CSI Sustainable Design & Green Building Specifications 3

Question 1

Which sustainable building rating system uses a 'tiered' credit approach with Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels?

Accepted Answer

LEED

Answer

WELL Building Standard

Answer

BREEAM

Answer

Living Building Challenge

Question 2

When writing specifications for low-emitting adhesives and sealants, which standard is most commonly referenced for VOC limits?

Accepted Answer

SCAQMD Rule 1168

Answer

ASTM D 4541

Answer

ANSI A137.1

Answer

NFPA 13

Question 3

What is 'commissioning' in the context of sustainable building specifications?

Accepted Answer

A systematic process to verify building systems perform as intended per the owner's project requirements

Answer

The process of awarding a construction contract

Answer

The final inspection before certificate of occupancy

Answer

The process of selecting subcontractors

Question 4

In a green building specification, 'biobased content' refers to materials that contain what?

Accepted Answer

Carbon-based compounds derived from biological products, living organisms, or renewable agricultural or forestry materials

Answer

Microorganisms used in concrete curing

Answer

Materials certified by biological testing laboratories

Answer

Products that have been naturally weathered

Question 5

Which energy modeling software result is typically required to be included in specifications for LEED Energy & Atmosphere credits?

Accepted Answer

An energy cost budget or energy use intensity (EUI) comparison against a baseline building

Answer

A geotechnical investigation report

Answer

A structural load analysis

Answer

A material take-off quantity schedule

Question 6

What is the primary distinction between 'prescriptive' and 'performance' compliance paths in sustainable building specifications?

Accepted Answer

Prescriptive paths specify exact measures to follow; performance paths allow any means to achieve a measurable outcome

Answer

Prescriptive paths require third-party testing while performance paths do not

Answer

Performance paths are less rigorous than prescriptive paths

Answer

Prescriptive paths are only used for mechanical systems

Question 7

Under the Living Building Challenge, a 'Petal' in the Red List requirement prohibits the use of which category of materials?

Accepted Answer

Materials containing chemicals of concern such as PVC, formaldehyde, and heavy metals

Answer

Materials with low compressive strength

Answer

Materials manufactured outside the region

Answer

Materials that do not have EPDs