Exam: Green Building: Commercial High Performance Guidelines Part 1

1. Replacement of whole central systems should come first in the order of priority.
A. True
B. False

2. Basic objectives to build a high-performance building include:

A. Maximizing operational energy savings
B. Providing healthy interiors
C. Limiting the detrimental environmental impacts of the building construction and operation.
D. All of the above

3. Renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic cells, solar hot water, and geothermal exchange are preferable to other
low emission technologies, such as fuel cells.
A. True
B. False

4. Integrated design uses _________ to reduce electrical demand.

A. Photovoltaics
B. Daylight
C. Shade
D. Right sized HVAC

5. _______ of our annual wood harvest is used for construction, which contributes to flooding, deforestation, and loss of
biodiversity.
A. 15%
B. 25%
C. 30%
D. 35%

6. High performance design out of necessity favors sophisticated "state-of-the-art" equipment.

A. True
B. False

7. Which statement is correct regarding high performance building outcomes?

A. Emerging designs are handed sequentially from architect to engineer to sub-consultant.
B. Need to brings together various experts early in the goal-setting process.
C. A team-driven approach is, in effect, "front-loading" of expertise.
D. All of the above

8. In municipal projects, Departments and funding entities are less likely to sponsor energy- and infrastructure-related
programs over higher visibility improvements such as a playground or new wing.
A. True
 B. False

9. National and local Building and Energy Codes each define code compliance in terms of meeting an optimal standard for
system performance.
A. True
B. False

10. Installing water meters in residential buildings and billing for service based on consumption:
A. Will be counterproductive, because it will generate hostility on the part of the tenants.
B. Will redice waste, but increase billing costs, so that savings will be minimal.
C. Reduce water use by an average of 20%, primarily through conscious efforts to reduce waste (such as repairing
leaks).
D. All of the above

11. Specifying double glazed windows with high performance selective coatings, in conjunction with an energy efficient
lighting design, may reduce heat loss and gain to such an extent that it will be possible to downsize the entire HVAC
system (chillers, boilers, fans, pumps, ducts, pipes, etc.).
A. True
B. False

12. Measures to reduce construction and demolition (C&D) waste include:

A. Reusing existing structures and materials
B. Avoiding the purchase of excess materials
C. Reducing materials packaging
D. All of the above

13. Adaptive reuse of an existing building is not a substitute for new construction.
A. True
B. False

14. Whenever possible, controlled artificial lighting should be incorporated into the building as the preferred mode of
interior illumination.
A. True
B. False

15. Designers should first capitalize on conservation techniques, then work to achieve an appropriate, integrated balance of
solar heating, day lighting, energy entrained within the earth (geothermal energy), air movement, and other renewable
resources.
A. True
B. False

16. Effective energy load management consists of:

 A. Load measurement
B. System response
C. Continuous calibration of sensors and instrumentation
D. All of the above

17. To achieve a healthy and comfortable environment, it is critical to ensure that only facility maintenance staff can
knowledgeably operate the building systems and equipment.
A. True
B. False

18. The hierarchy of _______ ________ _______ can serve as a guideline for decisions relating to resource efficiency.
A. Avoid, recycle, reuse
B. Reduce, reuse, recycle
C. Test, evaluate, recycle
D. Study, implement, use

19. A commissioning agent oversees the building team to ensure that the systems:
A. Have been well-designed
B. Appropriately installed
C. Functionally tested
D. All of the above

20. Periodically, and not less than _________, the project team should update the initial High Performance Plan to assure
the integrity of the goals and objectives.
A. Monthly
B. Weekly
C. At each milestone
D. All of the above

21. Maintenance and operating savings can be achieved through optimization of several building systems one at the time.
A. True
B. False

22. The overall scope of construction issues to be included in the project s final design drawings and specifications should
address the following:
A. Site Protection Plan
B. Construction Health and Safety Plan
C. Waste Management Plan
D. All of the above

23. Whose responsibility is to develop a comprehensive Owner's Manual?

A. The Architect
B. The Commissioning Agent
 C. The Builder
D. The Project Engineer

24. The specifications prepared by ____________ are the key to a successful high performance projects and must be
prepared with particular care.
A. The Project Engineer
B. The Builder
C. The Architect
D. The Consultant

25. To reduce the urban heat island effect, in parking areas, avoid plantings where vehicles are parked.
A. True
B. False

26. If irrigation is necessary, consider sprinkler irrigation and other water efficient irrigation systems.
A. True
B. False

27. Tree pits should be _____ times the size of root ball dimensions.
A. 1-2
B. 2-5
C. 3-5
D. None of the above

28. Which statement is NOT true to prevent non-point source pollution:

A. Planting watershed buffers
B. Pave area to divert runoff to sewers
C. Install porous surfaces
D. Minimize parking

29. Plantings should be comprised of: least ______ species native to the area and ____ low-maintenance (i.e., requiring
minimal mowing, weeding, and trimming).
A. 25%-50%
B. 10%-20%
C. 30%-50%
D. 50%-75%

30. You should specify low-albedo (dark colored) materials for 80% of paved surfaces.
A. True
B. False

31. You should plant at least one tree on the site for every ________ square feet of impermeable surface.
 A. 1,000
B. 1,200
C. 2,000
D. 2,500

32. Tree pits dug in pavement should be a minimum of five feet by five feet.
A. True
B. False

33. Planting should be scheduled in __________ or __________, optimum seasons for most species.
A. Early spring or early Summer
B. Fall or Winter
C. Late spring or early winter
D. None of the above

34. Carefully consider the placement of existing and proposed deciduous and evergreen trees on site. When practicable,
locate so that deciduous trees block summer sun to the ___________ of the building and evergreens block winter wind
on the north face of the building.
A. North and west
B. South and west
C. South and east
D. North and south

35. Together with other passive solar and integrated design strategies, what other factors can significantly reduce the size
and cost of mechanical systems?
A. Site selection
B. Site configuration
C. Building orientation
D. All of the above

36. When using passive solar design for heating, non-windowed spaces should be located on the _______ side against the
exterior wall to create a thermal buffer for the main functions on south side.
A. North
B. East
C. West
D. South

37. In a temperate zone, which item(s) is/are not correct regarding building orientation:
A. optimize a solar access in winter
B. minimize exposure to solar radiation in summer
C. maximize overshadowing of adjacent properties
D. all of the above
38. Whenever possible, specify low partitions in office areas adjacent to window walls to enhance penetration of daylight to
interior.
A. True
B. False

39. You should discourage staircases in low-rise buildings.

A. True
B. False

40. An energy management system encompassing all building controls should be considered for all new buildings exceeding
_______ sq. ft. For existing buildings of this size, an energy management system encompassing all building controls
should be provided when undertaking a complete renovation of the mechanical systems.
A. 20,000
B. 30,000
C. 40,000
D. 50,000

41. It should be a goal of Level 1 high performance buildings that, at minimum, ____ of the total annual energy use, or
one-third of total annual energy savings, should be provided by renewable energy sources.
A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 40

42. Fully renovated Level 1 high performance buildings, wherein the entire envelope (e.g., windows, walls, roof, etc.),
HVAC, and lighting systems are fully upgraded or replaced, should have the same performance goals as new buildings.
A. True
B. False

43. Dissatisfaction with ____________ is the most common source of complaints in office buildings.
A. Thermal conditions
B. Acceptable indoor air quality
C. Visual comfort
D. Appropriate acoustical quality

44. If the outdoor air has high dust levels, use higher efficiency air filters (80-85% ASHRAE standard efficiency with ____
efficiency pre-filters).
A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 30%
D. 40%

45. Flush the building with 100% outside air for a period of not less than ____ days beginning as soon as systems are
 operable and continuing throughout installation of furniture, fittings, and equipment.
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 30

46. Sources of offgassing in building materials include:

A. Paints
B. Ceiling tiles
C. Carpeting
D. All of the above

47. From project outset, building owners, designers, and contractors should actively commit to:
A. maximize operation energy savings
B. provide healthy interiors
C. limit the detrimental environmental impacts of the buildings' construction and operation
D. all of the above

48. High performance buildings with improved envelopes and efficient lighting, equipment, and HVAC systems use less
energy than conventional buildings.
A. True
B. False

49. The goal of equalizing control system advantages with energy usage is:
A. To give users control of the lighting level in their area.
B. To empower building users and maintenance staff with control over the systems in the building.
C. To control infiltration gains and losses.
D. To maximize cooling and heating loads.

50. Achieve a good balance between light levels and localized changes to provide a comfortable visual environment by:
A. High-level lighting supplemented by controllable task lighting.
B. Unchangeable proven lighting schemes.
C. Allowing lighting combinations to reflect changes in activity.