WELL Precondition

Signs are required to clearly communicate the WELL certified building precondition of a smoke-free environment.

• In A02 Smoke-Free Environment smoking and e-cigarette use is prohibited in all indoor and most outdoor building locations for all projects. If smoking is permitted in any outdoor space signs that describe the hazards of smoking must be placed along walkways with not more than 100 feet between signs.

WELL Optimization

Two types of WELL Building Standard signage are required for the non-potable water reuse optimization.

First, when appropriate, WELL project sign systems should label potable water and non-potable water.  For example, a sign could communicate the message “Non-potable – do not drink”. Additionally, informative signage, such as a a water reuse diagram, should be used to highlight the conservation goals and safety features of a non-potable water reuse system.

• In the beta optimization W09 β Onsite Non-Potable Water Reuse (1 point) there is the option for WELL projects to develop and implement proper collection and reuse of non-potable water.

WELL Precondition

Signs in a WELL certified building can present required information about food and beverage options at point of decision, helping individuals make informed healthy eating choices.

• Per precondition N02 Nutritional Transparency specific information for food and beverages distributed in the WELL building project must be displayed via signage, menus or packaging.  Key nourishment information includes calories, macronutrient content, sugar content, primary ingredients and common food allergens.

WELL Optimizations

WELL Building Standard signage is a way to provide information about healthy food choices.  To earn part 1 of this optimization at least three signs should be used to encourage consumption of whole, natural foods and/or encourage drinking water. Additionally, for optimization part 2 on menu signage healthy items should be prominently displayed.

• In N04 Food Advertising (2 points) healthy food advertising and nutritional messaging is required at designated eating and common areas.

Signs are also one of the resources that can be used to deliver educational nutrition information for another WELL building optimization.

• Per optimization N07 Nutrition Education (1 point) no cost educational information must be provided to building occupants at least quarterly.  In additional to cookbooks, demonstrations, workshops and dietary consultations, nutrition information can be delivered via brochures, posters and online.

WELL Precondition

Signs at high traffic points are a way to provide required educational information about the value of strategic lighting in WELL projects.

• In precondition L10 Light Exposure and Education lighting type and intensity are regulated and lighting education through several forms is required.  Specific lighting education topics include circadian rhythm, sleep hygiene, age-related increases in light requirements and the importance of daylight exposure on circadian rhythm and mental health. For WELL signage, the primary language(s) spoken by the local population should be considered.

WELL Preconditions & Optimizations

WELL Building Standard signage can encourage building occupants to be active through walking up stairs or walking on a path.  Signs may also provide information about ergonomic workstations.

• Precondition V01 Active Buildings and Communities requires a certified WELL building to include at least one movement feature.  Relevant movement feature optimizations that include signage are listed next.

• Within V03 Movement Network and Circulation Part 2 (1 point)  is the option to integrate point-of-decision signage that encourages stair use. Within WELL building at least one of this type of WELL sign must be used at elevator banks or other modes of motorized circulation such as escalators, the base of stairs, stairwells or re-entry points at each floor and corridor junctions that lead to either stairs or a motorized circulation modes. The primary language(s) spoken by the local population should be considered for stairs signage.

• Alternately, V09 Exterior Active Design Part 2 (1 point) includes the option to provide at least two on-site pedestrian destinations within the project. One of these destinations can be a walking path or trail supported with wayfinding signage.

• In the V02 Visual and Physical Ergonomics Part 5 precondition it is required for WELL v2 projects to provide educational information about ergonomic workstation furnishings for desk- and standing-based workstations. WELL signs can also be used to provide educational information about safe workplace ergonomics.

WELL Optimization

A walking trail or path supported by wayfinding signage from the WELL Movement concept is also relevant under the Thermal Comfort concept.

• In T09 β Outdoor Thermal Comfort Part 3 (1 point) there is the beta option to support outdoor nature access through on-site pedestrian destinations. This beta optimization component is in addition to parts that focus on designing outdoor spaces that manage heat and excessive wind.

WELL Optimization

WELL Building Standard signs should be used to indicate the location and purpose of Quiet and Mixed Zones.

• In beta optimization S07 β Enhanced Audio Devices Part 2 (1 point) there are four ways to support individual acoustical needs and projects must meet three of four options.  One option is to have at least a once daily quiet hour scheduled and signage to identify Quiet and Mixed Zones as identified in S01 Sound Mapping.

WELL Precondition

WELL building products and materials, including educational and ADA and wayfinding signage, should not contain materials known to be hazardous.

• In precondition X01 Fundamental Material Precautions hazardous ingredient components in newly installed building materials are restricted.  Specific focus is placed on restricting asbestos, mercury and lead.

WELL Optimizations

Signage should follow the same principles as other newly installed building materials in order to reduce exposure to hazardous heavy metals, phthalates and VOCs.

• In X08 Hazardous Material Reduction (1 point) purchasing plan and continued procurement options are detailed.  Furthermore, in X10 Volatile Compound Reduction (3 points) there are requirements for managing VOCs to enhance indoor air quality.

To support the objectives of WELL Materials concept preconditions and optimizations building products, including WELL signs, that meet precautions and material transparency guidelines should be selected.

• Per X13 Enhanced Material Precaution (2 points) newly installed furnishings, built-in furniture, interior finishes and finish materials with optimized materials should be selected.  Within this optimization one or two points are earned for 15% or 25% of materials by cost meeting the requirements of a program that restricts, screens and labels the use of hazardous contents. The three programs that can be used to verify material optimization are ILFI Declare, No Greenscreen and Cradle to Cradle.

• Additionally, in X14 Material Transparency (2 points) newly installed interior finishes, furnishings and built-in furniture with transparency labels that disclose ingredients should be selected.  One or two WELL optimization points can be earned for 25% or 50% of products by cost providing relevant disclosures.  Acceptable programs are Declare label, Health Product Declaration (HPD) and any screening or hazard disclosure accepted in the USGBC LEED® v4 Materials & Resources Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material Ingredients, Option 1: material ingredient reporting.

Finally, WELL Building Standard signage can educate occupants on building practices and promote contact reduction strategies such as social distancing, frequent hand washing and hands-free operation.

• In the beta WELL optimization X15 β Contact Reduction (2 points) there are strategies to reduce contact with respiratory particles.

WELL Optimizations

ADA signage should be use to properly identify restorative spaces and educational WELL Building Standard signage can provide information about restorative and sleep spaces.

• In the M07 Restorative Spaces (2 points) optimization one point is awarded for providing restorative indoor spaces and another point for providing outdoor restorative space. Each of these optimization parts have several requirements including accessible design and educational materials.  Educational signage is a way to meet the optimization requirement of communicating about daytime napping, fatigue, sleep hygiene and managing problems associated with shift work.

• In M11 Sleep Support Part 1 (1 point) there are four requirements for providing workplace sleep support.  One of the requirements is making sleep educational materials available.

WELL signs are a way to provide educational information about tobacco harms, cessation strategies and other tobacco health resources to all regular building occupants.

• In M13 Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Part 1 (1 point) all project spaces are required to ban the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes on site and provide education on the health consequences of tabbaco use to all regular occupants.

Optimizations

Signs in a WELL certified building communicate and promote a culture of health.

• Optimization C06 Health Promotion Part 1 (2 points) requires the promotion of occupant health through at least two of four strategies.  One of the four strategy options includes signage that reinforces a culture of health and markets health programs to employees.  When creating signage the language(s) of the local population should be considered.

An organization’s participation in a program that promotes equity and program results can be publicly displayed within a WELL building with signage.

• In the C12 Organizational Transparency (2 points) optimization projects are encouraged to participate in third party certified programs that evaluate an organization’s equity and inclusion. The ILFI Just disclosure framework is one of six approved programs.

Fully compliant ADA signs and a thoughtful wayfinding signage system are critical for ensuring accessibility and accommodating a range of occupants’ abilities. Unfortunately, federal ADA signage regulations can be confusing and cumbersome.  To ensure your next building project’s signage is ADA compliant review our ADA Sign Requirement FAQs.

• Meeting all local accessibility laws and/or codes is required by C13 Accessibility and Universal Design Part 1 (1 point) and integrating universal design principles is covered by Part 2 (2 points). Under the Universal Design section a professional must ensure that spaces are optimized to meet occupant needs.  Among the six design considerations is wayfinding and using signage to help individuals navigate intuitively.

WELL Building Standard signage at the entrance of a community spaces should clearly state the space’s designation for public use and the hours it is open.

• Per C16 Community Access and Engagement (1 point) projects should designate a shared, flexible space for surrounding community public use at no cost.