A08 Air Quality Monitoring and Awareness is the WELL v2 feature that rewards continuous air quality monitoring. It is worth up to 2 points:
- 1 point for installing air quality monitors that measure all the time.
- 1 point for showing that data to the people in the building.
A08 is optional. In WELL terms it is an Optimization, not a Precondition, so a project can certify without it. But it is one of the most practical points in the Air concept, and the monitors keep telling you how the building performs long after certification.
This article covers WELL v2 and the current Performance Verification Guidebook.
Part 1: What monitors do you need?
What they must measure
At least three of these:
- PM2.5 or PM10 (fine dust)
- CO₂ (a sign of ventilation)
- carbon monoxide
- ozone
- nitrogen dioxide
- TVOC (chemical vapours)
- formaldehyde
Temperature and humidity are useful, but they do not count towards the three.
In practice, MoveAir would usually choose PM2.5, CO₂ and TVOC. Together they cover particles, ventilation and chemicals. If PM2.5 is new to you, start with What Is PM2.5 and Why Should Buildings Measure It?
How many monitors
It depends on the occupiable area of the whole project:
- under 3,250 m²: one per 325 m², minimum two
- 3,250 to 25,000 m²: one per 500 m², minimum 10
- over 25,000 m²: one per 1,000 m², minimum 50
Always round up. A 1,200 m² office needs 1,200 ÷ 325 = 3.7, so four monitors.
Where they go
- 1.1 to 1.7 m above the floor, where people sit or stand
- at least 1 m from doors, opening windows and air supply or exhaust vents
- spread across floors, HVAC zones and the spaces people actually use
We go through placement in detail in How Many IAQ Monitors Does a WELL Project Need?
How they must work
- measure continuously during occupied hours, at least every 15 minutes
- meet WELL’s accuracy requirements, or be RESET Grade B or better
- be recalibrated or replaced every three years
- send their data to IWBI once a year through the WELL digital platform
Part 2: How do you show the data to occupants?
The second point is about awareness. People in the building should be able to see the air quality data from Part 1.
You can do that with:
- screens in the building, or
- a website or app, with signs telling people where to find it.
The data can show the actual numbers or a simple rating, such as good or poor. It must update at least every 15 minutes.
Part 2 only counts if Part 1 is in place.
What A08 does not do
A08 does not replace the on-site air test. Every WELL project still has to meet the A01 Air Quality precondition, which a Performance Testing Agent checks before certification.
The same monitors can still do more work. For some other air features, WELL accepts sensor data as a way to show thresholds are met. Your WELL AP can confirm which ones apply to your project.
Common mistakes
- counting temperature and humidity as two of the three parameters
- buying monitors before checking the accuracy and 15-minute data requirements
- mounting monitors where installation is easy, not where people work
- forgetting the three-year recalibration
- putting the display where nobody looks, like a corridor people rarely use
The short version
- A08 is optional and worth up to 2 points.
- Part 1: monitors measuring at least three pollutants, every 15 minutes, in the right number and places.
- Part 2: show the data to occupants on screens or a website or app.
- Recalibrate every three years and report the data every year.
FAQ
Is A08 mandatory for WELL certification?
No. It is an Optimization. A project can certify without it.
How many points is A08 worth?
Up to 2: one for the monitors, one for showing the data to occupants.
Do temperature and humidity count?
No. You need at least three of the listed pollutants, such as PM2.5, CO₂ and TVOC.
Can I use RESET accredited monitors?
Yes. WELL accepts monitors rated RESET Grade B or better, as long as they also meet the interval, calibration and reporting rules. More on RESET in What Does RESET Air Certification Actually Require?
Does every room need a monitor?
No. The number is based on the total occupiable area, and the monitors are spread to represent the building.
Does A08 replace on-site performance testing?
No. The A01 on-site air test is still required for certification.
Planning A08 for a WELL project?
MoveAir can calculate how many monitors you need, mark up where they should go on your floor plans, and set up a dashboard that shows live data to occupants. Talk to us.
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