This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
  1. Light
  2. Solar glare control

Solar glare control

Features>Light>56. Solar glare control

56. Solar glare control

Intent: 

To avoid glare from the sun by blocking or reflecting direct sunlight away from occupants.

Though bright light during the day is conducive to good health, uneven levels of brightness in the visual field can cause visual fatigue and discomfort. Glare, or excessive brightness, is caused by light scattering within the eye (intraocular scattering), thereby creating a “veil” of luminance that reduces the luminance contrast as received by the retina. In buildings, sources of glare are often unshielded or poorly shielded light, or sunlight directly hitting the eye or reflective surfaces.

Part 1: View Window Shading

At least one of the following is present for all glazing less than 2.1 m [7 ft] above the floor in regularly occupied spaces:

a.80 Interior window shading or blinds that are controllable by the occupants or set to automatically prevent glare.
b. External shading systems that are set to prevent glare.
c. Variable opacity glazing, such as electrochromic glass, which can reduce transmissivity by 90% or more.
Part 2: Daylight Management

At least one of the following is required for all glazing greater than 2.1 m [7 ft] above the floor in regularly occupied spaces:

a.80 Interior window shading or blinds that are controllable by the occupants or set to automatically prevent glare.
b. External shading systems that are set to prevent glare.
c. Interior light shelves to reflect sunlight toward the ceiling.
d. A film of micro-mirrors on the window that reflects sunlight toward the ceiling.
e. Variable opacity glazing, such as electrochromic glass, which can reduce transmissivity by 90% or more.
Muscular
Nervous
Skeletal

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: View Window Shading O P P
Part 2: Daylight Management O P P
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: View Window Shading P P - P P
Part 2: Daylight Management P P - P P

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
View Window Shading 		Architect Spot Check
PART 2 (Design)
Daylight Management 		Architect Spot Check

80

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service. March 2014, Washington, D.C., pp. 135-136.
56.1.a

The U.S. GSA's Facilities Standard for the Public Buildings Service Tier 1 High Performance rating requires view-preserving blinds.
56.2.a

The U.S. GSA's Facilities Standard for the Public Buildings Service Tier 1 High Performance rating requires view-preserving blinds.
Features>Light>56. Solar glare control