S2 E7 – Plumbing Standards and Health Care Facility Design

Introduction

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 and the ongoing efforts to enhance system resiliency and efficiency. 

About Christoph Lohr

Focused Leadership. Respected Energy. Results-Oriented Expertise. Christoph Lohr is IAPMO’s vice president of technical services and research. As part of his duties, he provides a systems-based approach to departmental leadership and strategy development, represents the organization in numerous committees and speaking engagements, and provide technical support to all IAPMO’s business units. Christoph has over a decade of experience in designing plumbing systems and has a reputation as a results-oriented expert, particularly in the realm of balancing waterborne pathogen prevention and water sustainability. He is a distinguished graduate from the Virginia Military Institute, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.   

 

 

Acronyms Mentioned 

FGI – Facility Guidelines Institute 

HGRC – Health Guidelines Revision Committee 

IAPMO – International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials 

HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 

ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers 

IATMO – International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (alternate spelling) 

UPC – Uniform Plumbing Code 

NFPA – National Fire Protection Association 

AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction 

ER – Emergency Room 

ICU – Intensive Care Unit 

MOU – Memorandum of Understanding 

NASEM – National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine 

ASPE – American Society of Plumbing Engineers 

WE•Stand – Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard 

ASSE – American Society of Sanitary Engineering 

 

Mentioned in this episode

Pete DeMarco 

Dave Biola 

Doug Erickson 

 

AIA self-reporting LUs

Facility Guidelines Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 38744124. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org). 

This learning program may be self-reported for LU credit through the AIA Continuing Education System. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA. 

To receive AIA self-reported LUs, learners must complete and self-report two of these entire learning programs for 1 LU. 

 

Sponsored by

American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE): Optimizing health care facilities

 

 

 

Transcript 

(Coming soon)