This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
  1. Air
  2. Microbe and mold control

Microbe and mold control

Features>Air>06. Microbe and mold control

06. Microbe and mold control

Mold often grows on cooling coils in HVAC systems due to condensation and can be introduced into the building's indoor air. It is also prevalent on or within wall assemblies if water damage occurs or if there is improper detailing in humid locations such as kitchens and bathrooms. Mold spores can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems that in some cases can be severe.

This feature requires the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) devices to manage mold and bacteria on cooling coils as well as inspections for signs of mold outside of the air handling system.

Part 2: Mold Inspections

The following requirements are met:

a.12 No visible signs of discoloration and mold on ceilings, walls or floors.
b.12 No signs of water damage or pooling.
Part 5: Urea-Formaldehyde Restriction

Urea-formaldehyde presence is limited in the following components to 100 ppm:

a.1 Furniture or any composite wood products.
b.1 Laminating adhesives and resins.
c.1 Thermal insulation.
Lymphatic
Immune
Integumentary
Respiratory

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell Tenant Improvement New Construction
Part 2: Mold Inspections - P P
Part 5: Urea-Formaldehyde Restriction - O O
Commercial Kitchen Schools Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 2: Mold Inspections P P P P P
Part 5: Urea-Formaldehyde Restriction O O O O O

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 2 (Performance)
Mold Inspections 		Auditor Inspection
PART 5 (Design)
Urea-Formaldehyde Restriction 		Architect

9

National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). NADCA White Paper on Ultraviolet Lighting Applications in HVAC Systems. http://nadca.com/sites/default/files/userfiles/documents/2014/bod_final_approved_draft_uv_paper_9-20_-_pdf.pdf. Accessed October 8, 2014.
6.1.b

NADCA's White Paper on Ultraviolet Lighting Applications in HVAC Systems states that to avoid ozone production, use UVC lamps with a wavelength of 254 nm.
12

National Center for Healthy Housing and American Public Health Association. National Healthy Housing Standard. http://www.nchh.org/Portals/0/Contents/NHHS_Full_Doc.pdf. Published 2014. Accessed September 15, 2014.
6.2.b

The National Healthy Housing Standard states that the foundation, roof, roofing components, exterior walls, doors, skylights and windows shall be free of persistent dampness or moisture.
6.2.a

The National Healthy Housing Standard states that building materials affected by mold or mildew should be cleaned, dried, and repaired. It also states that interior and exterior surfaces shall have no signs of visible mold growth.
Features>Air>06. Microbe and mold control