Enhancements to WELL

The WELL Building Standard (WELL Standard) undergoes regular maintenance. During this process, IWBI publishes changes that clarify language, streamline processes, or enable projects to achieve requirements via new pathways. This quarter, we released updates to the WELL Performance Verification Guidebook and the WELL Program Guidebook. No other changes have been made to the standard, ratings, or supporting tools and resources.

For a detailed overview of changes, please review the addenda table.

Q3 2023 Addenda Guide

WELL Performance Verification Guidebook:

• Device Requirements: Updated device requirements for Light and Thermal Comfort test instruments to provide more flexibility in allowable devices.

• Test Quantity Caps: Introduced a maximum test quantity for several features in Sound and Thermal Comfort to limit the number of tests needed for large projects, reducing testing time and cost.

• General Test Methods: Added clarity to the general guidance on test methods and locations. Additionally specified that testing must be performed once HVAC and sound masking systems (if present) are installed and operational.

• Continuous Monitoring Guidance:

  • Provided further clarity and examples for the data collection requirements when air and thermal comfort samples are taken via sensors.
  • Made available a three year recalibration or replacement cycle for carbon dioxide sensors that utilize Automatic Background Calibration (ABC) algorithms.
  • Expanded on and provided an example of compliant measurement interval calculations for air and thermal comfort parameters measured during regularly occupied hours.
  • Provided new guidance for monitor placement to clarify that monitors must not be located in the direct path of airflow from HVAC, fans, or standalone air purifiers which may skew or alter results.

WELL Program Guidebook:

• Audits: Updated the process so that a successful audit requires all audited locations to provide acceptable documentation, rather than allowing all locations except one. This helps simplify scoring and record keeping for WELL at scale subscribers.

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How can my project or organization use updated feature language?
If you’re looking to leverage newer language for a specific WELL feature, simply make a note in your documentation submission. To benefit from a more streamlined user experience and smoother documentation reviews, consider upgrading your entire account to a newer version. Explore our tutorial to get started or reach out to IWBI via your Support Tab in the WELL platform.

Questions?
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.