Modern buildings are expected to deliver far more than structural safety and visual appeal. They are increasingly expected to provide healthier air, cleaner water, thermal comfort and environments that support human wellbeing.
Building standards help define what good performance looks like.
However, many people are familiar with names such as WELL, LEED or ASHRAE without fully understanding what each standard actually covers, how they differ, or when they should be applied.
This article provides an overview of the most widely used standards related to indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and explains why they matter in real-world projects.
What Are Building Standards?
Building standards are technical documents developed by professional organizations, governments or industry bodies to establish consistent requirements for design, construction, operation and maintenance.
They provide common references for:
Indoor air quality
Ventilation
Thermal comfort
Water quality
Lighting
Acoustics
Energy performance
Occupant wellbeing1
Rather than replacing engineering judgement, standards provide measurable performance targets that help create safer, healthier and more reliable buildings.
Why Standards Matter
Well-designed standards help project teams:
Improve occupant comfort
Reduce health risks
Support consistent engineering decisions
Improve long-term building performance
Create comparable benchmarks between projects
For building owners, standards also provide greater confidence that systems are designed according to internationally recognised best practices.
Common Standards Related to Indoor Environmental Quality
ASHRAE
Developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
Widely recognised for:
Ventilation
Thermal comfort
HVAC design
Indoor air quality
WELL Building Standard
Focuses on human health and wellbeing.
Includes:
Air
Water
Nourishment
Light
Comfort
Mind
LEED
Primarily focuses on sustainable building performance.
Indoor environmental quality is one important component alongside energy, water and materials.
RESET
A performance-based certification focusing on continuous monitoring of indoor air quality.
Unlike many design-oriented standards, RESET places strong emphasis on real operational data.
ISO Standards
Provide internationally recognised technical frameworks covering topics such as:
Indoor air measurement
Water quality
Environmental management
Laboratory testing
Local Building Codes
Every country also develops national regulations and technical standards.
These provide minimum legal requirements while international standards often represent higher performance targets.
Standards Do Not Guarantee Good Buildings
Meeting a standard does not automatically create a healthy indoor environment.
Successful projects still depend on:
Good engineering design
Proper commissioning
Correct installation
Regular maintenance
Ongoing monitoring
Standards provide direction, but real performance depends on execution.
Choosing the Right Standard
Different projects require different priorities.
For example:
Residential homes may prioritise thermal comfort and indoor air quality.
Offices may focus on ventilation, productivity and acoustics.
Healthcare facilities require much stricter environmental controls.
Hospitality projects often combine comfort with operational efficiency.
Understanding project goals is often more important than simply selecting the most recognised certification.
Conclusion
Building standards provide valuable guidance for creating healthier, safer and better-performing indoor environments.
Understanding how these standards differ allows owners, designers and engineers to make more informed decisions throughout the building lifecycle.
As indoor environmental quality becomes increasingly important, standards will continue to play a central role in shaping the future of healthier buildings.
Further Reading
ASHRAE Standards
WELL Building Standard
LEED Certification
RESET Air Standard
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)