Facility Planning Part II
In this paper I will discuss the regulatory requirements and their effect on the design and equipment, Color selection implications and noise issues, type of equipment needed, electronic items needed, examination of budget planning and cost estimates, and description of the role of stakeholders in facility planning and development.
Hospitals are among the most regulated of all building types. Like other buildings, they must follow the local and/or state general building codes. However, federal facilities on federal property generally need not comply with state and local codes, but follow federal regulations. To be licensed by the state, design must comply with the individual state licensing regulations. Many states adopt the FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Health Care Facilities (WBDG, 2010).
State and local building codes are based on the model International Building Code. Federal agencies are usually in compliance with the IBC except NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), NFPA 70 (National Electric Code), and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ABAAG) or Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) takes precedence (WBDG, 2010).
Since hospitals treat patients who are reimbursed under Medicare, they must also meet federal standards, and to be accredited, they must meet standards of the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Generally, the federal government and JCAHO refer to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) model fire codes, including Standards for Health Care Facilities (NFPA 99) and the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) (WBDG, 2010).
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to all public facilities and greatly the building design with its general and specific accessibility requirements. The Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ABAAG) or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) apply to