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

Which types of rooms require negative air pressure and self-closing doors to prevent interior cross-contamination?

1. Garages and offices

2. Housekeeping and laundry areas

3. Garages and copying rooms

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Garages and copying rooms

Negatively pressurized rooms are essential in maintaining specialized environments where controlling contaminants is paramount. In the context of building design and construction pertaining to LEED, there are specific areas within a facility that necessitate negative air pressure to prevent contaminants from migrating from one area to another. Self-closing doors are effective in maintaining the air pressure differential. In this case, copying rooms typically house copiers that may emit airborne particles or ozone, while garages may contain fumes and pollutants from vehicles that could negatively impact indoor air quality. Therefore, having negative pressure in these spaces helps ensure that any harmful particles or airborne contaminants do not infiltrate occupied areas of the building. Housekeeping and laundry areas are also critical in this respect as they can emit particles, dust, and odors. However, the mention of garages and copying rooms explicitly ties to the need for managing specific risks associated with those environments, making this selection applicable for the considerations regarding air pressure and contamination control. Thus, targeting garages and copying rooms demonstrates an understanding of the parameters related to maintaining a healthy indoor environment, which aligns with the principles of LEED certification focused on air quality management.