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

Humidity control

Extremely low humidity is associated with the aerosolization of microbes and the persistence of dust, which can be irritating to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Conversely, high humidity is associated with the development of mold and other organisms that produce odors and can be irritating to sensitive individuals.

This feature requires buildings to provide humidification when relative humidity is low and dehumidification when relative humidity is high. This feature is dependent on local climate conditions and expected humidity.

Part 1: Indoor Air Monitoring

Monitors measure 2 of the following pollutants in a regularly occupied space within the building, at intervals no longer than once an hour, and results are annually transmitted to the IWBI:

a. Particle count (resolution 35,000 counts per m_ [1,000 counts per ft²] or finer) or particle mass (resolution 10 μg/m³ or finer).
b.1 Carbon dioxide (resolution 25 ppm or finer).
c. Ozone (resolution 10 ppb or finer).
Part 2: Shower Moisture Barrier

The following is required between showers and locker rooms, if present:

a.132 An airlock or ventilation barrier.
Lymphatic
Respiratory
Integumentary
Immune

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell Tenant Improvement New Construction
Part 1: Indoor Air Monitoring - O O
Part 2: Shower Moisture Barrier - - -
Part 3: Kitchen Humidity - - -
Commercial Kitchen Schools Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Indoor Air Monitoring O O O O O
Part 2: Shower Moisture Barrier - O - - -
Part 3: Kitchen Humidity - - - - -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Indoor Air Monitoring
MEP
PART 2 (Design)
Shower Moisture Barrier
Architectural Drawing
8

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html. Published 2010. Accessed September 15, 2014.

16.1.a

The EPA's A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home recommends maintaining relative humidity between 30% and 50%.

132

Wenger Corporation. Planning your athletic facility. http://www.wengercorp.com/Construct/docs/Athletic%20Planning%20Guide%20by%20Wenger%20GearBoss.pdf. Published 2011. Accessed March 25, 2015.

16.2.a

The guide states to consider an airlock or ventilation barrier between showers and locker rooms.