Enhancements to WELL

The WELL Building Standard (WELL Standard) undergoes regular maintenance, which results in published addenda that clarify and enhance the features, requirements and related resources. The changes within each addendum are informed by reviews of current research, as well as input from advisors, customers and industry leaders.

Below you will find a summary of the changes within the Q2 2023 addenda. For a line-by-line view of all enhancements, big and small, dive into the full addenda table.

Q2 2023 Addenda Guide

Section 1: Changes to the WELL Standard

• A01 Air Quality: Introduced an option that exempts spaces built on raised-pier foundations or situated above the third floor of a building from radon testing. This positioning significantly reduces the risk of indoor radon, since indoor build-up originates from naturally occurring radon found in the ground and soil.

• A09 Pollution Infiltration Management: Expanded the requirements to include air curtains as an allowable pathway since, when placed and sized appropriately, air curtains can reduce outdoor pollution and infiltration, and limit unwanted heat transfer.

• N01 Fruits and Vegetables: Removed the unique requirement for Commercial Dining Spaces, allowing all space types to follow the same requirements for fruit and vegetable visibility strategies.

• L02 Visual Lighting Design: Added a requirement to clarify that Option Two of this feature is for projects with minimal outdoor space since the predetermined illuminance targets that need to be met are generally not appropriate for outdoor spaces. Projects with higher percentages of outdoor space should use Option One of this feature, which allows the project team to select a lighting reference guideline that includes relevant illuminance targets based on their project’s circumstances.

• L07 Visual Balance: Added a compliance path that allows for lighting systems without automation. Since the intent of this feature is to enhance visual comfort or balance, lighting automation is not necessarily a functional requirement. To earn this feature part, the lighting system, automated or not, must meet the other requirements for visual balance.

• V02 Ergonomic Workstation Design: Expanded the requirements to include both fixed and adjustable seat pans and clarified the existing feature language.

• V03 Circulation Network: Clarified that only occupiable floors need to have access to stairs.

• X07 Materials Transparency: Introduced an option for products that comply with specific BIFMA Level credits.

• X11 Cleaning Products and Protocols: Differentiated the requirements for cleaning products and disinfectants to improve the accuracy and clarity of the feature language.

• M09 Enhanced Access to Nature: Simplified how biophilic requirements are met and adjusted guidelines to allow teams to mix and match strategies.

• C14 Emergency Resources: Changed the requirements for the accessibility of AEDs from 3-4 minutes to 100 meters.

• Glossary (Air): Added the definition of ‘district heating or cooling’ to clarify Feature A10 Combustion Minimization.

• Glossary (General): Added documentation types (verification methods) to the glossary list for the WELL Standard, reflecting the terminology used in the WELL Program Guidebook.

Section 2: Changes to WELL Core Guidance

• W06 Drinking Water Promotion: Broadened the feature scope to only require the installation of water pipes in tenant spaces if requested by tenants, thus avoiding the installation of water pipes that may lead to stagnant water.

Section 3: Changes to WELL Program Guidebook

• Changed achievement maintenance requirements to indicate that projects must submit annual documentation within 12 months (instead of 15 months) of the initial award. These efforts will help projects align with ongoing data expectations, as well as reporting and renewal timelines.

• Clarified considerations that may result in a revoked or expired achievement award to include changes related to location, ownership or demolition/disassembly. These changes must be disclosed to IWBI.

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How can my project or organization use updated feature language?
If you’re looking to leverage the latest addenda changes for specific WELL features (but not upgrade your entire scorecard) make a note in your documentation submission. To avoid this extra step, consider upgrading your entire project or portfolio to a newer addenda version. Explore our tutorial to get started or reach out to IWBI via your Support Tab in the WELL platform.

Question?
Want to learn more about this quarter’s addenda? Contact our support team via your Support Tab in WELL Online. Customers who are not yet enrolled in WELL may contact us by filling out this form.