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

Can a school project earn exemplary performance for SS credit-light pollution reduction by shielding all exterior fixtures in order to avoid emitting light at a vertical angle more than 90 degrees from straight down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only if the fixtures are LED

4. Only with specific types of shielding

The correct answer is: No

To determine whether a school project can earn exemplary performance for the Light Pollution Reduction credit in the Sustainable Sites category by shielding exterior fixtures to avoid emitting light at a vertical angle greater than 90 degrees from straight down, it’s important to reference the requirements for earning exemplary performance. Exemplary performance in this context requires not just a general compliance with the light pollution requirements but must exceed the standard criteria established by LEED. While shielding exterior fixtures is a step in the right direction towards improving light pollution reduction, simply preventing light from being emitted at a vertical angle over 90 degrees from straight down does not automatically qualify a project for exemplary performance. Additional considerations, such as achieving a specific performance threshold or implementing advanced strategies, typically need to be met in relation to light trespass limits or the total amount of installed exterior lighting. Therefore, a school project cannot achieve exemplary performance for the Light Pollution Reduction credit merely by adhering to the described shielding measure; it requires a more comprehensive approach to minimize light pollution based on established LEED guidelines.