Fitwel Certification – how healthy buildings contribute to healthy communities

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impact our built environment has on our health and well-being, building certification systems have emerged to ensure that buildings are not just energy-efficient and sustainable, but also healthy and supportive of their occupants' physical, mental, and social health. One of the most innovative and comprehensive of these systems is Fitwel.

Fitwel was developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA) over a period of five years, based on a review of over 3,000 research studies on the link between building design and public health. In 2017, Fitwel implementation was awarded to the Center for Active Design, a New York-based nonprofit organization that developed the Active Design Guidelines which helped launch the global healthy building movement. Now, the Center for Active design administers Fitwel certification in over 35 countries.

The Fitwel system is based on a broad public health lens focused on community-scale well-being. It assesses buildings on their ability to provide a healthy environment for occupants and promote a healthy community, both environmentally and socially. Unlike other certification systems that may focus on specific aspects of health or sustainability such as energy efficiency or indoor air quality, Fitwel takes a holistic view that considers a broad range of factors that impact health, from access to healthy food to opportunities for physical activity to social equity and community engagement.

How does Fitwel work?

Fitwel offers over 60 evidence-based strategies that can be implemented to improve a building's health and wellness, which are organized into seven health impact categories:

1.    Impacts surrounding community health

2.    Reduces morbidity and absenteeism

3.    Instills feelings of well-being

4.    Supports social equity

5.    Enhances access to healthy foods

6.    Promotes occupant safety

7.    Increases physical activity

Each strategy is assigned a weighted value based on its strength of impact within these categories and the strength of the evidence base behind it. For example, incorporating safe street infrastructure not only supports physical activity by encouraging walking, but also reduces absenteeism, supports social equity for those who cannot afford a car, increases well-being, and supports surrounding community health.

Fitwel certification is applicable to portfolios, single buildings, and developments across many typologies, including existing or new construction, rehab or renovation, owned or leased spaces, campuses, single-story or multi-story buildings, multifamily housing, and senior housing properties.

There are two Fitwel certification pathways: design certification, which is available for new construction and major renovation projects once the design of the project is solidified and prior to the project being occupied, and built certification, which is available for existing or recently completed projects that are occupied and in use. This allows for a flexible certification timeline that can accommodate a variety of building types and project stages.

Would my property benefit from Fitwel certification?

From a business perspective, healthy building certifications can improve labor recruitment, retention, and productivity. 69% of workers are willing to trade other benefits for better workplaces, and the hybrid office model has increased demand for office amenities. A Fitwel certification is a clear indicator that certain standards have been met and can differentiate a building from competitors.

Fitwel certification can also improve building occupancy, as commercial properties with healthy building certifications lease more quickly than non-certified buildings and garner rental premiums between 4-7% higher than non-certified neighboring properties.

Furthermore, Fitwel allows for the incorporation of more facility management information into environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, which can give a competitive edge to commercial real estate property managers and investors.

Fitwel is one of the most approachable, flexible, and affordable building certification systems available. By focusing on people and how a sustainable, healthy environment affects people, we can find practical solutions to our environmental problems that can be implemented more quickly. Fitwel is an ideal entry point for certifying your buildings and demonstrating your commitment to sustainability and occupant health. 

What are the benefits of using a consultant during the Fitwel certification process?

There are several key reasons to use a consultant during Fitwel certification:

1.    Expertise and guidance: Fitwel certification is a complex process that involves evaluating a wide range of factors related to building design, operations, and policies. A consultant with experience in the certification process can provide valuable guidance on what steps need to be taken to achieve certification and can help you navigate the process more efficiently.

2.    Time and cost savings: While there is a cost associated with hiring a consultant, in many cases the savings in time and resources can more than offset the cost. A consultant can help you identify cost-effective solutions to meet Fitwel criteria and can help you avoid costly mistakes that could delay the certification process.

3.    Access to resources: Fitwel consultants have access to a wide range of resources related to the certification process, including tools, templates, and best practices. This can help companies achieve certification more efficiently and effectively.

4.    Objectivity: An external consultant can provide an objective perspective on the certification process, which can be especially valuable for companies that may be too close to the process to see potential challenges or areas for improvement.

5.    Showcasing your achievement: Having a consultant allows you to use this certification as an opportunity for a marketing push for your building. The consultant becomes intimately familiar with the highlights of your building and can provide press releases and other marketing materials tailored to your space and amenities, which can be used for years to come.

Overall, using a consultant during the Fitwel certification process can help companies achieve certification more efficiently, effectively, and cost-effectively. By providing expertise, guidance, and access to resources, consultants can help companies navigate the certification process with greater ease and confidence.

Contact Spring Forward for more information about how we can help you achieve Fitwel certification for your building or portfolio.

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