WELL Certification
The complete guide
Airscan.org is a leading accredited testing organisation for WELL Green Building certification. Our expertise guarantees that your building meets the highest standards of health and well-being.
Your partner for a well being environment
Airscan is your certified performance testing partner (PTA) and a leader in performance testing for WELL Green Building certification.
Our expertise ensures that your building meets the highest standards of health and well-being.
What is the WELL Label Certification ?
It assesses essential criteria such as air quality, water quality, light, thermal and acoustic comfort.
Performance tests are crucial to this process. They verify that design intentions are translated into measurable results, ensuring a truly beneficial environment for its occupants.
The pillars of the WELL Certification (v2)
The benefits of the WELL Certification
WELL certification is an international standard that assesses and certifies the characteristics of buildings that influence the health and well-being of their occupants.
WELL certification transforms your building into a sanctuary of wellness. By prioritizing clean air, pure water, nourishing food options, and ample natural light, you create an environment that actively promotes the health of its occupants. This holistic approach to well-being reduces sick days, boosts immune function, and fosters a sense of vitality that permeates every corner of your space. Imagine a workplace where people feel energized, focused, and truly cared for – that's the power of WELL certification.
In a WELL-certified space, productivity isn't just a goal – it's a natural outcome. The carefully curated environment, designed to support both physical and mental well-being, allows employees to perform at their peak. From optimized lighting that reduces eye strain to acoustic treatments that minimize distractions, every element works in harmony to enhance focus and efficiency. The result? A workforce that's not just more productive, but also more engaged, creative, and satisfied with their work environment.
In today's competitive job market, WELL certification is your secret weapon for attracting and retaining top talent. It sends a clear message that your organization values its people, investing in their health and happiness. For the discerning modern professional, a WELL-certified workplace isn't just an attractive perk – it's a testament to an employer's commitment to their team's overall quality of life. This powerful draw can significantly reduce turnover costs and create a vibrant, loyal workforce.
WELL certification isn't just an investment in people – it's a smart financial move for your property portfolio. As the market increasingly recognizes the value of healthy buildings, WELL-certified spaces command premium rents and higher occupancy rates. This certification distinguishes your property in a crowded market, attracting health-conscious tenants and investors alike. It's not just a building anymore; it's a high-performance asset that promises long-term returns and future-proofs your investment against evolving market demands.
Embracing WELL certification demonstrates your organization's dedication to a sustainable future. It aligns your business with global efforts to create healthier, more resilient communities and showcases your role as a responsible corporate citizen. This visible commitment to sustainability not only enhances your brand image but also resonates with environmentally conscious consumers and partners. By choosing WELL, you're not just building for today – you're investing in a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow for generations to come.
Key steps to achieve your WELL label
In construction, managing tight deadlines and client expectations is crucial, especially for WELL certification. Effective planning for WELL certification should include:
Preparation of project portfolio documentation
Throughout the construction journey, continuously collect and add documents like design files, architectural drawings, and letters of assurance to the project folder to minimize delays in later stages.
Completion of construction work
Rushing on-site testing in construction can lead to failed results, requiring costly retests. WELL standards require full construction completion and significant occupancy before testing.
Contact with WELL Performance Testing Organization
Engaging a WELL Performance Testing Organization early optimizes the certification process. Find an authorized PTO in your region through the WELL platform or your network to ensure a smoother assessment and preparation for your building's testing day.
Installation of necessary signes and pointers
Before scheduling official WELL testing, ensure all required signs are installed and documented, and the building meets occupancy requirements.
Preliminary documentation review
After completing construction and gathering documents, the project undergoes an initial document review, typically taking 4-6 weeks. This results in either approval or a list of corrective actions needed.
On-site testing and performance verification
Performance verification timing varies by project size and features. Consult your agent for optimal scheduling. Most projects complete testing in one long day.
Review time and curative action if necessary.
A typical review takes 4-6 weeks, but concurrent documentation and performance verification can expedite the process, allowing for faster certification if teams are well-aligned and planning is thorough.
You are WELL Certified !
Annual Reporting and Recertification of WELL-Certified
After WELL certification, maintain status through annual reporting and recertification every three years. Continuously monitor data, submit documentation, and reevaluate building performance to uphold the WELL Label.
Key Stakeholders and Parties Involved
Project Owner
A project owner or developer is typically the driving force behind seeking WELL certification for a project. Responsibility for committing to the certification process, securing financing, and overseeing the project’s completion makes a project owner the key stakeholder in the entire process.
Responsibilities :
- Deciding to pursue WELL certification as part of the building’s development.
- Allocating budget and resources for the certification process.
- Working with other companies to ensure the building design and systems align with WELL standards.
- Ensuring ongoing maintenance and compliance with WELL standards post-certification. (link to recertification stages)
Architects, Engineers, and Interior Designers
The solutions and design strategies proposed by architects, engineers, and interior designers are crucial for achieving WELL certification. Architects plan the building’s layout and integrate wellness features, engineers implement systems to meet WELL criteria, and interior designers create spaces that enhance comfort, activity, and mental well-being.
Responsibilities:
- Design Healthy Spaces: Plan spaces that align with WELL concepts, focusing on air quality, thermal comfort, natural lighting, and acoustics.
- Integrate Wellness Features: Incorporate circadian lighting, wellness areas, and biophilic elements into the design to enhance occupant well-being.
- Use Healthy Materials: Select materials and finishes that promote health and comfort, such as non-toxic finishes and low-VOC paints.
- Optimize Natural Light and Air: Create layouts that optimize natural light and air circulation, ensuring a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.
- Promote Physical Activity and Relaxation: Design spaces that support physical activity and relaxation, contributing to both physical and mental well-being.
Together, architects, engineers, and interior designers ensure that the building meets the required standards for WELL certification, ultimately creating a healthier, more comfortable environment for its occupants.
WELL AP
WELL AP or WELL consultants are specialists with specific backgrounds and education who guide the project team through the certification process. They help interpret the WELL Building Standard, assist with documentation, and ensure that the project meets all requirements.
Responsibilities:
- Advising on which WELL features apply to the project and how to implement them.
- Assisting with the completion of WELL documentation, including performance data, policies, and plans.
- Conducting gap analysis to ensure that the building meets all necessary WELL standards.
- Coordinating between various stakeholders to streamline the certification process.
Also, having WELL AP as a project team member allows a project to gain extra points in the “innovation” concept of the WELL certification.
WELL Performance Testing Organization
Third-party testing agencies Authorized by the International Well Building Institute are the only parties eligible to verify compliance of a building with WELL standards through a set of specific tests. These tests are essential to demonstrate that the building’s systems and indoor environment meet the required health and wellness criteria.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct Performance Tests: Test air quality, water quality, lighting, and other wellness-related factors to ensure compliance with WELL standards.
- Analyze and Validate Data: Analyze the collected data to verify that the building meets the required standards for indoor environmental quality, acoustics, thermal comfort, and more.
- Provide Documentation: Supply necessary documentation for WELL’s review process, including testing reports and building performance audits.
Building Operations Team
The building operations team plays an ongoing role in maintaining the building’s health and wellness features after certification is achieved. Their work ensures that the building continues to meet WELL standards over time.
Responsibilities:
- Implementing and maintaining indoor air quality management plans, water quality management, and cleaning protocols.
- Monitoring the performance of building systems (HVAC, lighting, water systems) to ensure they remain within WELL-required parameters.
- Conducting periodic wellness assessments to verify continued compliance with WELL standards.
WELL certification elevates building standards for health, sustainability, and value in Europe
Our Work
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