9foundations.forhealth.org9 Foundations of a Healthy Building - 9 Foundations

9 Foundations 9 FoundationsLinkedin Facebook Youtube For Health Menu ForHealth Home 9 Foundations COGFX Study COBE AppLab Homes Schools Firehouses Aviation ESG / SDGs Biophilic Design Materials Business Case COVID-19 Our goal is to improve the lives of all people, in buildings and beyond, everywhere, every day. Menu Relevant Research In the News Download the Report 9 Foundations Clear and actionable core elements of healthy indoor environments The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building Ventilation Air Quality Thermal Health Moisture Dust & Pests Safety & Security Water Quality Noise Lighting & Views Ventilation Meet or exceed local outdoor air ventilation rate guidelines to control indoor sources of odors, chemicals and carbon dioxide. Filter outdoor and recirculated air with a minimum removal efficiency of 75% for all particle size fractions including nano. Avoid outdoor air intakes at street level or near other outdoor sources of pollutants. Commission systems, conduct regular maintenance and monitor ventilation in real-time to prevent and resolve ventilation issues promptly. Close Modal Air Quality Choose supplies, office supplies, furnishings and building materials with low chemical emissions to limit sources of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. Check for legacy pollutants such as lead, PCBs and asbestos. Limit vapor intrusion by using a vapor barrier. Maintain humidity levels between 30-60% to mitigate odor issues. Conduct annual air quality testing. Respond to and evaluate occupant concerns. Close Modal Thermal Health Meet minimum thermal comfort standards for temperature and humidity and keep thermal conditions consistent throughout the day. Provide individual level thermal control, where possible. Survey the space and occupants regularly to identify zones that underperform. Respond to and evaluate occupant concerns. Commission systems, conduct regular maintenance and monitor temperature and humidity in real-time to prevent and resolve thermal comfort issues promptly. Close Modal Moisture Conduct regular inspections of roofing, plumbing, ceilings and HVAC equipment to identify sources of moisture and potential condensation spots. When moisture or mold is found, immediately address moisture source and dry or replace contaminated materials. Identify and remediate underlying source of the moisture issue. Close Modal Dust & Pests Use high efficiency filter vacuums and clean surfaces regularly to limit dust and dirt accumulation, which are reservoirs for chemicals, allergens, and metals. For homes, take off shoes at the door to limit tracking in dirt. Develop an integrated pest management plan with a focus on preventative measures such as sealing entry points, preventing moisture buildup and removing trash. Avoid pesticide use, if possible. Train building management how to respond to pest problems and complaints. Close Modal Safety & Security Meet fire safety and carbon monoxide monitoring standards. Provide adequate lighting in common areas, stairwells, emergency egress points, parking lots and building entryways. Manage points of egress and the physical perimeter. Be situationally aware through video monitoring, interactive patrols and incident reporting. Maintain a holistic emergency action plan and mechanism for communication to building occupants. Close Modal Water Quality Meet the U.S. National Drinking Water Standards at point-of-use. Test water quality regularly. Install water purification system for removal of contaminants, if necessary. Ensure residual disinfectant levels are sufficient to control microbes, but not in excess. Prevent water stagnation in pipes. Close Modal Noise Protect against outdoor noises such as traffic, aircraft and construction. Control indoor sources of noise such as mechanical equipment, office equipment and machinery. Provide spaces that minimize background noise to 35db for unoccupied work and learning areas, and a maximum reverberation time of 0.7 seconds. Close Modal Lighting & Views Provide task lighting for comfortable viewing. Provide direct lines of sight to exterior windows from all workstations. Provide as much daylighting and/or blue-enriched lighting as possible without introducing glare. Incorporate nature and nature-inspired design indoors. Close Modal The Inspiration Behind the 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building The idea for the The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building” arose from many interactions over the past several years with real estate professionals, building owners, hospital administrators, facilities directors, homeowners, and academic colleagues. Two things stood out. First, during these discussions, we would often say, The idea of a healthy building has been made too complicated. We know how to make buildings healthy. There are a few simple foundations.” This of course led to requests to name the foundations of a healthy building. In the ensuing discussion and debate we realized that we, the public health community, have failed to translate our research into actionable information; the richness of the public health literature was invisible to key decision-makers. Second, in these presentations and meetings we would often hear some variation of the refrain, Your research is very interesting, but I can’t take a scientific paper into my meeting on Monday and convince a building owner or manager to do things differently. I need a short summary.” Thus, the 9 Foundations project was born. Download the Report 健康建筑 9 项基本原理 Relevant Research Feb 23, 2021 Mechanistic transmission modeling of COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship demonstrates the importance of aerosol transmission Aerosol inhalation was likely the dominant contributor to COVID-19 transmission among passengers aboard the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. Moreover, close-range and long-range transmission likely contributed similarly to disease progression aboard the ship, with fomite transmission playing a smaller role. View Research Apr 22, 2020 Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity By the time you reach 80, you will have spent 72 years of your life indoors. Like it or not, humans have become an indoor species. This means that the people who design, build and maintain our buildings can have a major impact on our health. View Research Apr 26, 2024 Home indoor air quality and cognitive function over one year for people working remotely during COVID-19 View Research Apr 9, 2024 Mandating Indoor Air Quality for Public Buildings: A Vital Public Health Strategy View Research View More Research In The News Jan 9, 2023 HBR: Designing Buildings that Are Both Well-Ventilated and Green Read More Mar 10, 2021 HSPH: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health launches public health program for business leaders Read More Feb 20, 2024 Our Global Chemical Experiment Read More View More News Home Harvard.edu Linkedin Facebook Youtube Our Network ForHealth Home 9 Foundations COGFX Study COBE AppLab Homes Schools Firehouses Aviation ESG / SDGs Biophilic Design Materials Business Case COVID-19The Team Contact Us In The News Research Highlights Report Downloads The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building: Building Evidence For Health Schools For Health: Foundations for Student Success Homes for Health: 36 Expert Tips to Make Your Home a Healthier Home Building For Health: The Nexus of Green Buildings, Global Health, and U.N. Sustainability Development Goals © 2024 For Health Privacy Policy Download the Report × Please enter your name and email to download the report. Your Full Name Your Email Address* I have read and agree to this site’s privacy...