PTL Exam Prep Blog

California’s “Governator” has been a strong proponent of green building almost since the day he stepped into office. So it came as no surprise this past January, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that the California Building Standards Commission adopted a mandatory Green Building Standards Code, better known as CALGREEN. The commission made the decision unanimously. This will be the first green-building code of its kind in the United States when it goes into effect on January 1, 2011.

We must take advantage of this upcoming year to prepare our contractors, architects, engineers and other professionals to take on the exciting challenge of green building in California. The code applies to all newly constructed residential, commercial, schools and hospital buildings. The regulations are intended to achieve major reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions, energy consumption and water use to meet the state’s aim of curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent renewable energy by 2020.

The code will also help California reduce its statewide greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, which equates to roughly a 25 percent drop. The state legislature established this goal with the passage of Assembly Bill 32, also known as the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. California is the 15th largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Climate scientists acknowledge that the developed world will have to cut emissions significantly more than that—80 percent by 2050—to stabilize the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The new building code implements concepts and practices that reduce a building’s negative impact. The code focuses on sustainable building in the following categories: planning and design; energy efficiency; water efficiency and conservation; material conservation and resource efficiency; and environmental quality. The code’s mandatory provisions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million tons by 2020, according to the California Air Resources Board.

CALGREEN will require the following:

• Reduction of indoor water use by 20 percent. Builders can also opt for voluntary goal standards set for 30, 35 and 40 percent.
• The installation of separate water meters for nonresidential buildings’ indoor and outdoor water use. Larger landscape projects will be required to have moisture-sensing irrigation systems.
• Mandatory inspections of energy systems, such as heat furnaces, air conditioners and mechanical equipment for nonresidential buildings more than 10,000 square feet
• Fifty percent of construction waste must be diverted from landfills, increasing voluntarily to 65 and 75 percent for new homes and 80 percent for commercial projects.
• The installation and use of low-emitting materials, such as paints, carpet and vinyl flooring.

We could all use some maintenance once in awhile. Even the best of us, every so often, forget a bit of our knowledge and our skills get rusty. This goes for green-building professionals, as well, who over time, may loose a bit of their edge. And this is simply unacceptable. Because the sustainable-building industry is continually changing and advancing, these professionals need to keep current with the industry’s latest, up-to-date standards and practices.

PTL Exam Prep designed their Credential Maintenance Program as a way to expand the knowledge and experience base of LEED professionals, and to facilitate continuing professional development. This program also meets the requirements of the Green Building Certification Institute, the organization that manages the LEED Professional Accreditation program. The GBCI requires that all credentials the organization awards to professionals who pass any LEED examination must be maintained on a two-year cycle through the accumulation of continuing education hours.

This includes all of the following exam areas: LEED Green Associate and LEED Accredited Professionals Operations and Maintenance; LEED AP Homes, Building Design and Construction; Interior Design and Construction; and Neighborhood Development.

LEED professionals must earn their required continuing education, or CE, hours during the two-year period following the date the GBCI awarded their credential. This is referred to as the CMP reporting period. This period begins on the exam date and ends two years minus one day from the start date, except for LEED professionals who passed the LEED Green Associate or a LEED AP (with specialty) exam before August 3, 2009. (LEED professionals continue on the same cycle unless the credential is not renewed.)

LEED APs must earn 30 continuing education hours biennially and LEED Green Associates must earn 15 CE hours biennially. If a professional fails to fulfill this requirement, than his or her credential expires.

Being on top of the game mean that LEED professionals will be continually equipped to create resource-efficient models of construction, refurbishment, operation, upkeep and demolition to reduce a building’s carbon footprint. These professionals will always be prepared to bring the old residential housing stock up to modern energy and building codes. They will also be charged with continuing to develop new houses and commercial buildings that are water and energy efficient, make use of recycled materials, promote healthy indoor environments and more.

Make sure you’re on top of your game by checking out PTL Prep Exam’s Credential Maintenance Program. So that when clean technology advances, building codes and laws change, and the green-construction industry inevitably progresses, you won’t be unsuited to meet the challenge.

Existing building owners, investors and managers can reduce on-going operating costs and increase occupants’ productivity by “Going Green” and using the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Rating System.¹

This rating system allows existing buildings to enter the LEED certification process. It uses voluntary, sustainable performance standards for the ongoing environmentally sound operation of buildings either in use or facing minor changes and updates. Guidelines cover building: operations, regular upgrades to mechanical systems such as HVAC, slight space-use changes and building processes.

The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) system requires proof that each entire building, including tenant spaces, meet LEED prerequisites and attempted credits. Topics include:

¨    Programs dealing with building exterior and site maintenance; maximized use of energy and water; indoor environmental quality; buying environmentally preferred products; and food and waste stream management.

¨    Guidelines covering the entire building for cleaning and maintenance and recycling programs.

¨    Upgrades for improving building energy performance; water use; indoor environmental quality; and materials use.

LEED for Existing Building Operations & Maintenance Certification Requirements

Building owners can apply for any of four LEED Certification levels if their buildings meet each level’s prerequisites and achieve the proper scores. Buildings can be certified at one level then recertified later at another level.

O&M certification is used for: older, non-LEED buildings seeking their first certificate plus already certified new construction schools and “core and shell” buildings looking for ongoing certification.

New buildings and core and shell structures (libraries? Not mentioned in original document) that have already earned a LEED Certificate can sign up for O&M to show a commitment to maintainable ongoing operations.

LEED Certification levels and required scores are:

¨    Certified, 34-42 points.

¨    Silver, 43-50 points.

¨    Gold, 51-67 points.

¨    Platinum, 68-92 points.

Requirements for LEED Certification

There are several minimum requirements for LEED Certification starting with including all of the floor area in the application. The only exemption allowed is up to 10 percent if operations are under separate management control for part of a building.

Other requirements include:

¨    Full occupancy for at least one full year before applying for the certificate, with regular vacancies allowed for residential buildings, convention centers, classrooms, sports facilities and like buildings.

¨    Compliance with local, state and federal environmental rules and regulations covering topics such as hazardous materials, water discharge and waste management.

The U.S. Green Building Council can revoke LEED certification if it knows about noncompliance.

Data and documentation showing performance for at least three months before applying for the first certificate is required. The Energy & Atmosphere Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1 that require longer minimum durations.

If the application is for recertification, then the performance data must cover the time between the first and current applications. Data for a minimum of three months is also required when applying later for new LEED credits.

LEED Continuing Educational Programs for CMP

CMP – The Green Building Certification Institute Credentialing maintenance Program

Legacy LEED AP without specialty our eight course programs include all of the continuing education credits you need to obtain your specialty.

Complete the courses at your own pace, your access is good for a whole year.

Course topics include:

• Green Infrastructure
• Commercial High Performance Guidelines
• Economics of Green Building
• Natural storm water pollutant removal
• Designing relationships to nature
• Best practices for construction
• Stormwater harvesting

And many more programs to choose from click here for More Info

University of Tennessee Sustainable Building Certificate Program

PTL Exam Prep has teamed up with the University of Tennessee to bring you an accredited certificate program for people interested in increasing their knowledge and expertise in sustainable building principles.  This program also will educate and prepare each student for the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) exams.  This program is accessible for one year.

This program includes over 25 hours of online instruction.

Sustainable design awareness

Sustainable design culture

Innovation & design process

Sustainable sites

Water efficiency

Materials & resources

Indoor environmental quality

Energy & atmosphere

Choose your program with exam preparation materials for Green Associate, Building Design & Construction, Building Operations & Maintenance, Interior Design & Construction, LEED for Homes

Green Building – LEED™ Accredited

As a member of the USGBC (United States Green Business Council), going ‘green’ is not PTL It is our active pursuit to participate in, and support through principle and performance, green building training.

PTL Exam Prep has Leed™ Accredited Professionals

The LEED™ program defines ‘green building’ practices. Its holistic approach encompasses five key areas of human and environmental health giving building owners and operators the tools they need to make a measurable improvement on their building’s efficiency and performance.

LEED™ attends to five key areas of human and environmental health. These include:

The sustainability of the site development

Water conservation

Energy efficiency

The choice of materials for construction and building operation

Innovations in operations

Indoor environment

Why We Chose to be LEED™ Accredited Professionals At PTL, we maintain a proactive approach to all aspects of air consulting service. Long before ‘going green’ became popular, we paid close attention to energy & water efficiency. Becoming LEED™ accredited only furthered our existing goals of proactively working toward reducing our dependence on foreign fuel and to reduce global warming and ultimately make the world a place for future generations to enjoy.

Environmentally conscious buildings are the wave of the future, and LEED professionals are making it happen. Obtaining a LEED Accredited Professional designation allows you to become a part of that new movement, and the best way to help you obtain your accreditation is through PTL Exam Prep.

The need for environmentally friendly buildings is growing. Businesses are looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. The federal government is requiring LEED design in all new federal, state and city government operated buildings. The green job market is growing, and LEED AP professionals are standing on the front line.

A new study released by the USGBC predicts green building will support or create 7.9 million jobs between 2009-2013.  As the demand grows for LEED professional PTL Exam Prep is offering multiple training opportunities to obtain your  accreditation that exhibit levels of proficiency and areas of interest and specialization to employers, employees and potential clients.

LEED Green Associate training, the first level of accreditation testing, courses and study materials offered by PTL Exam Prep, focuses on demonstrating a general working knowledge of leadership in energy and environmental design and sustainable green building methods.  The PTL Green Associate class will qualify you to sit for the LEED GA exam and help you obtain the coveted title ‘Green Associate’ to your professional designation.

The second level of the LEED accreditation process offered through PTL Exam Prep is the LEED AP with Specialty for anyone wanting to demonstrate a deeper understanding of green construction practices and their ability to specialize in an individual LEED rating system. Available specialties include:

• Building Design and Construction
• Interior Design and Construction
• Green Building Operation and Maintenance
• Home and Neighborhood Development
• Neighborhood Development

The PTL Project Management Experience class satisfies all pre-requisites for sitting for the LEED AP exam. Training is provided via live webinars and training classes across the country, bringing the potential of green employment within the grasp of men and women all across the United States.

Make the right decision for your future. Earn your LEED Professional accreditation today!

Are you looking for a job? Who isn’t these days. Thankfully, President Obama has increased employment opportunities for people interested in entering the green economy, by pouring millions of dollars into green-training programs and clean-energy development, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. If you’re looking for a job, this law is your new best friend. Check out these green-collar jobs:

Building Performance Institute (BPI) analysts ensure that buildings operate properly. These energy-efficiency professionals conduct tests and evaluate methods for retrofitting and remodeling existing structures. BPI analysts understand how building systems interact, and use diagnostic tools and measures to stop moisture damage, prevent heath hazards, improve insulation, conduct energy audits, and check heating and cooling systems for energy efficiency and safety. All of these steps help reduce a building’s carbon footprint.

Green Infrastructure specialists understand the connect between construction and the environment. They’re knowledgeable about best management practices for site assessment, streetscape, utilities, stormwater management, and landscape and construction practices.

Hazardous materials removal workers undergo HAZWOPER training to be certified for the important task of cleaning up toxic sites. These workers identify, remove, package, transport and dispose of asbestos, radioactive and nuclear waste, arsenic, lead, mercury and other toxic materials found on brownfields and Superfund sites. These workers held more than 42,000 jobs in 2008, and employment is expected to increase by 15 percent by 2018. This is faster than the average for all other occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) are renowned sustainability experts who contribute to the rating of buildings with various LEED systems and mentor their fellow team members. By obtaining LEED AP designation, you are not only making a wise career investment, you are also taking an essential step to remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry and positioning yourself for the high demand green-job market.

Residential green building specialists assist homeowners and builders in creating eco-friendly houses. These specialists understand green-building design, construction and operations; materials and product selection; waste management; building commissioning; site planning; building-energy use and more. Green residential specialists comprise a critical part of the current green-construction industry, which supports roughly 2 million jobs. The U.S. Green Building Council predicts that green building will support 8 million jobs by the year 2013.

Solar thermal/photovoltaic professionals include contractors, engineers, architects and others who understand how solar technologies capture, convert and distribute solar energy. They’re trained in photovoltaic theory and applications; systems design; customer financing and return on investment; regulations; site evaluation; and installation of residential and commercial solar rooftop panels. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that solar energy could create more than 1 million new jobs by the year 2030.

Thermographers used infrared cameras and thermal imaging to identify potential problems with a building’s operation. These trained professionals inspect roofing systems and building envelopes for moisture infiltration. They use thermal imaging to detect heat loss from windows and doors, and to inspect thermal-heated floor slabs for system leakage. Ultimately, the collected data is used to diagnose problems with a building’s performance, and determine methods for improvement.

Weatherization specialists make sure a house or office building is adequately protected from outside elements. They seal cracks, gaps, holes, leaky air ducts and other bypasses around doors, windows and pipes. These specialists identify steps for better weatherproofing, which might involve installing storm doors and double-glazed windows, or replacing old heating and cooling equipment with updated, energy-saving models. The U.S. Department of Energy recently received $5 billion in economic-stimulus money to expand its weatherization-assistance programs, which means more weatherization specialists will soon be needed.

Wind energy specialists install, operate and maintain wind-related technologies. These professionals—engineers, electricians, contractors, architects and others—understand the design, installation and electrical integration of small and large wind systems. They undergo training in site assessment, industry regulations, wind-turbine operation and maintenance, wind measurements and instrumentation, economics of wind energy, safety practices and more.

As America moves toward a clean-energy economy and more environmentally sound way of constructing our built environment, now is the time to take advantage of training programs and certifications that will put you at the forefront of the green movement. So, which green-collar job is right for you?

If you have any questions or would like more information please call us at (800) 488-1792 or visit our website www.greenprofessional.net

The careers of the future there’s very small doubt in anybody’s mind that becoming green and finding methods of turning our present daily activities into more ecologically friendly practices is the wave of the future. The challenge is to find enough qualified professionals, very skilled and informed in this emerging field to help, in this extremely specialized field. There’s never been a better time to enter this field in the job of LEED Accredited Professional or a LEED Green Associate. What precisely do LEED AP AND GA’s do? The people occupying these kinds of positions are executives with a variety of highly specialized awareness of green building practices to paraphrase they’re the go to folks when it comes to construction and being green. What’s so interesting about this particular green job is that 20 years back it didn’t exist and it has end up being one of the most highly regarded and valued jobs to be had. If you’re trying to find a new challenge and you care about our earth, then you can need to consider a job in this field. As a LEED AP or GA, you can specialize in a field like Green Building Design and Construction, Existing Building Operations & Maintenance  or maybe Interior Design & Construction.

The choice is totally yours and the fields are totally open. If you’re considering taking the LEED GA examination, which covers basic understanding of green design, construction and operations, you’ll be needed to answer one hundred multiple-choice questions that must be completed in two hours. If you’re considering becoming a LEED AP, you’ll need to pass the LEED AP examination, which has two parts; with the 1st part being the LEED Green Associate Examination, this could evaluate your general awareness of green construction and this will be followed by LEED AP Specialty covering the LEED Rating Systems. Each part of these exams contains 100 multiple questions and you’ll have 2 hours to complete them. While testing for your accreditation, as a LEED AP or GA can appear intense, it should be regarded as any other study subject with study guides available to help procure the knowledge that you want to complete these exams.

Remember that before you can pass the LEED AP examinations, you need to have some documented work experience on a LEED project, in the last three years with a letter of attestation. These careers are definitely the careers of the future, so why don’t you get in at the beginning?

Green Infrastructure is the complex, interdependent system that supports our way of life. You can take advantage of a wide range of opportunities to build and re-build a “Green” Infrastructure. The Green Professional Training Center interactive online course gives you the facts about why “Green” is cost effective, healthy and visually appealing.

In this course you will find current examples of successful Green infrastructure projects as well as principles and practices that you can use to develop your own comprehensive plans. At the end of this course you will obtain a Certificate of Completion for Green Infrastructure.

Stormwater Management module of the course gives you the information and action items to assess sites and identify
opportunities to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) in “Green” planning, design and construction.
You’ll get:
• Integrated stormwater management planning
• Water pollution prevention
• Construction runoff prevention
• Surface pretreatments for filtering runoff
• Catch basin inserts and water quality inlets
• Detention and Infiltration structures
• Constructed wetlands

Landscape best practices module of the course gives you the information and action items to assess sites and identify
opportunities to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) in “Green” planning, design and construction.
You’ll get:
• Citywide landscape planning
• Maintaining and enhancing biodiversity and ecology
• Landscapes capable of high rates of stormwater absorption, infiltration, and treatment
• Tree planting for quantity, density and diversity
• Turfgrass reduction
• Plant selection
• Designing water-efficient landscapes

This course is one of an eight course series on Green Infrastructure that provides a template for design
and implementation of Green Building concepts as they apply to cities and municipalities.
Objectives:
1. Describe Green Building principles and practices
2. Discuss Green Energy Management and Optimization
3. Explain Sustainable Design concepts
4. Implement Green Building Design Principles
5. Describe Green Construction techniques
6. Choose Certi cation options for both individuals and the organizaton

The pavement best practices module of this course gives you the information and action items to assess sites and identify opportunities
to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) in “Green” planning, design and construction. You’ll get:
• Pavement lifecycle
• Pervious vs. impervious pavement
• Albedo or Reflectivity of pavement
• Pavement materials
• A materials program
• Material applications

Green Infrastructure Streetscapes module is the complex, interdependent system that supports our way of life. You can take advantage of a wide range of opportunities to build and re-build a “Green” Infrastructure – if you have the right
template. This course is one of an eight course series on Green Infrastructure that provides a template for
design and implementation of Green Building concepts applicable to cities and municipalities.

The Site assesment module gives you the information and action items for assessing
sites and identifying opportunities to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) in “Green” planning,
design and construction.
Topics covered are:
• Soil testing
• Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis
• Vegetation assessment, preservation and transplantation
• Invasive species evaluation

The Green Construction Practices module gives you the information and action items to assess sites and identify
opportunities to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) in “Green” planning, design and construction.
You’ll get:
• Site Protection
• Plan development
• Protecting water sources and planted areas
• Developing waste management and recycling plans
• Minimizing construction and equipment impacts

The Green Utilities gives you the information and action items for assessing sites and identifying
opportunities to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) in “Green” planning, design and
construction. You’ll get:
• Mechanisms to affect right-of-way construction by private utilities
• Technology to minimize pavement damage and degradation
• Upgrades to utility installation and maintenance

Green Building is the way of America’s future. Sustainable buildings protect fragile ecosystems, produce long-term economic savings and stimulate job growth. LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building-rating system, is the Green Standard for certifying the sustainability of today’s building projects.
LEED is the preeminent national green-building certification program, administered by the Green Building Certification Institute. Building projects that achieve a LEED rating have demonstrated improved environmental and human-health benefits. Increasingly, federal, state and local governments are mandating that new and existing building projects meet LEED certification.
LEED Accredited Professionals are needed to provide management and oversight to implement sustainable-building strategies, and facilitate credit reporting to the U.S. Green Building Council.