What is WELL Building Standard?
WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system from the International WELL Building Institute for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of the built environment that affect human health and well-being. Its concepts include air, water, light, thermal comfort and more, with continuous monitoring features in the Air concept.
What it is
WELL is organized into concepts, each with preconditions that every project must meet and optimizations that earn points toward a certification level. The Air concept covers areas such as air quality thresholds, ventilation, construction pollution management and air quality monitoring.
WELL certification includes on-site performance verification, in which air and water quality are tested. Projects can also earn credit for continuous monitoring and for sharing indoor air data with occupants. IWBI also offers the WELL Health-Safety Rating and the WELL Performance Rating.
Who it applies to / where it is used
WELL is used by office owners and occupiers, real estate investors, hospitality, healthcare, education and multifamily projects. It applies to new and existing buildings and to interior spaces.
How it is measured / what evidence it needs
WELL looks for measured performance, both at verification and continuously afterward.
- Performance testing results for air and water
- Continuous sensor data for pollutants such as particulates, CO2 and VOCs
- Monitor specifications and calibration records
- Occupant-facing display or reporting of air quality
- Documentation submitted to the certification body
How Aqueduct helps
Continuous zone-level records supply WELL air features. Aqueduct supplies the metrics; the project team files.
- Zone-level CO2, PM2.5, VOC, temperature and humidity through aQ AirSafe
- Continuous records exportable through aQ Assurance for documentation
- Ventilation adjusted where control is enabled, with owner approval
- Occupant-facing air quality views