By Mackenna Moralez

The demand for new buildings has put a spotlight on safety regulations and codes. Before occupancy, each building has to meet a certain regulations to ensure that it was built soundly and is accessible to the masses. Each time you pass through a door, a certain requirement had to be reached in order for the building to open. Healthcare Facilities Today talked with leading doors and hardware manufacturers on what guidelines they must follow in order to make it into new developments. 

What regulations must facilities managers follow with doors/hardware? What do they risk if they do not abide by them? 

“Doors and door hardware is very important. It is very important to get the right door and hardware for the application need. For example, with applications where clean rooms are to be used you will need a door that helps controls airborne particulate contamination including germs. 

Most entrances need doors that meet ADA requirements. Depending on the location of the entrance and traffic flow an automatic door with overhead presences sensors may be sufficient. For an entrance with little traffic an automatic swing door with a touchless switch may work better.” 

Ashley Estrada, product manager, Horton Automatics 

“All facility managers face both a common and unique set of codes and standards based on their geographic territory. The facilities team should be well versed in these requirements and should incorporate a best practices maintenance program to ensure ongoing compliance. Failure to do this can not only lead to fines and potential legal action but may cause unnecessary downtime and create dangerous safety issues at critical access points. 

Facilities managers should lean on industry associations like The Door and Hardware Institute and The Security Industry Association to be educational resources for their staff. Larger organizations might offer facilities teams specialized training through Learning Management Systems (LMS) to keep compliance and risk top of mind.” 

Paul Canon, industry leader – healthcare, SALTO Systems 

“Facilities Managers must abide by fire codes, local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), the Joint Commission, a variety of mental health and safety standards, and OSHA—and the list goes on. The risk is high, as they can lose their accreditation and business if they do not follow the most up to date standards and regulations. Facilities are competing for patients and must ensure they are maintaining safety and security.” 

Uriah Parker, Project Sales Manager – Midwest, Allegion 

Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor of Healthcare Facilities Today.