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The Fitwel certification system was created by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the General Services
Administration (GSA) and experts in public health and design over
a five-year process. GSA led a pilot test of the certification on 89
buildings randomly selected from its portfolio of buildings.
According to Center for Active Design president and CEO Joanna
Frank, more than 90 projects have been submitted for certification
since Fitwel’s launch and there are more than 600 planned projects
through 2018.

Fitwel employs a user-friendly, web-based scorecard to score
and certify how buildings promote health. “They’re meant to be
(completed) by the people who run the building, with a minimum
involvement of outside consulting firms,” Smiciklas says.

One-, two-, three-star ratings

A number of criteria are examined – from accessibility to walkable
neighborhoods and public transit to the availability of healthy food
and beverages onsite and the design and visibility of stairwells.
A Fitwel rating of one, two or three stars may be obtained once the
building is submitted for certification.
The Center for Active Design believes Fitwel certified buildings may
result in a number of improvements in employee wellness including
lower health care costs, lower rates of absenteeism and increased
revenue from enhanced employee performance.
Smiciklas says BOMA Canada has already received inquiries from
members with portfolios of office buildings who would like to apply
for Fitwel certification.

The Fitwel certification costs about US $6,000 (CDN $7,942).
Smiciklas says.

The Fitwel certification “should lead to healthier

buildings and better health for the occupants,”

says John Smiciklas, Director, Energy and Environment at BOMA Canada.

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