What Is the Fitwel Standard for Shading?
Fitwel is the world’s leading certification system committed to building health for all. Generated by expert analysis of 5,600+ academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being.
The Fitwel Certification was developed originally by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). It is now the standard for creating buildings that maintain and actively improve occupant health. Every building from retail to MDU’s to single-occupant homes can be awarded the Fitwel certification.
The Fitwel Certification awards a building a star rating from 1 to 3, based on these 7 categories for assessment:
- Impacts Surrounding Community Health
- Reduces Morbidity and Absenteeism
- Supports Social Equity for Vulnerable Populations
- Instills Feelings of Well-Being
- Enhances Access to Healthy Foods
- Promotes Occupant Safety
- Increases Physical Activity
Unlike the WELL Building standard, which just measures and monitors how features of the building affect health and wellbeing, the Fitwel Certification is aiming to make occupant health and safety a priority.
So What Does the Fitwel Certification Say About Shading?
The official Fitwel guidelines for shading in a multi-tenant building states that “operable shading increases the ability for occupants to control their own workplace, contributing to increased comfort and enhanced mental health“.
What this means in terms of your shading is that it must be able to be individually controlled by each occupant, whether that’s a single resident of an apartment or groups of workers in an office. The shading cannot be operated remotely by someone who is not occupying the space it’s fitted.
This would mean that any blinds or curtains controlled by a BMS (Building Management System) also need controls in each room that can override the BMS.
It also means that shading has to be dynamic and not fixed. Window film, brise soleil, louvers and overhangs/vertical fins are all examples of fixed shading that can’t be adjusted by the occupant, and so wouldn’t be Fitwel approved.
The Fitwel Standard also mentions ‘access to natural daylight’ and ‘views of nature’. Both of these factors are affected by your choice of shading. Daylight and views of nature have both been proven to reduce stress. This improves mental health and makes the building more enjoyable to work or live in.
What Shading System Should I Choose?
Even the most basic, chain-operated roller blind, like Solaris, complies with the Fitwel guidelines. This is because the blind can be adjusted by the occupant, independent from the other blinds or BMS. Pairing this system with a white-backed, sunscreen fabric would give you individual control, a view out and heat control.
If you did want a motorised system that could still be individually controlled, try radio motors. These motors can be operated in groups or individually, depending on how the remote is programmed. This gives the occupant flexible control over their shading.
You could even use a blackout system if that was a requirement for your customer. A complete blackout system such as KuroLok offers up to 100% light protection and privacy, ideal for cinema rooms or rooms with lots of screens e.g conference rooms or meeting rooms.
The benefit of using this system as opposed to window film or tinting is that the blind can be opened when not in use for a view out. Controlled either by chain, crank or radio motors, these blinds would be compliant with the Fitwel standard.
For more information on making sure you’re blinds or curtains meet the Fitwel standard, get in touch. We can advise on everything from system type, control options and even which fabric to choose.