Tower Earns UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Air

Whether it’s wildfire smoke, seasonal allergens, or everyday air quality concerns, the importance of healthy indoor environments has never been clearer. The Tower Companies has long believed that building performance extends beyond energy efficiency to include the health and well-being of the people inside.

 

That commitment is reinforced by once again earning the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Air across Tower’s managed portfolio, a distinction we have maintained annually since 2021. This third-party verification confirms that Tower’s buildings are designed and operated to support healthier indoor environments through rigorous standards for ventilation, filtration, HVAC performance, and indoor air quality. For office clients and multifamily residents alike, it provides added confidence that our spaces are designed to support comfort, well-being, and day-to-day performance.

 

A Portfolio-Wide Commitment to Healthy Buildings 

While many buildings treat healthy building strategies as one-off projects or minimum compliance efforts, The Tower Companies embeds indoor air quality, sustainability, and operational performance into its portfolio-wide standard of care. Through third-party verification, air quality testing and inspections twice a year, and an annual recertification process, Tower demonstrates that healthier indoor environments are central to how its buildings are managed and how long-term value is created for occupants, clients, and ownership.

The Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Air applies across a diverse portfolio of office and residential properties in Washington, DC, and Maryland, including: 

The Millennium Building

1828 L Street NW

1707 L Street Nw

2000 Tower Oaks Blvd

The Tower Building

BLair Office Building

The Pearl at The Blairs District

Blair East

Blair Plaza

Blair House

Blair Towns

By pursuing verification across the portfolio, Tower shows that healthier indoor environments are not one-off achievements, but part of how we operate every day.

What the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark Means 

The UL Verified Healthy Building Mark is a science-based, independent review of indoor environmental quality. For the Indoor Air designation, UL evaluates building operations, HVAC performance, ventilation, filtration, and indoor air quality practices to confirm that buildings meet rigorous standards and have plans in place for continual improvement. 

Focus on Indoor Air Quality 

Indoor air quality is one of the clearest ways a building affects occupant experience. This verification confirms that Tower’s buildings are supported by practices that help deliver cleaner, well-managed indoor environments—an important differentiator for employers focused on workplace quality and for residents seeking healthier homes. 

That translates into tangible value for occupants: 

  • Healthier everyday environments: Building systems and air quality practices are reviewed to support comfort and well-being. 
  • Greater confidence: Independent verification gives office clients and residents added assurance that performance claims are backed by outside review. 
  • Ongoing performance: The program includes annual assessments and mid-year surveillance to help ensure standards are maintained over time. 

What We Test For 

As part of the annual indoor environmental quality inspections, UL Solutions evaluates a range of contaminants and environmental conditions tied to occupant health, comfort, and HVAC performance. The thresholds below must be achieved in order to earn certification.

Parameter UL / Referenced Threshold 
Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 15 µg/m3 
Carbon dioxide (CO2) Outdoor level + 700 ppm  
Carbon monoxide (CO) 3.5 ppm 
Formaldehyde 0.08 ppm 
Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) 500 µg/m3 (approximately 0.3 ppm) 
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 0.25 ppm 
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 0.20 ppm 
Ozone (O3) 0.05 ppm 
Relative humidity 65% upper limit 
Temperature Approximately 68–75°F in winter; 73–79°F in summer 
These thresholds draw from a combination of recognized public health and industry standards—including WHO, ASHRAE, and ACGIH—as well as UL’s own internal comfort and ventilation guidelines, depending on the parameter. 

In every annual inspection, these parameters are checked throughout our buildings, and full recertification under the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Air can only be achieved when the building’s performance complies with these guidelines 

Aligning Health, Sustainability, and Performance 

The UL Verified Healthy Building Mark complements Tower’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes LEED, ENERGY STAR, Fitwel, and other high-performance building certifications. Together, these efforts reflect a more complete view of building performance—one that values both environmental performance and occupant well-being. 

In a market where health claims are common, independent verification matters. The UL mark helps distinguish Tower’s portfolio by providing credible, third-party confirmation of healthy indoor air practices that support leasing, resident confidence, and long-term asset value. 

A Commitment That Continues

 The UL Verified Healthy Building Mark is not a one-time achievement. This certification is renewed annually through ongoing assessments and surveillance, reinforcing continuous performance rather than a one time achievement., our portfolio will continue to undergo regular assessments to help ensure these standards are maintained. 

As expectations for healthier buildings continue to rise, Tower remains focused on delivering spaces that combine sustainability, operational excellence, and a better everyday experience for the people who use them. 

At Tower, healthier buildings are not just a goal—they are a standard supported by independent verification and continuous improvement.

Tower’s Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

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