How Many Air Quality Monitors Do You Need for WELL or RESET?

Firstly, congratulations on getting started with the building certification process! Now that you are looking into the details of each requirement, it can get overwhelming, especially when it comes to the air quality part. But don’t worry, we are here to help!

Whether you are applying for WELL or RESET, both building standards have specific air quality monitoring requirements. To get started, you may want to think about these two questions:

• Which air quality monitor should I use?
• How many of them do I need?

When it comes to choosing the best air quality monitor for your building, there are many factors to take into consideration, and you can read our blog article specifically on this topic to guide you through the process. And if you already know which monitor to choose, now let’s tackle the second question together - calculating how many monitors you need.

How Many Air Quality Monitors Do You Need?

The number of air quality monitors you need will, of course, depend on the specific requirements of your project. We recommend installing air quality in open spaces and rooms that are regularly occupied, with our recommendations for individual spaces listed in the chart below:

WELL v2 Building Standard

IWBI’s WELL certification program focuses on the wellness of building occupants. Because IAQ is such an important factor for health and well-being, WELL promotes air quality monitoring and awareness as one of its central components.

The number of air quality monitors you need will, of course, depend on the specific requirements of your project. It’s often recommended to install air quality monitors in open spaces and rooms that are regularly occupied. For projects to meet certification requirements, WELL monitor density guidelines are broken down into the following tiers, and must be met according to occupiable space:

1. Projects with occupiable space of < 3250 m2 : 1 monitor per 325 m2 [3,500 ft2 ] in occupiable spaces (minimum 2)
2. Projects with occupiable space of 3250-25,000 m2 : 1 monitor per 500 m2 [5,400 ft2 ] in occupiable spaces (minimum 10)
3. Projects with occupiable space of > 25,000 m2 : 1 monitor per 1000 m2 [10,800 ft2 ] in occupiable spaces (minimum 50)

Monitors must be placed throughout the project and should be representative of all HVAC zones, building faces, and frequently used areas like lobbies, open and private office areas, and conference rooms.

In addition to the required density, monitors should also be sited at locations compliant with the following requirements:

1. Monitors are installed on a wall (vertically), at a height of 1.1-1.7 m (3.6-5.6 ft) above the finished floor at locations where occupants would typically be seated or standing.
2. Sampling points must be at least 1m (3.3ft) away from doors, windows and air supply or exhaust outlets, air purifiers, or other potential influences (e.g., humidifiers, cleaning supplies, printers and photocopiers). Whenever possible, it’s recommended that sampling points should be at least 5 m (16.4 ft) from exterior doors.
3. Additionally, monitors measuring temperature and relative humidity must be at least 1 m (3.3 ft) away from any substantial source of heat or cold, including direct sunshine, mechanical system supply outlets, fans, and heaters.

RESET Building Standard

The RESET Air building standard was created expressly for air quality monitoring and improvement. This building certification requires ongoing, comprehensive monitoring with RESET-accredited monitors only.

In accordance with the requirements for the RESET™ Air Standard for Commercial Interiors, you need one monitor per 5382 ft² (500 m²). Monitors must also be wall-mounted and 36-71 in (900-1800 mm) above the floor. All monitors should be located five or more meters away from operable windows, fresh-air diffusers, and air filters. If this isn’t possible due to space, monitors must be closer to air returns than air diffusers and must be at least half of the space away from operable windows.

Get a Free Consultation

Because these calculations can be tricky, and you want to get them right the first time, we are offering a free consultation to help you figure out the best plan for your project. Take advantage of this limited-time offer and schedule a time with our team of experts now!