Learn why occupant surveys are the most effective tool for uncovering indoor environmental problems and developing targeted action plans to resolve them. Boost your LEED Green Associate Exam knowledge.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following tools should be used to identify indoor environmental issues and prepare a corrective action plan to make necessary changes?
A. Thermal sensors
B. Occupant surveys
C. Life-cycle assessments
D. Mixed-mode design calculations
Answer
B. Occupant surveys
Explanation
Occupant surveys are tools that can be used to identify indoor environmental issues and prepare a corrective action plan to make necessary changes. Occupant surveys are questionnaires that collect feedback from the building users about their satisfaction, comfort, health, and productivity in relation to the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors, such as thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting quality, acoustic quality, and occupant control.
Occupant surveys can help to identify the sources and causes of IEQ problems, as well as the potential solutions and improvements. Occupant surveys are also required for some LEED credits, such as IEQc7.2 Thermal Comfort, Verification, which requires a corrective action plan if more than 20% of the occupants are dissatisfied with the thermal conditions in the space.
The other options are not directly related to identifying indoor environmental issues and preparing a corrective action plan, as they involve different types of tools or metrics that are not relevant for measuring occupant satisfaction and comfort.
Occupant surveys are the most appropriate tool among the options provided for identifying indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues and preparing corrective action plans. Here’s why:
- Direct feedback: Occupant surveys allow building managers to gather first-hand information from the people who spend time in the building. Occupants can provide valuable insights into comfort levels, air quality, lighting, acoustics, and other factors that impact their well-being and productivity.
- Identifying patterns: By analyzing survey responses, facility managers can identify patterns and trends in occupant feedback. This helps pinpoint specific areas or systems that may be contributing to IEQ problems.
- Targeted action plans: With the insights gained from occupant surveys, building managers can develop targeted corrective action plans to address the identified issues. This may involve adjusting HVAC settings, improving lighting, reducing noise levels, or implementing other strategies to enhance occupant comfort and satisfaction.
- Continuous improvement: Occupant surveys can be conducted regularly to monitor the effectiveness of corrective actions and identify new issues that may arise over time. This feedback loop supports continuous improvement of the indoor environment.
The other options, while relevant to green building practices, are not the most suitable tools for identifying IEQ issues and developing corrective action plans:
- Thermal sensors measure temperature but do not provide comprehensive feedback on occupant comfort and satisfaction.
- Life-cycle assessments evaluate the environmental impact of a product or system over its entire lifespan but do not directly address indoor environmental quality.
- Mixed-mode design calculations optimize the use of natural and mechanical ventilation but do not focus on identifying and resolving IEQ issues.
In summary, occupant surveys are the most effective tool among the given options for uncovering indoor environmental problems and developing targeted action plans to resolve them, making it the correct answer for this LEED Green Associate Exam question.
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