LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Practice Exam

What is required for the first 100 FTEs in a commercial project regarding shower facilities?

1. At least two facilities

2. At least one facility

3. No shower facilities required

4. One facility per floor

The correct answer is: At least one facility

In commercial projects, the requirement for shower facilities is guided by LEED standards, specifically under the ‘Sustainable Sites’ credit for promoting alternative transportation options. For organizations, the expectation is to encourage a healthy commuting culture, particularly for employees who may bike to work or engage in physical activity during their breaks. According to the guidelines, a minimum of one shower facility is required for the first 100 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) in a commercial building. This is to ensure that employees who may wish to freshen up after exercising or biking to the workplace have access to necessary amenities, promoting health and wellness. The option of having just one facility strikes a balance between providing essential support for active transportation without necessitating a disproportionate amount of space or resources for additional facilities, especially in smaller commercial projects. Justifications for the other choices include that while having multiple facilities may be beneficial, it is not a minimum requirement for the first 100 FTEs. No facilities are not acceptable under LEED guidelines aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles. Similarly, requiring one facility per floor would be excessive and unnecessary for this FTE threshold, particularly in cases where office layouts may not warrant such a distribution. Thus, the requirement for at least one facility reflects