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. Water that meets or exceeds the EPA's drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems.






2. The amount of water consumed by flush fixtures (water closets - or toilets - and urinals). The baseline flush rate for water closets is 1.6 gpf - and for urinals - 1.0 gpf (EPAct 1992)






3. The nature of air inside the space that affects the health and well-being of building occupants. It is considered acceptable when there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations and a substantial majority (80% or more) of the occupants do n






4. 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.






5. Waste and recyclables generated from construction and from renovation - demolition - or deconstruction of existing structures. It does not include land-clearing debris - such as soil - vegetation - and rocks.






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






7. The emission of volatile organic compounds from synthetic and natural products.






8. A measure of a building's energy performance compared with that of similar buildings - as determined by the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. A score of 50 represents average building performance.






9. The amount of waste disposed of other than through incineration or in landfills - expressed in tons. Examples of waste diversion include reuse and recycling.






10. The temperature of the surrounding air or other medium. (EPA)






11. A measure of transportation demand that estimates the travel miles associated with a project - most often for single-passenger cars. LEED sometimes uses a complementary metric for alternative-mode miles (e.g. - In high-occupancy autos).






12. A structure that uses water to absorb heat from air-conditioning systems and regulate air temperature in a facility.






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






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






15. An indicator of ventilation effectiveness inside buildings. CO2 concentrations greater than 530 parts per million (ppm) above outdoor conditions generally indicate inadequate ventilation. Absolute concentrations of greater than 800 to 1000 ppm genera






16. The area on a project site that is used by the building structure - defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots - landscapes - and other nonbuilding facilities are not included in the building footprint.






17. The amount of a site that is disturbed by construction activity. On undeveloped sites - limiting the amount and boundary of site disturbance can protect surrounding habitat.






18. 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






19. All the individuals involved in a building project from early in the design process - including the design professionals - the owner's representatives - and teh general contractor and subcontractors.






20. A control system capable of monitoring environmental and system loads and adjusting HVAC operations accordingly in order to conserve energy while maintaining comfort. (EPA)






21. A structure designed to conserve water and energy; use space - materials - and resources efficiently; minimize construction waste; and create a healthful indoor environment.






22. Systematic improvements in the performance of a market or market segment. For example - EPA's ENERGY STAR program has shifted the performance of homes - buildings - and appliances toward higher levels of energy efficiency by providing recognition and






23. Wastewater from toilets and urinals; definitions vary - and wastewater from kitchen sinks (perhaps differentiated by the use of a garbage disposal - showers - or bathtubs is considered blackwater under some state or local codes.






24. A voluntary - consensus-based - market-driven building rating system based on existing - proven technology. The LEED Green Building Rating System represents USGBC's effort to provide a national benchmark for green buildings. Through its use as a desi






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. The number of types of spaces or housing types per acre. A neighborhood that includes a diversity of uses - offices - homes - schools - parks - stores - encourages walking - and its residents and visitors are less dependent on personal vehicles. A di






32. A community's total greenhouse gas emissions divided by the total number of residents.






33. 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






34. 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






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






36. 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






37. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water from 60 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit. This standard measure of energy is used to describe the energy content of fuels and compare energy use.






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






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






40. 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






41. An analysis of the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product - process - or service.






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. Plant material from trees - grasses - or crops that can be converted to heat energy to produce electricity.






44. A tradable commodity representing proof that a unit of electricity was generated from a renewable energy resource. RECs are sold separately from the electricity itself and thus allow the purchase of green power by a user of conventionally generated e






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






46. A document that outlines the organization - schedule - allocation of resources - and documentation requirements of the commissioning process.






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






48. 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.






49. 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.






50. Vehicles that use low-polluting - nongasoline fuels - such as electricity - hydrogen - propane or compressed natural gas - liquid natural gas - methanol - and ethanol. In LEED - efficient gas-electric hybrid vehicles are included in this group.