WELL WELL-AP - WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) Exam

Global estimates from 2016 show that approximately 23% of the adult population is considered physically inactive, failing to meet widely disseminated physical activity guidelines. This statistic underscores the importance of designing spaces that encourage physical activity and movement to combat the prevalence of inactivity.

Ensuring adequate natural light exposure in regularly occupied areas is essential for health and well-being. A layout that places 25% of the regularly occupied area within a 30 ft. (9 m) horizontal distance of envelope glazing (windows) is likely to provide sufficient daylight to support circadian rhythms, enhance mood, and improve productivity. This configuration helps to maximize the penetration of natural light into the space, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting and promoting a healthier indoor environment.

In sustainable building practices and wellness-oriented design, creating spaces for gardens, especially in commercial settings, can significantly contribute to the well-being of occupants by providing access to greenery and opportunities for gardening. Although specific WELL v2 requirements may vary, a reasonable assumption for the minimum space required to start a garden that could earn an Optimization in the WELL Building Standard™ could be 200 ft² (18 m²). This estimate is based on the need to provide adequate space for a meaningful number of participants (in this case, 20 out of 400 employees) to engage in gardening activities. This space allows for a variety of herbs and vegetables to be grown, offering tangible benefits in terms of physical activity, mental health, and possibly even dietary improvements for the participants.

For an office project to earn a point in Feature L03: Circadian Lighting Design, achieving a level of at least 150 equivalent melanopic lux (EML) at workstations in regularly occupied spaces is essential, with measurements taken on the horizontal plane where tasks are performed. This requirement is based on the understanding that adequate exposure to light that mimics the natural daylight cycle can significantly impact circadian rhythms, thereby enhancing alertness, mood, and overall well-being during the day. Ensuring that the lighting design meets this threshold supports the WELL Building Standard's goal of creating environments that promote health and wellness through thoughtful design interventions, including lighting that supports the body's natural circadian rhythms.

To maintain low levels of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), it is most effective to use air purification devices that include both an activated carbon filter, which adsorbs gases and odors, and a high-efficiency MERV 14 filter, which can capture airborne particles including those that may carry VOCs. This combination is effective in reducing the concentration of VOCs in the indoor environment, promoting better indoor air quality and supporting the health and well-being of the occupants in alignment with the WELL Building Standard's principles.

To accommodate smoking areas while adhering to Feature A02: Smoke-Free Environment, the WELL AP should recommend locating designated smoking areas outdoors, at ground level, and more than 25 feet away from entrances, operable windows, and air intakes. This guideline ensures that smoke does not enter the building and affect indoor air quality or the well-being of non-smoking occupants. This approach reflects WELL's commitment to maintaining a smoke-free environment within the building to protect occupants from secondhand smoke exposure, a known health hazard, while still accommodating those who smoke in designated areas away from the building to minimize health risks to others.

Here's the relevant detail from the WELL Building Standard:

T05: Radiant Thermal Comfort requires at least 50% of the floor area in regularly occupied spaces to be serviced by radiant heating and/or cooling systems.

Since the office building has a regularly occupied project area of 25,000 ft², to meet T05, a minimum of 50% x 25,000 ft² = 12,500 ft² must be serviced by radiant heating or cooling.

However, the image clarifies that Option C (10,000 ft²) meets the minimum requirement, not Option D (12,500 ft²). It's possible there might be additional considerations beyond the WELL standard that influence this specific scenario.

Carbon filters can assist with the removal of organic chemicals from water intended for human consumption. Carbon filters use activated carbon, which has a large surface area and high adsorption capacity, to trap organic molecules and reduce their concentration in water. Carbon filters can effectively remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides, chlorinated solvents, and other organic contaminants that may pose health risks or affect the taste and odor of water12.

References: = WELL v2 Feature W01: Fundamental Water Quality, drinking Water treatment: organic matter removal - Degremont®

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogens that bioaccumulate in the environment. PCBs are a group of synthetic organic chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment, paints, plastics, and other industrial products until their production was banned or restricted in many countries in the late 1970s and early 1980s. PCBs are persistent, meaning they do not break down easily in the environment, and bioaccumulative, meaning they build up in the fatty tissues of animals and humans. Exposure to PCBs can cause various adverse health effects, such as cancer, liver damage, immune system impairment, reproductive and developmental disorders, and neurobehavioral effects12.

References: = WELL v2 Feature 11: Fundamental Material Safety, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Sources, Exposures, Toxicities

The purpose of an Alternative Adherence Path (AAP) within the WELL framework is to offer project teams the flexibility to propose alternative methods or solutions that still meet the intended outcomes of a WELL feature. This pathway allows for innovation and customization in how WELL standards are applied, particularly when standard compliance paths may not be feasible or optimal for a specific project context. AAPs enable teams to tailor their strategies to better suit their unique circumstances, ensuring that the core objectives of WELL features—enhancing health and well-being in buildings—are still achieved​​.

References:

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