UL Healthy Building event supports growing demand for healthy buildings

Top experts on indoor air quality were invited to share their perspectives on opportunities and challenges of healthy building industry in Vietnam

The above picture features Quang Do, Business Development director of GreenViet (first from left); Josh Jacobs, director of Environmental Codes & Standards, UL Environment & Sustainability (second from left); Nguyen Truong Hai, managing director of Saint- Gobain FGM South (second from right); and Phan Thu Hang, chairwoman of Vietnam Green Building Council (first from right).

Air pollution presents an enormous health risk to people around the world. A 2018 report from the World Health Organization reveals that nine out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. Both outdoor and indoor air pollution are responsible for about 7 million deaths globally each year. In the Western Pacific region alone, around 2.2 million people die each year.

In Vietnam, around 60,000 deaths a year are air pollution-related, according to WHO figures.

The above-mentioned thought leadership gathering provided an opportunity to share the latest findings and global trends on indoor air quality (IAQ) and other healthy building criteria and the financial and productivity benefits of commercial spaces that support occupant health.

The event included opening remarks from Phan Thu Hang, chairwoman of the Vietnam Green Building Council, and a best practices presentation from Josh Jacobs, director of Environmental Codes & Standards for UL. Additionally, a panel of experts on indoor air quality debated key metrics for evaluating IAQ and strategies for improving tenant health and well-being.

This programme in Vietnam is just one of many events UL is involved in to engage regions in the Asia-Pacific to encourage healthier buildings. UL and CBRE recently announced a strategic co-operation to jointly promote healthy buildings in China.

One programme that is critical to advancing occupant health and wellness is the Fitwel Certification. The leading global healthy building certification system, Fitwel, is dedicated to improving the health and sustainability of people, buildings, and communities. The Fitwel Healthy Building Certification System provides a wide range of tools for commercial real estate, residential properties, and communities to pursue and achieve healthier buildings.

With more than 2,700 global users, more than 340 buildings certified or in progress, and 732,000 people impacted, the Fitwel Certification programme is expanding quickly to meet the growing demand for healthy indoor spaces.

This rigorous science-based programme uses cross-functional approach to establishing criteria that support healthy buildings. The Fitwell programme is a collaborative effort driven by stakeholders in public health, design, development, research, and science.

Suitable for individual buildings, remodeling projects, or entire real estate portfolios, Fitwel Certification offers stakeholders an opportunity to pursue healthy buildings at scale. The programme gives both commercial and residential building owners and managers an opportunity to differentiate their properties, ensures occupants that their health is prioritised, and helps communities establish overall healthier indoor spaces.

With UL’s capabilities and expertise in IAQ including product emissions testing and certification, building assessments, and wellness certifications, the company partners with stakeholders to streamline Fitwel Certification.

UL is positioned to help building owners, managers, A&D communities, and product manufacturers in Vietnam jumpstart their efforts to achieve healthier buildings. To learn more, please contact: Lina.Ku@ul.com or Sam.Wei@ul.com.