This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
  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. However, it would be difficult to test for every potential pollutant, thus 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: Permanent Entryway Walk-Off Systems

To capture particulates from occupant shoes at all regularly used entrances, one of the following is installed and is maintained on a weekly basis:

a.1 Permanent entryway system comprised of grilles, grates or slots, which allow for easy cleaning underneath, at least the width of the entrance and 3 m [10 ft] long in the primary direction of travel.
b.1 Rollout mats, at least the width of the entrance and 3 m [10 ft] long in the primary direction of travel.
c.1 Material manufactured as an entryway walk-off system, at least the width of the entrance and 3 m [10 ft] long in the primary direction of travel.
Part 2: Demand Controlled Ventilation

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

a.7 A demand controlled ventilation system regulates the ventilation rate of outdoor air to keep carbon dioxide levels in the space below 800 ppm.
b.7 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

After the HVAC system is installed, the following requirement is met:

a. 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 is met:

a.117 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 3 or fewer floors.
b.6 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 Tenant Improvement New Construction
Part 1: Permanent Entryway Walk-Off Systems P O P
Part 2: Demand Controlled Ventilation P P P
Part 3: System Balancing - P P
Part 4: Ventilation Rates for Residences - - -
Commercial Kitchen Schools Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Permanent Entryway Walk-Off Systems - P P P O
Part 2: Demand Controlled Ventilation P P - P -
Part 3: System Balancing P P - P P
Part 4: Ventilation Rates for Residences - - P - -

Verification Methods Matrix

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

6

ASHRAE 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.
3.4.b

ASHRAE's Standard 62.1: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality provides guidelines for 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.
117

ASHRAE Standing Standard Project Committee 62.2. ANSI/ASHRAE STANDARD 62.2-2013: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Atlanta: ASHRAE; 2013.
3.4.a

ASHRAE's Standard 62.2 provides guidelines for ventilation rates for single family homes and low-rise multifamily units of three or fewer floors.
Features>Air>03. Ventilation effectiveness