Chapter 8-Indoor Environmental Quality Questions

1. A project design with a focus on creating a healthy building includes materials with low
VOC emissions, grates used in the entryway, higher-rated MERV filters, and air intakes
located in an open-air parking garage. Which of these design strategies negatively
impacts good indoor-air quality?

A The location of the air intakes

B The higher-rated MERV filters

C The materials with low VOC emissions

D The grates used for the entryway

2. What amount of time do people in the United States spend on average indoors?

A 80%

B 50%

C 60%

D 90%
E 70%

3. A project team is beginning the integrative process late into the design-phase of a new
office building. At this point, which of the following could still be changed and would be
a low-cost solution for improving daylighting? (Choose 2)

A The orientation of the building

B The number of glazing panes

C The window configuration

D The colors of the surfaces

E The types of furnishings

4. What are the best design strategies for improving indoor air quality during operations and
maintenance of a building? (Choose 2)
A Use air filters with high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ratings

B Use soft surfaces on the interiors

C Use natural refrigerants

D Orient the building for optimal sun exposure

E Increase the ventilation in the building

5. A project team is trying to maximize the number of points they can achieve for their
LEED project by identifying synergies. Which elements, when combined, would best
achieve this goal? (Choose 3)

A Occupancy sensors

B Occupant lighting controls

C Operable windows

D Daylight sensors
E CO2 sensors

6. Which of the following should a green cleaning policy include? (Choose 2)

A The amount of waste to divert from the waste stream

B Standards for selecting products and technologies

C Measures to prevent against unwanted pests

D Certification of cleaning equipment

7. What product for an entryway system allows for good indoor air quality and is a good
material choice?

A Carpeted tile shipped from overseas

B Steel grates made in another country

C Stone tiles extracted and manufactured locally

D Low VOC materials
8. Including task lighting and increasing ventilation levels in a new building has what effect
on the triple bottom line?

A Lower first costs

B Decreased ozone depletion

C Increased occupant performance

D Decreased maintenance

9. A project team in a dry region is designing a project with an entryway that leads out to a
downtown city block. Which of the following would be appropriate choices for an
entryway system with good indoor air quality? (Choose 3)

A Rubber mats manufactured overseas

B Metal grills made of aluminum

C Marble tile extracted and manufactured locally

D Recycled wood flooring

E Steel grates

10. A developer for an office project is considering a natural ventilation system. Which of the
following will be the MOST important in determining if the system will be appropriate?

A Whether or not the system can provide enough fresh air

B Whether or not the system is quiet

C Whether or not the system can connect to a building automation system

D Whether or not the system can be submetered

11. Which responsibilities would belong to the general contractor during construction to
improve indoor air quality? (Choose 2)

A Implementing a pest control management plan

B Overseeing the rainwater management plan

C Capping the ducts to mechanical systems

D Making sure someone is sweeping periodically to control dust
E Verifying construction waste is placed in the proper trash bins

12. Which of the following does LEED require for good indoor air quality?

A That the building is kept clean during construction

B That a green cleaning policy is implemented

C That low-emitting materials are specified

D That smoking indoors is prohibited

13. A building owner has concerns about the costs of increasing the ventilation from the
minimum required for indoor air quality. Which of the following could help offset the
operating costs?

A Using demand control ventilation

B Implementing a green-cleaning program

C Installing higher rated MERV filters

D Specifying low-emitting materials

14. A project team member is discussing adding soft surfaces to an exterior building room.
What would be the result of doing this?

A Improved acoustics

B Improved daylighting

C Reduced glare
D Reduced contaminants

15. An effective thermal comfort strategy considers the six primary factors that affect thermal
comfort. A close collaboration between the owner, architect, and who else is critical to
achieving thermal comfort success?

A Landscape designer

B Lighting designer
C Building code inspectors
D Engineer

16. A delivery of drywall arrived at a building site during a rain storm. Some of the drywall
was exposed to the rain. What should the general contractor do with the material?

A Ask for replacement drywall from the seller

B Install it anyway

C Send it to the landfill

D Wait for it to dry out and then install it

17. Which of the following is an environmental benefit of prohibiting smoking inside a

building?

A Health risks associated with ETS are reduced

B The longevity of building surfaces is improved

C Occupants call in sick less frequently

D Liability of building owners is decreased

18. A project owner wants to create a healthy work environment for employees. To help
ensure indoor air quality, which of the following should be monitored? (Choose 2)

A Daylighting levels

B Outdoor airflow

C Submetering of the HVAC system

D Wind speed and direction

E Carbon-dioxide levels

19. Which type of products would reduce the environmental effects of cleaning products?

A Green-e

B CRI
C Green Label Plus
D Environmental Choice

20. When would a project team need to consider increasing the ventilation levels to improve
indoor air quality?

A After the occupants have moved in

B During building commissioning

C Pre-design
D Before the occupants move in

21. A company is designing an open office plan for seventy-five employees working in an
entire floor of a building. Daylighting will be used to provide natural light and reduce
energy costs. To ensure effective lighting quality for all of the occupants, the design
should include which of the following?

A Automatic shades

B Reflective paint and surfaces

C Light shelves
D Zoned daylighting controls

22. Which of the following elements should be considered to facilitate communication in

school classrooms? (Choose 3)

A Soft surfaces

B Building geometry

C Air filters with high MERV ratings

D Duct insulation
E Increased ventilation

23. Changing the building envelope from single-pane glazing to double-pane glazing would
result in which of the following?

A Increased daylighting
B Increased energy efficiency
C Improved occupant controls
D Decreased energy demand

24. A building in a warm climate will not have operable windows or natural ventilation due
to a limited number of days each year that these strategies would be beneficial. Which of
the following would help the project team give ventilation control to occupants?

A Movable furniture

B Adjustable air diffusers

C Window blinds
D Adjustable height partitions

25. A project administrator needs specific information on an interior paint used in a tenant
space. The information on the VOCs in the paint need to be uploaded into LEED Online.
Where would this information be found?

A MSDS

B USGBC materials database

C Local building code office

D LEED Online materials database

26. When determining the ventilation levels of a space needed for good indoor air quality,
which of the following should the project team consider? (Choose 2)

A The number of occupants in the space

B The space's proximity to the exterior building envelope

C The activities performed in the space

D The time of day the space will be used

27. A business owner wants to have an open office plan in a tenant space. To increase
daylighting and optimize views, which of the following should the plan include? (Choose
2)
B Vision panels

C Solid doors

D Single-pane glazing
E Low partitions

28. In which of the following ways does integrated pest management (IPM) help a building
owner save money? (Choose 2)

A Because over application can be avoided

B Because only appropriate chemicals are used

C Because pests are never present on the site

D Because only beneficial insects that contribute to a healthy ecosystem are allowed to
thrive on the site.

29. Which factors affect an occupant's thermal comfort? (Choose 3)

A VOC levels

B Glare

C Temperature

D Air movement
E Humidity

30. How can a project team in a hot climate reduce a building's energy use and increase
daylighting?

A By siting the building in an area surrounded by other buildings that can provide
shade
B By installing appropriately sized and located windows

C By installing glass over the entire exterior of the building

D By locating private offices along the perimeter of the building walls

31. For which of the following reasons is it important to conduct occupant surveys?
A Surveys are a Minimum Program Requirement for LEED.

B Surveys reduce the ongoing waste stream.

C Surveys are required for ongoing commissioning.

D Surveys identify areas that need improvement.

32. One side of a building is oriented toward the afternoon sun. Which of the following can
give occupants control over excessive brightness and glare?

A Adjustable window shades

B Individual task lighting

C Operable windows
D Thermal comfort controls

33. The developer of a new airport terminal wants to include a smoking room inside. Which
of the following statements is true about the project's ability to earn LEED certification?

A The project is exempt from ETS control.

B The project could earn LEED certification if appropriate signage is put up designating
the smoking area.
C The project could get an exception for ETS control.
D The project cannot earn LEED certification because it will not meet all the prerequisites.

34. At which point during the project schedule would a flush-out occur?

A After HVAC ducts have been sealed and protected

B Prior to the building water being turned on

C After the building envelope is weather-tight

D Prior to occupants moving in

35. Where should smoking be prohibited for a project? (Choose 3)

B Operable windows

C Air intakes

D Building entrances
E Walking trails

36. Which of the following would help increase the daylight brought into a space? (Choose
3)

A Light shelves

B Reflective paint

C Single-pane glazing

D Clerestory windows
E Low VOC materials

37. Properly designed daylighting results in which of the following?

A A decreased need for artificial lighting

B An increased lighting power density

C The need to add operable windows

D A decreased need for glare control

38. Proper ventilation systems remove which of the following contaminants? (Choose 3)

A CO2 concentrations

B Material off-gassing

C Phosphorus

D Radon
E CFCs

39. A business owner is building an office in a city that has air quality issues during the
summer. The owner wants to hear recommendations for design decisions that improve
 indoor air quality. Which of the following are strategies that would achieve the project
goal? (Choose 2)

A Use materials with low VOC emissions

B Use natural ventilation

C Permit smoking around side entrances only

D Orient the building east to west

E Install walk-off mats in the entryways

40. Why would a project team use low-emitting materials?

A These materials protect the health of construction personnel and building occupants.

B These materials reduce the glare from interior finishes.

C These materials allow more daylight into the core of a building.

D These materials provide soft surfaces to improve acoustics.

41. To encourage occupant engagement a project team conducts a survey of the occupants.
Which of the following are important IEQ topics to ask about in the survey? (Choose 3)

A How frequently does an individual take public transportation to work?

B Are any areas are too hot or too cold?

C How are the acoustics?

D Are the bicycle racks conveniently located?

E Is the lighting adequate?

42. Which of the following preventive maintenance tasks would a facility manager routinely
perform to maintain indoor air quality? (Choose 2)

A Calibrating sensors

B Conducting a flush-out

C Dusting all blinds with electrostatic cloths

D Replacing air filters
43. During the integrative process a building owner decides to replace a low VOC ten-year
carpet tile with a less expensive and higher VOC twelve-year carpet tile. Which of the
following would be impacted by this change?

A Construction waste management

B Indoor air quality

C Material reuse
D Raw material sourcing

44. In order for an occupant survey to improve the triple bottom line of a project, what
should occur after the survey results have been assessed?

A Corrective action should be taken to address any problems.

B The survey results should be shared with USGBC.

C The building systems manual should be updated to include the survey results.
D The survey results should be uploaded to LEED online.

45. A tenant of an office space wants an open office layout. What is one trade-off of this
decision?

A The space will not be able to include task lighting.

B The acoustics may be poor.

C Daylighting will be harder to achieve.

D The room will have decreased air quality.

46. A government project with an open office plan will have partitioned cubes with frosted
glass above eye level position for privacy. This design choice would negatively impact
which of the following elements?

A Individual thermal comfort

B Views to the outside

C Individual occupant controls

D CO2 monitoring
47. Which of the following products would a project team need in order to verify that the
VOC levels are low-emitting? (Choose 3)

A No smoking signs located outside the building

B Computer workstations

C Ceiling paint

D Acoustic insulation
E Granite countertops

48. What can a project team do to reduce the need for pesticides?

A Develop a coordinated program of nonchemical strategies

B Install hardscapes around the entire building perimeter

C Do not permit smoking around building entrances

D Use only native plants in the landscaping

49. Why should a building have a green cleaning policy?

A To reduce the environmental effects of cleaning products

B To provide the janitorial staff with an opportunity to be part of the integrative design

C To decrease the time it takes to clean a building

D To reduce the costs of cleaning a building

50. In a naturally ventilated building, which of the following would provide occupants with
control over their temperature?

A Outdoor air monitors

B CO2 sensors

C Operable windows
D A single-office thermostat
51. An owner has selected an office building site in a natural area. They want to provide
views to the outside while also using daylighting to reduce energy demand. Which
strategy would achieve these goals?

A Locating conference rooms and offices near the glazing

B Installing cubicles with low partitions and placing conference rooms and offices in
the center of the building
C Installing an under floor air distribution system
D Having adjustable window shades and operable windows

52. For which of the following reasons is it important to provide individual lighting and
thermal comfort controls to building occupants?

A Occupant controls help increase ventilation

B Occupant controls help improve indoor air quality

C Occupant controls help improve productivity

D Occupant controls help improve acoustics

53. The developer of a school project in a sunny region suggests using light shelves to bring
daylight into some of the classrooms. Which of the following issues would arise as a
result of this this strategy?

A Reduction of low-emitting materials

B Interference with outside views

C Decreased acoustic performance

D Glare

54. Which strategy supports improved indoor air quality during operations and maintenance?

A Using building materials with low life-cycle impacts

B Locating air intakes away from garage areas

C Outlining green cleaning procedures and goals for custodians

D Flushing out the building before occupancy
55. A healthcare project team in the pre-design phase is discussing ways to protect patient
privacy. Which of the following strategies would help achieve this goal?

A Placing recovery rooms toward the core of the building

B Using sound isolation

C Designing waiting areas with views to the outdoors

D Reducing the building's footprint

56. When thinking about room layouts early in the design process, which of the following
should be considered?

A Environmental tobacco smoke control

B Using materials with recycled content

C Acoustics
D Entryway systems

57. Which design strategy allows occupants to actively participate in energy savings?

A Views to the outdoors

B Task lighting

C Daylighting
D Smoking away from the building