Your guide to the Q2 2020 addenda

We’re pleased to share the Q2 2020 addenda - a reflection of our commitment to creating a standard that inspires the creation of healthier spaces and places for all.

Among the feature-specific amendments this quarter, we published a series of clarifications to the WELL Portfolio program (read on for more detail!) and two AAPs that support projects in low and middle income countries. We also published a pathway for neighboring buildings to register as a single project to streamline the certification process.

Access & download all addenda resources in the Q2 addenda toolkit

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Q2 2020 ADDENDA HIGHLIGHTS

AMENDMENTS

We published 20 amendments to the WELL v2 pilot, three amendments to WELL v1 and 12 amendments to the guidebooks, tools and resources.

WELL v2

• X03 Exterior Materials and Structures: Based on feedback from WELL project teams and advisories, we decided to remove Part 1 requirement c from the pilot to keep the feature strategically focused on materials with the strongest and clearest health intent such as wood and turf.
• V02 Visual and Physical Ergonomics: We clarified dimensions of recessed toe space in Part 4 adding that 10 cm [4 in] is required in both depth and height.
• W05 Water Quality Consistency: We updated feature requirements to allow WELL Core projects to provide tenant allowances for purchasing water treatment systems. As always, any system in leased spaces that the project owner cannot access doesn’t need to meet the device requirements listed.

Guidebooks
Amendments to tools and resources can be found in the guidebooks tab of the addenda table. Explore key updates from this quarter:

• Certification Guidebook:
  • We added guidance to enable related, adjacent buildings under the same ownership/management to register as a single project. This pathway requires that the same set of WELL features be applied to all buildings and streamlines documentation and performance testing on the same timeline.
• WELL Portfolio Guidebook:
  • We reduced the minimum project threshold from five to two for smaller portfolios with fewer than 10 buildings.
• BREEAM x WELL v2 pilot Crosswalk:
  • We updated the alignment notes between Tra 01 (New Construction 2014 and 2016) and Tra 02 (New Construction 2018) for the BREEAM WELL v2 pilot one-directional crosswalks. Now, projects using BREEAM credits towards WELL features must demonstrate achievement through assessment options 1 or 2 (previously options 1-3), which align most similarly with the intent and scope of V05 Part 2.
• WELL Performance Verification Guidebook:
  • We updated general guidance for performance testing under the Air and Thermal Comfort concept sections to include the recommendation that sampling points should be at least 5 m [16 ft] from exterior doors where possible. This further aligns test locations with areas where occupants are most commonly situated.
• Skybridge:
  • After receiving a stellar innovation submission from a project team, we added v2 pilot Feature N13 Part 1 to the list of features eligible for v1 projects to use towards an innovation point.

STRATEGIES

We published six AAPs and five equivalencies for WELL v2 this quarter. Equivalencies are released in the digital standard on a rolling basis and are documented in the quarterly update of the strategies table.

• Accessible Sinks: Sinks designed to meet local accessibility laws or codes may be smaller than required by W08 Part 1. Projects pursuing this AAP must provide relevant information from the applicable law or regulation for documentation submission.
• Particulate Matter Levels for Low-Middle Income Countries: Low and lower-middle income countries who achieved certification under a qualifying green building program and also achieved WELL v1 Feature 18 may use alternative thresholds for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5. Projects using this AAP are limited in WELL Certification level to WELL Silver.

WELL AP exam updates
The WELL AP exam is now online! Whether you’re looking to update an existing reservation or schedule for the first time, you can now take the WELL AP exam from the comfort of your own home. To stay up to date on in-person availability, view testing center reopenings near you. To learn more about remote proctoring and how to get started, check out our program announcement.

Please use the WELL Building Standard Q1 with the Q1 2019 addenda and The WELL Certification Guidebook with Q1 2019 addenda to prepare for your WELL AP exam through 2020.

Any questions?
Registered projects can reach out for WELL coaching support via the support tab of their WELL digital platform account and all others can contact us here. Thank you for working alongside us to shape the evolution of WELL!