LEED-AP-O+M USGBC LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Untreated stormwater, due to its potential contaminants, is not suitable for potable uses but can be effectively utilized for non-potable applications such as irrigation. It provides a viable alternative to using treated water for landscape irrigation, thereby conserving potable water resources. This use aligns with sustainable water management practices encouraged by LEED, which promote the reduction of potable water usage for landscape irrigation.

References:

The LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction and the LEED O+M Reference Guide both encourage the use of untreated stormwater for irrigation as part of an integrated water management approach. This conservation strategy is covered under the Water Efficiency category and is a common topic in LEED AP O+M training sessions.

Using on-site captured rainwater and municipally treated wastewater for both flush fixtures and irrigation can be applied towards the credits for both Indoor Water Use Reduction and Outdoor Water Use Reduction in LEED. These alternative water sources contribute to the overall water efficiency of the project by reducing the reliance on potable water sources for indoor and outdoor uses.

The rated life of a lamp is required information for compliance with the Materials and Resources Credit, Purchasing - Lamps. This information ensures that the lamps purchased meet the longevity and performance criteria set by LEED standards.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M guide and related materials emphasize the importance of selecting lamps with a long rated life to reduce the frequency of replacements, thereby minimizing waste and resource use123.

The correct answer is D because the meter(s) must record data at a minimum of 15 minute intervals to comply with Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Advanced Energy Metering, as stated in the LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide1.This requirement ensures that the meter data is granular enough to capture the variations in energy consumption and demand, and to enable the identification of energy saving opportunities1. The other options are incorrect because they are either not required or relevant for this credit.

References: =

LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 149

Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam, page 91

LEED v4 AP O+M Mock Exam, page 87 =========================================

When a building is recertified in LEED Operations and Maintenance, it should use the LEED version that is current at the time of registration for recertification. This approach ensures that the building is being assessed under the most recent standards and requirements, reflecting the latest advancements and best practices in green building.References:LEED Operations and Maintenance Reference Guide, Introduction and Overview section.

When a building initially certified under LEED EB v2.0 seeks recertification, the appropriate version to use is the one that is current at the time of registration for recertification. LEED rating systems go through updates and revisions, and at any given point, they can be either open for registration and certification, closed for registration but open for certification, or completely closed for both registration and certification (sunset). The deadlines for these phases are published by the USGBC. Therefore, a building pursuing recertification must align with the most current version available at the time of its registration for recertification.

The maximum number of points possible for the Exemplary Performance option of the Innovation Credit, Innovation in LEED AP O+M v4.1 is 2 points. This is part of the overall potential to earn up to 5 points in the Innovation category, which can include pilot credits, innovation credits, and exemplary performance credits.

References: The LEED credit library and other resources provide information on the point distribution for various credits within the LEED system, including the Innovation Credit, Innovation1.

For the Exemplary Performance option of the Innovation Credit, Innovation, the maximum number of points possible is two. This option is designed to recognize and incentivize projects that achieve performance levels significantly beyond the prerequisite standard or credit requirements in the LEED rating system.

When documenting a LEED Pilot Credit, it is required to provide an innovation narrative. This narrative should include the intent of the proposed innovation strategy, the proposed requirements for compliance, the proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance, and the design approach or strategies used to meet the requirements. The innovation narrative is a critical element that clearly communicates the innovative aspects of the project, how they comply with LEED requirements, and the specific strategies implemented to achieve the pilot credit.References:LEED v5 O+M: Existing Buildings beta version

Recommending LED lamps in an environmentally preferable purchasing policy is beneficial because LED lamps contain no mercury. Unlike some other lighting options, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which can contain mercury, LEDs offer a safer alternative in terms of toxic substances. This makes LED lamps an environmentally friendly choice, reducing the risk of mercury pollution and facilitating easier, safer disposal or recycling of lamps at the end of their life cycle.

References:The LEED AP Operations + Maintenance documentation highlights the environmental and health benefits of selecting LED lighting, including the absence of mercury, which aligns with the goals of reducing hazardous substances in building environments.

For a building that shares chilled water usage with other buildings on a campus, if the chilled water consumption is only measured at the campus level, additional meters would be required to comply with the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite for Building-Level Energy Metering. Individual metering at the building level is necessary to accurately track and manage the building's specific energy consumption, enabling targeted energy efficiency measures and compliance with LEED requirements.References:The Energy and Atmosphere section of the LEED O+M Reference Guide outlines the requirements for building-level energy metering, including the need for individual metering of significant energy uses such as chilled water in shared systems.

A rainwater collection system can significantly reduce or completely eliminate the use of potable water for irrigation by collecting and storing rainwater for this purpose.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M rating system encourages the use of alternative water sources, like collected rainwater, to reduce potable water consumption for irrigation, aligning with the goal of water efficiency in sustainable site management1234.

A rainwater collection system can significantly reduce or completely eliminate the amount of potable water used for irrigation. By collecting and storing rainwater, it provides a sustainable source of water for landscape irrigation, thereby reducing the dependency on potable water sources for this purpose.

The LEED AP O+M V4.1 requires a survey of building occupants regarding transportation patterns to be conducted at a minimum every five years. This is to ensure that the data on alternative transportation usage remains current and accurate for the Location and Transportation Credit, Alternative Transportation, Option 1.

References: The information is based on the LEED v4.1 O+M documentation and guidelines which outline the frequency of surveys related to transportation patterns12.

For the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Thermal Comfort, the system must continuously monitor both humidity and air temperature. These two factors are crucial for maintaining thermal comfort within the building environment.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M reference materials specify the importance of monitoring humidity and air temperature as part of the requirements for achieving the Thermal Comfort credit12.

To achieve the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Thermal Comfort, the system must continuously monitor at least two key factors: humidity and air temperature. These factors are critical for maintaining thermal comfort within a building, as they directly affect the perceived comfort levels of the occupants. Proper monitoring and management of humidity and air temperature ensure that the indoor environment remains within comfortable ranges for occupants, contributing to their well-being and productivity.

References:This requirement is specified in the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance reference guide within the section on Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Thermal Comfort. The guide emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimal levels of humidity and air temperature for achieving thermal comfort in indoor spaces.

To meet the requirements of the Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat, a project can protect an offsite area of land that is equal in size to the building site area. This strategy is aimed at compensating for the potential habitat loss and ecological impact caused by the development of the building site. By protecting an equivalent offsite area, the project contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and supports ecological health beyond its immediate location.

References:

LEED AP O+M Exam Guide, page 63

Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat, USGBC

Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat, LEEDuser

The site plan includes measures for managing rainwater and reducing heat islands. Rain gardens and permeable surfaces are indicated, contributing to the Sustainable Sites Credit for Rainwater Management. The inclusion of parking under the solar canopy contributes to the Heat Island Reduction credit by providing shade and reducing surface temperatures.

References: LEED AP O+M Exam

The site plan provided indicates two distinct sustainability measures: rainwater management and vegetated roof implementation. Rainwater management pertains to strategies that manage and mitigate the impacts of rainfall runoff. It contributes to the Sustainable Sites Credit for Rainwater Management by reducing runoff volume and improving water quality, which is in line with LEED requirements for managing precipitation on-site. Additionally, the presence of a vegetated roof, as shown in the plan, is a strategy for mitigating heat islands. This contributes to the Sustainable Sites Credit for Heat Island Reduction, which aims to minimize the impact on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats by reducing heat-absorbing surfaces.

References:

The LEED BD+C Reference Guide, specifically the Sustainable Sites (SS) category, outlines the importance of rainwater management and heat island reduction strategies. These are fundamental aspects covered in the LEED AP O+M training materials, which emphasize site sustainability as a critical component of the overall sustainability of a building project.

The Owner Project Requirements (OPR) is a document that details the ideas, concepts, and criteria determined by the owner to be important to the success of the project. It typically includes key functional and operational parameters such as occupied hours of a building, use by space type, required temperature settings, and lighting levels. The OPR is used as a guiding document throughout the design and construction process to ensure that the team is aligned with the owner’s vision and goals.

References: LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide, Functional / Operational | WBDG - Whole Building Design Guide, Facilities Operations & Maintenance - An Overview - WBDG

The Owner Project Requirements (OPR) is a critical document that outlines the functional and operational objectives of a project, reflecting the owner's needs and expectations. This document serves as a foundation for the design team to develop the Basis of Design (BOD) and guides the project through its lifecycle, ensuring that the owner's operational needs, such as occupied hours, use by space type, required temperature settings, and lighting levels, are met. The OPR typically includes information on building occupancy schedules, space usage types, environmental conditions like temperature and lighting requirements, and other owner-driven criteria essential for the building's design and operation. By clearly defining these parameters upfront, the OPR ensures that the project team has a clear understanding of what is expected from the building's performance, facilitating a design that aligns with the owner's vision and operational needs.

References:Based on the LEED AP documents and resources, such as the ASHRAE 90.1-2013 User Manual, which provides guidelines for determining design and operational parameters like lighting wattage for various space types (ASHRAE 90.1-2013, Section 9.1.4) .

 The LEED Interior Design and Construction: Commercial Interiors rating system is the most appropriate for this project. This rating system is designed for tenants leasing a portion of a larger building who want to design and construct their space to high performance standards1. The tenant’s project involves fitting out a new space in an existing building, with the majority (80%) of the space being used as office space. Although there are components of retail and data center use, these do not constitute the majority of the space use. Therefore, the Commercial Interiors rating system, which is intended for office spaces and other commercial spaces, would be the most applicable.

References:

LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide

LEED rating system selection guidance

Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam

Buildings account for 40% of total energy use in the U.S., according to the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency1.This is consistent with the global estimate by the International Energy Agency, which states that buildings and construction sector accounted for 36% of final energy use in 20182.

References: =LEED AP O+M Exam Guide, page 305;LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 97.

Buildings are one of the primary consumers of energy worldwide, and they account for a significant percentage of total energy use. The correct percentage is 40%, which encompasses energy used for heating, cooling, lighting, and operating buildings. This figure reflects the extensive impact that building design, construction, and operations have on energy consumption and the potential for energy savings in this sector.

References:

The figure that buildings account for 40% of total energy use is a commonly cited statistic in the field of sustainability and is mentioned in LEED training materials and documentation. It is a crucial factor that drives the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category within the LEED rating systems, pushing for strategies that reduce energy consumption and improve building energy performance.

When developing a transportation survey, it is crucial that the survey instrument collects information in a consistent manner from all respondents. This ensures that the data collected is reliable and can be accurately analyzed to inform decisions about transportation strategies. Collecting data consistently allows for a fair comparison of responses and helps to identify trends or patterns in the data.

References: LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide1, LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting

The maximum allowed performance period for LEED O+M re-certification is five years from the date that GBCI initially certified the building. This means that the project team must submit the re-certification application within five years of the initial certification date, or the certification will expire. The performance period is the time frame during which the project team collects and tracks data to demonstrate compliance with the LEED O+M requirements.

References:

Maintaining certification – U.S. Green Building Council

Getting started with your recertification - U.S. Green Building Council

LEED Recertification Process Made Easy - Cadmus