The WELL Building Standard is more of an initiative rather than a strict set of standards. It is similar to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, focusing on creating healthier and more sustainable buildings. WELL standards are relatively new to the industry and not mandatory for every project. The decision to incorporate them is at the discretion of the project team.
ASTM and WELL may run counter to each other in some respects. WELL focuses on creating healthy indoor environments, whereas ASTM standards are specific performance-based guidelines for various aspects of building security and resilience. If both standards are required on a project, or if the specifications demand a specific ASTM ballistics rating along with a particular WELL level, there may be conflicts and challenges in meeting both simultaneously.
It is worth noting that achieving an ASTM-rated level is not the only way to increase security in a building. There are alternative methods and approaches to enhance security that may not strictly align with ASTM standards, but still provide increased protection. For example, if a renovation project spans an entire school district, it may not be feasible or cost-effective to meet the highest ASTM standards for every facility. In such cases, alternative solutions such as reinforcing existing systems with laminated glass or implementing other security measures can be considered, taking into account the tradeoffs between security enhancements and budget constraints.
While ASTM and WELL serve different purposes, both methodologies can be used to strike the right balance of comfort and security within built environments. Understanding the distinctions between the two can help a building owner make informed decisions based on project requirements, priorities, and available resources.
Conclusion
The ICC, ASTM, and WELL building standards are three excellent sources for designers and architects to reference as they navigate these tradeoffs and design buildings that are safe, comfortable, and lend to overall wellbeing.
“As our industry considers the comfort and safety of the consumer’s experience, we’re asking ourselves an important question: ‘How is this environment going to make people feel better?’” says Todd Staley, president of IWR North America. “People spend a lot of time in these environments and deserve a space that makes their bodies feel rejuvenated, which is going to have a downstream effect on how well they feel and perform.”
“The solutions to these challenges are going to come from our industry continuing to communicate, working together, and taking the time to get things done the right way. That means understanding the needs of the end user in terms of their comfort, while also building and testing security functions to ensure they operate as intended every time.”
Author
