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

Operable windows

Achieving natural ventilation through open windows, doors and louvers can provide a positive occupant experience, but challenges the ability to maintain strict control over interior air quality. When weather and local ambient parameters indicate high quality outdoor air, WELL encourages the use of natural ventilation strategies. Open windows can then provide a supply of fresh air and lower the levels of carbon dioxide and VOCs, such as formaldehyde, without compromising indoor air quality.

This feature requires that local outdoor air quality conditions, including annual prevailing breeze patterns and average contaminant levels, be analyzed before integrating operable windows into the design.

Part 1: Full Control

The following requirement is met:

a.13 Every regularly occupied space has operable windows that provide access to fresh air and daylight.
Part 2: Outdoor Air Measurement

Outdoor levels of ozone, PM₁₀, temperature and humidity are monitored based on the following requirement, and data collected is made available to the building occupants:

a. A data-gathering station located within 1.6 km [1 mi] of the building.
Part 3: Window Operation Management

If the outdoor air measurement system indicates that outdoor air either (i) exceeds ozone levels of 51 ppb or PM₁₀ levels of 50 μg/m³; (ii) has a temperature of 8 °C [15 °F] above or below set indoor temperature; or (iii) has a relative humidity above 60%, then one of the following is used to discourage occupants from opening windows:

a. Software on occupants' computers or smartphones.
b. Indicator lights at all operable windows.
Cardiovascular
Respiratory

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Full Control O O O
Part 2: Outdoor Air Measurement O O O
Part 3: Window Operation Management O O O
Part 4: (OLD) Natural Ventilation Standards - - -
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Full Control O O P O O
Part 2: Outdoor Air Measurement - O - O O
Part 3: Window Operation Management - O - O O
Part 4: (OLD) Natural Ventilation Standards - - - - -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Full Control Architect Architectural Drawing Spot Check
Part 2: Outdoor Air Measurement Architect Policy Document Spot Check
Part 3: Window Operation Management Architect Spot Check
13

International Living Future Institute. Living Building Challenge 3.0. Seattle; 2014: 38, 43-49, 60.

19.1.a

The International Living Future Institute's Living Building Challenge 3.0 Imperative 07 requires full control of windows.