Up to Code?

When did green building construction get its start in the United States?

1980s

1940s

1960s

Green building practices have been common in indigenous cultures worldwide for thousands of years, but the green architecture movement didn't start in the United States until the 1960s and early 1970s.

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A professional with green building expertise might have what type of certification?

Certified Green Professional (CGP)

Construction and remodeling pros can become Certified Green Professionals (CGPs) through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Sustainable Building Pro (SBP)

Certified Green Contractor (CGC)

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An international green building code is due to be published when?

2014

2011

2012

The International Green Construction Code has been rolling out since 2009, and as of late 2010, a publication date of early 2012 was planned.

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Which U.S. state implemented the first green codes for construction?

Colorado

Texas

California

California was the first state to implement green building codes when it adopted the 2010 California Green Building Standards (CALGreen) Code.

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New York City regulates green construction with which type of oversight?

City codes

A review board

Both

New York City has a Buildings Sustainability Board to address green building issues not covered by the New York City Construction Code.

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Rammed-Earth buildings follow what construction standards?

There is no rammed Earth code.

Rammed Earth 101

The International Building Code

Adobe and rammed Earth buildings, as well as Earth or pressed-block construction, are covered within the International Building Code (IBC). Local regulations are available in many areas, as well.

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Wood-frame house construction often has code issues with which of the following?

Grade of timber

While treated wood is generally avoided in green building due to chemical release hazards, it is not usually an issue with code inspectors, but timber grade is. Having the grade of timber marked or recorded shows the strength of the wood itself and confirms the additional quality step of having the materials checked before building.

Treated wood

Fire hazards

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Which codes govern solar building designs?

State and national

National fenestration codes

National, local and state

While there are standards for fenestration (window placement and quality), solar building projects should include local, state and national code councils. Some local agencies may even require approval at the neighborhood, condo or block level before proceeding with designs that can infringe on neighboring properties or streetscapes.

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Who is responsible for making sure a green home is up to code?

The designer and builder

The engineer and inspector

The builders and owners

Building professionals and owners are kept in check by inspectors and codes, and ultimately, the owner and those actually doing the work have responsibility for complying with codes.

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Why can the foundation be a challenge in green building?

Site sensitivity and impact

Preserving a site without settling into it can be challenging in many locales. Green technologies and materials have come a long way, but the goal of doing the least amount of harm in the short and long term hasn't changed.

Poor technology

Weak materials

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Which countries have many pioneers in green home building?

United States, Canada and Mexico

Norway, Finland and Sweden

While most countries contribute to the developing green movement, Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Finland and Sweden in particular have been pioneers of green building and design and are sharing their knowledge with the U.S. Green Building Council for compiling global green construction standards.

Germany, Italy and France

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Which architect is world-renowned for his green designs?

Lewis Mumford

Renzo Piano

While Lewis Mumford was a forerunner in writing about and envisioning green design, it is Italian architect Renzo Piano who is famous for integrating both green and high-tech elements into his architectural works.

Art Vandelay

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Which issues might be particularly challenging for straw-bale builders?

Fire safety

Financing

Straw-bale homes are considered no more fire or termite susceptible than traditional wood homes; termites actually seem to prefer wood. But banks are wary of lending on straw-bale construction, especially when local code enforcement may hold up permit approval for this non-traditional building type.

Termites

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Which code has been superseded but is still sometimes used in the United States?

Uniform Building Code (UBC)

Although the Uniform Building Code (UBC) hasn't been published since 1997 and was replaced with the International Building Code in 2000, many state and local agencies still use UBC for determining code compliance.

American Building Code (ABC)

Residential Construction Code (RCC)

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What is a common issue with green construction that must be earthquake-resistant?

Materials restrictions

Depending on location, materials like stucco and packed-earth designs won't be approved for construction unless they're significantly reinforced to protect against seismic damage.

Concrete requirements

Steel requirements

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Which materials are hard to get up to code?

Salvaged materials

Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) components

both

Both of these materials have problems with age: one is too old and one is too new. Salvaged materials are great for reuse, but some wood has lead-based paint and other materials may not meet current standards for durability, for instance. ICFs and other newer materials aren't widely codified, so some inspections need to proceed slowly while issues such as wiring pass investigation.

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Which of these is NOT a true green innovation?

Brown water cooking

While technologies for treating and reusing black and gray water are improving, brown water is usually the result of too much copper in the plumbing itself.

Gray water reuse

Black water treatment

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What is a common complaint of people who live in green homes?

Upkeep costs

Not seeing the promised savings

Many who buy into green are sold on the idea and promises of energy savings, but aren't necessarily seeing the money add up. Guarantees of financial savings should be backed up by a reputable, proven green building professional, and not just a traditional builder or engineer who adds a few green elements here and there.

Durability and looks

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Can you build sort-of green, or do you have to go all the way?

There is no green "between."

Go green or go home.

A little at a time is fine.

Going "sort-of" green is a great place to start, and energy companies in many places lead the way with incentives for homeowners to make small improvements that add up. And sometimes when you start small, you get the green bug and want to keep going.

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Did the early 20th-century, influential architects Greene & Greene build "green?"

No, they were Arts and Crafts builders.

No, it was before "green" was popular.

Yes, they used many elements of green design.

With a strong use of landscape elements and natural materials, brothers Charles Sumner Greene (1868-1957) and Henry Mather Greene (1870-1954) showed a lot of green sensibilities in their designs.

FINISH QUIZ