Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.
Issue link: https://mcdmag.epubxp.com/i/827184
MCDM AG.COM | M AY/ J U N E 2017 | Medical Construction & Design 53 and creates the appearance of a free and more relaxed atmosphere. For example, if a proxim- ity card is required to gain en- trance to a ward, the health- care facility can eliminate obtrusive security devices by using a proxy reader built into the hardware trim. The strict security requirements are still in place, but they are now hidden from sight or re- placed with decorative trim. Generally, doorways need special consideration to meet challenges found only in healthcare settings. Wide doors hung on swing-clear hinges are needed to create enough room for gurneys, beds and equipment carts to be easily wheeled through cross-corridor doors and into and out of patient rooms. Push/pull latches (e.g., hos- pital latches) allow health- care personnel to access the patient room with a simple nudge from the body or a gentle pull, which is an ideal feature for nurses or other workers carrying trays or armloads of supplies. Protective plating is another necessity to prevent the doors from being nicked or scratched from wheeled carts, mops, brooms and gen- eral use. Using low-pressure laminate doors with scratch resistance can lend additional protection from abuse, while also providing a wider range of fi nishes from which to choose. Sustainability considerations Sustainable building practic- es are the new norm. Doors, frames and hardware can help facilities address specifi c sections of these building standards without stray- ing from Evidenced-Based Design principles. Doorways can boost en- ergy effi ciency by improving building envelope thermal performance. This can be accomplished with doors and hardware designed to block heat/cold transfer, including: > insulated doors > thermal-brake frames > kerf frames > gaskets/weatherstripping Interior doorways also off er opportunities to lower energy consumption. Just as LED technology is revolu- tionizing lighting, power over ethernet locks are drastically reducing the energy con- sumption of electronic access control systems. PoE locks are particularly energy effi cient compared to other elec- tronic access control locking solutions, off ering the lowest power consumption com- pared to typical EAC devices. Sound transmission Doors with high sound transmission control ratings go hand-in-hand with sound control measures expected in many building applications where sound containment is a must, particularly in healthcare facilities. While STC-rated doors have always been available, traditional higher-rated versions have been constructed with mas- sive materials resulting in a fi nished product that tips the scales around 300 pounds — a very heavy door to operate. It is also a signifi cant load for the overall opening, requiring heavy-duty hinges, as well as a more laborious installation process. Experimentation with diff erent construction materi- als and processes has led to lighter-weight doors that can carry the same STC ratings as their heavier counterparts. These lighter doors can be hung with standard weight hinges and do not require any more installation eff ort than that of a regular door. Acoustical doors range from 7 to 22.9 pounds/square foot. Some acoustical doors come with strong warnings to keep hands and feet clear of the pathway when open- ing or closing the door. The new technology associated with lighter-weight acousti- cal doors not only increases operational safety, but also generates savings related to door shipping, handling and installation procedures. Lightweight acousti- cal doors provide a huge advantage and convenience for contractors during ship- ping and handling of doors at the jobsites. Additionally, lightweight doors also eliminate the need and cost for heavy-duty hinges during installation. When installing multiple openings on a job, using lightweight acoustical doors amounts to large sav- ings, just on hinges alone. Design continuum Since durable, commercial- grade doors and locks are becoming increasingly available with stylish ac- cents, architects can easily incorporate doorways into a building's overall design ele- ment. This makes it possible to have consistency of design throughout the entire struc- ture. Therefore, if an execu- tive offi ce or pharmacy suite needs tight access control, the architect can proceed and use a mortise lock with a creden- tial reader without worrying the hardware on those par- ticular doors will stand out or look diff erent from those on other openings. Healthcare facilities have come a long way in function- ality and looks. So too have commercial-grade doors and hardware. Technological advances have given locks the capability to meet the most diverse security and life-safe- ty needs of a facility. Greater attention to aesthetics has given architects more design options. The aforementioned features make it possible to design a facility that is safe, secure and aesthetically pleasing. Mike Tierney is standards coordina- tor for The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association. Since durable, commercial-grade doors and locks are becoming increasingly available with stylish accents, architects can easily incorporate doorways into a building's overall design element. Photo: Aspenphoto/Dreamstime