EDGE-Expert Questions and Answers

The EDGE Auditor’s submission for Preliminary Certification (design stage) must include specific elements to support the recommendation for certification. The EDGE Certification Protocol specifies: "For Preliminary Certification, the EDGE Auditor’s submission must include compliance documents for the selected measures, such as drawings, specifications, and manufacturer’s data sheets, which verify that the design aligns with the self-assessment in the EDGE software. These documents are reviewed by the Certification Provider to confirm eligibility" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements). Option C, compliance documents for selected measures, directly matches this requirement. Option A (all available design data) is too broad and not required: "Only documents directly related to the selected measures are needed, not all design data" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements). Option B (Chapter 5 EDGE certification protocol) is incorrect, as this refers to the protocol document itself, not a submission component: "The certification protocol is a reference, not part of the Auditor’s submission" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 1.1: Overview). Option D (design audit site visit results) is incorrect, as site visits are not required at the design stage: "Preliminary Certification is based on a desk audit, not a site visit, which occurs at the post-construction stage" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.3: Certification Decision). Thus, compliance documents (Option C) are required in the submission.

An occupancy permit indicates that a building meets local regulatory requirements for occupancy,but it does not address the specific green building measures required for EDGE certification. The EDGE Certification Protocol clearly outlines the role of such permits in the audit process: "A local occupancy permit provided by the Client confirms that the building complies with local building codes and is ready for use. However, it does not replace the need to audit all EDGE measures, as EDGE certification requires verification of specific energy, water, and materials efficiency measures that are not typically covered by local permits" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.4: Post-Construction Requirements). Option A, does not replace the need to audit all EDGE measures, directly aligns with this guidance, as the Auditor must still verify each claimed measure (e.g., insulation, low-flow fixtures, fly ash concrete) against EDGE standards. Option B (replaces the need to audit all EDGE measures) is incorrect, as the permit does not address EDGE-specific requirements: "Local permits do not verify EDGE measures like energy savings or embodied energy reductions, so a full audit is still required" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 4.4: Site Audit Procedures). Option C (does not replace the need for desktop studies) is partially correct but less comprehensive, as desktop studies are only one part of the audit process: "Desktop studies are part of the audit, but the occupancy permit does not exempt any aspect of the EDGE audit, including site visits and measure verification" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements). Option D (replaces the need to audit EDGE Materials measures) is also incorrect, as materials measures (e.g., use of fly ash concrete) require specific evidence like manufacturer’s data sheets, not covered by an occupancy permit: "Materials measures require detailed documentation of embodied energy reductions, which local permits do not address" (EDGE User Guide, Section 7.2: Materials Efficiency Measures). The EDGE User Guide further reinforces: "The Auditor must verify all EDGE measures through appropriate documentation and site visits, regardless of local permits, to ensure compliance with the EDGE standard" (EDGE User Guide, Section 6.3: Post-Construction Certification). Thus, the occupancy permit does not replace the need to audit all EDGE measures (Option A).

The EDGE certification process assigns clear responsibilities to various stakeholders to ensure a smooth and accountable process. The EDGE Certification Protocol defines the role of the ProjectOwner (also referred to as the EDGE Client): "The Project Owner, as the EDGE Client, is responsible for the entire project within the EDGE certification system. This includes providing all necessary project documentation (e.g., drawings, specifications, and self-assessments), ensuring access to the site for audits, and paying the audit and certification fees as required by the Certification Provider" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 2.1: Roles and Responsibilities). Option C, Project Owner, directly aligns with this comprehensive responsibility. Option A (EDGE Expert) is incorrect, as the Expert’s role is advisory: "The EDGE Expert provides consultancy services, assisting with documentation and measure selection, but the ultimate responsibility for submission and payment lies with the Project Owner" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 2.1: Roles of EDGE Expert). Option B (EDGE Auditor) is also incorrect, as the Auditor’s role is to verify compliance, not manage the project: "The EDGE Auditor conducts independent audits and is not responsible for project management, documentation provision, or fee payments" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 2.2: Roles of EDGE Auditor). Option D (EDGE Certification Provider) is responsible for issuing certificates and overseeing the process, not managing the project: "The EDGE Certification Provider, such as GBCI, reviews the Auditor’s recommendation and issues certificates, but does not manage the project or pay fees" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.3: Certification Decision). The EDGE User Guide further reinforces this: "The Project Owner must coordinate all aspects of the certification process, ensuring documentation is complete, site access is granted for post-construction audits, and all fees are paid to the Certification Provider in a timely manner" (EDGE User Guide, Section 6.1: Project Preparation). This holistic responsibility makes the Project Owner (Option C) the correct answer.

In hot climates, reducing heat gain through building envelopes is a key strategy for energy efficiency, as emphasized in EDGE’s green building design principles. The EDGE User Guide discusses solar reflectivity (measured by the Solar Reflectance Index, SRI) for walls and roofs, stating: "Higher SRI values indicate greater reflectivity, which reduces heat absorption and lowers cooling energy demand in hot climates. For walls in hot climates, an SRI of 0.7 or higher is recommended to maximize energy savings" (EDGE User Guide, Section 3.5: Passive Design Strategies). The options provided are 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.7. Since 0.7 is the highest SRI value among the choices, it reflects the most solar radiation, thereby reducing the cooling load andimproving energy efficiency in a hot climate, as per EDGE’s guidance. Options A, B, and C have lower SRI values and would result in greater heat absorption, increasing energy use for cooling.

In EDGE, measures are evaluated for their impact on energy, water, and embodied energy in materials, the three core pillars of the standard. For an air-conditioned hospital with a water-cooled chiller, the measure must affect all three areas to be the correct answer. The EDGE User Guide provides detailed descriptions of each measure’s impact: "Variable speed drive (VSD) pumps in HVAC systems, such as those used in water-cooled chillers, impact energy by reducing electricity consumption through load modulation, water by optimizing the chiller’s cooling water circulation (reducing water use in the cooling tower), and materials because their installation may involve additional components with embodied energy, such as the VSD unit itself" (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.2: Energy Efficiency Measures). Option C, variable speed drive pumps, thus impacts all three areas: energy (reduced electricity use), water (less cooling tower water loss), and materials (embodied energy in the VSD equipment). Option A (insulation of the roof) affects energy (reduced cooling load) and materials (embodied energy in insulation), but not water: "Roof insulation reduces energy demand but does not directly impact water consumption" (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.1: Insulation Measures). Option B (water-efficient urinals) impacts water (reduced consumption) and potentially materials (embodied energy in fixtures), but not energy: "Water-efficient urinals save water but have no direct energy impact in EDGE calculations" (EDGE User Guide, Section 5.2: Water Efficiency Measures). Option D (water-efficient dishwashers) also affects water and materials, but not energy in this context: "Water-efficient dishwashers reduce water use, but their energy impact is minimal unless they include hot water savings, which is not specified for hospital dishwashers in EDGE” (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.2: Water Savings Calculations). The EDGE Methodology Report further confirms: "VSD pumps in water-cooled chillers are unique in affecting all three EDGE metrics—energy through efficiency, water through reduced cooling tower evaporation, and materials through the embodied energy of the equipment" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.1: Energy Efficiency Metrics). Thus, variable speed drive pumps (Option C) is the measure impacting energy, water, and materials.

The EDGE software’s Base Case is a standardized benchmark that does not adjust to project-specific corporate standards but reflects local norms. The EDGE User Guide states: "The Base Case in EDGE software is automatically generated based on local typical building practices and, where applicable, national building codes for the selected typology and location. It does not incorporate project-specific corporate standards or custom specifications, ensuring a consistent baseline for comparison" (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.3: Using the EDGE App). In this scenario, the hotel developer’s corporate design standards for water fittings, lighting, heating, and air-conditioning are specific to the project, but the EDGE Base Case will still use local typical practices or codes (Option C). Option A is incorrect, as the project can still be certified using the standard Base Case. Option B is wrong because the Base Case does not adapt to corporate specifications. Option D is also incorrect, as the Base Case is not verified on a case-by-case basis for specific hotel chains but is standardized for the region and typology.

Reducing hot water demand in hotels is a key green building strategy in EDGE, focusing on both supply-side and demand-side measures. The EDGE User Guide details measures that reduce hot water demand: "Hot water demand in hotels can be reduced through supply-side measures like solar water heating and heat pumps for hot water, which decrease the energy needed to heat water, and demand-side measures like low-flow shower heads, which reduce the volume of hot water used" (EDGE User Guide, Section 5.2: Water Efficiency Measures, Section 4.2: Energy Efficiency Measures). Option B (solar water heating) reduces hot water demand by providing a renewable heat source, thus lowering energy use for heating. Option C (low-flow shower heads) directly reduces the volume of hot water used by limiting flow rates: "Low-flow shower heads can reduce hot water consumption by up to 30% in hotels" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.2: Water Savings Calculations). Option D (heat pumps for hot water) reduces energy demand for heating water by using a more efficient system: "Heat pumps for hot water have a high COP, reducing the energy required to meet hot water demand" (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.2: Energy Efficiency Measures). Option A (solar photovoltaics) generates electricity, not hot water, and does not directly reduce hot water demand: "Solar PVs contribute to electricity generation, not hot water production" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.3: Energy Measures). Thus, Options B, C, and D all reduce hot water demand in a hotel.

In a hot and dry climate without air-conditioning, thermal comfort relies on passive design strategies that reduce heat gain or improve air movement. The EDGE User Guide discusses passive measures for thermal comfort: "In hot climates without air-conditioning, thermal comfort can be improved through ceiling fans, which enhance air movement, solar shading, which reduces solar heat gain, and wall and roof insulation, which minimizes heat transfer into the building" (EDGE User Guide, Section 3.5: Passive Design Strategies). Option A (ceiling fans) improves air movement, directly impacting thermal comfort: "Ceiling fans increase air speed, enhancing evaporative cooling on occupants’ skin" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.5: Thermal Comfort Measures). Option B (solar shading) reduces heat gain, improving comfort: "External shading reduces solar radiation entering the building, lowering indoor temperatures" (EDGE User Guide, Section 3.5: Passive Design Strategies). Option C (wall and roof insulation) also enhances comfort by reducing heat transfer: "Insulation lowers the U-value of the building envelope, maintaining cooler indoor temperatures" (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.1: Insulation Measures). Option D (solar photovoltaics) generates electricity but does not directly affect thermal comfort in a building without air-conditioning: "Solar photovoltaics contribute to energy supply but do not directly influence indoor thermal comfort unless used to power cooling systems, which are absent in this scenario" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.3: Energy Measures). Thus, solar photovoltaics (Option D) will not impact thermal comfort in this context.

EDGE Zero Carbon certification, like all EDGE certifications, is limited to specific building typologies supported by the EDGE software, as these typologies have predefined usage patterns for accurate modeling. The EDGE User Guide lists the supported typologies: "EDGE certification, including EDGE Zero Carbon, is available for the following building typologies: homes, hotels, offices, hospitals, retail, schools, warehouses, and light industry buildings. Museums are not a supported typology in EDGE, as their unique usage patterns, such as specialized HVAC for artifact preservation, are not modeled in the software" (EDGE User Guide, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Certification). Option C, the project cannot be certified because EDGE does not have a ‘museum’ typology, directly aligns with this limitation, as museums are not among the supported building types. Option A (the project team can select any typology they consider applicable) is incorrect, as EDGE requires the use of predefined typologies: "The EDGE software restricts typology selection to predefined categories to ensure accurate Base Case calculations; users cannot create custom typologies for unsupported building types like museums" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 2.1: Calculation Approach). Option B (operating for at least 6 months at 75% occupancy) and Option D (operating for at least 12 months at 75% occupancy) address operational data requirements for EDGE Zero Carbon, but they are irrelevant if the typology is unsupported: "EDGE Zero Carbon certification requires at least 12 months of operational data at 75% occupancy to verify performance, but this applies only to supported typologies" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 2.3: Certification Levels). Since museums are not supported, the operational data requirement does not apply, making both B and D incorrect in this context. The EDGE Certification Protocol further confirms: "Buildings like museums, which are not part of EDGE’s typology list, cannot be certified, as the software cannot generate a Base Case for unsupported building types, ensuring consistency in certification standards" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Standard). The EDGE User Guide adds: "Clients pursuing certification for unsupported typologies, such as museums or cultural centers, will need to explore other green building certifications, as EDGE is not designed for these building types" (EDGE User Guide, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Certification). Thus, the project cannot be certified due to the lack of a museum typology (Option C).

Greywater recovery in EDGE is a water efficiency measure, and the software calculates savings by comparing water consumption before and after implementing the measure. The EDGE Methodology Report explains the calculation method: "Water consumption savings from greywater recovery are calculated as the difference between the Base Case water consumption and the Improved Case water consumption after applying the measure. The Base Case represents the typical water use without any efficiency measures, serving as the benchmark for all savings calculations" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.2: Water Savings Calculations). Option A, Base Case water consumption, is the correct reference point for determining savings, as it establishes the baseline against which the greywater recovery measure is evaluated. Option B (Improved Case water consumption) is the result after applying the measure, not the basis for savings. Option C (cost of water consumption at local tariff) and Option D (incremental cost of installation and cost of water consumption at local tariff) relate to financial outputs, not the direct calculation of water savings, as clarified: "Water savings in EDGE are quantified in volume (liters or cubic meters), not cost, though cost savings are derived later using local tariffs" (EDGE User Guide, Section 5.2: Water Efficiency Measures). Thus, greywater recovery savings are based on Base Case water consumption (Option A).

The EDGE Standard defines specific project types eligible for certification levels, including EDGE Advanced, which requires at least 40% energy savings. The EDGE Certification Protocol specifies: "EDGE Advanced certification is available for new constructions that achieve a minimum of 40% energy savings compared to the base case, applicable to building typologies such as homes, hotels, offices, hospitals, retail, and schools" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 2.3: Certification Levels). Option A, new constructions, aligns with this scope, as EDGE focuses on new buildings across supported typologies. Option B, green lease agreements, is not a building type and is outside EDGE’s certification framework. Option C, infrastructure constructions, and Option D, parks and landscape projects, are also not covered under EDGE typologies, as confirmed by the EDGE User Guide: "EDGE certification applies to new buildings and major renovations of specific typologies, excluding infrastructure or landscape-only projects" (EDGE User Guide, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Certification). Thus, only new constructions qualify for EDGE Advanced certification.

Water consumption in hotels varies significantly based on usage patterns, with guest-related activities often dominating the water use breakdown. The EDGE User Guide provides detailed insights into water use in hotels: "In a typical 3-star business hotel, the largest contributor to water consumption is showers in guest rooms, accounting for approximately 40-50% of total water use due to frequent guest showers, especially in urban hotels with high occupancy. Laundry, toilets, and faucets also contribute, but to a lesser extent, with laundry at 15-20%, toilets at 10-15%, and faucets at 5-10%" (EDGE User Guide, Section 5.2: Water Efficiency Measures). Option A, showers in guest rooms, aligns with this breakdown as the element likely to consume the most water. Option B (laundry) is significant but lower than showers: "Laundry in 3-star hotels consumes less water than showers, as laundry is typically centralized and less frequent than daily guest showers" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.2: Water Savings Calculations). Option C (toilets in lobby area) is a minor contributor, as lobby toilets serve fewer users compared to guest rooms: "Toilets in public areas like the lobby have lower usage compared to guest room facilities, contributing only a small fraction of total water use in hotels" (EDGE User Guide, Section 5.2: Water Efficiency Measures). Option D (faucets in guest rooms) also uses less water than showers: "Faucets in guest rooms, used for handwashing or brushing teeth, have lower flow rates and usage frequency compared to showers, which often run for 5-10 minutes per use" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.2: Water Savings Calculations). The EDGE User Guide further elaborates: "In business hotels, showers dominate water use due to high occupancy and guest behavior, making measures like low-flow shower heads particularly effective for water savings" (EDGE User Guide, Section 5.2: Water Efficiency Measures). The EDGE Methodology Report adds: "For a 3-star hotel with 100 rooms and 70% occupancy, showers can account for 45 liters per guest per day, compared to 15 liters for laundry, 10 liters for toilets, and 5 liters for faucets, based on standard usage assumptions" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.2: Water Savings Calculations). Thus, showers in guest rooms (Option A) are likely to consume the most water in this context.

The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is used in EDGE to calculate the electrical power input required for a given thermal output of a chiller. The EDGE Methodology Report defines COP as: "COP is the ratio of thermal output to electrical input, expressed as COP = Thermal Output / Electrical Input. To find the electrical input (power rating), rearrange the formula: Electrical Input = Thermal Output / COP" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.1: Energy Efficiency Metrics). Given the COP of the water-cooled chiller as 6 and the cooling thermal load (thermal output) as 3516 W, the power rating is calculated as follows: Electrical Input = 3516 W / 6 = 586 W. Option A, 586 W, matches this calculation. Option B (3510 W) is incorrect, as it is slightly less than the thermal output, implying an unrealistic COP near 1. Option C (3522 W) is slightly above the thermal output, also incorrect. Option D (21096 W) is the result of multiplying the thermal output by the COP (3516 × 6), which is the inverse of the correct calculation. The EDGE User Guide confirms: "For a chiller with a COP of 6, the electrical input is one-sixth of the thermal output, ensuring energy efficiency is accurately assessed" (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.2: Energy Efficiency Measures). Thus, the power rating is 586 W (Option A).

EDGE Auditors must adhere to strict protocols ensuring that all claimed measures are supported by verifiable evidence, especially during audits. The EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols state: "If a claimed measure, such as water-efficient faucets, lacks supporting documentation like specifications or manufacturer’s data sheets, the Auditor must exclude the measure from the project assessment. The Auditor is not permitted to test equipment, substitute evidence, or mandate replacements, as their role is to verify, not rectify, the Client’s submission" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 4.2: Evidence Verification). Option A, exclude the faucets from the project, aligns with this protocol, as the lack of specifications prevents verification. Option B (test the faucets’ flow rates) is incorrect, as Auditors cannot conduct tests: "Auditors are not responsible for testing equipment; they must rely on provided documentation" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements). Option C (require the owner to replace the faucets) oversteps the Auditor’s role: "Auditors cannot mandate changes to the project; they assess what is submitted" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 2.3: Conflict of Interest). Option D (find a product with the same parameters) is also prohibited: "Auditors cannot substitute or assume evidence on behalf of the Client" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 4.2: Evidence Verification). Thus, the Auditor should exclude the faucets (Option A).

EDGE certification applies to specific building typologies that align with its focus on resource efficiency in new constructions and major renovations. The EDGE User Guide lists the covered building types: "EDGE certification is available for the following building typologies: homes, hotels, offices, hospitals, retail, schools, warehouses, and light industry buildings. These typologies are selected because they have predictable energy, water, and materials usage patterns that can be modeled in the EDGE software" (EDGE User Guide, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Certification). Option A (hospitals), Option B (schools), and Option D (warehouses) are explicitly included in this list, making them eligible for EDGE certification. However, Option C (factories - heavy industry) is not covered, as clarified in the EDGE Certification Protocol: "Heavy industry factories are not covered by EDGE, as their energy and water usage patterns are highly variable and process-driven, making them unsuitable for the standardized modeling approach used in EDGE. Light industry buildings, such as small manufacturing facilities with predictable usage, are included, but heavy industry, such as steel production or chemical manufacturing, is excluded" (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Standard). The EDGE Methodology Report further explains: "Heavy industry factories involve complex industrial processes that dominate resource consumption, which cannot be accurately modeled using EDGE’s simplified methodology, unlike hospitals, schools, or warehouses, which have more consistent occupancy and usage patterns" (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 2.1: Calculation Approach). The EDGE User Guide also notes: "Building types like heavy industry factories are outside the scope of EDGE, as the software is designed for commercial and residential buildings with typical HVAC, lighting, and water demands" (EDGE User Guide, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Certification). Therefore, factories (heavy industry) (Option C) is the building type not covered by EDGE.

EDGE Auditors must meet specific requirements to maintain their licensed status, ensuring they remain active and competent in their role. The EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols provide detailed guidance: "To maintain their licensed status, EDGE Auditors must undertake at least one building project audit every two years. This requirement ensures that Auditors remain actively engaged in the certification process and maintain their practical experience in verifying EDGE projects" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 5.1: Maintaining Auditor Status). Option A, undertake at least one building project audit every two years, directly aligns with this requirement. Option B (attend refresher training for at least two hours every two years) and Option C (attend refresher training for at least two hours every three years) are incorrect, as the protocols specify a different training requirement: "EDGE Auditors must attend refresher training as required by IFC, typically every three years, but the duration is not specified as a minimum of two hours; the focus is on completing the training, not the exact hours" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 5.1: Maintaining Auditor Status). Option D (undertake at least one building project audit every three years) is also incorrect, as the required frequency is every two years, not three: "A three-year interval for audits does not meet the requirement of one audit every two years, which is necessary to ensure ongoing competence" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 5.1: Maintaining Auditor Status). The EDGE User Guide supports this by stating: "Auditors maintain their status by conducting at least one audit every two years, ensuring they stay familiar with EDGE standards and procedures through active practice" (EDGE User Guide, Section 6.5: Working with EDGE Auditors). Additionally, the protocols note: "Failure to conduct an audit within two years may result in a lapse of Auditor status, requiring recertification through additional training or re-examination" (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 5.2: Recertification Conditions). Thus, undertaking at least one audit every two years (Option A) is the correct requirement for maintaining EDGE Auditor status.