Interior fitness circulation

The integration of interior pathways and stairs within the built environment can provide a convenient way to incorporate short periods of physical activity into the workday, thus reducing sedentary tendencies. Stair climbing is a low-impact, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity that burns calories and has been associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness and a lower risk of stroke. To encourage greater use, pathways and stairs should be aesthetically pleasing and easily accessible from high-traffic routes.

This feature employs prominent designs and appealing aesthetics to promote the use of stairs and walking paths and to discourage reliance on elevators.

Part 1: Stair Accessibility

The following requirements are met:

a.²⁷ Stairs are accessible to regular building occupants during all regular business hours.

b.⁸⁷ Wayfinding signage and point-of-decision prompts are present to encourage stair use (at least one sign per elevator bank).

Part 2: Stair Promotion

In projects of 2 to 4 floors, at least one staircase meets the following requirements:

a.²⁷ Located within 7.5 m [25 ft] of the entrance to the building or the edge of its lobby.

b.²⁷ Clearly visible from the main entrance to the project, or located visually before any elevators present upon entering from the main entrance.

c.⁸⁷ Stair width set at a minimum of 1.4 m [56 in] between handrails.

Part 3: Facilitative Aesthetics

Both stairs and paths of frequent travel display elements of aesthetic appeal by incorporating at least 2 of the following:

a.⁸⁷ Artwork, including decorative painting.

b.⁸⁷ Music.

c.²⁷ Daylighting using windows or skylights of at least 1 m³ [10.8 ft³] in size.

d.⁸⁷ View windows to the outdoors or building interior.

e. Light levels of at least 215 lux [20 fc] when the stairs are in use.

Cardiovascular

Skeletal

Muscular

	Core & Shell	New & Existing Buildings	New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Stair Accessibility	P	P	O
Part 2: Stair Promotion	P	P	O
Part 3: Facilitative Aesthetics	P	P	O

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Restaurant	Retail
Part 1: Stair Accessibility	-	P	P	O	-
Part 2: Stair Promotion	-	P	P	O	-
Part 3: Facilitative Aesthetics	-	P	P	O	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	Annotated Documents	On-Site Checks
Part 1: Stair Accessibility			Visual Inspection
Part 2: Stair Promotion			Visual Inspection
Part 3: Facilitative Aesthetics			Visual Inspection

Show Standard Citations

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**U.S. Green Building Council. Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants. http://www.usgbc.org/node/4810558?return=/credits/new-construction/v4. Published 2013. Accessed October 17, 2014.**
64.1.a	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants for primary staircase(s) includes classifying regularly occupied floors for re-entry, allowing all building users to access them, and providing access via stairs to at least 50% of the tenant floors.
64.2.a	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants includes a requirement for a main staircase to be located within 25 ft of any edge of the lobby.
64.2.b	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants includes a requirement to locate a main staircase that is visible before occupants encounter elevators and/or escalators.
64.3.c	LEED v4 Pilot Credit 78: Design for Active Occupants requires some features, one of which is the provision of daylighting with windows and/or skylights that are at least 8 square feet.

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New York City Departments of Design and Construction, Health and Mental Hygiene, Transportation, City Planning. Active Design Guidelines: Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Design. Published 2010: 4-7; 34; 43; 72-76; 85-87.
64.1.b	NYC Active Design Guidelines: Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Design recommends including permanent signage encouraging stair use, to be integrated with the building’s wayfinding program.
64.2.c	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends a strategy for making stairs wide enough for traveling in groups, or in two directions, a width of at least 56 inches can comfortably accommodate this.
64.3.d	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends strategies for encouraging stair use through a number of methods, including highlighting interesting views onto nature or interior areas.
64.3.a	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends strategies for encouraging stair use through a number of methods, including the incorporation of artwork into the stair environment.
64.3.b	NYC Active Design Guidelines recommends strategies for encouraging stair use through a number of methods, including adding music to stairwells.

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

64. Interior fitness circulation