NCIDQ IDFX/IDPX EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What two things must a designer know about a space before the necessary number of exits can
be determined? - ANS Before a designer can determine how many of these are needed, both
the floor area and the occupancy group must be known
What are the four stages of a products life cycle? - ANS Raw material acquisition,
manufacturing, use and maintenance, disposal
What is embodied energy? - ANS The energy required by a product or material for its
extraction as a raw material, initial processing, and subsequent manufacture into a finished
product.
In terms of sustainability, what are the primary advantages and disadvantages of aluminum? -
ANS High potential for recycling, large amounts of energy to manufacture
What is composite wood veneer? - ANS Made by slicing readily available, fast growing trees
into veneers, dyeing them, and then gluing them together to create an artificial log. It's then
realized to create wood veneers
What is building commissioning? - ANS This is the process of inspecting, testing, starting up,
and adjusting building systems and then verifying that the systems are operating as intended
and that they meet the design criteria
What is displacement ventilation? - ANS This is an air distribution system in which supply air
originated at floor level and rises to return air grilles in the ceiling.
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,What are volatile organic compounds? - ANS These are chemicals that contain carbon and
hydrogen and that vaporize at room temperature and pressure
What are the 9 common biological contaminants often found in buildings? - ANS Mold,
viruses, animal dander, mildew, mites, dust, bacteria, pollen, and insects
What are 5 common hazardous materials found in existing buildings? - ANS Asbestos, lead,
vermiculite, radon, PCBs
What is adaptive reuse? - ANS This is the practice of reusing existing buildings and materials
from buildings as much as possible
What are post-industrial (or pre-consumer) materials? - ANS These are scrap or trim
materials generated in the manufacturing process that have been recovered or diverted from
solid waste.
What does post-consumer mean? - ANS Describes a material or product that has served its
intended use and has been recovered from waste destined for disposal.
What is programming? - ANS This is the process undertaken before design during which all
pertinent info about a project is collected and analyzed
What are the 5 steps in the programming process? - ANS Establish goals, collect facts,
uncover concepts, determine needs, state the problem
How does a programmatic concept differ from a design concept? - ANS The first is a
performance requirement that is related to general methods of solving a problem or satisfying
a need. The second is a specific physical response that is an attempt to satisfy the first.
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, In terms of the programming process, what are the 3 components of flexibility? -
ANS Expandability, convertibility, versatility
What 4 types of info should be included in every programming document? - ANS The clients
list of goals and objectives, required spaces and area requirements, and specific client
requirements for budget, schedule, furnishings, equipment, mechanical and electrical systems.
What are the 4 possible ratings for a LEED certified project? - ANS Platinum, gold, silver and
certified
What type of conceptual plan arrangement could be used as a non directional way to focus
attention on a space? - ANS A centralized plan arrangement could be used to accomplish
this.
What type of circulation pattern is generally the most efficient and flexible? - ANS Linear or
dumbbell layout
What voluntary consensus based national standard for developing high-performance,
sustainable buildings was established by the US Green Building Council? - ANS LEED
What activities does the Greenguard environmental institute conduct? - ANS This
organization tests products for acceptable indoor air quality standards and registers the
products it certifies
What 3 activities does scientific certification systems conduct? - ANS Certifies
environmentally related product attributes, environmentally preferable products and well
managed forests.
What is the forest stewardship council? - ANS This nonprofit organization is devoted to
encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests.
3 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What two things must a designer know about a space before the necessary number of exits can
be determined? - ANS Before a designer can determine how many of these are needed, both
the floor area and the occupancy group must be known
What are the four stages of a products life cycle? - ANS Raw material acquisition,
manufacturing, use and maintenance, disposal
What is embodied energy? - ANS The energy required by a product or material for its
extraction as a raw material, initial processing, and subsequent manufacture into a finished
product.
In terms of sustainability, what are the primary advantages and disadvantages of aluminum? -
ANS High potential for recycling, large amounts of energy to manufacture
What is composite wood veneer? - ANS Made by slicing readily available, fast growing trees
into veneers, dyeing them, and then gluing them together to create an artificial log. It's then
realized to create wood veneers
What is building commissioning? - ANS This is the process of inspecting, testing, starting up,
and adjusting building systems and then verifying that the systems are operating as intended
and that they meet the design criteria
What is displacement ventilation? - ANS This is an air distribution system in which supply air
originated at floor level and rises to return air grilles in the ceiling.
1 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,What are volatile organic compounds? - ANS These are chemicals that contain carbon and
hydrogen and that vaporize at room temperature and pressure
What are the 9 common biological contaminants often found in buildings? - ANS Mold,
viruses, animal dander, mildew, mites, dust, bacteria, pollen, and insects
What are 5 common hazardous materials found in existing buildings? - ANS Asbestos, lead,
vermiculite, radon, PCBs
What is adaptive reuse? - ANS This is the practice of reusing existing buildings and materials
from buildings as much as possible
What are post-industrial (or pre-consumer) materials? - ANS These are scrap or trim
materials generated in the manufacturing process that have been recovered or diverted from
solid waste.
What does post-consumer mean? - ANS Describes a material or product that has served its
intended use and has been recovered from waste destined for disposal.
What is programming? - ANS This is the process undertaken before design during which all
pertinent info about a project is collected and analyzed
What are the 5 steps in the programming process? - ANS Establish goals, collect facts,
uncover concepts, determine needs, state the problem
How does a programmatic concept differ from a design concept? - ANS The first is a
performance requirement that is related to general methods of solving a problem or satisfying
a need. The second is a specific physical response that is an attempt to satisfy the first.
2 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, In terms of the programming process, what are the 3 components of flexibility? -
ANS Expandability, convertibility, versatility
What 4 types of info should be included in every programming document? - ANS The clients
list of goals and objectives, required spaces and area requirements, and specific client
requirements for budget, schedule, furnishings, equipment, mechanical and electrical systems.
What are the 4 possible ratings for a LEED certified project? - ANS Platinum, gold, silver and
certified
What type of conceptual plan arrangement could be used as a non directional way to focus
attention on a space? - ANS A centralized plan arrangement could be used to accomplish
this.
What type of circulation pattern is generally the most efficient and flexible? - ANS Linear or
dumbbell layout
What voluntary consensus based national standard for developing high-performance,
sustainable buildings was established by the US Green Building Council? - ANS LEED
What activities does the Greenguard environmental institute conduct? - ANS This
organization tests products for acceptable indoor air quality standards and registers the
products it certifies
What 3 activities does scientific certification systems conduct? - ANS Certifies
environmentally related product attributes, environmentally preferable products and well
managed forests.
What is the forest stewardship council? - ANS This nonprofit organization is devoted to
encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests.
3 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
