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  1. Air
  2. Ventilation effectiveness

Ventilation effectiveness

Features>Air>03. Ventilation effectiveness

03. Ventilation effectiveness

Indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, building operations and occupant respiration can degrade air quality. Many indoor pollutants from these activities can cause discomfort, loss of focus and allergic reactions, but it would be difficult to test for every potential pollutant. Therefore, CO_ levels serve as a proxy for other indoor pollutants.

This feature sets a foundation for ventilation rates, which can be adjusted according to measured concentrations of carbon dioxide. It is based on ASHRAE requirements for adequate ventilation, which include separate options for mechanically ventilated and naturally ventilated buildings. The requirements in this feature—and other ventilation-related features—follow that same division.

Part 1: Ventilation Design

One of the following requirements is met for all spaces:

a) Ventilation rates comply with all requirements set in ASHRAE 62.1-2013 (Ventilation Rate Procedure or IAQ Procedure).
b) Projects comply with all requirements set in any procedure in ASHRAE 62.1- 2013 (including the Natural Ventilation Procedure) and demonstrate that ambient air quality is compliant with either the U.S. EPA'S NAAQS or passes the Air Quality Standards in the WELL Building Standard for at least 95% of all hours in the previous year.
Part 2: Demand Controlled Ventilation

For all spaces with an occupant density greater than 25 people per 93 m² [1,000 ft²], one of the following requirements is met:

a) A demand controlled ventilation system regulates the ventilation rate of outdoor air to keep carbon dioxide levels in the space below 800 ppm.
b) Projects that have met the Operable windows Feature demonstrate that natural ventilation is sufficient to keep carbon dioxide levels below 800 ppm at designed occupancies.
Part 3: System Balancing

The following is met:

a) As part of commissioning, the HVAC system undergoes testing and balancing and produces a balancing report.
Part 4: Ventilation Rates for Residences

Depending on ventilation methods, one of the following are met:

a) Ventilation rates are designed to comply with all requirements set in ASHRAE 62.2-2013 (Ventilation Rate Procedure or IAQ Procedure) for residential buildings of three or fewer floors.
b) Ventilation rates are designed to comply with all requirements set in ASHRAE 62.1-2013 (Ventilation Rate Procedure or IAQ Procedure) for residential buildings of more than 3 floors above grade.
Respiratory
Cardiovascular
Nervous

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New Construction WELL Interiors
Part 1: Ventilation Design P P P
Part 2: Demand Controlled Ventilation P P P
Part 3: System Balancing - P P
Part 4: Ventilation Rates for Residences - - -
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Retail
Part 1: Ventilation Design P P - P
Part 2: Demand Controlled Ventilation P P - -
Part 3: System Balancing P P - P
Part 4: Ventilation Rates for Residences - - P -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Ventilation Design 		MEP
PART 2 (Design)
Demand Controlled Ventilation 		MEP
PART 3 (Design)
System Balancing 		Commissioning Report
PART 4 ()
Ventilation Rates for Residences 		MEP

6

ASHRAE (formerly American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Standing Standard Project Committee 62.1. ANSI/ASHRAE STANDARD 62.1-2013: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Atlanta: ASHRAE; 2013.
3.1.a

ASHRAE's Standard 62.1: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality provides guidelines for ventilation rates.
3.1.b

ASHRAE's Standard 62.1: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality provides ventilation rates.
7

Illinois Department of Public Health. Illinois Department of Public Health Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality. http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/indoorairqualityguide_fs.htm. Updated May 2011. Accessed September 15, 2014.
3.2.a

The IDPH's Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality recommend properly ventilated buildings should have carbon dioxide levels with a floor or building average of 800 ppm or less.
3.2.b

The IDPH's Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality recommend properly ventilated buildings should have carbon dioxide levels with a floor or building average of 800 ppm or less.
Features>Air>03. Ventilation effectiveness