FGI Imaging Department Requirements: Room Sizes, Shielding, and Support Spaces (2010 Edition)

400 square feet. That is the minimum clear floor area of a cardiac catheterization procedure room under the FGI 2010 Guidelines §2.2-3.5.2.2(1)(b). This article states what the 2010 edition says about hospital diagnostic and interventional imaging (§2.2-3.4 and §2.2-3.5), separates binding text from the advisory appendix, and gives air-change rates from ASHRAE/ASHE 170-2008 as printed in FGI 2010. It states no values from the 2006 edition.

Which FGI edition applies to your project?

Every value below is from the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities and the ASHRAE/ASHE 170-2008 table printed in it. That is not the current edition. The FGI 2026 edition has been released (fgicodes.org: “2026 Edition is Here!”), and states adopt different editions (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). Imaging requirements, especially for MRI, have changed between editions, so section numbers, areas and air-change rates may not match. Ask the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) which edition is adopted and confirm each number there.

Key imaging numbers at a glance

Binding text uses “shall”; appendix text uses “should” or “may” and is advisory.

What room sizes does FGI 2010 set for imaging suites?

FGI 2010 §2.2-3.4.1.1 requires equipment and space as necessary for the functional program. Appendix A2.2-3.4.1.1 adds that layouts should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations because area requirements vary from machine to machine, and that rooms can be sized larger to allow upgrading. For most modalities the binding text sets no area: radiography rooms are “of a size to accommodate the functional program” (§2.2-3.4.3.1) and the appendix gives 180, 250 and 100 sq ft for radiography, tomography/R&F and mammography as advisory figures. The binding sizes in the imaging cluster are CT clearances (3 ft clear on three sides of the table), the 120 sq ft ultrasound room with 3 ft clear on three sides, and the 400 sq ft cath procedure room.

Interventional imaging (§2.2-3.5) covers cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology, interventional angiography, stenting and device implantation. Cath labs are normally a separate suite, but may be in the imaging suite with an appropriate sterile environment, and combination with angiography is permitted in low-usage situations identified by the functional program (§2.2-3.5.2.1). Electrophysiology labs comply with all the cath lab requirements (§2.2-3.5.3.2).

What does FGI 2010 require for radiation protection?

Under §2.2-3.4.1.3 a certified physicist or other qualified expert representing the owner or appropriate state agency specifies the type, location and amount of radiation protection, in accordance with the final approved department layout and equipment selections. Radiation protection requirements are incorporated into the specifications and the building plans ((2)). Where protected alcoves with view windows are required, a minimum of 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) is provided between the exposure control and the outside partition edge ((1)).

Each x-ray room includes a shielded control alcove, and omission is permitted for mammography machines with built-in operator shielding when approved by the certified physicist or state radiation protection agency (§2.2-3.4.3.4(1)). The alcove’s view window gives full view of the examination table and the patient at all times, including when the table is tilted or the chest x-ray is in use ((2)). The floor is adequate for load requirements, and a lay-in ceiling is permitted to be considered for ease of installation, service and remodeling (§2.2-3.4.1.4).

What does an MRI suite require?

FGI 2010 §2.2-3.4.4 no longer sets a scanner room area range. The MRI suite is sized for the functional program and the manufacturer’s minimum technical siting requirements (§2.2-3.4.4.1(1)), and the scanner room is large enough for the equipment and the clearances the manufacturer recommends ((3)). The suite and the spaces around, above and below are designed to facilitate adherence to U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements that prevent unscreened individuals from entering the 5-gauss (0.5 millitesla) volume around the equipment ((2)).

The suite follows the four-zone screening and access control protocols of the American College of Radiology’s “Guidance Document for Safe MR Practices” (§2.2-3.4.4.2(1)). The layout provides for patient interviews and clinical screening, physical screening and changing areas as indicated, ferromagnetic detection systems, access control, and site-specific clinical and operational requirements ((2)). An anteroom visible from the control room sits outside the scanner room, outside the restricted areas of the magnetic field, so everyone passes through it before the scanning area and control room ((3)). Any area at or above 5 gauss is physically restricted by key locks or pass-key locking systems ((4)).

Other binding items: a control room with full view of the patient in the scanner and a console positioned for a full view of the scanner room entrance (§2.2-3.4.4.3); hand-washing stations convenient to the scanner room but not required in it (§2.2-3.4.4.4); a patient preparation, holding and recovery area (§2.2-3.4.4.5); a computer room (§2.2-3.4.4.6); power conditioning as indicated by the manufacturer and site conditions, and magnetic shielding where field hazards cannot be controlled through planning (§2.2-3.4.4.7(1)-(2)); cryogen venting, emergency exhaust and passive pressure relief per the manufacturer for superconducting scanners ((3)); RF-shielded assemblies; a lighted red sign when the magnet is on; and an insulated cryogen quench exhaust pipe with room exhaust and pressure equalization (§2.2-3.4.4.8). Appendix sizes are advisory: control room 100 sq ft, computer room 150 to 380 sq ft, cryogen storage 50 sq ft. Appendix A2.2-3.4.4.7(2) notes that magnetic shielding can often be avoided in new construction through suite planning.

What are the requirements for cardiac catheterization and interventional labs?

The cath lab procedure room has a minimum clear floor area of 400 sq ft (37.16 m²), and the number of procedure rooms follows expected utilization (§2.2-3.5.2.2(1)). Support areas (§2.2-3.5.6) include a control room or area large enough for the x-ray and image-recording equipment, with a view window giving full view of the patient from the control console; a patient preparation, holding and recovery area arranged for visual observation, with cubicles of at least 80 sq ft, 5 ft between beds and 4 ft between beds and adjacent walls; scrub facilities with hands-free controls adjacent to and outside the entrance of procedure rooms; a viewing room; an electrical equipment room; and clean and soiled workrooms. Staff change areas are arranged so personnel can enter from outside the suite, change clothing and move directly into the cath suite (§2.2-3.5.7.1).

What support spaces does the imaging department require?

FGI 2010 §2.2-3.4.6 through §2.2-3.4.8 list the common support spaces as minimum requirements unless stated otherwise. Highlights:

• A hand-washing station within the procedure room, unless the room is used only for routine screening such as chest x-rays where the patient is not physically handled by staff (§2.2-3.4.3.5).
• Where a fluoroscopic room has a dedicated toilet, a patient can leave the toilet without reentering the fluoroscopic room (§2.2-3.4.3.2); the CT patient toilet is similarly arranged (§2.2-3.4.2.3).
• Contrast media preparation with a sink, counter and storage where contrast media are mixed; one room may serve any number of rooms (§2.2-3.4.6.14).
• Soiled holding with separate provisions for contaminated handling and hand-washing stations (§2.2-3.4.6.10); locked medication storage (§2.2-3.4.6.7); image storage, active and inactive (§2.2-3.4.6.15).
• Film processing and quality control areas where film systems are used (§2.2-3.4.6.12-13).
• Staff toilets internal to the suite in suites of three or more procedure rooms (§2.2-3.4.7.2).
• A patient waiting area out of traffic and under staff control, with separate waiting areas screened for visual privacy if outpatients and inpatients are routinely served at the same time (§2.2-3.4.8.1).

What are the ventilation requirements for imaging rooms?

If an ICRA determines it, the diagnostic imaging waiting area gets enhanced general ventilation and air disinfection similar to inpatient AII room requirements (§2.2-3.4.8.1(4)). The air-change rates below are from ASHRAE/ASHE 170-2008 Table 7-1 as printed in FGI 2010 Part 6. Later ASHRAE 170 versions have different tables.

Which errors should you check for in imaging drawings?

1. Radiation protection not in the plans. §2.2-3.4.1.3(2) requires it in the specifications and building plans.
2. Control alcove clearance measured from the view window. The 2010 text measures 3 ft 6 in from the exposure control to the outside partition edge.
3. Missing shielded control alcove in an x-ray room (§2.2-3.4.3.4), unless the mammography exception is approved.
4. Sizing the MRI room from a generic range. The 2010 text ties size to the manufacturer’s siting requirements and clearances, with a four-zone layout and an anteroom visible from the control room.
5. CT table clearance. 3 ft clear on three sides of the table, and the door swing cannot encroach on it.
6. Staff toilets omitted in suites of three or more procedure rooms (§2.2-3.4.7.2).
7. Using 2010 values without checking the adopted edition.