E0 - Introduction to Between the Lines with FGI

The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) introduces a new series focused on the design and construction of healthcare and residential care facilities, emphasizing the "why" behind the codes that govern these spaces. Every four years, a multidisciplinary Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC)—comprising architects, clinicians, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs)—updates three distinct documents covering hospitals, outpatient clinics, and residential care settings. These guidelines address specific needs where "one size does not fit all," moving beyond broad building codes to ensure safety in specialized care environments. Future discussions will decode industry-heavy acronyms and explore the historical genesis of these standards, featuring insights from long-term committee members like Doug Erickson. By bridging the gap between technical regulations and real-world application, the series provides concrete background stories and professional context intended to assist project teams in creating safer, more effective care environments.