TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theSustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, which awards points for strategies that prevent pest entry without relying on toxic chemicals.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control (1 point)
Implement physical barriers to prevent pest entry, such as sealing all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with caulking or other durable materials to reduce the need for chemical pest control.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Sustainable Sites Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control
Sealing external cracks, joints, and penetrations with caulking is a primary strategy to earn points by preventing pest access in a nontoxic manner.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isseal all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with caulking(Option A), as this is a direct, physical pest control strategy recognized by the credit.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, p. 74., C. Use a sealed-to-the-wall vapor barrier for homes with crawl spaces: Vapor barriers address moisture, not pest control, and are not part of this credit.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, no mention in SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control., D. Design and install plastic barrier systems around pipes and electrical conduit: While barriers may help, only caulking or similar sealing methods are explicitly recognized for this credit.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes SS credits, including nontoxic pest control, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of sealing strategies., References:, LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Sustainable Sites Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82., LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.usgbc.org/credits)., LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4)., USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4)., LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming pest control strategies., ]
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