9 Foundations of a Healthy Building: Thermal Comfort Strategy — Biofilico Wellness Interiors

Introduction

The concept of a healthy building has gained significant attention in recent years, as research has shown that the built environment can have a profound impact on human health and well-being. A healthy building is designed to promote the physical and mental health of its occupants, while also minimizing its impact on the environment. In this article, we will explore the foundations of a healthy building and provide guidance on how to create a healthy indoor environment.

What is a Healthy Building?

A healthy building is a structure that is designed and constructed to promote the health and well-being of its occupants. This includes not only the physical health of the occupants but also their mental health and productivity. A healthy building is one that provides a safe, comfortable, and healthy indoor environment, while also minimizing its impact on the environment.

Foundations of a Healthy Building

The foundations of a healthy building are based on scientific research and public health principles. They are designed to be simple and easy to understand, making them accessible to building owners, managers, and occupants. The nine foundations of a healthy building are:

Air Quality and Ventilation

Air quality and ventilation are critical components of a healthy building. Good air quality is essential for a healthy building, as most people spend up to 90% of their time indoors. To achieve good air quality, building owners and managers should opt for building materials, supplies, and furnishings with low chemical emissions. They should also check for legacy pollutants like lead, PCBs, and asbestos during building renovations. Additionally, they should limit vapor intrusion by using a vapor barrier and maintaining humidity levels between 30-60%. Conducting annual air quality tests and responding to occupant concerns can also help ensure good air quality.

Ventilation is also essential for a healthy building. Building owners and managers should meet or exceed local outdoor air ventilation rate guidelines to control indoor sources of odors, chemicals, and carbon dioxide. They should also filter outdoor and recirculated air with a minimum removal efficiency of 75% for all particle size fractions. Avoiding outdoor air intakes at street level or near other outdoor sources of pollutants can also help improve air quality.

Thermal Health and Comfort

Thermal health and comfort are critical components of a healthy building. Building owners and managers should ensure that buildings meet minimum thermal comfort standards for temperature and humidity. They should also provide individual level thermal control, where possible, to allow occupants to adjust temperature and humidity to their liking. Regularly surveying the space and occupants to identify zones that underperform can also help improve thermal comfort. Responding to and evaluating occupant concerns about thermal comfort can also help ensure that the building is comfortable and healthy.

Moisture and Water Quality

Moisture and water quality are critical components of a healthy building. Building owners and managers should conduct regular inspections of roofing, plumbing, ceilings, and HVAC equipment to identify sources of moisture and potential condensation spots. When moisture or mold is found, they should immediately address the moisture source and dry or replace contaminated materials. Identifying and remediating underlying sources of moisture issues can also help prevent mold growth and water damage. Regular moisture inspections can help prevent moisture-related issues.

In addition to moisture control, building owners and managers should also ensure that the building meets the U.S. National Drinking Water Standards at point-of-use. They should test water quality regularly and install water purification systems if necessary. Ensuring residual disinfectant levels are sufficient to control microbes, but not in excess, can also help improve water quality. Preventing water stagnation in pipes can also help prevent bacterial growth.

By following these foundations of a healthy building, building owners and managers can create a healthy indoor environment that promotes the physical and mental health of its occupants, while also minimizing its impact on the environment.

Healthy buildings / thermal comfort / wellness real estate / well building standard

What is thermal comfort in a healthy building?

Heating and cooling tend to account for around half of a building’s energy consumption, making thermal comfort a key consideration for a green building‘s overall energy use. In addition, thermal comfort is considered one of the leading factors in occupant satisfaction within the built environment, making it a vital component of a healthy building strategy too.

Spaces that are perceived as being too humid or warm have been shown to lead to decreased productivity, increased sick building symptoms (such as cognitive impairment and sleepiness) as well as negative mood states (ref: WELL Building Standard). To enhance these environments, it is also crucial to design spaces that minimize background noise, achieving sound levels of 35db and controlling reverberation time. Additionally, controlling outdoor noises such as traffic and construction is important to maintain a conducive indoor environment.

As a result, a comprehensive thermal performance plan which includes strategies such as thermal zoning, individual thermal control, and monitoring thermal characteristics within the building is now firmly part of the green & healthy building consultant’s toolkit.

Thermal Performance in Real Estate

To achieve acceptable thermal comfort within an interior space, healthy building standards such as WELL designate that 80% of occupants must consider a space to be comfortable - a qualitative (subjective) response. As thermal comfort is determined by the level of perceived comfort from building occupants, it is impossible in this case to lay out a plan based specifically on pre-agreed numbers.

Adhering to fire safety and carbon monoxide monitoring standards is also crucial as part of comprehensive safety and security measures in buildings.

The healthy building standards therefore predict what will cause comfort in spaces through a range of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, outdoor temperature, occupant density and activity, air movement and more. However, even with all these data points in front of us, getting it right for everyone can be challenge, especially in a workplace environment with both men and women sharing the area.

This is due to varying occupant perceptions of comfort, so even more specific zoning strategies by space type / activity for example as well as providing individual thermal comfort control provide opportunities for further refining a thermal comfort plan. When building occupants are comfortable with their thermal environment, productivity increases and levels of fatigue are reduced (WELL).

Thermal Zoning and Minimum Thermal Comfort Standards in a Healthy Building

When considering the thermal characteristics of a space, the type of activity taking place in that interior area matters greatly. For example, a hotel gym where guests are exercising and emitting body heat will need not just higher ventilation rates to remove the CO2 but also a lower temperature.

A study space such as a school library will be very different in that sense, although again there are considerations around optimal temperatures for cognitive performance and concentration. Breaking a building down into a number of such activity zones can help ensure suitable thermal conditions, leading to enhanced occupant satisfaction.

Using high efficiency filter vacuums can also help maintain clean surfaces and reduce dust, which is crucial for enhancing indoor air quality and preventing pest problems.

Temperature can therefore be influenced by a variety of factors such as human activity, building location and orientation, as well as the type of ventilation strategy - be that natural, mechanical or a combination of the two (WELL). When designating different zones, it is important to consider these various factors in order to regulate the thermal properties of each area in advance of building occupants using the space.

Generally, HVAC ventilation systems are responsible for maintaining thermal conditions, and therefore can be used to create different thermal zones within a building, with the level of zoning precision depending on the HVAC set-up. When natural ventilation options are in use, it is operable windows that are used to regulate temperature and thermal comfort.

Towards Individual Level Thermal Control in a Healthy Building

Individual thermal controls can be used to further delineate zones and create smaller, more personalized areas even within rooms. Strategies such as individually accessible thermostats, fans, flexible dress codes, or easily accessible operable windows can all help contribute to giving individuals a sense of control over their thermal experience indoors.

Clean surfaces regularly as part of a broader strategy to limit dust and pest accumulation in buildings. Using high-efficiency filter vacuums and integrating preventative measures can maintain a healthy environment, thereby reducing the potential for exposure to allergens and chemicals.

No one space will please everyone, especially if there is a mix of ages, genders, and so on. It is clear that women tend to be a few degrees colder than men, and tend to be more sensitive to changes in temperatures (Allen), they also are less likely to be in a full trouser suit every day in formal work environments, as men are (in certain industries) no matter what the season.

In addition to individually manageable thermal controls, the provision of outdoor space such as courtyards or rooftops can provide places of respite to allow building occupants to adjust their comfort levels. Access to the outdoors not only provides space to increase thermal comfort, but also can provide other benefits such as biophilia, which improves mental health and can restore focus.

Monitoring & Displaying Thermal Characteristics in a Healthy Building

Sensors that monitor and regulate indoor air temperatures should be placed intentionally to gauge if any unexpected deviations occur. As with other smart building systems, thermal comfort should also be monitored to provide feedback to building managers and inform potential changes. 

Generally, the same sensors can be used to regulate various thermal factors such as temperature and humidity, as well as other interior environmental characteristics such as air quality, for example. Regular commissioning and maintenance of building systems is also imperative to promptly respond to any thermal problems that occur (Allen).  

When coupled with occupant preferences and surveys, the combination of thermal data and occupant satisfaction can be applied to provide optimal thermal comfort. Building occupants should be surveyed regularly to maintain desired thermal levels and to gauge comfort. 

As thermal preferences vary greatly from person to person and are harder to measure numerically, information from post-occupancy surveys is especially important, giving us perceived comfort feedback as well as hard thermal data to work with.

Allen, Joseph. “The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building.” For Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://forhealth.org/9_Foundations_of_a_Healthy_Building.February_2017.pdf

WELL Standard v2

Operating Smart, green & Healthy Buildings

air quality / water metering / energy metering / waste management / cleaning / biophilia / thermal comfort

As the shift towards green and healthy buildings continues and sign-ups for building certifications such as LEED and WELL rises, it is equally important for real estate developers with an eye on ESG to dive deeper into building performance during the operations phase. For those holding onto and managing an asset in the medium to long-term, the journey does not stop once construction and fit-out are complete, quite the opposite.

As there is often a considerable gap between intended building performance and actual, ongoing building performance, a ‘commissioning process’ upon completion followed by an enhanced healthy buildings facilities management plan are the solution.

Smart building monitoring, which includes strategies such as air quality management, energy and water metering, and thermal comfort monitoring is a key factor in facilities management of a healthy building or a healthy co-working office for example.

With the latest real time sensors (e.g. Kaiterra and Awair) providing high quality, 24/7 quantitative data for analysis in the cloud combined with qualitative occupant feedback through regular surveys and pattern analysis of registered complaints, building efficiency and occupant comfort can increase. 

In addition, signage and educational prompts (a.k.a ‘healthy nudges’), enhanced green cleaning protocols, landscaping and greenery maintenance, as well as wellness programs for building occupants covering both physical activity and mental wellbeing are important factors to maintain in a smart, healthy building. This article explores the above in more detail so let’s jump in!

Air Quality Management in healthy buildings

Enhanced indoor air quality is vital to optimal occupant health, and an air quality plan needs to be implemented in both the pre-occupancy and occupancy phases of the building. Subsequently, as both indoor and outdoor air quality can fluctuate, live monitoring and tracking is necessary to ensure healthy indoor air quality levels and catch any issues as and when they arise. 

In the construction phase, an excess of dust and particles have the potential to accumulate indoors and compromise air quality in the later occupancy phase if not properly managed. It is essential to have an air quality management plan for the construction phase such as sealing air ducts, storing absorptive interior materials separate from the construction area, using temporary barriers to isolate working environments, and replacing filters before occupancy. 

In the occupancy phase, when the building is complete and occupants are using the interior spaces, air quality management combine with real time sensor monitoring becomes essential for occupant comfort.

Sensors should be placed strategically around the building at approximately head height to measure temperature, humidity, CO, CO2, PM2.5, PM10 and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). For more detail on. this see the RESET AIR standard in particular. For more on this see our article on RESET AIR here.

In addition, hazards such as mold and indoor smoking have to be tightly controlled to avoid additional negative influences on air quality. 

Water Metering in Smart, Green & Healthy Buildings

Both energy and water use should be tracked to ensure that the building is operating at the optimal level. Monitoring green building water use can not only provide information about how much water is being used in a green building but also guide improvements or highlight potential problems. 

Water monitoring should include both regulating and tracking the amount used, as well as maintaining proper drinking water quality to ensure building occupant health.

Permanent water meters should be installed to measure total water use and should be available in monthly and annual blocks to provide more specific information and monitor efficiency. In addition, leak detection systems should be installed and regularly checked to avoid potential problems and water overuse.

Finally, water should be regularly checked for contaminants, and drinking water quality factors such as pH, turbidity, and chlorine levels should be regulated to ensure safe consumption for occupants. 

Energy Metering in Smart, Green & Healthy Buildings

Green building energy efficiency should also be tracked within the building, a very important operational building factor that can vary greatly if not monitored.

Sub-meters should be installed to track energy on both the building level and system levels to identify opportunities for energy savings. For the most effective data, the systems should report hourly, daily, monthly, and annual energy use separated by energy type and source. In addition, the information should be readily available to facilities management teams so that changes can be made if needed, and any abnormal activity can be quickly detected. 

Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) and Automatic Reading Systems (AMR) are examples of common energy monitoring and management systems. With the incorporation of energy tracking systems, the data can be used to make improvements in the future and provide insight into building performance. 

waste management in healthy buildings

In line with US Green Building Council LEED Operations + Maintenance guidelines, we recommend integrating into a workplace floor plan upfront a storage location for recyclable materials such as mixed paper, glass, plastics and metals, with safe storage areas for batteries.

Monitoring for Thermal Comfort in Healthy Buildings

Thermal comfort tends to be the factor with the highest number of complaints from building occupants as it is an immediate, visceral and in many ways subjective matter.

Numerous studies have proven correlation between building temperature and employee wellness and comfort, making thermal comfort a vital building characteristic to monitor, not least because of enduring sexism in how building temperatures are set - men in suits and ties and always going to have a different opinion on indoor temperature than any female not in a full trouser suit.

The way forward in smart building terms is, eventually, to offer greater autonomy over thermal controls within the building to its occupants. Factors such as outdoor temperature, ventilation rates, and indoor occupancy density all have the potential to affect perceived thermal comfort. 

As with other smart building systems, sensors should be placed intentionally to regulate indoor air temperatures and gauge if any unexpected deviations occur. These sensors can provide feedback to building managers and inform changes when necessary. 

The sensors provide little insight on their own however, only when coupled with occupant preferences and surveys, the power of information and data can be applied to provide optimal thermal comfort. On this basis, facilities management teams need to see complaints not as problems but as valuable data!

Currently, standards designate that 80% of building occupants should be considered comfortable to achieve acceptable thermal comfort levels (WELL). In order to reach and maintain this goal, building occupants should be regularly surveyed to gauge comfort levels. 

With information collected through post-occupancy surveys, perceived occupant comfort can be utilized with temperature data to inform the most effective next steps. As with air quality, temperature can be variable and should be regularly monitored to ensure optimal conditions and increase occupant wellness and comfort. 

Signage in Healthy Buildings

As healthy building consultants we advise on signage systems, wayfinding and their role in creating a healthy building. Signage can be used to promote a variety of health and efficiency-related concepts, with the potential to improve occupant wellness and building performance. 

Signage can be used to improve health through physical activity encouragement for example. Motivational point-of-decision wayfinding signs next to lift doors can promote greater stair use and increase physical activity levels, the WELL and FITWEL certifications encourage this policy.

Especially if stairs are not clearly visible, signs and wayfinding prompts can encourage use—both increasing physical activity and decreasing elevator energy use. 

In addition, building entrance signage can publicize a tobacco-free zone - a requirement of most green building certifications. There is no acceptable exposure level to cigarette smoke, so signage must be implemented clearly to indicate the ban.

Signage can also be used to indicate the health impacts and hazards of smoking, hopefully further discouraging tobacco use and encouraging healthier habits for building occupants. 

Educational signage is also very impactful. Promoting hand-washing has never been more important, a simple visual reminder that helps prevent the spread of infection in the new Covid-19 era. In addition, nutritional messaging can be used in and around dining areas to encourage healthy eating habits. 

On the other end, signage can be used to encourage people to adopt sustainable habits such as reminders to turn off task lights when leaving in the evening, (again) using the stairs instead of the elevator, and turning water faucets off when not in use - just a few obvious reminders that can encourage occupants to reduce energy and water use.

Building signage can on occasion be given to the architects or interior designers, at least the more visually exposed elements such as the reception / entrance lobby but much of the above mentioned signs are just as likely to land on the desk of facilities management.

Enhanced Cleaning Protocols in Green Healthy Buildings

Without proper cleaning protocols, health factors such as interior air quality, pollutant levels and surface cleanliness can be compromised. The cleaning products themselves should not contain any harmful ingredients, and surfaces should be cleaned regularly to avoid excess accumulation of dust or other unhealthy substances.

Many cleaning products contain hazardous ingredients that when applied to surfaces can emit ingredients that degrade indoor air quality, and therefore impact human health. Products should be selected carefully to eliminate any potential hazards and reduce detrimental health effects.

There are several third-party certification systems, such as an ISO 14024-compliant (Type 1) Ecolabel, which designates green cleaning products and can be used to guide healthy selections.

In addition to smart selection of the products themselves, a plan should be created that designates the extent and frequency of cleaning, where to access cleaning products, and the roles of cleaning staff and building occupants, when applicable, to the cleaning process.

Surfaces encounter countless microorganisms throughout the day, and can host pathogens from sick individuals, which if not properly cleaned can spread to other building occupants. Especially in the COVID-19 era, frequent and thorough cleaning practices should be embedded in building operations.

Dust and dirt from the outdoors readily accumulate in building interiors through windows, entrances, and other indoor-outdoor building connections. In fact, studies have shown that 65% of inhalation of outdoor air particles occurs indoors.

Entrance walk-off mats are used to reduce this transfer of dirt and other pollutants from the outdoors, and their maintenance and cleanliness is essential to keep up this role. Building entryways should be regularly wet cleaned and vacuumed to minimize the amount of outdoor pollutants entering interior spaces. 

Cleaning processes and habits are entirely reliant on cleaning staff and building occupants. Because of this, proper training and easily accessible green cleaning supplies should be implemented to ensure the promotion of healthy interiors.

Biophilia landscaping maintenance

Green and healthy buildings often contain vegetation in around buildings, providing countless human and environmental health benefits. However, they also require maintenance. Proper landscaping and greenery upkeep will not only benefit the health of the plants themselves, but also the building occupants and surrounding environment. 

In building interiors, features such as living walls must be maintained and watered properly to ensure their health. Living walls enhance biophilia, filter air pollutants, and provide cooling capabilities, making their health essential for promoting additional building operation benefits. 

On the exterior, landscaping maintenance encourage plant health and biodiversity. A landscape management plan implemented by the grounds maintenance staff protects the flora and fauna while minimizing wildlife disturbance. Petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided whenever possible, and efficient irrigation techniques such as xeriscaping prioritized.

Workplace Wellness Programs 

Mental health and wellness programs are an important part of a healthy office workplace that places employee health at its centre. Provisions such as stress management and mental health support groups and programs, educational programs, childcare and family leave support, as well as fitness and nutrition services are all beneficial to workplace wellness.

Studies have shown that when employees are less stressed and anxious, they perform better an are more productive, making workplace wellness programs a smart business decision in addition to the clear occupant health benefits. 

Through the use of strategies such as mindfulness programs and restorative spaces, employee stress levels can be reduced. Mindfulness programs can be achieved through in person meetings and exercises, or through employer-designated digital applications, such as Headspace, for example.

Restorative spaces in healthy buildings

Restorative spaces should be maintained, and employees should be encouraged to take breaks when needed and use them to relax and reset throughout the workday. 

It is important that the resources are available, but more importantly that occupants are made aware that they exist. Educational materials should be readily accessible to inform employees of the resources, encourage their use, and reduce any stigmas against mental health and wellness issues. 

In addition to mental health wellness programs, physical health is equally as important, including both nutrition and fitness services. Nutrition or cooking classes, healthy recipe sharing, and nutritious snack offerings in the office are examples beneficial nutrition programs.

Gyms, exercise and mental wellbeing in healthy buildings

Access to fitness rooms, gyms and fitness equipment can all be complemented by programs such as exercise classes, running clubs, or a bike-to-work week or contest are all potential implementations to encourage active travel and health. 

If occupant participation is consistently low, additional incentives may nee to be implemented to encourage resource use and highlight the importance of wellness in the workplace.

Often, it is helpful to have a designated employee as a ‘wellbeing champion’ who promotes health programs within a company, and this person or group can host health promotion meetings and communicate digitally with employees to further encourage participation.