WELL-AP Leak Questions

• Feature C01: Health and Wellness Awareness: Key to this feature is maintaining occupant awareness of the WELL features achieved and the available health and wellness resources within the building.
• Communication Frequency: The WELL Building Standard specifies that communications focusing on available health education, resources, policies, etc. must be sent to regular occupants at least annually (every 12 months).
• Rationale: Regular, but not overly frequent, communication helps occupants stay informed and encourages engagement with the health-promoting aspects of the building.

A health-oriented mission statement should reflect the collective vision and goals related to health and well-being that were identified during the integrative process, including stakeholder charrettes. A charrette is a collaborative session in which stakeholders and experts come together to address and solve complex issues. Including goals or strategies established during such sessions ensures that the mission statement is aligned with the specific health and wellness objectives identified by those most affected by and involved in the project. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and commitment to the project's health culture among all stakeholders, making the mission statement a powerful tool for guiding decision-making and actions towards promoting health and well-being.

For the Enhanced Supply Air feature, a key consideration is the maintenance of air filtration systems in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Proper maintenance ensures the effectiveness of supply air treatment methods, such as carbon filters, media filters, and Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI), in mitigating indoor air contamination. This practice is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality and protecting occupants from pollutants and infectious disease particles, in line with the WELL Building Standard's objectives​​.

A building owner should use an air tightness test to assess the building envelope’s performance in regard to moisture protection. An air tightness test measures the rate of air leakage through the building envelope, which can indicate the potential for moisture infiltration and condensation. Moisture can enter buildings and building assemblies in four ways: bulk water, capillary water, air-transported moisture and vapor diffusion. Air-transported moisture is the most significant source of moisture problems in buildings, as it can carry large amounts of water vapor through small openings and gaps in the envelope. By conducting an air tightness test, the building owner can identify and seal any air leaks that could compromise the moisture protection of the building envelope.

References: = WELL v2 Feature 11: Fundamental Material Safety, Continuous Moisture Protection for the building envelope