In every project phase, from concept to commissioning, consultants are tasked with making buildings perform better. But amid the visible improvements in lighting, layout, and finishes, one of the most powerful tools for performance remains unseen: the air. 

An Indoor Air Quality Assessment is the hidden tool every client needs, and every consultant should be offering. It not only uncovers the environmental realities of a space but also builds a measurable foundation for meeting building certification goals, improving Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and proving performance beyond compliance. 

Start Every Project with Proof, Not Assumptions 

Air quality is often assumed but rarely verified. An IAQ assessment brings science to those assumptions by using real-time monitoring to measure pollutants and comfort variables over days or weeks of normal operation. 

For consultants, it is an opportunity to: 

• Strengthen proposals with evidence-based insights instead of generic recommendations. 

• Validate design intent and ensure HVAC performance aligns with real occupancy patterns. 

• Support certification pathways such as WELL, LEED, and RESET with verifiable pollutant data. 

• Differentiate your expertise by turning invisible air conditions into tangible outcomes for clients. 

Reveal What the Building Is Really Telling You 

A full IAQ assessment includes four essential stages: 

1. Zone Selection – Identify representative areas where people spend the most time or where complaints arise. 

2. Sensor Deployment – Place monitors to capture PM2.5, CO₂, TVOCs, temperature, and humidity data continuously. 

3. Trend Review – Compare air behavior against occupancy and activity cycles to locate pollutant sources or ventilation inefficiencies. 

4. Action Planning – Translate data into targeted next steps, such as filter upgrades, cleaning protocols, or system adjustments, without unnecessary capital spend. 

This process provides a performance baseline that can inform both retrofit and new-build strategies, revealing how a building truly behaves beyond design intent. 

Connecting IAQ Data to Broader Building Goals 

For clients pursuing building certifications, IAQ data is often the missing link between intent and evidence. 

• WELL Building Standard relies on ongoing pollutant measurement for Air Concept verification. 

• LEED v4.1 awards credits for continuous monitoring, enhanced ventilation, and material transparency. 

• RESET Air uses sensor-based verification as a living benchmark of building health. 

As LEED v5 rolls out in select regions, the focus on occupant health, indoor environmental quality, and measurable performance will only strengthen, making verified air data even more valuable to design and certification strategies. 

Beyond certification, IAQ assessment data strengthens the larger story of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) by providing the measurable air component that complements acoustics, lighting, and comfort strategies. 

That is where providing a self-check tool to your client can help you start the conversation. 

Conversation Starter: IAQ Self-Check Tool 

Not every client is ready to commit to a full assessment immediately. Our IAQ Self-Assessment Guide helps consultants start the conversation and guides their clients to identify where conditions may be falling short. 

Download the quick-reference tool to evaluate: 

• Occupancy and system changes 

• Maintenance and monitoring visibility 

• Certification and health confidence goals 

[⬇️ Download the IAQ Self-Check Tool ] 

Use it to help clients take stock of current performance and open the door to a deeper evaluation. 

Turn Insight into Action 

Once your clients see the results of their self-check, the next step is turning awareness into action. A professional IAQ assessment provides verified data that helps: 

• Pinpoint problem zones before they escalate into comfort or compliance issues. 

• Optimize systems for both air quality and energy efficiency. 

• Document performance to support certification and ESG reporting goals. 

Real-world results show how impactful an IAQ Assessment can be. In the Brucker office, a short-term assessment revealed unexpected VOC patterns, not duct or particulate issues, leading to targeted mitigation that improved comfort and employee morale almost immediately. 
[Read how Brucker turned air quality concerns into confidence →]

By incorporating IAQ assessments into your process, you are not just solving a comfort issue. You are delivering measurable, lasting value. 

Partner with Fellowes to Deliver Proven Performance 

Fellowes helps bridge the gap between insight and action. Our team partners with consultants, engineers, and designers to make indoor air quality measurable, manageable, and meaningful. 

Through our IAQ Assessment Program, we deploy our Array Signal sensors, analyze pollutant and comfort data, and deliver clear, visual reporting tied to industry benchmarks. The results empower you to: 

• Present data-backed recommendations to your clients. 

• Quantify the impact of ventilation or purification strategies. 

• Build a compelling case for investment in healthier, higher-performing environments. 

When you are ready to move from findings to solutions, the  Fellowes Array® system extends that performance with continuous monitoring, localized purification, and centralized Viewpoint™ dashboards that make air quality visible and verifiable. 

With Fellowes as your IAQ partner, you can confidently help clients reach certification goals, meet ESG standards, and deliver spaces where health, comfort, and performance align. 

Empower your projects with data that performs. 
Start with a Fellowes IAQ Assessment and see how our design process helps transform insight into enduring performance. 

[See our Design Process →]