Interior fitness circulation

Intent:

To encourage intermittent bouts of physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior through accessible, safe, and visually appealing stairs, entryways, and corridors.

BACKGROUND

The integration of interior pathways and stairs within the built environment can provide a convenient way to incorporate short periods of physical activity into the workday, thus reducing sedentary tendencies. Stair climbing is a low-impact, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity that burns calories and has been associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness and a lower risk of stroke. To encourage greater use, pathways and stairs should be aesthetically pleasing and easily accessible from high-traffic routes.

Cardiovascular

Skeletal

Muscular

Part 1
Stair Accessibility and Promotion

VERIFICATION

In projects of 2 to 4 floors, at least one common staircase meets the following requirements:

a.²⁷

Stairs are accessible to regular building occupants during all regular business hours.

b.⁸⁷

Throughout the space wayfinding signage and point-of-decision prompts are present to encourage stair use (at least one sign per elevator bank).

On Site
Visual Inspection

Part 2
Staircase Design

VERIFICATION

In projects of 2 to 4 floors, at least one common staircase meets the following requirements:

a.²⁷

Located within 7.5 m [25 ft] of the building's main entrance, main entry check-point (e.g., welcome/reception desk), the edge of its main lobby, or edge of its main welcome area.

b.²⁷

Clearly visible from the building’s main entrance, main entry check-point (e.g., welcome/reception desk), the edge of its main lobby, or edge of its main welcome area, or are located visually before any elevators present upon entering from the main entrance.

c.⁸⁷

Stair width set at a minimum of 1.4 m [56 in] between handrails, or the maximum allowable by local code.

On Site
Visual Inspection

Part 3
Facilitative Aesthetics

VERIFICATION

In projects of 2 to 4 floors, both common stairs and paths of frequent travel display elements of aesthetic appeal by incorporating at least 2 of the following:

a.⁸⁷

Artwork.

b.⁸⁷

Music.

c.²⁷

Daylighting using windows or skylights of at least 1 m² [10.8 ft²] in size.

d.⁸⁷

View windows to the outdoors or building interior.

Light levels of at least 215 lux [20 fc] when the stairs are in use.

Biophilic elements.

On Site
Visual Inspection

	Core & Shell	New & Existing Buildings	New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Stair Accessibility and Promotion	P	P	O
Part 2: Staircase Design	P	P	O
Part 3: Facilitative Aesthetics	P	P	O

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Restaurant	Retail
Part 1: Stair Accessibility and Promotion	-	P	P	O	-
Part 2: Staircase Design	-	P	P	O	-
Part 3: Facilitative Aesthetics	-	P	P	O	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	Annotated Documents	On-Site Assessment
Part 1: Stair Accessibility and Promotion			Visual Inspection
Part 2: Staircase Design			Visual Inspection
Part 3: Facilitative Aesthetics			Visual Inspection

Standard Citations

27

**U.S. Green Building Council. Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants. http://www.usgbc.org/node/4810558?return=/credits/new-construction/v4. Published 2013. Accessed October 17, 2014.**
64.1.a	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants for primary staircase(s) includes classifying regularly occupied floors for re-entry, allowing all building users to access them, and providing access via stairs to at least 50% of the tenant floors.
64.2.b	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants includes a requirement to locate a main staircase that is visible before occupants encounter elevators and/or escalators.
64.2.a	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants includes a requirement for a main staircase to be located within 25 ft of any edge of the lobby.
64.3.c	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants requires some features, one of which is the provision of daylighting with windows and/or skylights that are at least 8 square feet.

87

New York City Departments of Design and Construction, Health and Mental Hygiene, Transportation, City Planning. Active Design Guidelines: Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Design. Published 2010: 4-7; 34; 43; 72-76; 85-87.
64.1.b	NYC Active Design Guidelines: Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Design recommends including permanent signage encouraging stair use, to be integrated with the building’s wayfinding program.
64.2.c	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends a strategy for making stairs wide enough for traveling in groups, or in two directions, a width of at least 56 inches can comfortably accommodate this.
64.3.b	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends strategies for encouraging stair use through a number of methods, including adding music to stairwells.
64.3.d	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends strategies for encouraging stair use through a number of methods, including highlighting interesting views onto nature or interior areas.
64.3.a	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends strategies for encouraging stair use through a number of methods, including the incorporation of artwork into the stair environment.

This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Interior fitness circulation

Interior fitness circulation

BACKGROUND

Part 1 Stair Accessibility and Promotion

Part 2 Staircase Design

Part 3 Facilitative Aesthetics

Applicability Matrix

Verification Methods Matrix

Standard Citations

Part 1
Stair Accessibility and Promotion

Part 2
Staircase Design

Part 3
Facilitative Aesthetics