ASHE Planning, Design, and Construction Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI), what is the primary purpose of a functional program in the pre-design phase of a healthcare construction project?

Accepted Answer

To communicate the owner's intent, operational needs, and project scope to the design team.

Answer

The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) states that the primary purpose of the functional program is to communicate the owner's intent for the project to the design team, serving as the basis for design. It outlines the project's purpose, scope, operational requirements, and relationships between functional areas, rather than providing detailed schematics, securing funding, or selecting contractors.

Question 2

A hospital is renovating an area to create a new Airborne Infection Isolation (AII) room. According to ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170, which ventilation requirement is essential for this space?

Accepted Answer

Negative air pressure relative to adjacent areas with direct exhaust to the outdoors.

Answer

ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170 specifically requires Airborne Infection Isolation (AII) rooms to maintain negative air pressure to prevent airborne contaminants from spreading to adjacent areas. The air from these rooms must be exhausted directly to the outdoors or pass through a HEPA filter before being recirculated. Operating rooms require positive pressure, and the minimum air changes for an AII room is 12 ACH.

Question 3

During a multi-phase renovation project in an active hospital, which of the following is the most critical function of a properly implemented Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)?

Accepted Answer

To identify patient risk groups and define specific infection control precautions for construction activities.

Answer

The core purpose of an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) is to systematically identify the potential for construction activities to expose patients to infectious agents and to define the necessary precautions to mitigate that risk. This involves classifying the type of construction activity and identifying the level of risk to adjacent patient populations to determine the required level of control measures, such as barriers and negative air pressure.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the role of a multidisciplinary team during the planning and design phases of a new healthcare facility?

Accepted Answer

The team brings together clinicians, facility managers, architects, and engineers to ensure the design meets clinical, operational, and safety needs.

Answer

Effective healthcare design relies on a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. This team includes not just designers and engineers, but also end-users like nurses and doctors, as well as facilities staff. This collaboration ensures the final design is functional, safe, efficient, and supports the delivery of patient care, rather than focusing solely on one aspect like budget or code compliance.

Question 5

What is the primary goal of the commissioning (Cx) process for a newly constructed hospital wing?

Accepted Answer

To systematically verify and document that building systems perform according to the owner's project requirements and design intent.

Answer

Commissioning (Cx) is a quality assurance process that verifies and documents that all building systems (e.g., HVAC, electrical, medical gas) are planned, designed, installed, tested, and can be operated and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. It is not primarily focused on budget, aesthetics, or schedule acceleration, but on performance and functionality.

(ASHE) American Society for Health Care Engineering Certified Practice Test

(ASHE) American Society for Health Care Engineering Certified Practice Test

ASHE Planning, Design, and Construction Questions and Answers