LEED AP with Operations and Maintenance (O+M ) Practice Exam

At a minimum, which systems must be monitored by a Building Automation System (BAS)?

1. Heating and plumbing

2. Ventilation and lighting

3. Security and fire safety

4. Elevator and water usage

The correct answer is: Ventilation and lighting

A Building Automation System (BAS) is designed to monitor and control the various systems within a building, particularly those that significantly impact energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and overall operational performance. Among the options provided, ventilation and lighting are critical systems that must be monitored as part of a BAS for several reasons. Ventilation is essential because it ensures that there is adequate fresh air circulation within a building, which is vital for occupant comfort and health. Proper ventilation reduces indoor pollutants and helps meet air quality standards, directly impacting the well-being of the occupants. Lighting systems are also crucial to monitor as they heavily influence energy consumption and user satisfaction. Effective lighting design and control can significantly reduce energy costs through measures such as automated adjustments based on occupancy or natural light availability. In contrast, while heating, plumbing, security, fire safety, and elevators are also important systems in buildings, they are not universally mandated for monitoring by a BAS. The primary focus of a BAS is often on the systems that provide the most significant impact on energy usage and indoor environment quality, which is why ventilation and lighting take precedence in this context.