WELL v2 has the strictest PM2.5 limit of the four (15 µg/m³ as a precondition), RESET Air sets daily averages for continuously monitored PM2.5, CO₂ and TVOC, and Al Sa’fat requires indoor air quality testing before occupancy and in existing buildings. One well-planned continuous monitoring system can serve WELL, RESET and Dubai’s EIAQI together.
Which standard has the strictest PM2.5 limit?
| Parameter | WELL v2 | RESET Air | Al Sa’fat | Dubai Municipality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 | ≤ 15 µg/m³ (A01) | < 35 µg/m³; high performance < 12 | — | 35 µg/m³ (24 h) |
| PM10 | ≤ 50 µg/m³ (A01) | — | < 150 µg/m³ | 150 µg/m³ (24 h) |
| CO₂ | < 900 or < 750 ppm (A06 option) | < 1,000; high performance < 600 ppm | < 800 ppm; alarm > 1,000 | 800 ppm (8 h) |
| TVOC | ≤ 500 µg/m³ (monitoring option) | < 500; high performance < 400 µg/m³ | < 300 µg/m³ | 0.6 mg/m³ (8 h) |
| Formaldehyde | ≤ 50 µg/m³ | — | < 0.08 ppm | 0.01 ppm (8 h) |
Which standards need continuous monitoring?
RESET Air is built on continuous monitoring of PM2.5, CO₂, TVOC, temperature and humidity, with certification after three consecutive months within limits (v2.0). WELL uses performance testing plus optional monitoring features such as A08. Dubai’s EIAQI expects continuous IoT monitoring. Al Sa’fat is based on periodic testing.
What does Al Sa’fat require for indoor air quality testing?
Clause 401.06 requires testing in new buildings before occupancy; 401.07 covers existing buildings such as hotels, malls, education, government and healthcare facilities, with re-testing within 5 years of the last compliant test. Testing is by specialised companies or laboratories with calibrated equipment.
Can one monitoring system serve several standards?
Yes, if it is planned for the strictest requirement: monitors that log PM2.5, PM10, CO₂, TVOC, temperature and humidity (plus formaldehyde where needed), with the density WELL asks for, RESET-recognised hardware, and data retention that meets the EIAQI.
What about Abu Dhabi and Qatar?
Abu Dhabi projects use Estidama Pearl ratings and Qatar projects use GSAS. Both include indoor environmental quality credits; check the current documents for exact thresholds before design.
Frequently asked questions
How long does RESET certification take?
RESET Air v2.0 requires three consecutive months of data within its limits.
Is WELL stricter than Dubai Municipality on PM2.5?
Yes. WELL’s precondition is 15 µg/m³, compared with Dubai Municipality’s 35 µg/m³ 24-hour limit.
Does HawaQ certify buildings?
No. We provide the monitoring, testing data and documentation support that certification consultants and assessors use.
Sources
- International WELL Building Institute, WELL Building Standard v2 (2020 edition): A01, A06, A08.
- RESET Air Standard for Commercial Interiors v2.0, and v2.1 draft (2023).
- Al Sa’fat – Dubai Green Building System, Version 2.0 (2020): 401.06, 401.07, 502.02.
- Dubai Municipality, Technical Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality for Healthy Life (DM-HSD-GU119-IAQ, Version 4, December 2024): Table 2.
- Dubai Municipality, Environmental Indoor Air Quality Index (EIAQI), DM-HSD-GU141-IAQI2, Version 1 (14 February 2025).
This guide explains public standards in plain language. It is not legal advice; check the current version of each document for compliance decisions.