This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
  1. Air
  2. Combustion minimization

Combustion minimization

Features>Air>24. Combustion minimization

24. Combustion minimization

Although fireplaces and gas stoves have aesthetic benefits, they can be detrimental to indoor air quality. If not effectively sealed off from the living space, they contribute harmful combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter.

This feature prohibits combustion in occupied spaces to eliminate a significant source of indoor pollution. It also requires that any combustion equipment serving the building meets stringent clean-burning standards, and discourages vehicles from idling near the building.

Part 1: Increased Fresh Air Supply

The following is required in terms of the rate of fresh air supply to all regularly occupied spaces:

a.1 Exceed ASHRAE fresh air supply rates met in the WELL Ventilation Effectiveness feature by 30%.
Part 2: Low-Emission Combustion Sources

All combustion equipment used in the project for heating, cooling, water-heating, process heating or power generation (whether primary or back-up) must meet California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District rules for pollution:

a.39 Internal combustion engines.
b.39 Furnaces.
c.39 Boilers, steam generators and process heaters.
d.39 Water heaters.
Part 3: Engine Exhaust Reduction

Signage, visible from pick-up, drop-off and parking areas indicates:

a. Idling with vehicle engines on for more than 30 seconds is prohibited.
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
Urinary

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell Tenant Improvement New Construction
Part 1: Increased Fresh Air Supply O O O
Part 2: Low-Emission Combustion Sources O - O
Part 3: Engine Exhaust Reduction O - O
Commercial Kitchen Schools Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Increased Fresh Air Supply - - O - O
Part 2: Low-Emission Combustion Sources - P O O O
Part 3: Engine Exhaust Reduction - P O O O

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Increased Fresh Air Supply 		MEP
PART 2 (Design)
Low-Emission Combustion Sources 		MEP
PART 3 (Protocol)
Engine Exhaust Reduction 		Auditor Inspection

29

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Protecting your health. http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/protectingyourhealth.htm. Updated December 19, 2012. Accessed October 16, 2014.
24.1.a

The EPA notes that under certain conditions, combustion appliances such as heaters, ranges, ovens, stoves, furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters and clothes dryers can release contaminants into the home that can seriously damage health.
39

South Coast Air Quality Management District. Rules and Regulations, Regulation XI - Source Specific Standards. http://www.aqmd.gov/home/regulations/rules/scaqmd-rule-book/regulation-xi. Accessed October 17, 2014.
24.2.d

The South Coast Air Quality Management District Rules 1121 (amended 9/3/04) and 1146.2 (amended 5/5/06) establish requirements for emissions of nitrogen oxides from residential natural gas-fired water heaters and large water heaters.
24.2.a

The South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1110.2 (amended 9/7/2012) establishes requirements for gaseous- and liquid-fueled engines for the purpose of reducing emission of oxides from nitrogen, VOCs and carbon monoxide.
24.2.b

The South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1111 (amended 9/5/14) establishes requirements for natural gas fired, fan-type central furnaces for the purpose of reducing emission of nitrogen oxides.
24.2.c

The South Coast Air Quality Management District Rules 1146.1 (amended 11/1/13) and 1146.2 (amended 5/5/06) establish requirements for the reduction of emissions of oxides of nitrogen from boilers, process heaters and steam generators.
85

U.S. Green Building Council. Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction. http://www.usgbc.org/node/4810551?return=/credits/new-construction/v4/pilot-credits. Published 2013. Accessed October 18, 2014.
24.4.a

USGBC's LEED v4 Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction requires non-road diesel engine vehicles on site that are 25 horsepower and greater to comply with the US EPA Tier 4 PM emissions standards, or a local equivalent.
24.4.b

USGBC's LEED v4 Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction requires 95% of all diesel engine contractor/subcontractor vehicles meet the requirements set forth in the US EPA model year 2007 on-road standards, or a local equivalent.
24.4.c

USGBC's LEED v4 Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction requires all equipment, vehicles and loading/unloading to be located away from air intakes and operable openings of adjacent buildings.
Features>Air>24. Combustion minimization