Hospital Construction Standards Rules Project: 2022-Facilities Guidelines
- Background
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Hospital licensing construction standards set minimum requirements for new construction and renovation of licensed hospitals. Healthcare design and construction processes are complex and highly specialized. The design and construction industry constantly evolves to include new materials, technologies and methods. It is in the interest and safety of the public and the healthcare system to have facilities designed to the most current standards.
On July 18, 2023, the Department of Health's (department) Office of Community Health Systems, Construction Review Services unit officially filed a CR-101 (pre-proposal statement of inquiry) with the Office of the Code Reviser to open chapter 246-320 WAC (construction standards only) for possible modification, WSR #12-15-082. As part of this process, the department has also withdrawn an outdated CR-101, filed in August 2018 as WSR 18-17-045. This rulemaking process will consider aligning our state licensing standards with current national construction standards. Potential rules revisions would allow facilities and designers to use new construction methods and technologies.
- Important Dates, Documents, and Information
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- July 18, 2023 – chapter 246-320 WAC—Hospital Licensing (construction standards only) CR-101 is filed with the Code Reviser's Office.
- October 9, 2023 - "Rule Development Kick-off Meeting."
- October 27, 2023 – “Major Changes to FGI Guidelines 2014-2022”
- January 11, 2024 – Public Workshop 1 for Hospital Licensing Construction Standards
- March 21, 2024 – Public Workshop 2 for Hospital Licensing Construction Standards
- First Draft WAC Chap 246-320 WAC Hospital Construction Standards (PDF)
- FGI Significant Changes from 2014 to 2018
- 2018 Major Additions and Revisions (PDF) (fgiguidelines.org)
- FGI Benefits vs. Cost Analysis 2014 to 2018
- 2018 Guidelines Benefit-Cost Analysis - Facility Guidelines Institute (fgiguidelines.org)
- FGI Benefits vs. Cost Analysis 2018 to 2022
- 2022 FGI Guidelines Benefit-Cost Analysis - Facility Guidelines Institute
- FGI Significant Changes from 2018 to 2022
- 2022 Major Additions and Revisions (PDF) (fgiguidelines.org)
The Department's rule-making process
Communications
To receive updates via email about draft and proposed rules changes and other important messages from Construction Review Services (CRS), join the Construction Review Gov Delivery (previously known as the CRS Listserv).
Contacts
- CRS main phone line: 360-236-2944
- John Williams, executive director of Construction Review Services
Quick Links
Applying to CRS | Applications | Certificate of Need (CoN) | Desk Reference Manuals | Local AHJ (courtesy of WABO) | Plan Review Fee