Appendix B: Definitions

The following definitions as quoted come with permission from the LEED-NC 2.2 Reference Guide with additional modifications or explanations as noted. [USGBC (2005 2007), LEED-NC for New Construction, Reference Guide, Version 2.2, 1st ed., U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C., October 2005 with errata posted through Spring 2007.]

A-B

Acid Rain

'The precipitation of dilute solutions of strong mineral acids, formed by the mixing in the atmosphere of various industrial pollutants (primarily sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) with naturally occurring oxygen and water vapor.'

Adapted (or Introduced) Plants

'Plants that reliably grow well in a given habitat with minimal attention from humans in the form of winter protection, pest protection, water irrigation, or fertilization once root systems are established in the soil. Adapted plants are considered to be low-maintenance but not invasive.'

Adaptive Reuse

'The renovation of a building or site to include elements that allow a particular use or uses to occupy a space that originally was intended for a different use.'

Adhesive

'Any substance that is used to bond one surface to another surface by attachment. Adhesives include adhesive bonding primers, adhesive primers, adhesive primers for plastics, and any other primer.'

Aerosol Adhesive

'An adhesive packaged as an aerosol product in which the spray mechanism is permanently housed in a nonrefillable can designed for handheld application without the need for ancillary hoses or spray equipment. Aerosol adhesives include special-purpose spray adhesives, mist spray adhesives, and web spray adhesives.'

Agrifiber Board

'A composite panel product derived...