USGBC LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) LEED-AP-O+M Exam Dumps: Updated Questions & Answers (October 2025)

Developing the LEED Scorecard is the process of selecting the credits and options that align with the project goals and are feasible for the project team to achieve. The LEED Scorecard is a tool that helps track the progress and performance of the project against the LEED rating system requirements. Discussing the project goals is an important step in developing the LEED Scorecard, as it helps the team prioritize the credits and options that bring the most value to the project owner, environment, and community.

References: =LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting, page 17;LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council, page 17;LEED v4.1 O+M: Existing Buildings Scorecard, page 5

There are synergies between the Materials and Resources Prerequisite, Facility Maintenance and Renovation Policy, and the Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Indoor Air Quality Management Program. Both focus on maintaining high environmental and health standards within the building, with the former emphasizing sustainable maintenance and renovation practices, and the latter concentrating on maintaining optimal indoor air quality through proper management and practices.

References:The interconnectedness of these prerequisites and credits is discussed in the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance documentation, highlighting how sustainable maintenance and renovation practices directly contribute to better indoor air quality, thereby supporting the objectives of the Indoor Air Quality Management Program.

For establishing a baseline in the context of the Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Indoor Water Use Reduction, Option 2, it's critical to have an accurate understanding of the current water usage patterns. This involves metering various water fixtures, including those in commercial kitchens. The goal is to determine the potential for water savings by comparing the baseline data to reduced usage scenarios through efficiency measures.

A 12-month metering period is typically recommended for a few key reasons:

Seasonal Variability:A year-long period captures the seasonal variations in water use, providing a comprehensive understanding of usage patterns. Commercial kitchens might have fluctuating usage based on seasonal menus, events, and peak times, which shorter periods might not fully capture.

Data Reliability:A longer data collection period enhances the reliability of the data. It mitigates the impact of any anomalies or outliers that could skew the results in shorter metering durations.

Consistency with LEED Requirements:LEED guidelines emphasize the importance of thorough and accurate baseline measurements to inform effective water reduction strategies. A 12-month period aligns with the comprehensive approach LEED encourages for sustainable practices.

Operational Changes:A year gives enough time to observe the effects of any operational changes, special events, or other factors that might influence water usage. This ensures that the baseline is representative of typical operations.

References:The approach aligns with the general LEED principles for establishing baselines for water and energy use, which advocate for capturing data over significant periods to ensure accuracy and reliability. Although the specific LEED BD+C or O+M documentation does not detail the metering period for each specific fixture type, the 12-month period is a widely accepted standard for establishing baselines in building operations, including water usage in commercial kitchens. This duration provides a comprehensive view of water use, accommodating seasonal changes and varying operational activities, which is essential for setting realistic and achievable water reduction goals in line with LEED's sustainability objectives.

According to the LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide, for the Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Advanced Energy Metering, individual end uses that represent at least 10% of the total annual consumption of the building minus plug load use are required to be metered1.

References:

LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide

LEED AP with specialty | U.S. Green Building Council

Maintaining certification – U.S. Green Building Council

LEED Reference Guide for Building Operations and Maintenance

LEED AP O+M Exam Prep Courses - ZackAcademy.com

When calculating the Water Efficiency Credit for Outdoor Water Use Reduction, the irrigation of athletic fields may be included or excluded based on the project's specific circumstances and goals. This flexibility allows projects to tailor their water efficiency strategies to their unique site conditions, uses, and priorities, ensuring that the approach to outdoor water use reduction is both practical and effective.References:The Water Efficiency section of the LEED O+M Reference Guide provides guidance on calculating outdoor water use, offering options for including or excluding certain areas like athletic fields to meet the project's needs.

CFC-11 was phased out due to the Montreal Protocol because it is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that contributes to ozone depletion. The protocol aimed to phase out substances with high ozone-depleting potential (ODP).

References: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a global agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including CFCs1.

To meet the requirements of the Materials and Resources Prerequisite for Facility Maintenance and Renovation Policy, an organization must include provisions to protect indoor air quality during renovation activities. This includes implementing dust control measures, ensuring proper ventilation, and minimizing the release of pollutants. These requirements are essential for protecting the health and safety of building occupants during renovation projects.References:The Materials and Resources section of the LEED O+M Reference Guide discusses the components of a comprehensive Facility Maintenance and Renovation Policy, including the importance of safeguarding air quality during construction and renovation activities.

The LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) V4.1 guide specifies that for the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance, the allowed maximum tenant space exclusion is 10% of the gross floor area. This means that when calculating energy performance, up to 10% of the total floor area of the building can be excluded. This could be due to various reasons such as spaces being unoccupied or not in use.

References: = LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide, LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Minimum Energy Performance Calculator - ASHRAE 90.1 - 2010, LEED v4 energy update – U.S. Green Building Council

The Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance, allows for certain exclusions to accommodate diverse building types and uses. One such provision permits the exclusion of up to 10% of the gross floor area (GFA) from the energy performance calculations. This allowance is designed to provide flexibility for spaces that may not be fully occupied or operational during the performance period, such as tenant spaces undergoing renovation or spaces with atypical energy usage. By excluding a limited portion of the GFA, the prerequisite acknowledges the variability in building occupancy and use, ensuring that the energy performance assessment is both fair and representative of the building's typical operations.

References:

The allowance for excluding up to 10% of the gross floor area from the energy performance calculations is detailed in the LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance reference guide, specifically under the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance. This guideline is part of the LEED AP O+M trainingmaterials, which emphasize the importance of accommodating diverse building uses and occupancy levels in the pursuit of sustainable building operations.

Impervious surfaces exacerbate the environmental concern of contaminated runoff harming aquatic life. These surfaces prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground, leading to increased runoff that can carry pollutants into water bodies, negatively affecting aquatic ecosystems.

References: Impervious surfaces are known to alter natural hydrology, leading to increased runoff and potential contamination of water bodies, which can harm aquatic life123.

The LEED AP O+M Reference Guide states that “If a meter fails during the performanceperiod, the project team must extend the performance period to obtain the required three months of data.” Therefore, the best advice is to extend the performance period to gain the full three months of weekly water meter readings.

References:

LEED AP O+M Reference Guide, Water Efficiency Credit, Water Metering, page 114

LEED QUALIFICATION GUIDE - v4 - Sloan, page 2

Building-Level Water Metering and Water Metering | LEEDuser