WELL Performance Testing Organization Designation

The WELL Building Standard has changed the way people think about buildings. It takes a holistic approach to health in the built environment addressing behavior, operations, and design and how they all can be optimized to advance human health and well-being. As a performance-based system, every WELL project is verified through on-site, post-occupancy testing of building performance by WELL Performance Testing Organizations that employ GBCI-trained WELL Performance Testing Agents.

We are always looking for ways to minimize the impact of the built environment while improving building quality for its users. Back in November 2020 I became Cyclone’s first WELL Performance Testing Agent. Later in April of 2021 I became the first WELL AP at our company. Later that year I ushered the efforts for Cyclone Energy Group to officially become a WELL Performance Testing Organization. This designation is awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). With this designation, Cyclone is authorized to provide independent, third-party verification for building projects pursuing WELL certification in support of human health, productivity, well-being, and comfort. Cyclone is among the first consulting firms in the world to earn this designation. In my new role as Cyclone’s first Director of Sustainability, spearheading this effort has been very exciting. Ask anyone at Cyclone and they will tell you WELL is my baby!

A WELL Performance Testing Organization is an organization that provides performance testing services to WELL v2 projects. Each WELL Performance Testing Organization has at least one approved WELL Performance Testing Agent, one WELL AP, has a quality management plan that has been approved by GBCI, and has agreed to GBCI’s Terms & Conditions.

On-site performance testing is required for WELL certification and the results of the data collected for each applicable feature are reviewed by the GBCI to determine whether a feature has been achieved. Once the project is complete, the WELL checklist is approved by the reviewer, and the space is occupied, a site visit is scheduled for the authorized WELL assessor(s) to validate the project’s design documentation and complete the performance testing. Testing covers features under the following concepts: Air, Water, Light, Sounds, and Thermal Comfort.

WELL Performance Rating

Ratings demonstrate progress and performance. They are a targeted approach that focuses on a subset of strategies addressing specific themes. The IWBI released their newest rating last year and will officially open the window for registration in March 2022.

The WELL Performance Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified pathway for measuring, benchmarking, and monitoring building performance and occupant experience. The rating consists of 33 features, with 21 required to achieve the rating. It is an annual rating with single level of achievement. Fees are scheduled to be similar to the WELL Health and Safety Rating fee Structure. All documentation is submitted together for two rounds of review: Preliminary and Final review stages.

The rating focusses on 7 areas:

• Indoor Air Quality (9)
• Water Quality Management (4)
• Lighting Measurement (2)
• Thermal Conditions (2)
• Acoustics Performance (5)
• Environmental Monitoring (6)
• Occupant Experience (5)

How Performance is Currently Measured in WELL

• On-Site Measurement and Laboratory Analysis
  • A01 Air Quality*
  • A05 Enhanced Air Quality
  • A07 Operable Windows
  • W01 Water Quality Indicators
  • W02 Drinking Water Quality
  • W03 Basic Water management
  • W04 Enhanced Water Quality
  • W05 Drinking Water Quality Management
  • L02 Visual Lighting Design
  • L03 Circadian Lighting Design
  • L09 Occupant Lighting Control
  • T01 Thermal Performance*
  • T07 Humidity Control
  • S02 Maximum Noise Levels
  • S03 Sounds Barriers
  • S04 Reverberation Time

*Part of this feature utilizes continuous monitoring, including our airPLAN service

• Continuous Monitoring
  • A08 Air Quality Monitoring and Awareness
  • T06 Thermal Comfort Monitoring

• Occupant Experience and Engagement Metrics
  • T02 Verified Thermal Control
  • C04 Occupant Survey
  • C05 Enhanced Occupant Survey

Performance Verification Components

Step 1: Preparation:

• Identify sampling locations
• Testing plan and schedule
• Coordination between labs, project team, and test agents

Step 2: Onsite Testing:

• Laboratory sampling and analysis
• Measurements with direct-read devices
• Spot checks – photo documentation

Step 3: Performance Review:

• Verify data integrity and data consistency
• Ensure requirements have been applied consistently

With our high-performance building expertise and our knowledge gained from the WELL AP and WELL Performance Testing Trainings, we look forward to providing pre-testing and WELL Performance Testing Services to our clients to support their needs in creating healthier and better buildings.

If you need performance testing for WELL v2 compliance and pre-testing, feel free to reach out to us at workwithus@cyclone.energy