The WELL Building Standard has become one of the most widely recognised certification schemes for healthy buildings. Unlike certifications that primarily focus on sustainability or energy performance, WELL places the wellbeing of building occupants at the centre of the design and operation of a building. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is one of the key themes within the standard and has become increasingly important for offices, educational facilities, healthcare buildings and commercial developments.
As awareness of indoor air quality continues to grow, organisations are looking for practical ways to demonstrate that their buildings provide a healthy environment. Professional air quality monitoring plays an important role throughout this process, from identifying potential issues within an existing building to verifying air quality during commissioning or renovation projects.
Which air quality parameters are important?
A WELL assessment considers several air quality parameters that influence occupant health and comfort. Fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 and PM10 is commonly monitored alongside carbon dioxide (CO₂), which provides an indication of ventilation effectiveness and occupancy. Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) are measured to assess emissions from building materials, furniture and cleaning products, while gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃) can provide valuable insight into outdoor air entering the building through ventilation systems.
Measuring these parameters together provides a much more complete understanding of indoor air quality than relying on a single measurement alone.
Portable monitoring for WELL assessments
Many WELL projects require measurements to be carried out in multiple locations throughout a building. Portable air quality monitors therefore offer significant advantages over permanently installed equipment, allowing consultants to move efficiently between rooms, floors and ventilation zones while collecting consistent measurement data.
One of the most commonly used instruments for this type of work is the Aeroqual Ranger. Its modular design allows different sensor heads to be exchanged depending on the project requirements, making it suitable for a wide range of Indoor Air Quality investigations. Typical WELL assessments often include measurements for particulate matter, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, all of which can be measured using interchangeable Ranger sensor heads.