Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities
The Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities recommends minimum program, space, functional program, patient handling, infection prevention, architectural detail, and surface and furnishing needs for clinical and support areas of hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing and other residential care facilities. The document also addresses minimum engineering design criteria for plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. The Joint Commission, many federal agencies, and authorities in 42 states use the Guidelines either as a code or a reference standard when reviewing, approving, and financing plans; surveying, licensing, certifying, or accrediting newly constructed facilities; or developing their own codes.
The FGI Guidelines recommends minimum program, space, and equipment needs for clinical and support areas of hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing and other residential care facilities. The document also addresses minimum engineering design criteria for plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
2014 Guidelines Revision Cycle
The public proposal period to recommend updates to the 2010 edition of the nationally accepted Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities opened April 20, 2011, and closed October 31, 2011. The public's next opportunity to contribute to development of the content of the 2014 edition will come in late spring through fall 2012, during the public comment period on the draft 2014 document.
To learn more about the recently concluded proposal period, including a new chapter on critical access hospitals and subject matter slated for particular attention by the 2014 Health Guidelines Revision Committee, read the joint FGI-ASHE press release.
2010 Edition of the FGI Guidelines
For information about how to purchase the 2010 edition and about the content of the document, including an errata sheet and addenda to ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE 170 (incorporated into the 2010 edition), click the "2010 Edition" link in the column to the left. White papers on acoustic design for health care facilities, patient handling and movement assessments, and resources on architectural details, surfaces, and furnishings were published in conjunction with the 2010 edition as well as draft guidelines for critical access hospitals. To access these additional resources, click the white papers and draft guidelines link to the left.
Earlier Editions of the Guidelines
For information about ordering copies of the 2006 edition of the FGI Guidelines, please select the "2006 Edition" link from the list at left. To see earlier editions of the Guidelines, click the "Past Editions" link in the column to the left.
Questions? Click FAQs (frequently asked questions), the last link in the column to the left. If you don't find the answer you need, please e-mail info@fgiguidelines.org or call 312-422-3821.
