strategies work together to significantly lower the amount of water needed for landscaping, contributing to water conservation and sustainability goals.

References:These strategies are discussed in the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance reference guide within the section on Water Efficiency Credit, Outdoor Water Use Reduction. The guide provides best practices for selecting plant species and irrigation methods that align with LEED's objectives for reducing water use in landscapes.

Low Impact Development (LID) practices manage stormwater by using natural or man-made systems to filter and recharge stormwater into the ground12. A rain garden is an example of a LID technique for rainwater management3. It is a planted depression that allows rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas, like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas, to be absorbed. This reduces rain runoff by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground (as opposed to flowing into storm drains and surface waters which causes erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater).

References:

• Low Impact Development (LID) Practices: A Review on Recent Developments, Challenges and Prospects | Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
• Enhancing stormwater management with low impact development (LID): a review of the rain barrel, bioretention, and permeable pavement applicability in Indonesia | Water Science & Technology | IWA Publishing
• Managing Rainwater with Low-Impact Development (LID) for LEED Credits

Retro-commissioning, re-commissioning, or on-going commissioning are quality assurance processes for existing buildings that aim to optimize performance and improve building operation. One of the essential goals of these processes is to identify opportunities for cost-effective reduction in energy consumption123. This involves verifying and documenting that the building and its systems and assemblies are operating efficiently and meet the current requirements of the building3.

References:

• LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council
• LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting
• Building Operations & Maintenance - Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC)
• Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam
• Technical Guidelines on Retro-commissioning
• Existing Building Commissioning: Retro-commissioning and Re-commissioning with EAB
• EC Re-Commissioning | NJ Green Building Manual

When a building is recertified in LEED Operations and Maintenance, it should use the LEED version that is current at the time of registration for recertification. This approach ensures that the building is being assessed under the most recent standards and requirements, reflecting the latest advancements and best practices in green building.References:LEED Operations and Maintenance Reference Guide, Introduction and Overview section.

When a building initially certified under LEED EB v2.0 seeks recertification, the appropriate version to use is the one that is current at the time of registration for recertification. LEED rating systems go through updates and revisions, and at any given point, they can be either open for registration and certification, closed for registration but open for certification, or completely closed for both registration and certification (sunset). The deadlines for these phases are published by the USGBC. Therefore, a building pursuing recertification must align with the most current version available at the time of its registration for recertification.