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

Feature X09 requires the safe management and minimization of wastes associated with hazardous chemicals present in commonly used products. Protocols for managing and minimizing hazardous waste are a key requirement for this feature.

References: = WELL v2 Feature X09: Waste Management

The key requirement for Feature X09: Waste Management within the WELL Building Standard is to have a waste management plan that includes protocols for managing and minimizing hazardous waste. This plan should cover the identification of roles, responsibilities, vendors for implementing the plan, sources of waste, strategies to minimize waste generation, waste collection strategies, protocols for cleaning spills of hazardous substances like mercury and pesticides, protocols to track, measure, and report waste stream flows, and protocols for off-site shipment of wastes​​.

Supporting Evidence: WELL features often require specific design elements or operational protocols to be met. Annotated plans, drawings, or specifications provide clear evidence demonstrating how the project meets these requirements.

Feature-Specific Requirements: Each feature has its own verification methods in the WELL Building Standard. Annotated documents are particularly important for features with visual or spatial requirements.

Clarity for Reviewers: Annotations highlight crucial details, making review more efficient for the WELL assessors. They demonstrate that the project team has carefully considered and implemented the specific requirements.

According to the WELL v2 Feature N11, projects must source and label certified organic and certified sustainable foods. The minimum required thresholds are as follows: At least 50% of the total produce line (fruits and vegetables) is certified organic. At least 25% of the total animal product line (meat, seafood, egg and dairy products) is certified organic, Certified Humane® or certified by a GSSI-recognized Seafood Certification Scheme.

References: = WELL v2 Feature N11: Responsible Food Sourcing

When a WELL v2 project's water quality test results exceed the allowed threshold for microorganisms, the recommended strategy for continuing the pursuit of certification is to undertake curative action and then schedule retesting with a WELL Performance Testing Organization. This approach involves addressing the identified water quality issues through appropriate remediation measures and then verifying the effectiveness of these measures through retesting. Ensuring the water quality meets WELL standards is crucial for achieving certification, as it directly impacts the health and safety of the building's occupants​​.

References:

WELL Performance Verification Guidebook

WELL Performance Verification

For Feature V02: Ergonomic Workstation Design, particularly Part 2: Provide Height-Adjustable Work Surfaces, WELL standards require that at least 25% of seating spaces be equipped with height-adjustable workstations to promote ergonomics and physical activity. Given that MILO is acquiring furniture for 45 employees, a minimum of 25% of these workstations need to be height-adjustable. Calculating 25% of 45 gives us 11.25, which, when rounded down to the nearest whole number, necessitates at least 11 height-adjustable work surfaces. However, since the options provided do not include 11 as a choice and WELL standards typically round up for minimum requirements to ensure compliance, the closest correct answer would be B. 11 height-adjustable work surfaces, even though it's not listed as an option. This ensures that a sufficient proportion of the workforce has access to ergonomic furniture, aligning with WELL's focus on physical well-being through design.

According to Feature L09: Occupant Lighting Control, part 2 of the WELL Core requirements, the project team must provide supplemental light fixtures (e.g., task lights) upon request to all employees at no cost and requests are fulfilled within eight weeks1. Therefore, option A is the most appropriate strategy for meeting this feature, as it meets both the cost and the time criteria. The other options either exceed the time limit (B and D) or impose an additional cost on the occupant ©.

References: = Standard | WELL V2

Core of Feature C02: This feature centers on establishing a collaborative process to define the project's health-focused goals at the very beginning. The stakeholder charrette is the primary mechanism to accomplish this.

Foundation for Success: Clear health and well-being goals guide all subsequent design decisions and ensure the project remains focused on achieving optimal outcomes for occupants.

Charrette Purpose: Without establishing these goals upfront, the charrette lacks a central purpose and direction, making the stakeholder input less effective.

The WELL Building Standardâ„¢ includes various features that aim to increase access to fresh, local, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Among the options provided, the one that can fulfill a WELL feature by addressing environmental barriers and increasing accessibility to healthy food options is:

D. Option D: The project must be located within 0.25 mi (0.4 km) walking distance of a supermarket or farmers' market

Accessibility to Fresh Food: Option D directly supports the goal of increasing access to fresh and nutritious food by ensuring that the location of the project is within a short walking distance from a food source. This convenience is crucial in encouraging the consumption of fresh, local, and seasonal produce.

WELL Feature Alignment: This option aligns with WELL features that focus on nourishment and the availability of healthy food choices for occupants. WELL standards often emphasize the proximity to amenities that support health and wellness, including access to healthy food options.

Reducing Environmental Barriers: Proximity to fresh food sources reduces transportation barriers that might prevent individuals from accessing healthy foods, thereby supporting dietary choices that are beneficial for both personal health and the environment.

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: By fulfilling this WELL feature, the design team contributes to a built environment that promotes healthy lifestyle choices and supports the physical well-being of occupants.

Rationale Behind the AnswerImportance in ContextIn summary, Option D is most in line with the objectives of the WELL Building Standardâ„¢, as it encourages the integration of buildings into communities where essential resources, such as fresh food markets, are readily accessible. This facilitates a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle for building occupants.

Incorporating touch-free exits in family bathrooms is a strategy that aligns with Feature W08: Hygiene Support, as it minimizes contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, thereby reducing the transmission of microbes. This approach is particularly relevant in family bathrooms, where users, including children, may be more vulnerable to the spread of germs. Touch-free exits, such as sensor-operated doors, contribute to a healthier environment by promoting better hygiene practices within the facility, supporting the WELL Building Standard's emphasis on health and wellness through improved hygiene and reduced risk of disease transmission.

Achieving 150 EML [136 M-EDI(D65)] is a strategy to support circadian rhythm in a project with a small amount of glazing. EML stands for Equivalent Melanopic Lux and M-EDI stands for Melanopic Daylight Illuminance. These are metrics that measure the intensity of light that stimulates the melanopsin receptors in the eye, which are responsible for regulating the circadian rhythm. The higher the EML or M-EDI, the more effective the light is for circadian entrainment. Feature L03: Circadian Lighting Design5 requires projects to achieve a minimum EML or M-EDI value for at least 4 hours per day in all regularly occupied spaces. For projects with a small amount of glazing, artificial lighting can be used to supplement the daylight and achieve the required EML or M-EDI value.

References:

What is Circadian Lighting? - The Lighting Practice

Circadian Characteristics of Special Glazing - atiner.gr

Light and the circadian rhythm: The key to a good night’s sleep?

Why Light Matters: Designing with Circadian Health in Mind

Feature L03: Circadian Lighting Design