Test your basic knowledge |

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A document that details the commissioning program overview - identification of the commissioning team - and description of the commissioning process activities.






2. Capable of decomposing under natural conditions. (EPA)






3. The temperature - humidity - and airflow ranges within which the majority of people are most comfortable - as determined by ASHRAE Standard 55-2004. Because people dress differently depending on the season - thermal comfort levels vary with the seaso






4. The variety of life in all forms - levels - and combinations - including ecosystem diversity - species diversity - and genetic diversity.






5. Building components and appliances that use less energy to perform as well as or better than standard products.






6. American Society of Heating - Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.






7. The amount of carbon compounds that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions and vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures - measured in grams per liter. VOCs off-gas from many materials - including adhesives - sealants - paints -






8. A measure of greenhouse gas emissions associated with an activity. A comprehensive carbon footprint includes building construction - operation - energy use - building-related transportation - and the embodied energy of water - solid waste - and const






9. An optional LEED Green Building Rating System component whose achievement results in the earning of points toward certification.






10. A comparison of a building system's performance with a standard - such as ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.






11. The controlled admission of natural light into a space - used to reduce or eliminate electric lighting.






12. Precipitation captured and used for indoor needs - irrigation - or both.






13. The total square footage of all buildings within a particular area - measured in square feet per acre or units per acre.






14. Plants that require saturated soils to survive or can tolerate prolonged wet soil conditions.






15. A landscaping method that makes routine irrigation unnecessary by using drought-adaptable and low-water plants - as well as soil amendments such as compost and mulches to reduce evaporation.






16. Solid particles or liquid droplets in the atmosphere. The chemical composition of particulates varies - depending on location and time of year. Sources include dust - emissions from industrial processes - combustion products from the burning of wood






17. The amount of a building's agricultural products (fiber or animal) that are quickly grown or raised and can be harvested in a sustainable fashion - expressed as a percentage of the total materials cost. For LEED - rapidly renewable materials take 10






18. A small fluorescent lamp - used as a more efficient alternative to incandescent lighting; also called a PL - twin-tube - or biax lamp. (EPA)






19. Construction items recovered from existing buildings or construction sites and reused. Common salvaged materials include structural beams and posts - flooring - doors - cabinetry - brick - and decorative items.






20. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Brundtland Commission)






21. A measure of how well a material rejects solar heat; the index ranges from 0 (least reflective) to 100 (most reflective). Using "cooler" materials helps prevent the urban heat island effect (the absorption of heat by roofs and pavement and its radiat






22. Energy derived from ancient organic remains - such as peat - coal - crude oil - and natural gas. (EPA)






23. Not capable of being replaced; permanently depleted once used. Examples of nonrenewable energy sources are oil and natural gas; nonrenewable natural resources include metallic ores.






24. The percentage of water delivered by irrigation equipment that is actually used for irrigation and does not evaporate - blow away - or fall on hardscape. For example - overhead spray sprinklers have lower irrigation efficiencies (65%) than drip syste






25. A device that removes heat from a liquid - typically as part of a refrigeration system used to cool and dehumidify buildings.






26. The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that is not to be exceeded during a given time in a defined area. (EPA)






27. Management of forest resources to meet the long-term forest product needs of humans while maintaining the biodiversity of forested landscapes. The primary goal is to restore - enhance - and sustain a full range of forest values - including economic -






28. Sustainable plans for built environments that improve existing conditions. Regenerative design goes beyond reducing impacts to create positive change in the local and global environments.






29. A combination of symptoms - experienced by occupants of a building - that appear to be linked to time spent in the building but cannot be traced to a specific cause. Complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone or be spread throughout the






30. A plan that diverts construction debris from landfills through recycling - salvaging - and reuse.






31. The resistance of a material to penetration by a liquid. The total imperviousness of a surface - such as paving - is expressed as a percentage of total land area that does not allow moisture penetration. Impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from inf






32. The amount of water the design case conserves versus the baseline case. All LEED Water Efficiency credits use a baseline case against which the facility's design case is compared. The baseline case represents the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992






33. Native plants occur naturally in a given location and ecosystem. Adapted plants are not native to a location but grow reliably with minimal attention from humans. Using native and adapted plants can reduce the amount of water required for irrigation






34. Long-term maintenance of ecosystem components and functions for future generations. (EPA)






35. The percentage of material in a product that was consumer waste. The recycled material was generated by household - commercial - industrial - or institutional end users and can no longer be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of mate






36. The spent or used water from a home - community - farm - or industry that contains dissolved or suspended matter.






37. A basic unit of nature that includes a community of organisms and their nonliving environment linked by biological - chemical and physical processes.






38. A stormwater control feature that uses a combination of an engineered basin - soils - and vegetation to slow and detain stormwater - increase groundwater recharge - and reduce peak stormwater runoff.






39. The installed lighting power per unit area.






40. A required LEED Green Building Rating System component whose achievement is mandatory and does not earn any points.






41. The absorption of heat by hardscapes - such as dark - nonreflective pavement and buildings - and its radiation to surrounding areas. Particularly in urban areas - other sources may include vehicle exhaust - air-conditioners - and street equipment; re






42. The amount of connection between a site and the surrounding community - measured by proximity of the site to homes - schools - parks - stores - restaurants - medical facilities - and other services and amenities.






43. Electricity from photovoltaic cells that convert the energy in sunlight into electricity.






44. The percentage of material in a product that is recycled from the manufacturing waste stream (preconsumer waste) or the consumer waste stream (postconsumer waste) and used to make new materials. For LEED - recycled content is typically expressed as a






45. Wood that has been issued a certificate from an independent organization with developed standards of good forest management. This certificate verifies that wood products come from responsibly managed forests.






46. An unwanted airborne element that may reduce indoor air quality (ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007)






47. The percentage of material in a product that was recycled from manufacturing waste. Preconsumer content was formerly known as postindustrial content. Examples include planer shavings - sawdust - bagasse - walnut shells - culls - trimmed materials - o






48. The floor area of the building divided by the total area of the site (square feet per acre)






49. The amount of air circulated through a space - measured in air changes per hour (the quantity of infiltration air in cubic feet per minute divided by the volume of the room). Proper ventilation rates - as prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 62 - ensure tha






50. A material - other than the principal product - generated as a consequence of an industrial process or as a breakdown product in a living system. (EPA)