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In the CBCI EDGE curriculum, the correct building type in the EDGE software is selected based on the project’s dominant functional use, because the baseline assumptions for energy and water are driven by occupancy patterns, internal loads, operating hours, and typical system types for that use. In this project, the overwhelming majority of area is warehouse space: 14,000 m² out of 15,000 m², while office and technical areas together represent only 1,000 m².
EDGE does not treat “Logistic” as a separate building type for modeling; logistics centers are typically modeled under the Industrial category because warehouses and distribution facilities have industrial-like operational characteristics and baselines. Selecting Office would misrepresent schedules and plug loads and would distort the baseline comparison, leading to inaccurate savings results. Retail is also inappropriate because it assumes customer-facing operating hours, lighting levels, and HVAC patterns different from warehouses.
For a single certification covering the whole development, the appropriate approach is to select the building type that best matches the primary use and area share. Therefore, the correct EDGE building type for this logistics center is Industrial.

Utility cost savings in EDGE are calculated based on reductions in resource consumption sourced from the supply grid, as these are the costs directly borne by the building owner. The EDGE User Guide explains:
“Utility cost savings in EDGE are calculated based on the reduction in energy and water consumption from the supply grid, using local tariffs for electricity and water to convert resource savings into financial savings” (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results). Option D, energy and water consumption from the supply grid, aligns with this definition, focusing on grid-supplied resources. Option A (electricity and water consumption) is partially correct but lacks specificity about the source: “Electricity and water must be grid-supplied to be included in utility cost savings; onsite generation is excluded” (EDGE Methodology Report Version2.0, Section 4.4: Cost Savings Calculations). Option B (generator fuel and water consumption) is incorrect, as generator fuel is not part of utility cost savings: “Generator fuel costs are not included in utility savings, as EDGE focuses on grid-supplied utilities” (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results). Option C (building energy and water consumption) is too broad, including onsite sources: “Building consumption includes all sources, but utility savings are grid-specific” (EDGE Methodology Report Version
2.0, Section 4.4: Cost Savings Calculations). Thus, energy and water from the supply grid (Option D) is the correct basis for utility cost savings.
Reference:EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results; EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 4.4: Cost Savings Calculations.

The EDGE software uses a Base Case to establish a benchmark for resource consumption, tailored to local conditions. The EDGE Methodology Report explains how the Base Case is constructed: “The Base Case for external wall materials in hotels is determined using data from market surveys of typical building practices in the project’s country, supplemented by national building performance codes where available. This ensures the baseline reflects local construction norms and regulatory standards” (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 3.1: Base Case Determination). Option A matches this description by referencing typical building practices and national codes. Option B incorrectly refers to global practices and international codes, which EDGE does not use, as the software prioritizes local context. Option C, focusing on corporate specifications, is not part of the Base Case methodology, as the Base Case is standardized, not project-specific. Option D, involving local suppliers or accreditation, is irrelevant to how EDGE determines the Base Case, which relies on broader market data rather than supplier-specificinformation.
Reference:EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 3.1: Base Case Determination; EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 2.3: Using the EDGE App.

In the CBCI EDGE curriculum, a project can be certified for a defined scope when the owner is pursuing certification for only the area under their control, such as a tenant space, a single owned floor, or a partial building section. In this case, the “project” for EDGE purposes is the single-floor office area owned by Excellence Lawyers, not the entire high-rise. Therefore, the EDGE model must reflect the geometry and specifications of the certified scope only.
That means the envelope inputs should correspond to the office floor’s relevant boundaries: external façade walls (if any), glazing areas, and the resulting Window-to-Wall Ratio for that office scope. Internal partitions that adjoin other conditioned spaces are not treated the same as external envelope elements, because they do not drive the same heat transfer to the outdoors. The same principle applies to wall materials and lengths: they must represent the office area being certified, using the actual constructions that apply to that scope.
Modeling the whole building would incorrectly attribute systems and envelope characteristics outside the owner’s control and could distort the calculated savings and audit evidence. Hence, the correct approach is to model the office floor only.

The role of an EDGE Auditor during a design audit (Preliminary Certification stage) is to verify compliance with the EDGE standard, which requires at least 20% savings in energy, water, and embodied energy in materials. If the project does not meet the standard, the Auditor must follow specific protocols without overstepping their role. The EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols outline the acceptable actions: “If a project does not meet the EDGE standard for energy during a design audit, the Auditor should inform the Client of the shortfall and ask them to use the EDGE tool again to identify additional measures that will take the project comfortably over the EDGE standard (e.g., 20% energy savings). The Auditor must not provide design advice or modify the assessment themselves, as their role is to verify, not consult” (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 4.1: Audit Process). Option A, ask the Client to use the EDGE tool again to identify options that will take the project comfortably over the EDGE standard, directly aligns with this guidance, as it keeps the Auditor in a verification role while encouraging the Client to revise their design. Option B (contact the design team directly to work with them) is incorrect, as it violates the Auditor’s independence: “The Auditor must not engage directly with the design team to improve the project, as this constitutes consultancy, which conflicts with their role as an independent verifier” (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 2.3:
Conflict of Interest). Option C (take no further action) is also incorrect, as the Auditor has a responsibility to report the shortfall: “If a project does not meet the EDGE standard, the Auditor must document the failure in the audit report and inform the Client, rather than abandoning the process” (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements). Option D (provide a list of measures based on the Auditor’s experience) oversteps the Auditor’s role by offering consultancy: “The Auditor cannot provide specific design recommendations or measures, as this compromises their impartiality; they must direct the Client to use the EDGE software or consult an EDGE Expert” (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 2.3: Conflict of Interest). The EDGE User Guide further supports: “During a design audit, the Auditor’s role is to assess compliance, not to guide the design process; if the project falls short, the Client should revisit the EDGE tool to explore additional measures, potentially with the help of an EDGE Expert” (EDGE User Guide, Section
6.5: Working with EDGE Auditors). The EDGE Certification Protocol adds: “The Auditor’s report should note the energy shortfall and recommend that the Client revise the self-assessment to meet the 20% savings threshold, ensuring the process remains Client-driven” (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements). Thus, asking the Client to use the EDGE tool again (Option A) is the acceptable course of action.
Reference:EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 4.1: Audit Process, Section 2.3: Conflict of Interest; EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements; EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 6.5:
Working with EDGE Auditors.

According to the CBCI EDGE curriculum and EDGE certification workflow, the responsibility for entering and adjusting default improved case values in the EDGE software lies primarily with the Client or the Client’s appointed EDGE Expert during the design phase. The improved case represents the proposed energy, water, and materials efficiency strategies that go beyond the baseline case. Therefore, it must accurately reflect the design intent, specifications, and selected green measures for the project.
The Auditor’s role is not to create or modify the improved case on behalf of the Client, but to independently review, verify, and validate the inputs against supporting documentation. This ensures impartiality and maintains the integrity of the certification process. Allowing the Auditor to adjust values directly would compromise the independent third-party verification principle embedded in the EDGE certification framework.
The EDGE Operations and Maintenance Team is relevant mainly for operational performance after project completion, not for inputting design-stage software data. Similarly, the Certification Provider oversees the process but does not alter project-specific software inputs. Therefore, the correct process is that the Client adjusts the improved case values, and the Auditor reviews them for compliance and accuracy.

Air-cooled chillers are a type of HVAC system commonly evaluated in EDGE for their energy efficiency in green building design. The EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0 outlines the components of air-cooled chillers in the context of energy efficiency measures. According to the EDGE User Guide (Version 2.1), air- cooled chillers differ from water-cooled chillers by not requiring a cooling tower or associated water-based components like a condenser pump. The guide states: “Air-cooled chillers consist of a compressor, air-cooled condenser, thermal expansion valve, and evaporator, which work together to provide cooling by rejecting heat directly to the ambient air” (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.2: Energy Efficiency Measures). Option A includes a cooling tower and condenser pump, which are specific to water-cooled chillers. Option D mentions a water- cooled condenser, which is incorrect for air-cooled systems. Option C includes a chilled water pump, which is not a core component of the chiller itself but part of the broader system. Option B accurately lists the compressor, condenser (air-cooled, implied), thermal expansion valve, and evaporator, aligning with the EDGE description of air-cooled chiller components.
Reference:EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 4.2: Energy Efficiency Measures; EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, HVAC Systems.

In the CBCI EDGE framework, an EDGE Expert supports the project team in achieving certification by guiding design decisions, modeling the project in the EDGE software, and helping prepare and organize documentation for submission. This commonly includes facilitating the client’s application process, explaining how the EDGE Standard works, and providing basic guidance on using the EDGE App or interpreting EDGE results. EDGE Experts also assist design teams in selecting appropriate energy, water, and materials strategies to meet the minimum savings thresholds and align the improved case inputs with the intended specifications.
However, EDGE Experts are not permitted to act as third-party verifiers or issue certifications. Auditing and certification issuance are independent functions performed by an EDGE Auditor under an accredited Certification Body. This separation is essential to maintain impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest: the party who advises and models the project cannot be the same party who verifies compliance and awards certification. Therefore, providing EDGE audit services and issuing preliminary or final EDGE certificates is not within an EDGE Expert’s scope of work, making option C the correct answer.

Lamp efficiency in EDGE is a key factor in reducing energy consumption for lighting, a critical green building design strategy. The EDGE User Guide defines lamp efficiency: “In EDGE, a moreefficient lamp is one that provides higher lumens per watt, meaning it produces more light output (lumens) for the same electrical input (watts). This metric, known as luminous efficacy, is used to evaluate lighting efficiency measures like EEM22 – Efficient Lighting for Internal Areas” (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.4: Lighting Efficiency Measures). Option A, more lumens/watt, directly aligns with this definition, as it indicates greater efficiency in converting electricity to light. Option B (lower watts/m²) refers to lighting power density, which is a design metric, not a lamp characteristic: “Watts/m² is a measure of lighting power density for a space, not the efficiency of an individual lamp” (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.4: Lighting Calculations). Option C (longer life) relates to durability, not efficiency: “Lamp life affects maintenance costs but is not a direct measure of energy efficiency in EDGE” (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.4: Lighting Efficiency Measures). Option D (lower wattage) alone does not indicate efficiency, as a lamp with lower wattage but poor light output would be less efficient: “Lower wattage must be paired with adequate lumens to improve efficiency” (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.4: Lighting Calculations). Thus, more lumens/watt (Option A) describes a more efficient lamp.
Reference:EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 4.4: Lighting Efficiency Measures; EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 5.4: Lighting Calculations.

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.
Reference:EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 2.1: Roles and Responsibilities, Section 3.3: Certification Decision; EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 2.1: Roles of EDGE Expert, Section 2.2: Roles of EDGE Auditor; EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 6.1: Project Preparation.

The EDGE App Results Bar displays key outputs of the software analysis after a project is modeled. The EDGE User Guide details the contents of the Results Bar: “The EDGE App Results Bar provides a summary of the project’s performance, including percentage savings in energy, water, and embodied energy in materials, as well as the incremental cost, payback period, and carbon emissions reduction” (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results). Option C, incremental cost, is explicitly mentioned as part of the Results Bar, representing the additional cost of implementing green measures. Option A (building type) and Option B (occupant use) are inputs specified by the user during project setup, not outputs in the Results Bar, as noted: “Building type and occupant use are input parameters, not displayed in the Results Bar” (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.2: Project Setup). Option D (climate conditions) is also an input parameter (selected via location), not an output: “Climate conditions are derived from the selected location and are not shown in the Results Bar” (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 3.2: Climate Data Inputs). Thus, incremental cost (Option C) is the correct parameter found in the Results Bar.
Reference: EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 2.4: Interpreting EDGE Results, Section 2.2: Project Setup; EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 3.2: Climate Data Inputs.

In the CBCI EDGE curriculum, glazing performance is characterized using properties that directly influence solar heat gains through windows, because this is a major driver of cooling energy demand in many climates.
The EDGE software uses Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, which represents the fraction of incident solar radiation that enters the building as heat through the glazing system. A lower SHGC reduces solar heat entering the indoor space, lowering cooling loads and improving the project’s energy savings in the improved case.
Shading Coefficient is an older metric that is sometimes referenced in market literature, but EDGE standardizes the glazing solar performance input using SHGC for consistency across regions and products.
Solar Heat Loss Coefficient is not a standard glazing metric used in EDGE; heat loss through glazing is addressed using thermal transmittance measures such as U-value rather than an SHLC parameter. Solar Reflectivity may be relevant for certain roof or surface materials, but it is not the primary glazing property used in EDGE to quantify solar heat admitted indoors. Therefore, the correct glass property used in EDGE among the options provided is SHGC.

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.
Reference:EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 2.3: Certification Levels; EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 1.2: Scope of EDGE Certification.

Maintaining EDGE Auditor status involves specific requirements to ensure ongoing competence. The EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols outline these requirements: “To maintain their status, EDGE Auditors must perform at least one project site audit every two years, attend refresher training as required by IFC, and stay updated by studying the EDGE user guides and protocols as they are revised” (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 5.1: Maintaining Auditor Status). Option A (performing at least one project site audit every two years) is explicitly required to demonstrate active engagement. Option B (studying the EDGE user guides as updated) is also necessary to stay current with program changes. Option D (attending refresher training) is mandated to ensure continued education. However, Option C (retaking the auditor exam) is not a requirement for maintaining status: “Once certified, EDGE Auditors are not required to retake the exam to maintain their status, though they may need to retake it if their certification lapses or if significant program changes occur” (EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 5.2: Recertification Conditions). Since the question focuses on maintaining status, not recertification after lapse, retaking the exam is not a standard requirement. Thus, retaking the auditor exam (Option C) does not contribute to maintaining Auditor status.
Reference:EDGE Expert and Auditor Protocols, Section 5.1: Maintaining Auditor Status, Section 5.2:
Recertification Conditions.

According to the CBCI EDGE curriculum, natural ventilation is a passive design strategy that enhances indoor comfort by allowing fresh outdoor air to enter and circulate through a building without the use of mechanical systems. When properly designed, natural ventilation utilizes pressure differences created by wind and temperature variations, such as cross ventilation and stack effect, to drive airflow. This can reduce indoor temperatures and improve air quality without consuming electrical energy for fans or mechanical equipment.
In contrast, heat recovery ventilators and energy recovery ventilators are mechanical systems that use fans to move air through heat exchange cores. Although they are energy-efficient compared to conventional mechanical ventilation, they still require electrical power to operate. Similarly, continuously running mechanical ventilation systems depend entirely on powered fans and therefore consume energy.
EDGE promotes passive design measures, including natural ventilation where climate conditions permit, as a means to reduce cooling loads and improve energy performance. Because it operates without mechanical energy input, natural ventilation is the only option listed that meets the condition of improving comfort without using any energy.

The EDGE App relies on location-specific climate data to calculate resource savings, but not all cities are listed. The EDGE User Guide provides guidance for such cases: “If the project city is not listed in the EDGE App, the user should choose the closest city to the project location that is available in the database. If necessary, the user can edit the climate data (e.g., temperature, humidity) to better reflect the project’s actual conditions, ensuring accurate calculations” (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.2: Project Setup). Option B, choose the closest city and edit the climate data if necessary, directly matches this protocol. Option A (write to EDGE Certifier and wait) is incorrect, as this is not a required step: “Users are not required to request new cities; they can proceed by selecting the closest city” (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.2: Project Setup). Option C(select any city in the same climate zone globally) is too broad and inaccurate: “Choosing a city from a different region, even in the same climate zone, may lead to incorrect assumptions about local practices and climate” (EDGE Methodology Report Version 2.0, Section 3.2: Climate Data Inputs). Option D (choose the capital city) is also incorrect unless it is the closest: “The capital city should only be selected if it is the nearest available option in the database” (EDGE User Guide, Section 2.2: Project Setup). Thus, the correct protocol is to choose the closest city and edit climate data (Option B).
Reference:EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 2.2: Project Setup; EDGE Methodology Report Version
2.0, Section 3.2: Climate Data Inputs.

The post-construction stage in EDGE certification requires evidence to confirm that the efficiency measures claimed in the design stage have been implemented as specified. For window glazing, which affects energy efficiency through its U-value (thermal transmittance) and SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient), the EDGE Certification Protocol provides clear requirements: “At the post-construction stage, the Client must provide manufacturer’s data sheets for the window glazing measure, showing the make and model, U-value, and SHGC of the installed glass, to confirm that the glazing matches the specifications claimed in the self- assessment and meets the energy efficiency requirements” (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.4: Post- Construction Requirements). Option C, manufacturer’s data sheets showing the make and model, U-value, and SHGC of the installed glass, directly matches this requirement, as it provides the specific technical data needed to verify compliance. Option A (design building elevations marking the window glass specifications) is relevant at the design stage, not post-construction: “Design elevations are required at the preliminary stage to show intended glazing specifications, not after construction” (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.2:
Audit Requirements). Option B (bill of quantities with specifications highlighted) is insufficient on its own, as it may not provide detailed technical data: “Bills of quantities may support purchase verification, but manufacturer’s data sheets are required for technical specifications like U-value and SHGC” (EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.4: Post-Construction Requirements). Option D (window schedule showing major glass types) is helpful but not sufficient, as it lacks the detailed technical data: “Window schedules may indicate glass types, but they do not replace the need for manufacturer’s data sheets with U-value and SHGC at post-construction” (EDGE User Guide, Section 6.2: Documentation Requirements). The EDGE User Guide further clarifies: “For glazing measures, post-construction evidence must confirm the installed product’s performance through manufacturer’s data sheets, ensuring alignment with the design-stage claims” (EDGE User Guide, Section 4.1: Insulation Measures). Thus, manufacturer’s data sheets (Option C) are required at the post-construction stage.
Reference:EDGE Certification Protocol, Section 3.4: Post-Construction Requirements, Section 3.2: Audit Requirements; EDGE User Guide Version 2.1, Section 6.2: Documentation Requirements, Section 4.1:
Insulation Measures.