ARE - PA Exam Questions And Accurate Answers
Latest Update
Floodplain
A normally dry land area that is susceptible to being inundated by water from any
natural source. This area is usually low land adjacent to a river, stream, watercourse,
ocean or lake.
An area that could get flooded due to rising water after a storm. You need to be aware if
your site is in a flood plain. See 100-year Flood and Special Floor Hazard Areas (FEMA)
Impervious Surface Area
Impervious Area sealed area, impervious to water, i.e. roofs, plaza streets and other
hard surfaces You'll be using this a lot, ARE uses it synonymous with BAD. Impervious
surfaces are directly related to runoff. Slopes Sewers 1/4" : 12" (2%) for 2" pipes 1/8" :
12" (1%) for 3-6" pipes Slopes Site Drainage 5% min away from buildings 2% min away
for impervious surfaces
1.5% - 10% for grass and field areas
Grades - Recreation
3% Max
Grades - Paved Parking Lot
5% max (typ. 2-3%)
Grades - ADA Ramps
1:12 max
,Surface Drainage
The grading and surfacing of a site in order to divert rain and other surface water into
natural drainage patterns or a municipal storm system
Surface Drainage Diagram
Swales
Shallow depressions formed by the intersection of two ground slopes, designed to
direct or divert the runoff of surface water. Vegetated swales can increase filtration.
Slopes - Grass Swales
1.5%-2%
Slopes - Paved Swales
4%-6%
Cold Regions
maximize solar heat gain
minimize wind exposure
provide compact building form
place low on a hill
Temperate Regions
,maximize solar gain in winter
reduce solar gain in summer
reduce exposure to wind in winter
allow exposure to wind in summer (see tree types)
extend building form along the east-west axis
maximize south facing walls
place midway to 2/3 up a hill
Hot-Arid Regions
enclose courtyard spaces
reduce heat gain from solar and conductive sources
promote evaporative cooling with water features and plantings
provide solar shading for windows and outdoor spaces
at bottom of hill on flat topography
, Hot-Humid Region
Maximize Share
Maximize Wind (cross/stack-ventilation)
Elongate form along east-west axis to minimize east and west exposures
Solar shading for windows and outdoor spaces
Place at top of hill
Passive Solar System - Two Essential Components
1. South Facing Glass
30%-50% of floor are in cold climates
15%-25% of floor area in temperate climates
2. Thermal Mass
For heat collection, storage, and distribution, oriented to receive max solar exposure
concrete, brick, stone, tile, rammed earth, sand, and water
Latest Update
Floodplain
A normally dry land area that is susceptible to being inundated by water from any
natural source. This area is usually low land adjacent to a river, stream, watercourse,
ocean or lake.
An area that could get flooded due to rising water after a storm. You need to be aware if
your site is in a flood plain. See 100-year Flood and Special Floor Hazard Areas (FEMA)
Impervious Surface Area
Impervious Area sealed area, impervious to water, i.e. roofs, plaza streets and other
hard surfaces You'll be using this a lot, ARE uses it synonymous with BAD. Impervious
surfaces are directly related to runoff. Slopes Sewers 1/4" : 12" (2%) for 2" pipes 1/8" :
12" (1%) for 3-6" pipes Slopes Site Drainage 5% min away from buildings 2% min away
for impervious surfaces
1.5% - 10% for grass and field areas
Grades - Recreation
3% Max
Grades - Paved Parking Lot
5% max (typ. 2-3%)
Grades - ADA Ramps
1:12 max
,Surface Drainage
The grading and surfacing of a site in order to divert rain and other surface water into
natural drainage patterns or a municipal storm system
Surface Drainage Diagram
Swales
Shallow depressions formed by the intersection of two ground slopes, designed to
direct or divert the runoff of surface water. Vegetated swales can increase filtration.
Slopes - Grass Swales
1.5%-2%
Slopes - Paved Swales
4%-6%
Cold Regions
maximize solar heat gain
minimize wind exposure
provide compact building form
place low on a hill
Temperate Regions
,maximize solar gain in winter
reduce solar gain in summer
reduce exposure to wind in winter
allow exposure to wind in summer (see tree types)
extend building form along the east-west axis
maximize south facing walls
place midway to 2/3 up a hill
Hot-Arid Regions
enclose courtyard spaces
reduce heat gain from solar and conductive sources
promote evaporative cooling with water features and plantings
provide solar shading for windows and outdoor spaces
at bottom of hill on flat topography
, Hot-Humid Region
Maximize Share
Maximize Wind (cross/stack-ventilation)
Elongate form along east-west axis to minimize east and west exposures
Solar shading for windows and outdoor spaces
Place at top of hill
Passive Solar System - Two Essential Components
1. South Facing Glass
30%-50% of floor are in cold climates
15%-25% of floor area in temperate climates
2. Thermal Mass
For heat collection, storage, and distribution, oriented to receive max solar exposure
concrete, brick, stone, tile, rammed earth, sand, and water
