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

Can a multinational company earn points for SS Credit - Joint Use of Facilities by sharing its cafeteria and gymnasium with the local community?

1. Yes, if all spaces are frequently used

2. No, only parking can be shared

3. Yes, but only if no additional costs are incurred

4. No, it is not allowed for office buildings

The correct answer is: No, it is not allowed for office buildings

The relationship between the Joint Use of Facilities SS Credit and what can be shared is pivotal in understanding how the LEED framework addresses community engagement and infrastructure utilization. While sharing amenities such as a cafeteria and gymnasium with the local community might seem beneficial, the specific guidelines within the LEED O+M rating system focus on shared use primarily regarding parking facilities. Joint Use of Facilities aims to encourage buildings to share resources that support their environmental and sustainability initiatives, but the regulations often restrict this sharing to certain types of facilities. Specifically, the guidelines do not typically extend to office buildings when discussing amenities like cafeterias and gyms in a manner that would earn points in this credit area. The emphasis on parking indicates a clear prioritization by the LEED standard on how tenants and offices can interact with their surrounding community, and, in this context, facilities like cafeterias and gyms do not meet the requirements for credit under the SS category for office buildings. Thus, for a multinational company to earn points under this particular credit for those specific shared amenities is generally not allowed, validating the selection regarding its eligibility.