WELL Building Certification: The Vital Role of Certified TAB Services
TEKON-Technical Consultants, Inc.
HVAC Testing, Inspection, Compliance & Certification Experts - since 1968 NEBB & TABB Certified - Serving New England
In a world increasingly focused on health, sustainability, and well-being, the WELL Building Standard stands out as a powerful framework for designing and operating buildings that prioritize human health. By addressing factors like air quality, thermal comfort, water quality, and more, WELL Certification has become a benchmark for creating healthier spaces for occupants.
However, achieving WELL Certification requires more than a vision—it demands precision and performance verification. The reason for this rigor is simple: building systems that impact air quality, temperature, and other environmental factors must work as intended to support occupant health and well-being. Testing ensures that these systems meet the stringent requirements set by the WELL Building Standard, verifying actual performance rather than relying on assumptions or design specifications.
The testing process involves collecting real-world data on environmental factors such as ventilation rates, air quality levels, thermal consistency, and humidity. Certified professionals use advanced instrumentation to measure airflow, temperature, and contaminants like particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide (CO2). These metrics are compared against WELL benchmarks, and adjustments are made to optimize system performance. Testing doesn’t stop at installation—ongoing monitoring and re-certification processes ensure that a WELL-certified building continues to meet health and sustainability goals throughout its lifecycle.
This critical step ensures that WELL Certification is not just a symbolic label but a measurable commitment to occupant health, making Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) services indispensable in the certification process.
Understanding the WELL Building Standard
The WELL Building Standard is a globally recognized framework that prioritizes health and well-being in the built environment. Unlike traditional building certifications that focus primarily on energy efficiency or environmental impact, WELL Certification emphasizes the human experience within buildings—addressing how spaces can actively support physical and mental health.
This performance-based standard evaluates a building’s systems and design features to ensure they contribute to improved air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and other factors essential for occupant wellness. It sets measurable benchmarks for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and encourages buildings to perform at levels that promote health and productivity.
WELL Certification is achieved through a comprehensive process that includes third-party testing, ongoing monitoring, and thorough documentation. The emphasis is on outcomes: buildings must demonstrate compliance with WELL’s rigorous criteria through verifiable data, rather than relying on design intent alone. This ensures that spaces are optimized not just for sustainability, but also for the well-being of their occupants, making WELL Certification a gold standard for health-focused buildings.
How TAB Services Drive WELL Certification Success
Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) is a process that ensures building systems—primarily HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)—are performing as designed and meeting operational standards. Certified TAB services contribute directly to several WELL features, especially within the Air, Thermal Comfort, and Sound concepts.
1. Air Quality (Feature 03: Ventilation Effectiveness)
Ventilation is at the heart of indoor environmental quality. TAB professionals ensure that ventilation systems meet or exceed WELL requirements for fresh air delivery. Proper airflow and distribution are critical to maintaining air quality and avoiding areas of stagnation or over-ventilation that could lead to health risks.
2. Continuous Monitoring (Feature 04: Air Quality Monitoring and Feedback)
Certified TAB professionals help set up and calibrate air quality monitoring systems. These systems provide real-time data on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ensuring compliance with WELL standards over the building’s lifecycle.
3. Enhanced Ventilation (Feature 15: Exceeding Baseline Standards)
TAB specialists optimize ventilation systems to go beyond minimum standards. This involves increasing outdoor air intake, improving air circulation, and enhancing occupant comfort.
4. Thermal Comfort (Feature 76: Meeting ASHRAE Standards)
Thermal comfort is not just a matter of preference; it affects productivity, health, and well-being. TAB professionals ensure that HVAC systems align with ASHRAE Standard 55 for thermal comfort, providing occupants with stable and comfortable indoor conditions.
5. Humidity Control (Feature 17: Maintaining Optimal Ranges)
Humidity levels significantly impact respiratory health, mold growth, and overall comfort. TAB services help maintain WELL-recommended humidity levels (30-50%), ensuring a healthy indoor environment.
6. Noise Reduction (Feature 80: Sound-Reducing Strategies)
TAB professionals also support the acoustic goals of WELL Certification by ensuring HVAC systems operate quietly and efficiently, contributing to reduced background noise and better soundscapes.
Why Certified TAB Professionals Are Essential for WELL Certification
WELL Certification emphasizes performance validation. Simply installing systems that “should” meet WELL criteria isn’t enough; buildings must prove their compliance through measurable outcomes. Certified TAB professionals are uniquely equipped to provide this level of assurance.
Key Benefits of Certified TAB Services:
About TEKON Technical Consultants, Inc.
Certified Compliance. Confident Results.
For over 50 years, TEKON Technical Consultants, Inc. has been a trusted leader in the Testing, Inspection, Certification, and Compliance (TICC) industry. We specialize in Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) services for critical environmental facilities where precision and reliability are paramount.
From healthcare and life sciences to pharmaceutical facilities, our work ensures systems meet the industry’s highest standards of safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. As independent, NEBB- and TABB-certified experts, we go beyond compliance to deliver Confident Results—empowering organizations to optimize performance, reduce risks, and achieve long-term operational success.
At TEKON, Certified Compliance is more than a requirement—it’s the foundation for driving measurable, sustainable improvements. From helping clients achieve certifications like LEED, BREEAM, and Fitwel to enhancing HVAC system reliability and energy efficiency, we provide tailored solutions designed for the most demanding environments.
Take the First Step Toward WELL Certification
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