FITWEL Standard

The original Fitwel standard scoring strategies and algorithm were developed and piloted in 2014 in 89 buildings in various cities, suburbs and rural areas. The results of the pilot testing revealed a results curve: more than one-third did not receive a certificate, about one-third received a 1-star certificate, and the remaining third received 2- and 3-star certificates.
Across all results, 84% of users reported an improved understanding of how buildings support healthy behaviors, highlighting one of the most powerful uses of the system - as a tool to compare and drive improvement. Today, achieving a 3-star rating remains a coveted and competitive assessment, with only 5% of all properties receiving Fitwel's highest award.

Harmonization with green building standards

The FITWEL Building Standard complies with LEED, BREEAM, the Living Building Challenge and other global best practices for sustainable construction. The system encourages projects that meet both FITWEL and other standards aimed at environmental sustainability.

Interaction between people and the urban environment

Traditional health care systems focus on treatment rather than disease prevention. As the cost of health care rises and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer spread, people are turning to prevention and approaching healthier lifestyles.
The FITWEL Building Standard is based on the understanding that the environment in all its manifestations interacts with personal, genetic and behavioral factors and thus affects overall well-being and health. The developers of the FITWEL standard recognize that many behaviors are subconsciously dictated by external cues, so they look in detail at the interaction between people and the urban environment that determines not only physical health, but also behavioral patterns.

FITWEL criteria, details and requirements for buildings

Fitwel views health holistically as an interconnected system with no single dominant category or domain. Empirical evidence links Fitwel's strategies to at least one of seven health impact categories:

- Increased physical activity
- Occupational health.
- Reducing morbidity and absenteeism
- Supporting social equity for vulnerable populations
- Creating a sense of well-being
- Impact on community health
- Increasing access to healthy foods

Fitwel's strategies are those with the strongest evidence base and proven health impact. Each strategy is associated with a unique score distribution based on the strength of the science and the demonstrated health impact on building users. Strategies with the strongest, most multifaceted impact receive more points. The amount of points assigned to each strategy was determined by a scientific advisory panel of leading public health researchers assembled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC continues to influence strategies and scoring according to the Fitwel standard, and the research behind it is evolving. The weighting system recognizes those strategies whose health outcomes are supported by the strongest evidence base.

The scoring process

Projects rated Fitwel 90 or higher are considered "Fitwel Certified" at one of three levels:

1 star - 90 - 104 points
2 stars - 105 - 124 points
3 stars - 125 - 144 points

Because FITWEL views health as a holistic system and the benefits of the strategies are cumulative, there are no prerequisites or mandatory thresholds within the various categories, only a 90-point threshold for FITWEL certification. For example, even a project with a theoretical score of zero can benefit from using FITWEL as a health improvement tool.

Applications for different building types
The FITWEL Standard is designed to impact a variety of building typologies through the Fitwel Scorecard questionnaires. All of the building scorecard questionnaires focus on improving the health and quality of life of regular users within project boundaries as well as the health of the community. Constant users and project boundary are two terms that appear frequently in Fitwel, and thus are important to define in advance.

Project Boundary: A project boundary includes all facilities within a facility. For a multi-user building base, the Project Boundary includes owner-controlled areas, tenant spaces, rooftops, parking garages, and in common areas.

Primary Users: The number of permanent users of the building or workplace, including all full-time and part-time employees and volunteers, but not temporary employees (e.g., individuals crossing a portion of the Metro building to work). For applications in owner-controlled areas of multifamily buildings, regular occupants are considered to be in owner-controlled areas only, including on-site construction personnel. For all scorecards, the number or number of permanent employees may be estimated using the full-time equivalent figures used in calculating projected rates under the standards.

Documentation Submission and Verification
Fitwel guarantees that all projects will pass inspection and certification within 16 weeks. A 12-week process is offered for those companies that commit to using Fitwel for scalable projects.
Fitwel uses a proven approach to evaluate the certification documentation for each project. In a double-blind evaluation process, two independent reviewers evaluate each project and then confirm the numerical score. This method, developed by public health experts, ensures that each evaluation is unbiased and consistent.

Step 1
Project documentation is initially reviewed and scored using a double-blind process.
Step 2
The project team receives details of any additional documentation or clarification needed through the Fitwel portal, offering a direct dialogue between the project team and the Fitwel certification team. Project teams are allowed one response to the Fitwel certification team within four weeks.
Step 3
Final review of any additional documentation or clarification by the Fitwel certification team. This part of the process culminates in a final numerical rating and a star rating, if any. In addition, project teams are provided with a final Fitwel scorecard and a Fitwel certificate for the project.

Recertification Requirements
FITWEL certification is valid for three years. To renew their current certification, FITWEL certified projects must recertify their performance before the end of the three-year certification period and apply for recertification to certify that the building meets the FITWEL building code requirements. During the certification period, some criterion reports must be submitted more frequently, once a year.
During recertification, the project may be upgraded if additional improvements are made or downgraded if the FITWEL criteria are not met. It is also possible to revoke certification of a building if the quality of the indoor environment has declined significantly since the initial certification. In addition, additional criteria may be submitted to increase the current level of certification for eligible projects.
Projects submitted for recertification will be reviewed according to the version of the Fitwel scorecard in effect on the date the project is recertified and will be charged a recertification fee plus 80% of the current certification rate.

From fitwel.org

Tags: #well #fitwel #healthybuildings