This is a prerequisite credit. Prerequisite credits are mandatory credits that MUST be accomplished for a building to become LEED certified. There are 7 overall prerequisites in the New Construction version 2.2 LEED-AP reference guide which is the exam version this study guide covers. Construction Activity Pollution Prevention is the first.
Intention: During construction, there can be a lot of pollution going on, especially when it rains. Pollution on construction sites can be reduced by controlling:
- Soil erosion
- Airborne dust generation
- Waterway sedimentation
Implementation:
- Provide ESC (Erosion and Sedimentation Control) plan into construction documents and specifications.
- Goal is to prevent the loss of soil, pollution, and sedimentation.
- Follow the EPA 2003 (Environmental Protection Agency) standards.
- CGP (Construction General Permit) outlines how to comply with NPDES program. CGP covers sites greater than 1 acre, but LEED covers all.
- Ways to control sedimentation:
- Stabilization: i.e. seeding and mulching
- Structural: i.e. silt fences, earth dikes, sediment traps
Codes/Standards Applied:
- EPA 2003
- NPDES
Submittal Phase:
- Construction
Links from Reference Guide:
- CPESC Inc.
- Environment Canada’s Freshwater Web – Sediment Page
- Erosion Control Technology Council
- International Erosion Control Association (IECA)
- Soil Erosion and Sedimentation in the Great Lakes Region
Other Sustainable Sites Credits
- SS P1 – Construction Activity Pollution Prevention (prerequisite)
- SS 1 – Site Selection
- SS 2 – Development Density & Community Connectivity
- SS 3 – Brownfield Redevelopment
- SS 4.1 – Alternative Transportation – Public Transportation Access
- SS 4.2 – Alternative Transportation -Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms
- SS 4.3 – Alternative Transportation – Low Emission & Fuel EfficientVehicles
- SS 4.4 – Alternative Transportation – Parking Capacity
- SS 5.1 – Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat
- SS 5.2 – Site Development – Maximize Open Space
- SS 6.1 – Stormwater Design – Quantity Control
- SS 6.2 – Stormwater Design – Quality Control
- SS 7.1 – Heat Island Effect – Non-Roof
- SS 7.2 – Heat Island Effect – Roof
- SS 8 – Light Pollution Reduction
30 Comments On This Post
Hey, thanks for all the comments over at my site. This site looks really good, really in-depth coverage of the AP Exams and Credit.
I hope I see you around my blog more often, and good luck with your site!
-BloggerMC
Thanks MC. I appreciate that. Good luck with your site as well!
Fantastic site, I’m currently studying and hoping to take the exam at the end of Feb. I’m definitely using your blog to help.
Hey Paul,
Thanks for the awesome comment! It makes me happy to hear those types of things after all of the work I put into this site. I’m glad to see others using this webpage as a resource too, as that is my intent. Good luck studying and check back for more tips as I finish up all of the credits.
Cheers!
This site has been sooooooo helpful for me in my preparation for the LEED AP Exam. Thank you dearly!
Hey CJ,
Thanks for your kind words! It’s been helping me a lot too. Even in the process of just creating the website it’s been helpful as I add content and create charts and stuff. I’m glad that in helping myself, I can help others too!
Good luck!
what is the difference between 2003 EPA CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PERMIT and EPA 832R92005 ?
Great site=helpful for my exam prep
What is NPDES?
NPDES = Nat’l Pollution Discharge Elimination System.
Pg 21 LEED-NC Ref Man 2.2
Lilian,
I’m not positive, but I think the CGP is more broad in what pollutant activity it covers, ie airborne dust. Whereas EPA 832R92005 covers stormwater management. Their are 4 links listed on pg 22 of the ref guide. LEED NC 2.2
Good Luck
Steve, PollutANT not Pollution
i got this LEED NC SAMPLE EXAM – NC – 2nd edition by Meghan Peot and finding some answers quite different/inaccurate from the reference guide.
Example #1-
Her answer is 2003 EPA Construction General Permit as being the standard applies to SS Prerequisite 1, Construction Activity Pollution Prevention. The other choice listed in the 4 choices seems accurate is US EPA Document 832/R-92-005.
Example # 2-
For project over 50,000 sq ft to comply with EA Prerequisite 1, Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy systems, which one of the following can the commissioning agent be?
The answer is ‘the mechanical engineer’s subcontractor responsible for energy modeling’
doesn’t this seems conflict of interest? I think the other choice in the 4 choices seems correct – an individual on the owner’s staff.
Example #3-
The design team has decided to pursue-design strategies to meet the requirements of MR Credit 1,Building Reuse. The LEED AP must guide the design team with the development of technical analyses for which two of the following. There are 6 multiple choices but the correct answer to this qn are- structural elements in sq feet and shell elements in sq ft.
The reference guide calculation shows as structual elements in volume and shell element in area.
I have the same doubts about the sample exam Lilian posted here. Anyone here can help??
In addition to providing a drawing for measures to be taken to control erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust, does the contractor also have to provide a written analysis of the constuction activities identifying possible causes of erosion, sedimentation and air pollution and a list of control measures to be employed?
Or maybe I should what is meant by erosion & sedimentation control plan, should it be in written or drawing format?
I’m sure Vernica found an answer to that question by now. But for others, I think most states induction of EPA erosion control standards require both a posted control plan (updated at all times) and an organized record (notebook) of BMPs, inspections, etc. This has become a big deal in Colorado.
During the LEED NC Test… I was prompted with a question that stated, “which credit requires photos in addition for submittal” this was one of the answer choices. Does anyone know the correct answer? Thanks.
B
The only 2 credits require photos are:
SSc2 development density & .. aerial photos see page 40 of ref. guide
EQc3.1 const. IAQ plan: during construction see page 326 of ref. guide.
Thank you very much Mo.
Please contact me if you have any other useful test taking tid bits…
BrianCSsmall@gmail.com
@Mo:
The credit which requires a photo is EQ 3.1 – the aerial photo is an option for SS 2 but not a requirement.
Hi there!, Thanks for your work and congrats to passing the exam. I am looking to take the test in March and is beginning to study.
I have a question, You stated that there are 7 overall prerequisites.
What are they?
Matt
Matt, look at the table of contents for this site http://www.intheleed.com/tableofcontents/, it lists all the prereqs plus all the credits.
Mathew:
7 Prerequisites:
1. Construction Pollution Prevention Control(SS)
2. Storage and collection of Recyclables (MR)
3. Minimum IAQ Performance (EA)
4. ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) Control(EQ)
5. Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems (EQ)
6. Minimum energy performance (EQ)
7. Fundamental Refrigerant Management (EQ)
Reenu-Thanks for the breakdown. The prerequisite breakdown has EQ and EA mixed up, except for #4 which is EQ.
#3 is EQ and #5-7 are EA
I have a question. I see this diffrent everywhere and it is confusing me so much. How many in total E.P points can you gain in S.S. I see 8 some places. I see you can gain 2 on credit 2 some places and others say either 1 or 0. same with S.S 7.1 can you gain 1 or 2. Is there 8 total you can gain on S.S. or is there only 8 diffrent ways but only 4 total?
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Thanks,
Sean Darras
717-368-5941
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Hi Pat,
I just wanted to thank you for this awwwwwesome website!. This is by far ‘the’ best resource for the LEED exam. I have been following the discussions,notes, test tips etc. for the past month & I’m happy to report that I passed the LEED-NC exam this afternoon. Thanks again Pat & keep up the good work!:)
Love the site, but I wish you had this summary for the Canadian Credit Terminology. Would make my life so much easier. Thanks for all the tools!
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