Where to Place Air Quality Monitors for WELL Certification

If you’re using commercial air quality monitors for your WELL Certification project, you have to follow WELL’s placement guidelines to ensure your deployment is not only compliant but also captures the most accurate readings. Similar to monitor tech spec and density requirements, the placement guidelines for indoor air quality (IAQ) monitors can also be found in the WELL Performance Verification Guidebook.

Key Placement Guidelines for WELL-Compliant IAQ Monitoring

The overarching goal of WELL’s placement guidelines is to ensure that your IAQ readings are not influenced by any objects that change the air quality, temperature, or humidity in the surrounding space. Incorrect placement can result in skewed data, which not only jeopardizes WELL compliance but can also lead you down the wrong path for building operations and IAQ optimization.

WELL provides the following requirements for IAQ sensor placement in the Performance Verification Guidebook:

• Monitors must be placed in the breathing zone. This means 1.1 to 1.7 m (3.6 to 5.6 ft) above the floor, where occupants are either sitting or standing. Ceiling mounts are possible but only if your project meets certain requirements — read more about WELL's ceiling placement guidelines.

• Steer clear of air quality influences. Your IAQ sensors should be placed at least 1 m (3.3 ft) away from the following objects: interior and exterior doors, windows, humidifiers, cleaning supplies, printers, and photocopiers. Do not place monitors in the direct airflow coming from an HVAC vent, fan, or air purifier. 

• Avoid temperature and humidity influences. If you’re monitoring temperature and relative humidity, then your monitor has to be at least 1 m (3.3 ft) away from sources of temperature or humidity fluctuations. These include direct sunlight, HVAC supply outlets, fans, and heaters.
• Distribute monitors strategically. Place your air quality monitors in areas with the lowest and highest levels of occupancy in your building, as well as in different HVAC zones and on different sides of the building, to monitor varying conditions to get a comprehensive picture of air quality.

Need Help Figuring Out Air Quality Monitor Placement for WELL?

Reach out to request a copy of our WELL air quality monitor placement guidebook or to consult one-on-one with a WELL AP on our team!