S3 E3 — The Code Ahead: A Preview to the 2026 FGI Residential Code
Release Date: 01/30/2026
S3 E3 — The Code Ahead: A Preview to the 2026 FGI Residential Code
Between the Lines with FGI
In this episode of Between the Lines with FGI, John Williams and Marissa Lamperis Kastrinos introduce the first installment of a three-part series that focuses on each of the documents in the 2026 FGI Codes, starting with the Residential document. Marissa and John welcome Addie Abushousheh, Gaius G. Nelson, and John Shoesmith, the chairs of the Residential Document Group of the 2026 Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC), who provide an inside look at the key changes to the 2026 FGI Code for Planning and Design of Residential Care and Support Settings, as well as their...
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S3 E2 – The Code We Live In: A Family’s Journey Through Hospital Design
Between the Lines with FGI
In this episode of Between the Lines with FGI, John Williams and Marissa Lamperis Kastrinos welcome back our beloved co-host, Bridget McDougall, as she continues to navigate an unexpected and challenging chapter in her family’s life: caring for her 8-year-old son following the sudden onset of acute psychiatric symptoms. Bridget’s journey included repeated crises, multiple hospitalizations, and countless hours in health care spaces—giving her a unique, firsthand perspective on how the built environment can aid or hinder healing. While the conversation focuses on the intersection of the...
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S3 E1 – Safe by Design: Proactive Maintenance for Code and Care
Between the Lines with FGI
In the Season 3 opener of Between the Lines with FGI, cohosts John Williams and Marissa Lamperis Kastrinos sit down with Jonathan Flannery, MHSA, CHFM, FASHE, FACHE, senior associate director, American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) and Mark Mochel, MBA, CHFM, SASHE, ACABE, strategic account executive at Brightly, A Siemens Company, to unpack one of health care’s most overlooked challenges—deferred maintenance. Together, they explore how proactive infrastructure investment can enhance patient safety, reduce long-term costs, and foster collaboration across design,...
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S3 Kickoff - What’s New with Joint Commission: Recorded at HFIC!
Between the Lines with FGI
In this episode of Between the Lines with FGI, cohosts John Williams and Marissa Lamperis Kastrinos are joined by ASHE’s Leah Hummel and Chad Beebe for a conversation recorded live at HFIC. The discussion focuses on the Joint Commission’s upcoming consolidation of standards, set to take effect in 2026, and what these changes mean for health care facilities. Leah and Chad explain the addition of the new National Performance Goals chapter, the Commission’s unique ability to respond quickly to critical safety concerns, and how high-profile incidents can influence survey priorities. They...
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S2 E8 – MRI Quench Pipes: Engineering Challenges and Safety Solutions
Between the Lines with FGI
In this episode, Toby Gilk returns to discuss the intriguing and complex world of MRI technology. Learn about the role of superconductivity in MRI machines, the potential hazards of quench pipes, and the importance of proper design to prevent catastrophic failures. Toby explains how superconductivity allows MRI machines to operate efficiently without continuous power but also introduces risks if not managed correctly. Hear about real-world examples of quench pipe failures and the engineering solutions that mitigate these dangers, and gain insights into the latest advancements in MRI technology...
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S2 E7 – Plumbing Standards and Health Care Facility Design
Between the Lines with FGI
In this episode of Between the Lines with FGI, host John Williams interviews Christoph Lohr, vice president of technical services and research at IAPMO and the plumbing task group chair for the 2026 Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC). Their discussion explores the complexities and challenges of plumbing systems in health care facilities, emphasizing the importance of water quality and safety. Christoph also highlights the collaborative efforts between IAPMO and FGI to improve plumbing standards and codes. Listeners will gain insights into the critical role of plumbing in health care...
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S2 E6 – Accommodating Individuals of Size in Health Care
Between the Lines with FGI
In this episode of Between the Lines with FGI, cohosts John Williams and Bridget McDougall sit down with Dr. Marie Martin from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss the critical topic of safe patient handling and mobility. Dr. Martin shares her journey and insights into the development of guidelines and practices that ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and caregivers. Learn about the importance of accommodating individuals of all sizes in health care environments and the innovative solutions being implemented to address these needs. This episode is packed with...
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S2 E5 – Surfaces in Health Care Settings + Evidence-Based Design
Between the Lines with FGI
This episode of Between the Lines with FGI focuses on optimizing surface materials in health care and residential care design. Cohosts John Williams and Bridget McDougall discuss the importance of surface materials in health care settings with Laurie Waggener, the Director of Research for Healthcare at Page. Laurie explains her role in ensuring evidence-based architectural processes and shares insights on the impact of surface materials on patient care, including durability, maintenance, and safety. The discussion also covers the use of UVC radiation for disinfection, the importance of...
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S2 E4 – MRI Safety and the Built Environment
Between the Lines with FGI
After listening to this episode, you’ll understand why guest Tobias (Toby) Gilk says, “The physics associated with MRI scanners is so otherworldly and so profoundly different from our daily experience interacting with the world that everything seems magic associated with this particular imaging modality.” The profound differences with MRI don’t stop with just the physics; there are a host of built environment considerations for the spaces that house MRIs as well as operational implications for patient and staff safety. Toby gives a quick lesson on how MRIs work, shares a story of how...
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S2 E3 – Changes Ahead: Intellectual Property Rights and the Future of the Guidelines
Between the Lines with FGI
There’s a seismic shift happening in the codes and standards development legal landscape as courts back away from the longstanding precedent of protecting copyrights. As a result, some entities now post what was protected content, seemingly in partnership with standards development organizations, in order to sell their own products. In reality, standards development organizations like FGI have no oversight on how their code content is used outside of its own platforms and publications. CEO Heather Livingston discusses FGI’s unusual approach to making sure that everyone involved in health...
info_outlineIn this episode of Between the Lines with FGI, John Williams and Marissa Lamperis Kastrinos introduce the first installment of a three-part series that focuses on each of the documents in the 2026 FGI Codes, starting with the Residential document.
Marissa and John welcome Addie Abushousheh, Gaius G. Nelson, and John Shoesmith, the chairs of the Residential Document Group of the 2026 Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC), who provide an inside look at the key changes to the 2026 FGI Code for Planning and Design of Residential Care and Support Settings, as well as their inspiration for leading these changes.
The 2026 FGI Residential Code provides baseline requirements for the planning, design, and construction of nursing homes, hospice facilities, assisted living settings, residential behavioral and mental health treatment facilities, long-term residential substance use disorder facilities, settings for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, adult day care and adult day health care facilities, wellness centers, and outpatient rehabilitation therapy facilities. This episode discusses additions and revisions to the 2026 FGI Residential Code, including clearer language addressing dining spaces, resident room capacity, and small-scale environments.
This trio of experts shed light on the revision process of the FGI Codes/Guidelines through the HGRC and industry perspectives that shaped the outcomes. They discuss the major shift in how information is delivered through FGI’s new approach to providing both code requirements and advisory guidance.
Sponsored by:
American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE): Optimizing health care facilities
Link to show notes: https://fgiguidelines.org/podcast/s3-e3-the-code-ahead-a-preview-to-the-2026-fgi-residential-code/
Take a deeper dive into the 2026 FGI Residential Code
An on-demand webinar is available at FGI University that breaks down the specific updates mentioned in this episode, plus additional context and practical takeaways, directly from the chairs of the Residential Document Group of the 2026 Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC).
Earn CEUs Anytime with FGI University and Between the Lines with FGI:
Gain even more insight with the extended version of this episode while earning continuing education units (CEUs)! Head over to FGIUniversity.org our educational platform for the FGI Codes/Guidelines, and explore CEU- and HSW-approved audio courses designed to make earning credits effortless—perfect for learning on the go.
To make it even better, use promo code BTL10 at checkout to get 10% off any Between the Lines with FGI course and the on-demand webinar for the 2026 FGI Residential Code. Listen, learn, and save today.
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Author: Facility Guidelines Institute