24 concepts you should know to pass the LEEP AP

Exams

1) Prerequisites, Requirements and Intents• Memorize the information regarding prerequisites to become a LEED AP

• Know the definitions and goals of each USGBC standard

• Know the purpose/intent of each credit category

2) Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)• “All projects applying for LEED certification must meet a set of minimum program

requirements” according to the USGBC• The Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) are the minimum characteristics or

conditions that make a project appropriate to pursue LEED certification.• MPRs serve the purpose of giving clear guidance to customers, protecting the integrity

of the LEED program, and reducing challenges that occur during the LEED process• All LEED projects (except LEED for Homes and Neighborhood Development) must meet

all MPRs to become certified. MPRs include:• 1. Must be in a permanent location on existing land• 2. Must use reasonable LEED boundaries• 3. Must comply with project size requirements

Reference: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide

3) Potential Technologies and Strategies• Potential Technologies and Strategies found in the Reference Guides for each Credit Category are commonly found on the exam.

4) Summary of Reference Standards, Implementation and Exemplary Performance• Study and memorize the Reference Standards, the implementation of the standards, and what, if any, Exemplary Performance credits are available.

• Know standards such as ASHRAE, Green Seal, and Green Label

Project ExperienceThe following concepts are related to

project experience and have appeared on LEED AP Exams.

5) LEED Pilot Credits•Pilot Credits are ideas and strategies that are entirely new to LEED that may be implemented for the first time on a LEED project.

•Standard Pilot Credits are each worth 1 point and are earned within the Innovation category.

Reference: USGBC.org

6) Owners Project Requirements• Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) is a “written document

that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project.”

• This document also establishes the owner’s goals for the building and its function.

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

7) Basis of Design (BoD) • Basis of Design (BoD) is the information that helps the team accomplish the owner’s project requirements.

• It includes:• System descriptions• Indoor environmental quality criteria• Design assumptions• References to applicable codes• Standards• Regulations• Guidelines

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

8) LEED Certification Steps• To make sure a project meets all credit requirements and creates synergies between each credit, project teams should make sure they follow the steps in the LEED Reference Guides.

9) Credit Interpretation Process (CIRs)• The Credit Interpretation Process (CIR) “supports high-performance, cost-effective project outcomes through an analysis of the interrelationships among systems.”

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

10) LEED Online• Teams manage their projects on the LEED Online website. LEED

Online is a web application designed specifically for managing LEED certification projects.

• LEED Online contains credit templates and allows teams to upload documentation (e.g. photos, site plans, floor plans, site rendering, project descriptions, etc) and submit their Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs).

• LEED Online contains the LEED Scorecard, which lists all the credits that the project is attempting. It helps teams keep track of their LEED Certification plan.

Reference: Poplar Network LEED v4 GA Study Guide

11) LEED Project Registration Costs• Registration fee: There is a flat fee calculated on a per-project basis that

you’ll pay at the time of registration• Certification fee: The certification fee is charged on a per-project basis

and based on the size of the project and the rating system under which the project is registered. Certification fees are due when you submit your application for review. GBCI will not begin your review until payment in full has been received

• Other fees: Other fees related to expedited reviews and other optional parts of the certification process may apply.

• Member discounts: USGBC Silver, Gold and Platinum level member organizations will have a discounted LEED registration and certification rate.

Reference: USGBC.org

12) LEED Certification Review Process• LEED certification involves four main steps:

• Registration: Register your project by completing required forms and submitting payment.

• Apply: apply by submitting your completed certification application through LEED Online and paying a certification review fee.

• Review: Your LEED application will be reviewed by GBCI.• Certify: You will receive a certification decision informing you of

your certification.

Reference: USGBC.org

13) LEED Charrette and Kickoff Process• During the initial four-hour meeting or design charrette, teams “explore

opportunities to incorporate innovative strategies, achieve exemplary performance for existing LEED credits, and develop pilot credits, based on the project scope.”

• The goal is to combine team expertise to optimize green strategies across all aspects of building design and construction.

• Then, a team of stakeholders is assembled and a kickoff meeting is held to introduce the team members, review roles and responsibilities, and review all remaining activities.

• To participate in a Charrette visit the following link: https://www.poplarnetwork.com/edu/leed-specific-charrette-exercise

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

14) Integrative Process and IPD• The Integrative Process Credit “requires implementing a

detailed energy and water analysis to maximize synergies of the building systems through design improvements.”

• Throughout the design process, teams will identify opportunities to achieve synergies across building systems.

• Assessing the site will help project teams meet the site condition and building and site program requirements.

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

15) LEED Site Boundary• In order for a project to become LEED certified, teams

must follow and report specific site boundaries meaning land in and around the project space that are affected as a result.

• This includes the site area affected by the construction, including parking and open space.

• The LEED project boundary may not be “gerrymandered” or be designed to exclude portions of a space simply for the purposes of seeking LEED certification.

Reference: LEED GA Study Guide

16) LEED Impact Categories• LEED v4 Impact Categories “emphasize the potential for projects

to contribute positively to their communities and to the planet.”• They determine requirements of the rating system and are used

to assign points to each credit. There are also incentives to pursue higher-point-valued credits and higher certification levels.

• The following are Impact Categories:• Enhance human health and well-being• Reverse contribution to climate change• Enhance community, social equity, environmental justice and quality of life• Build a greener economy• Promote sustainable and regenerative resource cycles• Protect biodiversity and ecosystem services• Protect and restore water resources

Reference: USGBC.org

17) LEED Interpretations and Addenda• Addenda is made up of LEED Interpretations and Corrections. 

• LEED Interpretations are rulings decided by USGBC on inquiries submitted by LEED project teams.

• Corrections “are permanent changes and improvements to LEED 2009 and v4 resources, including rating systems and reference guides.”

Reference: USGBC.org

CalculationsDifficult calculation questions are common on the LEED AP v4 exams. Calculations may include basic

addition and subtraction, but also may include more complex calculations which we will review next.

18) Calculating densities per acre• Density is a ratio of building coverage on a given parcel of land to the size of that parcel.

• Density can be calculated as Combined density: square footage/acre or as separate residential (DU/acre) and non-residential densities (FAR).

References: Poplar Network LEED GA Study Guide, BD+C Reference Guide

19) Floor Area Ratios (FAR)• To calculate residential density, you “divide the number

of dwelling units by the amount of residential land.”• To calculate nonresidential density, use floor area ratio

(FAR):• Floor-area Ratio (FAR) is “the density of nonresidential land

use, exclusive of structured parking, measured as the total nonresidential building floor area divided by the total buildable land area available for nonresidential buildings.”

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

20) Indoor Water Use Reduction Calculations• The Indoor Water Use Reduction prerequisite and credit require

projections based on occupants’ usage of flush and/or flow rates for toilets, sinks, showers, etc.

• These calculations are important to Water Efficiency Indoor Water Use Reduction (prerequisite or credits). Below is an example calculation from the BD+C Reference Guide.

21) Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)• Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is related to calculations of roofs

or calculations of slope for a heat island roof. • “The most effective measure of a roofing material’s ability to

reject solar heat is the measure of the constructed surface’s ability to stay cool in the sun by reflecting solar radiation and emitting thermal radiation.”

• To calculate the SRI for a given material, “obtain its solar reflectance and thermal emittance via the Cool Roof Rating Council Standard (CRRC-1).”

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

22) Renewable Energy Production • Calculate the total amount of energy generated by the system and

convert this value into the equivalent cost using either utility rates or virtual energy rates.

• To receive credit for renewable energy systems savings, calculate the equivalent cost of the energy generated using the methodology outlined in the related credit.

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

23) Green Power and Carbon Offset• The goal of Green Power and Carbon Offsets credit is “to encourage the

reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the use of grid-source, renewable energy technologies and carbon mitigation projects.”

• To calculate the use of the project’s electricity and nonelectricity energy use totals to determine the required amount of green power and/or carbon offsets to be purchased.

• Projects that use green power or RECs must convert their annual grid-generated electricity use to MWh. See example calculation below:

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide

24) Flush-out Requirement Calculations• Flush-out is a part of the Indoor Air Quality Credit• Flush-out can be done in two ways:

• Option 1: Before occupancy, teams can “install new filtration media and perform a building flush-out by supplying a total air volume of 14,000 cubic feet of outdoor air per square foot.”

• Option 2: Once the space is occupied, “it must be ventilated at a minimum rate of 0.30 cubic foot per minute (cfm) per square foot of outdoor air (1.5 liters of outside air per second per square meter).”

• OR After construction ends and before occupancy, teams can conduct baseline IAQ testing using LEED protocols for all occupied spaces. ASTM standard methods, EPA compendium methods or ISO methods can be used.

Reference: BD+C Reference Guide