Managing Pollution Infiltration for Healthier Buildings

Pollution infiltration can have a significant impact on indoor air quality and occupant health. The WELL Building Standard recognizes the importance of managing pollution at building entryways. The A09 credits focus on designing healthy entryways, maintaining entryway systems, and performing envelope commissioning. Let’s explore these credits in detail and understand how they contribute to creating healthier indoor environments.

A09.1 Design Healthy Entryways

This credit emphasizes the design features and measures taken at building entrances to minimize the infiltration of outdoor pollutants. There are two compliance options available:

Option 1: Building Entry Design For all regularly used entrances with pedestrian traffic, specific design features should be present. These features include an entryway system composed of grilles, grates, slots, rollout mats, or removable carpet tiles that cover the width of the entrance and extend 10 ft in the primary direction of travel (sum of indoor and outdoor length). Additionally, one of the following measures should be implemented to slow the movement of air from outdoors to indoors: a building entry vestibule with two typically closed doorways, revolving entrance doors, or three typically shut doors separating the outdoors from regularly occupied spaces within the project boundary.

Option 2: Building Entry Maintenance In this option, regular cleaning and maintenance of building entryway systems are required. Wet-cleaning should be performed at least once a week or as instructed by the manufacturer, while vacuuming should be conducted at least once a day or as per manufacturer’s instructions. Proper cleaning practices help remove dirt, pollutants, and particulate matter that may accumulate at entryways, preventing their entry into indoor spaces.

A09.2 Perform Envelope Commissioning

This credit focuses on envelope commissioning, which involves assessing and verifying the performance of the building envelope regarding air infiltration and leakage. The requirements for projects undergoing design and construction include:

• Involvement of a façade engineer responsible for defining the building envelope performance metrics during the concept design stage.
• Inclusion of the building envelope performance requirements in the Basis of Design document, aligning with the Owner’s Project Requirements.
• Integration of envelope commissioning into the commissioning process, reflected in the specification and commissioning plan.
• Execution of the envelope commissioning process according to the commissioning plan.
• Inclusion of the envelope commissioning plan in the project’s Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manual for future reference.

Envelope commissioning ensures that the building envelope performs effectively, minimizing air infiltration and leakage, and providing a healthier and more energy-efficient indoor environment.

By implementing these strategies, building owners and occupants can benefit from reduced exposure to outdoor pollutants and improved indoor air quality, leading to enhanced occupant health and well-being.

How Firstgreen Can Provide Assistance

At Firstgreen Consulting, we understand the importance of managing pollution infiltration for healthier buildings. Our team of experts can assist you in achieving compliance with the A09 credits of the WELL Building Standard.

We offer comprehensive services, including designing entryways with appropriate features, providing guidance on entryway maintenance practices, and facilitating envelope commissioning. Our expertise ensures that your building entryways are designed and maintained to mitigate pollution infiltration effectively.

Partnering with Firstgreen Consulting means gaining access to our knowledge and resources. We can help you develop customized strategies, implement best practices, and provide support throughout the certification process.

Take the first step towards creating healthier indoor environments and reducing the impact of outdoor pollutants. Contact Firstgreen Consulting today to optimize your building entryways and achieve WELL certification. Let’s work together to create spaces that prioritize occupant health and well-being.